College of Arts and Sciences

Introduction

College of Arts and Sciences
205 Administration Building, 419-372-2015
www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences.html

If you are interested in liberal arts study to prepare you for a constantly changing workforce and offer entrance to both business and professional positions, consider an area of study in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students choose from programs in 22 departments, 9 interdisciplinary programs, and 4 schools.

• The college offers more than 100 degree programs, majors, and minors, including interdisciplinary studies and individualized planned programs.
• The college has special expertise in academic and career development and provides students with advising services.
• Arts and sciences students earned nearly $1.2 million last year during co-ops and internships.
• $500,000 is awarded annually in college scholarships.

Academic Objectives

Purpose
The College of Arts and Sciences is an intellectual community that nurtures student learning, fosters research and creative activity, and provides service to the larger community.

Mission
The College of Arts and Sciences brings together disciplines in the arts, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences to form the intellectual heart of Bowling Green State University. It is the mission of the College to foster liberal education, to encourage the generation of knowledge, and to contribute to the good of the community. The College promotes lifelong learning, research, creative activity, social and professional responsibility, and growth. To these ends, the College challenges students to think critically and intuitively, to cross disciplinary boundaries, to recognize and value diverse perspectives, and to solve problems creatively and with perseverance.

Vision
The College of Arts and Sciences achieves national distinction as an intellectual community that fosters personal growth, and promotes the enduring values of a liberal education. To that end, the College is helping undergraduate and graduate students to achieve their potential intellectually, culturally, and personally and to become global and principled citizens.

Areas of Study

The following is an alphabetical list of major degree programs and specializations*:

• Advertising, B.A., major, minor
• Africana Studies, B.A., major, minor
• American Culture Studies, B.A., major, minor
• Art, B.A., major, minor
  • Digital Arts
  • Studio
• Art, Digital Arts , B.F.A., major
• Art, Art Education , B.F.A., major
  • Two-Dimensional Studies
  • Three-Dimensional Studies
• Art, Graphic Design , B.F.A., major
• Art, Two-Dimensional Studies, B.F.A., major
• Art, Three-Dimensional Studies, B.F.A. major
• Art History, B.A., major, minor
• Asian Studies, B.A., major, minor
• Biology, B.S., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
  • Marine and Aquatic Biology
  • Ecology and Conservation Biology
  • Forensic Biology
  • Pre-Health Biology
• Biology , B.A., major
  • Marine and Aquatic Biology
• Chemistry, B.S., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
  • Biochemistry
  • Forensic Chemistry
• Classical Civilization, B.A., major, minor
• Communication, B.A., B.A.C., major, minor, (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Community Arts Education, Minor , minor
• Computer Science, B.A., B.S. major, minor
  • Business Systems
• Creative Writing, B.F.A., major, minor
• Dance, Minor , minor
• Design for Social Impact, Minor , minor
• Digital Arts, Minor , minor
• Documentary, Minor , minor
• Economics, B.A. major, minor (see College of Business  for alternatives)
• English, B.A., major, minor
• Environmental Policy and Analysis, B.A., major, minor (see College of Health and Human Services  for alternatives)
  • Education and Interpretation
  • Environmental Law
  • International Perspectives
  • Restoration
  • Sustainable Management
• Environmental Science, B.S., major, minor (see College of Health and Human Services  for alternatives)
  • Education and Interpretation
  • Geospatial Analysis
  • Restoration
  • Sustainable Management
  • Watershed Management
• Ethnic Studies, B.A., major, minor
• Film, Minor , minor
• Film Production , B.A., major
• Film Studies , B.A., major
• Fire Administration , B.S.
• Forensic Science, B.S. 
  • Forensic DNA Analysis
  • Forensic Drug Analysis
  • Forensic Examination
• French, B.A., major, minor, (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Geography, B.A., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
  • Geographic Information Systems (B.A.)
  • Human Dimensions of Climate Change (B.A.)
• Geology, B.A., B.S., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
  • Hydrogeology (B.S.)
  • Paleobiology (B.S.)

• German, B.A., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Glass, Minor , minor
• History, B.A., major, minor, (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Individualized Planned Program, B.A., B.S., major, minor
• International Studies, B.A., major, minor
• Japanese, Minor , minor
• Jewelry Design , minor
• Journalism, B.S.J., minor
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Multiplatform Journalism
  • Public Relations
• Latin, B.A., major, minor, (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Liberal Studies , B.L.S.
• Mathematics, B.A., B.S., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
  • Actuarial Science (B.S.)
  • Applied Mathematics (B.S.)
  • Data Science (B.S.)
• Microbiology , B.S., major
• Music, B.A. major, minor (see College of Musical Arts  for alternatives)
• Neuroscience, B.S., major, minor
• Nonprofit Administration, Minor , minor
• Philosophy, B.A., major, minor
• Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (PPEL), B.A. major, minor
• Photography, Minor , minor
• Physics, B.S., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Political Science, B.A., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Popular Culture, B.A., major, minor
• Printmaking, Minor , minor
• Psychology, B.A., B.S., major, minor, (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Russian, B.A., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternatives)
• Sociology, B.A., major, minor
• Software Engineering , B.S.
• Spanish, B.A., major, minor (see College of Education and Human Development  for alternative)
  • Latin American Culture Studies
• Statistics, B.A., B.S., major, minor
• Telecommunications, B.A., B.A.C., major, minor
• TESOL and Applied Linguistics, Minor , minor
• Theatre, B.A., B.A.C., major, minor
  • Acting/Directing
  • Design/Technical Theatre
  • Musical Theatre
  • Performance Studies
  • Youth Theatre/Puppetry
• Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, B.A., major, minor
• Word and Image, Minor , minor
• Writing, Minor , minor

The following is an alphabetical list of additional minor degree programs:

• Advertising, Minor  
• Arts Management, Minor  
• Astronomy, Minor  
• Broadcast Meteorology , B.S.J., B.A.C. (TCOM majors only), B.A., (TCOM majors only)
• Canadian Studies, Minor  
• Chinese, Minor  
• Cognate, Minor  (Psychology majors only)
• Community Arts Education, Minor  
• Demographic Studies, Minor  
• Design for Social Impact, Minor  
• Digital Arts, Minor  
• Folklore, Minor  
• Glass, Minor  
• Interdepartmental, Minor  (B.S.J. degree only)
• Italian Studies, Minor  
• Jewelry Design  
• Latino/a Studies, Minor  
• Paleontology, Minor  
• Peace and Conflict Studies, Minor  
• Photography, Minor  
• Printmaking, Minor  
• Science, Minor  (B.S. degree only)
• Scientific and Technical Communication, Minor  
• Sexuality Studies, Minor  
• Sustainability, Minor  
• TESOL and Applied Linguistics, Minor  
• Word and Image, Minor  
• Writing, Minor  

The following is an alphabetical list of Pre-professional training

• Pre-Dentistry  
• Pre-Engineering  
• Pre-Law  
• Pre-Medicine  
• Pre-Mortuary Science  
• Pre-Occupational Therapy  
• Pre-Optometry  
• Pre-Osteopathic Medicine
• Pre-Pharmacy  
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine  
• Teacher Preparation (see Art)

The college also offers an arts-education curriculum and other programs leading to dual degrees, including licensure to teach in the public schools. Combined baccalaureate-master’s degree programs are offered in chemistry. For more information, see combined curricula.

Academic Advising

Students are responsible for meeting all graduation requirements; however, advisors are available for consultation. In the college, students have access to a faculty mentor from the major department and also a staff of professional advisors who work with students in any major. The faculty mentor is an expert in the declared major. The college advising office staff works closely with degree certification, policy, and career planning. It is recommended that students seek the assistance of an advisor with questions about course selection and University academic policy. Generally, students are encouraged to meet with an advisor at least once a semester to help ensure that all necessary requirements are being completed. It is highly recommended that students maintain a file of academic records, ask questions of the advisors, and seek help to assure timely graduation.

Organization of the College

Largest of the seven colleges at BGSU, the College of Arts and Sciences includes four schools (art; cultural and critical studies; media and communication; and earth, environment, and society) and twenty-two academic departments, as well as nine interdisciplinary programs. These units span the range of the traditional disciplines in the arts and humanities, languages, sciences and mathematics, and social sciences as well as connecting disciplines in the environment and contemporary culture.

A strong faculty of more than 500 full-time teacher/scholars offers general and specialized instruction leading to seven different undergraduate degrees: the bachelor of arts, the bachelor of science, the bachelor of liberal studies, the bachelor of fine arts, the bachelor of arts in communication, the bachelor of science in journalism, the bachelor of science in environmental health, and the bachelor of science in fire administration. Under these eight degree programs, students may choose from about 100 different major fields and an equal number of minors. These wide-ranging choices provide ample opportunity to pursue individual interests and needs. All programs unite the common characteristics of combining breadth of intellectual inquiry with the specialized instruction that students need to seek either immediate and meaningful post-baccalaureate employment or preparation for graduate or professional study.

Special Opportunities

Phi Beta Kappa
Membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious honor society, is available to those students enrolled in arts and sciences degree programs who have achieved academic distinction while pursuing a well-rounded liberal arts education. The BGSU chapter was installed in 1983.

Study Abroad
Students have the opportunity to study abroad in virtually any country. The college has established programs in Canada, Mexico, England, Spain, France, Austria, Italy, Africa, and Asia.

Undergraduate Research and Internships
Students in chemistry, biology, mathematics/statistics, physics, geology, and psychology have the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research experiences. Creative opportunities also exist in all other programs.

The college also sponsors internship programs through which students gain practical, “hands-on” experience in workplace settings related to their field of study. Most departments and schools in the college also offer internship programs. Arts and Sciences students interested in internship experiences may also work under the auspices of the University’s Cooperative Education Program.

Beyond the Classroom
Opportunities for involvement in co-curricular activity abound in the College of Arts and Sciences. Its academic units sponsor dramatic productions and forensics programs as well as numerous discipline-based honor societies and interest groups. The French House and La Communidad, located on campus, offer small, informal, residential learning opportunities for students who are interested in French and Spanish culture and language, respectively. Often, enrollment in the College of Arts and Sciences is not a prerequisite for participation in these activities.

Major Studies
Arts and sciences students who are undecided about a major are assigned to one of the college office advisors and thereby have assistance in the selection of a major.

Chapman Community @ Kohl
Chapman Learning Community @ Kohl Hall is a vibrant, award-winning residential learning community open to First Year students of any major or undecideds. Currently in our 15th year, Chapman @ Kohl promotes first year success and volunteer service. Because agencies such as The United Way, local civic leaders and non-profit groups partner with Chapman @ Kohl the program helps students forge networks across campus and with the wider community outside of BGSU. Each semester student choose a one-credit service learning class from a dozen different options, such as pet rescue and adoption, equestrian therapy, environmental reclamation, work with disabled children and adults, art therapy with teens at a Wood County detention center or children in homeless shelter, disaster relief with the Red Cross, or a community soup kitchen. Each Chapman @ Kohl student gives about 15 hours each semester, but collectively as a community we contribute over 5,000 hours of service each year.

Chapman @ Kohl also offers a variety of general education courses taught by instructors whose faculty offices are on the main floor of Kohl Hall. It also features a sophomore peer-mentor leadership scholarship and program. Kohl Hall is a classic residence hall with a modern interior design, featuring a music practice room, fireplace nook, computer lab, art studio, fitness room, pool table, and game/TV/recreation areas, kitchen and cafe, tropical atrium, four study and social lounges, a laundry room on each living floor, and three high-tech classrooms. Kohl Hall is reserved for learning community students and students enroll in Chapman @ Kohl by visiting the Residence Life website.

Arts Village
Dance, art, theatre, music, creative writing-if those pursuits interest you as a profession or an avocation, the Arts Village will be an extraordinary learning community for you. Open to students in any major, the Arts Village involves exploring all aspects of the arts and sharing views with one another and faculty of various disciplines. The community offers on-site classes specifically geared toward art students, collaborative projects, activities, and social events. The Arts Village is located in Compton Hall.

Arts Village students:

• Live and learn with others who value the arts and art in society;
• Participate in varied arts activities;
• Visit galleries, concerts, theatrical and dance productions, and readings;
• Interact with faculty and guests who are leaders in the arts.

La Communidad
La Communidad, a co-ed residence program located in Offenhauer West, provides cultural and academic programming for undergraduate Spanish majors and minors and other students interested in the Spanish-speaking world. Spanish is the official language of communication in all public areas of the residence, which provides a supportive environment for students who want to speak Spanish regularly outside the classroom.

La Maison Française
The distinctive La Maison Française is a charming brick house where women who are interested in developing French language skills live with other French-speaking students. The living-learning atmosphere provides a nurturing academic environment and immersion in French and Francophone cultures. From the French furnishings and art reproductions to French films and books, this community surrounds its members with a special cultural experience.

Transferring Programs

In most cases, a student may transfer from one academic program to another, provided he or she is in good academic standing. Students considering a transfer of programs are encouraged to consult a college office advisor.

Within BGSU
Other main campus students, including pre-major advising students, wishing to transfer from another college’s program (e.g., College of Business Administration) to a program in the College of Arts and Sciences must consult with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences to review eligibility and degree requirements. Based on this consultation, the college transfer process may be initiated in the College of Arts and Sciences with the completion of the College Transfer Form.

The transfer process for a BGSU Firelands student follows the procedures for the other main college campuses listed above. Firelands students are encouraged to consult with an advisor in the college office on a regular basis. Advisors from main campus colleges travel to BGSU Firelands each semester to help facilitate such interaction.

From other institutions
Students wishing to transfer from another institution into a program housed in the College of Arts and Sciences must first be admitted to the University (contact the Office of Admissions). Typically, students are required to attend an initial orientation and registration event which occurs prior to the beginning of each term. Students will meet with an advisor to review degree requirements at that time. It is important that transcripts from previously attended institutions be evaluated by the BGSU Office of Registration and Records prior to the orientation and registration event. After such evaluation has occurred, advisors in the college can help determine the applicability of transfer credit toward BGSU degree requirements.

Degree Requirements

University and General Degree Requirements

In addition to specific requirements listed on the following pages, a candidate for any degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must meet the following requirements:

• Complete the degree requirements listed below, preferably in the freshman and sophomore years;
• Satisfy the requirements for a major and minor area of specialization (if applicable). Note: Courses taken for a major do not count toward a minor. Major and minor courses may not be taken “S/U.” Planned minors may not include any courses from a program in which the student has a major;
• Complete the BG Perspective program requirements. These include courses in English, natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, humanities and arts, international perspectives, quantitative literacy, and cultural diversity in the United States. Students wishing to apply BG Perspective program courses to college degree requirements should consult the College of Arts and Sciences Handbook for a list of appropriate courses which could be used to fulfill both sets of requirements. See also the college foreign language statement in this catalog under specific degree being sought;
• Students anticipating graduation must complete a junior audit four semesters (60 hours) prior to graduating to ensure that all requirements can be met for the degree. Junior audit checksheets are available in the college office. Failure to complete a junior audit may jeopardize timely graduation. Seniors transferring into the college must have a junior audit completed prior to the semester of expected graduation. At least 30 credit hours must be BGSU courses. Seniors transferring to the College of Arts and Sciences from another college within the University during their last expected semester must have an audit completed in the college office within the first week of that semester. The student is responsible for understanding requirements for the degree. See also application for graduation deadlines .

Combined Curricula

205 Administration Building, 419-372-2015

Double Majors

The student who wishes to earn a double major within the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the requirements for both majors before graduation. A particular major may not be available to a student as a second major in those cases where the courses in the first major overlap with courses in the second major by more than 6 hours. Substitutions to course requirements for a major are the jurisdiction of the program offering the major.

Dual degrees

The student who wishes to earn a second degree within the College of Arts and Sciences may do so by completing work after graduation or finishing the dual-degree program prior to graduation. The following additional requirements must be completed:

1. Secure permission from the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences;
2. Complete the requirements for a major and minor in each degree independently. The courses counted toward a major and minor (or concentration) for the first degree cannot apply toward the major or minor of the second degree;
3. Complete at least 32 hours minimum of credit beyond the hours required for a single degree major.
4. When a student is pursuing a Liberal Studies degree and desires to complete another Arts & Sciences degree, no more than 18 hours from Liberal Studies can be counted in the second major requirements.

Combined baccalaureate-master’s program in chemistry

138 Overman Hall, 419-372-2031
205 Administration Building, 419-372-2015

The combined baccalaureate-master’s program in chemistry offers students the opportunity to complete the bachelor of science degree in three years and the master of science degree at the end of the fourth. By completing the two degrees in four years, the student may be better prepared to earn the Ph.D. degree because of the stronger background. In addition, a preprofessional student may elect either to complete the three-year bachelor of science program and go directly to professional school or to continue on to earn the master of science degree in preparation for a research-oriented career.

The program is structured on a schedule of four years, including summers. Courses should be carefully chosen so that major and group requirements will be completed on time.

College Administration

College of Arts and Sciences
374 Central Hall, 419-372-2015
www.bgsu.edu/colleges/as

Office of the Dean

Theodore F. Rippey, Ph.D., interim dean, 369C Central Hall, 419-372-2340
Emily Anzicek, Ph.D., acting associate dean, 371E Central Hall, 419-372-2017
Philip Dickinson, Ph.D., associate dean, 371B Central Hall, 419-372-2017
Dale Klopfer, Ph.D., associate dean, 369D Central Hall, 419-372-2018
Marcus Sherrell, associate dean, 371G Central Hall, 419-372-2015
Jasmine Schulz, executive assistant to the dean/development coordinator, 369B Central Hall, 419-372-9606
Travis Sheaffer, Technology Project Coordinator, 363 Central Hall, 419-372-4224
Sue Sweeney, Comunications and Events Strategist, 365 Central Hall, 419-372-9147

Schools

School of Art, Charlie Kanwischer, Ph.D., director, 1000 Fine Arts Center, 419-372-5529
School of Media and Communication, Laura Stafford, Ph.D., director, 306 Kuhlin Center, 419-372-8349
School of Earth, Environment and Society, Jeff Snyder, Ph.D., director, 190 Overman Hall, 419-372-3327

• Environment and Sustainability, Enrique Gomezdelcampo, Ph.D., chair, 201 Memorial Hall, 419-372-8208
• Geography, Arthur N. Samel, Ph.D., chair, 331 Hayes Hall, 419-372-2925
• Geology, John Farver, Ph.D., chair, 190 Overman Hall, 419-372-7198

School of Cultural and Critical Studies, Angela Nelson, Ph.D., director, 228 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2796

• American Culture Studies, Kim Coates, Ph.D., 101 East Hall, 419-372-8886
• Ethnic Studies, Angela Nelson, Ph.D., 228 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2796
• Popular Culture, Jeffrey Brown, Ph.D., 228 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2796

• Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Sarah Rainey, Ph.D., 228 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2796

Department Chairs

Biological Sciences, Juan Bouzat, Ph.D., 217 Life Sciences Building, 419-372-2332
Chemistry, John Cable, Ph.D., 141 Overman Hall, 419-372-2031
Computer Science, Jong Kwan “Jake” Lee, Ph.D., 221 Hayes Hall, 419-372-2337
English, Stepahanni Gearhart, Ph.D., 212 East Hall, 419-372-7543
History, Amilcar Challu, Ph.D., 128 Williams Hall, 419-372-2030
Mathematics and Statistics, Junfeng Shang, Ph.D., 450 Math Science Building, 419-372-2636
Philosophy, Michael Weber, Ph.D., 305 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2117
Physics/Astronomy, Andrew Layden, Ph.D., 104 Overman Hall, 419-372-2421
Psychology, Carolyn Tompsett, Ph.D., 206 Psychology Building, 419-372-2301
Sociology, Danielle Kuhl, Ph.D., 223 Williams Hall, 419-372-2294
Theatre and Film, Lesa Lockford, Ph.D., 212 Wolfe Center, 419-372-2222
World Languages and Cultures, Philip Peek, Ph.D., 203 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2667

Interdisciplinary Program Directors

Africana Studies, Rebeccah Skinner Green, Ph.D., 1010 Fine Arts Building, 419-372-3848
Arts Village, Joel O’Dorisio, E110 Kreischer Quadrangle, 419-372-4587
Asian Studies, Kristen Rudisill, Ph.D., 245 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-3848
Global Village, Kefa Otiso, Ph.D., 025 Kohl Hall, 419-372-9979
International Studies, Rachel Walsh, acting director, 404 East Hall, 419-372-2018