College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Richard Back, Interim Dean
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, a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree or the Bachelor of Science degree must complete 122 credit hours, except for the Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering which requires 123 credit hours, including general education, a major in a subject area in a discipline or a planned interdisciplinary program, and cognates required by the major department or program. 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 both in the major program and the cumulative quality point index.

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

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers graduate programs in the areas of chemistry, English, history, and human computer interaction, and also supports MAT programs in chemistry and mathematics.

Academic Advisement

Declared Majors

Students who have declared a major are assigned an advisor in their department. Contact the appropriate departmental advisement coordinator for additional information.  Students who have declared a major in an interdisciplinary program should contact that program’s coordinator or the Interdisciplinary Programs and Activities Center (IPAC) office.

Undeclared Students

Students who have not indicated a major are advised by selected members of the faculty or professional staff through COMPASS, a comprehensive advisement and career planning center. These students should contact COMPASS to arrange for the assignment of an advisor.

Pre-medical and Pre-dental

Students interested in preparing for application to medical or dental schools are required to choose a major in an academic department within the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or natural, mathematical and computer science areas. 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); 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 Interdisciplinary Programs and Activities (IPAC) office.

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 Public Justice Department, during their freshman year or as soon as possible in their degree program.

Pre-engineering

Students interested in eventually transferring to an Engineering College may take advantage of the 3+2 program leading to a Science degree from SUNY Oswego (mathematics, physics, or chemistry) and an Engineering degree from another college. For an explanation of the available options contact the chair of the Department of Physics, for the Aerospace, Civil, Computer, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering options, or contact the chair of the Chemistry Department, for the Chemical, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering options.

Part-time and Non-degree

These students should contact COMPASS or the Dean’s Office for advisement.

Majors and Minors

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers 30 Bachelor of Arts degree programs and 14 Bachelor of Science degree programs. In addition students may declare a second major. However, students must declare one of the two majors as a first major and it will determine all other degree requirements.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also offers 41 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.