Table of Contents
- General Education Requirements
- Major and Minor Requirements
- Undergraduate Forms
- 4 + 1 Master's Program
- Orientation Information
General Education Requirements
Gen Ed courses are identified in the Schedule of Classes.
To receive Gen Ed credit, a course must be identified with a Gen Ed letter (A , P, G etc.) in the semester in which you take it. Gen Ed designations are finalized by the add deadline for each semester.
Some courses may carry more than one Gen Ed tag (for example, CHP). However, most Gen Ed courses may be used to fulfill only one Gen Ed category. C, O or J courses may be double-counted with one other Gen Ed requirement.
Your DegreeWorks report will use double-tagged courses in the category in which they are needed; for example, if you take a course designated CNP, you will receive either the CP or the CN, DegreeWorks maximizes your courses.
Gen Ed courses must be taken for a letter grade (normal grading option) unless a course is only offered pass/fail.
Transferred college courses are considered for Gen Ed on a course-by-course basis.
As part of Binghamton University's Comprehensive General Education (Gen ED) Curriculum, all students must take courses in the following areas of study:
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Aesthetics (A)
"A" courses enhance students' understanding of the creative process and the role of imagination in it.
The (A) requirement may also be fulfilled with an AP score of 3 or better in art history, art studio or music theory or a HIB fine arts score of 4-7.
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Composition (C), Oral Communication (O), or Joint Composition/Oral Communication (J)
C courses emphasize writing as a process of revision and require a minimum of 20 pages of expository prose.O courses involve at least two oral presentations and evaluation of speaking.J courses combine both composition and oral communication.
Engineering students must complete one of the following options: One C course plus one O course OR One J course
Computer Science students must complete both: CS 301 and One C or J course
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World Language (WL)
The World Language requirement is waived for students in Watson College engineering programs.
The World Language requirement for students in the Decker School of Nursing and Watson College computer science program is fulfilled by one approved college course in world language at any level. This requirement may also be fulfilled in high school by demonstrating a level of proficiency equivalent to passing the corresponding Regents world language examination with a score of 85 or better (or, for students who did not take the Regents examination, completing three or more units of high school world language with a course grade in the third unit of 85 or better).
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Global Interdependence (G)
G courses consider how one or more of the regions of the world have influenced and interacted with the West and with one another, and how the West has been affected by these regions and their distinctive cultures or civilizations.
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Humanities (H)
H courses enhance students' understanding of human experience through the study of literature or philosophy.
This requirement may also be fulfilled with an AP score of 3 or better in English lit/comp, French literature, German literature, Latin literature or Spanish literature or a HI-B humanities score of 4-7.
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Laboratory Science (L)
L courses emphasize the formulation and testing of hypotheses and the collection analysis and interpretation of data.
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Mathematics (M)
The M requirement assumes proficiency in high school mathematics - algebra, geometry and trigonometry. This requirement can be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
- Exam credit: AP score of 5 or better in calculus, statistics or computer science; HIB math score of 4-7; or CLEP scaled score of C or better.
- For students who demonstrate proficiency in high school: Take any designated M course.
To demonstrate proficiency:
- For N.Y. Regents high school students: Score of 85 or better on the MATH III Regents Exam or a grade of 85 or better in the fourth level of the high school math or IB standard level score of 4-7
- For students from non-regents high schools ONLY: Average of 85 or better or a B average through the third level of high school math or an 85 or better in the fourth level of high school math or IB standard level score of 4-7
- For students who do not demonstrate proficiency in high school, complete one: Math 107 or 108 plus any designated M course OR Math 220 or above
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Physical Activity/Wellness (Y, S, B)
Exercise, body awareness and wellness are essential components of a healthy and productive lifestyle.Physical Activity courses are designated Y
Wellness courses are designated S
Courses that combine both Physical Activity/Wellness are designated B.
Students must complete one of the following:
- 1-credit (or more) T course plus a 1-credit (or more) S course
- 1-credit B course plus: 1-credit Y course OR 1-credit S course OR 1-credit B course
- 2-credit (or more) B course
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Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (D)
D courses consider three or more of the following cultural groups in the United States - African Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Latino Americans and Native Americans - in terms of their specific experiences and how they have affected and been affected by the basic institutions of American society. Most D courses assume a basic knowledge of U.S. history, measured by demonstrating proficiency in high school in one of the following ways:
- Exam score: AP score of 3 or better in US History
- For N.Y. Regents high school students: Score of 85 or better on the U.S. History Regents Exam
- For students from non-regents high schools ONLY: Grade of 85 or better or a B in U.S. History
Students who demonstrate proficiency can take any designated D course.
Students who do not demonstrate proficiency must select from a specific group of D courses that pay significant attention to a broad span of U.S. History. If you are not proficient, your DARS will display a current list of these specialized courses.
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Social Science (N)
N courses emphasize the major concepts, models and issues of at least one of the social sciences.The N requirement may be satisfied with an AP score of 3 in American history, economics, European history, human geography, political science or world history or a HIB social science score 4-7.
Major and Minor Requirements
We are happy to explain all individual requirements for majors and minors in Watson College.
The University Academic Guide is the official contract between Binghamton University and its students in terms of academic expectations.
Based on your year of entry to Binghamton, use the University’s database (archived versions are in the bottom left-hand corner) to find your major or minor requirements.
Undergraduate Forms
All Watson College undergraduate forms can be found in the Watson Advising Online Undergraduate Resources folder.
4 + 1 Master's Programs
Complete a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years by taking up to three graduate course in your senior (fourth) year. In your fifth year, you are admitted to the Graduate School and focus solely on graduate work to finish your master's degree.
Click here to find out more about benefits of the programs and how to apply.
Orientation Information
Please use the following links to access the materials presented during your orientation session!
Engineering Design Division
Wondering what your first-year engineering courses in Watson will look like? You can find information about those courses here as well as information to help you prepare for your start at Binghamton! Wondering what type of device you will need? Check here!
Computer Science
Learn more about the Computer Science Department!
Major Requirements
The curriculum guide sheets on the Major Requirements page provide a snapshot of the 4 year curriculum for your major.
General Education Requirements
Learn more about the General Education Requirements for your degree.
Advance Placement Exam Equivalencies
This link provides the AP exam equivalencies for Binghamton University.
International Baccalaureate Exam Equivalencies
This link provides the IB exam equivalencies for Binghamton University.
Watson Clubs & Organizations
Check out Watson College clubs & Organizations!
Tutoring
Explore tutoring resources available on campus!
Department of Student Transition and Success
Peer and professional Success Coaches support student learning through personalized one-on-one coaching appointments, workshops and access to virtual resources. They are trained to identify potential barriers to academic success and collaboratively construct a tailored success plan for each student. Success plans are meant to be worked through in one semester and include topics such as: effective goal setting, time management, study strategies and test preparation, organization, pro ductivity management, etc.
In addition to these focus areas, the Success Coaching staff also works closely with campus partners to serve as a source of direct referrals to all student services. If they are not able to assist with a particular challenge, they connect students with the best qualified campus partner to address the situation.
University Academic Guide
The University Academic Guide provides a guide for your academic progress here at Binghamton and contains official university policies.
