Core Curriculum Student Competencies

The following Student Competencies have been developed by the Undergraduate Studies Advisory Committee with the guidance of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Student Competencies, which are based on and designed to demonstrate satisfaction of the Coordinating Board’s Exemplary Educational Objectives, are used to determine which UT courses satisfy each area of the core curriculum, to assess general education at UT, and to determine when transfer credit may be counted toward the core curriculum by substitution.

COMMUNICATION (Core Component 010)

The objective of the communication component of the core curriculum is to enable the student to communicate effectively in clear and correct prose in a style appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

Courses listed in this area of the core must be designed to help students develop all Student Competencies listed below.

Student Competencies

1. To understand and demonstrate writing or speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing, and presentation.
2. To choose a method of communication appropriate to a specified purpose and audience.
3. To organize ideas logically around a central theme in paragraphs, sections, and entire works using appropriate grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling.
4. To develop claims or hypotheses and draw appropriate conclusions using well-reasoned arguments and supporting evidence while identifying logical flaws and fallacies and weighing alternative viewpoints.

MATHEMATICS (Core Component 020)

The objective of the mathematics component of the core curriculum is to develop a quantitatively literate college graduate. Every college graduate should be able to apply basic mathematical tools for solving real-world problems.

Courses listed in this area of the core must be designed to help students develop at least Student Competencies 1 and 2.

Student Competencies

1. To demonstrate college-level skills in a mathematical discipline and apply appropriate quantitative methods to solving real-world problems.
2. To represent mathematical information verbally, numerically, graphically, or symbolically, and to interpret, draw inferences from, and recognize the limitations of mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, or tables.
3. To demonstrate an understanding of mathematics as a set of tools that may be applied to questions in the natural sciences, social sciences, or humanities.
4. To use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding and to solve mathematical problems and judge the reasonableness of the results.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (Core Components 030 and 031)

The objective of the Science & Technology component of the core curriculum is to give students an appreciation of the current state of knowledge in two or more areas of natural science and technology. In so doing, students will be able to understand and apply the methods that scientists use to answer questions about the natural world and will develop the necessary scientific and quantitative skills to understand and further the role of science and technology in addressing problems facing society today and in the future.

A total of nine hours is required to complete the core Science & Technology component, which includes a depth requirement consisting of six hours of coursework in a single field of study (Science & Technology Part I) and a breadth requirement consisting of three additional hours of coursework in a second field of study (Science & Technology Part II).

Courses included in the Science & Technology Part I area of the core introduce students to the most fundamental and important concepts in the natural sciences as part of a coherent 6-hour sequence. All courses listed in this area must be designed to help students develop at least Student Competency 1.

Students must fulfill the Science & Technology Part II requirement by selecting an additional course from the Science & Technology Part I list or by selecting a course listed under Science & Technology Part II. All Science & Technology Part II courses must be designed to help students develop at least one of the three Student Competencies for this area.

Student Competencies

1. To understand and apply scientific and quantitative methods and appropriate technology to the study of natural sciences.
2. To use appropriate scientific or quantitative methods to demonstrate knowledge of the major issues and problems facing modern science or technology, including issues that touch upon ethics, values, or public policies.
3. To use appropriate scientific or quantitative methods to demonstrate knowledge of the interdependence of science and technology and their influence on, and contribution to, modern culture.

HUMANITIES (Core Component 040)

The objective of the humanities component of the core curriculum is to expand students’ knowledge of the human condition and human cultures, especially in relation to behaviors, ideas, and values expressed in works of human imagination and thought. Through study in disciplines such as literature and philosophy, students will engage in critical analysis, form aesthetic judgments, and develop an appreciation of the humanities as fundamental to the health and survival of any society.

Courses listed in this area of the core must be designed to help students develop Student Competencies 1 and 2.

Student Competencies

1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in a discipline such as literature. To understand those works as expressions of individual or broader human values within a historical and social context.
2. To articulate an informed reaction to works in that discipline and to demonstrate aesthetic appreciation in the humanities.

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS (Core Component 050)

The objective of the Visual & Performing Arts component of the core curriculum is to help students develop an awareness and aesthetic appreciation of the visual and performing arts and to understand works of visual and performing art in their historical, cultural, and social contexts.

All courses in the visual and performing arts area of the core curriculum must be designed to help students develop at least Student Competencies 1, 2, 3, and 4. Courses designed primarily to help students develop Student Competencies 5 or 6 may be counted only if they include material relating to Student Competencies 1, 2, 3, and 4. Only courses of three hours or more may be included.

Student Competencies

1. To demonstrate awareness of the range of works in some area of the visual or performing arts.
2. To demonstrate an understanding of the works being studied as expressions of individual or broader human values within a historical, cultural or social context.
3. To articulate an informed critical response to the works being studied.
4. To demonstrate aesthetic appreciation of the works being studied.
5. To engage in creative process or interpretive performance and experience the physical and intellectual demands required of the visual or performing artist.
6. To demonstrate knowledge of the importance of visual or performing arts in defining or exploring a culture.

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (Core Component 080)

The objective of the Social and Behavioral Sciences component of the core curriculum is to help students develop an understanding of the methods, approaches, and theories that social scientists have developed to understand societies and the relationship of individuals to societies.

All courses in this area of the core curriculum must be designed to help students meet at least Student Competency 1.

Student Competencies

1. To demonstrate an understanding of some of the methods, approaches, technologies, and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
2. To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures.
3. To develop and communicate explanations of or solutions for contemporary social issues.
4. To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on individuals and societies.
5. To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.