College of Letters and Science

Information

Kimberly Rivers, Interim Dean

Office of the Dean: N/E 101
Telephone: (920) 424-1210

Degrees

The College of Letters and Science offers the following degrees: Associate of Arts and Science (AAS), 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 credits 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 Global Languages and Cultures for details.

Humanities:
At least 12 credits are required from departments comprising the Humanities Division (All Culture (XC) courses in the USP are considered Humanities). Of these credits, at least one course must be taken from each of the following areas: 1) Fine Art; 2) Literature; and 3) Philosophy, Religious Studies.

Social Science:
At least 12 credits are required from departments comprising the Social Science Division (All Society (XS) courses in the USP are considered Social Science). Of these, at least one course must be from History, plus nine additional credits (three courses) from the Minimum University Requirement list for Social Science, with coursework coming from at least two departments/programs.

Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS)

Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science:

Math 104* or Math 108* or Math 204

*It is possible to meet this requirement via the UW System Mathematics Placement Exam.

One course from the following in Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science:
- Calculus: Mathematics 171, 172, 175, 206
- Statistics: Mathematics 201, 301, Economics 210, Geography 385, Psychology 203, 341, Sociology 281, Criminal Justice 281
- Computer Science: Computer Science 221, 262

Each course listed has a Mathematics course as a prerequisite. Students must complete the prerequisite course with a grade of “C” or better prior to enrolling in any of the listed courses. In some cases, the prerequisite can be met via the UW System Mathematics Placement Exam.

Humanities:
At least 12 credits are required from departments comprising the Humanities Division (All Culture (XC) courses in the USP are considered Humanities). Of these credits, at least one course must be a Literature course. At least one course must be taken from two of the following areas: 1) Fine Art; 2) Foreign Languages; and 3) Philosophy, Religious Studies.

Natural Science:
Four courses are required (All Nature (XL) courses in the USP are considered natural science).

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 prerequisite for the second.

A third course must be a laboratory science course from a department other than 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 (not used to fulfill the Math Requirement).

1. The Major(s)

The College offers majors in the following subject areas:
- Anthropology
- Art
- Biology
- Biomedical Science
- Chemistry
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Environmental Engineering Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- English
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Studies
- Exercise and Sports Science
- Fine Arts
- Global Languages and Cultures:
  - French
  - Spanish
  - German
  - Japanese Studies (collaborative program)
- Geography
- Geology
- History
- Individually Planned
- Interactive Web Management
- International Studies
- Mathematics
- Medical Imaging
- Medical Technology
- Microbiology
- Multimedia Journalism
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Radio/TV/Film
- Rehabilitation Science
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Software Technology
- Theatre
- Women’s and Gender Studies

2. The Minors

- The College offers minors in the following subject areas:
  - Advertising
  - African American Studies
  - Anthropology
  - Art History
  - Astronomy
  - Biology
  - Chemistry
  - Civic Engagement
  - Communication Studies
  - Computer Science
  - Criminal Justice
  - Economics
  - English
  - Environmental Studies
  - Environmental Engineering Technology
  - Foreign Language:
    - French
    - German
    - Spanish
  - Geography
  - Geology
  - Global Religions
  - Health Humanities and Society
  - History
  - International Studies:
    - African Studies
    - Asian Studies
    - European Studies
    - Latin American Studies
  - Japanese Language and Culture
  - Law and Policy
  - Mathematics
  - Media Studies
  - Microbiology
  - Military Science
  - Multimedia Journalism
  - Music
  - Music Industry
  - Neurosciences
  - Operations Research
  - Organizational Communication
  - Philosophy
  - Physics
  - Political Science
  - Psychology
  - Public Relations
  - Radio/TV/Film
  - Social Justice
  - Sociology
  - Statistics
  - Studio Art
  - Theatre
  - Web and Mobile Development
  - Women’s and Gender Studies

Some 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 preparatory courses 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 Education”.

4. Repeat Policy

- Courses taken in the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for credit may be repeated only once in accordance with the University Repeat Policy.
- When a course has been taken twice for credit 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.

5. Appeal Process

- A student can request exceptions to academic policies by contacting an academic adviser for the College of Letters and Science. Appeals must be made to the Dean’s Office. 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.
- 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.

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 350 faculty offering courses in over 40 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 majority of courses in the University Studies Program (USP) – the campus’ general education curriculum – are based in the College of Letters and Science, with select courses also offered in the professional colleges. The 38-credit USP embraces the traditional breadth of a liberal arts education to prepare students for the challenges of work, for engaged citizenship and for a meaningful and satisfying life. In addition to the broad exploration of knowledge and the development of essential skills in critical thinking and communicating, students ask big questions related to three themes drawn from the campus Essential Learning Outcomes: knowledge of sustainability and its applications; knowledge of civic engagement, both local and global; and intercultural knowledge and competence. Students participate in small learning communities, as disciplinary courses are paired with writing and speaking courses in the first two semesters. In the third portion of this sequence, students participate in a community engagement project. Finally, students integrate and synthesize knowledge from their USP experiences in an advanced writing course that allows them to reflect on their learning in their first two years of college, as they continue their studies in their selected majors.

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.