A comprehensive review of The University of Alabama (UA) Core Curriculum was last performed in 1995, prompted by the creation of the 41/42-hour general studies curriculum by the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC). UA slightly revised its Core Curriculum in 1997 to adopt the AGSC general studies curriculum, resulting in the 53/55-credit hour Core Curriculum in place today. Except for students enrolled in the College of Engineering, UA’s current Core Curriculum requires:
| Area | Hours Required | |
|---|---|---|
| Written Composition (FC) | 6 | |
| Writing Intensive (W) | 6 | Courses at the 300- and 400-level, preferably in the student’s major, approved for the writing designation |
| Computing (C) orForeign Language (FL) | 6-8 | Computer courses integrating software or writing computer programs OR two semesters or the equivalent in one foreign language |
| Humanities (HU)Literature (L) Fine Arts (FA) | 12 | Students must complete at least 3 semester hours in fine arts and literature AND a 6 semester hour sequence in either literature or history |
| History (HI)Social & Behavioral Sciences (SB) | 12 | Students must complete at least 3 semester hours in history AND a 6 semester hour sequence in either literature or history |
| Natural Sciences (NS) | 8 | Students must complete eight hours of natural sciences |
| Mathematics (MA) | 3 | Math 110 or higher |
| Total | 53-55 |
For students enrolled in the College of Engineering:
| Area | Hours Required | |
|---|---|---|
| Written Composition (FC) | 6 | |
| Writing Intensive (W) | 6 | Courses at the 300- and 400-level, preferably in the student’s major, approved for the writing designation |
| Computing (C) | 6 | Computer courses integrating software or writing computer programs |
| Humanities (HU)Literature (L) Fine Arts (FA) | 9 | Students must complete a 6 semester hour sequence in at least one discipline of this category (H, L, FA) or the next category (HI, SB) |
| History (HI)Social & Behavioral Sciences (SB) | 9 | Students must complete a 6 semester hour sequence in at least one discipline of this category (HI, SB) or the preceding category (H, L, FA) |
| Natural Sciences (NS)Mathematics (MA) | 12 | Must include two hours of laboratory and Math 125 or higher |
| Total | 48 |