Liberal Studies (BA)

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University Requirements:

ENGL 110 - Seminar in Composition (C- minimum)
First Year Seminar (FYS) (0-4 credits)
Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) (three credits)
Multicultural Requirement (three credits)
University Breadth Requirements (C- minimum):
- Creative Arts and Humanities (three credits)
- History and Cultural Change (three credits)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (three credits)
- Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (three credits)
Capstone Experience

College Requirements:

College Breadth Requirements:

The College Breadth requirements are in addition to the University Breadth requirement. Up to three credits from each of the University Breadth Requirement categories may be used to simultaneously satisfy these College of Arts and Sciences Breadth Requirements. Minimum grade C- required for courses used to satisfy College Breadth.

GROUP A: Creative Arts and Humanities (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP B: History and Cultural Change (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP C: Social and Behavioral Sciences (Nine credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units)
GROUP D: Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Technology (Ten credits of courses representing at least two departments or appropriate instructional units and including a minimum of one course with an associated laboratory)

*If the grade earned is sufficient, a course may be applied toward more than one requirement (e.g., breadth and major requirements), but the credits are counted only once toward the total credits for graduation. If all but one course in a group has been taken in one department or program, a course cross-listed with that program will not satisfy the distribution requirement.

Foreign Language:

Completion of the intermediate-level course (107 or 202) in an ancient or modern language with minimum grades of D-.
- The number of credits (0-12) needed and initial placement will depend on the number of years of high school study of foreign language.
  - Students with four or more years of high school work in a single foreign language, or who have gained proficiency in a foreign language by other means, may attempt to fulfill the requirement in that language by taking an exemption examination through the Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department.

Mathematics:

The math requirement must be completed by the time a student has earned 60 credits. Students who transfer into the College of Arts and Sciences with 45 credits or more must complete this requirement within two semesters.

Complete one of the following four options (minimum grade D-):

Option One:

MATH 113 - Contemporary Mathematics Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who do not intend to continue to the study of mathematics)

Option Two:

One of the following:

MATH 114 - College Mathematics and Statistics Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who do not intend to continue the study of mathematics)
MATH 115 - Pre-Calculus Credit(s): 3 (designed for students who intend to continue the study of mathematics)
MATH 117 - Pre-Calculus for Scientists and Engineers Credit(s): 4 (designed to prepare students for MATH 241 )

Option Three:

Successful completion of any 200-level or higher mathematics course except: MATH 201 , MATH 202 , MATH 205 , MATH 251 , MATH 252 , MATH 253 , and MATH 266 .

Option Four:

Successful performance on a proficiency test in mathematics administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences (0 credits awarded).

Second Writing Requirement:

A Second Writing Requirement approved by the College of Arts and Sciences. This course must be taken after completion of 60 credit hours, completed with a minimum grade of C-, and the section enrolled must be designated as satisfying the requirement in the academic term completed.

Major Requirements:

This degree differs from the regular Bachelor of Arts degree in that it requires 60 credits at the 300-level or higher. The most significant difference from the more conventional degree, however, is that instead of a major, students pursue a sequence of courses of their choice that are consistent with their stated educational goals.

Admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is determined by a faculty committee appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which reviews student proposals and approves them or makes suggestions on improving or strengthening them. To be eligible to apply to the program, a student must have a cumulative grade index of 2.25 and must have completed no more than 75 credit hours at the time of the application. The committee looks for proposals that are cohesive and realistic, designed to afford the student knowledge in some broad, interdisciplinary field or focused more narrowly and in greater depth on one theme and, in general, involving course combinations that would not be feasible within one of the standard degree options. A minimum of 39 credit hours must be related to the main theme of the BALS project and a minimum grade of C- must be earned in these core courses. Students who are accepted into the Medical Scholars program complete a major in Liberal Studies using the Medical Scholars template.

Advisement and planning are essential in formulating such a proposal. Students are urged to seek advice from faculty members and the Program Director as they work on drawing up their programs. The screening committee requires the applications to carry the signature of three faculty members including the candidate’s primary advisor. Proposals should be submitted to the Program Director by October 15 or by March 15. Application forms and further information are available on the web at http://www.cas.udel.edu/bals/.

Electives:

After required courses are completed, sufficient elective credits must be taken to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.