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Degree Requirements

The College awards three basic degrees, the Bachelor of Arts (AB), the Bachelor of Science (BS), and the Bachelor in General Studies (BGS).

The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees require competent use of the modes of thought which characterize each major area of knowledge, and a deep understanding of at least one subject area. Each student is required also to achieve competency in the use of the English language, to acquire second-year college-level proficiency in a language other than English, must receive credit for an approved course addressing questions on race and ethnicity, and must fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement. Beyond these general requirements, which serve not to limit but rather to enhance the value of the educational experience, students are free to choose elective courses to complete a minimum of 120 credits. The difference between the AB and BS degree is that the BS degree requires 60 credits of approved courses in the physical and natural sciences and/or mathematics.

The Bachelor in General Studies degree encourages students to take responsibility for structuring their own multidisciplinary academic program within guidelines emphasizing upper-level courses elected in three or more departments. This degree also requires a minimum of 120 credits, and includes the College English Composition requirement, the Race & Ethnicity requirement, and the Quantitative Reasoning requirement.

Common Requirements for the AB, BS, and BGS Degrees

Credits and Grade Point Average

A student must complete a minimum 120 credits with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) or better.

English Composition Requirements

Part I. Introductory Composition. The introductory composition course or sequence of courses is most often taken during the first year. Entering students will submit a writing portfolio to be evalu
ated by the English Composition Board. Based on that evaluation, students will be placed in the appropriate composition course.

Part II. The Junior/Senior Writing Requirement. All LS&A students must complete an approved writing course during their junior or senior year. These are courses offered within the various fields and disciplines of the College. Students often choose to meet this requirement within their chosen field of concentration.

Race & Ethnicity Requirement

Students choose one course from a list of approved courses that cover issues relating to race and ethnicity, racial and ethnic intolerance and inequality. The goal is to prepare students to live and work in a multi-ethnic, multi-racial environment.

Quantitative Reasoning Requirement

Students are required to take one or two courses from an approved list which focus on the methodology of quantitative analysis. The goal is to ensure that students achieve a level of proficiency in using and analyzing quantitative information.

Requirements Particular to the AB and BS Degrees

The Language Requirement

College requirements include fourthterm proficiency in a language other than English. Students whose native language is not English use their acquisition of English to satisfy this requirement. Your academic advisor will help you attend to the administrative details necessary to record the completion of the language requirement on your transcript.

Area Distribution

Students must complete 30 credits outside of their field of concentration distributed over the following five categories: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Mathematical and Symbolic Analysis, and Creative Expression. Through this requirement the student gains an understanding and appreciation of the major areas of learning and a coherent view of
essential concepts, structures, and intellectual methods which typify these disciplines.

Concentration

The concentration requirement provides the opportunity for a student to pursue a thorough investigation of a particular subject or discipline. Course requirements of concentrations offered vary from 24 to 48 credits. In addition to the concentration plans offered, a student has the option to develop his or her own Individual Concentration Plan (ICP).

Requirements Particular to the BGS Degree

General LS&A Requirements

The BGS degree requires a minimum of 120 credits; the College English Composition courses; a Race & Ethnicity course; and a Quantitative Reasoning course or courses.

Upper-Level Coursework Requirement

A minimum number of 60 credits numbered 300 or above must be completed, with no more than 20 credits in any one department.

Non-LS&A Coursework

To qualify for a degree a student must complete a program of study which includes primarily coursework from the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts or equivalent LS&A transfer credit.

Candidates for the AB or BS degree must complete a minimum of 108 credits of LS&A courses, thus allowing 12 credits of non LS&A coursework in the 120 required for the degree.

Candidates for a BGS degree must complete a minimum of 100 credits of LS&A courses, thus allowing 20 credits of non-LS&A coursework in the 120 required for the degree.