Are gen ed requirements strict?

[Awittyname]

<p>Hi guys, I have been looking at the gen ed requirements for UF, and I saw there is this course called "what is the good life." Now I will have completed all the other gen ed requirements, but if I go there, would it be absolutely required for me to take this course? I would rather take a course more useful for my major. Has anyone had experience with bypassing requirements? If so, what did you do? All responses are greatly appreciated, Thank you!</p>

[Gator88NE]

<p>UF really, really, wants you to take the class.</p>

<p>

** What is the Good Life?**</p>

<p>This is a new collaborative course taught by instructors and teaching assistants from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Design, Construction, and Planning. It is intended to be a “signature UF experience” that will enhance the undergraduate curriculum by promoting an interdisciplinary model of teaching. It offers a common experience to all entering undergraduates, while also providing faculty the opportunity to share their individual expertise as critical thinkers.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/information.aspx”>http://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/information.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>This link explains in more detail the requirement and list the exemptions:</p>

<p><a href=“http://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/Data/Sites/9/media/good_life/humanities_course_requirement.pdf”>http://undergrad.aa.ufl.edu/Data/Sites/9/media/good_life/humanities_course_requirement.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

The following UF students are exempt from this requirement.
(a) AA transfers from the institutions in the Florida College System and State University System who have satisfied their institutions’ general education program prior to entering UF.
(b) Students enrolling in the Innovation Academy for the first time in Spring 2013.
(c) Students enrolled in fully online degree programs. Students enrolling in these programs in the future will be required to take this course when it becomes available online.
(d) Students who matriculated at UF prior to Summer B 2012, and who are required by the University or their colleges to change to the current catalog year. This exemption does not cover students who elect to change to the current catalog year.

</p>

[rs0525]

<p>Simply put - if you started as a freshman on/after Summer B 2012, you MUST take What is the Good Life before ending your freshman year. There are exceptions, as Gator88NE mentioned.</p>

[HectorSalamanca]

<p>Bypassing this (and other Gen Ed’s) is absolutely impossible. You must take it.</p>

[Awittyname]

<p>Oh, well thanks for the information guys. It seems if I go there I’ll have to take it. It’s just one class though, it’s not the end of the world.</p>

[dflorida]

<p>It is a requirement, every single person has to take it. It really isn’t THAT bad though. Unless you get a truly terrible professor or TA, it’s a pretty bearable class. I’ve had a few other classes my freshman year that were much worse. It’s not a difficult class either, so that makes it a lot easier to put up with. </p>