A student completing this curriculum receives the degree of bachelor
of arts or bachelor of science in liberal arts and sciences, depending
on the student's major. A student electing one of the majors in the
physical sciences, life sciences, psychology, mathematics, or
statistics will receive the bachelor of science degree. A student in
any of the other majors will receive the bachelor of arts degree.
The sciences and letters curriculum consists of several distinct
parts, all of which are considered by the college to be necessary for
a liberal education. Below is an outline of the components of the
degree program. A detailed discussion of each component follows.
General Requirements
The ability to write effectively is a cornerstone of a liberal
education. All students in the sciences and letters curriculum must
satisfy the
campus rhetoric requirement.
Students are strongly encouraged to
include additional writing courses in their programs whenever
possible.
Foreign Language Requirement
Each student in the sciences and letters curriculum is expected to
learn a foreign language in the undergraduate program. A minimum
expectation is that the student obtain a knowledge equivalent to the
completion of the fourth semester of college study in a language. Some
programs may require additional study or the study of a specific
language. A student planning on graduate study may wish to consult the
department of intended graduate study about language requirements for
the graduate program. This may dictate the student's choice of
language study during undergraduate work. The foreign language
requirement may be met in any of the following ways:
1. Satisfactory completion of four years of the same foreign
language in high school;
2. Satisfactory completion of the fourth-semester level of a
language in college;
3. Satisfactory completion of the third-semester level in each of
two languages by any combination of high school and college work;
4. Satisfactory performance at the fourth-semester level in a
language proficiency examination approved by the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences and the appropriate department.
General education courses are the foundation vehicle for the
college's unique mandate: the provision of the intellectual core of
undergraduate study at the University. Through these required courses,
each student in the college is expected to obtain an understanding of
the ways in which knowledge is acquired and used in the diverse
disciplines represented by the University's curricula. The graduate
must have some acquaintance with literature and the arts, history,
philosophical inquiry, and the insights and techniques of the social
sciences, as well as the aims and methods of the natural
sciences.
Students are therefore required to complete broadly
distributed course work in two general areas: one in the arts and
social sciences, the other in mathematics and the sciences. Students
must take at least ten courses: five in Area I (arts and social
sciences) and five in Area II (mathematics and science). The specific
list of the distribution of courses is given in Components of the
Curriculum. The LAS Student Handbook provides a list
of courses approved for each of the general education categories, and
current lists may be obtained in the LAS Student Office, 270 Lincoln
Hall, during advance enrollment.
The general education categories and their purposes are
briefly described below, together with an abbreviated listing of some
of the disciplines from which courses for these categories are
drawn.
Literature and the Arts. To consider the literary, visual, and
performing arts as aesthetic or creative achievements. (English,
language departments, art history, music)
Historical and Philosophical Perspectives. To understand both the
events and ideas of the past, thus acquiring a fresh perspective on
the present; to understand the major philosophical issues that
confront human beings. (Classical civilization, history, philosophy,
religious studies)
Social Perspectives. To acquire an understanding of social contexts
and institutions. (Anthropology, economics, geography, political
science, sociology)
Non-Western Cultures and Traditions. To attain a broad awareness of
the values and traditions of people from different cultures. (African
studies, anthropology, Asian studies, history, religious studies)
U.S. Minority Cultures. To attain an understanding of the values and
traditions of the diverse cultures of minority groups in the U.S.
Biological Sciences. To consider the structure and function of life
forms, their ecological or their evolutionary relationships, and their
importance to the human community. (Anthropology; biology; ecology,
ethology, and evolution; entomology; microbiology; physiology;
psychology)
Physical Sciences. To comprehend the major aspects of the physical
world and to become conversant with the nature of scientific
inquiry. (Astronomy, chemistry, geography, geology, physics)
Behavioral Sciences. To study individual human
behavior. (Psychology)
Mathematics. To study a substantial mathematical endeavor or to
explore the scientific and humanistic import of
mathematics. (Mathematics, computer science, statistics)
Students are urged to consult with their advisers regarding
the choice of courses to complement their programs and to meet
educational objectives. Some of the approved courses have
prerequisites.
NOTES:
| HOURS | REQUIREMENT | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|---|
| 4-6 | ENGLISH | Composition I: RHET 105, SPCOM 111, and SPCOM 112; or equivalent |
| 3 | Composition II: one course designated as meeting the campus Composition II requirements | |
| 0-16 | FOREIGN LANGUAGE | Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language is required. (Completion of four years of a single language in high school satisfies this requirement.) |
| 30 | GENERAL EDUCTION see footnote 2 | Ten courses (at least 30 hours)*, including at least five in Area I (generally subjects in the arts and social sciences) and at least five in Area ll (generally subjects related to the sciences) |
| Area I | ||
| Literature and the arts | 1-2 courses | |
| Historical and philosophical perspectives | 1-2 courses | |
| Social perspectives | 1-2 courses | |
| Non-Western cultures and traditions | 1 course | |
| U.S. Minority Cultures | 0-1 course | |
| Minimum of 5 courses | ||
| Area ll | ||
| Physical science | 1-2 courses | |
| Biological science | 1-2 courses | |
| Behavioral science | 1-2 courses | |
| Mathematics see footnote 3 | 1-2 courses | |
| Minimum of 5 courses | ||
| 40-60 | MAJOR | See the specific requirements of the majors. Normally, courses for the major must be chosen in consultation (normally) with the departmental adviser. A 3.0 grade-point average in the major is required for graduation. At least 12 advanced hours in the core for the major must be taken on this campus. |
| ADVANCED HOURS | The courses for the degree program must include at least 21 hours of courses designated as advanced (i.e., all 300-level courses and a few specially designated 200-level courses). | |
| Enough to total at least 120 hours | ELECTIVES | Courses freely chosen (and not counting toward completion of the requirements above) subject only to the restriction that no more than 24 hours may be outside LAS. |
| RESIDENCE | First 90 hours or last 30 hours on this campus. Last 60 hours at a 4-year school. At least 12 advanced hours in the core for the major must be taken on this campus. | |
| At least 120 hours | TOTAL FOR THE DEGREE | |
Each student in the sciences and letters curriculum is expected to
study a single discipline in some depth as well as obtain mastery of
any related course work necessary for careful study of the chosen
discipline. This portion of the student's program of study is called
the major.
The major consists of approximately 40 to 60 hours of course
work designated by the department and approved by the faculty of the
college. Most majors will have a portion of the required course work
in subjects relating to the major and supporting the major, but not
chosen from courses in the major department; this is called the
supporting course work. The major will have at least one-half of the
course work selected or designated from courses numbered 200 and
above.
There are forty majors from which students may choose, and a
number of them have multiple options within the major. A complete list
of the majors available can be found in the Degrees section.
The major
should be chosen no later than the junior year. Since most majors
require that the student choose courses in consultation with a faculty
adviser, students should plan to discuss the major with a faculty
adviser early in the junior year. In most cases, a student will be
expected to submit to the college a written list of courses for the
major (the major plan) during the junior year.
Since the major is a required portion of the sciences and
letters curriculum, students must take all course work for the minimum
requirements of the major for a traditional letter grade (or on the
satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis). The credit-no credit grading
option may not be used for courses in the major.
The satisfactory completion of a major requires not only the
completion of a stated amount of course work, but also that the
student earn at least a 3.0 average in courses for the major. In order
to graduate, a student should earn at least a 3.0 grade-point average
in all courses that are included in the major average and taken on
this campus and at least a 3.0 average in all courses that are
included in the major average and taken here and elsewhere. Consult
the department or the college office for a list of courses included in
the major average for a specific concentration.
Each student is expected to complete a minimum amount of
advanced course work for the major on this campus. Specifically, a
student normally completes on this campus at least 12 hours of
advanced core course work (course work within the department) in the
major.
A liberal arts program requires study in a number of areas (general
education requirements) and study in some depth. Thus, each student is
expected to complete a minimum portion of the undergraduate program in
courses that presume some prior knowledge of the discipline. A course
is considered advanced if it presumes such prior knowledge as
indicated by the faculty (specially designated 200-level courses), by
the course number (most courses numbered 300 or above), by the
prerequisites necessary for enrollment in the course, or by the
quality and depth of work expected of students in the course. All
students in the sciences and letters curriculum are expected to
complete at least 21 hours of courses designated as advanced by the
college in order to graduate. All such courses must be taken at
baccalaureate-granting institutions. Courses designated as advanced
are those courses numbered 300 or above and those 200-level courses
that are specially designated as advanced. A list of such advanced
200-level courses m ay be found in the LAS Student
Handbook.
Minors and Interdisciplinary Minors
The college offers a formal system of minors which may be completed
in conjunction with a major in the sciences and letters curriculum. A
minor is a coherent program of study (generally 18-24 hours) requiring
some depth in the subject, but is not as extensive as the
major. Requirements for minors (see Minors) are determined by the
department and approved by the college. Minors are optional. Students
do not have to complete a minor as part of their degree requirements,
though some majors may allow use of a minor in place of other
supporting course work.
The minor may be completed and noted only at the time of completion of a bachelor's degree in LAS (in the sciences and letters curriculum). While the minor does not replace other degree requirements, courses may be used both for the minor and to meet other degree requirements as appropriate. The student should notify LAS of intention to complete a minor at the beginning of the student's senior year so that its completion may be verified. A list of requirements for approved minors is available in the LAS Student Office, 270 Lincoln Hall.
There are several interdisciplinary areas in which there
currently are no formal degree programs, but in which scholarly needs
or employment demands require recognition. In these areas, the college
offers an interdisciplinary minor. The interdisciplinary minor differs
from the standard minor in that it may require attainment of a
predetermined and approved grade-point average in the courses for the
program and students are required to consult with an adviser regarding
selection of course work. The student should notify the unit of the
interdisciplinary minor at the beginning of the student's final
semester before graduation so that the completion of the
interdisciplinary minor may be verified; the college generally cannot
monitor completion of the interdisciplinary minor. Currently, the
interdisciplinary minors are those in African Studies, Afro-American
Studies, Latin American Studies, and Women's Studies.
Most liberal arts majors allow time in the student's program for a
number of courses chosen freely from among the University's
offerings. These courses, called electives, may be used to prepare for
professional study, to prepare for business and career opportunities,
or simply to explore additional interests. In addition to all courses
used to fulfill the minimum graduation requirements of the college
(rhetoric, foreign language, general education, and major), a student
following a major may use as electives:
-- Courses offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences;
-- Courses offered by departments and schools in other colleges of
the University that sponsor majors in LAS [art (excluding applied art
courses), computer science, economics, finance, music (excluding
applied music courses), or physics];
-- A maximum of 24 hours (to be counted toward graduation) of courses
not included in either of the above, that is, courses offered by
departments and schools in other colleges on campus. Examples of
courses in this category are accounting, business administration,
engineering, applied art courses, and applied music courses. As of
August 1994, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences is in the College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Undergraduate students of high academic standing (i.e., a 4.0 grade-point average or higher in courses taken beyond the sophomore level) within 10 semester hours of earning their bachelor's degrees may elect courses in the Graduate College for graduate credit with the consent of the dean of that college. Also, students with senior standing may petition the Graduate College for permission to elect graduate courses for undergraduate credit. Interested students should first consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 270 Lincoln Hall.
Students must satisfy the
University residence requirement
for graduation. They must complete on this campus, uninterrupted
by work elsewhere, either the first three years (at least 90 hours of
course work) or the last year (at least 30 hours). The hours must be
applicable toward the degree sought. In addition, all students must
earn 60 hours of course work at four-year (baccalaureate-granting)
institutions after any work at community colleges. Students in the
sciences and letters curriculum are expected to earn at least 12 hours
of credit in advanced courses in the core for the major on this campus
(see Advanced Hours Requirement, above).
A total of 120 semester hours acceptable toward the degree is
required for graduation in the sciences and letters curriculum.
Students should be aware that there are several specific
limitations on the amount of particular kinds of credit that may be
used in the 120 hours: no repeated courses; no more than 24 elective
hours outside the college, as discussed above; no more than 4 hours of
credit in basic kinesiology courses; no more than 11 hours of credit
in calculus and analytic geometry; no more than 12 hours of credit in
basic physics; no more than 15 hours of credit in 100-level life
science courses toward an SOLS major; no more than 9 hours of credit
in basic rhetoric courses; no more than 10 hours of first- and
second-year foreign language proficiency; no more than 24 hours of
credit in aviation courses (must be from the pilot training
curriculum); no more than 6 hours of credit in ROTC courses; no more
than 4 hours of credit in religious foundation courses; no more than
12 hours of credit in undergraduate open seminar (199 course); and no
more than 18 hours of credit in independent study and 199 courses. See
the LAS Student Handbook for details about the credit
limitations in each of these areas.
Students matriculating at some college or university in June
1989 or later may not use credit in algebra (MATH
112 or equivalent) toward a baccalaureate degree in the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences. In addition, students in the programs
requiring trigonometry for admission (e.g., the specialized curricula
in chemical engineering, chemistry, and physics) may not use credit in
trigonometry (MATH
114 or equivalent) toward an LAS degree. See the LAS
Student Handbook for further details.
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