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General Education Resources

General Education Links

  1. If you are looking for information about the general education program that was implemented with the incoming first-year class in fall 2018, including program requirements and curriculum, please go to https://ge.ucmerced.edu.
  2. If you are looking for information about the redesign of the original general education program at UC Merced, which led to the implementation of the new program in the fall of 2018, it's history and key documents, like the Program Learning Outcomes that are grounded in the Hallmarks of a UC Merced Baccalaureate Degree, please see the Faculty and Staff Resources tab at https://ge.ucmerced.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources.
  3. If you are looking for information about the general education program at UC Merced which is now only active for those students who matriculated prior to the fall of 2018, including such things as (A) general education requirements, (B) information for transfer students, (C) advanced placement, or (D) International Baccalaureate exams, please see the archived General Education sections of the college catalog, maintained by the Registrar, which can be found at the following hyperlink: http://catalog.ucmerced.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=764.  The Guiding Principles of this former general education program are listed below.

Guiding Principles for General Education at UC Merced prior to fall 2018

     Developed in 2005, the Guiding Principles guided the design and implementation of UC Merced’s original undergraduate academic program (now being replaced by the redesigned program).  It was envisioned as a continuum from preparatory to advanced curricula in general education, and in the majors, that also included a variety of educational activities inside and outside the classroom. The Principles defined desired outcomes of UC Merced baccalaureate experiences. Over time, the Principles continued to serve as the foundation for GE requirements and curricula.

The Guiding Principles for General Education at UC Merced:

1. Scientific Literacy: To have a functional understanding of scientific, technological and quantitative information, and to know both how to interpret scientific information and effectively apply quantitative tools;

2. Decision Making: To appreciate the various and diverse factors bearing on decisions and the know-how to assemble, evaluate, interpret and use information effectively for critical analysis and problem solving;

3. Communication: To convey information to and communicate and interact effectively with multiple audiences, using advanced skills in written and other modes of communication;

4. Self and Society: To understand and value diverse perspectives in both the global and community contexts of modern society in order to work knowledgeably and effectively in an ethnically and culturally rich setting;

5. Ethics and Responsibility: To follow ethical practices in their professions and communities, and care for future generations through sustainable living and environmental and societal responsibility;

6. Leadership and Teamwork: To work effectively in both leadership and team roles, capably making connections and integrating their expertise with the expertise of others;

7. Aesthetic Understanding and Creativity: To appreciate and be knowledgeable about human creative expression, including literature and the arts; and

8. Development of Personal Potential: To be responsible for achieving the full promise of their abilities, including psychological and physical well-being.