General Education

Brigham Young University

General Education

General Education Program | Undergraduate Education at BYU | Ways to Complete GE Requirements Other Than by Course Work

302 MSRB, PO Box 22600, (801) 378-3038

Acting Dean: James E Faulconer, Professor, Philosophy
Associate Dean: Steven Benzley, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Associate Dean: Susan Easton Black, Professor, Church History and Doctrine
Associate Dean: Douglas F. Tobler, Professor, History
Assistant Dean: Neal W. Kramer

Undergraduate Education at BYU

There are three components to an undergraduate education at Brigham Young University: religious education, major education, and general education. Religion courses are provided at BYU so that students may progress in their religious understanding and convictions simultaneously with their educational progress in secular fields. Education in the major provides students with depth in a particular academic discipline. It introduces them to the type of thinking, language, and skills that prepare them for a career or further study in postgraduate or professional programs. General education is intended to provide students with intellectual breadth. General education covers the range of human accomplishments: the development of language and civilization; the arts; and the social, behavioral, physical, and biological sciences. These three aspects of the baccalaureate degree—religious education, major education, and general education—are described briefly below.

Religious Education

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes secular understanding and skill are important attainments in life and will better serve the individual when accompanied by religious convictions, attitudes, and standards of behavior. Please refer to the Religious Education section of this catalog for more detail.

Major Education

BYU offers nearly 150 undergraduate major programs. Most of these programs are centered in the more than 50 academic departments, but several interdisciplinary programs are also available. The complete list of these degrees is given in the Alphabetical List of Undergraduate Majors at Brigham Young University section of this catalog. Of the 128 credit hours required as a minimum for the baccalaureate degree, the major program typically comprises between 40 and 60 credit hours, with some exceeding 60 credit hours. Requirements for major programs are detailed under specific departments in this catalog. Students need not feel undue pressure to declare a major immediately upon entering the university, and they may wish to enroll in general education courses that can introduce them to possible areas for major study. However, some majors, including those in the natural sciences, engineering, music, and visual arts, are tightly structured. Efficient graduation from these programs requires students to undertake degree requirements during the first semester of their freshman year. Students who are considering these programs are encouraged to begin them as soon as possible. The academic departments and college advisement centers can provide advice about particular degree requirements and selection of a major.

The general education (GE) program at Brigham Young University complements the other two areas of a university education. Through its perspective, we gain vantage points from which to view the development of our own culture and how it relates to others.

GE courses teach one to think critically, and they pose questions that foster the development of moral judgment and aesthetic and cultural sensitivities. At Brigham Young University these courses are taught in the context of the restored gospel and the implications that the gospel of Jesus Christ holds for knowledge, truth, and society.

The general education program was revised in 1995. Students who entered the university prior to fall 1995 have the option to continue with their original GE program or to switch to the newer program. Students enrolled prior to fall 1995 should visit their college advisement center to discuss the optimal program, given their current status.

Modifications to the 1988 GE program are:

A music option was added to satisfy the Advanced Languages requirement.
A combination of courses may satisfy some of the core requirements.
The number of required Arts and Letters elective courses was reduced from four to three.
The Physical Education and Health university requirement has been changed to the Wellness requirement and is now included as part of general education.

Students who entered BYU fall 1995 or thereafter are automatically on the GE program described on the following pages.

Description of the GE Program

The GE Program is separated into three categories called Languages of Learning, the Liberal Arts Core, and Arts and Sciences Electives.

The objectives for each of the three areas are explained below. Brief statements of the ways to satisfy GE requirements are provided in the accompanying table. Detailed information concerning the mechanisms available to complete each requirement is given in the General Education Courses section of the current class schedule.

Languages of Learning

In our modern, complex society, the ability to communicate effectively is deemed a critical skill. Under the Languages of Learning category are grouped the areas of writing, mathematics, foreign languages, and music, each of which represent an important way to convey information and understanding. Because writing at the college level is considered essential to success at the university, students are asked to complete the First-Year Writing course. Later, once students have identified an area for major study, they are provided with an opportunity to develop writing skills in that discipline. To function in a technological society, a basic knowledge of mathematics as a means of communication and problem solving is essential. All students, upon admission, are asked to certify a basic level of numeracy, either with an appropriately high score on the Mathematics section of the ACT or SAT exams or by completion of a BYU course. We then ask that students exhibit a mastery of either mathematics, music, or a foreign language at an advanced level. At this level students achieve an exposure to cultures and to the ways in which practitioners of the language structure their knowledge.

Liberal Arts Core

A traditional university education includes introductions to the core or fundamental areas of knowledge. These typically cover the biological and physical sciences and aspects of cultures and civilizations. Here at BYU we also include as part of our core American heritage, an introduction to the political and economic foundations of the American democratic system, and Wellness, a requirement to assist in developing one's physical and mental well-being.

For every requirement in the core, with the exception of Civilization, there are two pathways to complete the requirement—a one-course option and a multiple-course (two or three) option. The multiple-course options are structured to cover much of the same material that is included in the one-course options but in greater depth.

The options for different core requirements are independent of each other. That is, one may choose the multiple-course option to satisfy the Biological Science core requirement but choose the one-course option for the Physical Science, American Heritage, and Wellness requirements. In general, students will find it most efficient to take the one-course options for a given requirement. However, students in some majors will find that a particular core requirement can be satisfied using the multiple-course pathway with courses they are already taking for their major. Students with career or personal interests outside their major may find that the multiple-course options better serve their needs. For example, the philosophy or language major who hopes to become a physician may satisfy the Physical and/or Biological Science core requirement by virtue of the science courses required for admission to medical school.

Both the Languages of Learning and the Liberal Arts Core provide for multiple ways to satisfy individual requirements. The number of courses and credit hours needed to satisfy a requirement will vary with the particular option chosen and/or the student's previous preparation.

Arts and Sciences Electives

The Arts and Sciences Electives are divided into three categories: Arts and Letters, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. These three divisions encompass the spectrum of human endeavors. The objective of elective courses certified to satisfy this requirement is to introduce students in a little more focused way than the core courses to specific disciplines or areas of study. Students must take one course from each of the three areas. Unless the major program dictates a specific course, students are free to select from a large list of approved courses. These courses are certified for approval by a faculty council, and students are encouraged to check a current class schedule for an up-to-date list of approved courses.

Some courses are approved as both Arts and Sciences electives and as one of the multiple-course options to the Liberal Arts Core requirements. The same course cannot be used for both the elective requirement and to partially complete the core requirement.

Because a significant objective of general education is to provide breadth to the student's education, we recommend that elective courses be taken outside the major. However, once a course certified to satisfy an elective is completed, the GE requirement will be considered satisfied. Changes in majors will not affect the student's progress toward completion of the GE program. Nevertheless, the new major may impose additional requirements, such as a particular Advanced Writing course.

Where variable numbers of courses or credit hours are indicated, the effort required to complete the requirement depends upon the student's level of preparation. The complete list of courses currently certified to satisfy a particular requirement and additional details of how to complete the requirements are given in the General Education Courses section of the current class schedule.

General Education Program

Note: This list is subject to change each semester. Some classes listed here have approval on a trial basis and may be removed from the list at a later date. Please consult a current class schedule each semester/term to ensure that the class you take is still approved for GE. Some requirements can also be satisfied via AP or IB credit. Check with the Academic Advisement Office, B-238 ASB, telephone (801) 378-3641, for the current mapping of AP/IB exams to ensure GE requirements.

Requirement	Options		Total Hours Req.
LANGUAGES OF LEARNING
Precollege Math	ACT math subscore of 22 or above; SAT math subscore of 500 or above; or Math 97, 110, 111, 112, 112H, 113, 113H, or 119		0-3
First-Year Writing	Engl 115, HonP 200, Phil 105, or Phil 105H		3
Advanced Writing	Prerequisite is First-Year Writing or its equivalent. See the list of approved courses in the current class schedule. Some majors require a specific course. Recommended to be taken during junior year.		3
Advanced Languages Three options: Advanced Math, Foreign Language, or Advanced Music	Requirement to be satisfied either in mathematics, in one of three music tracks, or in a foreign language. See the current class schedule for approved math, music, and foreign language classes.		3-16
*LIBERAL ARTS CORE (Check with your college advisement center to know which courses you should take.)
Biology	Option A	Option B	3-6
	One course: Biol 100; 130; Mcbio 130; HonP 260; or Zool 101 and 102	One course each from two of the three groups: Group 1: Biol 150, Botny 125 Group 2: Biol 276, Zool 205, 261, 276 Group 3: Mcbio 221
Physical Science	PhyS 100; or PhyS 110A and 110B; or HonP 259	One course each from two of the three different departments: Chem 100, 101, 105, 111, 111H, 152 Phscs 100, 105, 121, 122, 127, 127H Geol 101, 101H, 103, 111, 330	3-7
American Heritage	One course: AHtg 100, 100H, or HonP 240	One of the following two-course combinations: Hist 120 and PlSc 110; or Hist 120 and Econ 110; or PlSc 110 Econ 110; or Hist 121 and PlSc 110	3-6
Wellness	HEPE 129 or three PE or dance activity courses (see detailed information in the current class schedule)		1.5-2
Civilization	One 201 and one 202 course from the approved list in the current class schedule		6
*ARTS AND SCIENCES ELECTIVES
Natural Sciences	Choose from the approved list.**		3
Social and Behavioral Sciences	Choose from the approved list.**		3
Arts and Letters	Choose from the approved list.**		3
Subtotal: 34.5-61.5
* Classes in the Liberal Arts Core under Option B cannot be used to satisfy both the Liberal Arts Core and then Natural Sciences or Social and Behavioral Sciences electives; one course or combination of courses cannot fulfill more than one requirement. It is strongly** recommended that the courses be taken outside the major department; please consult with your college advisement center. See the current class schedule for the approved list.

GE and the Honors Program

The BYU Honors Program offers a number of courses that satisfy both GE and honors requirements. These courses provide a deeper, more intense exposure to the subject matter for the student who is interested in a challenging experience. Additional information concerning these courses may be obtained from 102A MSRB, telephone (801) 378-5976, or by consulting the University Honors Program Course Guide.

Selection and Timing of GE Classes

To gain approval to meet a GE requirement, a course is subjected to a rigorous evaluation. Such approval is not granted lightly, and students should ensure that the courses they select are, in fact, approved for GE credit. This information is updated each semester and term and is published in the current class schedule.

The Honors Program offers a number of courses that satisfy both GE and honors requirements. These courses provide a deeper, more intense exposure to the subject matter for the student who is interested in a challenging experience. Additional information concerning these courses may be obtained from 102A MSRB, telephone (801) 378-5976, or by consulting the University Honors Program Course Guide.

Although the time to complete GE requirements varies according to the major, students should complete the First-Year Writing and Precollege Mathematics requirements during the freshman year. Students planning to satisfy the Biological Science, Physical Science, and American Heritage core requirements with the one-course options (e.g., Biol 100, PhyS 100, and AHtg 100) should also complete these during the freshman year. History of Civilization courses are designed as sophomore-level courses, although some programs include them during the freshman year. Advice as to when to complete the other GE requirements can be obtained at college advisement centers or department offices.

Ways to Complete GE Requirements Other Than by Course Work

In addition to completing approved courses, there are several mechanisms by which students may satisfy the components of the GE program: transferring acceptable credit from other academic institutions; receiving credit from Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations or from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP); or passing special examinations at the university.

Transfer Credit

The application of transfer credit to GE requirements is handled by the Transfer Evaluation Office (B-238 ASB). Consortium agreements have been reached with several junior and community colleges to facilitate the transfer process for students who have completed certain associate degrees. The Transfer Evaluation Office can be contacted for up-to-date information regarding the status of those agreements with a particular junior or community college.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Credit

The results of some Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams may be used to waive certain GE requirements and to obtain general university credit. AP or IB credit posted to a transfer institution will be evaluated upon BYU's standards and not those of the transfer institution. The Academic Advisement Office (B-238 ASB, [801] 378-3641) can be contacted for details regarding credit hours and exemption from GE requirements for both AP and IB exams.

College Level Examination Program

BYU will grant credit for the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). For each general examination on which a student scores 610 or higher, the university will grant 3 hours of credit. Students can contact the Admissions Office (A-153 ASB, [801] 378-2507) for additional information.

Exemption and Challenge Examinations

Some requirements can be accomplished by successful completion of an examination. Two types of examinations are available, the exemption exam and the challenge exam. A student may only take an exemption or challenge exam once during each exam period. Students do not have to be enrolled in a course to take an exemption or challenge exam. However, some of the exams are given early enough each semester/term so that students who are enrolled and pass the exam may drop the course. Students not enrolled in a course have an opportunity to take the challenge or exemption exams offered at the Testing Center during the middle of fall and winter semesters. Please consult the following table for specific exam dates.

Exemption Exams: No Credit or Grade

(Offered for select general education courses only)

Exemption exams do not earn academic credit or grades. Exemption exams are given in the Testing Center on the dates shown on the table that follows. A fee payable at the Testing Center is required for the exams. A passing score on an exemption exam in reflected on the Advisement-by-Computer (ABC) report as fulfilling the requirement. However, no academic credit will be posted on the transcript of grades. The procedure to take an exam and request exemption from a course follows.

Challenge Exams: Graded Credit

Some challenge exams for credit are offered in the Testing Center, and others are arranged through the department offering the course. A fee payable at the Testing Center is charged for exams offered in the Testing Center. A fee payable at the Cashier's Office in D-155 ASB is required for exams that are offered through individual departments. Check with the department to see if the exam is offered in the department or in the Testing Center. To earn academic credit and a letter grade for the course, the student must submit a Special Examination Form, provided by the Testing Center or the department, to the Records Office, B-150 ASB. No additional fees are charged to post credits to the transcript. The student's transcript and grade point average reflect the grade earned on the exam. The procedure to take exams and request academic credit follows.

Procedure for Exemption and Challenge Exams Given at the Testing Center

Procedure for Exemption Exams
1. Contact the appropriate academic department for exam procedure and content before going to the Testing Center.
2. Go to the Testing Center (265 HGB) on one of the examination dates shown on the following table.
3. Pay the required fee at the Testing Center.
4. If you are enrolled in the course when you pass its exemption exam, you must also complete an Add/Drop Card and drop the course. Students who drop the class after the add deadline (ten class days after a semester starts or six class days after a term starts) will receive a W on their transcript for dropping the course, and their ABC Report will reflect fulfillment of the GE requirement. If the exempted course is not officially dropped before the drop deadline, the grade given by the instructor based on class performance will appear on the transcript of grades.
Note: If you pass an exemption exam at the Testing Center, your ABC Report will be updated automatically at the end of the semester. Please retain your score report for your records.
Procedure for Challenge Exams Given at the Testing Center.
1. Contact the appropriate academic department for exam procedure and content before going to the Testing Center.
2. Go to the Testing Center (265 HGB) on one of the examination dates shown on the following table.
3. Pay the required fee at the Testing Center.
4. After the exam is graded, if you choose to receive graded credit, obtain a Special Examination Form at the Testing Center and have it validated there. To accept the grade and receive credit for the course, turn in the Special Examination Form to the Records Office, B-150 ASB, within one year from the date the exam is taken. Graded credit will be added to your official university transcript, and the ABC Report will show any GE requirement as fulfilled. (Students taking the Physical Science exam may take the grade or an exemption if the score is 75 percent or above. If their score is between 60 and 74 percent, then they may receive graded credit.)
5. If you are enrolled in the course when you pass its challenge exam, you must also complete an Add/Drop Card and drop the course. Students who drop the class after the add deadline (ten class days after a semester starts or six class days after a term starts) will receive a W on their transcript for dropping the course, and their ABC Report will reflect fulfillment of any GE requirement. If the course is not officially dropped before the drop deadline, the grade given by the instructor based on class performance will appear on the transcript of grades.

Procedure for Challenge Examinations Not Given at the Testing Center

Whether or not you are enrolled in the course you are challenging:
1. Complete the Special Examination Form available from the department.
2. Arrange with the department to take the exam.
3. Pay the required $20 testing fee at the Cashiers' Office, D-155 ASB, and have the form validated there ($20 fee per course except for the language exams).
4. Present the validated form to the department examiner.
5. Have the grade and credit recorded on the form by the examiner and obtain the necessary departmental signatures.
6. Present the completed form to the Records Office, B-150 ASB, within one year from the date the exam is taken.
If you are enrolled in the course when you pass its challenge exam, you must also complete an Add/Drop Card and drop the course. Students who drop the class after the add deadline (ten class days after a semester starts or six class days after a term starts) will receive a W on their transcript for dropping the course, and their ABC Report will reflect fulfillment of any GE requirement. If the course is not officially dropped before the drop deadline, the grade given by the instructor based on class performance will appear on the transcript of grades.

Exemption and Challenge Examinations Given in the Testing Center

The Testing Center, 265 HGB, offers special examinations for some GE classes. Please contact the appropriate academic department before going to the Testing Center for specific exam information.

Course Exemption Exam
(No Credit or Grade) Challenge Exam
(Graded Credit) Fee
(Pay at Testing Center) Department to Contact

Precollege Math (Math 97) X
(score of 64% and above) $10 Math Lab
60 KMB

First-Year Writing
(Engl 115) X $20 Engl Comp
3110 JKHB

Biological Sciences
(Biol 100) X $20 Biol 100 Office
2276 SFLC

Physical Science
(PhyS 100) X
(score of 75% and above) X
(score of 60% to 74%) $10 PhyS 100 Office
396 CB

American Heritage
(AHtg 100) X $20 Ahtg Office
2303 SFLC

For information regarding all other challenge examinations, please contact the department that offers the course or exam. for information regarding other GE courses that can be challenged, please contact the General Education Office, 350 MSRB, tel. (801)378-3036.

How Do You Get Help with Specific Questions Concerning General Education?

The essential information concerning general education is found in this catalog. Sources of additional information include the following:

College Advisement Centers
The recommended source of information and advice about general education requirements is your college advisement center. The ten college advisement centers, together with the Open Major Advisement Center, 2500 ELWC, provide assistance with registration, graduation requirements, policies and procedures, fields of study, changes of major, and many other aspects of academic life. Computer terminals are available in the advisement centers and other locations on campus to provide you with an up-to-date report of your academic status. In addition, Advisement-by-Computer (ABC) information will be available each semester. These list the GE courses you have completed and also the GE requirements that remain to be completed.
Dean of General Education and Honors
Questions dealing with general education are handled in 350 MSRB, telephone (801) 378-3038.

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Course	Exemption Exam (No Credit or Grade)	Challenge Exam (Graded Credit)	Fee (Pay at Testing Center)	Department to Contact
Precollege Math (Math 97)	X (score of 64% and above)		$10	Math Lab 60 KMB
First-Year Writing (Engl 115)		X	$20	Engl Comp 3110 JKHB
Biological Sciences (Biol 100)		X	$20	Biol 100 Office 2276 SFLC
Physical Science (PhyS 100)	X (score of 75% and above)	X (score of 60% to 74%)	$10	PhyS 100 Office 396 CB
American Heritage (AHtg 100)		X	$20	Ahtg Office 2303 SFLC
For information regarding all other challenge examinations, please contact the department that offers the course or exam. for information regarding other GE courses that can be challenged, please contact the General Education Office, 350 MSRB, tel. (801)378-3036.