Academic Programs and Planning
Kennedy Library (35), Room 319
Phone: 805.756.2246
https://academicprograms.calpoly.edu/
University Studies (UNIV) courses provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary study, addressing university-wide learning objectives (such as diversity and sustainability). UNIV courses are offered across college boundaries, typically carrying GE credit. The offerings are subject to available funding.
UNIV Courses
UNIV 100. University Studies. 1 unit
Term Typically Offered: F
CR/NC
Course supports the successful student transition to Cal Poly. Establishes links between student needs and campus resources. Covers goal setting, degree planning, campus and academic policies, time management, college and campus culture, growth mindset and effective learning strategies. Not open to students with credit in EDUC/UNIV 125. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 lecture.
UNIV 111. First Generation College Students Group Dialogue. 1 unit
Term Typically Offered: F, W, SP
CR/NC
Issues related to first generation college students' experiences. Students engage in dialogue and exploration of their experiences in the context of their intersecting identities. Students are encouraged to discover new strengths and potentials. Students also learn about resources. Credit/No Credit grading only. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 1 activity.
UNIV 125. First Year Seminar. 2 units
Term Typically Offered: TBD
CR/NC
Issues associated with the successful transition from high school or community college to Cal Poly. Links fostered between student needs and campus resources. Coverage of academic policies and procedures, university study skills, goal setting, career planning, wellness and other topics relevant to student success. Not open to students with credit in UNIV 100. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 lecture, 1 activity. Crosslisted as EDUC/UNIV 125.
UNIV 321. Undergraduate Research Methods and Practice. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; one course in GE Area B4 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs); and consent of instructor.
Research methods and tools for sciences and humanities, including formulating a research question, designing a study, using the scientific method to conduct and analyze surveys, and analyzing data. Emphasis on working in interdisciplinary research teams. Total credit limited to 8 units. 2 lectures, 2 activities. Crosslisted as HNRS/UNIV 321.
UNIV 330. Cal Poly Land: Nature, Technology, and Society. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: SP
2020-21 or later: Upper-Div GE Area B
2019-20 or earlier catalog: GE Area B5, B6, or B7
Sustainability Focused
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; one course from GE Area B1 (GE Area B4 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs); one course from GE Area B2; and one course in GE Area B4 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).
Scientific investigation of the natural features of the Cal Poly landscape and their transformations by land management technology. Environmental, economic, social, and political effects of agriculture, resource extraction, construction technology. Educational, land-use, long term planning issues. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as AG/ISLA/SCM/UNIV 330. Fulfills GE Area Upper-Division B (GE Areas B5, B6, or B7 for students on the 2019-20 catalog).
UNIV 350. The Global Environment. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: F, SU
2020-21 or later: Upper-Div GE Area B
2019-20 or earlier catalog: GE Area B5, B6, or B7
Sustainability Focused
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; and completion of GE Areas B1 through B4, with a grade of C- or better in one course in GE Area B4 (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).
Interdisciplinary investigation of how human activities impact the Earth's environment on a global scale. Examination of population, resource use, climate change, and biodiversity from scientific/technical and social/economic/ historical/political perspectives. Use of remote sensing maps. Sustainable solutions. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as AG/EDES/ENGR/GEOG/ISLA/SCM/UNIV 350. Fulfills GE Area Upper-Division B (GE Areas B5, B6, or B7 for students on the 2019-20 catalog).
UNIV 391. Appropriate Technology for the World's People: Development. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: F
2020-21 or later: Upper-Div GE Area D
2019-20 or earlier catalog: GE Area D5
Sustainability Focused
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; one course in GE Area B4 with a grade of C- or better (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs); and two lower-division courses in GE Area D.
A broad overview of international development and appropriate design for sustainability. Besides traditional classroom work, students work in teams to address problems with technical solutions. Collaboration with mentors from the university, private sector, and nonprofits serves to provide diverse background and project mentorship. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as HNRS/PSC/UNIV 391. Fulfills GE Upper-Division D (GE Area D5 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).
UNIV 392. Appropriate Technology for the World's People: Design. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: SP
2020-21 or later: Upper-Div GE Area B
2019-20 or earlier catalog: GE Area B5, B6, or B7
Sustainability Focused
Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; and completion of GE Areas B1 through B4, with a grade of C- or better in one course in GE Area B4 (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs). Recommended: UNIV 391 and completion of GE Area D2.
Addresses the needs of international impoverished communities with technological solutions, which are inexpensive, ecologically sustainable, and socially appropriate. Group study of target communities, and design and construction of an appropriate technology prototype. Not open to students with credit in PSC/UNIV/HNRS 492. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as HNRS/PSC/UNIV 392. Fulfills GE Area Upper-Division B (GE Areas B5, B6, or B7 for students on the 2019-20 catalog).
UNIV 401. Graduation Writing Requirement Portfolio. 0 unit
Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU
CR/NC
GWR
Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; or graduate standing.
Completion of the Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) through submission and assessment of a writing portfolio. Course offered online only. Credit/No Credit grading only. Fulfills GWR.
UNIV 421. Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. 0 unit
Term Typically Offered: SU
CR/NC
Completion of Summer Undergraduate Research Experience. Students must be participating in a mentored summer undergraduate research experience at Cal Poly during the Summer term. Course offered online only. Credit/No Credit grading only.
UNIV 470. Selected Advanced Topics. 1-4 units
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.
UNIV 491. Appropriate Technology for the World's People: Development. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor, and senior or graduate standing. Corequisite: GE Area D5.
A broad overview of international development and appropriate design for sustainability. Besides traditional classroom work, students work in teams to address problems with technical solutions. Collaboration with mentors from the university, private sector, and nonprofits serves to provide diverse background and mentorship. Seminar paper required. Not open to students with credit in PSC/UNIV/HNRS 391. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as PSC/UNIV 491.
UNIV 492. Appropriate Technology for the World's People: Design. 4 units
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of GE Areas B1 through B4, with a grade of C- or better in one course in GE Area B4 (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs); or graduate standing. Recommended: UNIV 391 and two lower-division courses in GE Area D2 (or in GE Area D3 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).
Addresses the needs of international impoverished communities with techno-logical solutions, which are inexpensive, ecologically sustainable, and socially appropriate. Group study of target communities, and design and construction of an appropriate technology prototype. Seminar paper required. Not open to students with credit in PSC/UNIV/HNRS 392. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as PSC/UNIV 492.
San Luis Obispo, California 93407