College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

601 Culkin Hall • 315-312-2285
www.oswego.edu/clas

Curriculum

Undergraduate courses of study in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences lead to the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree. To meet the requirements for graduation, students must complete 120 credit hours (123 for the B.S. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering). This total credit hour number includes credits counting toward majors, minors, and general education. Of the total number of credit hours required for graduation, 90 must be in the liberal arts and 42 credit hours must be at the upper division level (courses numbered 300 to 499). Additionally, graduation requirements stipulate a 2.0 grade point average overall in the major.

The Liberal Arts and Sciences programs provide a broad basis for a well-rounded education, regardless of the student’s field of specialization.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers graduate programs in the areas of chemistry, biomedical health informatics, and human computer interaction, and also supports MAT programs in chemistry and mathematics and MST programs in childhood and adolescence education with multiple areas of concentration for the latter.

Academic Advisement

All students are assigned an academic advisor to assist with selecting a major, choosing courses, navigating college policies and requirements, and connecting to extra-curricular, career, and learning resources. Students in their first year of university study are assigned a professional staff member as an academic advisor. After the first year, students are advised by faculty within their major.

Pre-health and Pre-dental

Students interested in preparing for application to medical or dental schools choose a major in an academic department that aligns to their interests and goals. While there is no specific major for pre-medical or pre-dental students, typical pre-med course requirements minimally include: one year of each of the following with labs—biology and physics; two years of chemistry with labs (through organic chemistry); and one year of English. Individuals interested in investigating the possibilities of a career in medicine or in dentistry should contact Dr. James Mackenzie, pre-med advisor, in the Department of Biological Sciences.

Pre-law

There is no prescribed pre-law major at SUNY Oswego; students are advised on the basis of their individual interests. Students who want to investigate the possibilities of a career in law should contact the pre-law advisor, Jason Zenor in the Department of Communication Studies, during their freshman year or as soon as possible in their degree program.

Majors and Minors

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers 29 Bachelor of Arts degree programs and 15 Bachelor of Science degree programs. In addition students may declare a second major. 

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also offers 42 minors, which are available to students as options. Students must choose a major by the end of their sophomore year, and at their option may choose up to two minors (or a second major and a single minor).

In addition, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences sponsors four cooperative degree programs.