General Education

NPU Northwestern Polytechnic University Fremont California CA general education courses curriculum classes degree bachelors bs ba

General Education Student Learning Outcomes

NPU has determined that the first five institutional learning outcomes will also serve as general education outcomes, with one modification: The general education outcome for critical thinking has been modified to include an introductory phrase,  “Using various disciplinary perspectives, explore and analyze issues, ideas, artifacts, and/or events to formalize an opinion or conclusion.” This inclusion allows for a clear mapping between general education courses in natural sciences, social sciences, communications, and humanities.

All undergraduate students are expected to demonstrate the following general education student learning outcomes:

  1. Written Communication - Write sustained, coherent arguments or explanations.
  2. Oral Communication - Utilize effective oral communication strategies.
  3. Quantitative Reasoning - Utilize mathematical concepts and methods to analyze, and explain issues in quantitative terms.
  4. Information Literacy -  Identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share information in support of academic, personal, and professional needs.
  5. Critical Thinking - Utilizing various disciplinary perspectives, explore and analyze issues, ideas, artifacts, and/or events to formalize an opinion or conclusion.

Students who have not completed the general education requirements upon entering a degree program at NPU are required to complete the following curriculum to meet the general education requirements:

English and Communications (12 units)

ENGL101 Expository Writing (3)
ENGL102 Critical Thinking (3)
ENGL115 Speech and Public Speaking (3)
ENGL420 Intercultural Communication (3)

note: ENGL101 is a required course. Other listed courses are suggested subjects.

Humanities (9 units)

HU210 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
HU240 Music Appreciation (3)
HU280 Principles of Ethics (3)

Mathematics and Natural Sciences (9 units)

PHYS101 Introduction to Physical Sciences (3)
MATH201 Calculus I (3)
MATH208 Statistics (3)

note: MATH201 and MATH208 are required courses. PHYS101 is a suggested subject.

Social Sciences (9 units)

SOC201 California History (3)
SOC245 Health Psychology (3)
SOC270 Early American History (3)