BU Hub
Boston University’s General Education Program
The BU Hub, Boston University’s general education program, provides a common educational experience for all BU undergraduates. It offers them the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind that will enable them to be lifelong learners and leaders in a rapidly evolving, interconnected, and globalized world.
The Hub fosters intellectual exploration by encouraging students to take courses in schools and colleges across the University. Hub courses can fulfill both Hub and major requirements. Students can take Hub courses throughout all of their years of undergraduate study; they are not expected to complete their Hub requirements early in their studies.
In addition, the Hub offers innovative educational opportunities to students, including its optional signature learning experience, the Cross-College Challenge (XCC), and Hub cocurricular experiences.
Hundreds of courses carry Hub units, and they are offered in all of the undergraduate schools and colleges at BU. In addition, there are several types of Hub experiences that carry Hub units and have “HUB” as the college code:
- “HUB XC” offerings (the Cross-College Challenge) are 4-credit, project-based courses (e.g., HUB XC 433) open to juniors and seniors.
- “HUB CC” and “HUB FY” offerings (e.g., HUB CC 101) are 0-credit cocurricular experiences that carry Hub units.
- “HUB SA” offerings are 0-credit Hub Study Abroad experiences that carry Hub units.
Learning Outcomes
The BU Hub is founded on a set of learning outcomes that are designed to help students navigate and contribute to an increasingly complex world. To learn more about Hub learning outcomes, click here.
Requirements
There are two Hub curriculums, depending upon a student’s point of entry. Each has been designed to ensure that all BU undergraduates develop the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind that will enable them to be lifelong learners and leaders in a rapidly changing and interconnected world. First-year entering students will complete 26 Hub units, while transfer students will complete 10 Hub units. Please note: The BU Hub Transfer Student curriculum has been designed to acknowledge general education coursework completed at a student’s previous institution while still ensuring that transfer students develop the ways of thinking and skills required of all BU undergraduates.
Requirements for Students Who Enter BU as First-Year Students
All students who matriculate as first-year students share the same BU Hub requirements, regardless of their program of study. Students who enter BU as first-years must earn 26 Hub units, spread across 6 Capacities. Most students will fulfill their Hub requirements in 10–12 courses, and some of these courses will count toward their major requirements as well. To learn more about each Capacity, click here.
The minimum requirements are listed below. However, most students will earn many more than the minimum number of units, especially in areas central to their major field of study. Students can track their progress in the Hub, along with their overall progress toward degree, using their Degree Advice audit.
Philosophical, Aesthetic, and Historical Interpretation
- Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings (1 unit)
- Aesthetic Exploration (1 unit)
- Historical Consciousness (1 unit)
Scientific and Social Inquiry
- Scientific Inquiry I (1 unit)
- Social Inquiry I (1 unit)
- Scientific Inquiry II OR Social Inquiry II (1 unit)
Quantitative Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning I (1 unit)
- Quantitative Reasoning II (1 unit)
Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship
- The Individual in Community (1 unit)
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy (2 units)
- Ethical Reasoning (1 unit)
Communication
- First-Year Writing Seminar (1 unit)
- Writing, Research, and Inquiry (1 unit)
- Writing-Intensive Course (2 units)
- Oral and/or Signed Communication (1 unit)
- Digital/Multimedia Expression (1 unit)
Intellectual Toolkit
- Critical Thinking (2 units)
- Research and Information Literacy (2 units)
- Teamwork/Collaboration (2 units)
- Creativity/Innovation (2 units)
In addition to these requirements, students are encouraged to pursue opportunities on campus to develop Life Skills.
Requirements for Transfer Students Who Matriculate Beginning Fall 2020
All students who matriculate as transfer students beginning fall 2020 share the same BU Hub requirements, regardless of their program of study. Students who enter BU as transfers must earn 10 units, spread across 6 Capacities. Most students will fulfill their Hub requirements in 4–5 courses, and some of these courses will count toward their major requirements as well. To learn more about each Capacity, click here.
The minimum requirements are listed below. However, most students will earn many more than the minimum number of units, especially in areas central to their major field of study. Students can track their progress in the Hub, along with their overall progress toward degree, using their Degree Advice audit.
Philosophical, Aesthetic, and Historical Interpretation
1 unit in one of the following Hub areas:
- Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings
- Aesthetic Exploration
- Historical Consciousness
Scientific and Social Inquiry
- 1 unit in Scientific Inquiry I or Scientific Inquiry II
- 1 unit in Social Inquiry I or Social Inquiry II
Quantitative Reasoning
1 unit in Quantitative Reasoning II
Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship
1 unit in one of the following Hub areas:
- The Individual in Community
- Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
- Ethical Reasoning
Communication
1 unit in Writing, Research, and Inquiry or Writing-Intensive Course
Intellectual Toolkit
- 1 unit in Critical Thinking
- 1 unit in Research and Information Literacy
- 1 unit in Teamwork/Collaboration
- 1 unit in Creativity/Innovation
In addition to these requirements, students are encouraged to pursue opportunities on campus to develop Life Skills.
