Core Curriculum

Below is an outline of the University of Detroit Mercy core curriculum requirements. The mission statement of the University of Detroit Mercy describes an education that integrates “the intellectual, spiritual, moral and social development” of its students. The core curriculum consists of a set of requirements based on objectives that express, in fuller detail, this academic purpose. Each objective, and the requirements designed to fulfill that objective, is essential to achieve the mission of the University.

University of Detroit Mercy Core Curriculum

These are general University course options. Please see your specific College or School listing below for more detailed information. Some courses have departmental prerequisites. Check the catalog and the schedule of classes before registering.

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

CST 1010 Fundamentals of Speech
ENL 1310 Academic Writing

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 6-8 credits

OB2A Mathematics (3-4 credits from the following):

MTH 1010 Algebra
MTH 1020 + 1030 + 1040 Algebra A + B + C
MTH 1110 Mathematical Analysis I
MTH 1400 Elementary Functions
MTH 1410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
or any approved OB2A mathematics course

OB2B Computer Skills (3-4 credits from the following):

CIS 1000 Introduction to Computers
CIS 1020 Computers and Research
CIS 1030 Web Productivity Tools
CIS 2010 Secure Programming
CSSE 1710 + 1710 Introduction to Programming I + Lab
ENGR 2040 Introduction to Engineering Computing
or any approved OB2B computer skills course

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 9 credits

OB3A Social Science (3 credits from the following):

ECN 1000 Introduction to Economics
ECN 2950 Microeconomic Principles
ECN 2960 Macroeconomic Principles
ECN 3050 Money and The Financial System
HIS 3600 History of American Technology
POL 1000 Introduction to Political Science
POL 2100 American Politics
PYC 1000 Introduction to Psychology
PYC 2650 Psychology of Environment
SOC 1000 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 2110 Social Interaction

OB3B Natural Science (3 credits from the following):

BIO 1030 Environmental Science
BIO 1080 The Science of Life
BIO 1200 General Biology I
BIO 1220 General Biology II
BIO 2540 Principles of Human Anatomy
BIO 2550 Principles of Human Physiology
CHM 1010 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
CHM 1020 Principles of Organic and Biochemistry
CHM 1030 Chemistry in Society
CHM 1050 Introduction to General Chemistry
CHM 1070 General Chemistry I
PHY 1080 History of the Universe
PHY 1300 General Physics I
PHY 1600 General Physics I
SCIE 1020 Energy and Society

OB3C Social Sciences or Natural Sciences (3 credits from the following):

Choose one additional course listed in OB3A or OB3B, any course in Economics (ECN), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PYC), or Sociology (SOC), or any other approved OB3C course.

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

OB4A Philosophy (3 credits)

PHL 1000 Introduction to Philosophy

OB4B Religious Studies (3 credits)

Any 2000-level Religious Studies (RELS) or Catholic Studies (CAS) course

OB4C Philosophy or Religious Studies (3 credits)

Any additional Philosophy (PHL), Religious Studies (RELS), or Catholic Studies (CAS) course

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 12 credits

OB5A Historical Experiences (3 credits from the following):

HIS 1500 Introduction to History
HIS 2000 Ancient World
HIS 2100 Medieval Europe
HIS 2200 Early Modern Europe
HIS 2300 Europe in the 19th and 20th Century
HIS 2400 Modern Middle East
HIS 2500 United States to 1877
HIS 2510 United States Since 1877
HIS 2700 Modern China and Japan
HIS 2800 Modern Latin America
HIS 2900 Modern Africa
HIS 3170 Social History of Art in Italy
HIS 3480 African-American History
HIS 4480 Topics in African-American History
RELS 4470 Jews in the Modern World

OB5B Literary Experiences (3 credits from the following):

ENL 2350 Study of Fiction
ENL 2450 Study of Poetry
ENL 2650 Study of Drama
ENL 2850 African-American Literature
ENL 3700 The Novel

OB5C Aesthetic Experiences (3 credits from the following):

ARCH 2120 Architectural History and Theory I
ARCH 2220 Architectural History and Theory II
CST 1120 Visual Communications
CST 2500 Film Art
ENL 2550 Studies in Film
ENL 2950 Study of Folklore
ENL 3750 Film Genres
FINA 2000 Introduction to the Arts
HIS 3190 Introduction to World Art History
MUS 2020 Music Heritage
MUS 3060 Music of Theatre
MUS 3080 American Music
PHL 3050 Aesthetics
TRE 1310 Introduction to Theatre
TRE 1610 Fundamentals of Acting

OB5D Comparative Experiences (3 credits from the following):

ADS 4950 Addictive Populations
CST 3140 Intercultural Communication
ECN 3850 Comparative Economic Systems
ENL 2360 Fiction and Diversity
GEO 2110 World Regional Geography
HIS 2640 Comparative Civilization
HIS 3650 Gender History
HUS 4410 Multicultural Understanding
MUS 2090 African-American Women in Music
PHL 3650 African Philosophy and Culture
POL 2600 Introduction to Comparative Politics
POL 3250 Comparative Administrative Systems
POL 4530 Japanese Politics
POL 4630 Third World Politics
POL 4660 Chinese Politics
POL 4670 Politics in Africa
PYC 2750 Human Sexuality
PYC 4400 Cross-Cultural Socialization
SOC 2100 Cultural Anthropology
SOC 2120 Black America Social Relations and Social Institutions
or choose from the following languages: Arabic (ARB), Aramaic (ARM), Chinese (CHI), Croatian (CRO), Czech (CZE), French (FRE), German (GER), Greek (GRK), Hebrew (HEB), Italian (ITL), Japanese (JPN), Latin (LAT), Polish (PLS), Portuguese (POR), Russian (RUS), or Spanish (SPA)

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 6 credits

OB6A Ethics (3 credits from the following):

ETH 2590 Business Ethics
ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics
ETH 3590 Ethics and Public Policy
ETH 3680 Catholic Health Care Ethics
HUS 4220 Ethics and Values in Health Service
PHL 2010 Ethics
PHL 2020 Person and Society
PHL 3200 Contemporary Ethical Theory
RELS 2340 Christian Ethics
RELS 2400 Social Ethics
RELS 2450 Sex, Race and Class: Feminist/Womanist Ethics
RELS 3480 Justice: Contemporary Issues and Theories
RELS 4450 Sex, Race and Class: Feminist/Womanist Ethics

OB6B Contemporary Social Problems (3 credits from the following):

ADS 4170 Chemical Dependence and Youth
BIO 4990 Biology and Social Issues
BUS 3190 Business and Society
CHM 4290 Industrial Chemistry/Societal Issues
CHM 4380 Recent Advances in Chemistry
CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry
CJS 4520 Organized Crime
CJS 4540 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
CST 3000 Mass Media Ethics
CST 4020 Audience Analysis
ECN 4510 Urban Regional Economics and Planning
EDU 4400 School and Society
ENGR 3010 Professional World of Work I
ENGR 3020 Professional World of Work II
ENGR 3030 Professional World of Work III
HIS 4560 Detroit in the Twentieth Century
HSA 4610 Health Economics
NUR 4200 Intervening with Families and Aggregates at Risk
POL 3390 Issues in Public Policy
POL 3460 Civil Liberties and Equality
POL 3800 Elements of Political Thought
POL 3860 Politics and the Media
PYC 3420 Abnormal Psychology
PYC 3540 Sex Differences and Sex Roles
RELS 3430 Ethics and Economic Theories
RELS 3480 Justice: Contemporary Issues and Theories
SOC 3350 Urban Issues and Problems
SOC 4300 Ethnic and Race Relations
SOC 4520 Contemporary Social Problems
SWK 2100 Social Welfare and Social Justice
WGS 2000 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies

School of Architecture

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as general core outline, Objective 1

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 9 credits

OB2A Mathematics (3 credits):

MTH 1400 Elementary Functions

OB2B Computer Skills (6 credits):

ARCH 1160 Introduction to Computer Graphics
ARCH 2160 Computer Aided Design

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 9 credits

OB3A Social Science (3 credits):

PYC 2650 Psychology of Environment

OB3B Natural Science (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 3B

OB3C Social Sciences or Natural Sciences (3 credits from the following):

Choose one additional course listed in the general core outline OB3A or OB3B, or any course in Economics (ECN), Political Science (POL), Psychology (PYC), or Sociology (SOC), or any other approved OB3C course

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 12 credits

OB5A Historical Experiences (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5A

OB5B Literary Experiences (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5B

OB5C Aesthetic Experiences (3 credits):

Aesthetic Experience waived; instead student must take one additional, 3-credit, non-Architecture course from Objectives 3-6 of the general core outline

OB5D Comparative Experiences (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5D

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 6

College of Business Administration

Objective 1 Communication Skills 9 credits

CST 1010 Fundamentals of Speech
ENL 1310 Academic Writing
ENL 2040 Introduction to Business Writing

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 10-15 credits

OB2A Mathematics (7-11 credits):

MTH 1110 Mathematical Analysis I

AND
MTH 1120 Mathematical Analysis II

OR
MTH 1400 Elementary Functions

AND
MTH 1410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

OR
MTH 1410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

AND
MTH 1420 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II

AND
MTH 2140 Basic Statistics

OR
STA 2250 Statistics

OB2B Computer Skills (3-4 credits):

CIS 1000 Introduction to Computers
CIS 1020 Computers and Research
CIS 1030 Web Productivity Tools
CSSE 1710 + 1710 Introduction to Programming I + Lab

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 12 credits

ECN 2950 Microeconomic Principles
ECN 2960 Macroeconomic Principles
ECN 3050 Money and the Financial System
One additional course from the natural science list, Objective 3B

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 12 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 6 credits

OB6A Ethics (3 credits):

PHL 2010 Ethics
ETH 2590 Business Ethics

OB6B Contemporary Social Problems (3 credits):

BUS 3190 Business and Society

School of Dentistry – Dental Hygiene Program

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 1

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 2

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 15 credits

OB3A Social Science (6 credits):

PYC 1000 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 1000 Introduction to Sociology

OB3B Natural Science (9 credits):

BIO 2540 Principles of Human Anatomy
CHM 1010 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
CHM 1020 Principles of Organic and Biochemistry

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 12 credits

OB5A Historical Experiences (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5A

OB5B Literary Experiences (3 credits):

ENL 2350 Study of Fiction
ENL 2450 Study of Poetry
ENL 2650 Study of Drama

OB5C Aesthetic Experiences (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5C

OB5D Comparative Experiences (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5D

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 12 credits

OB6A Ethics (6 credits):

DHY 8320 Introduction to Ethical and Legal Issues I
DHY 8240 Introduction to Ethical and Legal Issues II

OB6B Contemporary Social Problems (3 credits):

COM 8210 Concepts in Community Health
COM 8220 Community Oral Health Education

College of Engineering and Science

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 1

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 6-8 credits

OB2A Mathematics

Biology majors (3-4 credits):

MTH 1400 Elementary Functions
OR
MTH 1410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

All other majors (4 credits):

MTH 1410 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I

OB2B Computer Skills (3-4 credits):

Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry majors

CIS 1000 Introduction to Computers
OR
CIS 1020 Computers and Research
OR
CIS 1030 Web Productivity Tools
OR
CSSE 1710 + 1711 Introduction to Programming + Lab

Mathematics and Computer Science majors (4 credits):

CSSE 1710 + 1711 Introduction to Programming + Lab

Engineering majors (3-4 credits):

ENGR 2040 Introduction to Engineering Computing
CSSE 1710 + 1711 Introduction to Programming + Lab
ARCH 1160 Introduction to Computer Graphics

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 9 credits

OB3A Social Science

BA-Chemistry majors (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 3A

All other majors:

Program courses satisfy Objective 3

OB3B Natural Science

Engineering, Biology, BS-Chemistry and BS-Biochemistry majors:

Program courses satisfy Objective 3B

Mathematics and Computer Science majors (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 3B

OB3C Social Sciences or Natural Sciences

Engineering, Biology, BS-Chemistry and BS-Biochemistry majors:

Program courses satisfy Objective 3C

Mathematics and Computer Science majors (3 credits):

Must select a Natural Science course, see Objective 3B in the general core outline

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 9 or 12 credits

BA-Chemistry majors (12 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5

BS-Chemistry and BS-Biochemistry majors (9 credits):

Two courses from Objective 5A-5C, not from the same group, and one course from Objective 5D in the general core outline

All other majors (9 credits):

Any two courses from Objective 5A-5C and one course from Objective 5D in the general core outline

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 5-6 credits

OB6A Ethics

Engineering majors (2 credits):

ENGR 1000 Ethics and Politics of Engineering

BS Biology (3 credits):

ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics
OR
PHL 2010 Ethics

BS Biology / Pre-PA (3 credits):

ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics

OB6B Contemporary Social Problems (3 credits):

Engineering majors (3 credits):

ENGR 3010 Professional World of Work I
ENGR 3020 Professional World of Work II
ENGR 3030 Professional World of Work III

Biology majors (3 credits):

BIO 4990 Biology and Social Issues

Biology / Pre-PA:

HSA 4610 Health Economics

BS-Chemistry (3 credits):

CHM 4380 Recent Advances in Chemistry

BS-Biochemistry (3 credits):

CHM 4740 Recent Advances in Biochemistry

BA-Mathematics

EDU 4400 School and Society

All other majors (3 credits):

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 6B

College of Health Professions

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 1

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 2

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 3

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 12 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 6 credits

OB6A Ethics

ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics

OB6B Contemporary Social Problems

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 6B

McAuley School of Nursing

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 1

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 2

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 3

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 12 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 6 credits

OB6A Ethics

ETH 3580 Health Care Ethics

OB6B Contemporary Social Problems

NUR 4200 Families in Crisis

Note: PYC 2500, CHM 1010, STA 2250, BIO 2410 and BIO 2420, BIO 2540 and BIO 2550, HSA 4610 and ETH 3580 are supportive core for BSN completion students

College of Liberal Arts and Education

Objective 1 Communication Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 1

Objective 2 Mathematical and Computer Skills 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 2

Objective 3 Scientific Literacy 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 3

Objective 4 Meaning and Value 9 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 4

Objective 5 Diverse Human Experience 18 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 5, plus two additional courses from Objective 5A-5D

Objective 6 Social Responsibility 6 credits

Same requirements as the general core outline, Objective 6, except that a capstone seminar (inside the major or interdisciplinary seminar) is another option for completing three of the six credits in this objective

Note: Students seeking degrees from the College of Liberal Arts and Education must complete the following Core Curriculum requirements prior to participating in Commencement: CST 1010, ENL 1310, MTH 1010 or MTH 1020, 1030, 1040 and PHL 1000

Last updated 7/5/2011 - Office of the Registrar