General Education Requirements

SUNY General Education Student Learning Outcomes

The SUNY Board of Trustees has established mandatory General Education Requirements consisting of designated knowledge and skill areas for all SUNY Institutions. Erie Community College is committed to ensuring that its graduates, with Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Sciences (AS) degrees, will have satisfied a minimum of seven categories of the General Education requirement. Of the seven, courses in Basic Communications and in Mathematics are required. The remaining five must consist of at least 3 credits across at least five of the remaining eight academic areas along with the Critical Thinking and Information Management competencies.

SUNY has committed itself to student transfer mobility by mandating a seamless education pipeline to degree attainment throughout the SUNY system. Graduates of two-year colleges within SUNY with an AA or AS degree when accepted in parallel programs at baccalaureate campuses of the university, shall be accorded with full junior status and be given the opportunity to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree within four additional semesters of full-time work. Furthermore, graduates of two-year colleges within SUNY, when accepted with junior status within parallel programs at baccalaureate campuses of the university, shall be granted full credit for General Education courses and not be required to repeat successfully completed courses with similar content.

Community college students who have not completed the General Education Requirements in two years are eligible to transfer to a four-year SUNY college or university. However, they are required to fulfill General Education Requirements while at the four-year school. Students are advised to complete this fulfillment at the community college level to make room for academic major requirements at the four-year level. In addition to fulfillment of seven out of the ten categories, full compliance with the SUNY General Education Requirement entails taking 30 credits in General Education.

Following is the listing of knowledge and skills areas and related SUNY Erie course offerings which have been approved by the State University of New York. The competencies include Critical Thinking and Information Management. This list of courses is edited on a semester basis and also appears in each semester’s publication of the course schedule.

Note: some programs require completion of the SUNY General Education Requirement as a condition for graduation. Check the program page for details or speak to a program adviser.

I. Knowledge and Skills Areas

Mathematics

Outcomes:

- Interpret and draw inferences from mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables and schematics
- Represent mathematical information symbolically, visually, numerically and verbally
- Employ quantitative methods such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, or statistics to solve problems
- Estimate and check mathematical results
- Recognize the limits of mathematical and statistical methods

MT 112 - Survey of Mathematics Credit Hours: 3
MT 116 - Algebra in the Real World Credit Hours: 3
MT 118 - Mathematics for Elementary Education Teachers I Credit Hours: 4
MT 119 - Mathematics for Elementary Education Teachers II Credit Hours: 4
MT 121 - Technical Mathematics I Credit Hours: 4
MT 122 - Technical Mathematics II Credit Hours: 4
MT 125 - College Mathematics Credit Hours: 4
MT 126 - College Mathematics II Credit Hours: 4
MT 140 - Elementary Inferential Statistics Credit Hours: 4
MT 143 - Introductory Statistics I Credit Hours: 4
MT 144 - Introductory Statistics II Credit Hours: 4
MT 167 - Discrete Mathematics Credit Hours: 4
MT 171 - Elements of Calculus with Technical Applications Credit Hours: 4
MT 175 - Survey of Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
MT 176 - Survey of Calculus II Credit Hours: 4
MT 177 - Mathematical Analysis for Management Credit Hours: 4
MT 180 - Pre-Calculus Mathematics Credit Hours: 4
MT 181 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I Credit Hours: 4
MT 182 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II Credit Hours: 4
MT 191 - Applications of the Digital Computer Credit Hours: 4
MT 283 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry III Credit Hours: 4
MT 284 - Introduction to Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
MT 292 - Introduction to Linear Algebra Credit Hours: 4
PY 102 - Logic Credit Hours: 3

Natural Science

Outcomes:

- Understanding of the methods scientists use to explore natural phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence and employment of mathematical analysis
- Application of scientific data, concepts and models in one of the natural sciences

AS 180 - Astronomy Credit Hours: 3
AS 181 - Lab for AS 180 Credit Hours: 1
AS 182 - Stellar Astronomy Credit Hours: 3
BI 101 - Survey of the Biological Sciences Credit Hours: 3
BI 102 - Laboratory for Survey of the Biological Sciences Credit Hours: 1
BI 105 - Human Heredity Credit Hours: 3
BI 107 - Human Biology Credit Hours: 3
BI 109 - Laboratory for BI 107 Credit Hours: 1
BI 108 - Practical Horticulture Credit Hours: 3
BI 110 - Biology I Credit Hours: 3
BI 112 - Biology II Credit Hours: 3
BI 115 - Laboratory for BI 110 Credit Hours: 1
BI 117 - Laboratory for BI 112 Credit Hours: 1
BI 121 - Zoology Credit Hours: 3
BI 122 - Laboratory for BI 121 Credit Hours: 1
BI 124 - Western New York Flora Credit Hours: 3
BI 125 - Laboratory for BI 124 Credit Hours: 1
BI 140 - Human Reproduction Credit Hours: 3
BI 147 - Survey Anatomy and Physiology Credit Hours: 3
BI 148 - Laboratory for BI 147 Credit Hours: 1
BI 150 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 3
BI 151 - Laboratory for BI 150 Credit Hours: 1
BI 152 - Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 3
BI 153 - Laboratory for BI 152 Credit Hours: 1
BI 169 - Nutrition Credit Hours: 3
BI 170 - Laboratory for BI 169 Credit Hours: 1
BI 220 - Genetics Credit Hours: 3
BI 221 - Laboratory for BI 220 Credit Hours: 1
BI 230 - Microbiology Credit Hours: 3
BI 231 - Lab for BI 230 Credit Hours: 1
BT 220 - Industrial Microbiology Credit Hours: 3
BT 221 - Industrial Microbiology Laboratory Credit Hours: 1
CH 110 - Survey of Science Credit Hours: 3
CH 112 - Understanding Drugs Credit Hours: 3
CH 116 - Chemistry and the Environment Credit Hours: 3
CH 118 - Forensic Science Credit Hours: 3
CH 119 - Lab for CH 118 Credit Hours: 1.0
CH 140 - College Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
CH 141 - Lab for CH 140 Credit Hours: 1.0
CH 144 - General Chemistry with Introductory Organic and Biochemistry Credit Hours: 3
CH 145 - Lab for CH 144 Credit Hours: 1.0
CH 180 - University Chemistry I Credit Hours: 3
CH 181 - Lab for CH 180 Credit Hours: 1.0
CH 182 - University Chemistry II Credit Hours: 3
CH 183 - Lab for CH 182 Credit Hours: 1.0
CH 240 - Analytical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
CH 241 - Lab for CH 240 Credit Hours: 1.0
GL 160 - Physical Geology Credit Hours: 3
GL 161 - Lab for GL 160 Credit Hours: 1
GL 170 - Field Ecology Credit Hours: 3
GP 101 - Introduction to Physical Geography Credit Hours: 3
ML 218 - Clinical Microbiology I Lecture Credit Hours: 2
ML 219 - Clinical Microbiology I Lab Credit Hours: 1.5
PH 100 - Science of Disasters Credit Hours: 3
PH 101 - Laboratory for PH 100 Credit Hours: 1
PH 110 - Contemporary Science Credit Hours: 3
PH 120 - Environmental Science Credit Hours: 3
PH 121 - Lab for Environmental Science Credit Hours: 1
PH 122 - Environmental Science II Credit Hours: 3
PH 123 - Lab for Environmental Science II Credit Hours: 1
PH 152 - Physics Credit Hours: 3
PH 170 - Computer Applications in Optics I Credit Hours: 2
PH 171 - Lab for PH 170 Credit Hours: 1
PH 172 - Computer Applications in Optics II Credit Hours: 2
PH 173 - Lab for PH 172 Credit Hours: 1
PH 180 - Physics for Architectural Technology Credit Hours: 3
PH 181 - Lab for PH 180 Credit Hours: 1
PH 190 - Basic Physics Credit Hours: 3
PH 191 - Lab for PH 190 Credit Hours: 1
PH 210 - Radiologic Physics I Credit Hours: 4
PH 215 - Radiologic Physics II Credit Hours: 3
PH 220 - Advanced Radiation Physics I Credit Hours: 4
PH 225 - Advanced Radiologic Physics II Credit Hours: 2
PH 260 - Technical Physics I Credit Hours: 3
PH 261 - Lab for PH 260 Credit Hours: 1
PH 262 - Technical Physics II Credit Hours: 3
PH 263 - Lab for PH 262 Credit Hours: 1
PH 270 - College Physics I Credit Hours: 3.0
PH 271 - Lab for PH 270 Credit Hours: 1.0
PH 272 - College Physics II Credit Hours: 3.0
PH 273 - Lab for PH 272 Credit Hours: 1.0
PH 280 - Physics for Science & Engineering I Credit Hours: 3.0
PH 281 - Lab for PH 280 Credit Hours: 1.0
PH 282 - Physics for Science & Engineering 2 Credit Hours: 3.0
PH 283 - Lab for PH 282 Credit Hours: 1.0
PH 284 - Physics for Science and Engineering 3 Credit Hours: 3.0
PH 285 - Lab for PH 284 Credit Hours: 1.0

Social Sciences

Outcomes:

- Understanding of the methods social scientists use to explore social phenomena, including observation, hypothesis development, measurement and data collection, experimentation, evaluation of evidence and employment of mathematical and interpretive analysis
- Knowledge of major concepts, models and issues of at least one discipline in the social sciences

AN 101 - Biological Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
AN 102 - Cultural Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
AN 103 - Introduction to Archaeology Credit Hours: 3
AN 201 - Global Issues Credit Hours: 3
BU 233 - Consumer Finance Credit Hours: 3
EC 100 - Introduction to Economics Credit Hours: 3
EC 101 - Consumer Economics Credit Hours: 3
EC 102 - Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 3
EC 103 - Microeconomics Credit Hours: 3
EC 201 - Money and Banking Credit Hours: 3
GO 100 - Intro to Political Science Credit Hours: 3
GO 101 - American Government I Credit Hours: 3
GO 102 - American Government II Credit Hours: 3
GO 103 - International Political Relations Credit Hours: 3
GP 101 - Introduction to Physical Geography Credit Hours: 3
GP 103 - Introduction to Human Geography Credit Hours: 3
GP 105 - World Regional Geography- Current Issues Credit Hours: 3
GP 150 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Credit Hours: 4
GP 250 - Geographic Information Systems Skills and Techniques Credit Hours: 4
GP 290 - Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Systems Credit Hours: 4
HI 241 - History of World War II Credit Hours: 3
HU 100 - Human Interaction Credit Hours: 3
PA 205 - Introduction to Law Credit Hours: 3
PS 100 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PS 101 - Skills for Effective Parenting Credit Hours: 3
PS 102 - Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness Credit Hours: (3)
PS 201 - Developmental Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PS 202 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PS 203 - Social Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PS 204 - Personality Credit Hours: 3
PS 207 - Child Psychology Credit Hours: 3
SO 100 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SO 101 - Social Institutions Credit Hours: 3
SO 201 - Urban Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SO 202 - Sociology of the Family Credit Hours: 3
SO 203 - Capital: Origins of the Modern World System Credit Hours: 3
SS 102 - Social Problems Credit Hours: 3
SS 103 - Technology and Society Credit Hours: 3
SS 203 - Human Sexualities Credit Hours: 3
SS 205 - Aging, Dying and Death Credit Hours: 3

American History

Outcomes:

- Knowledge of a basic narrative of American history: political, economic, social and cultural, including knowledge of unity and diversity in American society
- Knowledge of common institutions in American society and how they have affected different groups
- Understanding of America’s evolving relationship with rest of world

HI 101 - American History I Credit Hours: 3
HI 102 - American History II Credit Hours: 3
HI 103 - African-American History Credit Hours: 3
HI 108 - American Labor History Credit Hours: 3
HI 115 - History of Poverty in America Credit Hours: 3
HI 231 - Civil War and Reconstruction Credit Hours: 3
HI 260 - History of American Women Credit Hours: 3

Western Civilization

Outcomes:

- Knowledge of the development of the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc. of Western civilization
- Relate the development of Western civilization to that of other regions of the world

HI 100 - Foundations of Western Civilization Credit Hours: 3
HI 109 - Modern Europe I Credit Hours: 3
HI 110 - Modern Europe II Credit Hours: 3
HI 111 - British History to 1688 Credit Hours: 3
HI 112 - British History since 1688 Credit Hours: 3
HI 208 - The Enlightenment Credit Hours: 3
HI 241 - History of World War II Credit Hours: 3

Other World Civilizations

Outcomes:

- Knowledge of either a broad outline of world history, or the distinctive features of the history, institutions, economy, society, culture, etc. of one non-Western civilization

AN 102 - Cultural Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
HI 106 - World Civilizations I Credit Hours: 3
HI 107 - World Civilizations II Credit Hours: 3
HI 181 - East Asia to 1800 Credit Hours: 3
HI 182 - East Asia since 1800 Credit Hours: 3
HI 209 - History of Modern China Credit Hours: 3

Humanities

Outcomes:

- Knowledge of the conventions and methods of at least one of the humanities in addition to those encompassed by other knowledge areas required by the General Education program

AT 277 - Graphic Novel and Sequential Art Credit Hours: 3
AT 280 - Art Appreciation Credit Hours: 3
AT 281 - Art History I Credit Hours: 3
AT 282 - Art History II Credit Hours: 3
CA 120 - Introduction to Rhetoric Credit Hours: 3
CA 121 - Communication Theory Credit Hours: 3
CA 210 - The Language of Vision and Sound Credit Hours: 3
DT 101 - Introduction to Drama and Theatre Credit Hours: 3
DT 103 - Introduction to Theatre Credit Hours: 3
DT 107 - 19th Century Russian Theatre Credit Hours: 3
DT 108 - 20th Century Russian Theatre Credit Hours: 3
EN 111 - Composition and Interpretation of Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 210 - American Literature to (1865) I Credit Hours: 3
EN 211 - American Literature Since (1865) II Credit Hours: 3
EN 215 - African American Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 220 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
EN 221 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
EN 225 - Shakespeare Credit Hours: 3
EN 230 - World Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 235 - U.S. Latino Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 236 - Images of Women in Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 240 - Studies in Short Fiction Credit Hours: 3
EN 245 - Present-Day Short Fiction Credit Hours: 3
EN 250 - American Novel 1900 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
EN 260 - Studies in Poetry Credit Hours: 3
EN 265 - Modern and Contemporary Poetry Credit Hours: 3
EN 270 - Studies in Drama Credit Hours: 3
EN 277 - Graphic Novel and Sequential Art Credit Hours: 3
EN 280 - Literature and Film Credit Hours: 3
EN 285 - Introduction to Film Credit Hours: 3
EN 286 - Contemporary Cinema Credit Hours: 3
EN 292 - Children’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 294 - Mythology Credit Hours: 3
EN 296 - The Bible as Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 297 - Topics in Literature:Major Authors Credit Hours: 3
EN 298 - Topics in Literature: Literary Periods and Movements Credit Hours: 3
EN 299 - Topics in Literature: Genre and Theme Credit Hours: 3
MA 112 - Medical Law and Ethics Credit Hours: 3
MU 100 - Exploring World Music Credit Hours: 3
MU 210 - The Enjoyment of Music Credit Hours: 3
MU 215 - Survey of Jazz Credit Hours: 3
MU 217 - Survey of Popular Music in America Credit Hours: 3
PY 100 - Critical Thinking Credit Hours: 3
PY 101 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit Hours: 3
PY 102 - Logic Credit Hours: 3
PY 104 - Philosophy of Religion Credit Hours: 3
PY 105 - Social & Political Philosophy Credit Hours: 3
PY 110 - Ethics Credit Hours: 3
PY 111 - Biomedical Ethics Credit Hours: 3
PY 115 - Philosophy of Law Credit Hours: 3

The Arts

Outcomes:

- Understanding of at least one principal form of artistic expression and the creative process inherent therein

AR 135 - History of Architecture Credit Hours: 3
AT 200 - Art Drawing I Credit Hours: 3
AT 201 - Art Drawing II Credit Hours: 3
AT 210 - Painting I Credit Hours: 3
AT 211 - Painting Workshop Credit Hours: 3
AT 213 - Introduction to Watercolor Painting Credit Hours: 3
AT 220 - Photography I Credit Hours: 3
AT 221 - Photography II Credit Hours: 3
AT 222 - Digital Photography Credit Hours: 3
AT 225 - Photographic Explorations Credit Hours: 3
AT 230 - Design I Credit Hours: 3
AT 231 - 3D Design Credit Hours: 3
AT 232 - Exploratory Art Casting Credit Hours: 3
AT 235 - Typography Credit Hours: 3
AT 260 - Digital Art and Design Credit Hours: 3
AT 262 - Animation I Credit Hours: 3
AT 263 - Digital Drawing and Painting Credit Hours: 3
AT 277 - Graphic Novel and Sequential Art Credit Hours: 3
AT 280 - Art Appreciation Credit Hours: 3
AT 281 - Art History I Credit Hours: 3
AT 282 - Art History II Credit Hours: 3
DN 101 - Introduction to Dance Credit Hours: 3
DN 102 - Ballet I Credit Hours: 3
DN 103 - Modern Jazz Dance I Credit Hours: 3
DN 107 - African American Dance I Credit Hours: 3
DN 108 - African American Dance II Credit Hours: 3
DN 111 - Beginning Tap Dance Credit Hours: 3
DN 112 - Intermediate Tap Dance Credit Hours: 4
DT 100 - Fundamentals of Acting Credit Hours: 3
DT 101 - Introduction to Drama and Theatre Credit Hours: 3
DT 102 - Contemporary Theatre Workshop Credit Hours: 3
DT 103 - Introduction to Theatre Credit Hours: 3
DT 104 - Theatre Workshop Credit Hours: 3
DT 105 - Theatre Practicum Credit Hours: 1
DT 106 - Introduction to Stagecraft Credit Hours: 3
DT 107 - 19th Century Russian Theatre Credit Hours: 3
DT 108 - 20th Century Russian Theatre Credit Hours: 3
EN 111 - Composition and Interpretation of Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 140 - Creative Writing I Credit Hours: 3
EN 141 - Creative Writing II Credit Hours: 3
EN 210 - American Literature to (1865) I Credit Hours: 3
EN 211 - American Literature Since (1865) II Credit Hours: 3
EN 215 - African American Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 220 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
EN 221 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
EN 225 - Shakespeare Credit Hours: 3
EN 230 - World Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 236 - Images of Women in Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 240 - Studies in Short Fiction Credit Hours: 3
EN 245 - Present-Day Short Fiction Credit Hours: 3
EN 260 - Studies in Poetry Credit Hours: 3
EN 265 - Modern and Contemporary Poetry Credit Hours: 3
EN 270 - Studies in Drama Credit Hours: 3
EN 277 - Graphic Novel and Sequential Art Credit Hours: 3
EN 280 - Literature and Film Credit Hours: 3
EN 285 - Introduction to Film Credit Hours: 3
EN 286 - Contemporary Cinema Credit Hours: 3
EN 292 - Children’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 294 - Mythology Credit Hours: 3
EN 296 - The Bible as Literature Credit Hours: 3
EN 297 - Topics in Literature:Major Authors Credit Hours: 3
MU 115 - Pep Band Credit Hours: 1.5
MU 116 - Pep Band II Credit Hours: 1.5
MU 200 - The Fundamentals of Music Credit Hours: 3
MU 201 - Instrumentation and Arranging Credit Hours: 3
MU 202 - Jazz Ensemble I Credit Hours: 2
MU 203 - Jazz Ensemble II Credit Hours: 2
MU 204 - Jazz Ensemble III Credit Hours: 2
MU 205 - Jazz Ensemble IV Credit Hours: 2
MU 206 - Chorus I Credit Hours: 2
MU 207 - Chorus II Credit Hours: 2
MU 208 - Chorus III Credit Hours: 2
MU 209 - Chorus IV Credit Hours: 2
MU 210 - The Enjoyment of Music Credit Hours: 3
MU 213 - Twentieth Century Music Credit Hours: 3
MU 214 - Introduction to Folk Guitar Credit Hours: 3
MU 215 - Survey of Jazz Credit Hours: 3
MU 217 - Survey of Popular Music in America Credit Hours: 3
MU 240 - Beginning Piano I Credit Hours: 2

Foreign Language

Outcomes:

- Basic proficiency in the understanding and use of a foreign language
- Knowledge of the distinctive features of culture(s) associated with the language they are studying

FR 110 - Elementary French I Credit Hours: 4.5
FR 111 - Elementary French II Credit Hours: 4.5
FR 112 - Intermediate French Credit Hours: 3.5
FR 201 - French Conversation and Composition Credit Hours: 3
FR 206 - French Literature in Translation Credit Hours: 3
FR 207 - Topics in French Literature Credit Hours: 3
SL 110 - Beginning Sign Language Communication I (ASL) Credit Hours: 3 *
SL 111 - Beginning Sign Language Communication II (ASL) Credit Hours: 3 *
SP 110 - Elementary Spanish I Credit Hours: 4.5
SP 111 - Elementary Spanish II Credit Hours: 4.5
SP 112 - Intermediate Spanish I Credit Hours: 3.5
SP 201 - Spanish Composition I Credit Hours: 3
SP 202 - Spanish Composition II Credit Hours: 3
SP 205 - Introduction to Spanish Literature Credit Hours: 3
SP 206 - Spanish Literature in Translation Credit Hours: 3
* For education majors only and others meeting SUNY guidelines for applicability of ASL to the foreign language competency

Basic Communication

Outcomes:

- Produce coherent texts within common college-level written forms
- Demonstrate the ability to revise and improve such texts
- Research a topic, develop an argument and organize supporting details
- Develop proficiency in oral discourse
- Evaluate an oral presentation according to established criteria

EN 110 - College Composition Credit Hours: 3
EN 111 - Composition and Interpretation of Literature Credit Hours: 3

II. Competencies

Critical Thinking

- Identify, analyze and evaluate arguments as they occur in their own or others’ work
- Develop well-reasoned arguments.

Information Management

- Perform the basic operations of personal computer use
- Understand and use basic research techniques
- Locate, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources.