Review of WTCS General Education Courses by Baccalaureate Institutions

The University of Wisconsin System (UWS), the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU), and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) are proposing transfer initiatives that will improve opportunities for WTCS students transferring into baccalaureate degree granting institutions. These initiatives will provide students opportunities to transfer more of their credits and have them apply towards their baccalaureate degree objectives.

Beginning in the summer of 2003, the WTCS General Education faculty began to review courses for inclusion in an expanded list of General Education courses. The resulting course outcome summaries completed to date system-wide by the review teams are available on this web site for review by baccalaureate degree institutions and for determination of transfer equivalency.

These courses are considered system-wide courses within the WTCS. That means they carry common titles, numbers, credits, competencies, and expected levels of performance no matter where taught within the WTCS.

Additional courses may be added to this web site at a later time. Every effort will be made to notify Wisconsin baccalaureate degree granting institutions when additional courses are posted.

Communications
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Social/Behavioral Sciences

Definition of Terms used on this site are from WIDS (Worldwide Instructional Design System)

Course Outcome Summary (COS): The COS is the official, non-proprietary information about a course or other learning experience that documents WTCS course number (if assigned), title, credits, potential hours of instruction, configuration, course description, prerequisites, text/resources, if identified, course goals, competencies, and performance standards. A COS may be used as official college documentation for purposes of articulation, advanced standing decisions, employer information, learner portfolios or credentials, and for collaborating with other colleges.

Performance Standards: Performance standards define the skill described in the competency and clarify required levels of performance. They are observable and measurable criteria and conditions for performance assessment. They provide structure in which to answer the question: "Did the learner achieve the competency?"

Sample Syllabus: Each syllabus posted on this web site represents one of the many possible ways of teaching the course. While our COS include statewide common competencies and expected levels of performance for the courses posted, how a course is taught is the decision of the individual instructor. Some of these sample syllabi are in html, some are in PDF format and some are a direct link to a web site posting. Also, some courses are taught in a face-to-face format and others are offered online.