Audit Information

WHAT IS GENERAL EDUCATION AT UF?

The General Education Program at the University of Florida imparts knowledge to enable students to communicate, to make informed decisions about their lives, to understand and to participate fully as informed citizens in local, national and global matters.

GOALS

The purpose of this audit is to examine and to ensure that all UF General Education courses meet current program standards, after which UF’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, examine the rationale and ensure the breadth of knowledge in the way that we are managing and providing General Education.

TIMELINE

The Audit Subcommittee's goal is to establish the process for auditing General Education courses and to have the process be a continual one from here on out. It is not a “one and done” process.

The Audit Subcommittee will review materials from the course to determine if all requirements in the various checklists are being met (see Instructor Responsibilities for details). These could include, but are not limited to:

State-core syllabus (for state-core General Education courses only)
Detailed course syllabus
Canvas page for course
Assignments listed in the schedule
Classroom observation

The audit will proceed in several steps.

Step 1: Through an online survey instructors will be asked to verify that syllabi contain all requirements in the UF and General Education syllabi checklists. Instructors will also be asked to verify that syllabi have met all designation-specific requirements. This survey will be completed on a yearly basis.

Step 2: State Core courses indicating they are missing syllabi requirements will be shepherded through a revision process to ensure they are compliant.

Step 3: Non-State Core courses that indicate they are missing syllabi requirements will be shepherded through a revision process to ensure they are compliant.

If there are courses you would like to remove from the General Education program, please use the following link:

General Education/Writing course requests

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Each semester, instructors should check the Schedule of Courses to verify the course classification and ensure the syllabi meet all requirements:

Compare syllabi to UF syllabi checklist
Compare syllabi to General Education checklist
Ensure syllabi contain all General Education designation-specific requirements. In general, this is ensuring that the content, critical thinking, and communication goals are being met throughout the semester in course content and in assessments.
Compare syllabi to UF Quest Syllabus Policy
- Quest 1
- Quest 2

After the initial round of self-auditing in Spring 2024 it is anticipated that verifying the syllabi checklists will be a ~10 minute task as instructors prepare courses prior to each semester.

Example Syllabus

Syllabus for Online Course

State Core Requirement/UF Designations

The following table lists current courses meeting the State General Education Core Requirement and the UF and State General Education Designations which are met.

UF Courses Meeting the State General Education Core Requirements
GE Area	Course #	Course Name	GE Code	State SLOs
Comm.	ENC 1101	Expository and Argumentative Writing	C, WR-E6	Students will apply rhetorical knowledge to communicate for a range of audiences and purposes. Students will employ critical thinking to analyze forms of communication. Students will engage in writing processes that involve drafting, revising, and reflecting.
Comm.	ENC 1102	Argument and Persuasion	C, WR-E6	read, locate, and evaluate a variety of information using research methodologies appropriate to disciplines. apply research and use writing to achieve a variety of purposes in a variety of disciplinary contexts. demonstrate accurate and responsible citation and incorporate primary and secondary materials. participate in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding to group members’ writing and ideas. present an effective academic writing style.
Comm.	ENC 2210	Technical Writing	C, WR-E6	At the end of this course, Students will be expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes in content, communication, and critical thinking: content: students demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories, and methodologies used within the academic discipline. communication: students communicate knowledge, ideas, and reasoning clearly and effectively in written and oral forms appropriate to the discipline. Students will participate in class discussions throughout the semester to reflect on assigned readings. critical thinking: students analyze information carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline-specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems.
Human.	ARH 2000	Art Appreciation	H	Students will identify and describe terms, concepts, and methods used in the discipline of art history. Students will apply terms, concepts, and methods used in the discipline of art history to works of visual art and material culture. Students will identify and describe works of visual art and material culture in the works’ cultural context, including works from or inspired by the western canon and other cultural traditions. Students will analyze works of visual art and material culture in the works’ cultural context, including works from or inspired by the western canon and other cultural traditions. Students will generate an analytical response to works of visual art and material culture in the works’ cultural context.
Human.	PHI 2010	Intro. to Philosophy	H, WR-E6	Students will develop critical thinking skills. Students will demonstrate an understanding of classical western philosophical views. Students will analyze, explain, and evaluate foundational concepts of epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics.
Human.	MUL 2010	Intro. to Music Literature	H, N, WR-E2	Students will discuss and analyze music using terminology appropriate for the course. Students will demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the works of significant composers. Students will identify connections between music and the other arts. Students will identify historical styles and periods based on instruments and performance practices utilized.
Human.	LIT 2000	Intro. to Literature	H	Students will identify a variety of literary movements, historical eras, and/or cultural contexts. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills.
Human.	THE 2000	Theatre Appreciation	H	Students will identify the basic principles of theatrical performance, design, technology, organization, and management. Students will assess the significance of the human condition as expressed through the performing arts. Students will explore and interpret works of art utilizing creative and critical thinking skills. Students will demonstrate college-level writing. Students will define, compare and contrast theater as both an expressive art form and a commercial industry.
Math.	MAC 1105	Basic College Algebra	M	Students will solve an equation or an inequality using an appropriate technique. Students will define and describe functions, their properties, and graphs. Students will manipulate functions to simplify expressions and find new functions. Students will use transformations to write an equation for a function and to graph a function. Students will model and solve real world problems using functions.
Math.	MAC 1140	Precalculus Algebra	M	Students will demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories, and methodologies used within the discipline. Students will be able to define and analyze polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, their graphs, and their properties. Students will be able to solve problems involving algebraic functions, exponential, and logarithmic functions, zeros of polynomials, and linear and non-linear, inequalities. Students will develop and solve mathematical models of real-world word problems involving algebraic exponential, and logarithmic functions and communicate mathematical solutions clearly and effectively. Students will demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories, and methodologies used within the discipline. Students will be able to define and analyze polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, their graphs, and their properties.
Math.	MAC 2233	Survey of Calculus 1	M	Students will demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories, and methodologies used within the discipline. Students will be able to employ strategies in solving problems in limits, differentiation, and integration. Students will formulate and solve mathematical models using algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, differentiation, and integration, and will communicate mathematical solutions clearly and effectively. Students will apply mathematical models to business, economics, life, and social sciences using algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, differentiation and integration, calculation of exact areas between curves, applications of rates of change, identifying the limits of functions, using the derivative as a tool for approximation through differentials and linear approximation, solving optimization problems, among other applications of calculus to solving problems. Students will develop and solve mathematical models of real-world word problems.
Math.	MAC 2311	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1	M	Students will calculate a limit, derivative, or integral using appropriate techniques. Students will determine the continuity and differentiability of a function. Students will use limits and derivatives to analyze relationships between the equation of a function and its graph. Students will apply differentiation techniques to model and solve real world problems. Students will use integrals and the fundamental theorem of calculus to analyze the relationship between the integral of a function and the related area.
Math.	MAC 2312	Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2	M	Students will demonstrate competence in the terminology, concepts, theories, and methodologies used within the discipline. after completing this course Students will be able to solve problems involving integration techniques, infinite series, and parametric equations. Students will communicate mathematical ideas verbally in their discussion sessions and as well as through writing on discussion quizzes and exams. Students will analyze information carefully and logically from multiple perspectives, using discipline-specific methods, and develop reasoned solutions to problems. Students will apply their knowledge to solve problems concerning topics that include, but are not limited to, techniques of integration, calculation of volumes of revolution, calculation of work, determining the convergence or divergence of infinite series, using power series representations to evaluate functions and integrals, using the calculus of parametric equations to calculate arc length, and graphing and calculating the areas of polar curves.
Math.	MGF 1130	Mathematical Thinking	M	A student who successfully completes this course will be able to: determine efficient means of solving a problem through investigation of multiple mathematical models. apply logic in contextual situations to formulate and determine the validity of logical statements using a variety of methods. apply mathematical concepts visually and contextually to represent, interpret and reason about geometric figures. recognize the characteristics of numbers and utilize numbers along with their operations appropriately in context. analyze and interpret representations of data to draw reasonable conclusions
Math.	STA 2023	Intro. to Statistics 1	M	Students will visualize and summarize data using descriptive statistics. Students will apply basic probability concepts to draw reasonable conclusions. Students will employ concepts of random variables, sampling distributions, and central limit theorem to analyze and interpret representations of data. Students will choose an appropriate method of inferential statistics, including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing, to make broader decisions based on sample data. Students will model linear relationships between quantitative variables using correlation and linear regression.
Nat. Sci.	AST 1002	Discovering the Universe	P	Students will define terms used to measure and describe the universe. Students will explain the processes involved in the formation and evolution of celestial bodies over astronomical time according to different models and theories. Students will describe how scientific theories evolve in response to new observations and critically evaluate their impact on society. Students will formulate empirically testable hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes and phenomena. Students will apply logical reasoning skills through scientific criticism and argument to separate science from non-science. Students will gather and analyze astronomical data and communicate results in graphic and written forms.
Nat. Sci.	BSC 2005	Biological Science	B	Students will evaluate data regarding validity. Students will read and interpret a variety of scientific data. Students will describe the natural world. Students will articulate and practice the scientific method.
Nat. Sci.	BSC 2010	Integrated Principles of Biology 1	B	Students will demonstrate scientific literacy by articulating and practicing the scientific method. Students will evaluate data regarding validity. Students will read and interpret a variety of scientific data. Students will identify major macromolecules and state their importance to living organisms. Students will explain metabolism. Students will compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic structures and processes of cell division and replication. Students will explain gene expression. • Students will solve problems in transmission genetics.
Nat. Sci.	BSC 2011	Integrated Principles of Biology 2	B	read and evaluate a phylogenetic tree describe the challenges of life on land and the traits that enabled plants to diversify on land discuss the potential adaptive significance of synapomorphies that define major clades of plants explain how alternation of generations varies in plant lineages and its significance to reproduction diagram the basic components of plant vasculature and characterize their function identify common plant adaptations and show how they are shaped by convergent evolution discuss the role of hormones in plant development and environmental response describe a scientific hypothesis and identify testable predictions that logically follow explain major themes to animal physiology and how it is linked with medicine explain physical principles governing gas exchange in animals in air and water diagram blood flow through the vertebrate circulatory system and describe the major functions of blood vessel types diagram the arrangement of major proteins governing muscle contraction and describe excitation contraction coupling describe the principles of electrical signals in neurons and diagram the organization of the vertebrate nervous system explain principles governing how nitrogen waste is processed in animals and how salt and water balance are maintained in animals describe and explain how climate and topography shape ecological systems identify, compare, and contrast major terrestrial and aquatic biomes explain the forces that regulate populations in natural systems describe how species interactions can influence fitness, population dynamics, and species distribution and can result in evolutionary change explain how communities change over space and time and be able to calculate species diversity describe the challenges faced in conserving species and explain different conservation approaches that can be used to help preserve biodiversity. explain the mechanisms that underlie animal behavior, and how behavior is shaped by natural selection diagram the global carbon and nitrogen cycle and identify the major stocks and fluxes. identify major anthropogenic changes to the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and describe how these changes have altered ecological systems
Nat. Sci.	CHM 1020	Chemistry for the Liberal Arts	P	Students will be able to distinguish between physical and chemical properties and changes. Students will recognize components of gaseous chemistry. Students will recognize components of aqueous chemistry including properties of water, solutions, and acids and bases. Students will correlate the design of the periodic table to periodic trends and physical and chemical properties elements. Students will write and interpret chemical formula and write balanced chemical equations.
Nat. Sci.	CHM 2045	General Chemistry 1	P	Students will apply the law of conservation of matter and energy. Students will implement rules of significant numbers to all measurements. Students will explain the fundamental properties of matter including but not limited to atomic and electronic structure, and periodicity. Students will apply IUPAC rules of nomenclature. Students will predict molecular geometry and properties from bonding theories. Students will predict and explain the products of chemical reactions (e.g., acid-base, oxidation-reduction, precipitation, dissociation).
Nat. Sci.	CHM 2046	General Chemistry 2	P	Students will be able to safely handle, use and dispose of chemicals, identify chemical hazards and risks, and use databases to locate chemical safety information. Students will be able to apply the scientific method and demonstrate proper and safe use of lab equipment and proficiency in relevant techniques to conduct experiments, and to work effectively in small groups and teams. Students will be able to describe the importance of ethical and responsible conduct in a laboratory setting. Students will be able to design, construct, and interpret data tables and graphs accurately to communicate experimental findings. Students will be able to perform accurate and precise quantitative measurements, analyze data statistically and assess reliability of results. Students will be able to communicate scientific findings and demonstrate scientific reasoning effectively in written form.
Nat. Sci.	CHM 2051	Honors General Chemistry	P	Students will be able to clearly communicate in writing information derived from course related readings/lectures about the major concepts and themes in the chemical sciences. Students will be able to apply knowledge of the fundamental principles of chemical, acid/base and aqueous equilibria to perform related calculations and make predictions of system behavior. Students will be able to describe and apply the fundamental principles of thermodynamics and electrochemical systems. Students will be able to describe the properties of complex ions and coordination compounds; this may include an introductory understanding of electronic structure and reactivity of complexes with applications to synthetic and biological systems. Students will be able to analyze the connection between the fundamental chemical principles presented relate to subdisciplines including nuclear and organic chemistry.
Nat. Sci.	CHM 2096	Chemistry for Engineers 2	P	Students will be able to clearly communicate in writing information derived from course-related readings/lectures about the major concepts and themes in the chemical sciences. Students will be able to apply knowledge of the fundamental principles of chemical, acid/base and aqueous equilibria to perform related calculations and make predictions of system behavior. Students will be able to describe and apply the fundamental principles of kinetics, thermodynamics and electrochemistry. Students will be able to describe the properties of complex ions and coordination compounds. Students will be able to analyze chemical principles in engineering applications and identify the importance of elements in nature and industry. Students will be able to apply general chemistry knowledge to solve engineering problems.
Nat. Sci.	ESC 1000	Intro. to Earth Science	P	Students will use critical thinking to recognize the rigorous standards of scientific theories. Students will analyze and synthesize earth science data to draw scientifically valid conclusions. Students will recognize the different time scales associated with different earth processes. Students will effectively describe interactions between humans and the earth’s spheres.
Nat. Sci.	GLY 2010C	Intro to Geology	P	Students will use critical thinking to recognize the rigorous standards of scientific theories. Students will analyze and synthesize geoscience data to draw scientifically valid conclusions. Students will recognize the different time scales associated with different geologic processes. Students will describe interactions between humans and earth’s spheres. Students will apply their understanding of geologic principles to complex issues.
Nat. Sci.	OCE 1001	Intro to Oceanography	P	Students will use critical thinking to recognize the rigorous standards of scientific theories. Students will analyze and synthesize oceanographic data to draw scientifically valid conclusions. Students will recognize the different time scales associated with different ocean processes. Students will describe interactions between humans and the ocean realm. Students will apply their understanding of oceanographic principles to various marine issues.
Nat. Sci.	PHY 2020	Intro. to the Principles of Physics	P	Students will critically evaluate everyday phenomena using the scientific method. Students will explain the basis of physical principles (such as conservation laws) and how they apply to everyday phenomena. Students will interpret information conveyed in diagrams and graphs. Students will perform simple calculations relevant to real world problems.
Nat. Sci.	PHY 2048	Physics with Calculus 1	P	Students will solve analytical problems describing different types of motion, including translational, rotational, and simple harmonic motion. Students will apply newton's laws, and conservation laws to solve analytical problems of mechanics. Students will identify and analyze relevant information presented in various formats such as graphs, tables, diagrams, and/or mathematical formulations. Students will solve real-world problems using critical thinking skills and knowledge developed from this course.
Nat. Sci.	PHY 2049	Physics with Calculus 2	P	identify, describe, and explain the physics of electricity and magnetism, including electrostatics forces, gauss’ law, the magnetic field due to current carry wires, magnetic forces, farday’s law, dc and ac circuits with resistors, capacitors and inductors, maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, and optics. Identify, describe, and explain how the scientific theories apply to real world situations and can be tested. critically analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in a problem using physics knowledge to develop a solution strategy and eventually a solution to the problem. develop and present in writing quantitative and qualitative arguments for physics problem solutions using step by step logical reasoning.
Nat. Sci.	PHY 2053	Physics 1	P	Students will solve analytical problems describing different types of motion, including translational, rotational, and simple harmonic motion using algebra and trigonometry. Students will apply newton's laws, and conservation laws by using algebra and trigonometry to solve analytical problems of mechanics. Students will identify and analyze relevant information presented in various formats such as graphs, tables, diagrams, and/or mathematical formulations.
Nat. Sci.	PHY 2054	Physics 2	P	analyze particular physical situations, and thus identify the fundamental principles pertinent to those situations to make successful predictions of system behavior, apply fundamental principles to formulate mathematical equations describing the relation between physical quantities in these particular situations, solve mathematical equations to find the values of physical quantities, and communicate unambiguously both the principles that apply to a situation and the results of specific calculations resulting from the steps above.
Social Sci.	PSY 2012	General Psychology	S	Students will be able to identify basic psychological theories, terms, and principles from historical and current perspectives. Students will be able to recognize real-world applications of psychological theories, terms, and principles. Students will be able to recognize basic strategies used in psychological research. Students will be able to draw logical conclusions about behavior and mental processes based on empirical evidence.
Social Sci.	AMH 2010	US to 1877	S	Students will describe the factual details of the substantive historical episodes under study. Students will identify and analyze foundational developments that shaped american history from before european contact to 1877 using critical thinking skills. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the primary ideas, values, and perceptions that have shaped united states history. Students will demonstrate competency in civic literacy.
Social Sci.	ANT 2000	General Anthropology	S	Students will explain scientific approaches to the study of human variation and human origins, including primatology, extinct and extant human cultures, language, and ethnicity. Students will explain the origins of anthropology as a foundation discipline in the social sciences that examines the nature and definition of culture. • Students will apply anthropological concepts, principles, and methods to the scientific study of past and present human behavior. Students will explain how anthropology incorporates multidisciplinary knowledge and perspectives. Students will describe contemporary anthropological contributions.
Social Sci.	POS 2041	American Federal Government	S	Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and practices of america’s constitutional republic. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the nation’s founding documents, including the declaration of independence, the u.s. Constitution and its amendments, and the federalist papers. Students will demonstrate knowledge of landmark u.s. Supreme court cases, landmark legislation, and landmark executive actions. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history and development of the american federal government and its impact on law and society. Students will demonstrate an ability to apply course material to contemporary political issues and debates. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in discussion and civil debate on american politics that are associated with multiple points of view.
Social Sci.	AMH 2020	US Since 1877	S	Students will describe the factual details of the substantive historical episodes under study. Students will identify and analyze foundational developments that shaped american history from before european contact to 1877 using critical thinking skills. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the primary ideas, values, and perceptions that have shaped united states history. Students will demonstrate competency in civic literacy.
Social Sci.	ECO 2013	Principles of Macroeconomics	S	Students will recognize that all decisions happen in an environment of scarcity. Students will examine theories and evidence regarding how changes in aggregate measurements are related to economic performance. Students will recognize the relationships between the components of the national income accounts. Students will analyze theory and evidence regarding fiscal and monetary policies and how they affect the economy. Students will identify theories of long-term economic growth and examine evidence for those theories.