Students who enter the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college beginning in fall 2015 will be required to meet the USP 2015 requirements for graduation. Requirements of the USP are divided into categories based on the student learning outcomes. All courses are mutually exclusive of each other; no single course may count in more than one category. USP designated courses are open to all UW students (with a few exceptions for the Fall Bridge and Honors Programs).
Knowledge of Human Culture, the Physical & Natural World, and the U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions
Human Culture (H) Credits 6
Students will understand human behaviors, activities, ideas, and values in different situations and contexts. Complete six approved credit hours of coursework. Approved coursework does not include courses taken within the student’s major department.
Physical and Natural World (PN) Credits 6
Students will understand the fundamental concepts of scientific and quantitative inquiry and develop the ability to understand the relevance of scientific, technological, and quantitative skills to contemporary society. Complete six approved credit hours of course work. Approved coursework does not include courses taken from the student’s major department.
U.S. & Wyoming Constitutions (V) Credits 3
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions in order to develop the combination of knowledge, values, and motivation to participate in and improve the life of our local and global communities. Approved V courses fulfill both the U.S. and Wyoming Constitution requirements.
Intellectual and Practical Skills
Communication 1 (C1) Credits 3
Students will develop skills in written, oral, and digital communication as appropriate to specific disciplines and courses at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced level. Through repeated instruction, practice, and feedback, the communication sequence will emphasize and progressively develop transferable skills for students’ academic work and future professions. The introductory course (C1) will emphasize foundational skills for academic writing. Communication 1 must be completed with a C or better.
Communication 2 (C2) Credits 3
Intermediate courses (C2) will emphasize foundational oral and digital communication skills and continue to build on writing skills. Successful completion of C1 is required prior to enrolling in a C2 course. This category can be fulfilled by courses taken from the student’s major department. Communication 2 must be completed with a C or better.
Communication 3 (C3) Credits 3
Advanced courses (C3) will emphasize using the discourse of a discipline or interdisciplinary field to communicate to academic or professional audiences through written, oral, and digital communication. Successful completion of C2 is required prior to enrolling in a C3 course. This category can be fulfilled by courses taken from the students’ major department.
First-Year Seminar (FY) Credits 3
Students will critically examine and evaluate evidence, claims, beliefs, or points of view about meaningful, relevant issues. Students will be introduced to active learning, inquiry of pressing issues, and individual and collaborative processing of ideas through the First-Year Seminar curriculum. These skills will be reinforced throughout the baccalaureate experience. The First-Year Seminar will provide the skills and philosophy necessary for success as a student and life-long learner. Students will have an opportunity to select from a wide range of academic courses covering unique and interesting subject matter focused on developing critical thinking, communication, and information literacy skills. Colleges, departments, and programs cannot require a particular FY class for a major. First-Year Seminar must be completed with a C or better.
Quantitative Reasoning (Q) Credits 3
Students will reason and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of authentic contexts and everyday life situations. All students must fulfill the Q requirement, either through successfully completing the Q course or with SAT Math 600+, ACT Math 26+, or a proctored MPE Level 4.
Personal & Social Responsibility
No mandatory USP courses. Students will have varied experiences depending on coursework and co-curricular activities chosen by them.
Wyoming Community colleges have defined a Common General Education Core Curriculum as a component of an associate’s degree. Per transfer policy, an AA or AS or AB degree from a Wyoming community college will satisfy the lower-division requirements of the University Studies Program. Students transferring to UW from any Wyoming community college without an associate’s degree will have their transcript reviewed on a course-by-course basis.
Students who enrolled at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college prior to the fall of 2015 and who maintained continuous enrollment have the option of satisfying USP 2003 or USP 2015 requirements.
The following courses were approved for the University Studies Program 2015 at the time this catalog went to press. The process of course approval is ongoing. For a complete and updated list of approved courses, see the USP web site at www.uwyo.edu/unst/usp2015/.
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