General Education Program
When students pursue a higher education, they develop a sizable body of knowledge, a level of awareness of the world, and the skills needed for rigorous thinking. Regardless of their college major, educated persons share a body of knowledge and skills, commonly called a general education that consists of many of the courses taken during the first years of college. Through this educational experience, Bucks helps students become confident, creative, and balanced thinkers in preparation for transferring to other academic institutions and meeting the needs of prospective employers. In this way, beyond the short-term benefits of transfer or career preparation, a general education sparks a lifetime commitment to learning and growing in a complex and changing world. Therefore, the faculty of Bucks County Community College aims to help students become educated persons by assisting them to develop the following abilities and skills:
General Education Learning Goals
Students will be able to:
- Arts and Humanities: Demonstrate an understanding of human intellectual heritage and/or creative expression.
- Critical Thinking: Read critically, analyze and interpret information, and construct logical, well-supported positions.
- Cultural Competency: Evaluate their cultural competency in a written analysis that recognizes and acknowledges the diversity of perspectives, identities, and experiences that exist in a global society.
- Information Literacy: Find, evaluate, and ethically use information in a variety of formats for a variety of purposes.
- Oral Communication: Communicate effectively through speech.
- Quantitative Literacy: Demonstrate and apply quantitative reasoning.
- Scientific Literacy: Demonstrate an understanding of scientific reasoning.
- Social Sciences: Demonstrate an understanding of human behavior and/or the relationships of people within societies.
- Technological Competency: Demonstrate technological competence within the context of the major.
- Writing: Communicate effectively through writing.
Associate Degree Program: How to Complete the General Education Program
Students must complete the General Education Program to earn an associate degree from Bucks County Community College. Students complete their General Education requirements as part of the program of the study in their major.
While many courses are aligned with the General Education Program, students cannot choose just any course from the list of aligned courses. Rather, the majors are designed so that students will take certain General Education courses that will enhance their learning experience in the major and maximize the number of courses that transfer into the relevant programs at transfer institutions.
Important note: Students consult their program of study to find out which of the courses in the categories below will fulfill the General Education requirements in their major.
Arts and Humanities
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| AMSL110 |
American Sign Language I |
| AMSL111 |
American Sign Language II |
| ARBC110 |
Elementary Arabic I |
| ARBC111 |
Elementary Arabic II |
| CHNS110 |
Elementary Chinese I |
| CHNS111 |
Elementary Chinese II |
| CHNS201 |
Intermediate Chinese I |
| CHNS202 |
Intermediate Chinese II |
| CLTR220 |
Introduction to Folklore Studies |
| COMT101 |
Introduction to Theatre |
| COMT103 |
Introduction to Acting |
| CULN130 |
Baking and Decorating |
| CULN132 |
Buffet Planning and Preparation |
| DANC 204 |
Dance History |
| DANC 207 |
Dance Composition I |
| ENGR112 |
Engineering Design |
| FREN110 |
Elementary French I |
| FREN111 |
Elementary French II |
| FREN201 |
Intermediate French I |
| FREN202 |
Intermediate French II |
| FREN250 |
Intermediate French III |
| FREN251 |
Intermediate French IV |
| GRMN110 |
Elementary German I |
| GRMN111 |
Elementary German II |
| GRMN201 |
Intermediate German I |
| GRMN202 |
Intermediate German II |
| GRMN250 |
Intermediate German III |
| GRMN251 |
Intermediate German IV |
| HIST111 |
History of Western Civilization I |
| HIST112 |
History of Western Civilization II |
| HIST113 |
Global History: Ancient and Medieval World |
| HIST114 |
Global History: Modern World |
| HIST151 |
U.S. History: Young America |
| HIST152 |
U.S. History: Modern America |
| HIST198 |
History of American Architecture |
| HIST239 |
History of Rock |
| HUMN111 |
Ancient World: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN112 |
Medieval and Renaissance Worlds: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN113 |
Early Modern World: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN114 |
Modern World and Beyond: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN120 |
Survey of World Religions |
| ITAL110 |
Elementary Italian I |
| ITAL111 |
Elementary Italian II |
| ITAL201 |
Intermediate Italian I |
| ITAL202 |
Intermediate Italian II |
| ITAL250 |
Advanced Italian I |
| ITAL251 |
Advanced Italian II |
| JPNS101 |
Elementary Japanese I |
| JPNS102 |
Elementary Japanese II |
| LITR205 |
English Literature to the 19th Century |
| LITR206 |
English Literature of the 19th and 20th Century |
| LITR231 |
American Literature to 1865 |
| LITR232 |
American Literature from 1865 |
| LITR234 |
Introduction to British Women Writers |
| LITR235 |
A Century of Literature by American Women |
| LITR236 |
Introduction to Latin American Literature |
| LITR246 |
Children's Literature |
| LITR254 |
World Literature I |
| LITR255 |
World Literature II |
| LITR261 |
Themes in Literature: Women |
| LITR271 |
Introduction to World Drama |
| LITR273 |
Introduction to Poetry |
| LITR275 |
Introduction to the Novel |
| LITR277 |
Introduction to Short Fiction |
| LITR278 |
African-American Literature |
| LITR279 |
Introduction to Shakespeare |
| MUSC100 |
Music Fundamentals |
| MUSC101 |
Introduction to Music |
| MUSC103 |
World Music |
| MUSC106 |
History of Jazz |
| MUSC107 |
History of Rock |
| MUSE115 |
Cover Band |
| MUSC124 |
Music Technology |
| PHIL125 |
Introduction to Philosophy |
| SPAN110 |
Elementary Spanish I |
| SPAN111 |
Elementary Spanish II |
| SPAN201 |
Intermediate Spanish I |
| SPAN202 |
Intermediate Spanish II |
| SPAN250 |
Advanced Spanish I |
| SPAN251 |
Advanced Spanish II |
| VACV140 |
Digital Video Editing |
| VACV142 |
The Art of Theatrical Cinema |
| VAFA100 |
Drawing Fundamentals |
| VAFA101 |
2-D Design Fundamentals |
| VAFA102 |
3-D Design Fundamentals |
| VAFA107 |
Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing |
| VAFA111 |
Drawing Basics |
| VAFA141 |
Intro to Sculpture |
| VAFA160 |
Intro to Printmaking |
| VAFA161 |
Screenprinting |
| VAFA171 |
Introduction to Painting |
| VAFA181 |
Intro to Ceramics |
| VAFA191 |
Art History Before 1450 |
| VAFA192 |
Art History After 1450 |
| VAFA193 |
History of Modern Art |
| VAFA194 |
American Art History |
| VAFA195 |
Non-Western Art History |
| VAFW100 |
Fine Woodworking Fundamentals |
| VAFW190 |
History of American Furniture |
| VAGD190 |
Graphic Design History |
| VAMM100 |
Digital Imaging |
| VAPH110 |
Digital Photography Fundamentals |
| VAPH151 |
Intro to Photography |
| VAPH196 |
History of Photography |
Critical Thinking
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| CHEM101 |
Chemistry A |
| CISC207 |
Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing |
| CLTR110 |
Communication between Cultures |
| CLTR220 |
Introduction to Folklore Studies |
| COMM105 |
Interpersonal Communication |
| COMM111 |
Media and Society |
| COMM215 |
Intercultural Communication |
| COMM240 |
Persuasion |
| COMP110 |
English Composition I |
| COMP111 |
English Composition II |
| ECON111 |
Principles of Economics--Macro |
| ECON112 |
Principles of Economics--Micro |
| GEOG110 |
World Geography |
| HIST111 |
History of Western Civilization I |
| HIST112 |
History of Western Civilization II |
| HIST113 |
Global History: Ancient and Medieval World |
| HIST114 |
Global History: Modern World |
| HIST151 |
U.S. History--Young America |
| HIST152 |
U.S. History--Modern America |
| HIST199 |
Historic Property Research & Documentation |
| HLTH103 |
Life and Health |
| HLTH110 |
Responding to Emergencies |
| HLTH120 |
Nutrition |
| HLTH120N |
Nutrition |
| HLTH200 |
Introduction to Women's Health Issues |
| KINS110 |
Tennis |
| KINS124 |
Badminton and Volleyball |
| KINS133 |
Archery |
| KINS135 |
Walk-Jog-Run |
| KINS141 |
Golf |
| KINS145 |
Bowling and Golf |
| KINS150 |
Beginning Aquatics |
| KINS154 |
Swim for Fitness |
| KINS155 |
Lifeguarding |
| KINS156 |
Water Safety Instructor |
| KINS170 |
Individual Fitness and Wellness |
| KINS178 |
Basketball and Baseball |
| KINS179 |
Field Hockey and Soccer |
| LITR205 |
English Literature to the 19th Century |
| LITR206 |
English Literature of the 19th and 20th Century |
| LITR231 |
American Literature to 1865 |
| LITR232 |
American Literature from 1865 |
| LITR234 |
Introduction to British Women Writers |
| LITR235 |
A Century of Literature by American Women |
| LITR236 |
Introduction to Latin American Literature |
| LITR246 |
Children's Literature |
| LITR254 |
World Literature I |
| LITR255 |
World Literature II |
| LITR261 |
Themes in Literature: Women |
| LITR271 |
Introduction to World Drama |
| LITR273 |
Introduction to Poetry |
| LITR275 |
Introduction to the Novel |
| LITR277 |
Introduction to Short Fiction |
| LITR278 |
Introduction to African-American Literature |
| LITR279 |
Introduction to Shakespeare |
| MATH101 |
Mathematical Concepts I |
| MATH115 |
Elementary Statistics |
| MGMT100 |
Introduction to Business |
| MGMT135 |
Business Communications
|
| MGMT145 |
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution |
| MGMT155 |
Introduction to Entrepreneurship |
| PHIL105 |
Critical Thinking |
| PHIL125 |
Introduction to Philosophy |
| PSYC105 |
Group Dynamics |
| PSYC110 |
Introduction to Psychology |
| PSYC190 |
Educational Psychology |
| SOCI110 |
Introduction to Sociology |
| SOCI120 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
| WMST110 |
Introduction to Gender Studies |
Cultural Competency
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| AMSL110 |
American Sign Language I |
| AMSL111 |
American Sign Language II |
| ARBC110 |
Elementary Arabic I |
| ARBC111 |
Elementary Arabic II |
| CHNS110 |
Elementary Chinese I |
| CHNS111 |
Elementary Chinese II |
| CHNS201 |
Intermediate Chinese I |
| CHNS202 |
Intermediate Chinese II |
| CLTR110 |
Communication between Cultures |
| CLTR220 |
Introduction to Folklore Studies |
| COMM105 |
Interpersonal Communication |
| COMM111 |
Media and Society |
| COMM215 |
Intercultural Communication |
| ECON111 |
Principles of Economics--Macro |
| FREN110 |
Elementary French I |
| FREN111 |
Elementary French II |
| FREN201 |
Intermediate French I |
| FREN202 |
Intermediate French II |
| FREN250 |
Intermediate French III |
| FREN251 |
Intermediate French IV |
| GRMN110 |
Elementary German I |
| GRMN111 |
Elementary German II |
| GRMN201 |
Intermediate German I |
| GRMN202 |
Intermediate German II |
| GRMN250 |
Intermediate German III |
| GRMN251 |
Intermediate German IV |
| GEOG110 |
World Geography |
| HIST111 |
History of Western Civilization I |
| HIST112 |
History of Western Civilization II |
| HIST113 |
Global History: Ancient and Medieval World |
| HIST114 |
Global History: Modern World |
| HIST151 |
U.S. History: Young America |
| HIST152 |
U.S. History: Modern America |
| HLTH200 |
Introduction to Women's Health |
| HUMN111 |
Ancient World: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN112 |
Medieval and Renaissance Worlds: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN113 |
Early Modern World: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN114 |
Modern World and Beyond: Culture and Ideas |
| HUMN120 |
Survey of World Religions |
| ITAL110 |
Elementary Italian I |
| ITAL111 |
Elementary Italian II |
| ITAL201 |
Intermediate Italian I |
| ITAL202 |
Intermediate Italian II |
| ITAL250 |
Advanced Italian I |
| ITAL251 |
Advanced Italian II |
| JPNS101 |
Elementary Japanese I |
| JPNS102 |
Elementary Japanese II |
| LITR234 |
Introduction to British Women Writers |
| LITR235 |
A Century of Literature by American Women |
| LITR236 |
Introduction to Latin American Literature |
| LITR254 |
World Literature I |
| LITR255 |
World Literature II |
| LITR261 |
Themes in Literature: Women |
| LITR271 |
Introduction to World Drama |
| LITR273 |
Introduction to Poetry |
| LITR275 |
Introduction to the Novel |
| LITR278 |
African-American Literature |
| MGMT100 |
Introduction to Business |
| MUSC103 |
World Music |
| PHIL125 |
Introduction to Philosoph |
| POLI111 |
American National Government |
| PSYC110 |
Introduction to Psychology |
| PSYC190 |
Educational Psychology |
| SOCI110 |
Introduction to Sociology |
| SOCI120 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
| SOCI140 |
Peoples of America |
| SPAN110 |
Elementary Spanish I |
| SPAN111 |
Elementary Spanish II |
| SPAN201 |
Intermediate Spanish I |
| SPAN202 |
Intermediate Spanish II |
| SPAN250 |
Advanced Spanish I |
| SPAN251 |
Advanced Spanish II |
| WMST110 |
Introduction to Gender Studies |
Information Literacy
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| COMM110 |
Effective Speaking |
| COMM240 |
Persuasion |
| COMP111 |
English Composition II |
| HIST199 |
Historical Property Research & Documentaion |
| HLTH120 |
Nutrition |
| HLTH120N |
Nutrition |
| JOUR175 |
News Reporting and Writing |
| JOUR275 |
Newspaper Editing and Page Layout |
| HLTH 250 |
Introduction to Health Coaching |
| MGMT135 |
Business Communication |
| NEUR122 |
Clinical Neuroscience |
Oral Communication
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| ADRN212 |
Transition into Nursing Practice |
| COMM 105 |
Interpersonal Communication |
| COMM110 |
Effective Speaking |
| HLTH 250 |
Introduction to Health Coaching |
| MUSC202 |
Music Styles and Literature: Music After 1750 |
| VAFA250 |
Fine Arts and Design Portfolio Studio |
| VAMM250 |
Digital Arts Portfolio Studio |
Quantitative Literacy
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| ADRN110 |
Introduction to Professional Nursing |
| CHEM101 |
Chemistry A |
| CHEM121 |
Chemistry I |
| CISC127 |
Spreadsheet Concepts and Applications |
| MATH101 |
Mathematical Concepts I |
| MATH102 |
Mathematics for Educators I |
| MATH115 |
Elementary Statistics |
| MATH117 |
Finite Mathematics for Business |
| MATH118 |
Business Calculus |
| MATH120 |
College Algebra |
| MATH122 |
Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry |
| MATH125 |
Precalculus Mathematics |
| MATH140 |
Calculus I |
| MGMT120 |
Business Math |
| SCIE101 |
Physical Science |
| SCIE102 |
Astronomy |
| SCIE104 |
Weather and Climate |
Scientific Literacy
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| BIOL101 |
Biological Science I |
| BIOL115 |
Basic Human Anatomy |
| BIOL181 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
| BIOT105 |
Introduction to Biotechnology |
| BRFS101 |
Introduction to Brewing Science |
| CHEM101 |
Chemistry A |
| CHEM121 |
Chemistry I |
| CISC143 |
Essentials of Networking |
| HLTH120 |
Nutrition |
| HLTH120N |
Nutrition |
| HLTH 121 |
Applied Nutrition |
| PHYS106 |
Physics A |
| PHYS121 |
Physics I |
| SCIE101 |
Physical Science |
| SCIE102 |
Astronomy |
| SCIE103 |
Physical Geology |
| SCIE104 |
Weather and Climate |
| SCIE105 |
Introduction to Environmental Science |
Social Sciences
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| COMM105 |
Interpersonal Communication |
| COMM111 |
Media and Society |
| ECON111 |
Principles of Economics--Macro |
| GEOG110 |
World Geography |
| HIST195 |
Historical Archaeology |
| MGMT100 |
Introduction to Business |
| MGMT145 |
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution |
| MUSC103 |
World Music |
| POLI111 |
American National Government |
| PSYC110 |
Introduction to Psychology |
| SOCI110 |
Introduction to Sociology |
| SOCI120 |
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology |
| WMST110 |
Introduction to Gender Studies |
Technological Competence
This general education requirement is course specific for most majors. Students should consult their program of study for the course that meets this requirement.
Writing
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| COMP110 |
English Composition I |
| COMP111 |
English Composition II |
| JOUR175 |
News Reporting and Writing |
| JOUR276 |
Feature Writing for Print and Online Media |
| MGMT135 |
Business Communication |
Pre-College Level Courses
Note: These courses will not satisfy the general elective category for students who entered their major in or after the 2007 Fall semester.
| Course ID |
Course Name |
| AESL081 |
Writing Fundamentals for International Students |
| AESL083 |
Reading Fundamentals for International Students |
| AESL085 |
Oral Communication Fundamentals for International Students |
| AESL101 |
Writing Skills for International Students |
| AESL103 |
Reading Skills for International Students |
| AESL105 |
Oral Communication Skills for International Students |
| CHEM096 |
Chemical Calculations |
| COLL090 |
AACHIEVE! College Transitions |
| COLL091 |
AACHIEVE! The College Student |
| COLL092 |
AACHIEVE! Healthy Choices |
| COLL093 |
AACHIEVE! College Connections |
| COLL095 |
AACHIEVE! Career/Work Skills |
| COLL096 |
AACHIEVE! Career Exploration |
| COMP085 |
Composition Support Seminar |
| COMP090 |
Basic Writing |
| COMP092 |
Beginning Composition |
| COMP107 |
Introduction to Rhetorical Skills |
| COMP108 |
Intro to Academic Reading & Writing |
| MATH085 |
Mathematics Support Lab |
| MATH089 |
Fast Track Mathematics |
| MATH090 |
PreAlgebra |
| MATH095 |
Basic Algebra |
| READ085 |
Reading Support Seminar |
| READ087 |
Integrated Basic Reading and Writing |
| READ089 |
Fast Track Reading |
| READ090 |
Developmental Reading |
| READ092 |
Building Reading Skills |
