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2012 Alumni Survey
College Comparisons of Undergraduate Educational Goals
General Education Frequency Distributions

This document reports frequency distributions of general education goals by college. Comparisons of mean ratings are available on the web.

Importance | Preparation


Importance

An overall general education NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 73.4% 80.9% 82.5% 76.8% 73.6% 62.8% 78.1% 57.1% 66.7% 77.6%
3: Somewhat important 22.4% 15.0% 16.3% 19.7% 22.0% 31.9% 21.9% 41.1% 24.2% 18.2%
2: Not very important 3.7% 3.7% . 3.4% 4.4% 4.4% . . 9.1% 3.4%
1: Not at all important 0.5% 0.4% 1.3% 0.2% . 0.9% . 1.8% . 0.8%
Total (N) 2,636 487 80 585 159 643 114 56 132 380
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Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 55.1% 56.3% 64.1% 58.0% 57.2% 52.2% 63.7% 44.6% 45.8% 53.6%
3: Somewhat important 37.4% 39.0% 29.5% 33.7% 38.4% 38.4% 31.9% 51.8% 38.9% 39.8%
2: Not very important 6.6% 4.5% 5.1% 7.4% 3.1% 8.1% 4.4% 3.6% 13.7% 5.8%
1: Not at all important 0.9% 0.2% 1.3% 0.9% 1.3% 1.4% . . 1.5% 0.8%
Total (N) 2,627 485 78 584 159 644 113 56 131 377
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Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 48.0% 50.3% 53.8% 50.1% 45.6% 47.0% 55.4% 50.0% 40.5% 43.5%
3: Somewhat important 39.8% 40.0% 33.3% 38.8% 45.6% 39.2% 38.4% 39.3% 43.5% 40.3%
2: Not very important 10.8% 9.3% 10.3% 9.9% 7.6% 12.2% 6.3% 10.7% 13.0% 13.9%
1: Not at all important 1.4% 0.4% 2.6% 1.2% 1.3% 1.6% . . 3.1% 2.4%
Total (N) 2,618 485 78 583 158 640 112 56 131 375
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Formulating and testing hypotheses NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 38.4% 50.1% 37.2% 28.8% 36.1% 43.2% 46.4% 16.1% 61.1% 24.3%
3: Somewhat important 32.8% 30.1% 30.8% 32.6% 27.8% 36.8% 25.0% 30.4% 25.2% 37.9%
2: Not very important 22.1% 15.7% 25.6% 28.3% 25.3% 16.5% 22.3% 48.2% 11.5% 28.0%
1: Not at all important 6.6% 4.1% 6.4% 10.2% 10.8% 3.4% 6.3% 5.4% 2.3% 9.9%
Total (N) 2,615 485 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 36.9% 62.3% 33.3% 23.3% 36.1% 38.7% 40.2% 16.1% 53.4% 19.2%
3: Somewhat important 29.8% 25.6% 28.2% 27.8% 29.7% 37.4% 31.3% 33.9% 29.0% 24.8%
2: Not very important 24.2% 9.5% 30.8% 34.0% 20.3% 20.4% 22.3% 42.9% 15.3% 35.7%
1: Not at all important 9.1% 2.7% 7.7% 14.9% 13.9% 3.4% 6.3% 7.1% 2.3% 20.3%
Total (N) 2,615 485 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Appreciating the arts NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 27.6% 24.3% 35.9% 38.8% 27.8% 17.3% 36.6% 60.7% 21.4% 24.7%
3: Somewhat important 29.4% 29.1% 29.5% 31.7% 31.0% 27.9% 28.6% 28.6% 29.0% 29.0%
2: Not very important 25.7% 29.5% 21.8% 20.7% 21.5% 29.3% 26.8% 10.7% 23.7% 27.7%
1: Not at all important 17.3% 17.1% 12.8% 8.8% 19.6% 25.5% 8.0% . 26.0% 18.6%
Total (N) 2,618 485 78 580 158 642 112 56 131 376
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Appreciating the humanities NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 28.4% 24.4% 39.7% 52.3% 22.8% 17.0% 30.4% 23.2% 13.7% 21.8%
3: Somewhat important 33.0% 36.4% 39.7% 30.7% 34.8% 29.8% 26.8% 48.2% 31.3% 35.6%
2: Not very important 25.0% 26.0% 9.0% 12.3% 26.6% 32.6% 33.9% 25.0% 30.5% 28.5%
1: Not at all important 13.6% 13.2% 11.5% 4.7% 15.8% 20.7% 8.9% 3.6% 24.4% 14.1%
Total (N) 2,616 484 78 579 158 642 112 56 131 376
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Applying social science methods to understand human behavior NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 29.4% 29.5% 42.3% 49.9% 23.4% 14.5% 26.8% 23.2% 19.1% 28.3%
3: Somewhat important 34.5% 37.6% 34.6% 35.2% 40.5% 29.2% 38.4% 32.1% 34.4% 34.9%
2: Not very important 23.9% 21.5% 17.9% 12.4% 22.8% 35.3% 23.2% 35.7% 24.4% 25.3%
1: Not at all important 12.2% 11.4% 5.1% 2.4% 13.3% 21.1% 11.6% 8.9% 22.1% 11.5%
Total (N) 2,614 484 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Applying mathematics skills NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 48.9% 50.8% 52.6% 22.5% 43.0% 65.8% 50.9% 19.6% 71.0% 56.0%
3: Somewhat important 31.7% 36.2% 35.9% 33.5% 39.2% 26.8% 36.6% 37.5% 22.9% 28.3%
2: Not very important 15.8% 12.2% 9.0% 34.7% 12.7% 6.7% 8.9% 35.7% 3.8% 12.5%
1: Not at all important 3.6% 0.8% 2.6% 9.3% 5.1% 0.6% 3.6% 7.1% 2.3% 3.2%
Total (N) 2,614 484 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 42.5% 57.4% 62.8% 30.9% 34.8% 45.1% 42.0% 44.6% 51.1% 32.3%
3: Somewhat important 37.3% 32.2% 26.9% 42.5% 42.4% 37.9% 36.6% 37.5% 29.8% 37.6%
2: Not very important 15.9% 8.7% 3.8% 20.7% 17.1% 13.1% 15.2% 16.1% 16.0% 24.8%
1: Not at all important 4.3% 1.7% 6.4% 5.9% 5.7% 3.9% 6.3% 1.8% 3.1% 5.3%
Total (N) 2,614 484 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Recognizing and acting on ethical principles NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 77.0% 80.2% 76.9% 78.6% 74.1% 75.5% 72.3% 73.2% 65.6% 80.3%
3: Somewhat important 19.2% 16.3% 20.5% 18.0% 21.5% 19.7% 23.2% 23.2% 29.8% 17.1%
2: Not very important 3.2% 3.3% 1.3% 2.8% 1.9% 4.4% 3.6% 3.6% 3.1% 2.7%
1: Not at all important 0.6% 0.2% 1.3% 0.7% 2.5% 0.5% 0.9% . 1.5% .
Total (N) 2,614 484 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Being involved in public and community affairs NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 38.3% 43.8% 50.0% 50.8% 44.9% 24.3% 35.7% 35.7% 25.2% 36.5%
3: Somewhat important 39.2% 34.7% 34.6% 35.4% 38.6% 42.5% 37.5% 42.9% 36.6% 47.5%
2: Not very important 17.9% 17.1% 12.8% 11.4% 12.0% 25.4% 22.3% 17.9% 31.3% 13.6%
1: Not at all important 4.6% 4.3% 2.6% 2.4% 4.4% 7.8% 4.5% 3.6% 6.9% 2.4%
Total (N) 2,615 484 78 579 158 642 112 56 131 375
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Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 65.6% 72.3% 67.9% 64.0% 63.7% 60.5% 70.5% 60.7% 59.5% 69.9%
3: Somewhat important 25.8% 22.5% 21.8% 27.7% 27.4% 28.6% 21.4% 32.1% 26.0% 22.9%
2: Not very important 6.4% 4.8% 7.7% 5.9% 7.0% 8.1% 5.4% 3.6% 10.7% 5.1%
1: Not at all important 2.2% 0.4% 2.6% 2.4% 1.9% 2.8% 2.7% 3.6% 3.8% 2.1%
Total (N) 2,611 484 78 578 157 640 112 56 131 375
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Valuing learning as a lifelong process NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very important 78.5% 86.4% 87.2% 83.1% 71.5% 71.1% 74.1% 76.8% 74.8% 78.1%
3: Somewhat important 18.8% 13.0% 10.3% 15.0% 24.7% 24.5% 23.2% 21.4% 20.6% 19.2%
2: Not very important 2.0% 0.6% 1.3% 1.4% 2.5% 3.4% 1.8% 1.8% 3.8% 1.3%
1: Not at all important 0.7% . 1.3% 0.5% 1.3% 0.9% 0.9% . 0.8% 1.3%
Total (N) 2,614 484 78 579 158 641 112 56 131 375
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Preparation

An overall general education NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 71.5% 78.5% 71.3% 76.2% 67.9% 64.1% 77.0% 53.6% 64.3% 72.5%
3: Somewhat 25.9% 20.2% 23.8% 22.1% 29.5% 32.0% 19.5% 37.5% 32.6% 25.6%
2: Very little 2.1% 1.0% 2.5% 1.2% 2.6% 3.4% 2.7% 7.1% 1.6% 1.6%
1: Not at all 0.5% 0.2% 2.5% 0.5% . 0.5% 0.9% 1.8% 1.6% 0.3%
Total (N) 2,611 484 80 580 156 638 113 56 129 375
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Understanding the basic concepts in a broad range of disciplines NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 51.2% 58.2% 51.3% 52.8% 49.4% 45.2% 57.1% 32.1% 47.3% 53.1%
3: Somewhat 42.7% 37.3% 39.7% 40.1% 46.8% 47.7% 37.5% 57.1% 45.7% 42.6%
2: Very little 5.2% 3.7% 2.6% 6.0% 3.8% 6.7% 5.4% 5.4% 6.2% 4.0%
1: Not at all 0.8% 0.8% 6.4% 1.0% . 0.3% . 5.4% 0.8% 0.3%
Total (N) 2,605 483 78 579 156 639 112 56 129 373
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Exploring and synthesizing approaches/views from more than one discipline NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 37.5% 43.3% 34.6% 42.6% 32.7% 31.3% 48.2% 30.4% 27.1% 36.7%
3: Somewhat 51.1% 48.2% 55.1% 46.7% 59.0% 54.2% 47.3% 55.4% 55.8% 51.2%
2: Very little 9.8% 7.2% 5.1% 9.9% 7.1% 12.4% 4.5% 8.9% 15.5% 10.2%
1: Not at all 1.6% 1.2% 5.1% 0.9% 1.3% 2.0% . 5.4% 1.6% 1.9%
Total (N) 2,601 483 78 578 156 636 112 56 129 373
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Formulating and testing hypotheses NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 38.6% 53.6% 30.8% 30.7% 37.8% 43.3% 47.3% 10.7% 50.4% 22.8%
3: Somewhat 46.5% 40.0% 48.7% 49.7% 46.2% 45.5% 46.4% 48.2% 41.1% 52.7%
2: Very little 12.3% 5.2% 14.1% 16.4% 13.5% 10.0% 4.5% 33.9% 6.2% 19.6%
1: Not at all 2.6% 1.2% 6.4% 3.1% 2.6% 1.1% 1.8% 7.1% 2.3% 4.8%
Total (N) 2,602 483 78 579 156 637 112 56 129 372
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Acquiring an awareness of new scientific knowledge and discoveries NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 30.9% 49.6% 25.6% 24.2% 28.8% 31.1% 39.3% 8.9% 37.2% 17.2%
3: Somewhat 46.8% 42.4% 51.3% 44.8% 50.6% 49.8% 53.6% 51.8% 47.3% 45.3%
2: Very little 18.1% 7.2% 16.7% 25.3% 16.7% 17.1% 3.6% 28.6% 13.2% 28.2%
1: Not at all 4.2% 0.8% 6.4% 5.7% 3.8% 2.0% 3.6% 10.7% 2.3% 9.4%
Total (N) 2,603 484 78 578 156 637 112 56 129 373
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Appreciating the arts NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 22.3% 23.1% 17.9% 31.8% 17.3% 14.8% 31.5% 53.6% 17.8% 16.3%
3: Somewhat 39.3% 40.3% 42.3% 41.9% 38.5% 37.8% 37.8% 32.1% 45.7% 35.8%
2: Very little 27.2% 24.6% 32.1% 19.7% 32.1% 33.0% 20.7% 8.9% 24.8% 35.0%
1: Not at all 11.1% 12.0% 7.7% 6.6% 12.2% 14.4% 9.9% 5.4% 11.6% 12.8%
Total (N) 2,603 484 78 578 156 637 111 56 129 374
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Appreciating the humanities NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 28.7% 26.7% 29.5% 57.2% 16.0% 14.8% 27.9% 17.9% 18.6% 21.7%
3: Somewhat 45.5% 48.0% 51.3% 35.9% 53.8% 46.5% 45.9% 62.5% 48.1% 46.8%
2: Very little 20.3% 18.6% 16.7% 6.1% 23.7% 30.0% 18.9% 16.1% 27.9% 25.9%
1: Not at all 5.5% 6.6% 2.6% 0.9% 6.4% 8.6% 7.2% 3.6% 5.4% 5.6%
Total (N) 2,600 483 78 577 156 636 111 56 129 374
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Applying social science methods to understand human behavior NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 24.9% 24.4% 32.1% 48.7% 17.3% 11.2% 20.7% 14.3% 14.7% 20.4%
3: Somewhat 44.0% 46.2% 53.8% 43.0% 44.9% 37.1% 50.5% 41.1% 43.4% 50.9%
2: Very little 24.2% 24.2% 11.5% 6.8% 30.1% 39.2% 19.8% 35.7% 32.6% 22.8%
1: Not at all 6.8% 5.2% 2.6% 1.6% 7.7% 12.6% 9.0% 8.9% 9.3% 5.9%
Total (N) 2,599 483 78 577 156 636 111 56 129 373
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Applying mathematics skills NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 50.2% 49.7% 50.0% 22.4% 46.8% 75.5% 61.3% 14.3% 71.3% 46.9%
3: Somewhat 37.1% 40.4% 33.3% 47.0% 42.9% 22.0% 36.0% 46.4% 23.3% 45.6%
2: Very little 10.4% 9.1% 15.4% 23.7% 8.3% 2.2% 1.8% 33.9% 3.1% 7.0%
1: Not at all 2.3% 0.8% 1.3% 6.9% 1.9% 0.3% 0.9% 5.4% 2.3% 0.5%
Total (N) 2,600 483 78 577 156 637 111 56 129 373
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Understanding how science and technology influence society and everyday life NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 37.6% 52.2% 42.3% 29.8% 34.6% 40.1% 45.0% 14.3% 39.5% 27.1%
3: Somewhat 48.1% 40.6% 44.9% 49.6% 49.4% 48.1% 43.2% 67.9% 46.5% 54.4%
2: Very little 12.6% 6.6% 10.3% 18.2% 13.5% 10.5% 9.0% 12.5% 12.4% 16.4%
1: Not at all 1.8% 0.6% 2.6% 2.4% 2.6% 1.3% 2.7% 5.4% 1.6% 2.1%
Total (N) 2,599 483 78 577 156 636 111 56 129 373
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Recognizing and acting on ethical principles NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 39.5% 44.7% 35.9% 39.3% 40.4% 36.5% 48.6% 23.2% 23.3% 43.4%
3: Somewhat 46.5% 42.9% 47.4% 44.7% 50.0% 48.3% 39.6% 60.7% 59.7% 44.2%
2: Very little 11.5% 10.1% 14.1% 13.9% 9.0% 12.4% 8.1% 10.7% 12.4% 9.7%
1: Not at all 2.5% 2.3% 2.6% 2.1% 0.6% 2.7% 3.6% 5.4% 4.7% 2.7%
Total (N) 2,598 483 78 577 156 635 111 56 129 373
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Being involved in public and community affairs NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 27.1% 31.5% 25.6% 33.6% 30.8% 17.9% 35.1% 14.3% 17.1% 28.6%
3: Somewhat 42.4% 41.8% 43.6% 43.2% 43.6% 39.2% 43.2% 51.8% 41.9% 45.5%
2: Very little 23.3% 20.9% 25.6% 17.9% 22.4% 31.8% 15.3% 26.8% 31.8% 19.0%
1: Not at all 7.2% 5.8% 5.1% 5.4% 3.2% 11.1% 6.3% 7.1% 9.3% 7.0%
Total (N) 2,602 483 78 577 156 638 111 56 129 374
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Developing and sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 27.4% 32.5% 25.6% 28.1% 33.3% 21.8% 27.9% 16.1% 22.5% 30.5%
3: Somewhat 43.6% 43.3% 47.4% 42.6% 44.2% 44.1% 45.0% 48.2% 37.2% 44.4%
2: Very little 22.2% 19.9% 23.1% 20.1% 20.5% 27.0% 20.7% 26.8% 27.1% 19.0%
1: Not at all 6.8% 4.3% 3.8% 9.2% 1.9% 7.1% 6.3% 8.9% 13.2% 6.1%
Total (N) 2,601 483 78 577 156 637 111 56 129 374
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Valuing learning as a lifelong process NCSU College/School
CALS CED CHASS CNR COE COT Design PAMS PCOM
4: Very much 52.0% 58.6% 56.4% 55.5% 52.6% 45.1% 53.2% 50.0% 48.1% 50.3%
3: Somewhat 38.9% 34.4% 35.9% 36.4% 41.0% 43.2% 36.9% 33.9% 39.5% 42.0%
2: Very little 7.2% 6.0% 5.1% 6.8% 5.8% 9.1% 5.4% 10.7% 8.5% 6.7%
1: Not at all 1.9% 1.0% 2.6% 1.4% 0.6% 2.5% 4.5% 5.4% 3.9% 1.1%
Total (N) 2,600 483 78 577 156 636 111 56 129 374
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For more information on the 2012 Alumni Survey contact:
Dr. Nancy Whelchel, Associate Director for Survey Research
Office of Institutional Planning and Research
Box 7002
NCSU
Phone: (919) 515-4184
Email: Nancy_Whelchel@ncsu.edu

Posted: July, 2012

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