FAQs
IGE is an award-winning program designed for first-year students. The IGE curriculum satisfies 18 units of lower-division GEs and IGE offers four Upper Division Synthesis courses that fulfill C3 and D4 GE requirements. Courses are discussion and teamwork-oriented, and students develop close relationships with instructors and peers. IGE is an alternative to the traditional GE pattern.
First-time freshmen may choose IGE for their general education pattern. Students may also enroll in our Lower Division Courses after their first year. Students may take our Upper Division courses when they earn junior standing. Students should consult with their major department to ensure that IGE is compatible with their major requirements.
Students choose IGE for a variety of reasons. Many majors recommend IGE to their majors. Many students choose to join IGE because they:
• Learn best through discussion and group projects
• Want to develop their oral, writing, and social skills
• Seek a challenging active learning experience
• Prefer writing assignments and projects to in-class objective exams
• Desire a small community to help them transition to a large university
• Want to make new friends
• Were recommended to IGE by another student or sibling
No. IGE has some of the characteristics of an honors program—student cohorts, writing intensive, innovative classroom activities, small class sizes (25-35), Arts Events, etc. Students in the Cal Poly Honors Program may also enroll in IGE.
No. We have increased the flexibility for students so that they can take our courses when they choose. IGE 1100 and 1200 need to be taken together to fulfill A2 and C2. Completing all six courses creates the most comprehensive IGE experience of collaborative, integrated learning and will ensure that the most GEs are satisfied, but it is not necessary.
No. Students take the exact same number of classes/units. IGE classes replace other GE classes that needed to be taken anyway.
Yes. Students can use AP and IB credit to substitute for some IGE classes.
No. Students sign up for the first class, IGE 1100. That’s it!