Writing and Math Requirements (Gordon Rule)

The State of Florida requires that all students complete the Writing and Math requirements described below. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in courses taken to fulfill the Writing and Math Requirement. Such courses may not be taken S-U.

Writing

To graduate, students must complete courses that involve substantial writing for a total of 24,000 words. Courses that count toward this requirement will be in one of three categories:

E2: Coursework with at least 2,000 words;
E4: Coursework with at least 4,000 words;
E6: Coursework with at least 6,000 words.

  1. The student must write a minimum of 2,000 - 6,000 words in the course (one double spaced, typed page in 12 point type is 300 words). The level of certification depends on the number of words.
  2. This written work must be evaluated on the effectiveness, organization, clarity, and coherence of the writing as well as the grammar, punctuation and usage of standard written English.
  3. The student must be provided feedback on the written work submitted.
  4. Teamwork or writing done by a group or team, class notes, in-class essay examinations, and term papers submitted too late in the semester to be returned to students in class cannot be used to meet the minimum word requirement. Drafts cannot be counted separately from final drafts as part of the total number of words completed during the course.

PLEASE NOTE:
Effective Summer A/C 2009, an additional grading component has been added to successfully complete and receive word credit for courses that meet the university writing requirement (Gordon Rule). Course grades now will have two components. Professors will indicate whether or not students met the writing requirement AND will assign a course grade. Therefore, to receive writing credit students must receive a grade of C or higher AND satisfactory completion of the writing component. It is possible not to meet the writing requirement and still pass the class. Students should review their degree audits after receiving their grades to verify receipt of credit for the writing component.

Math

Each student must complete six credits of coursework in mathematics, at or above the level of college algebra. Three of these credits must be in mathematics, and an additional three credits in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or the logic courses PHI2100 or PHI3130.

More Information

Guide to Majors for Undergraduate Students
The Guide to Majors for Undergraduate Students includes course descriptions of Writing and Math requirement courses, indicated by (WR) or (MR).

Schedule of Courses
The Schedule of Courses lists the General Education courses (identified by code in GE column) offered in a specific term.

AICE, AP, IB or CLEP credits
The link describes the awarding of incoming AICE, AP, IB or CLEP credits toward completion of the Writing and Math Requirements.

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