Requirements and Courses
Carolina Core Requirements
The Carolina Core requires a minimum of 31 credit hours. Students begin with foundational courses and later complete integrative courses, which are upper-division courses in the major that reinforce one or more Core learning outcomes within the discipline.
Stand-Alone courses satisfy one Core learning outcome, while Overlay courses satisfy two. Students may apply up to two Overlay courses toward Core requirements.
Four Pillars of the Carolina Core
| Pillar | Related Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Communicate with Impact | CMW, CMS, GFL, INF |
| Think with Data | ARP, SCI, INF |
| Navigate a Complex Society | GHS, GSS, GFL, VSR, AIU |
| Solve Real-World Problems | Integrative Courses |
Communicate with Impact
CMW — Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written
6 credit hours
Develop the ability to analyze ideas, build persuasive arguments, and communicate effectively through writing for diverse audiences and purposes.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- ENGL 101: Critical Reading and Composition
- ENGL 102: Rhetoric and Composition
CMS — Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component
3 credit hours
Develop the ability to communicate ideas effectively through speaking, presentation, and dialogue.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- PHIL 213: Communicating Moral Issues
- PHIL 325: Engineering Ethics
- SAEL 200: Social Advocacy and Ethical Life
- SPCH 140: Public Communication
- SPCH 145: Online Public Communication
- SPCH 230: Business and Professional Speaking
- SPCH 260: Argumentation and Debate
GFL — Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language
0 to 6 credit hours*
Develop the ability to communicate in more than one language while building intercultural awareness and global perspectives.
*The number of credit hours needed depends on the student’s placement test score - it will range between 0 and 6 credit hours.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- ARAB 121: Elementary Arabic
- ASLG 121: Principles of American Sign Language I
- CHIN 121: Elementary Chinese Mandarin
- FREN 121: Elementary French
- GERM 121: Elementary German
- JAPA 121: Elementary Japanese
- SPAN 121: Elementary Spanish
INF — Information Literacy
3 credit hours
Build the skills to collect, evaluate, manage, and communicate information using a variety of resources and technologies.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- ENGL 102: Rhetoric and Composition
- ISCI 202: Information Literacy and Technology
- SPCH 145: Online Public Communication
- STAT 112: Statistics and the Media
Think with Data
ARP — Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving
6 credit hours
Apply mathematical, statistical, and analytical methods to solve problems, evaluate information, and communicate findings.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- CSCE 101: Introduction to Computer and Programming Concepts using AI Tools
- CSCE 145: Algorithmic Design I
- GEOG 105: The Digital Earth
- MATH 141: Calculus I
- MATH 174: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
- PHIL 114: Introduction to Formal Logic I
- STAT 112: Statistics and the Media
SCI — Scientific Literacy
7 credit hours
Explore scientific concepts, methods, and evidence-based reasoning to better understand the world and evaluate scientific issues.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- ASTR 101: Introduction to Astronomy
- BIOL 120: Human Biology
- CHEM 107: Introduction to Forensic Science
- ENCP 111: The Science and Design of Coffee
- ENVR 101: Introduction to the Environment
- GEOL 170: The Water Planet
- PHYS 101: The Physics of How Things Work I
INF — Information Literacy
3 credit hours
Build the skills to collect, evaluate, manage, and communicate information using a variety of resources and technologies.
A sampling of courses that fulfill this learning outcome:
- ENGL 102: Rhetoric and Composition
- ISCI 202: Information Literacy and Technology
- SPCH 145: Online Public Communication
- STAT 112: Statistics and the Media
Solve Real-World Problems
As part of the Carolina Core, students are required to complete an integrative study course within their chosen major. These courses provide an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout their academic experience. Explore the approved integrative study courses below, organized by college.
Visit the Carolina Core Courses for additional information about learning outcomes and overlays.
McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
- AFAM 498: Seminar in African-American Studies
- ANTH 355: Language, Culture, and Society
- BIOL 301: Ecology and Evolution
- ECON 511: Senior Seminar in Economics
- HIST 497: Senior Seminar
- PSYC 405: Cognitive Psychology
- STAT 542: Computing for Data Science
Darla Moore School of Business
- MGMT 478: Strategic Management
College of Education
- EDEC 491: Seminar on Teaching in Early Childhood
- EDEL 491: Seminar on Teaching
- EDEX 426: Seminar in Special Education
- EDML 499: Internship B in the Middle School
- PEDU 446: Physical Education Curriculum
- PEDU 511: Psychosocial Aspects of Sport and Performance
Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
- BMEN 427: Senior Biomedical Engineering Design I
- CSCE 490: Capstone Computing Project I
- CSCE 491: Capstone Computer Engineering Project
- ECIV 470: Civil Engineering Design
- ELCT 403: Capstone Design Project I
- INDE 497: Industrial Engineering Capstone Project
- ITEC 564: Capstone Project for Information Technology
College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management
- HRSM 497: Senior Seminar
- HTMT 482: Sustainable Tourism Planning and Policy
- HTMT 490: Strategic Hospitality Management and Leadership
- RETL 495: Retailing Internship
- SPTE 444: Sports and Entertainment Event Management
College of Information and Communications
- ISCI 496: Internship in Information Science
- JOUR 415: Mass Communications Capstone Portfolio
- JOUR 422: Advertising Campaigns: From Development to Pitch
- JOUR 441: Public Relations Campaigns
- JOUR 460: Capstone Portfolio Development
- JOUR 470: Sports Media Capstone
- JOUR 485: Broadcast Journalism Capstone
School of Music
- MUSC 354: History of Western Music II
- MUSC 498: Music Industry Capstone
College of Nursing
- NURS 400: Evidence-based Nursing Practice
Palmetto College
- PALM 493: South Carolina Studies
College of Pharmacy
- PHMY 662: Patient Care Fundamentals
Arnold School of Public Health
- EXSC 444: Exercise Science Practicum
- PUBH 498: Public Health Capstone Seminar
College of Social Work
- SOWK 484: Capstone