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.
Biology	B.S.
Communication	B.A.
Chemistry	B.S.
Criminal Justice	B.A.
Dramatic Arts	B.A.; B.F.A.
English	B.A.
Foreign Languages and Literatures	B.A.
Geography	B.S.
Geology	B.S.
History	B.A.
International Studies	B.A.
Mathematics and Statistics	B.S.
Meteorology	B.S.
Music	B.M.
Philosophy	B.A.
Physics	B.S.
Political Science	B.A.
Psychology	B.A.
Social Work	B.S.W.
Sociology	B.A.
Visual Arts	B.A.; 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. Credits earned in the Developmental Studies Program or the Department of English as a Second Language (ESL) cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.

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. If a minor is required in the particular degree program, at least 9 (lower and/or upper-division) hours of courses in the minor must be completed at the University.

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.

Computing Proficiency

All undergraduate students must demonstrate basic computing skills prior to graduation from the University. This requirement may be satisfied by:

passing the Computer Proficiency Examination* (CPE),
or
passing CIS 150: Introduction to Computer Applications, or another approved computer skills course,
or
for students who are pursing a major leading to teacher certification: passing EDM 310: Microcomputing Systems in Education. The course is required for all teacher certification programs.

*The following students are required to take the Computer Proficiency Examination (CPE): (1) all students who plan to major in any program in the College of Arts and Sciences and (2) all students who plan to take CIS 250. Students not passing the CPE must complete CIS 150 (Introduction to Computer Applications) prior to enrolling in CIS 250.

In addition to new student orientation, the proficiency exam is administered four times during the semester. Times, dates, and location of the exams are found at http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/index.php/computer-proficiency-exam-registration.

Mathematics Placement Exam

Students will be placed in mathematics classes based on their Math-ACT scores as follows:

USA Math Credit

Pre-requisite Course/ACT

Grade/Score

Math-ACT or

Below 19

DS 082

Math Placement Test*

50-59

Math-ACT or

19-21

MTH 100

Math Placement Test*

60-69

MTH 100 or

MA 110

Math-ACT or

Math Placement Test*

70-79

MTH 100 or

MA 112

Math-ACT or

Math Placement Test*

70-79

MA 113

MA 112 or

Math-ACT or

Math Placement Test8

80-89

Math-ACT or

MA 115

Math Placement Test*

80-89

MA 112 or

MA 113 or

MA 120

MA 115 or

Math-ACT or

Math Placement Test*

80-89

MA 113 or

MA 115 or

MA 125

Math-ACT or

Math Placement Test*

90-100

*This is a new Math Placement test, effective Fall 2011. It replaces the old Math Placement test. Please note the revised scoring system.

Who does not have to take the mathematics placement test?

1) Students who have ACT score.

2) Students who receive transfer credit for mathematics courses at or above the level of MA 110. Please refer to the student transfer credit evaluation.

Who has to take the mathematics placement test?

1) Students who do not have ACT score.

2) Students who need course which have math pre-requisite of MA 112 or above but no transfer credit for those courses.

Contact the Department of Mathematics and Statistics (251-460-6264) for the Math placement test schedule. The test determines the most appropriate math course for which the student is qualified. A computer-based test will be given at the scheduled time in Instructional Laboratory Building (ILB room 245 or 405). The test will be proctored and no calculators or outside resources will be allowed.

Who might wish to take the mathematics placement test?

1) Students who have cjourse credit may take the exam to check their mastery of the material.

2) Students who disagree with the course placement as determined by ACT score.

Calculators and other outside resources are not permitted during this exam. Students should complete the exam at least 48 hours prior to coming to campus for orientation. If the exam is not taken, students will be blocked from registering for all mathematics courses. Questions concerning the Math Placement Exam should be directed to the Math/Statistics Department (ILB 325, (251) 460-6294).

CAS 100

First Year Experience

2 cr

A course for first-year students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences that assists with maximizing the student's potential to achieve academic success and to adjust responsibility to the individual and interpersonal challenges presented by college life. Taught in small groups, the course provides an introduction to the nature of higher education and a general orientation to the functions and resources of the University.

All first-time freshmen must successfully complete CAS 100: First Year Experience as a degree requirement. Students must enroll during their first term at USA, except for summer-entry students who must enroll in the fall semester following entry.

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 education requirements listed below, as well as completing the requirements for a major and minor field. All Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees within the College of Arts and Sciences require a minor with the exception of a B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literatures. 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. Two courses (6 semester hours) may count toward both the major and minor only after approval of the student's advisor, chair of the major department, chair of the minor department, and the dean.

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.), the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), and the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degrees are described in those sections of the Bulletin: Departments of Visual Arts (B.F.A.), Dramatic Arts (B.F.A.), Music (B.M.), Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work (B.S.W.)

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 or EH 105H


	Students may exempt the EH 101 requirement with an enhanced ACT English score of 27 or above; SAT score of 550 or above on the verbal portion. Students scoring a minimum of 50 on the CLEP English Examination may satisfy the EH 101 and EH 102 requirement. A score of 4 or higher in the Advanced Placement Program may satisfy the EH 101 requirement. NOTE: Credits earned in the Department of English as a Second Language or Developmental Studies will not be acceptable toward meeting writing competency requirements.

	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 five components listed below as A, B, C, D and E. 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 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 Literature component of the general education curriculum focuses on American, British, and World Literature. 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.	Oral Communication (3 HRS)
		CA 110

	B.	Foreign Language (6 HRS) One-year sequence; select from any one group:
		LG 101 and LG 102
		LG 111 and LG 112 or proficiency test or LG 113
		LG 131 and LG 132 or proficiency test or LG 134
		LG 151 and LG 152 or proficiency test or LG 153
		LG 171 and LG 172 or LG 173
		LGS 101 and LGS 102
		LGS 106 and LGS 107
		LGS 121 and LGS 122
		LGS 141 and LGS 142
		Students may fulfill the foreign language requirement by passing a proficiency test offered by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at the level equivalent to the second semester of the foreign language sequence, or by passing another test (e.g., AP (Advanced Placement) or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) at the equivalent level). Students who pass a proficiency test at the level equivalent to first semester of the foreign language sequence are required to complete only the second semester and will fulfill the foreign language requirement with 3 credit hours of course work.

		No more than 6 hours in any one discipline; this applies to sections C, D, and E.

	C.	Fine and Performing Arts Component (3 HRS)
		ARH 100, ARH 103, ARH 123, ARS 101, DRA 110, MUL 101

	D.	Literature Component (3 HRS)
		EH 215, EH 216, EH 225, EH 226, EH 235, EH 236
		Students must complete a six semester hour sequence either in literature or in history. Note that some majors specify the sequence, and the requirements of the major should be referred to before deciding upon either a literature or history sequence. The literature sequences are: EH 215 and EH 216 or EH 225 and EH 226 or EH 235 and EH 236.

	E.	Humanities and Fine Arts Component (6 HRS)
		AFR 101, AIS 105, ARH 100, ARH 103, ARH 123, ARS 101, ARS 121, ARS 123, ARS 124, DRA 110, EH 215, EH 216, EH 225, EH 226, EH 235, EH 236, LG 211, LG 212, 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, MUL 101, PHL 110, PHL 121, PHL 131, PHL 231, PHL 240.

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, MA 227, MA 237, MA 238

	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 132, GEO 101, GEO 102, GY 111, GY 112, PH 101, PH 104, PH 114 or PH 201, PH 115 or PH 202
		BLY 121 and BLY 122 are restricted to Arts and Sciences science majors, Allied Health science majors, Engineering majors, and Computer Science majors.
		Option B: Complete 2 courses from list above and ST 210 or a math course above MA 112 except MA 201 and MA 202

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. No more than six hours in any one discipline.
A.	History Component (3 HRS)
	HY 101, HY 102, HY 135, HY 136 Students must complete a six semester hour sequence either in literature or in history. Note that some majors specify the sequence, and the requirements of the major should be referred to before deciding upon either a literature or history sequence. The history sequences are: HY 101 and HY 102 or HY 135 and HY 136.

B.	History, Social & Behavioral Sciences Component (9 HRS)
	AIS 201, AN 100, AN 101, CA 100, CA 211, ECO 215, ECO 216, GEO 114, GEO 115, GS 101, HY 101, HY 102, HY 135, HY 136, IS 100, PSC 130, PSY 120, PSY 121, PSY 250, SY 109, SY 112.

MAJORS AND MINORS IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Undergraduate students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to have a major and a minor. The exceptions to the minor requirement are: students pursuing Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign Languages and Literatures, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, or a Bachelor of Music degree.

Requirements for a major are determined by the department and are listed under the departmental listing in this Bulletin. At least 15 hours of upper-division course work in the major 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.

Requirements for a minor are determined by the department and are published in this Bulletin. At least 9 hours of (lower and/or upper-division) course work in the minor must be satisfactorily completed in residence at the University of South Alabama.

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. Two courses (6 semester hours) may count toward both the major and minor only after approval of the student's advisor, chair of the major department, chair of the minor department, and the Dean.

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

Minors are also available in other colleges.

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, the Chair or Director of each major department or program and the Dean 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.

BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK

The requirements for the B.S.W. degree in social work are listed under the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work.

PROGRAMS IN OTHER COLLEGES AND DIVISIONS

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may elect to pursue a second major or a minor in other colleges and divisions of the University.

Students seeking dual degrees or second degrees must have a course of study approved in advance by the student's advisor, department Chair, and the Dean.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

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

For further information about these programs, contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, 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 a Master of Arts degree in Communication, English, History, or Sociology; a Master of Public Administration degree; a Master of Science degree in Biology, Marine Sciences, Mathematics, or Psychology; and to Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Marine Sciences and Clinical and Counseling Psychology.

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.