Mar 29, 2024  
2016 - 2017 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2016 - 2017 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Arts and Sciences


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Neva J. Specht, Interim Dean
Dru A. Henson, Associate Dean
Jennifer L. Burris, Associate Dean

Tracie M. Salinas, Director of Secondary Education and Engagement

The College of Arts and Sciences connects Appalachian State University to the tradition of the liberal arts. Faculty and staff in sixteen academic departments and three interdisciplinary programs spanning the Humanities, Mathematical, Natural and Social Sciences provide instruction and research essential to the University’s mission. The breadth and depth of learning provided by the College are necessary for productive citizenship in a free society.

The College of Arts and Sciences serves all undergraduate students through general education courses; it also offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, combining liberal arts and professional education, with a special commitment to teacher education. Through innovative instruction, creative and collaborative scholarship, and engagement in professional activities, the faculty and staff foster the development of knowledge and skills essential to continued learning, success in careers and the attainment of advanced degrees.

The College encourages study in diverse local, regional, national, and international communities and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning, and service among all of its constituents.

Departments/Programs

Anthropology 
Appalachian Studies Program 
Biology 
Chemistry 
Computer Science 
Cultural, Gender and Global Studies 
English 
Environmental Science Program 
Fermentation Sciences Program 
Geography and Planning 
Geology 
Government and Justice Studies 
History 
Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies 
Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
Mathematical Sciences 
Philosophy and Religion 
Physics and Astronomy 
Psychology 
Sociology 
Watauga Residential College 

NOTE: Although the requirements for most degree programs at Appalachian can be met within the minimum of 122 semester hours, the student should be aware that certain programs of study require additional hours. Students are advised to check with the department of their intended major early in their studies. Meeting graduation requirements is the student’s responsibility.

Watauga Residential College

The College of Arts and Sciences also contains the Watauga Residential College, a two-year residential program located in the Living Learning Center. The program is a distinctive, selective alternative general education program that fosters creativity and civic engagement through experiential, inquiry-based learning.

Degrees Offered

The College of Arts and Sciences offers the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degrees. In cooperation with the Reich College of Education, it offers the Bachelor of Science degree with teacher licensure in English, French, History, Mathematics, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics (leading to science education licensure).

To be admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must meet the following requirements to officially declare a major:

  1. Completion of at least 30 semester hours
  2. A grade-point average of at least 2.0
  3. Credit for R C 1000  or an equivalent course and credit for or current enrollment in UCO 1200  or an equivalent course

A student who is a candidate for teacher licensure must meet the specified requirements for admission to the Reich College of Education.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

To earn the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 122 semester hours (128 for biology) with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 and a minimum major grade-point average of 2.0
  2. Completion of general education requirements
  3. Completion of six semester hours of intermediate or higher level foreign language
  4. Completion of major requirements from one of the program areas listed below:
Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
English
French & Francophone Studies
Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
Geography
Geology
Global Studies
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
Mathematics
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Spanish

Specific requirements for each department major preface the list of courses offered by the department. A candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree may count no more than a total of 46 semester hours above general education requirements in any one discipline.

  1. Completion of a minor. Students seeking a minor in the Departments of Leadership and Educational Studies; or Reading Education and Special Education must receive prior permission from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
  2. Electives to complete 122 semester hours (128 for biology). A minimum of two semester hours of electives must be outside the major discipline.
  3. Completion of residency requirements
  4. Compliance with regulations concerning the settlement of all expense accounts

Meeting graduation requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Students pursuing the B.A. degree are advised to refer to the section in this Undergraduate Bulletin entitled “Credit Limitations” which apply to that particular degree.

A candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree may qualify for a teaching license by admission to professional education courses through the chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and by completing all academic and professional education requirements for licensure.

Bachelor of Science Degree (without teacher licensure)

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 122 semester hours (128 for biology) with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 and a minimum major grade-point average of 2.0
  2. Completion of the general education requirements.
  3. Completion of major requirements from one of the program areas listed below:
Anthropology
Biology
Chemistry
Community & Regional Planning
Computer Science
Environmental Science
Fermentation Sciences
Geography
Geology
History
Mathematicals
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology

Specific requirements for each department major preface the list of courses offered by the department.

  1. Electives to complete 122 semester hours. A minimum of two semester hours of electives must be outside the major discipline.
  2. Completion of residency requirements
  3. Compliance with regulations concerning the settlement of all expense accounts

Meeting graduation requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Bachelor of Science Degree (with teacher licensure)

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree with teacher licensure in the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 122 semester hours with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.7 and a minimum major grade-point average of 2.0
  2. Completion of the general education requirements
  3. Completion of major requirements from one of the program areas listed below:
Biology
  Chemistry History
  English Mathematicals
  French and Francophone Studies Physics
  Geology Spanish
  1. Admission to the Reich College of Education and completion of all professional education requirements
  2. Electives to complete the required number of hours (122-128) for the degree. A minimum of two semester hours of electives must be outside the major discipline.
  3. Completion of residency requirements
  4. Compliance with regulations concerning the settlement of all expense accounts

Meeting graduation requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Degree

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) degree, the student must meet the following requirements:

  1. Completion of at least 122 semester hours with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 and a minimum major grade-point average of 2.0
  2. Completion of general education requirements
  3. Completion of a major consisting of 61 semester hours as specified and STT 1810 . See the Department of Government and Justice Studies .
  4. Electives to complete 122 semester hours. A minimum of 2 hours of electives must be outside the major discipline.
  5. Completion of residency requirements
  6. Compliance with regulations concerning the settlement of all expense accounts

Meeting graduation requirements is the responsibility of the student.

Minors

The College of Arts and Sciences offers minors in the following program areas:

Africana Studies
Anthropology
Appalachian Music
Appalachian Studies
Arabic
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Chinese
Community & Regional Planning
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
English
Film Studies
French and Francophone Studies
Geography
Geology
Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
German
Gerontology
Girls’ Studies
Global Studies
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
Internet Studies
Japanese
Labor Studies
LGBT Studies
Mathematics
Non-Profit Management
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
TESL/Applied Linguistics

Certificates

The College of Arts and Sciences offers certificates in the following program areas:

Africana Studies
Forensic Science
Geographic Information Systems
Global Connections

Academic Advising

Academic advising for students in the College of Arts and Sciences is available in each of the departments in the college. Advising is required prior to registration for each semester and encouraged at other times. The College Advising and Support Services Hub (CASSH) of the Dean’s Office is located in room 100 of I.G. Greer Hall. The CASSH office works to develop appropriate support services for students with majors in the College and for faculty and staff who work with these studesnts. Undeclared students and studetns with majors in other Colleges are also provided with academic services related to classes offered within the College.

The CASSH office works closely with students and faculty in the College. CASSH staff certify graduation for students with majors in the College; provide graduation audits; assist students with special course processing, dropping and adding classes, overload requests, and student teaching certification; and provide academic information and advising support for students and faculty. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the services provided by this office beginning with their first semester in the College. More information can be found at: https://cas.appstate.edu/students

Although academic advising is provided for all student, the final responsibility for meeting requirements for graduation remains with the student. The CASSH staff send graduation audits to students via appstate email upon eligibility to apply or submission of application for graduation and encourages students to review this document throroughly.

Changing Majors/Minors

Students who wish to change, add, or delete a major, minor, or certificate program from the official record should obtain a Change of Program form from the College of the program to be changed. This form allows students to change majors, minors, or certificates; add additional majors, minors, or certificates; and delete majors, minors, or certificates. The form must be signed by the department chair for any addition of a major.

Grade-Point Average Requirements for Graduation

To graduate, a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 is required. A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 is also required in the major. Included in the calculation of the major grade-point average are all courses taken in the major department, all courses in the approved program of study/contract/concentration, and all cognate courses. Teacher licensure programs require a 2.7 GPA from admission into a teacher education program to program completion, and for admission to student teaching. A “C” is required in each progessional education course; however, the professional education courses are not included in the calculation of the major grade-point average.

Internship Programs

The internships offered in the College of Arts and Sciences provide students with opportunities to learn outside of the regular classroom and to formulate career plans based on their experiences. Student interns earn academic credit toward their degrees. Internships offer realistic on-the-job experience and personal contacts with employers.

Agency or industry personnel, in close cooperation with faculty in the student’s major department, provide internship instruction. The student’s career interests are considered in arranging internship assignments and placements. In many majors and career-oriented concentrations, an internship is required in the course of study; in others, the internship is available as an elective.

Students seeking further information and requirements should contact their major advisor or their departmental chair.

Preprofessional Programs

Appalachian State University provides students with preparation for professional training in other institutions. Some preprofessional programs (law, medicine, dentistry and theology) are four year programs and lead to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian; others (engineering, forestry, and pharmacy) are one or two year programs and prepare students for pursuit of a degree to be granted by the professional school. Whatever program students select, they are urged to consult professional school catalogs and to work closely with the appropriate advisors at Appalachian.

Law

Law schools require a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) but, in most cases, no specific selection of courses. Advisors can help students plan a curriculum most likely to prepare them for the study of law. Usually students do not specialize during a regular law school program, but are expected to establish a solid foundation of legal knowledge upon which they may build a special practice. Academic areas with materials especially relevant to the study of law are business, communication, criminal justice, economics, English, history, philosophy, political science, psychology and sociology. Pre-law students are encouraged to participate in the forensics program as part of their extracurricular activity. Advisor: Dr. Mariam Williams, Department of Government and Justice Studies.

Ministry and Theology

Most seminaries and schools of divinity require a bachelor’s degree, but in many cases they do not require specific course work. The best preparation for theological studies is to acquire a strong liberal arts education taking courses in religious studies and courses related to religious studies, history, and philosophy.

In working with their advisor at Appalachian, students can develop a curriculum suited to the seminary and speciality of their choice. Majors in Religious Studies and Philosophy, that include a program of study that seeks to understand the phenomenon of humanity from as many perspectives as possible, are highly recommended. Pre-theological students should be aware of the increasing variety of theology-related professions available to them.

Contact the Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion for further information.

Medicine and Dentistry

All medical and dental schools require at least three years of satisfactory undergraduate work and most give preference to candidates holding a bachelor’s degree. The catalog from the school selected should be consulted and an individual program designed with the help of an advisor to prepare the student for both specific admission requirements and the Medical College Admission Test. In general, solid work in the humanities plus a core of courses such as the following are recommended:

BIO 1801 , BIO 2001 , BIO 2400, BIO 2410 , BIO 3301 , BIO 3308 , BIO 3800 
CHE 1101 , CHE 1110  and CHE 1102 , CHE 1120 ; CHE 2201 , CHE 2203  and CHE 2202 , CHE 2204 ; CHE 4580 
MAT 1025 , MAT 1110 , MAT 1120 ; STT 2810 
PHY 1103 -PHY 1104  or PHY 1150 -PHY 1151 
PSY 1200  

Students should begin taking chemistry during the freshman year. Medical and dental schools will look at the overall quality of performance, not just achievement in science. Interested students should contact Ms. Celeste Crowe, Director of the Health Professions Advising Office.

Engineering

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers two separate pre-engineering programs and advises students interested in engineering. In addition, the Department offers dual-degree programs with Auburn University and Clemson University.

The North Carolina University System Pre-Engineering Program

The North Carolina System Pre-Engineering Program has been approved by the Subcommittee on Engineering Transfer for transfer to the engineering programs at North Carolina A & T State University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Pre-engineering students in this program take the following courses during their first year at Appalachian with the goal of transferring to an engineering school for their second and subsequent years:

MAT 1110 , MAT 1120 
PHY 1150 
CHE 1101 , CHE 1110 
C S 1440 
R C 1000  

Other recommended courses (certain of these may be required for some engineering disciplines) include:

PHY 1151 , PHY 2010 -PHY 2020 
CHE 1102 , CHE 1120 
ECO 2030 
R C 2001 
MAT 2130 , MAT 3130 
PHL 3600  

Students who plan to enter the pre-engineering program or who desire to develop a pre-engineering program for another university are strongly urged to consult with an advisor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Dual-degree Engineering Programs with Auburn University and Clemson University

Dual-degree programs are now offered in cooperation with Auburn University and Clemson University which permit students to attend Appalachian for three years and either Auburn or Clemson University for approximately two years. After finishing one of the programs, students will receive two degrees: a BS in Applied Physics from Appalachian and a BS from the engineering school.

Study during the first three years includes course work in mathematics and the sciences and also courses chosen to meet Appalachian’s general education requirements. These courses plus two semesters of courses taken at Auburn or Clemson will be counted towards fulfilling the requirements for a baccalaureate degree from Appalachian.

Upon completion of this dual-degree program, the graduate is awarded a baccalaureate degree from Appalachian and an engineering bachelor’s degree from either Auburn University or Clemson University.

Dual-degree candidates from Appalachian are eligible to seek a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in aerospace engineering, aviation management, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, textile chemistry, textile engineering and textile management.

Dual-degree candidates from Appalachian are eligible to seek a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in ceramic engineering, civil engineering, engineering analysis, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and mechanical engineering.

Double-degree Programs with North Carolina State University

A double-degree program is also in place with North Carolina State University in Material Science and Engineering which will lead to granting two degrees: a BS in Physics at Appalachian State University and a BS in Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University. The curriculum at Appalachian State university consists of 98-99 hours taken at Appalachian State University during a period of three years and a minimum of nine semester hours of General Education Courses and 15 hours of major courses that are transferred from North Carolina State University. The curriculum at North Carolina State University will consist of at least 126 hours consisting of at least 60 hours taken at North Carolina State University and additional hours transferred from courses taken at Appalachian State University. Interested students should meet with the double degree program director as early as possible to determine the particular courses to be taken at both Appalachian State University and at North Carolina State University.

For additional information, contact Dr. Michael Briley, Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Forest Resources

Students who are interested in forest resources can complete many of the prerequisite courses at Appalachian and then transfer to North Carolina State University or to another university offering the degree. Students should make early contact with schools in which they are interested to obtain the requirements for admission to a specific program or concentration. In general, students might expect to take the following courses (requirements vary depending upon the program):

R C 1000 , R C 2001 
MAT 1025 , MAT 1110 , MAT 1120 
CHE 1101 , CHE 1110  and CHE 1102 , CHE 1120 
BIO 1801  and/or BIO 2000 
PHY 1103 -PHY 1104 
COM 2101 
ECO 1010  or ECO 2040  PE (four hours)
Humanities and social sciences (12 hours)
Electives (six hours)

For additional information, contact Dr. Zack Murrell, Department of Biology.

Pharmacy

Students who wish to pursue a career in pharmacy may complete the pre-pharmacy requirements at Appalachian; students may then seek admission to a school of pharmacy (in North Carolina, four schools offer pharmacy degrees: Campbell University, UNC-Chapel Hill, High Point University and Wingate University). Each School of Pharmacy has its own specific requirements and a student considering pharmacy must make early contact with the Schools of Pharmacy in which they are interested to obtain current pre-pharmacy requirements for admission into their programs. In general the requirements of the traditional two-year pre-pharmacy program will normally include four courses in chemistry (including two semesters of organic chemistry), one or two courses in mathematics including calculus, two courses in biology (with at least one course beyond the introductory level), one or two courses in physics, and general education courses, including two English courses and a history course. (UNC-Chapel Hill also requires completion of three semesters of college-level foreign language).

The Director of the pre-health advising office maintains information on the requirements for various Schools of Pharmacy in the state and region, and the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) scores are requested by most pharmacy schools as part of the admission application. Because of the variety of course requirements, admission procedures and rigorous admission standards, early contact with the departmental pre-pharmacy advisor and the Director of the pre-health advising office is strongly recommended. Director of pre-health advising office: Ms. Celeste Crowe; Chemistry Department’s advisor: Dr. Claudia Cartaya-Marin.

Programs

    Minor

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