COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
(www.clas.uncc.edu)

PHILOSOPHY
(www.philosophy.uncc.edu)

Philosophy is reasoned inquiry about the nature of persons, reality, thought, knowledge, values, and beauty. It seeks to establish standards of evidence, to provide rational methods of resolving conflicts, and to create techniques for evaluating fundamental ideas, principles and arguments in all areas of human existence and knowledge. Equally concerned with human endeavor in both the arts and the sciences, philosophy continues to reside at the core of a liberal education.

Students major or minor in Philosophy because of their desire to pursue fundamental ideas, principles, and arguments in general or in relation to other disciplines. Philosophy helps students develop strong skills in writing, critical thinking, reading, and understanding complex texts. These skills are indispensable for any committed and concerned citizen. The study of philosophy also provides a deeper understanding and enjoyment of the challenges and issues people face throughout their personal and professional lives.

Students may choose to major solely in Philosophy, or to pursue it as a second major or as a minor. As several members of the department teach regularly within Interdisciplinary Studies, many philosophy courses introduce a wide range of ethical, political, scientific, technological, literary, and aesthetic ideas into discussions of philosophical issues. Courses in critical thinking and logic are a benefit to students in all their coursework and can be especially useful to students who plan to enter graduate school or professional school. Given the department's association with the Center for Professional and Applied Ethics, many philosophy courses give students a deeper understanding of contemporary issues in business, law, medicine, public policy, information technology, and environmental studies.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PHILOSOPHY

A major in Philosophy leading to a B.A. degree consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours in philosophy, at least 15 of which are earned at UNC Charlotte with a grade of C or better, with no more than nine hours below the 3000 level counting toward the major. A GPA of 2.5 is required for all philosophy courses applied to the major. Students majoring in Philosophy must complete either a 2000-level course in a foreign language that uses the Latin alphabet (French, German, Italian, Spanish, etc.) or a 1202-level course in a foreign language that is not written in the Latin alphabet (Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian, etc.), or demonstrate proficiency at that level. Intermediate American Sign Language is accepted. Non-native speakers of English may complete the foreign language requirement by passing ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 or the equivalent. Students must elect a concentration in either Traditional or Applied Philosophy.

Concentration in Traditional Philosophy. Students who select a concentration in Traditional Philosophy are required to take PHIL 2101(Introduction to Philosophy), 2105 (Deductive Logic), 3211 (Ancient), 3213 (Modern), and 3214 (Contemporary). Of the remaining 15 hours, at least nine must be in a traditional historical period or figure (e.g., Medieval, American, Introduction to Political Philosophy, Plato, Descartes) or in a traditional problem area (e.g., Aesthetics, Ethics, Metaphysics, Feminist Philosophy, Social and Political Philosophy). A list showing the courses classified as “traditional” and “applied” is available in the Department of Philosophy.

Concentration in Applied Philosophy. Students who select a concentration in Applied Philosophy are required to take PHIL 2101 (Introduction to Philosophy), either 1105 (Critical Thinking) or 2105 (Deductive Logic), and at least two courses in a traditional historical period, figure or problem. Of the remaining 18 hours, at least 12 are to be selected from courses in applied philosophy (e.g., Business Ethics, Philosophy in and of Literature, Healthcare Ethics). These courses may represent a theme in which the student has a particular interest and be planned in consultation with the student's advisor. The selected theme will reflect the student's interests in a particular area which may coincide with a second major. This theme may involve requirements outside of the Department of Philosophy, but only philosophy courses may be counted toward the 30 hours required for the major. A list showing the courses classified as “traditional” and “applied” is available in the Department of Philosophy.

MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY

A minor in Philosophy consists of 15 semester hours in philosophy, at least nine of which are earned at UNC Charlotte with a grade of C or better, with no more than six hours below the 3000 level counting toward the minor. Students who elect the minor are required to take the following courses and types of courses: PHIL 2101; one course in Logic (PHIL 1105, 2105, or 3235); and two courses in a traditional historical period, figure, or problem area. Traditional historical periods or figures include History of Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Contemporary, and American Philosophy, Introduction to Political Philosophy, Plato, and Descartes. Traditional problem areas include Aesthetics, Ethics, Metaphysics, Feminist Philosophy, and Social and Political Philosophy. A list showing the courses classified as “traditional” and “applied” is available in the Department of Philosophy.

HONORS PROGRAM IN PHILOSOPHY

Students seeking a greater academic challenge may contact the Department Chair with a request to pursue the Honors Track within the philosophy major. Honors work may be undertaken as early as the first semester a student is enrolled at the University. Graduation with Honors will be noted on the student’s transcript and the phrase “Honors in Philosophy” inscribed on the student’s diploma.

To qualify for graduation with Honors in Philosophy a student must receive the recommendation of the Honors Committee in Philosophy. The Honors Committee will consider as candidates for Honors in Philosophy students who have completed the standard philosophy major and the following requirements: a) two three-hour courses chosen by the student from University Honors courses (taken under the LBST designation); b) a grade of A for four hours of honors thesis research (which count toward the 30-hour major requirement); c) oral presentation of the Honors Thesis before the Department of Philosophy Honors Committee, other faculty, and students; d) GPA of at least 3.5 in all Philosophy courses counted toward the major; and e) GPA of at least 3.2 for all departmental and University Honors courses submitted towards graduation with Honors.

PHYSICS AND OPTICAL SCIENCE
(www.physics.uncc.edu)

If you like mathematics and science, a physics career offers many opportunities. Physics offers challenging, exciting, and productive careers. The Department offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. The Department offers options in astrophysics, optical science, and teacher licensure, as well as dual degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and in Mechanical Engineering. Students majoring in physics are prepared to enter a variety of technical fields, attend medical school, teach in high school, or to attend graduate school. Research physicists work in industry and government, in laboratories and hospitals, and on university campuses.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

The Bachelor of Art degree is appropriate for students seeking an in-depth understanding of physics within the context of a broader education. This curriculum allows the greatest freedom in choosing electives offered by other departments, and is ideal for students wishing to pursue double majors, matching physics with another discipline. A major in Physics leading to the B.A. degree consists of at least 33 semester hours of physics with an average of C or better. The 33 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of either PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L or PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. The remaining 25 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4241, either PHYS 3282 or PHYS 3283, plus six additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L and MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, 2241, and 2242. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 33-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM: B.A. DEGREE IN PHYSICS

*One of the PHYS or General electives must be designated as a (W) course.

BACHELOR OF ARTS: SECONDARY TEACHER LICENSURE OPTION

Students preparing to teach high school physics may become licensed by earning the B.A. Degree: Secondary Teacher Licensure Option. A major in Physics with this option consists of a minimum of 120 semester hours that fulfill the general degree requirements of the University and that include at least 33 semester hours in physics with an average grade of C or better. The 33 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of either PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L or PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. The remaining 25 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 3282, PHYS 3283, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4241, plus three additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, 2241, and 2242, and other courses specified by the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 33-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year.

A schedule to complete the Secondary Teacher Licensure Option within a 4-year period has little flexibility due to the large number of required courses. The student should obtain a “Suggested Schedule” from the Department of Physics and Optical Science, make arrangements for an advisor in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, and obtain an up-to-date listing and schedule for required education courses. Licensure applications are the responsibility of the student and the Office of Teacher Education Advising and Licensure (TEAL) in the College of Education.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

The Bachelor of Science degree is appropriate for students planning to pursue physics as a professional career, either immediately after graduation in a physics related industry or after undertaking graduate study in physics. A major in Physics leading to the B.S. degree consists of at least 45 semester hours of physics with an average of C or better. The 45 hours of physics must include eight hours in an introductory sequence of PHYS 2101, 2102, 2101L, and 2102L. Under special circumstances, and with the approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee, PHYS 1101, 1102, 1101L, and 1102L may be substituted for the PHYS 2101-2102 sequence. The remaining 37 hours must include PHYS 1000, PHYS 3101, PHYS 3121, PHYS 3141, PHYS 3151, PHYS 3282, PHYS 3283, PHYS 4231, PHYS 4232, PHYS 4241, and at least nine additional hours at the 3000-4000 level. PHYS 3000, 3900, 4000, or 4800 may be used to fulfill the 45-semester hour requirement only if approved in advance for this purpose by the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Also required are CHEM 1251, 1251L, ITCS 1214, MATH 1241, 1242, 2171, 2241, and 2242. Freshmen should complete MATH 1241 before the beginning of their second year. Students planning for graduate study in physics are strongly advised to take PHYS 4242 as part of their 3000-4000 level elective hours.

SUGGESTED CURRICULUM: B.S. DEGREE IN PHYSICS