The College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at UVM combines the advantages of a small liberal arts college and the resources of a major research institution. It provides students with a sound liberal education through close interaction with nationally and internationally noted scholars. This close interaction helps students acquire knowledge and scholarly discipline that enables them to think critically about issues they will confront in their professional and personal lives. The college's academic programs acquaint students with the intellectual, cultural, and aesthetic heritage of our complex world. The college's programs also seek to prepare students for entry into rewarding careers in a variety of fields and for advanced study that may be prerequisite to other opportunities. More and more professional schools, corporate managers, and graduate schools seek individuals who have a fine liberal arts background.
In UVM’s College of Arts and Sciences, students are encouraged to develop depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as the critical thinking and communication skills that are the hallmarks of a liberal education. Students begin developing these skills in a first-year seminar, and, as they complete degree requirements, they have the opportunity to explore a wide range of disciplines spanning literature, the humanities, the arts, foreign languages, the natural and social sciences, and mathematics. The college offers over forty majors from which students may choose.
The Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is located at 438 College Street.
First-Year Programs
The first year of university-level study is challenging. The College of Arts and Sciences offers students programs that help them complete the first year successfully and acquire the skills and background necessary for success throughout their university careers.
In their first semester, students are encouraged to enroll in a First Year Seminar (FYS), which is designed to help students begin a successful liberal arts education. FYS courses are interactive, writing intensive courses. In FYS courses, students approach significant issues from a variety of points of view, develop their critical thinking, and improve their skills in oral and written communication. FYS courses also help first-year students discover their interests and reach academic goals. Every FYS course satisfies the university Foundational Writing and Information Literacy requirement and most meet one of the college’s distribution requirements as well. Typical topics for FYS courses include “Medical Geology,” “ Writer as Witness,” “Ethics of Eating,” and “Meanings of Madness." More than fifty different courses like these are available to first-year students each year.
Another option is for students to participate in one of the six offerings within the Liberal Arts Scholars Program. Students in these residentially based programs enroll in four connected seminars and live together. They are designated “Liberal Arts Scholars” programs because they are designed for highly motivated first-year students with strong academic records.
Pre-Professional Preparation
Whether a student is interested in medical, dental or law school, or graduate work in other fields, the College of Arts and Sciences offers excellent opportunities to complete a pre-professional education.
Medicine and Dentistry
Minimum requirements for entry into medical school include one year each of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus. In preparation for the 2015 MCAT, one semester of statistics (or a statistics-heavy course in another discipline), one semester of biochemistry, one semester of psychology, and one semester of sociology should be completed. Increasing numbers of medical schools also are requiring a year of English, especially writing-intensive courses. There is, however, no required or preferred major. As long as a student completes the courses required by their chosen professional school, they may pursue any undergraduate major in UVM’s College of Arts and Sciences. Medical and dental schools are primarily concerned with the overall scope and quality of undergraduate work. Only about half of the first-year students in medical or dental schools have majored in a science, for example. Thus, students should follow their true interests and work to achieve the academic standing necessary. Academic advisors will help students plan their programs. In addition, the Career Center coordinates pre-medical and pre-dental advising and has information about the requirements of specific medical and dental schools.
Because the UVM College of Arts and Sciences offers the advantages of a small liberal arts college within a comprehensive university, students have the opportunity to do research with faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields. The college has an excellent record of placing graduates in medical and dental schools. Among the institutions where recent pre-medical graduates are now studying are Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Tufts, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, UVM, Duke, and Brown, while pre-dental graduates are studying at Boston University, Temple, Tufts, Arizona, and University of New England.
The Pre-Medical Enhancement Program (PEP) is a joint offering of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the College of Medicine to provide enhanced opportunities for a select group of highly qualified pre-medical students. Interested students apply to PEP in the second semester of their first year. Those students accepted into PEP will be assigned a practicing physician-mentor who will introduce the concepts of patient care and practice management through regularly scheduled office-based/clinical experiences. The PEP coordinator in the College of Medicine will provide information on opportunities for medical research experience and volunteer/employment possibilities in the health sciences or health policy fields. On a monthly basis, students will receive listings about special educational offerings at the College of Medicine and the Academic Medical Center. PEP students will also be able to participate in practice interviews with members of the University of Vermont Pre-Medical Committee. In their junior year, PEP students will be able to apply to the University of Vermont College of Medicine. More information is available in the graduate and professional school section of the Career Center's website.
Law
A significant number of UVM students consider attending law school immediately or a few years after graduation. UVM is successful in placing its graduates in leading law programs around the country, including Yale University, New York University, Columbia University, and the University of Michigan.
The University of Vermont (UVM) and Vermont Law School (VLS) offer unique 3+2 and 3+3 dual-degree programs. The dual-degree programs enable highly-focused students to earn both degrees in less time and at less cost from two distinguished institutions. In addition to the dual-degree programs, VLS offers a guaranteed admission program for UVM graduates. Learn more about the dual-degree and guaranteed admission programs.
The University of Vermont provides guidance to its pre-law students through the Career Center and faculty and staff advisors in Arts and Sciences. The college begins working with students as soon as they express an interest in law and provide guidance throughout their undergraduate career.
Unlike pre-medical programs, where students must take a prescribed set of courses, there is no pre-law curriculum. “What law schools seek in their entering students is not accomplishment in mere memorization,” states the Association of American Law Schools, “but accomplishment in understanding, the capacity to think for themselves, and the ability to express their thoughts with clarity and force.” The Association does not prescribe a specific course of study to prepare undergraduates for law school, but rather suggests a broad approach to liberal arts including work in English, humanities, logic, mathematics, social sciences, history, philosophy, and the natural sciences.
Graduate Study in Other Fields
Arts and Sciences students pursue graduate education in a variety of fields ranging from ethnomusicology to journalism and immunology. Recent UVM College of Arts and Sciences graduates have been accepted at such institutions as the University of Wisconsin, Brandeis, Harvard, University of Michigan, Yale, New York University, Princeton, Cornell, Berkeley, Tufts, and Duke.
Secondary Teaching
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences who are interested in becoming eligible to teach in secondary grades (7-12) should review the College of Education and Social Services section titled Teacher Education. All requirements must be fulfilled as listed in the CESS Secondary Education State Approved program and not simply the sequence of professional courses.
Film and Television Studies B.A.
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies B.A.
Latin American and Caribbean Studies B.A.
Community Music: Organ - Undergraduate Certificate
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Physical Activity Promotion in Children and Youth - Undergraduate Certificate
Religious Literacy in Professions - Undergraduate Certificate
Reporting and Documentary Storytelling
Sexuality and Gender Identity Studies
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - Undergraduate Certificate
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
CATALOG EDITION
Students must comply with the degree requirements as stated in a single catalogue edition in place during the time they are enrolled. The catalogue edition to be followed is the one in effect at the time the student matriculates at UVM, unless the student requests in writing to follow an edition that is published subsequently during their enrollment at UVM. Students may not mix requirements from different catalogues.
Students who do not complete the degree within 7 years must comply with the requirements in the catalogue current at the date of readmission. Disputed rulings may be appealed to the Committee on Academic Standing.
CREDITS AND GPA
A student must earn a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in a program comprised of a minimum of 120 semester credits. Of the 120 credits required, students electing a minor offered by the college must complete 96 credits in courses offered by departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining 24 credits may be taken in courses offered by any academic unit at the University of Vermont. Students electing an approved major (dual degree) or minor offered by another school or college of the university must complete 84 credits in courses offered by the departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining 36 credits, to include courses required for the minor, may be taken in courses offered by any academic unit of the University of Vermont.
There are limits on the number of certain types of credit that can be applied to the 120 credits required to graduate with a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences:
- up to 8 credits of Physical Education (PEAC)
- up to 18 credits of Military Studies (MS)
- up to 12 credits of Internship courses, including ANTH 093, ANTH 193, ANTH 293, ARTH 091, ARTH 191, ARTH 291, ARTS 091, ARTS 191, ARTS 291, AS 090, AS 189, AS 190, ASCI 095, ASCI 195, ASCI 295, BIOL 090, BIOL 190, BIOL 195, BIOL 290, BME 090, BME 190, BME 290, BSAD 094, BSAD 094, BSAD 194, BSAD 294, CALS 090, CALS 190, CALS 290, CDAE 096, CDAE 196, CDAE 296, CEMS 090, CEMS 190, CEMS 290, CHEM 090, CHEM 190, CHEM 290, CRES 091, CRES 191, CRES 291, CS 090, CS 190, CS 290, CSD 090, CSD 190, CSD 290, DNCE 092, DNCE 177, DNCE 192, DNCE 292, EC 090, EC 190, EC 290, EDFS 095, EDFS 195, EDFS 295, EE 090, EE 190, EE 290, ENGR 090, ENGR 190, ENGR 290, ENGS 091, ENGS 191, ENGS 192, ENGS 291, ENSC 090, ENSC 195, ENSC 290, ENVS 091, ENVS 191, ENVS 291, FOR 191, FOR 291, FS 090, FS 190, FS 290, FTS 091, FTS 191, FTS 192, FTS 291, GEOG 091, GEOG 191, GEOG 291, GERM 090, GERM 190, GERM 290, GRS 090, GRS 191, GRS 192, GRS 290, GSWS 090, GSWS 190, GSWS 191, GSWS 192, GSWS 290, HSCI 090, HSCI 190, HSCI 290, HSOC 090, HSOC 190, HSOC 290, HST 099, HST 199, HST 299, MATH 090, MATH 190, MATH 290, ME 090, ME 190, MMG 090, MMG 190, MMG 290, MU 092, MU 192, MU 271, MU 273, MU 275, MU 290, MU 291, MU 292, NFS 096, NFS 196, NFS 274, NFS 296, NR 090, NR 190, NR 243, NR 264, NR 290, PBIO 090, PBIO 190, PBIO 290, POLS 091, POLS 191, POLS 192, POLS 291, PRT 090, PRT 190, PRT 191, PRT 290, PSS 090, PSS 158, PSS 190, PSS 290, PSYS 090, PSYS 178, PSYS 190, PSYS 290, SOC 085, SOC 185, SOC 220, SOC 285, SPAN 089, SPAN 189, SPAN 289, STAT 090, STAT 190, STAT 290, THE 091, THE 191, THE 291, VS 091, VS 191, VS 291, WFB 091, WFB 191, WFB 291.
RESIDENCY
A student must be matriculated in the College of Arts and Sciences and in residence at the University of Vermont during the period in which they earn 30 of the last 45 credits applied toward the degree.
SECOND BACHELOR'S DEGREE
The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences are not tagged degrees. As a consequence, someone who has completed either a B.A. or a B.S. in Arts and Sciences will not receive a second degree should they complete an additional major within the same degree.
If a B.A. or B.S. graduate of Arts and Sciences is readmitted and/or completes an additional major beyond the one used toward the original diploma, the additional major and course work will be added to the transcript. A second degree will only be awarded when the additional course work completed satisfies the requirements for a different degree with a different major from the one initially awarded (i.e., B.A. graduate with major in physics completes requirements for B.S. with major in chemistry).
Students who do not complete the degree within 7 years must comply with the requirements in the catalogue current at the time of readmission. Students readmitted to complete a second degree, or to complete an additional major within the same degree must also comply with this rule.
GENERAL AND DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
A student must complete the following courses, which comprise the General and Distribution Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. All courses used to satisfy these requirements must carry at least 3 credits and may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis. Each semester, Special Topics courses and cross-listed courses (095, 096, 195, 196, 295, 296) are offered that may meet General and Distribution Requirements. Contact the dean’s office with questions about a specific course.
General Requirements
Non-European Cultures
1 course, other than a foreign language, which deals with non-European cultural traditions. The course selected to satisfy this requirement may also be used to fulfill the Distribution Requirements. The following active courses have been approved for this category: ANTH 014, ANTH 021, ANTH 024, ANTH 028, ANTH 059, ANTH 076, ANTH 085, ANTH 089, ANTH 104, ANTH 172, ANTH 173, ANTH 174, ANTH 179, ANTH 146; ARTH 184; ARTH 185, ARTH 186, ARTH 187, ARTH 188, ARTH 192; CLAS 145; DNCE 005, DNCE 006, DNCE 031, DNCE 033, DNCE 155; EC 040, EC 045; ENGS 060, ENGS 062, ENGS 179, ENGS 182; ENVS 167, GEOG 050, GEOG 150; GRS 001, GRS 200, GRS 157, GRS 167; GSWS 165; HSOC 089, HSOC 103; HST 009, HST 010, HST 041, HST 045, HST 046, HST 055, HST 063, HST 067, HST 141, HST 142, HST 144, HST 146, HST 150, HST 151, HST 240, HST 250, HST 252; LING 014, LING 161; MU 007, MU 014, MU 107; PHIL 121; POLS 157, POLS 162, POLS 167, POLS 174, POLS 176, POLS 177, POLS 270; REL 020, REL 021, REL 023, REL 029, REL 030, REL 031, REL 040, REL 132, REL 133, REL 234; SOC 112, SOC 155, SOC 212, SOC 272; SPAN 145, SPAN 146, SPAN 269, SPAN 294; THE 077; WLIT 020, WLIT 025, WLIT 109, WLIT 110, WLIT 119, WLIT 129, WLIT 145.
Courses that meet the Non-European Cultures requirement may also fulfill the University Approved Diversity requirement. Check the listing of University Approved Diversity courses found elsewhere in this catalogue.
Distribution Requirements
Students completing the B.A. degree will be required to complete all 7 of the Distribution Requirement categories (Foreign Language, Mathematical Sciences, Fine Arts, Literature, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences). No more than 3 courses from the same department may be used to satisfy the Distribution Requirements. No single course may satisfy more than 1 category, except that a foreign language course which fulfills the literature category simultaneously fulfills the category of foreign language. Except where noted, only courses of 3 credits or more will satisfy B.A. or B.S. distribution requirements. Courses which satisfy major and minor requirements may also be used to satisfy Distribution Requirements. Please note that Psychological Science (BA only) majors must complete at least 1 course in Natural Science outside the Department of Psychological Science.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
2 courses in the same foreign language at the appropriate level, as determined by the offering department. The following courses have been approved for this category: ASL 001, ASL 002, ASL 051, ASL 052, ASL 101, ASL 102; and all courses in Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish EXCEPT: CHIN 095, CHIN 096; FREN 095, FREN 096; ITAL 095, ITAL 096; JAPN 095, JAPN 096; SPAN 010, SPAN 095, SPAN 096.
The language sequences are designed specifically to train students in the four skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The total sequence in each language represents a continuum into which students with previous experience in the language will be placed according to their level of achievement, regardless of how many or how few years they may have studied it. For placement in advanced language courses (100 or above), first-year students should consult with this department. Students may not take a language course lower than the level most recently attained except with the permission of the department. This stricture does not apply to literature or civilization courses.
Students electing to study French or Spanish must take an online placement exam in order to register for courses used to satisfy this requirement in one of these languages, even if they have not formally studied the language in the past. See department websites for access to online placement exams.
A student who has achieved a score of 4 or better on an appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) Test and receives AP credit for 2 semesters of language has satisfied this requirement. See Admissions Section for information concerning academic credit for Advanced Placement Testing.
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
1 mathematics course at MATH 017 or higher, or STAT 051 or higher, or CS 008 or higher, or PHIL 013, or LING 075.
FINE ARTS
1 course in Studio Art or Art History, Dance, Film and Television Studies, Music, or Theatre. Dance and Music Performance/Ensemble courses, and/or Music lessons may be used to satisfy the fine arts requirement if the cumulative credit total is equal to or greater than 3. Speech courses will not satisfy the fine arts requirement.
LITERATURE
1 course selected from a list of approved offerings in Classics, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and World Literature. Active courses approved for this category include: CLAS 015, CLAS 042; all English courses except: ENGS 001, ENGS 002 (writing courses only), ENGS 005 (writing courses only), ENGS 050, ENGS 051, ENGS 053, ENGS 081, ENGS 104, ENGS 105, ENGS 107, ENGS 114, ENGS 117, ENGS 118, ENGS 119, ENGS 191, ENGS 192, ENGS 211; all French courses numbered FREN 141 or higher except FREN 201, FREN 293; GSWS 042; all German courses numbered above 100 except: GERM 122; all Greek courses numbered above 200; HS 017; all Italian courses above 100; all Latin courses numbered above 100 except: LAT 211, LAT 212; all Russian courses numbered above 100 except: RUSS 101, RUSS 122, RUSS 195, RUSS 196, RUSS 221, RUSS 222; all Spanish courses numbered SPAN 140 or higher except courses numbered SPAN 201, SPAN 202, SPAN 290, SPAN 291, SPAN 294; all World Literature courses.
HUMANITIES
2 courses from a list of approved offerings in Art History, Classics, Greek, History, Latin, Music History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religion. Active courses approved for this category include: all Art History, History, and Religion courses; CLAS 015, CLAS 021, CLAS 022, CLAS 023, CLAS 024, CLAS 121, CLAS 122, CLAS 163; DNCE 050; GRK 205; HS 139, HS 180, HS 190, HS 191, HS 227; MU 001, MU 005, MU 010, MU 012, MU 013, MU 014, MU 015, MU 105, MU 111, MU 112, MU 115; all Philosophy courses except PHIL 013; POLS 041, POLS 140, POLS 141, POLS 142, POLS 147, POLS 148, POLS 149, POLS 241, POLS 245, POLS 249.
SOCIAL SCIENCES
2 courses from a list of approved offerings in Anthropology, Economics, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Geography, Global and Regional Studies, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychological Science, Sociology, and Vermont Studies. Active courses approved for this category include: all Anthropology, Economics, Linguistics, and Sociology courses; CRES 061; CSD 094; GSWS 001; all Geography courses except: GEOG 040, GEOG 140, GEOG 143, GEOG 148; HSOC 054, HSOC 089, HSOC 103; all Political Science courses except: POLS 041, POLS 140, POLS 141, POLS 142, POLS 147, POLS 148, POLS 149, POLS 241, POLS 245, POLS 249; all Psychological Science courses except: PSYS 111, PSYS 115, PSYS 211, PSYS 215, PSYS 216, PSYS 218; VS 052.
NATURAL SCIENCES
2 courses, 1 of which must be a lab course that totals 4 credits, chosen from: all offerings in Astronomy, Biology (including BCOR), Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Plant Biology, plus: GEOG 040, GEOG 140, GEOG 143, GEOG 148; MMG 065; PSYS 111, PSYS 115, PSYS 211, PSYS 215, PSYS 216, PSYS 218.
MAJOR
A student must complete an approved major in the College of Arts and Sciences by satisfying the requirements specified by the department or program supervising the major and by maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in the major field. Unless specifically required, no more than 45 credits in courses with the same departmental prefix may be used toward completion of the 120 credits required for graduation. At least one-half of the credits used toward the major requirements must be taken at the University of Vermont. Of these, at least 12 credits must be at or above the 100-level. Application of credits earned elsewhere to completion of the major is subject to approval by the appropriate department chair or program director. No courses applied toward satisfaction of major requirements may be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
MINOR
A student must complete a minor approved by the College of Arts and Sciences in a field other than the major by satisfying the requirements specified by the department or program supervising the minor. Only 1 course may be applied toward completion of both a major and a minor requirement. As with the major, at least one-half of the credits used toward completion of the minor requirements must be taken at the University of Vermont, and application of credits earned elsewhere toward completion of the minor is subject to approval by the appropriate department chair or program director.
A student must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in the minor field. Students may choose any set of applicable courses from the transcript to satisfy the minor requirements. The grade-point average of these chosen courses must be at least 2.00. Courses used to satisfy a minor may not be taken pass/no pass.
Completion of a second major in CAS will satisfy the minor requirement as long as there is no more than one common course used to satisfy the requirements for both majors. Completion of a second degree in CAS or another unit at UVM will satisfy the minor requirement, and multiple courses can overlap from one degree to another.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree
CATALOG EDITION
Students must comply with the degree requirements as stated in a single catalogue edition in place during the time they are enrolled. The catalogue edition to be followed is the one in effect at the time the student matriculates at UVM, unless the student requests in writing to follow an edition that is published subsequently during their enrollment at UVM. Students may not mix requirements from different catalogues.
Students who do not complete the degree within 7 years must comply with the requirements in the catalogue current at the date of readmission. Disputed rulings may be appealed to the Committee on Academic Standing.
CREDITS AND GPA
A student must earn a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in a program comprised of a minimum of 120 semester credits. Of the 120 credits required, students electing a minor offered by the college must complete 96 credits in courses offered by departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining 24 credits may be taken in courses offered by any academic unit at the University of Vermont. Students electing an approved major (dual degree) or minor offered by another school or college of the university must complete 84 credits in courses offered by the departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining 36 credits, to include courses required for the minor, may be taken in courses offered by any academic unit of the University of Vermont.
There are limits on the number of certain types of credit that can be applied to the 120 credits required to graduate with a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences:
- up to 8 credits of Physical Education (PEAC)
- up to 18 credits of Military Studies (MS)
- up to 12 credits of Internship courses, as listed in the Bachelor of Arts requirements
RESIDENCY
A student must be matriculated in the College of Arts and Sciences and in residence at the University of Vermont during the period in which they earn 30 of the last 45 credits applied toward the degree.
SECOND BACHELOR'S DEGREE
The Bachelor of Science in the College of Arts and Sciences is not a tagged degree. As a consequence, students who have completed a B.S. in Arts and Sciences will not receive a second degree should they complete an additional major within the same degree.
If a B.S. graduate of Arts and Sciences is readmitted and/or completes an additional major beyond the one used toward the original diploma, the additional major and course work will be added to the transcript. A second degree will only be awarded when the additional course work completed satisfies the requirements for a different degree with a different major from the one initially awarded (e.g., a B.S. graduate with a major in chemistry completes requirements for a B.A. in physics).
Students who do not complete the degree within 7 years must comply with the requirements in the catalogue current at the time of readmission.
GENERAL AND DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
A student must complete the following courses, which comprise the General and Distribution Requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. All courses used to satisfy these requirements must carry at least 3 credits and may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis. Each semester, Special Topics courses and cross-listed courses (095, 096, 195, 196, 295, 296) are offered that may meet General and Distribution Requirements. Contact the dean’s office with questions about a specific course.
General Requirements
Non-European cultures
1 course, other than a foreign language, which deals with non-European cultural traditions. See the list of approved courses in the Bachelor of Arts General Requirements section.
Distribution Requirements
B.S. degree students in the College will be required to complete coursework in ALL the following categories: Natural Sciences (2 courses with lab as defined by the major requirements), Mathematical Sciences (2 courses as defined by the major requirements), Social Sciences (2 courses). In addition, B.S. degree students in the College will be required to complete coursework in 2 of the following 3 categories: Fine Arts and Literature (2 courses - one course in each area), Foreign Language (2 courses in the same language at the appropriate level), or Humanities (2 courses). See Bachelor of Arts Distribution Requirements for the courses which fit into these categories. No courses applied toward satisfaction of the Distribution Requirements may be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
MAJOR
A student must complete an approved major in the College of Arts and Sciences by satisfying the requirements specified by the department or program supervising the major, and by maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in the major field. Unless specifically required, no more than 50 credits in courses with the same departmental prefix may be used toward completion of the 120 credits required for graduation. At least one-half of the credits used toward the major requirements must be taken at UVM. Of these, at least 12 credits must be at or above the 100-level. Application of credits earned elsewhere toward completion of the major is subject to approval by the appropriate department chair or program director. No courses applied toward satisfaction of major requirements may be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE WITH OPTIONAL MINOR
A student electing this degree program must satisfy all of the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree specified above, as well as:
A student must complete an approved minor in a field other than the major by satisfying the requirements specified by the department or program supervising the minor and by maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in the minor field. Students electing a minor offered by the college must complete 96 credits in courses offered by departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining 24 credits may be taken in courses offered by any academic unit at the University of Vermont. Students electing an approved major (dual degree) or minor offered by another school or college of the university must complete 84 credits in courses offered by the departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The remaining 36 credits, to include courses required for the minor, may be taken in courses offered by any academic unit of the University of Vermont. At least one-half of the credits used toward completion of the minor requirements must be taken at the University of Vermont, and application of credits earned elsewhere toward completion of the minor is subject to approval by the appropriate department chair or program director. No courses applied toward satisfaction of the minor requirements may be taken on a pass/no pass basis. No more than 2 of the courses from Distribution Requirements may be applied toward the completion of the minor requirements.
Only 1 course may be applied toward completion of both a major and a minor requirement. The minor grade-point average will be calculated from the first set of courses which satisfy the minor requirements. However, if a student’s grade-point average in these courses falls below 2.00 and there are additional courses which are approved for inclusion in the minor, a student may elect to drop, for purposes of the grade-point average calculation, 1 course graded below C and to replace this course with an approved alternate.
Laptop Requirement
Beginning with the Fall 2020 semester, all undergraduate students are required to have a laptop computer that meets the minimum specifications determined annually by the university. Students are not required to purchase a new laptop if they have an existing laptop that meets the established specifications. If students need to purchase a laptop, they are not required to purchase it through UVM.
Governing Independent Study
A student may receive credit for a project or program of independent study which is supervised by an academic department or program within the university. Such independent study projects may be carried out under registration in courses entitled Independent Study or Internship. All such projects must conform to university guidelines for independent study. There is no limit on the number of independent study credits which may be earned, but prior approval by the Committee on Honors and Individual Studies is required if a student wishes to select 9 or more such credits in a single semester.
Governing College Honors
- The College Honors program, designed for the superior student with unusual initiative and intellectual curiosity, provides an opportunity for a student to pursue two semesters (6 credits) of independent research or a creative project under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may apply for College Honors if they have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher at the time the application is submitted. The research or project must have been approved by the sponsoring department and by the Honors Committee. All application materials must be turned in to the committee by the deadlines posted on the College Honors website, typically during the first semester of the candidate's senior year. Students must present a satisfactory written report and pass an oral exam upon completion of the Honors project. Students who wish to consider undertaking a College Honors project during the junior year should contact the office of the dean for information concerning the circumstances in which such an exceptional arrangement is possible.
- Some departments in the college, including economics, english, geography, global and regional studies, history, mathematics, and political science, sponsor departmental Honors programs. Participation in these programs is limited to those students who are specifically recommended by their department. Each department will define what is required to earn departmental Honors. A student who successfully completes this program is granted a degree with departmental Honors. These programs are administered directly by the sponsoring department and information concerning them may be obtained from faculty advisors.
Governing Study Abroad
Students should refer to the general university regulations and procedures pertaining to study abroad. For Arts and Sciences students the following additional policies pertain to the application of credit earned in a study abroad program:
- Students must complete 30 of the last 45 credits in residence at UVM. One-half of the credits applied toward the satisfaction of major requirements, including 12 credits at the 100-level or higher, must be completed at the University of Vermont. One-half of the credits applied toward the satisfaction of minor requirements must be completed at the University of Vermont.
Governing Transfer into the College
Students who wish to internally transfer into the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) must be in good academic standing which is defined by the following:
- the student cannot have any incompletes (INC’s) or missing (M) grades and
- the student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (in at least 12 credits completed at UVM and within their most recently completed semester)
If the student’s cumulative GPA is above 2.0 but the most recent semester GPA is below 2.0 then the student will be placed on academic probation.
If a student has junior or senior standing, that student will be required to meet with a College of Arts and Sciences Student Services advisor prior to the transfer.
Governing Academic Standards
The following criteria for academic probation and dismissal, while making allowances for the student in the first semester, are designed to encourage academic work of quality at least equal to the minimum which is required for graduation.
Probation
- A student who earns a semester grade-point average higher than that which merits dismissal but below 2.00 is placed on probation. In order to avoid dismissal from the University, a student who has been placed on probation must earn a 2.0 semester average in 12 credit hours (either during the subsequent semester or over multiple semesters) and enroll in all courses for a letter grade. No student will be removed from probation until the required 12 credits have been completed and both the semester and cumulative averages are at least 2.00. A student who is on probation may not enroll in a University-sanctioned study abroad program.
- First-Year Students. Following the first semester of enrollment, a student who earns a semester grade-point average higher than that which merits dismissal, but below 1.67, is placed on probation and must in the following semester satisfy the same probationary requirements as described above. All first-year students who have a cumulative grade-point average which is below 2.00 after completion of the second semester will be placed on probation.
Dismissal
A student who does not satisfy the condition of probation, or who earns a semester grade-point average of 1.00 or lower, or who earns failing grades in one-half of the semester credit hours attempted (excluding courses in physical education and military studies) will be reviewed for consideration of dismissal for low scholarship. Dismissed students may apply for re-entry directly to the College of Arts and Sciences after one year. The re-entry application must include an official transcript demonstrating the completion of 12-15 credit hours with a grade point average of 3.0 or above completed outside of UVM.
Re-entry Following Dismissal
A dismissed student who presents evidence of his/her ability to perform satisfactorily may be considered for re-entry on probation following a one-year separation from the University. Dismissed students may apply for re-entry directly to the College of Arts and Sciences and must demonstrate the completion of at least 12-15 credit hours of course work outside of UVM and earn a grade point average of 3.0. A student who has been dismissed for a second time will not be considered for re-entry on probation until at least three years have elapsed and the above re-entry conditions have been met. Further information regarding re-entry may be obtained from the CAS Dean’s office by contacting cas@uvm.edu or 802-656-3344.