http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/
General Information
The College of Arts and Sciences consists of some 220 full-time faculty
members in the following departments, each offering work in specific undergraduate
degree programs: anthropology, biology, chemistry, criminology and criminal
justice, economics, English, foreign languages and literatures, history,
mathematics and computer science, philosophy, physics and astronomy,
political science, psychology, social work, and sociology.
Graduate study degree programs, administered through the Graduate School,
are also offered in the following departments
of the College of Arts and Sciences: biology, chemistry, criminology and
criminal justice, economics, English, history, mathematics and computer
science, physics and astronomy, philosophy, political science, psychology,
social work, and sociology. An interdisciplinary master's degree in public
policy administration is offered in cooperation with the College of Business
Administration. Specific degree requirements for both undergraduate and
graduate degree programs are described in the departmental sections which
follow this general information on the college.
Requirements for Undergraduate Study
In addition to the university general education requirements, all majors
in the College of Arts and Sciences must meet the following requirements:
To graduate, all majors in the college also must complete the following:
- Requirements of their chosen baccalaureate degree (i.e., B.A., B.S., BSW., etc.) in accordance with the policies of the College of Arts and Sciences, explained below.
- Requirements of the department for their selected major or interdisciplinary program.
Academic Policies
Grade Requirements
To graduate, all majors in the college must satisfy one of the following grade point options:
- Earn 120 graded hours with a C grade or better, which constitutes a complete degree program neither a grade of C- nor a satisfactory grade may be counted.
- Have a minimum UM-St. Louis campus grade point average of 2.0 and have met all other grade point restrictions for the degree or program.
Cultural Diversity Requirement
- To expand cultural awareness, all students are required to complete a course that emphasizes Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Pacific aboriginal, Native American, or a comparable culture. A list of courses which satisfy this requirement can be found in the Introductory section of this Bulletin.
Residency Requirements
Unless otherwise specified, a transfer student must complete 12 hours
of graded work at UM-St. Louis at the 2000 (100) level or above within
the minimum number of hours required for each major.
Unless otherwise specified, a transfer student must complete at least
six hours of graded work at UM-St. Louis at the 2000 level or above within
the minimum number of hours required for each minor. Students should consult
the minor department for specific residency and grade requirements.
Specific Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
After fulfilling the general education and specific major degree requirements,
students are to take the remaining hours required to complete the bachelor's
degree from courses (which the appropriate department has evaluated as
being of university-level quality) from one or more of the following areas
or their university-quality equivalents at other institutions: anthropology/
archaeology, art (appreciation, history, studio), astronomy, biology,
chemistry, communication, criminology and criminal justice, economics,
English, foreign languages/ literatures, geology, history, mathematics/computer
science, music (appreciation, history, performance), philosophy, physics,
political science, psychology, social work, sociology, business, education,
engineering, or interdisciplinary. Other areas or courses not listed require
approval by the chair of the student's department.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
All B.A. degree candidates must successfully complete a curriculum which
includes a departmental major or an approved interdisciplinary field.
A major must include at least 30 credit hours but no more than 45 hours.
The College offers the B.A. degree in anthropology, biology, chemistry,
economics, English, French, history, mathematics, philosophy, physics,
political science, psychology, sociology, and Spanish.
Foreign Language Requirement
Candidates for the B.A. degree are required to complete 13 credit hours
or the equivalent in proficiency in one foreign language. Foreign
language guidelines are as follows:
- Students entering with no high school language units must enroll in Language 1 or may enroll in the 115 series (see section 4).
- Students with the degree of proficiency equivalent to 13 hours of college-level work may obtain exemption by passing the department's placement exam. The specific dates for the exam are announced in the Schedule of Courses or may be obtained from the admissions office or the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
- Native speakers of language other than English may meet the foreign language requirement by presenting a transcript from a university or secondary school of their native country. The department will certify native speakers of those languages which are taught at the university. Those who are proficient in other languages must submit certification of competence to the college.
- Language 2115 A, B, C (Intensive) will satisfy the foreign language requirement.
- Students may not repeat, for either credit or quality points, an elementary course if they have already completed a higher-level course for which the elementary course, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite.
Bachelor of Science
(B.S.)
The College
offers the B.S. degree in mathematics, biology, chemistry, biochemistry,
computer science, criminology and criminal justice, economics, physics
(with emphasis in applied physics, astrophysics, engineering physics,
or medical physics), and sociology. The requirements are generally the
same as for the B.A. degree with the following exceptions:
- More credit hours in the major discipline may be counted toward satisfying the 120 hours needed for graduation. See departmental degree requirements for information.
- Not all departments require foreign language proficiency. See departmental degree requirements for information.
Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Administration
(B.S.P.A.)
The B.S.P.A. degree program is administered through the Political Science
Department and offers two emphasis areas. Public Administration emphasizes
management in the public and nonprofit sectors. Public Policy allows focus
on a particular policy area with attention to analytic training and research
skills..
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) The Department of Social Work offers the B.S.W. degree, stressing the scientific and applied aspects of social work.
Minors
A number of minors are available at UM-St. Louis. Some are offered by
individual departments, while others, such as Classical Studies and Black
Studies, are interdisciplinary in nature and involve a number of departments.
The requirements for the various minors are listed in either the departmental
or interdisciplinary sections of this Bulletin.
Special Programs
Certificate Programs
Graduate and undergraduate certificate programs are offered in biochemistry,
biotechnology, gerontology, studies in religions,
trauma studies, tropical and conservation biology, nonprofit organization
management and leadership, women's and gender studies, and writing.
International Studies Certificate
In cooperation with the Center for International Studies and other Colleges,
the College offers certificate programs in Africana, East Asian, European,
Greek, international, and Latin American studies. The College also cooperates
in offering the International Business Certificate.
Departmental Honors
Majors in the following departments may pursue departmental honors: biology,
chemistry, economics, English, foreign languages and literatures, history,
and political science.
Cooperative Education and Internship Programs
Cooperative education and internship programs are available for students
seeking career-related employment while enrolled in school. These programs
afford Arts and Sciences students an opportunity to gain practical experience
and earn a substantial income. Co-ops and internships are administered
through Career Services, 278 Millennium Student Center.
College of Arts and Sciences Extension
Credit courses are offered at off-campus locations through the continuing
education branch of the College of Arts and Sciences. These courses are
open to UM-St. Louis students and qualify for regular academic credit
toward degrees in the college. In addition, noncredit courses are offered
in a range of disciplines within the college.