Quantitative and Logical Thinking

 

Designing a Quantitative and Logical Thinking Course

Liberal Studies Quantitative and Logical Thinking courses help students become critical analysts of quantitative and logical claims.

A male scientist wearing black glasses examines green, fiber optic lasers.

What are the learning objectives of Quantitative and Logical Thinking courses?

  1. Select and apply appropriate methods (i.e., mathematical, statistical, logical, and/or computational models or principles) to solve real-world problems.
  2. Use a variety of forms to represent problems and their solutions.

What aspects of course design are necessary to certify a course for Quantitative and Logical Thinking?

The course submission must reflect the following information:

Quantitative and Logical Thinking courses help students become critical analysts of quantitative and logical claims. The course objectives, course materials, activities, and grading criteria should focus on college-level mathematical or logic-based content.

If not clearly incorporated into the course syllabus, a sample assignment or two (and associated grading criteria) should be included in an appendix to the syllabus. These materials should illustrate how students will be assessed on their achievement of the student learning objectives.

Credit hours:

  • General Education courses should not be less than 3 credit hours. (This does not include 1-credit labs.)
  • Variable credit hour courses should have a clear justification (ex: internship, seminar with rotating topics).

Note: General Education courses must be offered at a level of 1000, 2000, or 3000. Only college-level courses (1000 or higher) are approved for the Liberal Studies curriculum.

What language must be included in the syllabus?

There are two components of required syllabus language:

  1. Statements approved by the Faculty Senate, and
  2. Statements for each Liberal Studies designation the course is certified for

 

Faculty Senate required syllabus language:
All syllabi are required to include the syllabus language statements approved by the FSU Faculty Senate, available at https://facsenate.fsu.edu/Curriculum-Resources/syllabus-language.

Liberal Studies required syllabus language:

The following statement can either be 1) adapted specifically to the course content, or 2) pasted verbatim into the syllabus. In either case, the meaning of the language should be clearly communicated to students.

This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Liberal Studies Quantitative and Logical Thinking requirements and helps you become a critical analyst of quantitative and logical claims.

In order to fulfill the State of Florida’s College mathematics and computation requirement the student must earn a “C–” or better in the course.

By the end of the course, students will demonstrate the ability to:

  1. Select and apply appropriate methods (i.e., mathematical, statistical, logical, and/or computational models or principles) to solve real-world problems.
  2. Use a variety of forms to represent problems and their solutions.

Can I combine Quantitative and Logical Thinking with any other Liberal Studies areas?

  • Quantitative and Logical Thinking can be combined with any of the University Wide Graduation Requirements.
    • If you choose to add a writing designation to your course proposal, note that a course can only fulfill one type of Writing requirement.
      • A course may be E-Series/State-Mandated Writing “W” or Upper-Division Writing.
    • If you are considering a capstone experience for your course proposal, note that a course can carry either the Scholarship in Practice (SIP) or Formative Experience designation, but not both.

Is there a syllabus template I can use to develop a Quantitative and Logical Thinking course?

Yes. While there is no strictly required format for syllabi, our office has created the following document that you may use to facilitate the process of creating a Liberal Studies syllabus:  Syllabus Guide - Quantitative and Logical Thinking
 

Who should I contact if I have more questions or concerns?

  • Faculty may contact Kestrel Strickland with any questions about Liberal Studies course design, as well as questions about using the Curricular Request Application (CRA) to submit curricular requests for Liberal Studies approval.
  • You may also browse the FAQ for commonly asked questions and answers.