Skip to main content
University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
    • Admitted Students
    • Current Students
    • Families of Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Email
    • Blackboard
    • Campus Connection
    • Employee Self-Service
    • Hawk Central
    • Degree Map
    • Zoom
  • Directory
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Majors & Programs
  • About
University of North Dakota
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Majors & Programs
  • About
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Essential Studies
  • Past Approved Courses
  • 2015 Spring Approved Essential Studies Courses
Skip Section Navigation
  • Essential Studies
  • Approved Courses Show/hide children
    • How Are Courses Approved?
  • Student Requirements Show/hide children
    • Check Progress
    • Student Petitions
  • Faculty Info Show/hide children
    • Goals
    • Course Development
    • Course Validation
    • Course Revalidation
    • Assessment
    • Syllabus Language
  • ES Committee
  • Policies
  • History
  • ES Program Review

2015 Spring Approved Essential Studies Courses

I. Special Emphasis

Students must complete at least 3 credit hours designated in each of the following special emphasis areas:

  • Advanced Communication - any course designated as A
  • Quantitative Reasoning - any course designated as Q
  • Global Diversity - any course designated as G
  • United States Diversity - any course designated as U

Students may choose courses that meet both a Special Emphasis and a Breadth of Knowledge or a major requirement at the same time.

II. Breadth of Knowledge

Students must complete at least 9 credit hours in each of the following four Breadth of Knowledge areas:

  • Communication 9 sem. credits min. (must take Engl. 110, Engl. 130; and 3 credits of oral communication)
  • Social Sciences 9 sem. credits min. (must be taken in a minimum of 2 departments)
  • Fine Arts and Humanities 9 sem. credits min. (must be taken in a minimum of 2 depts. and take a minimum of 3 credits in Fine Arts and 3 credits in Humanities)
  • Mathematics, Science and Technology 9 sem. credits min. (must be taken in a minimum of 2 depts. and must include a 4-hour science course w/a lab)

III. Capstone

Students must complete an Essential Studies Capstone (C), 3 sem. credits minimum, within three semesters of graduation

Approved Capstone courses are most frequently found within the major, but there are also interdisciplinary Capstones that are designed for all students regardless of major. In either case, all students—including transfers—are required to take an ES Capstone.

The Total Number of Essential studies sem. credits must equal at least 39.

Transfer Students

If you are a transfer student who has completed the general education requirements at a NDUS, MnSCU, or Washington State Institution, you will only need to complete the Essential Studies capstone requirement at UND. You will have met all of the other UND Essential Studies requirements. If you are a transfer student from any other institution you are required to meet all of the Essential Studies requirements listed above. Please go to the transfer student information website to view articulation agreements for transfer work.

Breadth of Knowledge: Communication 9 sem. credits min.

Choose one course from each of the three areas:

Highlighted courses are additional ES options this semester

 

(1) Engl 110 College Composition I (3)
(2) Engl 130 Composition II: Writing for Public Audiences (3)
(3) Oral Communication Courses    
  ChE 412 Plant Design II: Process Project Engineering (5)
  Comm 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
  EE 481 Senior Design II (3)
  Geol 356, 421, and 422 Geology (3)
  ME 488 Engineering Design (3)

Breadth of Knowledge: Social Sciences 9 sem. hours min. (must be taken in a minimum of 2 departments). Some of these courses are also approved to meet one of the Special Emphasis requirements in Global Diversity, Quantitative Reasoning, or U.S. Diversity (they also carry designations of "G," "Q," or "U," respectively).

Highlighted courses are additional ES options this semester

 

Anthropology
  G Anth 100 Introduction to Anthropology (3)
  G Anth 171 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
  G Anth 172 Introduction to Archaeology (3)
  G Anth 200 World Prehistory (3)
  G Anth 371 Cultural Dynamics (3)
  G Anth 377 North American Archaeology (3)
  G Anth 379 Culture Area Studies (3)

Business Administration
    BAdm 101 Introduction to Business (3)

Chemical Engineering
    ChE 340 Professional Integrity in Engineering (3)

Communication
  U Comm 102 Communication and the Human Community (3)
    Comm 103 Information, Technology and Social Change (3)

Communication Science & Disorder
  G CSD 425 Language, Multiculturalism and Communication Disorders (3)

Criminal Justice Studies
    CJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)

Earth Systems Science & Policy
    ESSP 160 Sustainability & Society (3)

Economics
  Q Econ 201 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
  Q Econ 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)

Engineering
    Engr 460 Engineering Economics (3)

Geography
  G Geog 151 Human Geography (3)
  G Geog 161 World Regional Geography (3)
  U Geog 262 Geography of North America I (3)

History
  G Hist 230 History of Modern Science (3)

Honors
  U Hon 102 Inquiry in the Social Sciences (3)
  U Hon 272 Social Science Colloquium On US Diversity (3)
    Hon 292 Colloquium in the Social Sciences (2-4)
  U Hon 372 Advanced Social Science Colloquium on US Diversity (3)
  G Hon 382 Exploring Global Diversity Through the Social Sciences (3-4)
    Hon 392 Advanced Colloquium in the Social Sciences (2-4)

Humanities
  U Hum 224 Integrated Social Science Inquiry (2-4)
  G Hum 225 Advanced Integrated Social Science (2-4)

Indian Studies
  U IS 171 Hollywood Indians (3)
  U IS 311 Health & American Indian Cultures (3)
  G IS 385 Sustainable Communities (3)

Leadership
    LEAD 101 Learning Leadership (3)

Mechanical Engineering
    ME 370 Engineering Disasters and Ethics (3)

Music
    Musc 180 Introduction to Music Therapy (3)

Nursing
  U Nurs 490 Transcultural Health Care Theories, Research and Practice (3)

Nutrition and Dietetics
  G N&D 335 World Food Patterns (3)

Occupational Therapy
  U OT 451 Multicultural Competency in OT (3)

Political Science
    Pols 115 American Government I (3)
    Pols 116 State and Local Government (3)
    Pols 220 International Politics (3)
    Pols 225 Comparative Politics (3)
  U Pols 318 American Political Thought (3)

Psychology
    Psyc 111 Introduction to Psychology (3)
    Psyc 250 Developmental Psychology (4)
    Psyc 270 Abnormal Psychology (3)
  G Psyc 421 Diversity Psychology (3)
  A Psyc 460 Advanced Social Psychology (3)

Public Health Education
    PHE 101 Introduction to Public Health (3)
  Q PHE 102 Epidemiology in Public Health (3)
  G PHE 103 Introduction to Global Health (3)

Recreation and Tourism Studies
    RTS 201 Recreation and Society (3)
  U RTS 260 Inclusion in Recreation Settings (3)

Rehabilitation Services
  U RHS 250 Contemporary Issues in Rehabilitation (3)

Sociology
  U Soc 110 Introduction to Sociology (3)
    Soc 115 Social Problems (3)
  U Soc 250 Diversity in American Society (3)
    Soc 253 Juvenile Delinquency (3)
    Soc 340 Sociology of Gender and Sex Roles (3)
    Soc 361 Social Psychology (3)

Teaching & Learning
    T&L 252 Child Development (3)
  U T&L 433 Multicultural Education (3)

University
    Univ 110A First Year Seminar (Social Science) (3)
    Univ 115A First Year Research (Social Science) (3)

Breadth of Knowledge: Arts and Humanities 9 sem. hours min. (must be taken in a minimum of 2 departments, also must include 3 cr designated as Fine Arts & 3 cr designated as Humanities). Some of these courses are also approved to meet one of the Special Emphasis requirements in Global Diversity, Quantitative Reasoning, or U.S. Diversity (they also carry designations of "G," "Q," or "U," respectively).

Highlighted courses are additional ES options this semester

 

 
 
Art
    Art 100 Introduction to Sculpture (3)
    Art 112 Basic Design (3)
    Art 120 Introduction to Drawing and Color Materials (3)
    Art 130 Drawing I (3)
    Art 151 Introduction to Ceramics (3)
    Art 230 Drawing II (3)
    Art 250 Ceramics: Handbuilding (3)
    Art 260 Color Photography (3)
 
English
    Engl 226 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
    Engl 235 The Art of Filmmaking (3)
  A Engl 308 The Art of Writing Non-Fiction (3)
 
Fine Arts
    FA 150 Introduction to Fine Arts (3)
 
Humanities
    Hum 212 Integrated Cultural Experience (3)
 
Music
    Musc 100 Introduction to the Understanding of Music (3)
    Musc 101 Fundamentals of Music (3)
    Musc 260 Concert Choir (1)
    Musc 263 Varsity Bards Men's Chorus (1)
    Musc 264 Women's Chorus (1)
    Musc 270 Wind Ensemble (1)
    Musc 271 University Band (1)
    Musc 272 Marching/Athletic Band (1)
    Musc 273 Instrumental Jazz Ensemble (1)
    Musc 275 University Chamber Orchestra (1)
 
Technology
    Tech 322 Fundamentals of Photography (3)
 
Theatre Arts
    Thea 110 Introduction to Theatre Arts (3)
    Thea 161 Acting I (3)
    Thea 270 Stagecraft (3)
 
University
    Univ 110B First Year Seminar (Fine Arts) (3)
    Univ 115B First Year Research (Fine Arts) (3)
 
 
Art
    Art 110 Introduction to the Visual Arts (3)
    Art 210 History of Art I (3)
    Art 211 History of Art II (3)
 
Arts & Sciences
    A&S 252 Introduction to Canadian Studies (3)
 
Communication
    Comm 300 Communication and Society (3)
 
English
    Engl 225 Introduction to Film (3)
    Engl 227 Introduction to Literature and Culture (3)
  G Engl 228 Diversity and Global Literatures (3)
  U Engl 229 Diversity in U.S. Literature (3)
  A Engl 271 Reading and Writing About Texts (3)
    Engl 315 Shakespeare (3)
    Engl 316 Shakespeare (3)
    Engl 357 Women Writers and Readers (2-4)
  U Engl 365 Black American Writers (3)
  U Engl 367 American Indian Literature (3)
  A Engl 408 Advanced Composition (3)
 
German
  G Germ 206 Germany in a Global World (3)
  G Germ 306 Contextualizing Culture: Introduction to German Studies (3)
 
History
  G Hist 101 Western Civilization I (3)
  G Hist 102 Western Civilization II (3)
  U Hist 103 United States to 1877 (3)
  U Hist 104 United States Since 1877 (3)
  G Hist 105 World Civilizations I (3)
  G Hist 106 World Civilizations II (3)
    Hist 220 History of North Dakota (3)
  A Hist 325 The American West to 1890 (3)
  U Hist 332 Women in American History to 1865 (3)
  U Hist 333 Women in American History Since 1865 (3)
  U Hist 371 African-American History Since 1877 (3)
 
Honors
  U Hon 101 Inquiry in the Humanities (3)
    Hon 291 Colloquium in the Humanities (2-4)
  G Hon 381 Exploring Global Diversity Through the Humanities (3-4)
    Hon 391 Advanced Colloquium in the Humanities (2-4)
 
Humanities
    Hum 101 Humanities I (4)
    Hum 102 Humanities II (4)
    Hum 300 Knowledge, Truth and Reality (2)
 
Indian Studies
  U IS 121 Introduction to American Indian Studies (3)
  U IS 151 White Images of Native Americans (3)
  U IS 171 Hollywood Indians (3)
  U IS 181 Native Americans Before 1600 (3)
  U IS 201 History of the Sioux (3)
  U IS 203 History of the Anishinabe (3)
  U IS 207 History of the Three Affiliated Tribes (3)
  U IS 221 North American Indians before 1815 (3)
  U IS 222 North American Indians since 1815 (3)
  U IS 346 American Indian Women (3)
  A IS 360 Oral Traditions in American Indian Cultures (3)
  U IS 395 Ethnohistory of North America (3)
 
Languages
  G Chin 101 First Year Chinese I (4)
    Chin 102 First Year Chinese II (4)
  G Chin 201 Second Year Chinese I (4)
    Chin 202 Second Year Chinese II (4)
  G Clas 101 First Year Latin I (4)
    Clas 102 First Year Latin II (4)
  G Clas 201 Second Year Latin I (4)
    Clas 202 Second Year Latin II (4)
  G Fren 101 First Year French I (4)
    Fren 102 First Year French II (4)
  G Fren 201 Second Year French I (4)
    Fren 202 Second Year French II (4)
  G Germ 101 First Year German I (4)
    Germ 102 First Year German II (4)
  G Germ 201 Second Year German I (4)
    Germ 202 Second Year German II (4)
  G Norw 101 First Year Norwegian I (4)
    Norw 102 First Year Norwegian II (4)
  G Norw 201 Second Year Norwegian I (4)
    Norw 202 Second Year Norwegian II (4)
    Russ 101 First Year Russian I (4)
    Russ 102 First Year Russian II (4)
    Russ 161 Introduction to Russian Literature (3)
    Russ 162 Introduction to Russian Culture (3)
    Russ 201 Second Year Russian I (4)
  G Span 101 First Year Spanish I (4)
    Span 102 First Year Spanish II (4)
  G Span 201 Second Year Spanish I (4)
    Span 202 Second Year Spanish II (4)
 
Music
    Musc 201 Rock and Roll History (3)
  G Musc 203 Music & Culture (3)
 
Philosophy
    Phil 101 Introduction to Philosophy (3)
    Phil 110 Introduction to Logic (3)
    Phil 120 Introduction to Ethics (3)
    Phil 130 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)
    Phil 250 Ethics in Engineering & Science (3)
    Phil 251 Ethics in Health Care (3)
    Phil 252 Ethics in Business & Public Administration (3)
    Phil 253 Environmental Ethics (3)
    Phil 300 Ancient Philosophy (3)
    Phil 301 Medieval Philosophy (3)
    Phil 302 Renaissance and Enlightenment (3)
    Phil 303 Kant and the Nineteenth Century (3)
    Phil 312 American Philosophy (3)
  U Phil 355 Social & Political Philosophy (3)
    Phil 360 Feminist Philosophy (3)
  G Phil 383 Asian Philosophy (3)
    Phil 400 Philosophy of Language (3)
    Phil 415 Philosophy of Human Nature (3)
    Phil 420 Epistemology - What Can We Know & How Can We Know It? (3)
    Phil 425 Metaethics - Is Ethics Possible? (3)
    Phil 430 Philosophy of Science and Technology (3)
    Phil 451 Citizenship & Political Participation (3)
 
Religion
    Rels 100 Introduction to Religious Inquiry (3)
  G Rels 101 Religions of the West (3)
  G Rels 102 Religions of Asia (3)
    Rels 120 Religion in America (3)
  G Rels 203 World Religions (3)
    Rels 216 Women and Religion (3)
    Rels 221 Jewish Scripture/Old Testament (3)
    Rels 231 Christian Scripture/New Testament (3)
  G Rels 245 Death and Dying (3)
  G Rels 250 East and West in Religion (3)
    Rels 300 Jesus in Gospel and History (3)
    Rels 301 Life and Religion of Paul (3)
  G Rels 305 Mysticism (3)
    Rels 309 Atheism, Theism & Secularism (3)
  G Rels 315 Daoism and Confucianism (3)
  G Rels 320 Hinduism (3)
    Rels 321 Prophets and Prophecy (3)
    Rels 334 Judaism (3)
  G Rels 380 Buddhism (3)
  U Rels 410 Asian Religions in the United States (3)
    Rels 423 Psychology of Religion (3)
    Rels 431 Religious Violence & the Apocalyptic Mind (3)
 
University
    Univ 110C First Year Seminar (Humanities) (3)
    Univ 115C First Year Research (Humanities) (3)
 
Women and Gender Studies
  G WGS 225 The Study of Women (3)

Breadth of Knowledge: Mathematics, Science and Technology 9 sem. hours min. (must be taken in a minimum of 2 departments and must include a 4-hour science course with a lab. Lab courses are designated with an L). Some of these courses are also approved to meet the Special Emphasis requirement in Quantitative Reasoning (they also carry the "Q" designation).

Highlighted courses are additional ES options this semester

 


Anthropology
    Anth 170 Introduction to Biological Anthropology (3)
    Anth 270 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology (3)

Atmospheric Sciences
  Q AtSc 110 Meteorology I (3)
L   AtSc 110L Meteorology I Lab (1)
  Q AtSc 120 Severe & Hazardous Weather (3)

Biology
L   Biol 111 & 111L Concepts of Biology (with lab) (4)
L   Biol 150 & 150L General Biology I (with lab) (4)
L   Biol 151 & 151L General Biology II (with lab) (4)
  Q Biol 333 Population Biology (3)

Chemical Engineering
  Q ChE 431 Chemical Engineering Lab IV (3)

Chemistry
L   Chem 115 & 115L Introductory Chemistry and Laboratory (4)
L   Chem 116 & 116L Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry and Laboratory (4)
L Q Chem 121 & 121L General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory (4)
L Q Chem 122 & 122L General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory (4)
L Q Chem 221 & 221L Fundamentals of Chemistry/Lab (4)

Computer Science
    CSci 101/101T Introduction to Computers (4)
    CSci 120 Computer Programming I (4)
    CSci 130 Introduction to Scientific Programming (4)
    CSci 160 Computer Science I (4)
    CSci 289 Social Implications of Computer Technology (3)
    CSci 290 Introduction to Cyber-Security and Information Assurance (3)

Economics
  Q Econ 210 Introduction to Business and Economic Statistics (3)

Earth System Science and Policy
    ESSP 200 Sustainability Science (3)

Geography
  Q Geog 121 Global Physical Environment (3)
L Q Geog 121 & 121L Global Physical Environment (with lab) (4)
  Q Geog 134 Intro to Global Climate (3)
L Q Geog 134 & 134L Intro to Global Climate (with lab) (4)

Geology
L   Geol 101 & 101L Introduction to Geology (with lab) (4)
    Geol 102 The Earth Through Time (3)
    Geol 103 Introduction to Environmental Issues (3)
    Geol 111 Views of the Earth and Planets (3)
    Geol 205 Surviving on Planet Earth (3)

Honors
    Hon 103 Inquiry in the Sciences (3)
    Hon 293 Colloquium in the Sciences (2-4)
    Hon 393 Advanced Colloquium in the Sciences (2-4)

Humanities
    Hum 270 Integrated Studies Life Science (3)
L   Hum 271 & 271L Integrated Studies General Science (with lab) (4)

Mathematics
  Q Math 103 College Algebra (3)
  Q Math 105 Trigonometry (2)
  Q Math 115 Introduction to Mathematical Thought (3)
  Q Math 146 Applied Calculus I (3)
    Math 165 Calculus I (4)
    Math 166 Calculus II (4)

Nutrition and Dietetics
    Nutr 240 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3)

Philosophy
  Q Phil 221 Symbolic Logic (3)

Physics
L Q Phys 110 & 110L Introductory Astronomy (with lab) (4)
L Q Phys 130 & 130L Natural Science - Physics (4)
L Q Phys 161 & 161L Introductory College Physics I (4)
L Q Phys 211 & 211L College Physics I (4)

Psychology
  Q Psyc 241 Introduction to Statistics (4)

Sociology
  Q Soc 326 Sociological Statistics (3)

Technology
    Tech 300 Technology and Society (3)

University
    Univ 110D First Year Seminar (Math, Science, & Technology) (3)
    Univ 115D First Year Research (Math, Science, & Technology) (3)

Capstone: Capstone 3 sem. hours min.
Approved Capstone course or course sequence is taken in the senior year of a student undergraduate program. All students-including transfers-are required to take an Essential Studies upper division Capstone course (carrying the "C" designation). Some of these Capstones are also approved to meet the Special Emphasis requirement in Advanced Communication (they also carry the "A" designation).

Highlighted courses are additional ES options this year

 

        Pre-Req  
  A Anth 480 Senior Capstone Seminar   (3)
  A Art 498 Seminar in Art & Design Capstone   (3)
  A AtSc 492 Senior Project   (3 required)
  A Avit 485 Aviation Senior Capstone   (3)
  A Biol 480 Senior Capstone Seminar   (3)
  A Biol 481 Fisheries and Wildlife Senior Capstone   (3)
  A ChE 411 Plant Design I: Process Design and Economics   (3)
  A Chem 492 Senior Research   (3)
    CE 482, 483 Civil Engineering Design Lab I and II   (4)
  A CJ 401 Administration of Criminal Justice Systems   (3)
  A Comm 410 Research Methods in Communication   (3)
  A CSD 461 Senior Seminar in Communication Disorders   (3)
    CSCI 435 Formal Languages and Automata   (3)
  A CSCI 492 Senior Project I   (1)
  A CSCI 493 Senior Project II   (2)
  A EE 480 Senior Design I   (3)
  A Engl 408 Advanced Composition No (3)
    Engl 415 Seminar in Literature   (3)
  A FMED 343 Organizational Administration of Athletic Training   (3)
  A GeoE 484 Geological Engineering Design   (3)
  A Geog 454 Conservation of Resources No (3)
  A Geol 420 The Evolving Earth   (3)
  A Hist 440 Research   (3)
  A Hon 489 Senior Honors Thesis   (1-9)
  A Hum 408 Writing Across Disciplines No (3)
    IDS 491/498 Interdisciplinary Seminar/Senior Project   (4 minimum)
    IDS 495 Service & Citizenship No (3)
    IS 410 Indigenous Identities No (3)
  A Kin 491 Senior Capstone   (3)
    Lang 480 Global Connections No (3)
  A Math 488 Senior Capstone   (3)
  A ME 480 Mechanical Engineering Seminar   (3)
    Mgmt 475 Strategic Management   (3)
  A MLS 490 Financial and Quality Management of the Clinical Laboratory   (3)
  A Musc 441 Methods and Materials for Middle and Secondary School Music   (3)
  A Musc 490 Seminar in Music   (3)
    N&D 441 Advanced Nutrition   (4)
  A Nurs 474 Professional Development II   (5)
  A OT 458 Qualitative Research Methods for OT   (3)
    OT 480 Intro to Scholarly Writing in OT   (1)
    OT 589, 995 or 997 Occupational Therapy   (5,6)
    Path 403 Diagnostic Cytology III   (10)
  A Phil 480 Public Philosophy No (3)
    Phys 415 Research Experience   (3)
  A Pols 495 Senior Colloquium in Political Science and Public Administration   (3)
    Psyc 405 History and Systems of Psychology   (3)
  A Ptre 484 Senior Design I   (3)
  A Rels 480 Religion Capstone No (3)
  A RHS 493 Senior Capstone Seminar   (3)
    RTS 421 Research and Evaluation Methods   (3)
    Soc 475 Sociology Capstone   (3)
    Swk 483 Field Education II   (5)
    Swk 484 Field Education Seminar II   (1)
  A T&L 489 Senior Capstone: Responsive Teaching   (3)
    Tech 499 Senior Capstone II   (3)
  A Thea 424 History of the Theatre: 17th Century to the Present No (3)
  A Thea 494 Senior Project   (4)
Essential Studies
Breeann Flesch, Essential Studies Director
und.essentialstudies@email.und.edu

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information.

Ready to Enroll?

  • Request Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Apply Now
  • UND.info@UND.edu
  • 701.777.3000
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Contact UND
  • Campus Map
  • Events Calendar
  • Community & Belonging
  • Explore Programs
  • Employment
  • Make a Gift
  • Campus Safety (SafeUND)
University of North Dakota

© 2025 University of North Dakota - Grand Forks, ND - Member of ND University System

  • Accessibility & Website Feedback
  • Terms of Use & Privacy
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Student Disclosure Information
  • Title IX
©