College of Arts and Sciences
John Ettling, Dean
HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION
The College of Arts and Sciences dates from the founding of the University in 1883, and has had
organic continuity from
that date, in spite of some temporary changes in name and structure. The "Act for Establishing a
Territorial University
at Grand Forks" provided for a College of Arts "co-existent with" a College of Letters. In 1901
the name "College of
Liberal Arts" was adopted, and retained until 1943, when "College of Science, Literature and
Arts" was substituted. The
latter name was kept until 1967. The President of the University served in effect as dean of the
College until 1901,
when George S. Thomas, a classicist, assumed office. He was followed in 1911 by Melvin A.
Brannon, a biologist. Vernon
P. Squires of the English Department was dean from 1914 to 1930; William G. Bek, a German
scholar, served from 1930 to
his death in1948; he was succeeded by Robert Bonner Witmer of the Physics Department, who
was dean until 1965. Philip A.
Rognlie of the Mathematics Department was interim associate dean in 1965-66. Bernard O'Kelly,
English, was dean from
1966-1995.
In 1929 the structure of a junior college and a senior college (in the same year renamed divisions)
was adopted; the
last vestiges of this structure remained until 1966, although it had been largely superseded in
1955 by the
establishment of the University College, which enrolled freshmen. The University College was
dissolved in 1994-95.
As a faculty of Arts and Sciences, the College structurally includes at present 14 academic
departments: Anthropology,
Biology, Chemistry, Communication Sciences and Disorders, English Languages and Literature,
Geography, History, Indian
Studies, Mathematics, Modern and Classical Languages, Philosophy and Religion, Physics,
Psychology, and Sociology. The
coordinator of the Honors Program and the coordinator and faculty of the Humanities and
Integrated Studies Program are
also members of the College's faculty. The faculty of departments structurally located in other
colleges--
Communication, Computer Science, Economics, Geology, Music, Political Science, Theatre Arts
and Visual Arts-- are
regularly consulted on an associate faculty basis, since the disciplines of those departments are
historically
associated with the liberal arts. Many of the liberal arts faculty are involved in various ways in
the work of the
College of Education and Human Development.
As a college of students in the arts and sciences, the College enrolls all undergraduates who wish
to complete studies
for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with concentration in some substantive or
applicative field of
study within the traditionally broad spectrum of the liberal arts, except that beginning in 1995,
students in
Communication and the Fine Arts fields enroll in the College of Fine Arts and Communication.
The College also enrolls
some "unclassified" students who already have a bachelor's degree but wish to pursue further
studies without formally
registering in the Graduate School, and accepts auditors and special students.
The College is a member of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, the American
Conference of Academic Deans, the
Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the Mississippi Valley Deans'
Association.
MISSION
By its nature and in accordance with its history, the College of Arts and Sciences concerns itself
principally with
higher education in the broadest or liberal sense. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science
are therefore the
principal first degrees offered by the College; through subsequent enrollment in the Graduate
School, students pursue
master's or doctoral degrees in the liberal arts fields. Many undergraduates in the College are
preparing themselves for
specific professions--e.g., conservation, writing and editing, scientific research, secondary-school
teaching,
programming, translation, speech therapy, the justice system, government service--but the
College's overall goal for all
students is intellectual growth through study in the liberal arts: the natural sciences and
mathematics, the humanities,
the social sciences. These fields of study concern themselves first with the nature of humanity
and of the universe,
rather than with specific vocational applications.
The College of Arts and Sciences therefore pursues these goals:
1. To provide programs leading to the B.S. or B.A. in liberal arts disciplines;
2. To offer programs leading to career-ready baccalaureates in certain fields which have
developed from liberal arts
disciplines;
3. To offer through most of its departments programs leading to master's degrees and doctorates;
4. To support scholarly activity in the arts and sciences, so that both undergraduate and
graduate students can be
exposed to, and take an active part in, the process of scholarship and the advancement of
knowledge;
5. To foster in students those abilities which contribute to all learning--skills of communication;
habits of
independent thought, analysis and judgment; and powers of imagination and creativity;
6. To create an environment in the College, and throughout the University, which fosters
the study and
understanding of diverse cultures and international communities.
7. To provide the opportunity for all students at the University to take courses in liberal
arts disciplines.
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences are prepared on graduation to continue their studies
in graduate schools,
as well as medical or law schools and other professional programs. Whether or not they pursue
further study, their
liberal education as undergraduates will have helped them become flexible life-long learners, and
thus have prepared
them for a future characterized by rapid change.
ADMISSION TO THE COLLEGE
Freshman students who have decided on a major in Arts & Sciences may be admitted directly to
the College. Students
enrolled in other colleges at UND who decide on an A&S major may transfer to A&S provided
they are in Academic Good
Standing. Transfer students with a satisfactory academic record (generally a C or 2.00 Grade
Point Average) may be
admitted directly to the College. Please note that some programs, e.g., Communication Sciences
and Disorders and
Criminal Justice Studies, have higher grade point average requirements.
DEGREES
The only difference between the B.A. and the B.S. is that the latter degree is conferred upon
students completing a
major or concentration in a natural science (biology and related fields, chemistry, geography, and
physics). In
Psychology and Computer Sciences there are separate requirements for the B.A. and B.S.
Students in Mathematics may
choose either degree, as may students with both science and non-science majors.
By following certain specified programs, students may also obtain one of the following special
degrees: B.S. in
Chemistry, B.S in Criminal Justice Studies, B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, and B.S. in
Geology. (See the
appropriate departmental listing.)
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Basic requirements are the same for all students seeking a degree through the College of Arts and
Sciences (except for
those in the Four-Year Honors Program). These requirements fall into three main categories.
I. University Graduation Requirements. (applicable to all undergraduates) See pages 27-30.
II. Language Requirements. Generally for a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences a
student must establish
proficiency in a foreign language equivalent to that attained at the end of the fourth semester
course in college (202
at this university.) This is known as Level IV proficiency. Certain programs, however, admit
variations in this
requirement, and students should consult the specific requirements of particular programs and
departments. The language
requirement, if any, and options are listed for each major under the heading, "Required in other
departments." Any
student doubtful about what his major will be is advised to establish language proficiency
through coursework or other
means as early as possible. For certain majors and concentrations, particular languages are
preferred.
III. The Major or Concentration. Majors, basically a minimum of 30 credit hours in a single field,
are offered in a
variety of subjects. The requirements for these may be found in the departmental and
interdepartmental listings
beginning on page 58. Students should note particularly the requirements not only of the majors
and concentrations, but,
where appropriate, the accompanying requisites in other departments. In the Major (or
concentration) students must have
a grade point average of at least 2.20 by graduation.
Majors Available in the College
Anthropology
Applied Physics
Biology
Chemistry
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Computer Science
Economics
English
Fisheries and Wildlife Biology
French
Geography
Geology
German
History
Indian Studies
Latin
Mathematics
Norwegian
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Sociology
Spanish
Interdisciplinary Studies
Students with interests in Peace Studies, Russian Studies, Scandinavian Studies or other fields
that are
interdisciplinary in nature should consult the faculty in related disciplines. They may also visit
the College of Arts
and Sciences Office where information on degree programs in interdisciplinary fields would be
available. Students in
general may plan such programs with the approval of the Dean and the departments involved.
Certain students, e.g., those in the Honors Program, may graduate without a major or
concentration.
Minors. A minor is not necessary for a degree from the College, but generally a student may
declare a minor in any field
in which a major is offered. Where a minor is not specifically listed in the appropriate part of the
Catalog, a student
may declare a minor only with the approval of his adviser, the Dean, and the department or
departments concerned. A
Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.00 is required in a minor.
Teacher Certification Preparation. To prepare to teach in secondary schools, students
must meet requirements set by the
College of Education and Human Development. In addition, the candidate must have a major or
concentration in a "teaching
field" as listed in the same section. The major courses required under the B.S. Ed. degree must be
completed as part of
the major. Students wishing professional certification should, as soon as possible, seek
advisement from, and admission
to, the College of Education and Human Development as well as A&S. To be accepted for
Student Teaching, applicants must
have a 2.75 Grade Point Average (GPA) in their major and a 2.50 GPA in all work attempted up
to the time of application.
Law School Preparation. The University of North Dakota School of Law, in common with
others, strongly recommends as
preparation for legal studies the B.A. or B.S. with a broad, liberal education rather than
specialized or technical
training. For more specific expectations and entrance requirements, students should consult the
Bulletin of the School
of Law. Majors in the humanities and social sciences are appropriate. See also the Law School
listing on page 51.
Medical School Preparation. Like law schools, medical schools generally require a B.A. or B.S.
No particular major is
preferred, but a broad, liberal education is expected. In addition, the candidate should fit into his
or her program the
following courses: Chemistry 105-106; Chemistry 305-306; Biology 101-102; and Physics
203-204. Calculus and other
selected courses in Biology are also recommended. Because tomorrow's physician not only must
be accomplished in
medicine, but also concerned with the social problems of people and must be a leader in civic
and community affairs,
he/she needs to have a liberal education encompassing in some depth the natural sciences, the
social and behavioral
sciences, and the arts and the humanities. The student must therefore select a curriculum with
these goals in mind. See
also the School of Medicine listing on page 52.
Other Professional Schools. Students may obtain information on the best preparation for schools
of dentistry, pharmacy,
optometry, veterinary medicine, etc. from the Arts and Sciences Office.
Graduate Studies. Most departments in the College offer graduate work leading to the
M.A., M.S., or M.Ed., and several
have Ph.D., D.A. or Ed.D. programs. Students intending to continue their studies in graduate
school should acquaint
themselves early with the expectations and admission requirements of the various graduate
programs as set out in the
Bulletins of this university and other graduate schools.
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Students in pre-professional programs normally enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Following are recommended
curricula for pre-professional programs.
Pre-Dental
Most dental schools now require a minimum of three years of college and the majority of
admitted students have completed
an undergraduate degree. All schools require successful completion of at least one year each of
biology, physics,
inorganic chemistry, and organic chemistry. Some schools require additional specific courses.
For information on dental
schools and their requirements consult with the Dean's Office in the College of Arts and
Sciences.
Freshman Year
Engl 101, 102 Composition I and II (6)
Chem 105, 106 General Chemistry and Qual. Analysis (8)
Biol 101, 102 Introduction to Biology (8)
Math 103 College Algebra. (3)
Elective (or Comm 161) (3)
Sophomore Year
Phys 101, 102 Introductory College Physics (8)
or
Phys 203, 204 General Physics (8)
Chem 305, 306 Organic Chemistry (10)
Psy 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Elective (literature, Latin words, history,
science, etc.) (3)
Pre-Mortuary Science
The following program is designed to meet the two-year requirement in pre-mortuary science.
Ordinarily this program
would be followed by one year in a school of mortuary science and one year of apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship could
come before or after the year of mortuary science study, depending on state requirements, such as
those approved by the
North Dakota
Board of Embalmers.
Freshman Year
Engl 101, 102 Composition I and II (6)
Biol 101, 102 Introduction to Biology (8)
Social Science, History, Government, Economics (6)
Psy 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Comm 161 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
Electives (3-6)
Sophomore Year
Chem 105, 106 General Chemistry and Qual. Analysis (8)
Elective (3)
Anat 204 Anatomy for Paramedical Personnel (3-5)
Soc 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
Acct 200 Elements of Accounting I (3)
BVED 320 Business Communications. (3)
Pre-Optometry
The requirements for admission into a school of optometry are highly variable, but students must
normally complete at
least three years of college. All optometry schools require at least one year of biology, physics,
and chemistry; almost
all require at least one course in organic chemistry; and most require calculus. Additional
specific courses are
required by each school. Consult with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for schools
and requirements.
Freshman Year
Engl 101, 102 Composition I and II (6)
Math 103 College Algebra. (3)
Math 105 Trigonometry (2)
Biol 101, 102 Introduction to Biology (8)
Humanities, Social Science, or Electives (6-8)
Sophomore Year
Engl 209 Technical & Business Writing (elective) (3)
Chem 105, 106 General Chemistry and Qual. Analysis (8)
Phys 203, 204 General Physics (8)
Sociology or Social Sciences (3)
Psy 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Freshman Year
Engl 101, 102 Composition I and II (6)
Chem 105, 106 General Chemistry and Qual. Analysis (8)
Biol 101, 102 Introduction to Biology (8)
Math 103 College Algebra (3)
Elective (3)
HONORS AND INDEPENDENT STUDY
Students in the College are encouraged to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered
by the Four-Year
Honors Program, page 5, and the Senior Departmental Honors Program. In these programs the
student bears a greater
responsibility for his/her own education than in the more formal programs of the College.
Therefore the honor student
must develop at once intellectual initiative and intellectual self-discipline; and usually the
rewards are
correspondingly greater.
Without entering either of the Honors Programs, both of which require better than average
academic attainment, students
will find within the College many opportunities for independent study and research for which
they can receive academic
credit. Most departments have "readings" or "special topics" courses in which the student can
work with a faculty member
in some area not covered by regular courses. Overseas study, especially for Language Majors
(several of whom receive
scholarships to finance their travel through the Arneberg and Larsen awards each year), is
another way in which students
can profitably extend the scope of their education. In a variety of circumstances, study or
research done off campus can
also be offered for academic credit.
Students in the College are also encouraged to plan and to propose to the Dean or to appropriate
faculty members
interdisciplinary courses which they believe would be educationally sound and interesting. Arts
and Sciences 250 is a
non-departmental course listing, under which students may earn credit for special "In-demand"
courses, seminars, etc.
Students or faculty members who wish to propose a special course under this number should
consult the Dean's Office.
Students who have special preparation in the subject matter of a course offered at the university
or who because of
particular interest bring themselves to proficiency or depth in the subject through private study
may challenge the
course (or courses) for credit by special examination.
SPECIAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Three research institutes, the Institute for Ecological Studies, the Institute for Remote Sensing,
and the Social
Science Research Institute, are lodged in the college. In addition, through its various
departments, the College of Arts
and Sciences provides a variety of special services and facilities such as the Psychological
Services Center (Psychology
Department); the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic (Department of Communication
Disorders); the Center for the Study
of Cultural and Social Change (Sociology Department); and the U.S. Weather Bureau
Observation Station and Astronomy
Observatory (Geography Department). In addition, all departments of the College engage in
general and specialized
research.