COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

Africana Studies  |  American Studies  |  Anthropology  |  Biology  |  Chemistry  |  Cognitive Science
Communication Studies  |  Criminal Justice and Criminology  |  English  |  Film Studies
Geography and Earth Sciences  |  Gerontology  |  Global, International, and Area Studies  |  History
Languages and Culture Studies  |  Mathematics and Statistics  |  Philosophy
Physics and Optical Science  |  Political Science  |  Psychology  |  Religious Studies  |  ROTC: Aerospace Studies
ROTC: Military Studies  |  Sociology  |  Urban Studies  |  Women's and Gender Studies

Objectives. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, largest of the University's seven discipline-based colleges, consists of 20 departments and 6 undergraduate interdisciplinary programs which share basic educational values and academic aspirations. The primary mission of the college is threefold: 1) the provision of programs of study and instruction in the arts and sciences to qualified undergraduate and graduate students; 2) the advancement of the arts and sciences through the scholarly activity of the faculty; and 3) the provision of service to the University and general public.

The liberal arts are the core of the University's educational program, both for students majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences and for students majoring in professional degree programs. As a result, courses offered within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are frequently those designated to satisfy University General Education requirements (see General Education Requirements in the Degree Requirements and Academic Regulations section of this Catalog).

Organization. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences includes the Departments of Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC); Africana Studies; Anthropology; Biology; Chemistry; Communication Studies; Criminal Justice and Criminology; English; Geography and Earth Sciences; Global, International, and Area Studies; History; Languages and Culture Studies; Mathematics and Statistics; Military Science (Army ROTC); Philosophy; Physics and Optical Science; Political Science; Psychology; Religious Studies; and Sociology. Undergraduate interdisciplinary programs in American Studies, Cognitive Science, Film Studies, Gerontology, Urban Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies are also part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Programs. Baccalaureate degrees are offered in all departments, and minors are available in the following programs: Actuarial Mathematics; Aerospace Studies; African-American Literature; Africana Studies; American Studies; Anthropology; Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Children’s Literature and Childhood Studies; Cognitive Science; Communication Studies; Criminal Justice; Earth Sciences; English; Film Studies; French; Geography; Geology; German; Gerontology; History; Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies; International Studies; Islamic Studies; Japanese; Journalism; Judaic Studies; Latin American Studies; Mathematics; Meteorology; Philosophy; Physics; Political Science; Psychology; Religious Studies; Russian; Sociology; Spanish; Technical and Professional Writing; Urban Studies; Western Antiquity and Classical Languages; and Women’s and Gender Studies. Medical technology options are available in Biology and Chemistry. For details on graduate degrees and certificates, please see the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.

Although faculty within the College are committed to departmentally based programs, increased emphasis is being placed on providing strong interdisciplinary programs. The College also strives to promote inter-cultural understanding through its curriculum, as well as through student exchanges and travel opportunities.

Degree Requirements.

General Education: Since all students entering the University must meet the same General Education requirements regardless of major, it is appropriate to concentrate on the completion of those requirements before committing to a specific major. Undeclared students have time to enroll in courses in several disciplines, which allows them to make a more informed judgment about future career decisions. Advisors have a broad working experience with the requirements for majors and offer assistance as students search for the education choice best suited to their individual needs.

Degree Programs and Minors: Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must satisfy the requirements for the degree program(s) in which they are enrolled. Students should consult with their chosen department to make certain they fully understand all degree requirements. Some departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences require completion of a minor program of study in conjunction with their major degree program. Students should be familiar with the requirements of any minor program of study they attempt to complete.

Foreign Languages: All students who earn a degree within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their choice through the 1202 level.

Proficiency can be demonstrated in the following ways: (1) completing the required coursework at UNC Charlotte; (2) completing three years of the same foreign language in high school through level three; (3) achieving a satisfactory score on the foreign languages placement test; (4) through approved transfer or transient credit earned at other accredited institutions; (5) by transferring in with an A.A., A.S. or A.F.A. degree; or (6) a combination of the above methods (e.g., placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1201 and completing the 1202 course, completing 1201 and placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1202).

This requirement will apply to all students entering any degree program within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fall 2005 and beyond, except those students whose primary major is in Engineering and are enrolled in either the dual degree program in Mechanical Engineering and Physics or the program in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics which were approved and implemented prior to Fall of 2006. Students enrolled in the University prior to Fall 2005 but not enrolled in a degree program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fall 2005 and beyond will be subject to this requirement, except those students whose primary major is in Engineering and are enrolled in either the dual degree program in Mechanical Engineering and Physics or the program in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics which were approved and implemented prior to Fall of 2006.

Although all students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are subject to the 1202 proficiency requirement, students in selected departments will additionally have to satisfy a proficiency requirement through the intermediate (2000) level. All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should consult with their major department to determine whether or not they are required to complete the intermediate proficiency requirement as part of their major or related coursework.

Advising Center. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences administers an advising center for students who have enrolled in a major within the college. College advisors are available to provide guidance on both major requirements and General Education requirements. Students enrolled in all College of Liberal Arts and Sciences majors are encouraged to consult with college advisors to clarify academic regulations and check their progress toward fulfilling requirements.

Experiential Learning Opportunities. Students are encouraged to participate in professional work experiences in support of their academic and career development through the cooperative education, 49ership, service-learning, and internship programs offered to them. The College works with the University Career Center to expand experiential learning offerings to enable more students to graduate with career-related experience. For more information about experiential learning opportunities, please see the University Career Center section of this Catalog.

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