Quantitative Reasoning Flag: Information for Students

UT Austin’s new core curriculum, which is now being implemented by individual colleges and schools, requires all undergraduates to earn credit for flagged courses in six areas: Writing, Quantitative Reasoning, Global Cultures, Cultural Diversity, Ethics and Leadership, and Independent Inquiry. Upon full implementation, students will be required to earn credit for one course flagged for Quantitative Reasoning in order to graduate. You should check with your advisor to find out how many flag requirements have been implemented for your degree program.

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is intended to help you build skills necessary for understanding quantitative arguments in your adult and professional life. Courses carrying the Quantitative Reasoning flag ask you to interpret quantitative models and apply quantitative reasoning to real-world problems.

Quantitative Reasoning courses may be flagged simultaneously with any of the other flags, but there is a three-flag limit per course.

What is a Quantitative Reasoning flag class like?

Quantitative Reasoning courses are taught in departments all over campus, both at the upper and lower divisions, and cover a wide variety of topics. For example, a Quantitative Reasoning class might focus on basic statistics and modeling, advanced architectural design, or GIS and remote sensing for archaeological research. No matter the topic, all Quantitative Reasoning classes must meet the following requirement:

At least half of the course grade must be based on the use of quantitative skills (e.g., data analysis and modeling, simulation, statistics, probability, and quantitative decision analysis) to analyze real-world problems.

Each instructor will use the flag requirement in unique ways to enhance the class. You might be asked to apply concepts of probability, conduct laboratory experiments, or design a study that involves collecting and analyzing data. Any such activities aim to help you master course content, increase your understanding of quantitative models or arguments, and use quantitative reasoning to solve real-world problems.

How will I know if a course carries the Quantitative Reasoning flag?

When choosing classes, you can consult the online course schedule to find out whether or not a course carries a Quantitative Reasoning flag. You can search the course schedule by flag to see a list of all courses carrying the flag that semester. Or you can search by class to see if a specific course carries the flag. If it does, it will be marked with a small yellow box that includes the letters “QR”, as in this example:

A course might carry more than one flag (maximum of three), as in the following example. In this case, you should make sure that one of the yellow boxes is marked with the letters “QR”.

During the semester, you can also consult your course syllabus for information on which flag(s) the course carries. To determine which flag requirements you have already fulfilled, you or your advisor should check the degree audit system.

For more information, contact the Center for Strategic Advising.