2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

College of Arts and Sciences


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SDSU students in class

Dennis Papini, Dean
Jason Zimmerman, Associate Dean
SWG 251 Box 2275A
605-688-4723
E-mail: dennis.papini@sdstate.edu
E-mail: jason.zimmerman@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/as

Overview

The College of Arts and Sciences serves two significant functions within the University. It provides instruction in the University’s core requirement for a liberal education as well as education in specific disciplines. A liberal education gives students the means to test ideas, beliefs, and facts. It exposes them to a variety of academic disciplines that will broaden and deepen their perspectives and enable them to continue the learning process as educated citizens. Students study the ways of thinking and expression that are intrinsic to the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students receive education on the scientific method, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and cogent expression. They develop intellectual skills, humanistic understanding, and aesthetic appreciation. Such an education increases the usefulness of career planning and specialization by laying a foundation for lifelong values. The departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences offer major and/or minor programs leading to certificates and associate, bachelor, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Schools

School of Design  

Departments

Aerospace Studies  
Architecture   
Chemistry and Biochemistry  
Communication Studies and Theatre  
Economics  
English  
Geography  
History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion  
Journalism and Mass Communication  
Military Science  
Modern Languages and Global Studies  
Music  
Physics  
Psychology  
Sociology and Rural Studies  

Degrees Offered

Associate of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of General Studies
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Bachelor of Music Education
Bachelor of Science
Master of Architecture*
Master of Arts*
Master of Mass Communication*
Master of Science*
Doctor of Philosophy*

 * Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Degree Requirements

All general university requirements must be met to qualify for the bachelor’s degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, the following special requirements and rules have been established for all graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences:

  1. The requirements of one of the College of Arts and Sciences departmental majors must be met. Specific requirements are listed under each department. Courses taken in the major may be used to fulfill university core requirements if the department does not state otherwise.
  2. Bachelor’s degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must include 33 semester credits from  upper division courses (300 and above).

Students seeking B.A., B.M.E., B.F.A., B.L.A. and B.S. degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the System General Education Requirements (SGRs), the SDSU Institutional Graduation Requirements (IGRs), and the College or School requirements.  Specific requirements for each degree also include:

Bachelor of Arts

  • Modern Foreign Language including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
  • 33 upper division credits
  • One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment. Minor may be from any regental institution.
  • One designated capstone course in the major discipline

Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Bachelor of Music Education

Bachelor of Science

  • Natural Sciences  Credits: 10+
    • Any two lab sciences
    • Coursework must include two prefixes.
    • MATH and STATS courses do not count toward the Science requirement.
  • 33 upper division credits
  • One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment. Minor may be from any regental institution.
  • One designated capstone course in the major discipline.

Secondary Education Courses

Students planning to teach at the high school level should start taking professional education courses during their sophomore year. Students must apply for admission to the Supervisor of Student Teaching before being admitted to the education sequence. (See the College of Education and Human Sciences  and the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership  for further details.)

Accreditations and Certification

The Journalism and Mass Communication Department is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
The Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
The Chemistry programs are certified by the American Chemical Society.
The Architecture program has been admitted to candidacy by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
The Teacher education programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

A variety of activities, including many extracurricular activities, are administered within the College of Arts and Sciences.

  • Dramatics and Forensics. The Communication Studies and Theatre Department supervises a forensics program in debate, public address, and oral interpretation of literature. State University Theatre presents a program of major and experimental productions each year. During the summer a season of plays in repertory are given by the Prairie Repertory Theatre in Brookings and Brandon.
  • Music Groups. The Music Department sponsors a variety of vocal and instrumental groups. Membership may be by audition, arranged with the appropriate director, and is open to all University students regardless of major. Credit can be awarded for participation.
    • Choral. Concert Choir, Statesmen (Men’s Chorus), University Women’s Choir, and Opera Workshop.
    • Instrumental. Civic/University Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band (The “Pride of the Dakotas”), Pep Bands, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles and various Percussion, Woodwind and Brass small ensembles.
  • The Ritz Art Gallery. The Ritz Gallery sponsors an annual program of professional and student exhibitions, including the Juried Student Exhibition which is open to all SDSU students.

Programs

College of Arts and Sciences

Programs

Certificate Programs

Majors

Minors

School of Design

Programs

Certificate Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Aerospace Studies

Programs

Minors

Department of Architecture

Programs

Majors

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Communication Studies and Theatre

Programs

Certificate Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Economics

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of English

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Geography

Programs

Certificate Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion

Programs

Majors

Minors

Pre-Professional Interest Areas

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Military Science

Programs

Minors

Department of Modern Languages and Global Studies

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Music

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Physics

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Psychology

Programs

Majors

Minors

Department of Sociology and Rural Studies

Programs

Majors

Minors

 

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