College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences is the intellectual center of the University of South Alabama and is the foundation for establishing and building the quality of the University’s academic programs. In the College of Arts and Sciences, students receive broad exposure to all areas of academic inquiry, as well as in-depth knowledge in their chosen field of study. The College provides every undergraduate student at the University, regardless of major, with the fundamentals of a liberal arts education to enhance students’ knowledge and create an atmosphere in which students develop their own critical thinking, communication skills, and the tools with which to carry out independent inquiry. Such an education promotes a heightened sense of intellectual curiosity, an appreciation of the values and accomplishments of the sciences, arts and humanities, and a sense of awareness and responsibility for the well-being of their society.

In achieving these educational goals, the College of Arts and Sciences will:

• offer a full range of subjects in the humanities, fine arts, social sciences,

mathematics, and the natural sciences

• encourage breadth of learning and training in the fundamentals of scholarship

• create and apply knowledge in the arts and sciences through dedicated

research, teaching, scholarship, and creative works

• maintain a community of teachers and scholars devoted to the preservation and

discovery of knowledge and its transmission to students and to the public

• encourage and support the application of knowledge in service to the University,

the Mobile metropolitan area, and the wider society

• emphasize the regional uniqueness of southwest Alabama, including its cultural

heritage, its natural environment, and its strategic location as a port city

on the Gulf of Mexico

• prepare students to participate in the larger world beyond the region by giving

them an awareness of the complexity of global issues and contexts

• prepare students for meaningful and productive careers and contribute to the

development of an educated work force responsive to the needs of the region

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The College of Arts and Sciences offers the following undergraduate degrees:

Anthropology	B.A.
Biological Sciences	B.S.
Communication	B.A.
Chemistry	B.S.
Criminal Justice	B.A.
Dramatic Arts	B.A.; B.F.A.
English	B.A.
Foreign Languages (French, German, Russian, Spanish)	B.A.
Geography	B.S.
Geology	B.S.
History	B.A.
International Studies	B.A.
Mathematics	B.S.
Meteorology	B.S.
Music	B.M.
Personalized Studies	B.A.; B.S.
Philosophy	B.A.
Physics	B.S.
Political Science	B.A.
Psychology	B.A.
Social Work	B.S.W.
Sociology	B.A.
Statistics	B.S.
Visual Arts	B.F.A.

Options exist for students to earn dual degrees, double majors, or complete more than one minor. Students interested in these options should contact the Dean’s Office or Registrar’s Office for details.

Degree requirements are to be satisfied with Arts and Sciences courses unless otherwise specified. Upper division (300 level or greater) courses in other colleges may be taken for elective credit, only after approval of the student’s advisor, chair, and the dean.

At least 32 hours of course work must be at the upper division level in order to fulfill the University’s residency requirement. At least 15 of the 32 upper-division hours must be in the major or concentration area.

An overall grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for graduation. In addition, a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in the student’s major or concentration area.

BACHELOR OF ARTS AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

A minimum of 128 hours in prescribed and elective courses is required for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Candidates for these degrees must meet the general requirements listed below, as well as completing the requirements for a major and minor field. All degrees within the College of Arts and Sciences require a minor with the exception of a B.A. in Foreign Languages and the B.F.A. in music, art, or drama. Requirements for a major or minor are listed under the departmental headings. A student may count no more than 50 hours in a single discipline toward a degree, and no more than eight hours of directed study toward a degree. The same course cannot be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 128 hours is required for all bachelors degrees awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences. Candidates for all bachelors degrees must complete the requirements of the general education curriculum, which encompasses four major areas of study:

I. Written Composition

II. Humanities and Fine Arts

III . Natural Sciences and Mathematics

IV. History, Social and Behavioral Sciences

The student should work with an academic advisor to plan his or her course of study in each of these four areas of the general education curriculum. The courses should be planned with an emphasis placed on continuity of information and compatibility with the student’s major field(s) of study.

The following section lists the specific general education requirements for each of these four areas. The requirements described below apply to all Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees awarded in the College. The general education requirements that apply to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degrees are described in those sections of the Bulletin: Departments of Visual Arts (B.F.A.), Dramatic Arts (B.F.A.), and Music (B.M.).

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

I. Written Composition (6 HRS)

The written composition component of the general education curriculum is based upon the fundamental literacy in written English. The basic skills for this component are competence in university-level English composition, which includes writing well-organized, effective essays and research papers.

EH 101

EH 102


	All undergraduates must complete two designated writing credit (W) courses, at least one of which must be in the student's major or minor.

II. Humanities and Fine Arts (Total of 21 HRS)

The Humanities and Fine and Performing Arts requirements have four components listed below as A, B, C, and D. The Fine and Performing Arts component of the general education curriculum addresses the creative and aesthetic needs of individuals, helping them to achieve an appreciation of art, music, and the dramatic arts. The oral communication component addresses the development of skills in the oral communication of English. The Foreign Language component emphasizes an introductory level of proficiency in a foreign language. The Humanities component of the general education curriculum focuses on the fundamental ideas, philosophy, and values of civilization. Humanities disciplines include African-American Studies, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Philosophy.

	A.	Fine and Performing Arts Component (At least 3 HRS, but no more than 9 HRS)
		ARH 100, ARH 103, ARH 123, ARH 240, ARH 242, ARS 101, DRA 110, MUL 101

	B.	Oral Communication (3 HRS)
		CA 110

	C.	Foreign Language (6 HRS) One-year sequence; select from any one group:
		LG 101 and LG 102 or LG 024
		LG 111 and LG 112 or LG 021 or LG 113
		LG 131 and LG 132 or LG 023 or LG 134
		LG 151 and LG 152 or LG 022 or LG 153
		LG 171 and LG 172 or LG 173
		LG 190 or LG 290
		LGS 101 and LGS 102
		LGS 106 and LGS 107
		LGS 121 and LGS 122
		LGS 141 and LGS 142
		LGS 190 or LGS 290

	D.	Humanities Component (9 HRS Total. No more than 6 HRS in one discipline)
		One literature course is required (3 HRS). Choose from EH 215, EH 216, EH 225, EH 226, EH 235, EH 236. Two additional courses from Group 1 or Group 2 (6 HRS). Group 1: EH 215, EH 216, EH 225, EH 226, EH 235, EH 236, AFR 101, LG 205, LG 211, LG 212, LG 213, LG 231, LG 232, LG 251, LG 252, LG 271, LG 272, LGS 201, LGS 202, LGS 206, LGS 207, LGS 221, LGS 222, LGS 241, LGS 242, LGS 290, PHL 110, PHL 121, PHL 131, PHL 231, PHL 240 Group 2: ARH 100, ARH 103, ARH 123, ARH 240, ARH 242, ARS 101, DRA 110, MUL 101, ARS 121, ARS 123, ARS 124, ARS 241, ARS 281, DRA 100, DRA 101, DRA 102, DRA 120, DRA 121, DRA 130, DRA 131, DRA 132, DRA 220, DRA 221, DRA 240, DRA 250, MUA 101-MUA 300, MUB 101-MUB 300, MUE 102, MUE 103, MUE 202, MUE 203, MUL 201, MUO 111-MUO 125.

III. The Natural Sciences and Mathematics (14 HRS)

	The natural sciences, mathematical, and statistical component of the general education curriculum focuses on the experience of science as a rational search for understanding the natural world, and the appreciation of mathematics and statistics as valuable tools for everyday life and as intrinsically important ways of thinking.
	A.	Mathematics
		Select one course:
		MA 110, MA 112, MA 113, MA 115, MA 120, MA 125, MA 126

	B.	Natural Sciences
		Complete either option A or option B below:
		Option A: Complete 3 courses with labs.
		AN 210, BLY 101 or BLY 121, BLY 102 or BLY 122, CH 101, CH 103, CH 131 or CH 141, CH 132 or CH 141, GEO 101, GEO 102, GY 111, GY 112, PH 101, PH 104, PH 114 or PH 201, PH 115 or PH 202
		Option B: Complete 2 courses from list above and ST 210 or a math course above MA 112 except MA 201 and MA 202

	C.	Computer Technology Requirement
		All undergraduate students must demonstrate basic computer skills prior to graduation. This requirement may be satisfied by:

		1.	Passing the Computer Proficiency Examination* (CPE),
			or
		2.	Passing CIS 150: Introduction to Computer Applications, or another CIS course specified by the major,
			or
		3.	For students who are perusing a major leading to teacher certification: Pass EDM 310: Microcomputing Systems in Education. The course is required for all teacher certification programs.

			*Freshman and transfer students will take the CPE during New Student Orientation. Students who fail the CPE may repeat the exam one time. Those who fail the CPE two times must comply with either #2 or #3 above. Students are advised to complete the computer competence requirement in their freshman years since computing skills are used in most courses.

IV. History, Social & Behavioral Sciences* (12 HRS)

	This component of the general education curriculum focuses upon developing an appreciation of the study of human behavior and its consequences, including the structure and functioning of institutions and the history of cultures. Disciplines include Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, International Studies, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.
	Select courses from at least 2 disciplines and a minimum of 3 hours History required. AN 100, AN 101, ECO 215, ECO 216, GEO 114, GEO 115, HY 101, HY 102, HY 135, HY 136, IS 100, PSC 130, PSY 120, PSY 250, SY 109, SY 112
	*Sequence Requirement
	As part of either area II (Humanities) or Area III (History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences), the student must take a 2 course sequence in either Literature (Area II) or History (Area III). The student must choose one of these sequence options:

	EH 215 and EH 216
	EH 225 and EH 226
	EH 235 and EH 236
	HY 101 and HY 102
	HY 135 and HY 136

MAJORS AND MINORS IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Requirements for a major are determined by the department and are listed under the departmental listing in this Bulletin. At least 15 hours of course work chosen from the major and numbered 300 or above must be satisfactorily completed in residence at the University of South Alabama. Courses are chosen in consultation with departmental advisors. Substitutions for stated requirements must be approved by the Chair of the department and the Dean of the college.

Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to have a major and a minor. The exceptions to this requirement are students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music, Drama, or Art, or a major in a Foreign Language. Requirements for a minor are determined by the department and published in this bulletin.

Students may not choose a major and a minor in the same department unless they are clearly separate disciplines that fall administratively under a single department and have been approved by the Dean. The same courses cannot be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements.

Minors available to Arts and Sciences students include: Anthropology, Art, Art History, Biological Sciences, Communication, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Dramatic Arts, English, Foreign Languages, Geography, Geology, History, Interdisciplinary Studies (African-American Studies, Gender Studies, Gerontology), International Studies, Mathematics, Meteorology, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Related Sciences, Sociology, and Statistics.

Minors are available in other colleges. See section below on Programs In Other Colleges and Divisions.

DOUBLE MAJOR

Undergraduate students may elect to fulfill the requirements for two majors simultaneously. To do so, the student must declare a primary major and a second major on the Declaration of Major form that is filed with the Registrar’s Office. The student’s academic file will be maintained in the department of the primary major. Students who complete the requirements for a second major are not required to complete a minor.

Students may count related courses from one major toward the fulfillment of the requirements for the other major, provided that the total number of credit hours counted toward both majors does not exceed twelve. Written permission of the student’s academic advisors and the Chair or Director of each major department or program is required for all courses double-counted.

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN STUDIO ART

The degree requirements and admission requirements to the B.F.A. program in studio art are listed under the Department of Visual Arts.

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN THEATRE ART

The requirements for the B.F.A. degree in theatre arts are listed under the Department of Dramatic Arts.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

The requirements for the B.M. degree in performance and music education are listed under the Department of Music.

PROGRAMS IN OTHER COLLEGES AND DIVISIONS

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may elect to pursue two majors and several minor fields of study in other colleges and divisions of the University. Those programs available to them are: a minor in General Business or Economics through the Mitchell College of Business; a minor in Computer and Information Sciences; a minor in Leisure Services through the College of Education; and a minor in Biomedical Sciences through the College of Allied Health Professions. For details of these programs, see the appropriate sections of this Bulletin.

Students seeking dual degrees or second degrees must have a course of study approved in advance.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

The College participates in a number of international programs: summer sessions in England, France, Greece, and Mexico; student exchange programs and seminars in France, Germany and Russia; as well as the International University Consortium.

For further information about these programs, contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, or the Office of International Programs in the School of Continuing Education.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION FOR ARTS AND SCIENCES STUDENTS

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may participate in the program leading to teacher certification in middle and high school education.

See College of Education for Teacher Certification Requirements.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may participate in the Cooperative Education Program, which is described in a later section of the Bulletin. For further information, write to the Director, Career Services Center, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002.

GRADUATE STUDIES

The College of Arts and Sciences offers programs leading to the Master of Arts in Communication, English, History, and Sociology; to the Master of Public Administration degree; to the Master of Science degree in Biology, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, and Psychology; and to the Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Sciences.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Each applicant to a graduate program must meet the general Graduate School standards stated in the Graduate School Admission Requirements and Procedures. Individual programs may have additional requirements for admission and may be restricted because of capacity limitations. Consult departmental descriptions for additional information.