The Core Curriculum consists of 44 hours distributed in the areas of English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities and Physical Activity. 

The Core Curriculum is the starting point in the student’s education, but it need not be completed prior to declaring a major. Students should be encouraged to balance Core courses and courses leading to a major so that they can explore areas of interest. Students can continue to complete Core courses throughout their college years - right up to the last semester. 

  
Why do we need the Core Curriculum courses? 

You may hear students voice this question. Students are more likely to question why they need to take courses in math, science, history and English since they had those in high school. Some students are eager to start classes in their major area of choice and they refer to the Core as something they need to "get out of the way". Advisors can help students understand why the Core Curriculum is necessary in their educational process: 

• A good education includes a solid foundation in the arts and sciences. These courses provide the framework on which all later learning is built. Intellectual growth and cultural awareness are gained from the liberal arts courses that make up the Core Curriculum.

• Students can develop inquisitiveness, satisfy curiosity, and broaden the intellect through courses that are not part of a prescribed major. The Core Curriculum allows students to make choices and explore subjects outside the boundary of specific major requirements.

• The well educated citizen is informed and competent in the liberal arts and can see the inter-connected relationship between different disciplines. Appalachian strives to help students to be informed, creative and responsible people in today’s changing world.

Using the black notebook: 

The notebook of major requirements is an advisor’s most important resource for advising students. In the notebook is a checksheet for each major that includes a list of the Core Curriculum courses for that major. It is critical that advisors use the notebook frequently while advising students about specific classes. Requirements do change and the notebooks are updated each year. Occasionally you will receive memos about policy or curriculum changes. These memos should be placed in appropriate section of the notebook. 

Advising notes are on one side of the major sheets in the notebook. These notes have been compiled by the departments and contain information pertaining to sequencing of courses, essential freshman year courses, career opportunities in the major and where to go to ask specific questions or get more information. 

Remember these tips when advising students: 

• The Core Curriculum courses do not need to be completed prior to declaring a major.

• Students should take the two required English courses their first two semesters at Appalachian (or as soon as possible) since these courses are required to declare a major.

• The choice of what math and natural science courses to take is very dependent upon the major. Undecided students should consider delaying these courses until a clear major area of interest is determined.

• Not all of the courses that fulfill the P. E. requirement for the Core Curriculum are activity courses. Students who do not want , or cannot take, an activity should consider FCS 2202 or HP 1105.

• Many majors have specific courses in the Core Curriculum which are also required for the major. ALWAYS CHECK to make sure that a student is taking the appropriate course.

• The history requirement for the Core is world history - any exceptions to this would need to be approved by the History Department.

• Students need four humanities courses and the checksheet has specific instructions about the distribution of the courses. It is helpful to review this with students.

  

Students may have questions about Special Designators. You should briefly review the requirements during Phase 1 Orientation, and continue to remind students about the requirements each time you meet for advising. 

  

6 Writing (W)    Includes ENG 1000 & 1100    Two must be in the major    (business majors must have four in the major and two others)      4 Multi-Cultural (MC)    Includes HIS 1101 & 1102    1 Speaking (S)    Part of the major requirement    Not necessarily in the major department    (business majors must have two)

2 Numerical Data (ND)    Includes Core Curriculum math and science       2 Computer (C)    1 Cross Disciplinary (CD)    Certified Proficiency in Communication   Required in all majors     Standards will be set by each department

  

• You should regularly review with students their progress toward completion of the Special Designators. A Special Designator checksheet is a handy way to do this. You can keep it in the student's folder or the student can keep it.

• The Special Designator requirements need to be completed by graduation. Students will not complete them during the time you are their advisor, but you can help them be aware of unmet requirements.

• The COB requires that students take additional Special Designator courses to meet the college's Certified Proficiency in Communication. Like other majors, students who major in business must have six writing (W) designators, but four of the six must be in the major. ENG 1000 and 1100 will cover the other two writing (W) designators. The COB also requires one additional speaking (S) designator course in the major.

• Students must pass the Math Placement Test or complete MAT 0010 before taking any numerical data (ND) Special Designator courses.