Undergraduate Catalog
College of Arts and Sciences
Dean: Dr. Susan A. Martinelli-Fernandez
Associate Dean: Dr. James A. Schmidt
Office: Morgan Hall 114
Telephone: (309) 298-1828
Fax: (309) 298-2585
Email: Arts-Sciences@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/cas
The College of Arts and Sciences occupies a central position in the University. This college houses the departments concerned with human cumulative culture and knowledge, usually referred to under the broad categories of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the Social Sciences, and the Humanities. Dedicated to the concept of excellent teaching, the college provides General Education Curriculum courses for all students in the University. Dedicated to the concept of impartial inquiry, the college encourages research that expands the frontiers of knowledge and applies that knowledge to the betterment of humanity.
With some exceptions, the programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are not primarily vocational in their orientation. In addition to making available a liberal education, these programs provide the theoretical basis for specialized work in graduate and professional schools. The college also educates future teachers in the basic secondary school disciplines. There is a continuing and growing demand for broadly educated young men and women who have the skills and knowledge essential to compete in a diverse and constantly changing landscape of careers and occupations.
Departments and Programs
Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may pursue studies in the following departments/schools and programs:
Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Decision Sciences
- B.A. in Economics
Department of Biological Sciences
- B.S. in Biology with options in:
- Botany
- Environmental Biology
- Medical Sciences
- Microbiology
- Science/Biology Teacher Education
- Zoology
- B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
Department of Chemistry
- B.S. in Chemistry with additional options in:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacy
- Science/Chemistry Teacher Education
- B.S. in Forensic Chemistry
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences
- B.S. in Geographic Information Science with options in:
- Geoenvironment and Planning
- Geospatial Science
- B.S. in Geology with additional options in:
- Environmental Geology
- Paleontology
- B.S. in Meteorology with options in:
- Applied Meteorology
- Operational Meteorology
Department of English
- B.A. in English with options in:
- Creative Writing
- Literature and Language
- Professional Writing
- Teacher Education
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
- B.A. in Foreign Languages and Cultures with options in:
- French
- French Teacher Education
- Spanish
- Spanish Teacher Education
Department of History
- B.A. in History with additional options in:
- Pre-Law
- Teacher Education
Department of Mathematics and Philosophy
- B.S. in Mathematics with additional options in:
- Actuarial Science
- Data Science and Statistics
- Teacher Education
School of Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Department of Physics
- B.S. in Physics with additional options in:
- Engineering Physics
- Materials Science
- Science/Physics Teacher Education
Department of Political Science
- B.A. in Political Science with additional options in:
- American Government
- International Relations/Comparative Politics
- Pre-Law
- Public Administration/Public Policy
Department of Psychology
- B.S. in Psychology with an additional option in:
- Forensic Psychology
Department of Race, Religion, Gender, and Multidisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.L.A.S.) with options in:
- African American Studies
- Paired Minors
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- B.A. in Anthropology
- B.A. in Sociology
The College of Arts and Sciences offers minor programs in the same fields as the major programs and options listed above (except in Clinical Laboratory Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Meteorology, and Nursing). In addition, the college offers the following minor programs that have no corresponding majors: Aging Studies, Applied Mathematics, Cannabis and Culture, Conceptual Physics, Environmental Studies, Film, Forensic Science, Geographic Information Systems, Geography, Global Politics, International Studies, Law and Society, Mental Health, Middle Level Mathematics Teaching, Middle Level Science Teaching, Middle Level Social Studies Teaching, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Public Administration and Public Service, Queer Studies, Religious Studies, Weather and Climate, and Women鈥檚 Studies.
The College of Arts and Sciences provides dual programs in Clinical Laboratory Science, Engineering, and Law, whereby a student can complete requirements for a bachelor鈥檚 degree in the College of Arts and Sciences while working toward a professional degree or certificate. In addition, the college provides advising for preprofessional programs in Engineering and Law.
College Graduation Requirements
In addition to meeting University graduation requirements, students in the College of Arts and Sciences must:
- Satisfy the University and other general requirements.
- Complete a minimum of 120 s.h. of credit in approved courses, of which at least 42 s.h. are in courses numbered 300 or above.
- Achieve and maintain a minimum scholastic average of 2.00 in the major, minor, and total program.
- Satisfy the University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum requirements for the degree sought. A minimum of 16 s.h. should be taken to meet these requirements during the freshman year and a minimum of 16 s.h. during the sophomore year.
- Complete an approved major of a minimum of 32 s.h. At least 15 s.h. of the 32 s.h. of a major must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
- Complete a recognized minor with a minimum of 16 s.h. The minor may not be in the same department as the major, unless the minor does not have a corresponding recognized major, except by written permission of the dean.
- Complete courses required in related departments as listed with course requirements for the major in the individual departments.
Licensure to Teach
Students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences who wish to obtain a teaching license must meet all criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program, complete the Teacher Education curriculum, and complete the major or minor requirements for Teacher Education students as described under the various department offerings in Arts and Sciences. See Teacher Education for additional information and specific requirements.
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