The general admission requirements and procedures of the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences are outlined in the
Undergraduate Admission section.
These requirements were established to enable students
admitted here to make the most effective use of the facilities of the
University. The requirements should ensure that entering students have
the capability of completing a degree program successfully.
While the admission patterns or high school subjects required
for admission are necessary for the student to be able to compete
successfully at this University, these requirements are
minimal. Several other specific recommendations for high school
subjects are listed below. The college urges prospective freshmen to
seek as broad and as rigorous a preparation as possible in high
school. In particular, students should continue electing academic
subjects throughout the senior year.
English: The college strongly recommends that students complete four
full years of English in high school.
Mathematics: Although mathematics is not required in all degree
programs in the college, many of the programs do require some
mathematics. A minimum preparation is two years of algebra and one
year of geometry; a fourth year of college preparatory mathematics is
strongly encouraged. A solid foundation in mathematics will assist
students in taking full advantage of educational opportunities at the
University.
Beginning with the fall 1989 freshman class, students may not
use credit in algebra (sometimes called "college algebra") toward LAS
degrees; specifically, students may not use credit in MATH
112 or its equivalent toward LAS degrees. Please refer to the
LAS Student Handbook for details.
Science: Some knowledge of science is necessary in our
technology-oriented society. Students should elect at least two years
of laboratory science in high school.
Foreign language: Because successful completion of four years of a
single language in secondary school will satisfy the college foreign
language degree requirement, students should include as much foreign
language as possible in their secondary school programs. Those
students who have not had some foreign language during the junior and
senior years of high school may find it helpful to review the language
before taking the placement examination after being admitted to the
college.
Academic advising is a critical resource for students in developing a
program of study. Especially on a large campus, a continuing,
committed association with a faculty member can be a valuable and
rewarding part of the student's educational experience. Advisers are
available to aid students in choosing majors, planning for career
choices, and selecting courses for each semester. All students in
degree programs in the college have academic advisers available in
their major departments. In addition, the assistant and associate
deans in the college assist students in handling a variety of problems
and questions.
In order to simplify minor changes in course selections, a
student who has successfully completed at least 30 semester hours of
course work and who understands the requirements of the college and
the University may choose courses without obtaining approval from an
academic adviser unless informed otherwise by the college. A student
does need to obtain approval from an adviser for a number of
arrangements, including a formal plan of study for the major and the
election of the credit-no credit grading option. A student may be
requested by the college office to obtain approval from an adviser
and/or the dean for all course changes under certain circumstances. It
is very important for advanced students to confer with advisers on a
regular basis; therefore, the college encourages all students to
consult with their academic advisers at least once each year.
One particular resource for a student in the college who has
not decided on a plan of study is the general curriculum. The general
curriculum is an advising center for students who want to investigate
a variety of subjects before selecting their majors or who have
decided on programs that require transfer at the sophomore or junior
level. The general curriculum is not a degree program and does not
serve as a formal program of study. Entering freshmen and continuing
students with less than 45 semester hours of credit may elect to enter
the general curriculum and may remain in the program until they
complete 56 academic semester hours. The office provides individual
advising; group orientation sessions; and printed materials describing
majors, curricula, and many career opportunities. Students in the
general curriculum are LAS students and must follow LAS policies and
regulations. The general curriculum office serves as the college
office for students in the program.
Another special resource in the college is qualified advising
for students who are interested in law school. An assistant dean in
the college office
(270 Lincoln Hall)
counsels students who have
declared a prelaw interest. All such students are encouraged to
consult the prelaw adviser. Students preparing for law school may
elect any major; they need not consider themselves restricted in the
choice of degree programs. To assist students planning prelaw
programs, a faculty committee in the college has prepared a handbook
for students on prelaw advising. For further information, contact the
prelaw adviser at
270 Lincoln Hall.
Go to Liberal Arts and Sciences Programs Index
Go to Programs of Study Table of Contents
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