Undergraduate Bulletin
Table of Contents 2003-2005

Philosophy

The College of Letters and Science is the liberal arts college at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. It is the largest and most varied academic unit in the University with more than 325 faculty offering courses in 36 different majors as well as in general education.

The philosophy of the College is that a liberal arts education transcends preparation for specific careers. A liberal arts education prepares students to be responsible citizens who understand and contribute to the changing world in which they live. It exposes students to a broad spectrum of knowledge about the human experience and the natural world, from contemporary science to literature, music and art. It enhances the skills of communication and critical thinking. It challenges students to appreciate their cultural heritage, to be sensitive to diverse traditions and opinions and to value truth. It encourages students to develop a lifelong commitment to inquiry. In sum, a liberal arts education develops the whole person who values knowledge for its own sake as well as for the achievement of narrower objectives.

The general education program of the University offered within the College consists of courses designed to provide the knowledge, insights, and skills common to all educated persons. These courses stress skills in critical thinking and communicating and introduce students to the humanities, fine and performing arts, natural sciences and social sciences. Normally, students complete the 42-unit (cr.) general education program during their first and second years.

Majors and minors offered in the College provide a broad range of choice for students. Majors are selected by students not only because they prepare students for careers, but also because they encourage students to be active, inquiring, adaptive and sensitive people throughout their lives. Students are challenged by a nationally recognized faculty committed to excellence in teaching, research and service.

In addition to their major, students also select the degree they wish to obtain. Students who select the Bachelor of Arts degree study a foreign language in addition to the general education program and the major. Students who select the

Bachelor of Science degree take more courses in natural science and mathematics. Students majoring in Art, Music, or Social Work receive degrees specific to the major.

Degrees

The College of Letters and Science offers the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Science (BS), and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Requirements for other degrees are found in the descriptions of specific majors that follow.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)

Foreign Languages:
A minimum of 14 university-level units (crs.) of one foreign language must be completed by students without previous foreign language preparation. For students with a foreign language background, a portion of this requirement may be awarded through advanced placement. See the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for details.

Humanities:
At least 12 units (crs.) must be taken from the Humanities area. Of these units (crs.), at least one course must be taken from each of the following areas: 1) Art, Drama, Music; 2) Literature; and 3) Philosophy, Religious Studies.

Social Science:
12 credits required, including 3 credits of history, plus 9 additional credits from the Minimum University Requirement list for Social Science, with coursework coming from at least two departments/programs.

A Social Science course taken to satisfy Non-Western culture or Ethnic Studies requirements can also be counted toward the Social Science requirement.

Speech Communication:
Fundamentals of Speech Communications Communication 111 or its equivalent must be completed. (See the Department of Communication.)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS)

Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science/Logic:
A minimum of 8 units (crs.) or equivalent competency is required. A minimum of 5 units (crs.) in Mathematics must be earned in Mathematics 108; or in the two-course sequence of Mathematics 104 and Mathematics 106; or a University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Mathematics Placement Exam must certify that an equivalent competency level has been achieved. In addition, a minimum of 3 units (crs.) must be earned in one of the following course areas: 1) Calculus; 2) Statistics; 3) Computer Science; or 4) Symbolic Logic. The approved course list for each of these four areas is as follows:

• Calculus: Mathematics 171, 206
• Statistics: Mathematics 201, 301, Economics 210, Psychology 203, Sociology 281
• Computer Science: Computer Science 141, 142, 143, 221
• Symbolic Logic: Philosophy 202

Humanities:
At least 12 units (crs.) must be taken from the Humanities area. Of these units (crs.), at least one course must be taken from each of the following areas; 1) Art, Drama, Music; 2) Literature; and 3) Philosophy, Religious Studies.

Social Science:
12 credits required, including 3 credits of History, plus 9 additional credits from the Minimum University Requirement list for Social Science, with coursework coming from at least two departments/programs.

A Social Science course taken to satisfy Non-Western culture or Ethnic Studies requirements can also be counted toward the Social Science requirement.

Speech Communication:
Either Fundamentals of Speech Communication, Communication 111 or its equivalent (see the Department of Communication).

Natural Science:
Four courses are required:
two must be from laboratory science courses from one of the following departments: Biology/Microbiology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, and Physics/Astronomy.   The first course must be the prerequisites for the second.
A third course must be a laboratory science course from a department other then the one offering the two courses above.   The fourth course must be either: a) a course for which the third course is a prerequisite, OR b) a laboratory science course from a third department, OR c) a course from those listed under the B.S. Math Requirement.   This course must be in a different department/program than the one taken to fulfill the math requirement.

1. THE MAJOR(S)
   • The College offers majors in the following subject areas:
     • Anthropology
     • Art
     • Athletic Training
     • Biology
     • Chemistry
     • Communication
     • Computer Science
     • Criminal Justice
     • Economics
     • English
     • Environmental Studies
     • Fine Arts
     • Foreign Languages:
       • French
       • German
       • Spanish
       • Geography
       • Geology
       • History
       • Individually Planned
       • International Studies
       • Journalism
       • Mathematics
       • Medical Technology
       • Microbiology
       • Music
       • Music Therapy
       • Philosophy
       • Physical Education Physics
       • Political Science
       • Psychology
       • Radio/TV/Film
       • Religious Studies
       • Social Work
       • Sociology
       • Theatre
       • Urban and Regional Studies
2. THE MINORS
   • The College offers minors in the following subject areas:
     • African American Studies
     • Anthropology
     • Art
     • Biology
     • Chemistry
     • Coaching
     • Communication
     • Computer Science
     • Criminal Justice
     • Economics
     • English
     • Environmental Studies
     • Foreign Language:
       • French
       • German
       • Spanish
     • Geography
     • Geology
     • Health Education
     • History
     • International Studies:
       • African Studies
       • Asian Studies
       • European Studies
       • Latin American Studies
     • Japanese Language and Culture
     • Journalism
     • Mathematics:
       • Operations Research
       • Statistics
     • Microbiology
     • Military Science
     • Music
     • Philosophy
     • Physics
     • Political Science
     • Psychology
     • Public Administration
     • Radio/TV/Film
     • Religious Studies
     • Social Justice
     • Sociology
     • Strength and Conditioning
     • Urban and Regional Studies
     • Wellness Promotion
     • Women's Studies
   • Most majors and minors also offer emphases. Refer to the appropriate departmental section of this bulletin for information and details on majors, minors and emphases.
3. PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
   • The College of Letters and Science offers one to four years of undergraduate courses preparatory to further education in professional schools.
   • For further information regarding these programs, please refer to the section in this College's entry entitled "Pre-professional Curricula".
4. LIBERAL ARTS/MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM
   • The Bachelor in the Liberal Arts/Master of Business Administration major is an accelerated five-year liberal arts/MBA program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
   • Students in the Liberal Arts/Master of Business Administration Program (LAMBA) may receive both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years. Normally these degrees require at least six years to complete if pursued sequentially. The LAMBA program provides a strong liberal arts preparation for the study of business administration. Students earn an undergraduate degree with the liberal arts major of their choice and a Master's in Business Administration.
   • Recent national polls of major corporate executives indicate that liberal arts backgrounds are important to success. Students with good communication skills, an understanding of global and national issues, a strong general education, and a background in business adapt well to the rapidly changing business world.
   • The coursework for the bachelor's degree component of the LAMBA program includes three broad curriculum emphases:
     • General Education Core Courses
     • Liberal Arts Major Courses
     • Pre-MBA Courses
   • In the fifth year students complete the 30-unit (cr.) MBA Program, reduced by any graduate (MBA) units (crs.) that were completed in the senior year. Opportunities available to MBA students include graduate assistantships and internships.
   • To be admitted to LAMBA, incoming students must rank in the top quarter of their high school classes and score 24 or higher on the Enhanced ACT. Students are also required to have a college preparatory background that includes two years of foreign languages and mathematics through algebra and trigonometry.
   • Continuing students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the first three and one-half years. Continuing students must take the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) and apply to the MBA program during the fall term of the senior year. Regular requirements for admission to the MBA program will be exercised. Admission to the MBA program is not guaranteed.
   • Note: A student may apply to the five-year program after admission to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
   • A student may choose any undergraduate major from the College of Letters and Science. However, if a student chooses to major in Art, Chemistry, Physics, Medical Technology, Music or Social Work, the LAMBA program will take more than five years to complete. A student may complete the bachelor's degree and choose not to pursue the MBA. The result would be that the student has earned the bachelor's degree from the College of Letters and Science with a very strong background or possibly a minor in business administration.
   • Students wishing to apply for admission to the LAMBA Program must apply and be admitted to the University and apply for separate admission to the LAMBA Program. To request application materials, contact the University's Admission Office, 1-800-624-1466.
5. REPEAT POLICY
   • Courses taken in the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for unit (cr.) may be repeated only once.
   • When a course has been taken twice for unit (cr.) in the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, a comparable transfer course cannot be substituted for the Oshkosh course for the purpose of meeting graduation requirements in the College of Letters and Science.
6. APPEAL PROCESS
   • A student can request exceptions to academic policies by contacting an academic advisor for the College of Letters and Science. On academic matters, the decision from the Dean's Office is final.
   • Examples of academic policies are: deadline to add a course; deadline to drop a course; deadline to withdraw from all courses; number of times a course can be repeated; maximum number of units (crs.) enrolled per term; degree requirements; and general education requirements.