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Core Curriculum

Colorado School of Mines – Registrar’s Office

New Core Curriculum

The purpose of the Core Curriculum at Mines is to give students the fundamental knowledge and skills they will need to put to use in their majors and in careers after graduation. The core is the set of classes vertically aligned through four years required of all Mines students. Students complete courses in the core curriculum to develop and strengthen scientific and engineering knowledge and to explore the contextualization of that knowledge in a sociotechnical, professional, and global community.

Mines’ core curriculum went through major revision in 1998 – 1999. The world, society, and student population coming to Mines has gone through some substantial changes since then. Given the intention behind the core curriculum, it was time to modernize it such that we would be providing students with skills that are relevant to world we live in today and challenges we face as a society today.

As part of our MINES@150 work, Mines faculty and leadership have spent the last four years examining the core curriculum required for all undergraduate degrees. Mines is excited to announce the launch of a revised core curriculum that provide students with the skills they need to be successful academically and careers of their choosing.

The new core curriculum builds on existing strengths within the curriculum, while also providing an expanded range of opportunities for integrative, exploratory, experiential, interdisciplinary, and enhanced hands-on learning.  It includes a greater focus on student wellness, with a process for recognizing the importance of activities that facilitate personal growth and encourage a balanced and healthy campus lifestyle.

The courses in the core curriculum are organized in the following topical areas:

    1. Math, Basic Sciences, & Computing
    2. Design and Innovation
    3. Culture and Society (CAS)
    4. Success and Wellness (S&W)
    5. Student-Led Inquiry

Introducing the Revised Core for the 2023-2024 Catalog:

What's New?

  • Computer Science for STEM (CSCI 128) is now required for all students. This is an introductory course providing students with foundational skills in computing, programming, data science, and software ethics. It is replacing CSCI 101/102 which will no longer be offered.
  • Engineering Economics (EBGN 321) is now required for all students, replacing Principles of Economics (EBGN 201). This upper-level course focuses on the development and application of time value of money concepts of present, future, and annual value to a variety of banking and investment scenarios. Students must have Junior standing (60 credits completed toward degree) before being eligible to enroll.
  • Student Wellness and Well-Being (CSM 202) is a new course that will provide students with skills and tools to focus on personal well-being, explore the seven dimensions of well-being, and help have a healthy personal/academic life balance.

What's Changed?

Success & Wellness replaces the Physical Activity Requirement and can be fulfilled by alternative courses outside of PAGN. Available qualifying courses can be found using the Success and Wellness Attribute under Advanced Search of Schedule of Classes. A list of currently approved courses can also be found beneath the New Core below.

 

Culture And Society (CAS) requirement replaces the Humanities & Social Sciences (H&SS) Electives. Available qualifying courses can be found using the Culture & Society Attribute under Advanced Search of Schedule of Classes. A list of currently approved courses can also be found beneath the New Core below.

Distributed Science Requirements have been removed from the core. Each academic program has updated their four-year plans to include any necessary course requirements.

Reduced Credit Requirements:

  • Total Credit Hours in the Core has been reduced by 1 credit.
  • Free Elective Requirement has been reduced by 3 credits.

Credit Changes (No more 0.5 credits):

  • HASS 100: 4 → 3 credits
  • PHGN 100: 4.5 → 4 credits
  • PHGN 200: 4.5 → 4 credits
  • CSM 101: 0.5 → 1 credit
  • PAGN xxx: 0.5 → 1 credit

The New Core:

Math, Basic Sciences, Computing

CourseCredits
MATH 111 - Calculus for Scientists & Engineers I4
MATH 112 - Calculus for Scientists & Engineers II4
MATH 213 - Calculus for Scientists & Engineers III4
MATH XXX - Program-specific MATH course3
CHGN 121 - Principles of Chemistry I4
PHGN 100 - Physics I - Mechanics4
CSCI 128 - Computer Science for STEM3

Design and Innovation

CourseCredits
EDNS 151 - Cornerstone Design3

Culture & Society (CAS)

CourseCredits
HASS 100 - Nature and Human Values3
HASS 200 - Global Studies3
EBGN 321 - Engineering Economics3
Culture and Society Mid-level Electives (2)*6
Culture and Society 400 level Elective3

Success & Wellness (S&W)

CourseCredits
CSM 101 - Freshman Success Seminar1
CSM 202 - Student Wellness and Well-being1
S&W Elective**1

Student-Led Inquiry

CourseCredits
Free Electives6

* Culture & Society Electives (additional courses to be approved in future)

CourseTitle
HASS xxxAll courses with the HASS prefix are eligible for CAS credit
LIFL xxxAll LIFL courses are eligible for CAS (mid-level) credit
HNRS xxxAll HNRS courses are eligible for CAS credit (see your advisor)

Economics and Business Courses approved for CAS credit

CourseTitleCredits
EBGN 201Principles of Economics3
EBGN 301Intermediate Microconomics3
EBGN 302Intermediate Macroeconomics3
EBGN 310Environmental and Resource Economics3
EBGN 320Economics and Technology3
EBGN 330Energy Economics3
EBGN 340Energy and Environmental Policy3
EBGN 430Advanced Energy Economics3
EBGN 434Property Rights and Natural Resources3
EBGN 437Regional Economics3
EBGN 441International Economics3
EBGN 443Public Economics3
EBGN 470Environmental Economics3

Engineering, Design, and Society courses approved for CAS credit

CourseTitleCredits
EDNS 315Engineering for Social and Environmental Responsibility3
EDNS 375Engineering Cultures3
EDNS 430Corporate Social Responsibility3
EDNS 475Engineering Cultures in the Developing World3
EDNS 477Engineering and Sustainable Community Development3
EDNS 478Engineering and Social Justice3
EDNS 479Community-based Research3
EDNS 480Anthropology of Development3

Other courses approved for CAS credit

CourseTitleCredits
MNGN 335Communities and Natural Resource Development3
PEGN 430Environmental Law and Sustainability3

** Success & Wellness Electives (additional courses to be approved in future)

CourseTitleCredits
CSM 202Student Success and Well-Being1
CSM 250Engineering Your Career Pathway1
CSM 275Bounce Back1
CSM 350Studies in Leadership3
PAGN 2xxAny 1.0 credit PAGN 2xx Course1

Continuing Students

No action is needed if you would like to remain in your current catalog. You will complete the courses in your degree path as outlined in your degree plan. You can find your catalog year and degree requirements in Degree Works:

Catalog year in Degree Works

If you are interested in updating to a program in the new catalog, be aware that you will need to meet the requirements of the new core. It is HIGHLY advised that you meet with an advisor if you are considering make a change since it may impact your expected time to graduation. Beginning this fall, you will be able to run a “What If” audit using the 2023-2024 catalog to see how the new requirements would impact your degree plan.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why should I consider switching to the new catalog?

  • Many programs in the new catalog have reduced the total number of credit hours required for graduation
  • You may not need to complete all Distributed Science requirements

Why should I refrain from switching to the new catalog?

  • Core and Major requirements may require additional courses and increase the time it will take for graduation
  • If you have completed the core under your current catalog, you may need to take all new courses in the revised core

 

The credits have changed for a course that is in my degree program, do I need to take it again?

  • No. Courses will substitute automatically for the previously required program. Please note that your total number of credits required to graduate will not change so you may be required to take additional elective credits to meet the minimum. Please confirm with your advisor if you have concerns.

Still need to take CSCI 101/102? Take CSCI 128 and request the substitution

What if I have already completed CSCI 101 and/or CSCI 102?

  • CSCI 101 will fulfill the CSCI 128 requirement. If you are in a prior catalog, CSCI 128 will fulfill any CSCI 101 requirements (see figure below):

What requirement does EBGN 201 fulfill?

It is approved to fulfill a Culture and Society (CAS) Mid-Level Elective or can be used toward the Economics and Business & Entrepreneurship Minors. EBGN-201 does NOT substitute for EBGN-321 (Engineering Economics). If CAS Mid-Level Electives are met, EBGN-201 can be applied to Free Electives.

How do I fulfill Success & Wellness or PAGN Requirements now?

If a student is currently on a catalog prior to 23 – 24, their options are:

  1. Remain on Catalog Prior to Fall 2023
    • Complete CSM 101, if not already
    • Complete at least 2.0 CH of PAGN requirement by way of:
      • CSM 250 (1CH), OR
      • CSM 202 (1CH), OR
      • CSM 275 (1CH), OR
      • CSM 350 (3CH), OR
      • PAGN 2XX (1CH)
  2. Change to 2023 – 2024 Catalog
    • Complete CSM 101, if not already
    • Complete CSM 202
    • If necessary: Complete at least 1.0 CH S&W requirement by way of:
      • CSM 250 (1CH), OR
      • CSM 275 (1CH), OR
      • CSM 350 (3CH), OR
      • PAGN 2XX (1CH)
    • NOTE: This accepts the potential of only 2.5 credits earned (because CSM101 prior to Fall 23 was 0.5 CH). This is permissible.
    • Students who have taken CSM101 at 0.5 CH will not need to retake the course. If students have taken three or more PAGN credits at 0.5 CH already, they are not required to take CSM202 

How do I request a Catalog Change?