College of Letters and Science

Joshua Hagen, Dean
Room 200, Chemistry Biology Building (CBB)
Phone: 715-346-4224
Email: cols@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/cols

The College of Letters and Science consists of the

School of Behavioral and Social Sciences including the Departments of Geography and Geology , Political Science , Psychology , and Sociology and Social Work ;
School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry including the Departments of Biology and Chemistry ;
School of Humanities and Global Studies including the Departments of English , History and International Studies , Philosophy , and World Languages and Literatures ;
and the School of Mathematics, Computing, Physics, and Astronomy including the Departments of Computing and New Media Technologies , Mathematical Sciences , and Physics and Astronomy .

The college’s varied programs and classes will help you to:

Understand, effectively use, and appreciate the process of learning.
Recognize the complexity of problems and improve your ability to develop creative solutions.
Increase the breadth and depth of your understanding of the humanities, sciences, and social sciences.
Succeed in your studies and in preparing for a career.
Join a community of teachers, scholars, and students who strive for high standards of academic achievement.

Majors in Letters and Science

In the College of Letters and Science, you may pursue the following majors:

School of Behavioral and Social Sciences : geospatial sciences , organizational leadership , philosophy (Philosophy, B.A. , Philosophy, B.S. ), Environmental Ethics, B.A. , Philosophy: Environmental Ethics, B.S. , Philosophy: Religious Studies, B.A. Philosophy: Religious Studies, B.S. ), psychology (Psychology, B.S. , Psychology: Human Services, B.S. ), social work (Social Work, B.A. , Social Work, B.S. ), and sociology (Sociology, B.A. , Sociology, B.S. ).
School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry : biochemistry , biology , Chemistry (ACS Certified), B.S. , and natural science (Natural Science: Earth Science Option for Teacher Certification, B.S. , Natural Science for Science Teaching Certification, B.S. ).
School of Humanities and Global Studies : English (English: Literature, B.A. , English: Teacher Certification, B.A. , English: Writing, Editing, and Publishing, B.A. ), German (German, B.A. , German: Teacher Certification, B.A. ), history (History, B.A. , History, B.S. ), history and social studies education (History and Social Studies Education, B.A. , History and Social Studies Education, B.S. ), international studies , philosophy (Philosophy, B.A. , Philosophy, B.S. ), and Spanish ( Spanish, B.A. , Spanish: Teacher Certification, B.A. ).
School of Mathematics, Computing, Physics, and Astronomy : applied computing , computer information systems (CIS: Application Development and Support Option, B.A. , CIS: Application Development and Support Option, B.S. , CIS: Cybersecurity Option, B.A. , CIS: Cybersecurity Option, B.S. , CIS: Networking Option, B.A. , CIS: Networking Option, B.S. ), mathematics (Mathematics, B.S. , Mathematics: Actuarial Emphasis, B.S. ), physics (Physics, B.S. , Physics: Applied Mechanics Emphasis, B.S. , Physics: Applied Electronics Emphasis, B.S. , Physics and Engineering, B.S. Dual-Degree (3 + 2 Track) , and web development (Web Development, B.A. , Web Development, B.S. ).

Before declaring a major, read the sections of this catalog under Courses of Instruction that deal with departments of greatest interest to you. Also see the student handbooks of these departments to see descriptions of their majors, minors and courses of study.

Declare your major by the time you have earned 56 academic credits (excluding required wellness). Please go to the school office of the major of your choice and the staff in that office will help you complete this process. Ordinarily, a school will accept you for major study. However, they may refuse to accept or have you continue in the major if your academic record does not satisfy their regulations. (See the section of this catalog entitled Major or Minor Declaration under Academic Policies .)

Minors in Letters and Science

In the College of Letters and Science you may select from the following minors:

School of Behavioral and Social Sciences : earth science, geographic information systems and spatial analysis, Native American studies, political science, psychology, public administration and policy analysis, social science in health, sociology.
School of Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry : aquaculture/fish culture, biology, chemistry, natural science (broad-field or broad-field for elementary education).
School of Humanities and Global Studies : English, English for elementary education, environmental studies, museum studies, teaching English as a second language (with K-12 teacher certification or without certification), French, German, history, international studies, peace studies, philosophy, religious studies, social studies, Spanish, women’s and gender studies, writing (professional or creative).
School of Mathematics, Computing, Physics, and Astronomy : applied mathematics, mathematics, physics, web development.

If you declare a major, it may be within or outside the College of Letters and Science. The only program in Letters and Science that requires you to declare a minor is computer information systems. The staff in the school office of the minor of your choice will help you complete this process. Ordinarily, a school will accept you for minor study. However, they may refuse to accept or have you continue in the minor if your academic record does not satisfy their regulations.

College Honors - Letters and Science

Dean’s Distinguished Achievement Award certificates for semester honors are given to all majors in the College of Letters and Science who complete at least 12 credits in any semester with a grade point average of 3.76 or above.

Preprofessional Study

Before entering many professional schools, you must complete part of your college work. If you wish to enter one of these schools, you may register in the College of Letters and Science and then begin working with an adviser familiar with the requirements of the profession you plan to enter. Your adviser can help you plan your studies within either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science program.

In the following paragraphs, you will find information on how to prepare for some professions. If you would like more specific information or suggestions, we would be happy to send them to you.

Different schools training people for the same profession sometimes have different entrance requirements. Generally, entrance requirements have grade point restrictions on your cumulative GPA. However, this may vary from institution to institution. At UW-Stevens Point you may repeat a course for which you earned a D+ or less. You may not repeat a course in which you earned a grade above D+.

Make sure you know the requirements of the school you plan to enter, and frequently review your progress with your adviser. Your adviser, assistant dean, and the staff in the office of the Dean of the College of Letters and Science will be happy to help you. But remember that it is up to you to meet all college and university requirements, rules, and regulations.

Dentistry : UW-Stevens Point has an excellent predental program with a diversity of courses and options that will permit you to meet or surpass the admission requirements for most of the dental schools in the United States. Most dental schools require a minimum of three years (90 semester credits) of predental education. The predentistry course requirements may be integrated into the requirements for almost any major offered at UW-Stevens Point. Many students accepted into dental school have a major in biology, chemistry, or both. All dental schools require candidates to take the Dental Admission Testing Program exam given in October and April. Consult regularly with the dentistry adviser on campus as you plan your undergraduate curriculum, so that you stay informed of changes in requirements and recommended courses at specific dental schools.

Education: If you have not yet determined the subjects you would like to teach, talk with your adviser or the advising office in the School of Education. If you seek a certificate to teach at the secondary level, with a major offered in the College of Letters and Science, you may either complete your general requirements for your BA or BS degree in the College of Professional Studies or the College of Letters and Science. See the School of Education section later in this catalog for complete information on your education requirements.

Engineering : Requirements for the UW-Stevens Point pre-engineering program vary from one specialization to another. However, if you plan to pursue a career in engineering, you will need to concentrate on mathematics and the sciences. Most likely you may complete two years of preparation at UW-Stevens Point. See the Department of Paper Science and Chemical Engineering for details about prechemical engineering. For pre-engineering in preparation for mechanical, civil, electrical and other areas of engineering, see the School of Mathematics, Computing, Physics, and Astronomy

Law : Normally, you must complete a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree before applying to a law school. Since you will face stiff competition for admission to law school, work to maintain a high grade point average. All law schools require candidates to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). High scores on this test are necessary for admission to the better law schools. Most law schools also require that candidates submit letters of reference from individuals familiar with their qualifications and aptitude. You should speak to your adviser about developing a list of references. Law schools do not require that you take a particular undergraduate major. However, most prelaw students earn degrees in a social science or in business.

UW-Stevens Point prelaw advisers in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences stress a broad undergraduate program. In such a program you learn philosophical and social science approaches to problem solving. We at UW-Stevens Point take pride in our excellent record for placing superior students in outstanding law schools.

Medicine : If you are preparing for a career in medicine, register as a candidate for either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. You may integrate your premedical course requirements with those for a degree in almost any other major field. However, most students accepted into medical schools have a major in biology, chemistry, or both. All medical schools recommend, but do not require, that you take calculus, humanities, and psychology. You will face stiff competition for admission to a medical school.

Medical schools will decide whether to admit you based on whether you have:

B+ average.
Above average scores on New Medical College Admissions Test (New MCAT), 9-10 average score out of 15.
Relevant work experience.
Strong recommendations.
A successful interview.

Pick up a registration form for the New MCAT from the premedical adviser. Since the New MCAT assumes you have taken college level chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics, take this exam in April of your junior year. If you are not successful, you may take it a second time in September of your senior year. UW-Stevens Point graduates have an excellent record of acceptance by medical schools.

Mortuary Science (Funeral Service) : At UW-Stevens Point you may receive the two years of preprofessional study you need to enter a mortuary school.

Pharmacy : Take the following courses during your freshman and sophomore years: CHEM 117 (or CHEM 105 and CHEM 106 ), CHEM 325 , CHEM 326 ; MATH 225 ; PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 . For additional requirements and suggested electives, see a prepharmacy adviser.

Other Fields: If you want to prepare for a professional field not listed here, the College of Letters and Science will assist you in finding an adviser to help you plan your program. Make sure you thoroughly understand all requirements of the school you plan to enter, and meet often with your adviser.

Graduate Curriculum in Letters and Science

For information on requirements for a master’s degree, see the Graduate section of this catalog.

Affiliated Centers

Faculty and staff from the College of Letters and Science contribute to a variety of programs across campus which benefit the students as well as the surrounding Central Wisconsin community. These programs include:

Allen F. Blocher Planetarium
Arthur J. Pejsa Observatory
Athletic Scheduling Center
Center for Athletic Scheduling
Center for Economic Education
Center for the Small City
Cornerstone Press
Geographic Information Systems Center
Museum of Natural History
Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility
Wisconsin Association for Critical Thinking
Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology