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Policies & Procedures

Bachelor of Arts Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

The requirements for these bachelor’s degree programs include the common general education core approved by the faculties of both the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Science. This general education core, together with the major, is a curriculum based on the IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning (see the front part of this bulletin for a description of these principles).

First-Year Experience Course

Each beginning freshman and transfer student (with less than 19 credit hours) in both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs in the School of Science is required to take either SCI-I120 Windows on Science (1 cr.) or an equivalent freshman experience course that may be offered by a department in which the student is a major. Beginning computer science majors are encouraged to take CSCI 12000 Windows on Computer Science (1 cr.).

Area I English Composition and Communication Competency

Both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science students are required to take two courses in English composition worth at least 3 credit hours each and COMM-R110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 cr.). The English composition requirement is partially satisfied by completing ENG-W131 (or ENG-W140 Honors). The second composition course must have ENG-W131 (or ENG-W140) as a prerequisite. An appropriate course in technical or research writing may be used to complete the second composition course requirement. Consult departmental guidelines. A grade of C or higher must be obtained in both composition courses.

Area II World Language Competency

1. A first-year proficiency in a world language is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree program. Note that American Sign Language may be used to satisfy this requirement. This requirement may be satisfied in one of the following ways:

  • by completing first-year courses (8-10 credit hours) in a single language with passing grades;
  • by completing a second-year or third-year course with a grade of C or higher;
  • by taking a placement test and placing into the 200 level or higher. See the School of Liberal Arts section of this bulletin for items related to the placement test, courses numbered 117, nonnative speakers, and credit for lower division language courses.

2. Check the department section of the bulletin for any reference to a language proficiency requirement for a Bachelor of Science degree program (e.g. Mathematical Sciences).

Area III

IIIA Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and Cultural Understanding Competencies

Four courses totaling 12 credit hours are required. The courses are to cover each of four areas:

1. One course in arts and humanities from List H

2. One course in social sciences from List S

3. One additional course from either List H or List S

4. One course in cultural understanding from List C

Courses taken from lists H, S, and C must be outside the student’s major.  For example, psychology majors cannot take a PSY-B course to satisfy one of the List H, S, or C requirements below.

It is recommended that the student see an academic advisor for updated lists.

Note that some courses may appear on more than one list. A cross-listed course may apply to only one of the required areas specified by the lists.

List H: Arts and Humanities

  • ART 21000 History of Architecture 1 (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-C101 Ancient Greek Culture (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-C102 Roman Culture (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-C205 Classical Mythology (3 cr.)
  • COMM-T130 Introduction to Theatre (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L105 Appreciation of Literature (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L115 Literature for Today (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L203 Introduction to Drama (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L205 Introduction to Poetry (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L207 Women and Literature (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L213 Literary Masterpieces I (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L214 Literary Masterpieces II (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W206 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W207 Introduction to Fiction Writing (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W208 Introduction to Poetry Writing (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W210 Literacy and Public Life (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W260 Film Criticism (3 cr.)
  • FILM-C292 Introduction to Film (3 cr.)
  • HER-E101 Beginning Drawing I (3cr.)
  • HER-E105 Beginning Painting I (3 cr.)
  • HER-E109 Color and Design for Non-Art Majors (3 cr.)
  • HER-E111 Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design (3 cr.)
  • HER-E201 Photography I (3 cr.)
  • HER-E209 Drawing for Interior Design (3 cr.)
  • HER-E214 Visual Learning: From the Simpsons to the Guerrilla Girls (3 cr.)
  • HER-H100 Art Appreciation (3 cr.)
  • HER-H101 History of Art 1 (3 cr.)
  • HER-H102 History of Art 2 (3 cr.)
  • HER-H200 Understanding Contemporary Art (3 cr.)
  • HER-H210 The Art of History (3 cr.)
  • HER-V214 History of Visual Communication (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H195 Introduction to Digital Humanities (3 cr.)
  • MHHS-M201 Introduction to Medical Humanities and Health Studies (3 cr.)
  • MSTD-A101 Understanding Museums (3 cr.)
  • MUS-E241 Introduction to Music Fundamentals (3 cr.)
  • MUS-L100 Guitar Elect/Secondary (2 cr.)
  • MUS-L101 Beginning Guitar Class (2 cr.)
  • MUS-M174 Music for the Listener (3 cr.)
  • MUS-V100 Voice Elective and Secondary (1 - 4 cr.)
  • MUS-Z111 Introduction to Music Theory (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z201 History of Rock and Roll Music (3 cr.)
  • NEWM-N100 Foundations of New Media (3 cr.)
  • NEWM-N102 Digital Media Imagery (3 cr.)
  • NEWM-N131 Game On! A History of Video Games
  • NEWM-N201 Design Issues in Digital Media (3 cr.)
  • NEWM-N260 Scriptwriting (3 cr.)
  • PHIL-P110 Introduction to Philosophy (3 cr.)
  • PHIL-P120 Ethics (3 cr.)
  • PHIL-P162 Logic (3 cr.)
  • PHST-P105 Giving & Volunteering in America (3 cr.)
  • PHST-P211 Philanthropy and the Humanities (3 cr.)
  • REL-R133 Introduction to Religion (3 cr.)
  • REL-R173 American Religion (3 cr.)
  • REL-R180 Introduction to Christianity (3 cr.)
  • REL-R212 Comparative Religions (3 cr.)
  • REL-R243 Introduction to New Testament (3 cr.)
  • REL-R257 Introduction to Islam (3 cr.)

List S: Social Sciences

  • BUS-F260 Personal Finance (3 cr.) NOTE: BUS-F260 is equivalent to F-151, F-152 and F-251 combined
  • BUS-F151 Personal Finances of the College Student (1 cr.)
  • BUS-F152 Basic Financial Planning and Investment (1 cr.)
  • BUS-F251 Managing Personal and Financial Risk (1 cr.)
  • BUS-W200 Introduction to Business & Management (3 cr.)
  • BUS-X100 Business Administration: Introduction (3 cr.)
  • COMM-C180 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
  • COMM-M150 Mass Media & Contemporary Society (3 cr.)
  • ECE 32700 Engineering Economics (3 cr.)
  • ECON-E101 Survey of Economic Issues & Problems (3 cr.)
  • ECON-E201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3 cr.)
  • ECON-E202 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
  • EDUC-P251 Educational Psychology for Elementary Teachers (1-4 cr.)
  • ENG-Z104 Language in Our World (3 cr.)
  • ENG-Z205 Introduction to the English Language (3 cr.)
  • FOLK-F101 Introduction to Folklore (3 cr.)
  • GEOG-G110 Introduction to Human Geography (3 cr.)
  • GEOG-G130 World Geography (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H105 American History I (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H106 American History II (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H108 Perspectives: World to 1800 (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H109 Perspectives: World 1800 to Present (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H113 History of Western Civilization I (3 cr.)
  • HIST-H114 History of Western Civilization II (3 cr.)
  • HPER-F255 Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
  • HPER-F258 Marriage and Family Interaction (3 cr.)
  • HPER-H195 Principles of Lifestyle Wellness (3 cr.)
  • INFO-I202 Social Informatics (3 cr.)
  • INFO-I270 Intro to Human-Computer Interaction Prin and Practices (3 cr.)
  • INFO-I275 Intro to Human-Computer Interaction Theory (3 cr.)
  • JOUR-J110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication (3 cr.)
  • ME 32700 Engineering Economics (3 cr.)
  • MSPT-Z100 Motorsports Studies (3 cr.)
  • NEWM-N132 Game Design Psycology: Theory and Prototyping (3 cr.)
  • OLS 25200 Human Behavior in Organizations (3 cr.)
  • OLS 26300 Ethical Decisions in Leadership (3 cr.)
  • OLS 27400 Applied Leadership (3 cr.)
  • PBHL-E109 Introduction to Public Health (3 cr.)
  • PBHL-H101 Inflencing the Public's Health (3 cr.)
  • PBHL-S120 Introduction to Community Health (3 cr.)
  • PHST-P210 Philanthropy and the Social Sciences (3 cr.)
  • PHST-P212 Philanthropy and Civic Engagement (3 cr.)
  • POLS-Y101 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
  • POLS-Y103 Introduction to American Politics (3 cr.)
  • POLS-Y217 Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 cr.)
  • POLS-Y219 Introduction to International Relations (3 cr.)
  • PSY-B110 Introduction to Psychology (3 cr.) NOTE: Course does not count for List S for psychology majors.
  • SHRS-W220 Aging and the Older Person (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr.)
  • SOC-R121 Social Problems (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-J101 American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-J150 Public Safety in America (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V170 Introduction to Public Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V221 Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V222 Principles of Sustainability (3 cr.)
  • SWK-S221 Human Growth and Development in the Social Environment (3 cr.)
  • SWK-S251 History and Analysis of Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.)
  • WOST-W105 Introduction to Women's Studies (3 cr.)

List C: Cultural Understanding

  • AFRO-A140 Introduction to African American and African Diaspora Studies (3 cr.)
  • AFRO-A150 Survey of the Culture of Black Americans (3 cr.)
  • AFRO-A152 Introduction to African Studies (3 cr.)
  • AMST-A101 Introduction to American Studies (3 cr.)
  • ANTH-A104 Cultural Anthropology (3 cr.)
  • ASL-A131 First Year ASL I (3-5 cr.)
  • ASL-A132 First Year ASL II (3-5 cr.)
  • ASL-A211 Second Year ASL I (3-5 cr.)
  • ASL-A212 Second Year ASL II (3-5 cr.)
  • CLAS-C213 Sport & Competition in the Ancient World (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-L131 Beginning Latin I (3-5 cr.)
  • CLAS-L132 Beginning Latin II (3-5 cr.)
  • CLAS-L200 Second Year Latin I (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-L250 Second Year Latin II (3 cr.)
  • COMM-C299 Communicating Queer Identity (3 cr.)
  • EALC-C131 First Year Chinese I (3 - 5 cr.)
  • EALC-C132 First Year Chinese II (3-5 cr.)
  • EALC-C201 Second Year Chinese I (2-4 cr.)
  • EALC-C202 Second Year Chinese II (2-4 cr.)
  • EALC-J131 Beginning Japanese I (3-5 cr.)
  • EALC-J132 Beginning Japanese II (3-5 cr.)
  • EALC-J201 Second Year Japanese I (2-4 cr.)
  • EALC-J202 Second Year Japanese II (2-4 cr.)
  • EDUC-E201 Multicultural Education and Global Awareness (3 cr.)
  • ENG-L245 Introduction to Caribbean Literature (3 cr.)
  • FREN-F131 First Year French I (3-5 cr.)
  • FREN-F132 First Year French II (3-5 cr.)
  • FREN-F203 Second Year French I (3-4 cr.)
  • FREN-F204 Second Year French II (3-4 cr.)
  • GER-G131 First Year German I (3-5 cr.)
  • GER-G132 First Year German II (3-5 cr.)
  • GER-G203 Second Year German I (3-4 cr.)
  • GER-G204 Second Year German II (3-4 cr.)
  • HER-H221 Art Past and Present (3 cr.)
  • INTL-I100 Introduction to International Studies (3 cr.)
  • ITAL-M131 Beginning Italian I (3-5 cr.)
  • ITAL-M132 Beginning Italian II (3-5 cr.)
  • ITAL-M200 Intermediate Italian I (3 cr.)
  • ITAL-M250 Intermediate Italian II (3 cr.)
  • LATS-L101 Introduction to Latino Studies (3 cr.)
  • LATS-L228 An Interdisciplinary Look at U/S/ Latino/a Identities (3 cr.)
  • MUS-M394 Survey of African American Music (3 cr.)
  • MUS-Z105 Traditions in World Music (3 cr.)
  • NAIS-N101 Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies (3 cr.)
  • NELC-A131 Basic Arabic I (3-5 cr.)
  • NELC-A132 Basic Arabic II (3-5 cr.)
  • NELC-A200 Intermediate Arabic I (3-5 cr.)
  • NELC-A250 Intermediate Arabic II (3-5 cr.)
  • PBHL-A120 Regional Cultures and Mortality (3 cr.)
  • PSY-B203 Ethics and Diversity in Psychology (3 cr.) NOTE: PSY-B203 does not count for List C for psychology major.
  • REL-R101 Religion and Culture (3 cr.)
  • SPAN-S131 First Year Spanish I (3-5 cr.)
  • SPAN-S132 First Year Spanish II (3-5 cr.)
  • SPAN-S203 Second Year Spanish I (3-4 cr.)
  • SPAN-S204 Second Year Spanish II (3-4 cr.)
  • SWK-S102 Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society (1-4 cr.)
  • TCEM-T208 Global Tourism Geography (3 cr.)
  • TCEM-T234 Cultural Heritage Tourism (3 cr.)
  • TCM 18000 Exploring Intercultural Technical Communication (3 cr.)

For the most current list of courses in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Understanding, please refer to the IUPUI General Education Curriculum.

Area IIIC Life and Physical Sciences Competency

Both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science students are required to complete at least four science lectures courses totaling a minimum of 12 credit hours outside the major department. At least one of the courses must have a laboratory component.

Courses that do not count in Area IIIC include AST-A130; BIOL-N100, BIOL-N200, CHEM-C100, FIS 10500, GEOL-G103, GEOL-G130, PHYS 10000, PHYS 14000, PHYS 20000, and all agriculture courses.

NOTE: This is not a complete list. If you have a question about whether a course is applicable or not, please speak with your academic advisor prior to registering to confirm.

Topics or variable credit hour courses (e.g., BIOL-N222) must receive approval from the School of Science Academic Dean’s Office. Consult with your major department or the School of Science Academic Dean’s Office for additional course restrictions.

Courses that do not count for any credit toward any degree program in the School of Science include, but are not limited to, BIOL-N120 and PHYS 01000.

Except for laboratory courses combined with corresponding lecture courses, 1 credit hour and, in general, 2 credit hour courses do not apply to this area. In addition, students must obtain grades of C- or higher in their Area IIIC courses. However, a single grade of D+ or D will be allowed for one course only. Check with the major department for additional restrictions or requirements. Some majors may require a minimum grade of C or higher.

Note that if credit has been established for both GEOL-G132 and GEOL-G107, then only GEOL-G107 may apply to Area IIIC. In this case, GEOL-G132 may count as a general elective provided that credit was established in GEOL-G132 preceding GEOL-G107.

Note that GEOG-G107 Physical Systems of the Environment (3 cr.)/GEOG-G108 Physical Systems of the Environment: Laboratory (2 cr.) may apply to Area IIIC with approval of the student’s major department. Also, GEOG-G185 Global Environmental Change (3 cr.) is an acceptable substitute for GEOL-G185 Global Environmental Change (3 cr.).

IIID Analytical Reasoning Competency

Bachelor of Arts students must have at least one course of at least 3 credit hours in mathematics and one course of at least 3 credit hours in computer programming.

Bachelor of Science students must have at least two courses beyond college algebra and trigonometry, totaling 6 credit hours. In addition, one course of at least 3 credit hours in computer programming is required. Courses in applied statistics are not acceptable.

MATH-M010, 00100, MATH-M001, 00200, 11000, 11100, 12300, 13000, 13200, 13600; BUS-K201, BUS-K204, CSCI-N100-level courses; CIT 10600 do not count for any credit toward any degree in the School of Science. Computer Science CSCI-N241 and CSCI-N299 do not count in this area, but may count as general electives.

Students must obtain grades of C- or higher in their Area IIID courses. However, a single grade of D+ or D will be allowed for one course only. Check with the major department for additional restrictions or requirements. Some majors may require a minimum grade of C or higher.

Area IV

Major Department 

Consult the listing of the major department for courses required within the major subject as well as courses required by the major department in the other areas (e.g. Biotechnology, Environmental Science, and Forensic & Investigative Sciences).

Capstone Experience Course

Each undergraduate major in the School of Science is to be provided a Capstone Experience (research, independent study/project, practicum, seminar, or field experience). The capstone, required of all majors, is to be an independent, creative effort of the student that is integrative and builds on the student’s previous work in the major. See departmental sections of the bulletin for specific information about capstone courses.