18 • Advising Handbook 2016–2017
UNIVERSITY CORE
CURRICULUM
Core Goals
The University Core Curriculum challenges all students
to engage disciplines outside the domains of knowledge in
which their majors reside; to develop skills in written and
oral communication; to become literate in math, science, and
history; and to understand issues in the areas of physical wellness
and personal finance. It also addresses issues, problems, and
opportunities in the areas of civic engagement, diversity, and
international and environmental awareness. You must earn a
combined grade point average of at least 2.000 in UCC
course work to graduate.
Core Courses
Making up the University Core Curriculum are four
components—Foundation, Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3—plus
a writing proficiency program and a writing emphasis course
requirement. Descriptions of Foundation and Tier 1 courses
are provided in this handbook (see pages 26–31). Descriptions
for all UCC courses can be found in the Ball State catalog
(bsu.edu/catalog). Each course is listed with its credit hours.
Students usually focus on Foundation and Tier 1 courses
during their freshman year before taking Tier 2 courses, but
you may take UCC courses from different sections (Foundation,
Tier 1, Tier 2) at the same time. Students typically meet the
Tier 3 requirements with a course in their major during their
senior year.
Core Requirements
The following UCC requirements apply to all students except
early childhood, elementary, and exceptional needs education
majors and Honors College students (see pages 22–25 for those
modified requirements).
WRITING PROFICIENCY PROGRAM REQUIREMENT
All baccalaureate students must satisfy the writing proficiency
requirement prior to graduation. During your junior year (60–89
completed credits), you may satisfy the requirement through successful
completion of either WPP 392 Writing Proficiency Examination or
WPP 393 Writing Proficiency Course.
FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS
Written Communication
English sequence is determined by placement.
Complete one option:
ENG 101* Foundations of Rhetoric and Writing 1 (2)
102* Foundations of Rhetoric and Writing 2 (2)
104* Composing Research (3)
OR
ENG 103* Rhetoric and Writing (3)
104* Composing Research (3)
Oral Communication
COMM 210 Fundamentals of Public Communication (3)
History
Select one option:
HIST 150 The West in the World (3)
OR
HIST 151* World Civilization 1 (3) and
152* World Civilization 2 (3)
Mathematics
The appropriate math course is determined by placement
and major requirement. Depending on major selection,
students may be required to take a math placement exam.
Select one course:
MATH 125 Mathematics and Its Applications (3)
132* Brief Calculus (3)
161* Applied Calculus 1 (3)
165* Calculus 1 (4)
Personal Finance
Select one course:
FCS 135 Financial Literacy (1)
FIN 101 Personal Finance for Fiscal Wellness (1)
110 Personal Finance (3)
Physical Fitness/Wellness
Students needing special accommodations or with
special circumstances may take PFW 101 and 102,
105, 160, 161 and 162.
Select one course:
PFW 100 Physical Conditioning (2)
103 Walking (2)
104 Jogging (2)
117 Water Aerobics (2)
148 Aerobics (2)
217 Swimming (2)
The University Core Curriculum (UCC) is a required component of all undergraduate degrees at Ball State.
It is intended to be a part of your entire academic program. Typically students take major courses along
with UCC courses nearly every semester until graduation.
