Liberal education requirements
Liberal education (LE) is an essential part of your undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota. LE courses help you investigate the world from new perspectives, learn ways of thinking that will be useful to you in many areas of your life, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner.
Changes in fall 2010
The University has approved revised LE requirements for new students who begin in fall 2010 or later terms.
- If you were admitted to a degree program at the University before fall 2010, you will continue to follow the current LE requirements, listed on this page and on your APAS report.
- New students beginning in fall 2010 or later terms will follow revised LE requirements.
- Questions or concerns? Read this important information about the transition.
Courses
The lists of liberal education courses the University offers will change in fall 2010. As always, read the class schedule carefully and work with your adviser when you choose your fall 2010 courses, to make sure that you are fulfilling your requirements.
Requirements for students admitted before fall 2010
Diversified Core
The diversified core guides you through the "why" and "how" of different academic disciplines. These classes will equip you with a broad range of tools that you can use to approach problems in your everyday life and work, and ultimately to make a positive difference in your communities, your society, your state, and your world.
| Requirements for students admitted before fall 2010 | Required credits | Pre-fall 2010 course lists | Fall 2010 course lists (to be updated monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Perspectives | 3 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
| Literature and Other Humanities | 6 credits: at least 1 course in literature, and at least 1 course in other humanities |
Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses in: |
| Mathematical Thinking | 3 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
| Physical and Biological Sciences | 8 credits: at least 1 course with lab or field experience in physical sciences, and at least 1 course with lab or field experience in biological sciences |
Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses in: |
| Social sciences | 6 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
Designated Themes
The designated themes are topics that are central to an understanding of contemporary life. Investigating these themes will help prepare you to become a knowledgeable, ethical, and engaged public citizen.
| Requirements for students admitted before fall 2010 | Required credits | Pre-fall 2010 course lists | Fall 2010 course lists (to be updated monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship and Public Ethics | 3 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
| Cultural Diversity | 3 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
| Environment | 3 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
| International Perspectives | 3 credits | Courses before fall 2010 | Fall 2010 courses |
The Writing Intensive requirement
Writing intensive courses help you understand what it means to write in various disciplines, and how your writing can be made stronger and clearer so that you can communicate your views effectively.
Requirement
In addition to the first-year writing requirement, you must complete four writing intensive courses. Two of the writing intensive courses must be taken at the upper division level, one of which must be taken in your major.
Courses
Continue to consult the current list of Writing Intensive courses before and after fall 2010.
Choosing your liberal education courses
The University's LE requirements can be fulfilled by a broad range of courses; some courses fulfill more than one requirement. This means that you can create your own liberal education experience that complements your major courses, challenges you to develop new knowledge and skills, and satisfies your desire to explore topics that are important to you.
To get the most out of your undergraduate experience, we recommend that you:
- be adventurous. Challenge yourself by taking some courses that are outside of your comfort zone. Often these courses are most rewarding.
- create a four-year journey. Many students have indicated that they wish they had taken a few of their LE courses in their third and fourth years, because they discovered new questions and interests that they wanted to pursue. Consider taking one or two LE courses in your junior or senior year.
- work with your adviser to learn about and choose the best courses for you, and to make sure you're fulfilling these requirements on an appropriate timeline for your major.