Essential Learning, Lower- and Upper-Division Requirements
Learn... Express... Do…: CMU’s Integrated Curriculum Model for a Baccalaureate Degree
The broad philosophy that underlies CMU’s curriculum is Integrated Learning. This approach expects students to draw upon knowledge and skills from courses across disciplines, critically evaluate information, and apply what they have learned in response to a problem, argument or issue. Colorado Mesa University expects that students will graduate with a well-developed capacity for analytical thought and a heightened awareness of their world. In the university learning environment, students are expected to embrace great ideas and expressions of creative energy that define the human condition. CMU baccalaureate students explore and integrate learning from a variety of fields of knowledge while also focusing their attention on a particular area of interest. This combination produces graduates with an adaptable skill set for use throughout their personal and professional lives.
Upon graduation, a CMU baccalaureate student will be able to:
- Construct a summative project, paper, or practice-based performance that draws on current research, scholarship and/or techniques, and specialized knowledge in the discipline (specialized knowledge/applied learning);
- Analyze data critically, reason logically, and apply quantitative analysis methods correctly to develop appropriate conclusions (quantitative fluency);
- Make and defend assertions about a specialized topic in an extended well-organized document and an oral presentation that is appropriate to the discipline (communication fluency);
- Describe reasoned conclusions that articulate the implications and consequences for a particular decision by synthesizing information and methodologies (critical thinking);
- Reflect on and respond to ethical, social, civic, and/or environmental challenges at local, national, and/or global levels (personal and social responsibility);
- Find relevant sources of information, evaluate information critically, and apply the information appropriately and effectively to specific purposes (information literacy).
Essential Learning Lower Division Requirements
Essential Learning Overview
At the lower division level, success in CMU’s baccalaureate programs requires participation in the Essential Learning curriculum, which at many institutions is identified as General Education. This change in CMU’s description of its lower division curriculum to Essential Learning represents a faculty and staff belief that these lower division courses form an important foundation for all majors in which students begin development of skills in written and oral communication, quantitative literacy and critical thinking. These courses also allow students to integrate what they learn in one course with that from others. The ability to integrate and apply learning and the development of the critical skills listed above are essential competencies for graduates to be successful in addressing the challenges of the twenty-first century.
The Essential Learning Program has two primary components: the Essential Learning Core (31 semester credit hours) and the Essential Learning Capstone (4 semester credit hours). The applicability of these components is described in the following section.
The Essential Learning Core provides students with a foundation in the arts and sciences, based on a range of courses in mathematics, natural sciences, fine arts, humanities and social sciences that complements and enhances a student’s academic major. The exposure to multiple fields of study promotes intellectual respect for diverse people, ideas and cultures. This path of study develops skills critical to academic, personal and professional success while cultivating a passion for lifelong learning. Essential Learning courses, therefore, provide important tools that enable students to fully realize their potential at the baccalaureate level. When students have completed the Essential Learning Core, they possess enhanced abilities in critical thinking, quantitative analysis and communication that they will continue to develop in their academic major.
The Essential Learning Capstone culminates in the completion of the Maverick Milestone (3 credit hours) and its co-requisite, Essential Speech (1 credit hour). Building on the Essential Learning Core, the Maverick Milestone is a 200-level interdisciplinary, topics-oriented, writing-intensive course designed to help students develop the ability to approach problems and evaluate ideas using more than one set of intellectual tools. Students must enroll simultaneously in the Milestone’s co-requisite, Essential Speech, which provides students with fundamental tools for verbally presenting ideas and information learned in the Milestone. Baccalaureate-seeking students are required to meet the Maverick Milestone/Essential Speech requirements in the time frame when they have earned between 45 and 75 credit hours. This pair of courses is an important transition between Essential Learning courses and upper-division work in the major.
Thus, upon completion of CMU’s Essential Learning program, a student will be able to:
- Produce effective arguments and summaries in written English.
- Present information effectively in spoken English.
- Demonstrate quantitative literacy.
- Critically examine and evaluate an argument.
- Demonstrate investigative and analytical thinking skills to solve problems.
- Select and use appropriate information or techniques in an academic project.
- Construct an academic project using techniques and methodologies from multiple disciplines.
As students transition into upper division courses, they will focus more on specialized knowledge associated with their major. The on-going emphasis on developing written and oral communication, quantitative literacy and critical thinking skills will strengthen the students’ problem-solving skills and integrate ways of thinking from various areas of study. By meeting the student learning outcomes for the lower-division coursework, students will enjoy an enriched learning experience in their major while also preparing for their chosen career paths.
Applicability of the Essential Learning Program Requirements
The Essential Learning Core applies to baccalaureate and associate degrees. The only exceptions to the Essential Learning Core requirements are:
- students who have earned a baccalaureate degree, Associate of Arts degree, or Associate of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- students who have successfully completed the entire Colorado Core Transfer Consortium General Education Curriculum at another institution prior to transferring to WCCC/CMU.
In both these cases, the Essential Learning Core is complete unless specific requirements are noted in the Programs A-Z section for each program. The student must still meet this coursework as well as any other specified lower division requirements as part of the degree program.
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree includes 15 credit hours of Essential Learning Core courses as outlined on the program sheet, which can be found under Programs A-Z.
The Maverick Milestone and Essential Speech requirement only applies to baccalaureate degrees. Once a certificate or associate degree-seeking student makes the transition to a baccalaureate program, the Essential Learning Capstone requirement takes effect and should be completed in the earliest possible semester after which 45 credit hours has been earned.
Exceptions to the Maverick Milestone and Essential Speech requirements include:
- Students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree, earned an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from another institution, as well as those who have successfully completed the entire Colorado Core Transfer Consortium General Education Curriculum at another institution prior to transfer to WCCC/CMU, are exempt from the Maverick Milestone, Essential Speech and Wellness course requirements.
- Speechmaking/Public Speaking courses (CMU’s SPCH 102), whether taken from CMU or transferred from another institution, will be accepted in lieu of the ESSL 200 requirement.
All students should review the program sheet for their major, provided in Programs A-Z, and consult with an academic advisor as they consider their course selection.
Essential Learning Core Course Requirements
Each student must complete the 31 minimum semester hours Essential Learning Core requirement as specified by the Colorado Mesa University faculty. For specific course requirements and choices, refer to the section titled “Core Courses Approved for the Essential Learning Program Requirements.”
English: 6 semester credit hours
Colorado Mesa University students are required to complete English composition for the Essential Learning requirement prior to exceeding 60 semester credit hours, preferably during their first year of enrollment. Those who are advised to enroll in developmental courses should do so before taking the required 100-level courses, preferably in their first semester at CMU.
English courses must be taken in sequence and students are encouraged to take them in consecutive semesters. Students must earn a “C” or higher in ENGL 111 before taking ENGL 112 or ENGL 219, and students must earn a “C” or higher in ENGL 112 to enroll in ENGL 219. Some programs may require a minimum grade of a “B” in all English Essential Learning courses.
Students who are completing 60 hours of course work will not be permitted to enroll in any additional courses until they have passed the required English courses. Exceptions to the policy require the written permission of the appropriate academic department head for English or designee.
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Colorado Mesa University students are required to complete mathematics for the Essential Learning requirement prior to exceeding 60 semester credit hours, preferably during their first year of enrollment. Those who are advised to enroll in developmental courses should do so before taking the required 100-level courses. All prerequisite mathematics courses, as well as the Essential Learning mathematics course, must be completed with a “C” or higher.
Students who are completing 60 hours of course work will not be permitted to enroll in any additional courses until they have passed the required courses. Exceptions to the policy require the written permission of the appropriate academic department head for Mathematics or designee.
For specific mathematics requirements, students should complete the courses specified on the program sheet, which can be found under Programs A-Z. For all majors, the mathematics requirement and any required mathematics prerequisite can only be met with a grade of “C” or higher.
History: 3 semester credit hours
Choose from selected history courses.
Three additional hours of history may be chosen to fulfill the Humanities requirement below.
Humanities: 3 semester credit hours
Choose from selected English, history, language, mass communication, philosophy and speech courses.
Social and Behavioral Science: 6 semester credit hours
Choose from selected archaeology, anthropology, computer science, economics, geography, political science, psychology, sociology and speech courses.
Fine Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Choose from selected art, dance, fine arts, music and theatre courses.
Natural Sciences: 7 semester credit hours
Choose from selected biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, geology and physics courses.
At least one of the two Natural Sciences courses must have an associated lab or field component, and both the lecture and lab must be taken in all courses listed which have both, if Essential Learning credit is to be received. Courses that fit this lecture and laboratory requirement are marked with an asterisk in the Natural Sciences list for Essential Learning.
Core Courses Approved for the Essential Learning Program Requirements
The following courses are approved to meet the Essential Learning Core requirements for baccalaureate and associate degrees from Colorado Mesa University. Students may select their Essential Learning courses from the list below according to their own preference unless specific Essential Learning Core courses are prescribed for their major or excluded after consultation with their advisor. Courses used to meet the requirements for the major cannot be used to fulfill the Essential Learning requirement. Essential Learning courses, however, can be double-counted between the major and minor or between majors. Requirements for a specific major can be found under Programs A-Z.
Essential Learning Core course requirements may also be met with an appropriate AP, CLEP or DANTES test if the test has been approved by the appropriate academic department at Colorado Mesa University. Credit may also be awarded via the Credit for Prior Learning option. See Non-Traditional Credit section in this catalog for more information.
Most CMU Essential Learning Core courses below are approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education for statewide guaranteed transfer, as part of the gtPathways program (see section on “Colorado Department of Higher Education Statewide Guaranteed Transfer Courses”).
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
| Option 1 | ||
| English Composition I-GTCO1 | ||
| English Composition II-GTCO2 | ||
| Option 2 | ||
| English Composition II-GTCO2 | ||
| Introduction to Professional Writing-GTCO3 | ||
| Mathematics 2 | ||
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 | 3 |
| MATH 113 | College Algebra-GTMA1 | 4 |
| MATH 113R | College Algebra with Review 6 | 5 |
| MATH 119 | Precalculus Mathematics-GTMA1 | 5 |
| MATH 119A | Algebra for Calculus 6 | 4 |
| MATH 149 | Honors Mathematics-GTMA1 | 3 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I-GT-MA1 | 5 |
| MATH 205 | Elements of Mathematics II-GTMA1 | 3 |
| History | ||
| HIST 101 | Western Civilization I-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 102 | Western Civilization II-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 131 | United States History I-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 132 | United States History II-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 225 | History of Colorado 6 | 3 |
| Humanities | ||
| ENGL 131 | Western World Literature I-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 132 | Western World Literature II-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 150 | Introduction to Literature-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 222 | Mythology-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 254 | Survey of English Literature I-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 255 | Survey of English Literature II-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 261 | Survey of American Literature I-GTAH2 | 3 |
| ENGL 262 | Survey of American Literature II-GTAH2 | 3 |
| FLAS 211 | Second-Year Spanish I 3 | 3 |
| FLAS 213 | Spanish Conversation and Grammar 3 | 3 |
| HIST 101 | Western Civilization I-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 102 | Western Civilization II-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 131 | United States History I-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 132 | United States History II-GTHI1 | 3 |
| HIST 225 | History of Colorado 6 | 3 |
| MASS 110 | Mass Media: Impact and History-GTAH2 | 3 |
| PHIL 105 | Critical Thinking-GTAH3 | 3 |
| PHIL 110 | Introduction to Philosophy-GTAH3 | 3 |
| PHIL 120 | Ethics-GTAH3 | 3 |
| PHIL 130 | Philosophy of Religion-GTAH3 | 3 |
| SPCH 102 | Speechmaking 3 | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| ANTH 202 | Introduction to Anthropology-GTSS3 | 3 |
| ANTH 220 | Principles of Archaeology-GTSS3 | 3 |
| ANTH 222 | World Prehistory-GTSS3 | 3 |
| ANTH 231 & 231L | Survey of Biological Anthropology-GTSS3 and Survey of Biological Anthropology Laboratory-GTSS3 3 | 4 |
| CSCI 100 | Computers In Our Society 3 | 3 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics-GTSS1 | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Microeconomics-GTSS1 | 3 |
| GEOG 102 | Human Geography-GTSS2 | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography-GTSS2 | 3 |
| POLS 101 | American Government-GTSS1 | 3 |
| POLS 151 | Introduction to Political Ideas 3 | 3 |
| POLS 261 | Comparative Politics-GTSS1 | 3 |
| POLS 270 | World Politics 3 | 3 |
| PSYC 150 | General Psychology-GTSS3 | 3 |
| PSYC 233 | Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies-GTSS3 | 3 |
| SOCI 102 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies 6 | 3 |
| SOCI 120 | Technology and Society-GTSS3 | 3 |
| SOCO 144 | Marriage and Families-GTSS3 | 3 |
| SOCO 260 | General Sociology-GTSS3 | 3 |
| SOCO 264 | Social Problems-GTSS3 | 3 |
| SPCH 101 | Interpersonal Communications 3, 4 | 3 |
| Fine Arts | ||
| ARTE 101 | Two-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 102 | Three-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 103 | Digital Art and Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 115 | Art Appreciation-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 118 | History of Art, Prehistory to Renaissance-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 119 | History of Art, Renaissance to Present-GTAH1 | 3 |
| DANC 115 | Dance Appreciation-GTAH1 | 3 |
| FINE 101 | The Living Arts-GTAH1 | 3 |
| MUSA 220 | Music Appreciation-GTAH1 | 3 |
| MUSA 266 | History of Popular Music-GTAH1 | 3 |
| MUSA 267 | Jazz History and Literature-GTAH1 | 3 |
| THEA 141 | Theatre Appreciation-GTAH1 | 3 |
| THEA 145 | Introduction to Dramatic Literature-GTAH1 | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | General Human Biology-GTSC1 and General Human Biology Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| BIOL 105 & 105L | Attributes of Living Systems-GTSC1 and Attributes of Living Systems Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| BIOL 108 & 108L | Diversity of Organisms-GTSC1 and Diversity of Organisms Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| BIOL 250 & 250L | Introduction to Microbiology-GTSC1 and Introduction to Microbiology Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| CHEM 100 | Chemistry and Society-GTSC2 | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Introduction to Concepts of General Chemistry 6 | 3 |
| CHEM 121 & 121L | Principles of Chemistry-GTSC1 and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| CHEM 122 & 122L | Principles of Organic Chemistry-GTSC1 and Principles of Organic Chemistry Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| CHEM 131 & 131L | General Chemistry I-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| CHEM 132 & 132L | General Chemistry II-GTSC1 and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| CHEM 151 & 151L | Engineering Chemistry-GTSC1 and Engineering Chemistry Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| ENVS 101 | Introduction to Environmental Science-GTSC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 100 | Survey of Earth Science-GTSC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 103 | Weather and Climate-GTSC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 104 | Oceanography-GT-SC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 105 | Geology of Colorado-GTSC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 106 | Introduction to Dinosaurs-GT-SC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 107 | Natural Hazards and Environmental Geology-GTSC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 108 | Water, People, and Environment - GTSC2 | 3 |
| GEOL 111 & 111L | Principles of Physical Geology-GTSC1 and Principles of Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| GEOL 112 & 112L | Principles of Historical Geology-GTSC1 and Principles of Historical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| GEOL 113 & 113L | Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology-GTSC1 and Field-Based Introduction to Physical Geology Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| PHYS 100 | Concepts of Physics-GTSC2 | 3 |
| PHYS 101 | Elementary Astronomy-GTSC2 | 3 |
| PHYS 103 & 103L | General Astronomy-GTSC1 and General Astronomy Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 4 |
| PHYS 111 & 111L | General Physics-GTSC1 and General Physics Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| PHYS 112 & 112L | General Physics II-GTSC1 and General Physics II Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| PHYS 131 & 131L | Fundamental Mechanics-GTSC1 and Fundamental Mechanics Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
| PHYS 132 & 132L | Electromagnetism and Optics-GTSC1 and Electromagnetism and Optics Laboratory-GTSC1 5 | 5 |
- 1
The combination of ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 (3 s.h.) and ENGL 219 Introduction to Professional Writing-GTCO3 (3 s.h.) does not meet the Essential Learning English requirement.
- 2
Students seeking the BA, BFA, BM, BME or BSW degree must complete MATH 110 Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 (3 s.h.) or a higher level mathematics course with a grade of “C” or higher to fulfill their mathematics competency under Essential Learning; students seeking the BS, BSN or BBA degree must complete MATH 113 College Algebra-GTMA1 (4 s.h.) or higher level mathematics course with a grade of “C” or higher to fulfill their mathematics competency under Essential Learning; students seeking the BAS degree must refer to their specific program to determine the mathematics competency requirement under essential learning.
- 3
Not approved for gtPathways.
- 4
Cannot be used to substitute for ESSL 200 of the Essential Learning Capstone Requirement.
- 5
Only these courses fulfill the requirement of Natural Science with an associated lab or field component. Both the lecture and laboratory must be taken if Essential Learning credit or graduation credit is to be received.
- 6
Pending review by gtPathways.
Other Lower Division Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees
In addition to the Essential Learning Core requirements described in the previous section, students pursuing a CMU baccalaureate degree must meet other lower division requirements as described below.
Essential Learning Capstone
Students are required to complete between 45 and 75 credit hours of coursework before enrolling in the four credits associated with the co-requisite Milestone and Speech courses:
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone 1 | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
- 1
See the Maverick Milestone policies included in the General Undergraduate Academic Policies section.
Wellness Requirement
Each student must take KINE 100 Health and Wellness (1 s.h.) plus either one or two activity courses, as specified on the program sheet for each major. Program sheets can be found under Programs A-Z. The only exception to taking KINE 100 Health and Wellness (1 s.h.) are those students who request and pass a proficiency test at least at the 80 percent level. Contact the Kinesiology Department Head or the CMU Testing Center for additional information.
Up to six KINA courses (excluding varsity athletics) may be taken as electives toward graduation with a baccalaureate degree.
Each course is scheduled for an eight-week module and designed to emphasize and assess basic skills, related knowledge, and the importance of physical activity in promoting and maintaining personal health. Students learn and apply health fitness concepts while gaining skills relating to the specific activity. Throughout the eight weeks, students complete various assignments designed to encourage physical activity, healthy lifestyle changes, and application health and fitness concepts. Prerequisites for all “Intermediate” or part II classes: the corresponding beginning course or instructor consent.
Courses approved for the Wellness requirement for baccalaureate degrees are as follows:
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| KINA 100-Level | Activity Courses | 1 |
| DANC 154 | Dance Team | 1 |
| DANC 160 | Beginning Ballet | 1 |
| DANC 169 | Beginning Modern Dance | 1 |
| DANC 174 | Beginning Jazz Dance | 1 |
| DANC 177 | Beginning Tap Dance | 1 |
| DANC 180 | Beginning Hip Hop Dance | 1 |
| MUSP 147 | Marching Band | 1 |
| OREC 104 | Orienteering | 1 |
| OREC 105 | Backpacking | 1 |
| OREC 108 | Stand Up Paddle Boarding | 1 |
| OREC 109 | Kayaking | 1 |
| OREC 110 | River Rafting | 1 |
| OREC 112 | Rock Climbing II | 1 |
| OREC 135 | Backcountry Winter Travel | 1 |
Note on Varsity Athletics: Only one varsity sport activity course numbered KINA 180V or KINA 180-189 may be used to meet the Wellness activity requirement. Varsity athletics may not be used as elective credit.
Upper Division Requirements
Students seeking a baccalaureate degree must earn a minimum number of upper-division semester credit hours (numbered between 300 and 499), depending on the degree and major.
A minimum of 40 semester credit hours is required for all Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Social Work degrees. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Bachelor of Applied Science should refer to their program sheet, located under Programs A-Z, for the minimum upper-division credit hour requirement.