Why Choose USF's College of Arts
and Sciences?
The faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences strives to instill in its
students an
understanding of the history of human ideas, a sense of love for
learning, and an appreciation of the means that scholars have used in their search for order and beauty in the natural and social worlds. The College
effectively provides students with an opportunity to experience scholarship across the arts and sciences by offering 62 different majors in these areas.
Wide Range of Majors and Minors
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a wide range of majors in the social and behavioral sciences, natural and physical sciences, humanities and
several
professional programs. Some programs offer both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees.
Minors are offered in Africana Studies, American Studies,
Anthropology, Biomedical Physics, Chemistry, Classics, Communication, Communication
Sciences and Disorders, Criminology, Economics, English, Foreing Languages,
Geography, Geology, Gerontology, History, Humanities,
International Studies, Mass Communications,
Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science,
Psychology, Public Administration, Religious Studies, Sociology,
and Women's Studies.
The College offers honors programs in Anthropology, Biology, Classics,
Communication, Communication Sciences and Disorders, English,
Geology, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies,
and Sociology.
USF's Policies
First Day Class Attendance
Students are required to attend the first class meeting of undergraduate courses for which they registered prior to the first day of the term. Names of
students who register prior to the first day of the term are printed on the first class roll for each course section. The first class roll is used by
instructors to drop students who do not attend the first day of class. Students having extenuating circumstances beyond their control and who are unable
to attend the first class meeting must notify the instructor or the department prior to the first class meeting to request waiver of the first day class
attendance requirement. Students who add courses or late-register during the first week of classes will not be on the first class roll and, therefore,
will not be dropped for non-attendance by the instructor. To avoid fee liability and academic penalty, the student is responsible for insuring that he/she
has dropped or been dropped from all undesired courses by the end of the 5th day of classes.
"I" Grades
An "I" or Incomplete grade indicates incomplete course work and may be awarded to any student. "I" grades are awarded only when a
small portion of the student's work is incomplete and only when the student is otherwise earning a passing grade. Until removed, the "I" grade is not
computed in the student's GPA.
The time limit for removing the "I" is to be set by the instructor of the course. This time limit may not exceed two academic semesters, whether or not
the student is in residence, and/or graduated. "I" grades not removed by the end of the time limit will be changed to IF or IU, whichever is appropriate.
If an instructor is willing, he or she may accept work from a student after an "I" grade has changed to an IF or IU grade, and assign the student a final
grade in the course, unless the student has graduated. Whether or not the student is in residence, any change to IF grades will be calculated in the
cumulative GPA and, if applicable, the student will be placed on appropriate probation or academically dismissed. Students are not required to
re-register
for courses in which they are only completing previous course requirements to change an "I" grade. However, if a student wants to audit a course for
review in order to complete course requirements, full fees must be paid.
Grade Forgiveness
The Grade Forgiveness policy permits the student to repeat a course and have the repeated grade computed in his/her grade point average in lieu of the
original grade, providing the repeat grade is a D or higher. The student must have taken and repeated the course at USF. Refer to the catalog under
Academic Policies and Procedures for further information.
Repeat Surcharge
Students registering for a course for the third time will be charged approximately three (3) times the regular fee.
Cross Enrollment/Transient Students
Students who wish to enroll at another regionally accredited institution must have prior written approval from their academic advisor to receive
credit for those courses. To prevent problems with financial aid and other registration issues, an advisor should be consulted for detailed instructions
and course approval.
Graduation
The student must submit an application for graduation to the Office of the Registrar. This application must be submitted in the term of expected
graduation by the deadline noted in the academic calendar. A fee of $50.00 will be assessed for late applications.
Graduation Requirements
Students are responsible for meeting all graduation requirements
as outlined in the academic policies and college section
of the USF Undergraduate Catalog.
Liberal
Arts General Education and Exit Requirements
Students are required to fulfill the Liberal Arts Requirement of 45 hours with a minimum overall grade point average of a 2.0. The Liberal Arts
Requirement is comprised of two components:
The General Education portion consists of 2 courses or 6 semester hours each of English Composition, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social
Sciences, and Historical Perspectives; 1 course or 3 semester hours each of Fine Arts and African, Latin American, Middle Eastern, or Asian Perspective
(ALAMEA).
The Exit Requirements portion consists of 2 courses or 6 semester hours of Major Works and Major Issues, and 1 course or 3 semester hours of
Literature and Writing. All Exit courses must be taken at USF.
Gordon Rule
Gordon Rule is a state mandated requirement with two components:
Communication: Twelve semester hours of English courses in which a student is required to demonstrate writing skills. For the purpose of this
rule, an English course is defined as any semester-length course within the general study area of the humanities in which the student is required to
produce written work of at least 6000 words. In order to receive credit for fulfillment of this rule, students must receive a grade of "C-" or higher in
each course (no "S" grades). ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 (Freshman English I & II) will count for half of this requirement, the remaining courses can be taken
in conjunction with completion of other requirements.
Computation: Six semester hours of mathematics course work at the level of college algebra or above. For the purpose of this rule, applied logic,
statistics, and other such computation course work, which, may not be placed within a mathematics department, any be used to fulfill 3 hours of the 6
hours required by this section. In order to receive credit for this requirement, students must receive a grade of "C-" or higher in each course.
CLAST - College Level Academic
Skills Test
CLAST is a state mandated achievement test that measures mastery of communication and mathematical skills expected of students completing their sophomore
year in college.
Summer
Students are required to take 3 courses or 9 semester hours of summer courses at a Florida state university before graduation.
Foreign Language
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must demonstrate competency in a foreign language by completing either two semesters of a beginning
college-level foreign language or one semester of a higher-level course and earning a grade of "C" or above in the appropriate course (no "S"
grades), or by demonstrating equivalent competency by passing an examination.
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree are not required to satisfy the foreign language exit requirement, provided the foreign language
entrance requirement (two years of high school) has been satisfied.
Upper Level Credit
The College requires completion of 48 semester hours of upper-level courses (numbered 3000 or 4000).
Major
Major requirements are listed in the catalog. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure graduation in a timely manner.
College Policies
Physical Education/ROTC
Students majoring in the College of Arts and Sciences are limited to two semester hours of Physical Education and nine semester hours of ROTC toward
the required 120 hours to graduate (124 for Mass Communications majors).
"S/U" (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Grades
There is a maximum of 20 semester hours of S/U grades. An S/U contract must be negotiated in writing within the first three weeks of the semester.
None of the 20 semester hours of S/U grades are accepted in the student's major unless S/U is the only grading option, or with special permission from the
department.
"D" grades are not acceptable for any of the major courses and most of the
supporting courses. Important: All grades, including "D"s and "F"s , are used
to calculate grade point averages for students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Refer to the University's catalog for further information.
not acceptable in some of the major and supporting courses.
Residency Requirement
Departments may require that a minimum number of major applicable credit hours be taken in residency at USF.
Academic Advising
The College of Arts and Sciences' decentralized advising provides students the opportunity to work with a professional who has specialized knowledge and
understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, and undergraduate research and career opportunities in their field. In addition to major
advising, the college offers pre-professional advising for students intending to pursue careers in law and the health professions. Each program has its
own advising office. The advisor should be contacted for information on curriculum planning, graduation requirements, and admission to professional
schools.
Health Professions Advising
Health Professions advising is available through the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies located in
BEH 201 to make an appointment please call 813-974-6957.
Pre Law Advising
Pre Law advising is available through the department of Government and International Studies located in
SOC352 to make an appointment please call 813-974-2384.
