Undergraduate Core Requirements
Philosophy of the Core Curriculum
The University of Colorado Denver subscribes to a liberal arts philosophy of education in order to develop a broad set of academic skills for the baccalaureate student and to establish a foundation for lifelong learning. Since 1990, the CU Denver Core curriculum of general education has been a campus-wide program for all undergraduate students, independent of the student’s major.
The CU Denver faculty designed the Core curriculum to provide undergraduate students a high quality academic foundation while still allowing flexibility based on students’ individual backgrounds and specific career goals. The Core curriculum develops multiple literacies, stimulates creative thinking, and utilizes technology. The Core engages students in developing sensitivity to diversity and developing their place in an urban environment, as well as in the rapidly changing global environment. The Core provides an understanding of ourselves, ours and other cultures, and our environment.
CU Denver Core Curriculum: Full Course Listing
Click the link below to view the CU Denver Core Curriculum full course listing in a separate page or click the CU Denver Core Curriculum tab (if viewing in a web browser).
Please note, some Core requirements may overlap with other major and graduation requirements and others may not. Students should work with an advisor to understand degree requirements and determine their optimal degree plan.
CU Denver Core Curriculum
The following represents the CU Denver Core Curriculum as approved by the faculty on the Core Curriculum Oversight Committee (CCOC). The Core Curriculum is a total of 34-40 semester hours.
Intellectual Competencies 9-10 Total Semester Hours
A minimum letter grade of C- (1.7) ins required for English Composition and Mathematics courses. Pass/Fail grading is not an option.
Core English Composition
Both courses are required.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1020 | Core Composition I ^ | 3 |
| ENGL 2030 | Core Composition II ^ | 3 |
Core Mathematics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Mathematics for the Liberal Arts ^ | ||
| Finite Mathematics | ||
| Stretch College Algebra-Part 2 1 | ||
| College Algebra 1, ^ | ||
| College Trigonometry 1, ^ | ||
| Precalculus Mathematics 1, ^ | ||
| Calculus I 1, ^ | ||
| Calculus II ^ | ||
| Calculus III ^ | ||
| Introductory Statistics ^ | ||
| Fundamental Mathematics: Algebra, Probability and Data Analysis | ||
- 1
Students may receive credit for only one of the following:
- MATH 1108 Stretch College Algebra-Part 1 or MATH 1070 College Algebra for Business or MATH 1110 College Algebra or MATH 1130 Precalculus Mathematics
- MATH 1109 Stretch College Algebra-Part 2 or MATH 1070 College Algebra for Business or MATH 1110 College Algebra or MATH 1130 Precalculus Mathematics
- MATH 1120 College Trigonometry or MATH 1130 Precalculus Mathematics
- MATH 1080 Calculus for Social Sciences and Business or MATH 1401 Calculus I
Knowledge Areas 19-24 Total Semester Hours
While not formally approved for general CU Denver Core credit, CCOC has authorized new freshmen to apply one (only one) First-Year Seminar course for credit in the Knowledge Area section of the Core. Please see the First-Year Seminar website for a complete listing of FYS courses approved by CCOC for Core credit; www.ucdenver.edu/fye → FYS Courses → FYS Core Curriculum Table.
Core Arts
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing ^ | ||
| Fostering Creativity | ||
| Introduction to Art ^ | ||
| Video Games, Story and Society | ||
| Visual Culture: Ways of Seeing ^ | ||
| Fundamentals of Film and Television | ||
| Introduction to Theatre & Arts in the Community ^ | ||
| Horror in Western Culture and Cinema | ||
| Engaging Landscapes for Wicked Change | ||
| Music Appreciation ^ | ||
| World Pop | ||
Core Humanities
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Cultures of the Arabic-Speaking World | ||
| China and the Chinese ^ | ||
| Storytelling: Literature, Film, and Television ^ | ||
| Greatest Hits ^ | ||
| African American History | ||
| Asian American & Pacific Islander Cultures | ||
| Art History Survey I | ||
| Art History Survey II | ||
| Introduction to Cultures of the French- Speaking World ^ | ||
| U.S. History to 1876 ^ | ||
| U.S. History Since 1876 ^ | ||
| The History of Now | ||
| Controversies in History ^ | ||
| Rebels, Villains, & Superheroes: How Children's Literature Shapes Our Identities | ||
| Truth, Reality, and the Good Life: Introduction to Philosophy ^ | ||
| Right, Wrong, and Seeing the Difference: Introduction to Ethics ^ | ||
| Logic, Language and Scientific Reasoning ^ | ||
| Happiness and the Good Life | ||
| Introduction to Religious Studies ^ | ||
| World Religions ^ | ||
| Introduction to Cultures of the Spanish Speaking World ^ | ||
Core Behavioral Sciences
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology ^ | ||
| Culture and the Human Experience ^ | ||
| Communication and Communities ^ | ||
| Introduction to Media Studies ^ | ||
| Sex, Human Development and Family Systems | ||
| Family and Personal Finance | ||
| Foundations of Linguistics | ||
| Introduction to Psychology I ^ | ||
| Introduction to Psychology II ^ | ||
| Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Mental Health in Schools and Communities | ||
| Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Schools and Communities ^ | ||
Core Social Sciences
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Criminology and Criminal Justice: An Overview ^ | ||
| Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics ^ | ||
| Principles of Economics: Microeconomics ^ | ||
| Equality, Rights & Education | ||
| Environment, Society and Sustainability ^ | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies ^ | ||
| Introduction to Chicanx and Latinx Studies | ||
| World Regions Global Context ^ | ||
| Introduction to Human Geography | ||
| Urban Studies and Planning ^ | ||
| Lifespan Issues in Family Violence | ||
| Love, Family and Human Development ^ | ||
| #Learning: Digital Spaces and Far Out Places | ||
| Race, Gender, Class, & Health | ||
| Introduction to Public Health ^ | ||
| Introduction to Political Science: The Quest for Freedom and Justice ^ | ||
| American Political System ^ | ||
| Why We Care About Government, Nonprofits, and the Public Good | ||
| Spirituality and Ecology in Global Societies | ||
| Foundations in Social Justice | ||
| Understanding the Social World ^ | ||
| From Killer Apps to Killer Bots: Technology and Social Change | ||
| Introduction to Social Psychology ^ | ||
| Social Problems | ||
Core Natural and Physical Sciences, Mathematics
Students must complete two science courses, one of which must have an associated lab component.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Nat & Phys Science Courses w/Labs intended for Non-Science Majors | ||
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology ^ | ||
| Basic Biology: Ecology and the Diversity of Life 1, ^ | ||
| Human Biology and Human Biology Laboratory | ||
| Biology for All and Biology for All Laboratory | ||
| Basic Biology: From Cells to Organisms 1, ^ | ||
| Core Chemistry: Chemistry for Everyday 2, ^ | ||
| Forensic Chemistry 2, ^ | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Introduction to Environmental Sciences Laboratory | ||
| Physical Geology: Surface Processes and Physical Geology: Surface Processes Laboratory ^ | ||
| Physical Geology: Internal Processes and Physical Geology: Internal Processes Laboratory ^ | ||
| General Astronomy I ^ | ||
| Nat & Phys Science Courses w/Labs intended for Science Majors | ||
| Organisms to Ecosystems (Gen Bio) and Organisms to Ecosystems Lab (Gen Bio) 3,^ | ||
| Molecules to Cells (Gen Bio) and Molecules to Cells Lab (Gen Bio) 3,^ | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I 3,^ | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II 3,^ | ||
| College Physics I and Intro Experimental Phys Lab I ^ | ||
| College Physics II and Intro Experimental Phys Lab II ^ | ||
| General Physics I: Calculus-Based and Intro Experimental Phys Lab I ^ | ||
| General Physics I: Calculus-Based and Applied Physics Lab I 4 | ||
| General Physics II: Calculus-Based and Intro Experimental Phys Lab II ^ | ||
| General Physics II: Calculus-Based and Applied Physics Lab II 4 | ||
| Nat & Phys Science Courses WITHOUT Labs 5 | ||
| Lost Worlds and Crystal Skulls | ||
| Introduction to Computing in Society | ||
| Introduction to Physical Geography ^ | ||
| Foundations of Physics ^ | ||
| Biological Basis of Behavior ^ | ||
- 1
Students may not receive credit for BIOL 1550 Basic Biology: Ecology and the Diversity of Life or BIOL 1560 Basic Biology: From Cells to Organisms if they have already received credit for BIOL 2020 Molecules to Cells (Gen Bio) and BIOL 2010 Organisms to Ecosystems (Gen Bio).
- 2
Students may not receive credit for CHEM 1474 Core Chemistry: Chemistry for Everyday or CHEM 1494 Forensic Chemistry if they have already received credit for CHEM 2031 General Chemistry I and CHEM 2061 General Chemistry II.
- 3
Honors sections of these courses will apply to the Core Natural & Physical Sciences Requirement. Note: co-credit is not allowed for regular and honors sections.
- 4
General Physics and Applied Physic Lab sequences are required and intended only for Physics (PHYS) majors and minors.
- 5
Students may use an approved Core Math course, except the course used to fulfill the Core Math requirement, or MATH 1108 Stretch College Algebra-Part 1 as a non-lab science.
International Perspectives 3 Total Semester Hours
Core International Perspectives¹
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Globalization, Migration and Transnationalism | ||
| Language, Identity, & Power: International Perspectives | ||
| International Perspectives in Literature and Film | ||
| International Dimensions of Technology and Culture | ||
| Indigenous Studies | ||
| Global Media | ||
| International Perspectives through Animation | ||
| Asian Art After 1850 | ||
| Contemporary World Cinema | ||
| World Theatre | ||
| The Francophone World in the Post-Colonial Era | ||
| Globalization and Regional Development | ||
| Current German Society and Culture | ||
| Global Human Development & Learning | ||
| Families in Global Perspectives | ||
| The World at War, 1914-1945 | ||
| Globalization in World History Since 1945 | ||
| Global Perspectives | ||
| International Marketing | ||
| Environments of International Business | ||
| Foundations of International Studies | ||
| International Marketing | ||
| Global Demography and Health | ||
| International Perspectives & Global Reach of Musics from Mexico | ||
| Political Systems of the World | ||
| World Politics | ||
| Islamic Traditions | ||
| Asian Philosophies and Religions | ||
| Global Perspectives on Social Issues | ||
- 1
The Core International Perspectives requirement may be waived on the basis of prior international residency, study abroad, approved military experience, or other significant international experience, as described in the International Perspectives Proficiency Credit Guidelines.
Cultural Diversity 3 Total Semester Hours
Core Cultural Diversity¹
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cultural Diversity in the Modern World | ||
| Empowering Women in Business | ||
| Communication and Diversity | ||
| Economics of Race and Gender | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in American Literature | ||
| Technology and Culture | ||
| American Indian Cultural Images | ||
| Culture, Racism and Alienation | ||
| Through the Lens: Photography and Diversity | ||
| Drama of Diversity | ||
| Black and Latino Children in Families and Schools | ||
| Leadership for Racial Justice in School and Community Settings | ||
| Immigration and Ethnicity in American History | ||
| Social Movements in 20th Century America | ||
| Once Upon a Time: Family Literacies in Culturally Diverse Communities | ||
| Undocumented Mexican Immigration | ||
| Food Justice in City & Schools | ||
| Language in Society | ||
| Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion in Business | ||
| Ideology and Culture: Racism and Sexism | ||
| US Music: Social & Political Impact | ||
| Race, Gender, Law and Public Policy | ||
| Political Movements: Race and Gender | ||
| Psychology of Cultural Diversity | ||
| Religion and Cultural Diversity | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | ||
| Gender, Sexuality and Race in American Popular Culture | ||
- 1
Transfer Credit must have been taken at the upper-division level from the sending institution.
Other Degree Requirements
In addition to the CU Denver Core Curriculum requirements listed above, students must complete a major and fulfill all additional School/College requirements. More information on these requirements can be found in the Academic Catalog in the following locations:
- Programs
- CU Denver General Graduation Requirements
- School/College Specific Graduation Requirements
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