The University Studies Program 2003

Primarily for students first entering UW Fall Semester 2003 or after.

An education at the University of Wyoming is grounded in a broad understanding of human knowledge developed through a range of courses and co-curricular activities, the most important of which is the University Studies Program of general education, required of all UW students. The specialized knowledge of a major evolves from general education. These two components of an education are complementary, enhancing one another throughout a student's career.

The goal of the University Studies Program is to provide a general education that will help students develop for full participation in a technologically intricate world including:

1. The ability to express oneself in speech and writing;

2. The ability to locate, evaluate, and use information;

3. The ability to examine problems from quantitative, qualitative, and scientific perspectives;

4. Encouragement to become active citizens in a diverse society;

5. Gaining perspective to appreciate the viewpoints and deal with complex issues of others through multi- and inter-disciplinary inquiry;

6. Understanding the responsibility to participate in a democratic society;

7. Communicating clearly in a civic environment.

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Approved Courses for The University Studies Program 2003

Requirements of the University Studies Program 2003 are:

Students who enrolled at the University of Wyoming prior to the fall of 2003 and who maintained continuous enrollment have the option of satisfying USP 1991 or USP 2003 requirements. Wyoming community college students who transfer to UW will have the option of meeting either the USP 1991 requirements or the USP 2003 requirements.

The University Studies Program 1991

All UW students are required to complete a university-wide program in general education, the University Studies Program. In addition to being an integral part of each academic major, the University Studies Program provides guidance for entering students who are undecided about an academic major. The University Studies Program provides students with approximately one and one-half years of study, which will apply to all academic majors at the University of Wyoming. The Wyoming Community Colleges have defined a Common General Education Core Curriculum as a component of the associate's degree. Per articulation agreement, an AA or AS degree from a Wyoming community college plus three additional credits of mathematics will satisfy the lower-division requirements of the University Studies Program. (for more information, see section regarding the Wyoming Community College Articulation Agreement)

The goals of the University Studies Program are to provide a general education which will help students develop:

1. Skills in written and oral communication;
   
2. Skills in basic mathematics, problem solving and quantitative reasoning;
   
3. Understanding of the scientific methods and basic principles of the natural sciences;
   
4. Understanding of the methods and content of behavioral and social sciences;
   
5. Appreciation for the role of the humanities and the visual and performing arts in contributing to a satisfying life;
   
6. Understanding of the principles of the constitutions of the United States and Wyoming; and
   
7. Increased awareness of other cultures and cultural traditions.
   
8. Increased awareness regarding the impact physical activity has on physical and mental health, mortality, and quality of life.

Requirements of the University Studies Program are:

*Mid-level and upper-division writing courses and global diversity may also fulfill other requirements in university studies, i.e., they may "double-count." For example, if a course is approved for both humanities and writing, it can simultaneously fulfill both requirements; if a course is approved for both global diversity and social and behavioral sciences, it may simultaneously fulfill both requirements. Any approved university studies course may count toward fulfilling requirements in a student's major.

The following courses were approved for the University Studies Program at the time this bulletin went to press. Since the process of course approval is ongoing, all entering students and their advisers will have an updated list of approved courses at the time of registration. Therefore, the following list of courses should be viewed as illustrative of the types of courses available in each category.

Policy on Advanced Placement for University Studies

Students may fulfill University Studies Program requirements through advanced placement. Introductory courses approved for the University Studies Program will be available through one of the following options:

1. Advanced Placement Program (APP)
   
2. College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
   
3. Departmental Examination, or
   
4. Portfolio Examination.
   

Interested students should contact the Office of the Registrar at Dept. 3964, 1000 E. University Ave., , Laramie, Wyoming 82071, come to 167 Knight Hall, or call (307) 766-5272, and request information.

Questions about the University Studies Program?

Inquiries concerning the University Studies Program should be directed to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dept. 3302, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, Wyoming 82071, (307) 766-4287.

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Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change:  05/11/07