Bachelor of Art and Bachelor of Science

The University of Mary Washington’s undergraduate curriculum represents a distinctive academic experience which prepares graduates to make choices that lead to fulfilling lives as responsible, contributing members of local, national, and global communities. Three interrelated components make up this experience: General Education, the Major, and Electives.

General Education is the foundation of a liberal arts and sciences education and is designed to cultivate the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that are essential in every field of study and which enable graduates to make effective decisions as citizens of a rapidly changing, richly diverse, and increasingly interconnected world. The University’s General Education requirements introduce students to a variety of learning perspectives and methods of inquiry that combine to foster an appreciation for different ways of viewing, knowing, and engaging the world. General Education facilitates collaborative learning, individual intellectual development, and constitutes the basis for lifelong learning.

The Major develops expertise in a specialized area of study resulting from focused investigation in a particular academic discipline or disciplines (in the case of an interdisciplinary major). Majors are organized areas of inquiry and knowledge with defined learning goals and methodologies. Major requirements complement, reinforce, and extend the objectives of General Education while adding depth of study in course work, individualized learning, and co-curricular experiences.

Electives offer students opportunities to explore personal interests, add variety to one’s studies, and advance particular academic, career, or professional goals (such as preparation for law or medical school). Electives also enable the study of an area of knowledge in greater depth through individually selected courses or experiences that build on a Major’s formal requirements.

The combination of experiences provided through General Education, the Major, and Electives enable students to achieve the following learning goals and to emerge fully prepared to contribute to the world beyond the University.

BACHELOR OF ARTS AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREES

The choice of major program determines which degree one receives. The

Bachelor of Arts degree is for majors in American Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Studio Art, Classics: Classical Archaeology, Classics: Classical Civilization, Classics: Latin, English, English: Creative Writing, French, Geography, German, Historic Preservation, History, International Affairs, Music, Philosophy, Philosophy: Pre-Law Concentration, Political Science, Religion, Sociology, Spanish, and Theatre. The Bachelor of Science degree is for majors in Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Science and Geology (both the Natural and Social Environmental Science Concentrations), Environmental Science and Geology (Environmental Geology concentration), Environmental Science and Geology (Geology Concentration), Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Both the B.A. and B.S. degrees require 120 credits for completion. Both degrees also require an overall cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 (equivalent to a “C” average) on Mary Washington course work, as well as a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in each major program on Mary Washington course work. The residence requirement is as follows: To be considered a degree candidate, a student must earn at least 30 academic credits at the University of Mary Washington, including at least half the credits required for the major program unless more are required by the major department. Students must also earn at least 15 of the last 21 credits at Mary Washington.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.A./B.S. DEGREES

General education requirements are designed to advance several educational goals. The requirements involve the development of core skills enabling students to understand, evaluate, articulate, and advance their ideas and the ideas of others. General education courses furthermore prepare students to engage knowledgably and responsibly with a changing, complicated, and multidimensional world. Through the variety of requirements, students are challenged to explore issues, solve problems, and learn through multiple methodological approaches. In the end, the general education program helps students to develop as individuals and as engaged members of the larger UMW community, and helps to foster the intellectual curiosity that will inspire students to acquire the habits of lifelong learners.

The following general education requirements are in effect for all students who enter the University of Mary Washington seeking a bachelor of arts or bachelors of science degree. No general education course work, except for the Experiential Learning Requirement, may be completed on a Pass/Fail basis. With the exception of courses marked as Writing Intensive or Speaking Intensive (WI or SI), one course taken fulfills only one general education requirement, even if the class is listed as an option in more than one category. A course that is listed as an option for both Global Inquiry and Human Experience and Society, for example, will be counted as satisfying only one of these categories. But a course that is an option in Global Inquiry and is also marked as Writing Intensive would be counted in both of those categories. It’s helpful for students to remember that they have four years to fulfill all graduation requirements, and they should not view the completion of general education requirements and the major as two separate activities. In fact, many of the courses that will satisfy general education requirements are upper-level courses that one might think about taking after selecting a major. In this way, the selected general education courses will connect well with the intended major course of study.

The B.A./B.S. degree general education requirements are as follows. See the list beginning on page 80 for the courses that will meet the various requirements.

First Year Seminar. One course designated as a first year seminar. Transfer students do not have to meet this requirement.

Quantitative Reasoning. Two courses focusing on the role of quantitative information in various settings and on the ability to reason abstractly.

Natural Science. One two-course sequence, one course which must include a laboratory, focusing on the scientific mode of inquiry and the ways in which the natural sciences affect students’ everyday experiences and choices as citizens.

Global Inquiry. One course focusing on global interconnections related to economic, political, cultural, social, public health, or environmental issues.

Language. Intermediate competency in a second language.

Arts, Literature, and Performance. Two courses focusing on art, literature, or performance. One course provides an opportunity for exploring the process of creating artistic work while the other course encourages the appreciation and the interpretation of artistic expressions.

Human Experience and Society. Two courses from two different disciplines that explore the forces shaping human activity, relationships, social structures, institutions, and intellectual systems. At least one of the courses taken to satisfy this requirement must be selected from one of these disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology.

Experiential Learning. One faculty supervised experience involving a significant experiential learning component designed to challenge students to go outside of the bounds of the typical classroom.

Writing Intensive Requirement. Four courses designated writing intensive (WI). Any course designated WI, whether taken for general education, for the major, or as electives will satisfy this requirement.

Speaking Intensive Requirement. Two courses designated speaking intensive (SI). Any course designated SI, whether taken for general education, for the major, or as electives will satisfy this requirement.

B.A./B.S. MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A major program within a single discipline requires at least 30, but no more than 48, credits. All must be graded credits. Students must take at least one-half of the major program at Mary Washington, earning a grade-point average of 2.00 in the courses. Many students complete two major programs to satisfy diverse personal or career interests. The details and course requirements for each major program are described in the “Courses of Study” section of this Catalog. Students who intend to “double major” should read the section titled “Second Degree or Post-Baccalaureate Major” starting on page 79 of this Catalog.

In addition to majors in the traditional arts and sciences disciplines, the University offers a special major program. A student and faculty advisor may design a special major program by selecting, from two or more departments, courses that define a coherent field of concentration. Examples of recently approved special majors include programs in Biochemistry, Creative Non-Fictional Writing, Italian Studies, Linguistics, Medieval Studies, Public Affairs, Journalism, Rhetoric and Communication, and Women’s Studies. Any student interested in developing a special major program must apply to the Curriculum Committee prior to completing 15 credits in the proposed special major program. The approval of the Committee is required before a special major program can be undertaken.

ELECTIVES

Elective courses are those that are not needed to fulfill a general education requirement or major program requirement but are chosen by the student to complete the 120 credits required for graduation with a B.A./B.S. degree or the BLS degree. These courses may be taken graded or pass/fail (or S/U in the case of physical education and 100-level dance). No student in a regular B.A./B.S. program may count more than 60 credits in a single discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.

MINORS

To allow students to gain expertise in an area beyond their major field of study, a student may elect to pursue programs of studies designated as minors. Minors are offered by departments and consist of no fewer than 15 and no more than 28 credits. At least three minor courses must be at the 300-400 level. Individual courses may count for both a minor and General Education requirements. In the case of a major and a minor, the maximum degree of overlap permitted between the major and minor is two courses. In the case of two minors, the maximum degree of overlap permitted between the minors is two courses. No minor courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. A student must earn at least a 2.0 grade-point average in any minor.

Information about specific minors is found in the “Courses of Study in Arts and Sciences” section of this Catalog (beginning on page 87). Contact the offering department for additional details. A student who intends to complete a minor must officially declare it by submitting the Minor Declaration Form. Contact the Office of Academic Services for details. Students may not declare a minor until they have declared a major.

TRANSFER COURSES AFTER MATRICULATION

Students admitted to degree programs at Mary Washington may use courses taken at other colleges and universities to meet Mary Washington degree requirements by obtaining prior approval from the Office of the Registrar. All courses must be approved in advance for transfer credit. Courses to be counted in the major program must also be approved by the student’s major advisor or department chair, who helps the student select course work related to major requirements at Mary Washington. Pre-approved transfer credit will be applied to an UMW degree only if the Office of the Registrar receives an official transcript of that course work by the University’s final deadline.

SECOND DEGREE OR POST-BACCALAUREATE MAJOR

A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington and wishes to pursue further undergraduate work may either complete a post-baccalaureate major and have it noted on the permanent record (with the date of completion) or earn a second degree if it is different from the first degree (for example, a subsequent B.A. or BLS, if the first degree was a B.S.).

Second Degree. The student must apply for admission to the new degree program through the Office of Admissions and must earn at least 30 additional credits at Mary Washington after completion of the first degree. No more than 14 of these credits can be completed prior to matriculation for the second degree. The most appropriate 90 credits will be selected to count toward the second degree. The student must complete the major program and general education requirements in the Academic Catalog in effect at the time of matriculation into the second degree.

A student who earned his or her first degree from another institution must enter Mary Washington as a transfer student, then complete the major program and general education requirements of the second degree as defined in the Academic Catalog in effect at the time of matriculation into the second degree.

Post-Baccalaureate Major. A student who has earned a degree at UMW who is completing only an additional major must complete the Major Program requirements printed in the Academic Catalog at the time of major declaration if the student has not discontinued enrollment at UMW for more than two semesters. A student returning after an absence of more than two semesters will be required to complete the major program requirements listed in the Academic Catalog in effect at the time of re-enrollment. Any B.A./B.S. student wishing to pursue a post-baccalaureate major must apply in the Office of the Registrar. A BLS student must apply in the BLS Office.

TAKING GRADUATE COURSES AS AN UNDERGRADUATE

An undergraduate student with 18 or fewer hours of course work
remaining for degree completion may take up to six hours of graduate credit
beyond the undergraduate degree requirements. Such graduate credit may
be counted toward a master’s degree at the University, but will not be used to
fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. The student must have a minimum
3.0 cumulative grade-point average and must receive permission from his/her
academic advisor and the chair of the department offering the course.

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE LIST

First Year Seminar — Any First Year Seminar 100 course, History 201 or 202, or Honors 100.

Quantitative Reasoning

Natural Science — Students should check the requirements of their intended major before selecting a natural science sequence.

Global Inquiry

Note: An approved study abroad or other field program can fulfill this requirement if it includes a satisfactory evaluation of a written reflection of a student’s experience in that program by a University of Mary Washington faculty member. Contact the Center for International Education in Lee Hall for details about how to secure the required pre-approval to meet this required via a study abroad experience/project. Note: the same study abroad experience may not be used to satisfy both the Global Inquiry and Experiential Learning requirements.

Language – Intermediate competency in a second language may be demonstrated by: (1) completion of 202 or higher in a language including ASL; (2) a score of 620 or higher on any language SAT II subject test; (3) a score of 4 or higher on any language AP Exam or on any Language and Literature AP Exam (including the Latin Vergil AP Exam); (4) a score of 5 or higher on any group 2 (second language) higher-level IB Exam; (5) a passing score on the University of Mary Washington language competency exam; (6) a rating of “Intermediate” on the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI); (7) submitting pertinent documents which verify that a student has had a high school education conducted in a language other than English or has lived extensively in and become fluent in the language of a non-English speaking country; or (8) achieving a score of 12 or higher on the exemption test administered by NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies (see details below).

Exemption tests for languages not currently taught at UMW (other than ASL) are available through New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies. For information test fees and availability, contact NYU directly 212/998-7030 or visit: www.scps.nyu.edu/areas-of-study/foreignlanguages/continuing-education/proficiency.html.

Students are responsible for the payment of all required test fees. When contacting the SCPS at NYU, students need to select the appropriate language and indicate that scores should be sent to the Office of the Registrar at UMW. NOTE: All students must take the 16-point exam. Exemptions will be granted to students scoring 12 points or higher on the 16-point exam.

Arts, Literature, and Performance – Process

Arts, Literature, and Performance – Appreciation

Human Experience and Society: at least one of the courses taken to satisfy this requirement must be selected from one of these disciplines: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology.

Experiential Learning — All courses numbered 491 and 492 (individual studies) and all Undergraduate Research 197 courses meet this requirement. The following courses also satisfy this requirement: American Studies 470, 485, Anthropology 480, Biology 424, Chemistry 493, Classics 485, Communication 481, Computer Science 391, 430, Economics 490, Education 303, 351, 440, English 314, 380, 399, Environmental Science 481, Geography 360E, 365, 485, Historic Preservation 467, 470, History 485, 486, Honors 201, Interdisciplinary 350M, Music Theory 490, Philosophy 485, Psychology 322, Psychology 350, Religion 401, Sociology 364, Spanish 301, Theatre 390, 482, and Women and Gender Studies 485. Internships (499) that have a final project/paper that is to be evaluated by the sponsoring faculty member will also meet this requirement. The “community service option” offered by a number of departments also fulfills this requirement (see the following sections of this Catalog for details: Biology, Psychology, and Spanish). The Chemistry Department’s summer research experience also fulfills this requirement (see the Chemistry section of this Catalog). A qualifying and approved study abroad experience may also be used to satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement. Contact the Center for International Education in Lee Hall for details about how to secure the required pre-approval to meet this required via a study abroad experience/project. Note: the same study abroad experience may not be used to satisfy both the Experiential Learning and Global Inquiry requirements.

Speaking Intensive (SI) — SI courses are indicated in the online schedule of courses. The course must be designated as SI in the semester in which it is taken in order to satisfy the requirement. Some sections of a particular course may be designated as SI while others are not; students should be aware of this fact when selecting courses for their schedule.

Writing Intensive (WI) — WI courses are indicated in the online schedule of courses. The course must be designated as WI in the semester in which it is taken in order to satisfy the requirement. Some sections of a particular course may be designated as WI while others are not; students should be aware of this fact when selecting courses for their schedule.