Bachelor of Science Degree

College of Arts and Sciences

A bachelor of science degree is only available in biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, microbiology, neuroscience, physics, psychology, or statistics. Students also completes a minor area of specialization as outlined below.

Each student must complete the degree requirements listed below. We recommend that every student focus on introductory courses in the major, General Studies Writing, and BG Perspective Quantitative Literacy in the first semester. When possible, students should select first-year major courses that also fulfill BG Perspective requirements. Students will generally complete the Arts & Sciences Quantitative Literacy requirement (Calculus) by the fall term of the second year. When possible, students should make initial progress toward completing the Arts & Sciences Multidisciplinary Component or Foreign Language requirement during the second year as well. It is expected that BS degree students make substantial progress on the Arts & Sciences requirements during the third year.

(University degree requirements and the BG Perspective curriculum are explained elsewhere in the catalog.)

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Foreign Language. Each student is required to demonstrate proficiency in a language area by one of the options listed below:

  1. Graduating from a high school where all instruction was conducted in a language other than English;
  2. Demonstrating proficiency in the language on the 2020 course level;
  3. Having completed four years of one language in high school (student must have completed the fourth full year, for example, Spanish IV, and received credit for these courses);
  4. Having completed one of the departmental options listed below (12-14 hours minimum in the same language area, or fewer by advanced placement and high school experience).
German, Russian, and East Asian Languages (Chinese, Japanese)
  • GERM 1010, 1020, plus six additional hours from: GERM 1170, 1180, 2010, 2020, 2170, 2180, 2310, 3310 and/or GERM 2000, 2150, 2160, 2600, 3600, and 4150;
  • CHIN 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020;
  • JAPN 1010, 1020, plus six additional hours from: JAPN 2010, 2020, 2150, and/or 2160, 3120, and 4150;
  • RUSN 1010, 1020, plus six additional hours from RUSN; 2010, 2020, and/or 2150, 2160, 3120, 3130, 3160, and 4150;
  • ARAB 1010, 1020, 2010, and 2020.
Romance and Classical Studies (French, Greek, Italian, Latin, Spanish)
  • FREN 1010, 1020, 2010, and either 2020 or 2120;
  • GRK 1010, 1020, plus six additional hours from: GRK 2010, 2020, and/or CLCV 2410, 2420;
  • ITAL 1010, 1020, 2010, 2020;
  • LAT 1010, 1020, plus six additional hours from: LAT 2010, 2020, and/or CLCV 2410, 2420;
  • SPAN 1010, 1020, 2010, and either 2020, 2030 or 2120.
American Sign Language
  • EDIS 3240, 3250, 3260, 3270
Completion of 2020 or comparable proficiency is required for admission to 3000-level language skills courses. Credit toward a degree is not granted for foreign language courses that duplicate more than two units of high school study.
 
Arts & Sciences Multidisciplinary Component. The Arts & Sciences Multidisciplinary Component is grounded in the conviction that acquiring proficiency in multiple modes of thought and communication, referred to as habits of mind, is the defining characteristic of a liberal arts education. This four-course component will enhance student's ability to see things from multiple perspectives, conceptualize problems in both quantitative and verbal terms, solve problems both analytically and creatively, and communicate effectively both within and across cultural boundaries.
 
As a college anchored in the tradition of liberal arts and sciences, we believe that acquiring multiple habits of mind is valuable both in its own right and as a way to promote lifelong learning. As the largest college in a comprehensive regional institution serving the state and nation, we also believe that the imagination, awareness, analytical acumen, and precision of expression fostered by a 21st-century arts and sciences degree program are crucial to success in the global age, regardless of one's professional path.
 
Students will work closely with their college advisers and faculty mentors to maximize the potential of the Arts & Sciences Multidisciplinary Component. The four courses selected for this component may be closely related to the major, sample the diverse domains of the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, or be interdisciplinary in nature. Each course must have a different prefix, and at least two courses must be at the 3000- or 4000-level. Additionally, courses applied to the Arts & Sciences Multidisciplinary Component may not be used to fulfill major, minor, or BGP requirements. A list of eligible courses is printed in the College or Arts & Sciences Handbook and tracked by the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS).
 
Lab Science. One course. If approved for BGP, this course may also count in the appropriate BGP domain. It may fulfill a major requirement as well.
 
Arts and Sciences Quantitative Literacy Component. The A&S QL component enables students to establish the critical quantitative competence expected of science students and professionals. Option 1: MATH 1310 (5 hrs). Option 2: MATH 1340 & 1350 (6 hrs). The QL component may be used to fulfill a major and/or BG Perspective requirement as well. 
 
Bachelor of Science: major and minor. The number of hours required for a major or minor varies with departmental requirements but is at least 32 hours in the major and 20 hours in the minor, except as indicated below. Courses taken for majors or minors may not be taken "S/U." In arranging courses in the minor field, a student should consult the department concerned.
 
If educational objectives cannot be met by one of the departmental majors or minors, the student may create an Individualized Planned Program in consultation with a faculty advisor or advisers. A student who has earned at least 30 hours of credit and who needs at least 30 hours to complete the program may petition the College for an Individualized Planned Program by presenting a statement of rationale as well as a detailed list of courses to be taken. Once the program is approved, the student is obligated to complete it as planned, unless changes are approved by the Office of the Dean. The A&S degree requirements remain the same. 

Updated: 12/01/2017 10:34PM