UNIVERSITY GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to their Major coursework, students are required to take a set of courses to meet University General Education Requirements (GERs). These courses provide a curriculum that aims to help students develop a strong core in mathematics and science, as part of a wide range of knowledge, skills, and behavioral competencies. The General Education Program is designed to prepare students for success with their Science or Engineering degrees and to support their long-term development and progress in their personal and professional lives. The Program has 15 General Education Learning Outcomes (GELOs), divided into 3 categories.

General Education Learning Outcomes (GELOs)

The KU General Education program has 15 learning outcomes, divided into 3 categories:

1. Breadth of Knowledge
   • Discuss issues and topics in the humanities, social sciences, languages and communications, UAE studies, and business, using knowledge and methods learned in courses.
   • Discuss issues and topics in the physical sciences and mathematics using knowledge and methods learned in courses.
   • Apply a scientific approach to designing experiments to test hypotheses.
   • Show knowledge and understanding of Arabic language, Arab culture, and Islamic values.
   • Exhibit knowledge of key concepts and issues related to sustainability and entrepreneurship.
2. Range of Technical and Communication Skills
   • Read, write, and communicate appropriately for professional and academic purposes.
   • Exhibit digital literacy and information literacy skills.
   • Employ appropriate information gathering and data collection methods, in researching particular problems, topics, issues, or features of the world.
   • Apply a critical approach to argumentation, issues, and methodologies.
   • Show innovativeness and creativity in finding and solving problems, developing arguments, designing data collection, analyzing, presenting information, and creating value.
3. Behavioral Competencies
   • Learn independently and show the ability to practice lifelong learning.
   • Work effectively and collaboratively with others and exhibit leadership on particular tasks.
   • Develop an appreciation of the diversity of the human experience.
   • Make ethical decisions and behave responsibly, in accordance with cultural and institutional values, norms, and regulations.
   • Develop and cultivate management of self, self-efficacy, confidence and agency, self-advocacy, purpose, and endurance.

General Education Requirements (GERs: Total of 15 courses and 47 credits)

1. English (3 courses, 9 credits): Students take:

2. Mathematics & Science (5 courses, 20 credits): Students take:

3. Arabic, Islamic and U.A.E Studies (3 courses, 9 credits): Students take:

The current list of courses in the Islamic Studies area includes: HUMA102 Islamic Culture, HUMA111 Islamic History, HUMA112 Sciences in Islam, HUMA210 Introduction to Islamic Law, and HUMA211 Islam and Modernity. The Office of the Registration keeps an updated list of the approved courses in this category.

4. Innovation and Entrepreneurship (1 course, 3 credits): All students take Fundamentals of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (BUSS 322, 3 credits).
5. Business Studies (1 course, 3 credits): Students take either a specific course for their major or a Business Studies (BUSS) course offered by the Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences.
6. Humanities or Business Studies Elective (1 course, 3 credits): Students select any Business Studies (BUSS) course or Humanities (HUMA) course offered by the Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences.
7. Career Development (1 course, 0 credits): All students take Career Development (SDAS 300).

The majority of General Education courses should be taken in the first two years of study, especially courses such as Academic English I, Academic English II, and the required Mathematics and Science courses. These basic General Education courses are critical to a student’s smooth progression into their chosen Major curriculum, due to the gradual development and accumulation of basic knowledge, skills and competencies. This is reflected in course prerequisites, listed in each course syllabus. Additional General Education courses are often taken by students in the later years of study, to supplement and complement the completion of their Major course requirements. A course in Career Development (SDAS 300), to be taken during the third year of study, is a prerequisite for students to do their internship.