English and math requirements

English and math requirements

At the University of Nevada, Reno, we take our Core or General Education requirements with the utmost seriousness. Writing and quantitative abilities are necessary skills that ensure a student will be successful in not only their education journey but beyond. This page provides an overview of English and math placement and course progression.

Core curriculum requirements

NSHE requires students to complete ENG 102 and at least three credits of an approved college math course. These two courses may require additional prerequisites, and majors may specify which college math course is required for their students. These two courses will build a foundation for CO1 (Core Objective), CO2, and CO3:

• Core Objective 1: Effective Composition & Communications. Students will communicate effectively using writing, speaking, or multimedia for scholarly, professional, or creative purposes.
• Core Objective 2: Quantitative Reasoning. Students will be able to apply quantitative reasoning and mathematical analysis methodologies to understand and solve problems.
• Core Objective 3: Critical Analysis & Use of Information. Students will be critical consumers of information, able to engage in systematic research processes, frame questions, read critically, and apply observational and experimental approaches to obtain information.

The NSHE policy

The NSHE Corequisite and College-Ready Gateway Policy requires all students to be enrolled in college-level gateway English and math courses in their initial year of enrollment, with or without corequisite support, effective Fall 2021. 

About corequisite instruction

Corequisite instruction is a nationwide movement of teaching college-level math and English through a revised curriculum consisting of innovative instructional practices coupled with just-in-time student support and an elimination of traditional remediation. At the University, it will eliminate the traditional sequence of preparatory courses with a single college-level course that students can complete in one semester.

English requirements

Every student must complete ENG 102 or its equivalent. Normally, students take ENG 100I (with supports), ENG 101, or ENG 113 during their first semester at the University and ENG 102 during the second semester. However, depending on a student’s major requirements, this may be different and a student’s advisor will help them to make the best decision. All students who successfully complete ENG 100I (with supports), ENG 101, or ENG 113 will be prepared to enter into ENG 102.

Initial placement in Core Writing courses will be based on test scores, although students have additional placement options if they do not have test scores or feel that their test scores are not an accurate measure of their ability.

This table details how test scores are typically used to place students into Core Writing classes: 

Alternative placement options for students

Directed self-placement

If you do not have ACT or SAT scores or feel your test scores don’t adequately reflect your abilities as a writer, you can complete a directed self-placement. This involves taking a short survey that helps you decide which writing class is best for you. Note: There are no additional fees required for the survey. Directed self-placement (DSP) will allow you to choose between ENG 100I (with supports), 101 and 113. If you already have a NSHE ID# and are interested in this option, complete the DSP survey.

Portfolio placement

If you feel that you are ready to go straight into ENG 102, the second writing course in our two-course sequence, then you may choose to submit a portfolio of writing samples accompanied by a cover letter that demonstrates and explains how you have met the student learning outcomes for ENG 101. Note: This option requires payment of a $40 fee; placing into 102 is not guaranteed. Learn more about this option for the portfolio placement for 102. 

Additionally, students who have taken College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations or International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations may utilize their scores to receive course credit and determine the next course in their sequence.

• Students with an AP score of 4 or 5 on the Language and Composition exam may use their score to fulfill the CO1 and CO3 requirement.
• Students with an AP score of 4 or 5 on the Literature and Composition exam may take ENG 104 in lieu of ENG 102 to fulfill the CO1 and CO3 requirement.
• ENG 114 may fulfill the CO1 and CO3 requirement for students for whom English is a second or additional language.

Math requirements

Every student must complete at least 3 units of an approved core math course to satisfy the CO2 requirement. University disciplines have different math requirements in order to prepare their students for future course work; therefore, students should review the Math section in their program description for their major and consult with an academic advisor before selecting a math course(s). All degree-seeking students must be enrolled in the appropriate college-level gateway mathematics course, with or without corequisite support, in their initial year of enrollment.

Initial placement in Core mathematics courses will be based on test scores, although students have additional placement options if they do not have test scores or feel that their test scores are not an accurate measure of their ability.

This table details how test scores are typically used to place students into Core mathematics classes:

Alternative placement methods for students

Aleks PPL

If you do not have ACT or SAT scores or feel your test scores don’t adequately reflect your abilities, you can complete the ALEKS PPL. This involves taking a 1.5-hour long assessment, followed by a learning module to help prepare students to repeat the assessment. Note: There are no additional fees required for this assessment; however, there is a small proctoring fee of $5 if taking the assessment remotely.

Additionally, students who have taken College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations or International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations may utilize their scores to receive course credit and determine the next course in their sequence.

What should you do next?

If you are majoring in Engineering or Physical Science, and you have placed into Math 126 or Math 126E, you should consider enrolling in Summer Freshman Start. Summer Freshman Start is a summer program where you can get an early jump on taking some of your coursework, especially your math courses. This is incredibly important as the Engineering and Physical Science majors are math intensive. If you are interested in participating in this program, please visit Summer Freshman Start. Financial aid for the summer may be available to assist with tuition.

Resources

University of Nevada, Reno

• Core Curriculum
• Core Objectives 1 & 3: Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information
• Core Objective 2: Quantitative Reasoning
• Core Writing Placements
• Silver Core General Education Requirements

NSHE

• Corequisite Math and English Instruction at UNLV