Writing and Math Requirement

The University of Florida requires all students to complete a writing and math requirement. (Several years ago, this requirement was known as the Gordon Rule.)

AICE, AP, CLEP and IB examination credit may count toward this requirement.

Writing

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

• Coursework with at least 2000 words,
• Coursework with at least 4000 words, or
• Coursework with at least 6000 words.

All sections of qualified courses may not offer substantial writing in a particular term. In the WM column, the schedule of courses identifies the course sections and amount of writing credit (2, 4 or 6) awarded for a given term.

The writing will be evaluated on content, organization and coherence, argument and support, style and mechanics. Evaluations will be on individual work and the evaluated work will be returned to you before the last day of class.

Writing course grades have two components. Professors will indicate whether or not you met the writing requirement and will assign a course grade. Therefore, to receive writing credit you must receive a minimum grade of C (2.0) and satisfactory completion of the writing component. It is possible not to meet the writing requirement and still earn a satisfactory grade, so you should review your degree audit after receiving your grade to verify receipt of credit for the writing component.

All courses that require writing will not necessarily count toward the writing requirement.  In writing requirement courses, students will be evaluated as described above.  

Math

You must complete six credits of coursework in mathematics, at or above the level of college algebra, with minimum grades of C (2.0) to fulfill the university's math requirement. These courses cannot be taken S-U. You must take:

• Three credits in mathematics. Acceptable course prefixes always include MAC and MGF, and generally include MAA, MAD, MAP, MAS, MHF and MTG. It is up to you to verify that the course and section indicate satisfaction of the requirement.
• An additional three credits in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or the logic courses PHI 2100 or PHI 3130. Acceptable course prefixes may include: CAP, CDA, CEN, CGS, CIS, COP, COT, MAA, MAC, MAD, MAP, MAS, MAT, MGF, MHF, MTG and STA. It is up to you to verify that the course and section indicate satisfaction of the requirement.
• Catalog course descriptions will identify satisfactory courses with an MR at the end of the description and the schedule of courses will identify these courses with an M in the WM column.
• Note: CGS 3063 may not be used to satisfy any part of this requirement.