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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Important Note: This is the archived version of the 2013–2015 Undergraduate Catalog. The information on these pages was archived on August 6, 2013 and will not be updated as requirement and/or program changes are approved. Please see www.uic.edu/ucat for the most up-to-date requirements.

Table of Contents

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Introduction
Degree Requirements

College Policies Preprofessional Studies Minors Academic Advising Academic Honors Special Programs and Opportunities

Dean, Astrida Orle Tantillo
 Third Floor, University Hall (UH)
(312) 996-3366
http://www.las.uic.edu
Student Academic Affairs Office: Senior Associate Dean, Emanuel D. Pollack, Third Floor, UH
Academic Advising: (312) 996-3366


Introduction

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) offers a wide range of programs and courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The offerings of LAS contribute to the educational quality, breadth, and vitality of UIC. The tradition of the liberal arts emphasizes holistic intellectual development rather than vocational and professional training. An understanding of human cultures, the natural universe, and social sciences provides the foundation for comprehending the complex and evolving world in which we live.

LAS undergraduate degree programs encompass a broad-based general education experience, a student-selected field of specialization, and elective courses to round out a student’s interests. Students are encouraged to participate in faculty-led research and scholarly opportunities, as well as internships and study abroad. Graduates are prepared to pursue nearly any career path and further education.

Degree Requirements

To earn a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements.

Changes to graduation requirements and related policies are announced online. If requirements are changed, continuing students in LAS and those whose attendance at UIC has been interrupted for no more than two years may complete the current graduation requirements or may continue to meet those requirements in effect at the time of initial registration in the college. Students who return to UIC after an absence of more than two years are responsible for meeting the requirements of the University and college as well as of the major or curriculum in effect at the time of the student’s reenrollment. For all students, however, if courses originally required are no longer offered or if external accrediting or certifying agencies modify their requirements, the college or department will specify substitutes.

University and college degree requirements for all College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students are outlined below. Students should consult their department section for additional degree requirements.

Semester Hour Requirement

Each of the degree programs listed below minimally requires a total of 120 semester hours.

Degree Program
 Department Degree Conferred
Total Hours
African American Studies African American Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Anthropology Anthropology BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Biochemistry Interdepartmental BS in Biochemistry
120
Biological Sciences Biological Sciences BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Chemistry—BA Chemistry BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Chemistry—BS Chemistry BS in Chemistry
120
Chemistry—Teacher Education Chemistry BS in the Teaching of Chemistry
120
Classical Studies Classics and Mediterranean Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Communication Communication BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Criminology, Law, and Justice Criminology, Law, and Justice BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Earth and Environmental Sciences Earth and Environmental Sciences BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Economics Economics BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
English English BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
English—Teacher Education English BA in the Teaching of English
120
French and Francophone Studies French and Francophone Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
French—Teacher Education French and Francophone Studies BA in the Teaching of French
120
Gender and Women’s Studies Gender and Women’s Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Germanic Studies Germanic Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
German—Teacher Education Germanic Studies BA in the Teaching of German
120
History History BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
History—Teacher Education History BA in the Teaching of History
120
Italiana Hispanic and Italian Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Latin American and Latino Studies Latin American and Latino Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Mathematics Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science BS in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Mathematics—Teacher Education Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science BS in the Teaching of Mathematics
120
Mathematics and Computer Science Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science BS in Mathematics and Computer Science
120
Neuroscience Interdepartmental BS in Neuroscience
120
Philosophy Philosophy BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Physics—BA Physics BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Physics—BS Physics BS in Physics
120
Physics—Teacher Education Physics BS in the Teaching of Physics
120
Polish Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Political Science Political Science BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Psychology Psychology BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Russian Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Sociology Sociology BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Spanish Hispanic and Italian Studies BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences
120
Spanish—Teacher Education Hispanic and Italian Studies BA in the Teaching of Spanish
120
Spanish-Economics Hispanic and Italian Studies BA in Spanish-Economics
120
Statistics and Operations Research Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science BS in Statistics and Operations Research
120

a Until further notice, the BA with a Major in Italian program is not accepting applications for admission.


Note: Degrees in teacher education generally require additional courses for teacher licensure beyond the 120 semester hours.

Course Requirements

General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline

Students are required to complete the following course requirements in order to earn a degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Proficiency in academic writing and quantitative reasoning is essential to success in all degree programs. Therefore, all LAS undergraduate students shall, in their first year, register for courses that satisfy the University Writing and Quantitative Reasoning requirements, or for such preparatory courses as may be indicated by placement tests, and shall continue to register in such courses until the requirements have been satisfied. Students who fail to follow these guidelines will be subject to academic probation and other sanctions. The remaining course requirements, with the exception of the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement, should be completed as early in the college career as feasible.

Note: The table below outlines LAS General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline requirements. The number of credit hours a student is required to take to fulfill these requirements will vary. Please read the explanatory notes that follow on General Education Core, General Education Proficiencies, and Writing-in-the-Discipline for more information on fulfilling these requirements.

General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline
Requirement (Typical Hours)
Analyzing the Natural Worlda
Two laboratory courses (6–10)
Exploring World Culturesa
One course (3)
Understanding the Creative Artsa
One course (3)
Understanding the Individual and Societya
One course (3)
Understanding U.S. Societya
One course (3)
Understanding the Pasta
One course (3)
Two elective courses from any General Education Core categorya
Two courses (6)
Foreign Language
Four semesters of a single foreign language at the college level (0–16)
Quantitative Reasoning
One course (3–5)
University Writing Requirement
ENGL 160 and 161 (6)
Writing-in-the-Discipline
One course (0–3)

a Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog for a list of approved courses in this category.

General Education Core
General Education at UIC is designed to serve as a foundation for lifelong learning. The following General Education Core requirements for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences satisfy the University’s minimum requirements. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are required to take a total of nine courses. Of those, seven are prescribed: two laboratory courses in Analyzing the Natural World and one course in each of the other five categories. The remaining two courses may be chosen freely from among any of the six categories.

Students who register for a course that is listed in more than one category will have the flexibility of deciding which category the course will satisfy. They do not have to decide right away but may wait to see how their plan of study develops over time. The course, however, will fulfill the requirement of only one category. In other words, the course will not satisfy the requirement of two categories just because it is listed in two categories.

The General Education Core categories are as follows:

  1. Analyzing the Natural World
  2. Understanding the Individual and Society
  3. Understanding the Past
  4. Understanding the Creative Arts
  5. Exploring World Cultures
  6. Understanding U.S. Society

For a description and list of courses for each General Education Core category, students should consult the General Education section of the catalog.

Note: Up to two courses in the major may count toward fulfillment of General Education Core requirements. Students should see their department sections to determine if their major includes any approved General Education Core courses.

General Education Proficiencies—Foreign Language Requirement, Quantitative Reasoning Requirement, and University Writing Requirement

Foreign Language Requirement

The basic requirement is proficiency in a language that has a recognized literature or culture. The level of proficiency must be the equivalent of that expected of the student who has completed the elementary and intermediate levels of language study (i.e., the first two years) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Students studying foreign language at UIC are strongly encouraged to register for required language courses in consecutive semesters until the requirement is met. Students may satisfy the requirement in any one of several ways:

  1. By presenting qualifying scores on Advanced Placement examinations in foreign language or a qualifying score on a UIC foreign language placement test or other authorized proficiency test for languages not offered at UIC.
  2. By transferring credit for two years of a single language at the college level. With college approval, a student transferring from another university or another UIC college who has never been enrolled in LAS, who is admitted with senior standing and who has not satisfied the language requirement may do so by passing one course in a language sequence during each term in enrollment residence at UIC. Seniors admitted with foreign language transfer credit must consult a dean for application of this rule.
  3. By completing four semesters of language courses at UIC. The college currently offers complete sequences in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Modern Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Lithuanian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.
  4. By completing a partial sequence of language courses as determined by the results of a placement test or placement by a language department. The college determines eligibility for credit in a recommended course.
  5. By presenting evidence of secondary education completed in a country where the language of instruction was other than English. No elementary- or intermediate-level course or proficiency credit will be given for that language. The language requirement, however, will be considered fulfilled only if the student consults a dean for application of this rule and receives conditional approval.
  6. By transferring four semesters of credit in American Sign Language courses from an accredited U.S. college or university. Courses must include the study of deaf culture.

Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency in quantitative reasoning to earn a degree. Such competence can be demonstrated in any one of the following ways:

  1. Achievement of a score on the mathematics placement examination high enough to qualify for enrollment in Mathematics 180. Placement in Mathematics 180 may be by other means determined by the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.
  2. Grade of C or better in any one of the following courses: Mathematics 121, 123, 145, 160, 165, 180, Statistics 101.
  3. Grade of C or better in a mathematically oriented course in a department in LAS other than Mathematics. Such courses must require Mathematics 090 or 118 as a prerequisite. At present, such courses include Communication 201; Criminology, Law, and Justice 262; Political Science 201; Psychology 343; and Sociology 201.
  4. Grade of C or better in a logic course in the Department of Philosophy: Philosophy 102 or 210.
  5. Transfer students may present equivalent courses taken elsewhere, for which they have received a grade of C or better, to satisfy this requirement.

University Writing Requirement
Each student must demonstrate proficiency in written expression by the successful completion of English 160 and 161. The student’s performance on the writing placement test determines whether English 070, 071, ESL 050, or 060 must be completed as a prerequisite to English 160. Students may receive 3 hours of proficiency credit in English 160 based on the ACT English subscore. All students must complete English 161.

No graduation credit is given for ENGL 070 or 071, which are preparatory courses for UIC’s required academic writing sequence. Upon completion of either of these courses, however, the English Department may recommend a waiver of ENGL 160 based on final course assessment. Students who receive this waiver earn 3 hours of proficiency credit for ENGL 160 and placement into ENGL 161.

Writing-in-the-Discipline Requirement

As part of the major, students must successfully complete at least one course that requires extensive writing. This course should be taken before the beginning of the student’s last semester. A required Writing-in-the-Discipline course is included in each degree program.

Other Requirements


Course Level Requirement
A student must earn a minimum of 40 semester hours in advanced-level courses (those numbered 200 and above at UIC) at any accredited four-year college or university. At least 12 semester hours of these 40 advanced hours must be taken in the major field while in enrollment residence at UIC. Community college work, regardless of the course number or level, is not considered advanced for the purposes of this requirement.

Course Work Limitations
Course work completed at UIC and other accredited institutions is not automatically applicable toward graduation requirements. The final decision regarding the acceptance of credit and courses that apply toward degree requirements is made by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Course work considered by the college office as nonbaccalaureate or remedial is not accepted toward the degree. Course work that duplicates previous work is counted toward graduation, whereas the original course work does not count. No credit is given for a course in which a failing grade was received. Credit for prerequisite courses will not be granted if prerequisite courses are taken after advanced course work in the same area.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences restricts degree credit as follows:

Elective Credit

Together, the major and LAS course requirements generally do not provide the entire 120 semester hours required for graduation. Known as electives, those hours remaining should serve to enrich a student’s educational background either through work allied to the major or in courses that can generally increase knowledge and understanding. Elective courses should always be chosen by a student for educational reasons, not simply for convenience or for credit hours.

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement

A student must earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00/4.00 in all work taken at UIC. In addition, the combined average of a student’s transfer work and work taken at UIC must be at least 2.00. A minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses in the major field. In addition, the combined average of transfer work and work taken at UIC in all courses in the major field must be at least 2.00. Some majors may require a higher grade point average. Failure to maintain the required minimum grade point average in the major may result in the student's dismissal from that major.

Graduation Declaration/Filing to Graduate

Students declare their intent to graduate online using my.UIC. Students who do not have access to my.UIC should contact the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office to file the Intent to Graduate form. The deadline for submission to the Pending Degree List is the end of the third week (fall and spring) or second week (Summer Session 2) of the term in which graduation is sought. Failure to submit the request at this time may delay the awarding of the degree. A final review will be made following the close of the term. If a student has satisfactorily completed all the degree requirements, the student’s name will be placed on the official degree list.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to recommend the awarding of a degree once degree requirements have been fulfilled without prior request or approval of the student.

Enrollment Residence Requirement

For the major, a student must complete at least one-half of the course work required for the major, excluding collateral course requirements, in enrollment residence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The major course work completed in enrollment residence must include at least 12 semester hours at the advanced level.

For all course work, either the first 90 semester hours or the last 30 semester hours of degree work must be completed in continuous, uninterrupted enrollment residence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Concurrent attendance at the University of Illinois at Chicago and another collegiate institution, or enrollment during the summer at another institution, when approved by the student’s college, does not interrupt the UIC enrollment residence requirement.

Work taken at the Springfield and Urbana-Champaign campuses of the University of Illinois does not satisfy these requirements. Credit earned through proficiency examinations including the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), UIC extension courses, and Urbana-Champaign distance-learning courses does not apply toward the minimum 30-semester-hour enrollment residence requirement. Study abroad and distance-learning courses that have been approved by the student’s major department and by the college are not considered an interruption of enrollment residence for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Transfer Credit

Course work completed at other colleges and universities may apply toward partial fulfillment of graduation requirements and may be used as prerequisites for courses at UIC. The University of Illinois at Chicago is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows for the transfer of the IAI-approved General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Please consult Illinois Articulation Initiative in the Admissions section of the catalog. The final decision, however, regarding the acceptance of credit and courses that apply toward degree requirements is made by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Students who transfer course work may anticipate some loss of credit. This might require more time to complete the degree than had been originally planned. When the loss of credit occurs, it does not imply a negative evaluation of a student’s transfer work but rather a lack of appropriateness for the programs of the college. After admission to the University, students must consult an advisor in the LAS Academic Advising Center.

Transfer Credit for Continuing Students

Continuing students who want to take course work for credit at another institution, either concurrent with UIC enrollment or during the summer term, must obtain prior written approval from the college and, where appropriate, the relevant department. Students will have to provide justification for the request.

If prior approval is not obtained from the college, credit will not be allowed, and the Office of the Registrar will be advised to exclude the transfer work from the student’s academic record. Students are obligated to report all work from other institutions once enrolled at UIC.

When transferring credit from a community college after attaining junior status, a student must earn at least 60 of the required semester hours either at the University of Illinois at Chicago or any other accredited four-year college or university. The enrollment residence requirements must also be met. Thus, students ordinarily should not register at a community college after completing the sophomore year.

Secondary Education Program Requirements
Students who are preparing to teach on the secondary level enroll in programs supervised by the departments offering the various majors. These programs, which have state approval and differ in some respects from those of the arts and sciences programs, prepare the student for State of Illinois licensure.

Completion of a secondary education curriculum leads to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science in the teaching of the field of specialization. The choice of a major determines the particular degree that will be awarded. Those who complete a secondary education curriculum may not pursue a second major or curriculum; only secondary education majors may elect a teacher education minor or endorsement. A student must choose a major field from the following academic disciplines: Chemistry, English, French, German, History, Mathematics, Physics, or Spanish. Detailed information is available online https://catalog.webhost.uic.edu/ucat/catalog/ED.shtml.

Secondary Licensure for Students with Bachelor's Degrees

Postbaccalaureate students interested in completing the approved program leading to licensure at the secondary level should consult the College of Education.

College Policies

All students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, whether enrolled as full-time, part-time, nondegree, or visitor, are subject to all rules of the college.

Academic Load

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students may enroll in either a part-time or full-time program of study, in either day or evening classes. During the fall and spring semesters, a minimum full-time program is 12 semester hours. A program of 19 semester hours or more must be approved by a college dean or academic advisor. For Summer Session 1 (four-week) and Summer Session 2 (eight-week), UIC considers a total aggregate of 6 semester hours (5 hours for graduate students) as the minimum number necessary to constitute full-time enrollment. A program of 13 semester hours or more during the summer session must be approved by a college dean or academic advisor.

Academic Probation and Dismissal Rules

Probation Rules
A student will be placed on academic probation in any term in which either a cumulative or semester grade point average of less than 2.00/4.00 is earned. The probation rules apply to all College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students. Academic probation at UIC cannot be removed by course work from other colleges or universities, including programs of the Springfield and Urbana-Champaign campuses.

A student on probation is expected to earn at least a 2.00 in the next term if the UIC cumulative grade point average is a 2.00 or higher. If the UIC cumulative grade point average is below a 2.00 at the time of probation, the student must earn greater than a 2.00 during the next term and have a UIC cumulative grade point average of 2.00 by the end of the second term on probation.

Dismissal Rules

Students failing to earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 by the end of two terms on probation will be dismissed from the University. In any term, a student may be dismissed for one or more of the following reasons:

  1. First-term students will be dismissed after their first term of enrollment if they earn zero credit, a grade point average of less than 1.00/4.00, or obtain a deficit of -15 points or more. Deficit points are calculated as follows; multiply the number of credit hours for each course taken by the points for the grade received, A=+2, B=+1, C=0, D=-1, F=-2. Add the points for each course taken during the semester. The total equals the deficit points used to determine probation status. Each deficit point equals one hour of B.
  2. Continuing students will be dismissed at the end of any term in which their cumulative deficit points (see above) are -15 or more.
  3. Failure to earn any credit.
  4. Failure to earn at least a 1.00/4.00 (D) average for a term.
  5. Failure to earn at least a 2.00/4.00 (C) average while on probation.
  6. Failure to meet conditions of probation.
  7. Failure to meet conditions specified at the time of admission.
  8. Failure to make progress toward completion of an LAS degree.
  9. Failure to declare and make progress in a major after having earned 60 credit hours.
  10. Two or more consecutive terms of University withdrawals.


A student dismissed from a major may not enroll in courses in that major department. Such enrollments will be cancelled on notification from the offering department.

The dean may waive the dismissal rules in extraordinary circumstances.

Appeal of a Dismissal Decision

Students who have been dismissed by the college may apply for readmission after two terms (excluding the summer session). Students who can document that poor academic performance was the result of significant extenuating circumstances, such as a long-term or debilitating illness or personal crisis, may petition for immediate reinstatement. The student must schedule an interview with an advisor or dean prior to the first day of instruction of the new term and provide supporting documentation.

Change of Course Schedule

Adding Courses

Students may add courses for which they have met the prerequisite(s) if seats are still available during the first two weeks of the fall and spring semesters, the first Wednesday of Summer Session 1, or the first Friday of Summer Session 2. Students should seek approval of the instructor to enroll in a class after the fifth day of the semester since some courses prohibit enrollment during the second week in accordance with college policy.

Dropping Courses

Undergraduate students may drop courses using my.UIC through the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters, or through the first Wednesday of Summer Session 1 and the first Friday of Summer Session 2. During weeks 3 through 10 of the fall and spring semesters semesters (first Thursday through the second Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or weeks 2 through 5 of Summer Session 2), students may drop courses with the permission of the college. If the drop occurs between 0–2 weeks in fall and spring, there will be no notation on the transcript. If the drop occurs during weeks 3 through 10 in fall and spring, a W is noted on the transcript. During their entire undegraduate degree program, undergraduate students may drop a maximum of 4 UIC individual courses that result in a W notation on their transcript. These drop requests are approved, regardless of the circumstances, provided that the student meets with an LAS academic advisor or dean within the designated period and that the student has not exceeded the limit of four late drops. The merits of the student’s request are not a factor in determining eligibility to late drop.

Because only four exceptions to the designated deadlines are available to students over the entire period in which they are enrolled at UIC, students are advised to evaluate their academic standing in the course with the instructor before requesting to exercise one of these four late drops.

Requests to drop a course after the tenth week of the fall and spring semesters, or requests to drop a course within the approved exception period in excess of the four automatic drops are not routinely granted unless there are exceptional circumstances outside of the student’s control that can be documented. Requests require a written petition and are reviewed by the committee on petitions. Poor performance in a course is not a sufficient reason to approve a request.

Course drop deadlines that apply to summer sessions are announced by the Office of Admissions and Records on its website http://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/registration/policies_procedures.html.

Change of Major

Students seeking to change or add a major should declare the new major with the department offering that major. Some programs require that specific requirements be fulfilled in order to declare and/or be retained as a major.

Class Attendance

Each instructor may establish his/her own attendance policy, including penalties for nonattendance. Failure to attend class does not result in automatic withdrawal from a course. The college expects that students will attend all classes.

Closed Courses

Overenrollment into a closed course or attendance in such a course is prohibited. Retroactive registration is not allowed.

Course Prerequisites

A student must satisfy the prerequisites before enrolling in a course. A student enrolling in a course without having met the prerequisites may be withdrawn from the course without prior notification. Course prerequisites are listed in both the Course Descriptions section of the catalog and the Schedule of Classes in my.UIC. Only the instructor may waive a prerequisite, if given evidence that the student is adequately prepared to pursue the subject. Warning: Registration in a course without meeting prerequisites does not imply approval of the registration.

Credit/No Credit Option
The credit/no credit option allows the student to complete a course with a grade of credit (CR) or no credit (NC) instead of a letter grade. Courses completed with a grade of CR carry credit and apply toward degree requirements. In general, grades of CR and NC are final and cannot be changed to letter grades. College policy coincides with campus policy with the following conditions:

  1. Only students in good standing may elect to take a course under the credit/no credit option. Students on probation and those whose status is undetermined at the time at which they elect the option are not eligible.
  2. A student may request only one course per term as credit/no credit.
  3. No more than two courses in a single discipline may be taken as credit/no credit.
  4. Only elective courses may be taken on a credit/no credit basis; courses being used to meet any graduation course requirements must be taken for letter grades.
  5. The following describes the restrictions that apply to all students, regardless of major or curriculum:
    • Students may not take English 160 or 161 as credit/no credit.
    • Students may not take any course used to satisfy the foreign language requirement as credit/no credit.
    • Students may not take any course used to satisfy the General Education Core requirements as credit/no credit. Until students have completed the minimum requirement in each General Education Core category, courses from these areas may not be taken as credit/no credit.
    • Students may not take any course used to satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning requirement as credit/no credit.
    • Students may not take any course being used to satisfy the requirements of the major, minor, or the required prerequisite and collateral courses of the major as credit/no credit.
    • Students in the health sciences curricula are advised not to complete required science courses under the credit/no credit option.
  6. A student may earn no more than 21 semester hours of credit at UIC under the credit/no credit option.

Students must apply to take a course credit/no credit at the college office, third floor, University Hall, no later than the tenth day of the term (first Wednesday of Summer Session 1 or first Friday of Summer Session 2). After that date, students may not request courses on a credit/no credit basis nor may they change a credit/no credit request previously submitted. It is the responsibility of the student to determine eligibility under the regulations. Students requesting a course under the credit/no credit option will be informed if they are ineligible and will receive a grade for the course. Students with questions concerning their eligibility should make an appointment with a college advisor. Instructors are not informed that a student has elected this option; the final grade is converted to CR/NC.

Declaring a Major

While a student may begin taking courses in the major at any time, a student must declare a major no later than the completion of 60 semester hours. Transfer students entering with 60 semester hours or more must declare a major by the end of their first term at UIC. Some majors, however, require department approval for admission into the program. Currently, this special approval is only required for the secondary education program in Mathematics and for all programs in the Departments of Biological Sciences; Communication; and Criminology, Law, and Justice. To declare a major, the student should visit the office of the department offering the major and complete a major declaration form. Failure to declare a major after earning 60 semester hours will result in a registration hold for the following semester, unless an exception has been approved by an LAS advisor.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to restrict enrollment of students into its academic programs based on space availability. Enrollment restrictions may be placed during the University admission process or on undeclared continuing students.

Double Major, Double Degrees, and Second Bachelor’s Degree

Double Major

A student may declare a second major with the approval of the college office. An additional major will not be approved if the first major and the proposed second major involve similar study or substantial duplication of course work. With few exceptions, an additional major will not be approved if the first major and proposed second major are in the same department. Students in a specialized curriculum cannot have a second major. A student declaring a degree program defined as a specialized curriculum may not have a second specialized curriculum program. Minors that have substantial overlap with the specialized curriculum content are not allowed.

Double Degrees

A student may receive two degrees concurrently from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The student must complete 30 semester hours of credit at UIC beyond the requirements for the first degree in courses not offered for the first degree. In addition, the student must complete all degree requirements of the college and the major department. For specific information on these requirements, consult the department listings in the catalog.

Double degrees will not be approved if the first degree and the proposed second degree involve study of a similar area or substantial duplication of course work. The student must consult an academic advisor in the college office to initiate a request for double degrees. The college does not approve requests for more than two bachelor’s degrees.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

A student with a bachelor’s degree from UIC or another institution may receive a second bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences subsequent to the first undergraduate degree. The student must complete 30 semester hours of credit at UIC beyond the requirements for the first degree in courses not offered for the first degree. In addition, the student must complete all degree requirements of the college and the major department. For specific information on these requirements, consult the department listings in the catalog.

A second bachelor’s degree will not be approved if the first degree and the proposed second degree involve study of a similar area or substantial duplication of course work. The student must consult an academic advisor in the college office to initiate a request for a second degree. The college does not approve requests for more than two bachelor’s degrees, nor for bachelor's degrees subsequent to a graduate degree.

Rules Governing the Major

The major consists of discipline-specific courses, excluding required prerequisite and collateral courses outside of the major department. Specialized curricula include all courses required for the undergraduate degree. Elective courses within a specialized curriculum may be used toward a minor. Degree program listings in the department sections address these differences.

A liberal arts and sciences degree program may not include less than 27 or more than 40 semester hours of course work in the major field and 36 semester hours of prerequisites and collateral course work. For those departments and programs that require prerequisites and collateral courses, the total field of specialization may not exceed 72 semester hours. Writing-in-the-Discipline courses may be excluded from this limitation. The major, exclusive of collateral courses, must include 14 semester hours of upper-division (200-, 300-, or 400-level) courses. Specialized curricula must meet the minimum requirements for graduation in the college. The maximum number of hours allowed in a specialized curriculum will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Double Major

Cross-listed courses may count toward specific requirements in each major; however, in such cases a cross-listed course counts toward the total hours required in only one of the majors. A student need not repeat course work or duplicate requirements to complete the second major.

Students Enrolled in Other Colleges

Students in other UIC colleges may not officially complete an LAS major or curriculum. These students may, however, be eligible to receive at the time of graduation a letter of certification verifying completion of the program of study provided that all course requirements are satisfied and that the student has met the minimum grade point average requirements. A letter of certification will not be authorized if the student’s program in the primary college and the proposed LAS program involve similar study or include substantial duplication of course work. Students in other UIC colleges can complete an LAS minor when approved by the student’s college.

Graduate-Level Courses for Undergraduate Credit

With department approval, an undergraduate student may enroll in a course in the Graduate College (500-level) for undergraduate elective credit. Prior to enrollment, students must obtain approval and must have met course prerequisites.

Students should understand that graduate-level courses taken by an undergraduate student are generally not applicable toward a graduate degree, except in designated joint degree programs.

Cross-Listed Courses

Courses cross-listed in two or more departments have equivalent standing in each department and are treated as the same course regardless of the department under which the registration occurs.

Independent Study Course Options

A number of departments offer independent study course options (research, field experience, internship, and independent study) in which a student’s special interests may be pursued under the direction of a faculty member. To enroll in such a course in any UIC college, the LAS student must have a minimum 2.50/4.00 grade point average in all course work taken at UIC and must obtain consent of the instructor and the department offering the course prior to registration. No student may enroll in an independent study course option after the tenth day of the term without approval of the department and the dean’s office.

A maximum of 8 semester hours in any of the independent study course options in a given department or program may count toward the degree. No more than 16 semester hours of independent study credit may apply toward the degree. Because many of these courses may not be repeated, students should consult the catalog for specific credit limitations. Please note fieldwork and internship courses that are specifically required in the major as stated in this catalog are excluded from this limitation.

Petition Procedure

Any rule, regulation, or action of the college may be appealed in writing. Petitions are submitted to the Office of the Dean, LAS Student Academic Affairs, third floor, University Hall. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation in support of a petition. Submission of a petition does not imply approval.

Proficiency Examinations

LAS departments may offer proficiency examinations, which are similar in content to regularly scheduled final course exams. To take such an exam, however, a student must meet the eligibility requirements of both the college and department. Consideration for such approval includes a careful review of the student’s secondary and postsecondary records. If approval is granted, the minimum passing grade that a student must earn is a C, although a department may require a higher passing grade. When credit is awarded, a grade of P (Pass) is assigned. The Pass grade is not included in a student’s grade point average, but the credit may apply toward the total hours required for graduation. Note that proficiency credit does not apply toward nor interrupt the 30-hour enrollment residence requirement for graduation.

Although other limitations apply, proficiency exams may not be taken by a student who has credit for more than one course in the subject above the level of the course in which the exam is required. For more detailed information on eligibility criteria, consult Proficiency Examinations for Enrolled Students in the Academic Standing section.

Retroactive Credits in Foreign Language

A student who has placed into the 104 or higher level of a foreign language taught at UIC as the result of the UIC administered placement tests may receive academic proficiency credits for prerequisite courses.

Registration Approval

All new students are required to attend an orientation program prior to registration. Certain students or groups of students may be required to see an advisor prior to registration. Freshmen are required to meet with a college academic advisor during their first two semesters in order to register for the following semester, unless specifically exempted. The LAS Academic Advising Center is located on the third floor of University Hall.

Repeat Policy for Standard Graded Courses

Students may repeat a course to increase their knowledge of the subject matter. There are circumstances under which repeating a course is advisable and to a student’s advantage. There are also circumstances in which repeating a course may disadvantage a student and narrow a student’s options. Some colleges require students to discuss any plan to repeat a course with their academic advisor before they register to repeat the course.

Courses in which a student earned a grade of A or B may not be repeated. In LAS, courses with a C grade may not be repeated. Courses with D or F grades may be repeated once without written permission. In all cases, the original grade for the course and the grade for each repeat will appear on the transcript. The original grade will be calculated into the grade point average, unless the student initiates a request for Repeating a Course with Grade Point Average Recalculation as described below. Only one registration for the course counts toward the total number of credits required for graduation. A student may not repeat a course after receiving credit in a course for which the repeat course is a prerequisite.

To repeat a course more than once requires written permission from the student’s college dean. Students who have been dismissed may not appeal on the grounds of intention to repeat courses. Certain courses may not be repeated; students should consult their college before repeating a course.

Repeating a Course with Grade Point Average Recalculation

Important Note: Grade point average recalculation for a repeated course is not automatic. The student must initiate a request in the college office as outlined below.

For the grade point average recalculation policy to apply, a student must declare to his or her college the intent to repeat a course for a change of grade. Students must submit this request to their college before the end of the official add/drop period, no later than the second Friday of the fall and spring semesters, the first Wednesday of Summer Session 1, or the first Friday of Summer Session 2. The course must be repeated within three semesters of the receipt of the original grade, and it must be taken at UIC. Only one registration for the course counts toward the total number of credits required for graduation.

Undergraduate students are allowed grade point average recalculation in a maximum of four repeated courses. Under the course repeat policy, all courses taken and their grades appear on the transcript in the semester in which they were taken. Under the grade point average recalculation policy, the grade earned the first time the course was taken will be dropped from the calculation of the cumulative GPA and the grade(s) earned when the course was repeated will be used in the calculation. This rule holds, even if the second grade is lower than the first. If a course is repeated more than once, the first grade is not counted in the GPA, but all other grades for that course are calculated in the cumulative GPA.

Transferring

Intercollege Transfer Students

Students currently enrolled at UIC who want to transfer into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences should complete an Intercollege Transfer Application available at LAS Reception, third floor, University Hall. Students are welcome to discuss possible admission to LAS with an academic advisor. Requests must be initiated by the Friday of the eleventh week of the fall and spring semesters and the fourth week of the summer session. Admission to LAS is generally limited to those students in good academic standing who have a UIC grade point average of at least 2.00/4.00 and whose combined UIC and transfer grade point average is at least 2.00. Those students who are accepted into LAS are expected to enroll immediately in courses that fulfill LAS degree requirements.

Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities

Students applying to the college as transfers—those who will have earned at least 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours of credit by the time of enrollment—must submit complete transcripts from all postsecondary institutions. Provided space is available, a minimum 2.50/4.00 grade point average is required for consideration. Please consult the Admissions section of the catalog for more information.

Transferring out of the College

An LAS student who wants to transfer into another UIC college must follow the procedures of that college. Most UIC health sciences programs admit students only in the fall semester. For information on application procedures and deadlines, consult the admissions office serving the UIC health sciences colleges or the LAS Academic Advising Center, third floor, University Hall. Students interested in colleges other than the health sciences should contact those colleges directly.

Preprofessional Studies

Preprofessional studies are designed for students who intend to pursue their undergraduate or graduate education in professional schools of the University of Illinois. Preprofessional areas are not major areas of study for the proposed degrees and are designated as educational goals in student records. Preprofessional study is offered in the following areas:

Advisors for students in these areas are available in the LAS Academic Advising Center to answer students’ questions about admissions requirements and procedures and to assist students in planning their programs of study. Many of the professional schools encourage prospective students to visit their college offices in order to obtain more detailed information on the programs. Preprofessional students should consult an LAS advisor regarding any changes in professional school admissions requirements.

Designation of a preprofessional area does not guarantee admission to a professional school, nor does completion of the required course work or attainment of the minimum grade point average. Preprofessional students should follow an LAS degree program whether or not a bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the professional program. Once 60 semester hours are earned, an LAS major must be declared.

Because application procedures as well as deadlines vary among the professional schools of the University of Illinois, students are encouraged to consult both an LAS preprofessional advisor and the individual program to which application is planned. Students who are members of underrepresented groups in the health professions and plan to enter one of the health science fields should also consult the Urban Health Program information in the Academic Planning and Progress section of the catalog.

Studies in the Health Sciences

LAS students in these areas of the health sciences complete all requirements for the bachelor’s degree, including a major, in addition to their preprofessional studies at UIC. Preparatory course work for these fields is listed in the Preprofessional Studies section of the catalog. If admitted, students complete the professional degree in the professional college.


Students in these areas of the health sciences complete all of the basic preparatory course work in LAS prior to admission to the professional college. Preparatory course work for these fields is listed in the Preprofessional Studies section of the catalog. If admitted, students complete the bachelor’s or professional degree in the professional college. Students in these areas are advised to follow LAS degree program requirements along with preprofessional study.

Studies in Pre-Urban and Public Affairs

Students in this area complete a minimum of two years of preparatory course work in LAS prior to admission to the professional school. Preparatory course work for this field is listed in the Preprofessional Studies section of the catalog. If admitted, students complete the bachelor’s degree in the professional college.

Studies in Pre-Law

LAS students in pre-law complete all requirements for the bachelor’s degree, including a major, at UIC. More information on pre-law is provided in the Preprofessional Studies section of the catalog.

LAS provides active support for students interested in pursuing careers in law. To take advantage, students interested in pre-law should see the pre-law advisor in the college as soon as possible and consider joining the student Pre-Law Society. Both provide important information about pre-law academic preparation, careers in law, the LSAT admissions test, strategies for applying to law school, etc.

UIC has a Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions arrangement with John Marshall School of Law for entering freshmen. More information on this program is available in the Admissions section of the catalog.

The University of Illinois at Chicago and the Chicago-Kent of College of Law offer a six-year program that leads to the bachelor’s degree from UIC and the Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent. The Accelerated Degree Program is designed for students with a commitment to academic excellence who pursue a rigorous academic program including the completion of an LAS major and additional undergraduate work chosen in consultation with the pre-law advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students apply before the beginning of the junior year. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Among other requirements, applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25/4.00 and have completed 60 semester hours. Students interested in this program must consult with the LAS pre-law advisor during the sophomore year. Students should see the Preprofessional Studies section of the catalog for more information.

Minors

Although a minor is not required, a student may elect to complete one or more minors. The number of semester hours required for the LAS minor is 12 to 21. LAS students may complete a minor in another college, with the approval of that college. A teacher education minor, however, may be completed only by a secondary education major. Also, with few exceptions, a minor will not be approved if the student’s major and proposed minor are in the same department. The following are minors offered by LAS. Additional rules governing the minor are as follows:

Minor
 Department
Hours
African American Studies African American Studies
18
Anthropology Anthropology
20
Asian American Studies Interdepartmental
15–16
Asian Studies Interdepartmental
15
Biological Sciences Biological Sciences
21
Chemistry Chemistry
18–19
Classical Studies Classics and Mediterranean Studies
18
Communication Communication
18
Criminology, Law, and Justice Criminology, Law, and Justice
18
Earth and Environmental Sciences Earth and Environmental Sciences
18
Economics Economics
18
English English
18
French and Francophone Studies French and Francophone Studies
18
Gender and Women’s Studies Gender and Women’s Studies
18
Geography Anthropology
18–21
Germanic Studies Germanic Studies
16
History History
15
Human Capital and Labor Markets Economics
18
International Studies Interdepartmental
21
Italian and Italian American Studies Hispanic and Italian Studies
19
Jewish Studiesa Interdepartmental
18
Latin American and Latino Studies Latin American and Latino Studies
18
Law and Society Criminology, Law, and Justice
18
Mathematics Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science
21
Mathematics and Computer Science Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science
21
Moving Image Arts Interdepartmental
18–20
Philosophy Philosophy
15
Physics Physics
19
Polish Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures
16
Political Science Political Science
21
Psychology Psychology
18
Religious Studiesa Interdepartmental
18
Russian Slavic and Baltic Languages and Literatures
16
Sociology Sociology
15
Spanish Hispanic and Italian Studies
20
Teaching of English English
18
Teaching of Physics Physics
19

a Suspended effective Fall 2010.

Course Level Requirement for the Minor

At least 9 semester hours in the minor field must be at the advanced level (200-, 300-, or 400-level courses), except in a foreign language, where a minimum of 6 semester hours is required. Of the 9 semester hours at the advanced level, 6 must be in enrollment residence at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A minimum grade point average of 2.00/4.00 is required for the minor field.

Enrollment Residence Requirement in the Minor

A student must complete at least one-half of the course work required for the minor field in enrollment residence at UIC.

Academic Advising

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences encourages the intellectual growth and development of the student as an individual. To arrange an advising appointment, students may call (312) 996-3366, or come to the LAS Academic Advising Center, third floor, University Hall.

Advising Policy

Newly admitted students are required to participate in an orientation advising session prior to their initial registration. Students should consult a college advisor at least once during their first term in residence and at least once an academic year thereafter. Students with a declared major should consult regularly with their departmental advisor as well. Some students may be required to consult an advisor in order to register for a subsequent term. Unless specifically exempted, all LAS freshman are required to meet with a college advisor during their first two semesters in order to register for the following semester.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the full services of the college advising office prior to the time of registration and at other times when assistance might prove fruitful. The college strongly recommends that students with junior standing meet with a college academic advisor for a review of progress toward the degree. Students who have chosen a major must also consult with a departmental advisor prior to registration.

LAS advisors assist students not only in individual program planning and course selection, but also are able to discuss with the student the feasibility of various career paths based on interest and academic performance. Additionally, advisors can explain college rules and requirements as they pertain to various programs and can help resolve special registration problems. In conjunction with this, advisors refer students to additional sources of help on campus.

Students who want help in choosing a major or who want to examine various career, vocational, and professional options should arrange to see one of the specialized counselors who provide such guidance. These counselors are available in the Counseling Center and Career Services located in the Student Services Building.

The responsibility for selecting courses and meeting graduation requirements rests with the students, who must plan intelligently to make their programs consistent with their goals and with college requirements. All LAS students should obtain a Degree Audit Report System (DARS) analysis from an academic advisor in the college at least annually. This analysis of earned credits can assist students in planning their program of study. DARS reports obtained online should be confirmed by a college advisor.

Academic Honors

College Honors

The student who has demonstrated outstanding academic excellence throughout the entire undergraduate program may be eligible for graduation with College Honors. College Honors will be awarded at the time of graduation to those students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50/4.00. A student must meet one of the following conditions to graduate with College Honors:

  1. All course work has been entirely in residence at UIC and the UIC cumulative GPA is at least 3.50/4.00.
  2. The UIC cumulative GPA (based on at least 30 graded hours) and the combined UIC plus transfer cumulative average is at least 3.50/4.00.

Dean’s List

Exceptional academic achievement in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is recognized each term by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility is based on a 3.50/4.00 term GPA with a minimum program of 12 semester hours, exclusive of basic military science and basic activity courses in physical education. At least 9 semester hours must be earned for letter grades, in addition to a grade of Credit earned in any course taken on a credit/no credit basis.

Special Programs and Opportunities

Certification of Major for Nondegree Students with Bachelor’s Degree

A student who has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning may receive, with approval of the college office, a letter of certification upon completion of department requirements for a major. A letter of certification will not be issued if the student’s first degree and proposed LAS major involve study of a similar area or substantial duplication of course work. The student must consult an academic advisor in the college office to initiate a request for a letter of certification at least one term prior to the intended completion date.

LAS Internship Program

The LAS Internship Program provides liberal arts and sciences students with the opportunity to combine their classroom study with periods of paid or unpaid career-related work experiences. Students interested in participating in the program may apply as early as the second semester of their sophomore year and should have declared a major and have earned a minimum grade point average of 2.50/4.00. Students in the program will be registered each semester in LAS 289—LAS Internship. Credit is granted for this program. For more information, contact the Internship Office at (312) 996-0425, 318 University Hall,
http://www.las.uic.edu/students/current-undergraduate/las-internship. Consult major department for information regarding departmental internship opportunities that award credit.

Individual Plan of Study

The Individual Plan of Study (IPS) serves those students whose wide-ranging and multidisciplinary interests are not met through study in a traditional major. Applications for IPS are approved by and completion is certified by the IPS Committee, which is comprised of three faculty members representing the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Students applying for IPS must meet the following criteria:

  1. They must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50/4.00.
  2. They must have completed less than 90 hours at the end of the term in which they apply, or they must propose a program that includes at least 30 hours of courses to be taken.
  3. They must present a proposal that:
    • explains the goals of the proposed program;
    • lists all courses for the proposed program (indicating which courses have already been completed) and explains how the selection fulfills the goals;
    • explains why the program cannot be pursued under an existing major;
    • identifies a faculty member who has been consulted in drawing up the program and has agreed to serve as the advisor; and
    • includes a transcript showing all previous course work and a schedule showing courses currently being taken.

The following criteria must also be met:

  1. The major proposed must meet all University and LAS requirements.
  2. The major proposed must require at least 33 hours of course work, 30 of which must be above the 100-level.
  3. Since the major represents advanced work, no more than 6 hours of the major can be fulfilled by courses taken outside of UIC.
  4. Students will not be allowed to major in both an existing major and the IPS.

The procedures for proposing an IPS are as follows:

  1. Proposals will be accepted by the Office of the Dean between the beginning of classes and the end of the fifth week of each term and will be evaluated by the IPS Committee between the fifth and tenth weeks of each term. If necessary, the IPS Committee may seek additional information from the student either orally or in writing. The IPS Committee will inform students in writing of the acceptance or rejection of their proposals.
  2. Students must meet with their advisor at least once each term and by the tenth day of each term must file an approval form signed by their advisor attesting that the proposal is being followed.
  3. Students must make an appointment once a year for a credit check with the IPS advisor.

Study Abroad Programs

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers study abroad programs for students studying or fluent in French, German, or Spanish. These programs do not interrupt enrollment residence and with department and college approval, students may apply credit earned in the program toward the degree. More detailed information on these programs is available from the individual department. Extensive study abroad opportunities are offered by the UIC Study Abroad Office. For more information, please visit the Study Abroad website http://www.uic.edu/depts/spec_prog/studyabroad/.

Students may also pursue studies independently at accredited foreign universities with approval of the college. For details contact an LAS academic advisor, third floor, University Hall.