You need at least 18 credit hours in humanities, social sciences, and writing in order to graduate from one of the College's 14 Bachelor of Science degree programs (the Computer Science Bachelor of Arts degree follows a different General Education Curriculum).  Some degree programs require more credit hours in this area.  You can learn more about the courses below, including course descriptions and prerequisites, in the University Catalog.  Pre-Fall 2018 HSS/Writing requirements may be found here.

The following minimum requirements apply:

A. Writing: 3 credit hours. Choose one of the following:

  • ENES 1010 (first-year engineering students only)
  • ENES 3100, ENLP 3100, WRTG 3030, WRTG 3035, or PHYS 3050
  • ONLY this specific topical Global Seminar of WRTG 3020 [Irish Odysseys] may apply as a writing course or as HSS course (but not both); no other topics of WRTG 3020 are approved for the writing requirement

B. Humanities and Social Sciences: 15 credit hours of approved courses, of which 6 must be at the upper-division level (3000 or higher).

 

Explanation of Categories on the Approved H&SS Course List

Courses approved for the H&SS requirement have the class attribute of Engineering & Applied Science General Education: Humanities & Social Science in the Class Search. Class Search Tips

This includes the following categories.

  • ARCH 3114 — History and Theory of Architecture 1
  • ARCH 3214 — History and Theory of Architecture 2
  • ARCH 4010 — Architectural Appreciation and Design
  • ASEN 3036 — Introduction to Human Spaceflight
  • ASEN 3046 — Humans in Aviation
  • ASIA 4500 — Urban Asia: Tradition, Modernity, Challenges
  • ASTR 2000 — Ancient Astronomies of the World
  • ATLS 2000 — The Meaning of Information Technology
  • ATLS 4244 — Empathy and Technology
  • CMCI 3000 — Special Topics in CMCI [Space Age Kids/Media/Info]
  • COEN 2050 — Engineering Leadership Gateway
  • COEN 3050 — Complex Challenges in Leadership
  • CSCI 4250/5250 — Computer Science: The Canon
  • CVEN 2837 — Special Topics: Intro to Global Engineering
  • ECEN 3070 — Edges of Science
  • EDUC 2020 — Step 1: Inquiry Approaches to Teaching
  • EDUC 4023 — Differentiating Instruction in Diverse Secondary Classrooms
  • EDUC 4050 — Knowledge and Learning in Mathematics and Science
  • EMEN 4830 — Special Topics: Designing for DEI in Engineering (summer 2021 and spring 2022)
  • EMEN 4055 — Designing for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Engineering (summer 2022 and onwards)
  • ENGL 2006 — American Comics and Graphic Novels: An Ambivalent Art
  • ENGL 4106 — Literary Study with Data Science
  • ENVD 2001 — Social Factors in Environmental Design
  • ENVD 3009 — Special Topics in Environmental Design [Layers of Rome]
  • ENVD 3114 – History & Theory of Environmental Design Small Scale: Buildings
  • ENVD 3134 – History & Theory of Environmental Design Medium Scale: Precincts
  • GEEN 1100/CHEN 1000 — Social Impact of Technology/Creative Technology
  • GEEN 3300 — Sustainability Ethics and Practice
  • INFO 3101 — History of Information, Science and Society
  • MCDB 3330 — Evolution and Creationism
  • MDST 4111 — Crime, Media and Contemporary Culture
  • MUEL/MUSC 3642 — History of Jazz
  • MUEL 3892 — Music and Space
  • MUEL/MUSC 2772 — World Musics: Asia and Oceania
  • MUEL/MUSC 2782 — World Musics: Africa, Europe, and the Americas
  • MUSC 1802 — Introduction to Musical Styles and Ideas
  • MUSC 3802 — History of Music 1
  • MUSC 3812 — History of Music 2
  • NRLN 3500 — Construction of Knowledge in the Fields
  • PHYS 3000 — Science and Public Policy
  • PRLC 3800 — Global Inquiry for 21st Century Leadership
  • PRLC 3810 — Global Issues in Leadership
  • PSYC 1001 — General Psychology
  • STAT 4700 — Philosophy of Statistics
  • WRTG 1250 — Advanced First-Year Writing and Rhetoric
  • WRTG 3020 [Irish Odysseys: Writing in Ireland] topic only, can apply as HSS course or as writing course, but not both

  • Up to six credits of the following ROTC courses also count as H&SS electives:

    • NAVR 2020, 3101, 4020, 4101
    • AIRR 2010, 2020, 4010, 4020
    • MILR 4082

  • Up to one credit hour of COEN 1510 is also approved.

    • Strategies for Fulfilling H&SS Requirements

    In choosing your H&SS electives, try to envision a coherent plan that combines both breadth and depth. Avoid accumulating a host of unrelated and/or introductory courses. There are many useful and reasonable ways to combine H&SS courses, but you need to think first about your particular interests and needs. A few organizing strategies:

    • Concentrate your courses in a single department, such as History, Philosophy, Political Science, or a Foreign Language. This sort of grouping may enable you to declare a minor field or earn a certificate; requirements vary by department.
    • Create an international focus to your degree by declaring the Global Engineering Minor.  A number of the globally- and regionally-focused courses within the minor also count towards humanities and social science requirements.
    • Consider earning the Engineering, Science and Society Certificate to engage in contemporary issues regarding the promotion, use, and possible risks of engineering and applied science.
    • Consider courses in the Herbst Program for Engineering, Ethics & Society, which offers seminars that are already designed to fit well with one another in a coherent, interdisciplinary program. The Herbst Program's small classes are an excellent opportunity for you to interact with faculty and with fellow students, and to work on your writing and public speaking skills. Each semester Herbst offers upper-division H&SS courses with no prerequisites.
      • In addition to its regular freshman and junior/senior seminars, Herbst offers a variety of special interest classes, including: History of Science and Technology, Tradition and Identity, Engineering, Science, and Society, The Meaning of Information Technology, Leonardo da Vinci's World, X'ian China: Self-awareness and Images of the Other (Summer Course offered in X'ian, China)
      • ENES 3100 Advanced Humanities for Engineers: The Human Quest Continues fulfills the college writing requirement (or may be used as an upper-division HSS class).  ENES 1010 Humanities for Engineers: The Human Quest fulfills the college writing requirement (or may be used as a lower-division HSS class).