Core IMPACTS Curriculum
Every student in the University System of Georgia engages in a General Education curriculum – Core IMPACTS – that provides a solid foundation for life, learning, and careers, and helps you build momentum to fulfill your academic, personal, and professional aspirations. Core IMPACTS introduces the different ways we have of knowing the world and connects them to the big questions that will drive our future and the essential skills you need to succeed. The General Education curriculum is structured across seven areas:
- Institutional Priority;
- Mathematics and Quantitative Skills;
- Political Science and U.S. History;
- Arts, Humanities and Ethics;
- Communicating in Writing; Technology, Mathematics and Sciences;
- Social Sciences.
Each institution’s Core IMPACTS requirements must add up to 42 semester credit hours. (BoR Minutes, October 2009, October 2014, October 2015, March 2016, October, 2023) At Gordon State College, the USG’s Core IMPACTS requirements are met as follows:
| Core Impacts | Area Shorthand | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Priority | Institution | 4 |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Skills | Mathematics | 3 |
| Political Science & U.S. History | Citizenship | 6 |
| Arts, Humanities & Ethics | Humanities | 6 |
| Communicating in Writing | Writing | 6 |
| Technology, Mathematics & Sciences1 | STEM | 111 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences | 6 |
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At least 8 of the STEM credit hours must be in lab science courses.
Institutional Priority
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Institution (Critical Thinking) Required Courses | ||
| FIRE 1000 | Freshmen Intro to Reasoning Es 1 | 2 |
| or GSCT 1000 | Gordon St Critical Thinking | |
| Students who have been continually enrolled prior to fall 2018 and those transferring to Gordon State with 13 or more credit hours may substitute other college-level hours. For most students transferring to Gordon State, the most efficient option for satisfying this requirement is FIRE + COLQ course (2 hours plus 2 hours). However, transfer students can also use any fall through course from other Core IMPACTS areas. | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 2 | |
| Humanities Colloquium | ||
| Nat Sci/Math Colloquium | ||
| Social Science Colloquium | ||
| Honors Colloquium | ||
| Total Hours | 4 | |
- 1
A grade of “C” or better is required for FIRE 1000 Freshmen Intro to Reasoning Es or GSCT 1000 Gordon St Critical Thinking.
Hours Applied to Institutional Priority: 4 Hours
Mathematics & Quantitative Skills
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Quantitative Skills & Reason | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Total Hours | 3-4 | |
Hours Applied to Mathematics: 3 Hours
Notes
Any one of the courses, MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills & Reason, MATH 1111 College Algebra, MATH 1113 Precalculus, MATH 1401 Elementary Statistics or MATH 1501 Calculus I, will satisfy the mathematics requirement with the following note:
- STEM majors should take MATH 1113 Precalculus or MATH 1501 Calculus I in this area. Science majors who take a course in the Mathematics domain other than the recommended courses for their major may later have to take additional courses outside of the Core IMPACTS requirements to meet requirements for their majors.
Advising Notes
- In addition to science majors who must take MATH 1111 College Algebra in preparation for taking MATH 1113 Precalculus, MATH 1111 College Algebra is the course that is recommended for business majors. MATH 1111 College Algebra is also a good course for students who are undeclared majors but are considering majoring in a quantitative area or students who wish to build on their high school algebra to enhance their abilities in mathematics.
- MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills & Reason is less dependent on previous knowledge of algebra than MATH 1111 College Algebra and is often the choice of students who desire a broad knowledge of mathematics rather than the specific knowledge of algebra and students with weaker algebra backgrounds.
- MATH 1401 Elementary Statistics is the choice for Nursing students.
- MATH 1101 Math Modeling, taken through eCore, will transfer as MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills & Reason.
A course taken to satisfy mathematic requirements cannot at the same time be used to satisfy a second Core IMPACTS requirement.
Political Science and U.S. History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| POLS 1101 | American Govt | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| American History I 1,2 | ||
| American History II 1,2 | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
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Constitution and history requirement: The State of Georgia requires that any person receiving a degree from a state-supported college must demonstrate knowledge of the history and Constitution of the United States and of Georgia. The US and Georgia History and Constitution requirements are met by successfully completing HIST 2111 American History I, HIST 2112 American History II, or POLS 1101 American Govt at Gordon State College, any USG institution, Georgia Military College, or any accredited Technical College of Georgia. Students transferring to Gordon State from out-of-state or private institutions, including nonUSG schools (excluding Georgia Military College), or students who have AP or CLEP US History transfer credit, must either pass the “GA History and the GA Constitution” exam or take HIST 2111 American History I and POLS 1101 American Govt or HIST 2112 American History II at Gordon State College, any USG institution, Georgia Military College, or any accredited Technical College of Georgia to fulfill GA legislative requirements.
- 2
In general, students cannot use a course taken to satisfy requirements in one Core IMPACTS requirement to satisfy another requirement.
Hours Applied to Political Sciences: 6 Hours
Arts, Humanities & Ethics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Survey of Art History I 1 | ||
| Survey of Art History II 1 | ||
| Intro to Human Communication | ||
| Public Speak | ||
| Intro to Interpersonal Commun | ||
| Elem French I | ||
| Elem French II | ||
| Humanities I 1 | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Elem Spanish I | ||
| Elem Spanish II | ||
| Accelerated Elem Spanish | ||
| Voice and Diction | ||
| Theatre Appreciation 1 | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| World Literature I 1 | ||
| World Literature II 1 | ||
| British Lit I | ||
| British Lit II | ||
| American Lit I | ||
| American Lit II | ||
| African American Lit I | ||
| African American Lit II | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- 1
In general, students cannot use a course taken to satisfy requirements in one Core IMPACTS requirement to satisfy another requirement.
Hours Applied to Arts: 6 Hours
Communicating in Writing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Required Courses | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Comp I | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | English Comp II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Hours Applied to Communicating in Writing: 6 Hours
Notes
Students are required to complete writing requirements early in their college studies.
- If a student has completed 30 semester hours and has not yet completed the writing requirement, the student must enroll in a course that makes progress toward completing the writing requirement in order to take other college courses. In other words, after 30 semester hours, the student must be enrolled in one of the following courses: ENGL 1101 English Comp I, ENGL 1102 English Comp II (or ENGL 0999 Support for English Comp if they still have learning support requirements).
- This course is a prerequisite for many classes required for all majors. Completing this requirement early in their college career can quicken progression through other degree requirements.
- A student must pass ENGL 1101 English Comp I with a C or better.
Technology, Mathematics & Sciences (STEM)
For the purpose of determining course requirements for STEM, the following transfer programs of study are considered science majors:
- Associate of Science (general)1
- Associate of Science in Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Biology and Biology with Secondary Teacher Certification
- 1
Associate of Science (general) Pathways include:
- Astronomy
- Biological Sciences and Biology
- Mathematics
- Pharmacy – Transfer
- Physics
Students who take a course in the STEM domain other than the recommended course(s) for their major may later have to take additional courses outside of the Core IMPACTS requirements to meet requirements of their majors.
Students switching from a non-science major to a STEM or Health Professions major that have already met requirements for courses in any Core IMPACTS domain will retain credits earned in that domain, but may have additional requirements for their majors that must be met outside of the Core IMPACTS requirements to progress in their majors.
STEM- Non Science Majors
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Astronomy of Solar System | ||
| Principles of Biology I 1 | ||
| Introductory Biology I 1 | ||
| Survey of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Intro Geosci I: Phys Geol | ||
| Intro Geosci II: Hist Geol | ||
| Integrated Science | ||
| Intro Physics I | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Astronomy of Solar System | ||
| Stellar & Galactic Astronomy | ||
| Principles of Biology I 1 | ||
| Principles of Biology II 2 | ||
| Introductory Biology I 1 | ||
| Introductory Biology II 3 | ||
| Survey of Chemistry I | ||
| Survey of Chemistry II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Intro Geosci I: Phys Geol | ||
| Intro Geosci II: Hist Geol | ||
| Integrated Science | ||
| Intro Physics I | ||
| Intro Physics II | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Astronomy of Solar System | ||
| Stellar & Galactic Astronomy | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| Intro to Human Biology | ||
| Principles of Biology I 1 | ||
| Principles of Biology II 2 | ||
| Introductory Biology I 1 | ||
| Introductory Biology II 2 | ||
| Survey of Chemistry I | ||
| Survey of Chemistry II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Science, Tech, & Modern World | ||
| Introduction to Computers & Computer Programming | ||
| Visual Basic | ||
| Intro to Data Science | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Intro Geosci I: Phys Geol | ||
| Intro Geosci II: Hist Geol | ||
| Integrated Science | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Physical Science | ||
| Intro Physics I | ||
| Intro Physics II | ||
| Total Hours | 11-12 | |
- 1
If a student takes both BIOL 1111K Introductory Biology I and BIOL 1107K Principles of Biology I, only one of these will count toward the STEM requirement.
- 2
If a student takes both BIOL 1112K Introductory Biology II and BIOL 1108K Principles of Biology II, only one of these will count toward the STEM requirement.
Hours Applied to STEM for Non-Science Majors: 11 Hours1
- 1
If students accumulate more than 11 semester hours taking courses that satisfy STEM requirements, they can use one or more excess semester hours in Field of Study requirement for major.
STEM- Science Majors
Science majors who take a course in the STEM domain other than the 11 hours recommended courses for their major may later have to take additional courses outside of the Core IMPACTS requirements to meet requirements for their majors.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1211K | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 1212K | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| MATH 1501 | Calculus I 1,2 | 4 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Any MATH course for which MATH 1501 Calculus I is a prerequisite may be substituted.
- 2
Biological Sciences, and Biology majors may substitute MATH 1401 Elementary Statistics (3-0-3) for MATH 1501 Calculus I in STEM.
Hours Applied to STEM for Science Majors: 11 Hours1
- 1
If science majors accumulate more than 11 semester hours taking courses that satisfy Science STEM requirements, they can use one or more excess hours in Field of Study requirement for major.
STEM Nursing, Health Sciences
Nursing and health science majors who take a course in the STEM domain other than the recommended courses for their major may later have to take additional courses outside of the Core IMPACTS requirements to meet requirements for their majors.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Introductory Biology I 1 | ||
| Introductory Biology II 2 | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Principles of Biology I 1 | ||
| Principles of Biology II 3 | ||
| Sequence 3: | ||
| Survey of Chemistry I | ||
| Survey of Chemistry II | ||
| Sequence 4: | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Sequence 5: | ||
| Intro Physics I | ||
| Intro Physics II | ||
| Sequence 6: | ||
| Prin Physics I | ||
| Principles of Physics II | ||
| Choose one of the following: 3 | 3-4 | |
| Astronomy of Solar System | ||
| Stellar & Galactic Astronomy | ||
| Natural Science | ||
| Intro to Human Biology | ||
| Principles of Biology I 1 | ||
| Principles of Biology II 2 | ||
| Introductory Biology I 1 | ||
| Introductory Biology II 2 | ||
| Survey of Chemistry I | ||
| Survey of Chemistry II | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
| Introduction to Computers & Computer Programming | ||
| Visual Basic | ||
| Intro to Data Science | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Integrated Science | ||
| Precalculus | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Physical Science | ||
| Intro Physics I | ||
| Intro Physics II | ||
| Prin Physics I | ||
| Principles of Physics II | ||
| Total Hours | 11-12 | |
- 1
If a student takes both BIOL 1111K Introductory Biology I and BIOL 1107K Principles of Biology I, only one of these will count toward the STEM requirement.
- 2
If a student takes both BIOL 1112K Introductory Biology II and BIOL 1108K Principles of Biology II, only one of these will count toward the STEM requirement.
- 3
If Health Science majors accumulate more than 11 semester hours taking courses that satisfy Science STEM requirements, they can use one or more excess hours in Field of Study requirement for major.
Hours Applied to STEM for Health Science Majors: 11 Hours
Social Sciences
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Intro to Anthropology | ||
| Prin Macroeconomics 1 | ||
| Prin Microeconomics | ||
| Western Civ I 1 | ||
| Western Civ II 1 | ||
| American History I | ||
| American History II | ||
| State & Local Government | ||
| Comparative Politics 1 | ||
| Global Issues 1 | ||
| Intro to Psychology | ||
| Intro to Sociology | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- 1
In general, students cannot use a course taken to satisfy requirements in one core IMPACTS requirement to satisfy another requirement.
Hours Applied to Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Courses Related to the Program of Study
A student has completed an associate (two-year) degree from Gordon State College when he or she has completed Core IMPACTS requirements and Field of Study requirements defined by the pathway to the baccalaureate degree that the student is seeking. Should the student desire to complete a baccalaureate (four-year) degree at Gordon State College or elsewhere in the University System of Georgia, the student is required to complete the Field of Study requirements for the specific major the student seeks.
Hours Applied to Field of Study: 18 Hours
Institutional Requirements
Some programs require 4 credits in Physical Education: 4 Hours