University Catalog 2005-2006

University Catalog > College of Arts and Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Phone: 703-993-8720
Web: cas.gmu.edu

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Departments and Colleges

Interdisciplinary Programs

Interdisciplinary Minors

Departmental Minors

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is the largest and most diverse academic unit at Mason. Teaching and research activities encompass the liberal arts—humanities, sciences, and social sciences. In addition to the degree programs in 16 departments and New Century College, CAS also offers many innovative interdisciplinary minors, majors, and graduate degrees. Undergraduate students in CAS attain breadth, through a broad distribution of courses in general education, and depth, through a major field of study. Special opportunities for students include the Honors Program in General Education, honors programs within selected majors, internships and co-ops, travel abroad, and research experiences. Many undergraduates go on to graduate school and professional schools in medicine, law, and the ministry; and to pursue careers in public service, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. Graduate students engage in more specialized study at the master's and doctoral levels, preparing them for first or second careers or job advancement, and providing personal enrichment. Through its programs, CAS exposes students to principles of sound reasoning and judgment, while providing skills for understanding and using information and technology.

Faculty members are committed to teaching grounded in scholarship and research. They strive to make students rigorous thinkers and clear communicators, while encouraging experimentation with new approaches and ideas. Students are thus prepared for their role as informed citizens in a complex, global society; they will be able to adapt to an ever-changing world.

Administration

Graduate Degree Programs

CAS offers 22 master's degrees, including a master of public administration and a master of fine arts in creative writing, and 11 doctoral degrees. The requirements for each degree are described in the sections that follow.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

The undergraduate degree consists of course work in university-wide general education, course work in a major area of study, and electives. CAS offers 20 bachelor of arts (BA) degrees, 15 bachelor of science (BS) degrees, and a bachelor's of individualized study (BIS). To earn a bachelor's degree, students must complete 120 credits, of which at least 45 must be in upper-level courses (numbered 300 and above). At least one course at the 300 or 400 level must be designated "writing intensive." All entering students who have not yet satisfied the university-wide general education requirement in quantitative reasoning are required to take the math placement test prior to enrollment.

Students should consult the "General Education" chapter for information concerning university-wide general education requirements for undergraduate degrees.

College-Level Requirements

The baccalaureate degree is designed to provide a broad knowledge of the world, develop in students the ability to think both conceptually and critically, acquaint them with many different methods of inquiry, and provide skills to continue intellectual growth throughout life. Because these goals can be achieved in many ways, students may select from a range of courses for completing them. But education involves more than fulfilling requirements. The selection of courses should not only deepen knowledge in areas of interest, but also expand the range of those interests. The courses enable students to link the present to the past, their culture to other cultures, and what is, to what could be. Learning to make these connections increases the ability to understand and enjoy the world in ways not yet imagined.

Bachelor of Arts

The BA degree provides students with a breadth of knowledge as well as the necessary skills to make in-depth study of a major truly meaningful. In addition to the university-wide general education program, students pursuing a BA degree must complete the course work below. Except where expressly prohibited, a course used to fulfill a college-level requirement may also be used simultaneously to satisfy other requirements (university-wide general education requirements, college-level requirements, or requirements for the major).

Requirements for each major are listed in the departmental sections that follow.

Bachelor of Science

The BS degree provides students with a more intensive approach to the core technical questions of their majors. This curriculum therefore has a reduced number of courses in humanities and social sciences in comparison with the BA degree to allow students to achieve greater depth in their majors. Students pursuing a BS in CAS must complete the university-wide general education program plus 1 additional credit of natural science (for a total of 8 credits), which must be fulfilled by an approved two-semester laboratory science sequence in a single science. (This may not be fulfilled by BIOL 124 and 125, or by EVSC 205 and 206.)

Requirements for each major are listed in the departmental sections that follow.

Physical Education Courses

Activity courses offered by the Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources Department cannot be counted toward the credits required for a degree in CAS. Students may take non-activity PHED courses for the elective credit for CAS degrees.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become teachers should consult the CEHD chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Minors

Student may elect to take a minor in addition to their major field of study. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. Students interested in earning a minor should complete the appropriate section of the Change/Declaration of Academic Program form.