College of Science

College of Science
Liberal Arts Building 153 ~ 260-481-6833

Ronald S. Friedman, Dean

The College of Science emphasizes learning how science is performed and contributes to our understanding of nature and human behavior. This is achieved through our teaching, research, faculty-student partnerships, collaborations within and between disciplines, and by drawing upon the multiple perspectives of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. The College prepares students with the analytical skills that will serve them broadly in their future careers and lives.

The College strives to foster scientific learning, discovery, and innovation that will advance knowledge, address real world problems, and communicate scientific findings and their value to the public, as reflected in the following learning objectives for our students.

Students will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Develop a research question and analyze evidence to draw conclusions;
2. Locate and critically evaluate scientific information;
3. Explain scientific topics in written and oral communication for a variety of audiences, including the public;
4. Advance their understanding of the critical role of diversity and inclusive excellence in the sciences; and
5. Advance their understanding of ethical standards in the sciences.

Academic Renewal Option

The College of Science participates in the Academic Renewal Option for eligible students returning to PFW after an absence of five or more years.  See an advisor in the Student Success Center for details.

Advising

All degree-seeking students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor at least once each term.

Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program

Cooperative education provides an opportunity for students to gain work experience while still enrolled in school.  Check with your Department regarding eligibility for this program.

Academic Programs

The College of Science offers a broad range of majors, minors, and certificate programs.  Each program, with its sponsoring unit in the College, is listed below.  If you are undecided about declaring a major or minor or certificate within the College, contact an advisor who can help you choose courses to assure reasonable progress as you narrow your choices, review transfer credits to avoid possible duplication, and finally decide on a specific plan of study.  If you change your major or your catalog term, your degree requirements may also change.  Information can also be found in the Program Descriptions  section in this catalog.  Students must apply for graduation.  The online application form and other graduation related FAQs can be found through the Registrar’s webpage.

 Degrees (AS, BA, BS, BSC, BSAS, BSDSAS)

Minors 

Completion of any minor requires a minimum of 12 credits in courses specified by the sponsoring department, including at least 6 resident credits at the 200 level or above and a grade of C- or better in each course.  Students cannot earn a minor and a major in the same program.  Minors cannot be awarded separately from a major.

Certificates

Certificates require a minimum GPA of 2.00 for graduation.  Minimum grades in courses required to complete a certificate are at least a C-.  Each program will specify the number of courses that must be completed in residency in order to earn a certificate.  You can see specific certificate program information in Program Descriptions  in this catalog; for additional questions, contact the sponsoring department.

Pursuing a research certificate provides opportunities to engage in active learning situations integrating original research and the undergraduate curricula.  You will learn research methods and tools appropriate to your discipline, and research interests within the discipline; the foundations of research relating to the history, philosophy, and theory of the discipline; and advanced communications skills.  You will apply knowledge learned by designing and executing a research study or project and communicating the results to others. 

Degree Requirements and Academic Regulations

  Where requirements and regulations are stricter than PFW Academic Regulations , the following will apply.  

Requirements for the Associate of Science Degree (AS)

1. The link to program requirements for the Associate of Science in Chemical Methods appear in the Program Descripions   section of this Catalog.
2. A grade of C- or better in all courses required for the major, and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
3. Residency requirements for an Associate degree: registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of resident course credit, including at least 15 resident credits in courses applicable to the major.
4. Normally, you must complete the entire final year at PFW.  However with the approval of your College and if you have satisfied the resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements in another approved College or university.
5. You must register, either in residence or absentia, as a candidate for the desired degree during the academic session immediately preceding its conferral.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA)

 In addition to the General Education Requirements  and the requirements for your major found in Program Descriptions , you must satisfy the following requirements:

1.  Successful completion of Parts A through D listed below.
2.  At least 30 credits in upper-level courses as defined by the departments offering the courses.
3. A grade of C- or higher in all department courses required for the major, and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
4. The College requires that students complete one of the following MA courses:  MA 14000, 15300, 15900, 16500, 22700, 22900, STAT 12500, or placement above MA 15300, or the math course required for your major.  Please note that in many degree programs, a specific math course/courses is/are required.  The various courses differ with respect to emphasis on the foundations of mathematical reasoning and their application.  One of these MA courses may also meet your PFW General Education Category A3 (Quantitative Reasoning) requirement; therefore, you are strongly encouraged to consult your academic advisor to determine which course would be most appropriate for you.
5. The College of Science requires that you complete at least one science course with a scheduled laboratory as part of your PFW General Education requirements. This requirement may be met either by taking a lecture course that includes a scheduled laboratory or a lecture course plus a laboratory course designed to accompany it. This provides the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom and to conduct scientific inquiry.
6. A sufficient number of elective credits to bring the total number of credits counting toward graduation to 120.
7. Residency requirements for a Bachelor’s degree: registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of resident course credit at the 2000+ level or above, including at least 15 resident credits at the 3000+ level or above in courses applicable to the major.
8. Normally, you must complete the entire final year at PFW.  However with the approval of the College and satisfaction of the resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements at another approved College or university and have the credits transferred back to PFW.
9. You must register, either in residence or absentia, as a candidate for the desired degree during the academic session immediately preceding its conferral.

Part A:  English Writing and Speaking

An education in the liberal arts and sciences emphasizes the value of analyzing and presenting ideas in writing and speaking; thus the College strives to improve its students’ oral and written communication skills.  Consequently, in addition to your General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent), you are required to complete ENGL 23301 or an equivalent second writing course approved for this purpose by individual departments and the College.  In general, these second writing courses are developed to introduce students to the types of writing they will do in their respective fields.  Approved equivalents are:  ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700. or WOST 23000.  You are also required to complete COM 11400 or an equivalent oral communication course approved by individual departments and the College.  An approved equivalent course is HIST 12500.  You must complete all courses meeting this requirement with a grade of C- or better.

Part B:  Language

You must complete two courses at the first-year level and two courses at the second-year level in a single international language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency).  You are urged to begin studying a language as soon as possible.  When you begin your international language or American Sign Language studies at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you are eligible to apply for special credit after successfully completing the course into which you placed.  This credit is not automatically granted and must be applied for through either the Department of International Language & Culture Studies or the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders. To demonstrate language proficiency non-native English speaking students may visit the College’s Student Success Center.  Students with other language transfer credits may also contact the College’s Student Success Center for assistance.

Part C:  Distribution

A significant component of the bachelor of arts education is the breadth of knowledge throughout the three major areas of Science and Mathematics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Humanities. You will accomplish this by completing at least 3 credits in each of these areas. Credits in your major discipline or in directed study courses may not be used to satisfy this requirement.  Distribution courses do not overlap with General Education requirements.

Science and Mathematics

Agriculture (only FNR 10300)

Anthropology (only ANTH 20001)

Astronomy

Biology (excluding BIOL 10500)

Chemistry

Entomology

Geography (only physical geography)

Geology

Mathematics (excluding MA 10100, 10200, 10300, 10900, 11100/11101, 11300, 12401)

Physics

Political Science (only POL 39500)

Psychology (only PSY 20100)

Sociology (only SOC 35100)

Statistics

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Anthropology (excluding ANTH 20001)

Communication (excluding COM 11400, 21000, 23800, 31200, 31600, 32700, 35800, 44300, 46300, 47500)

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Economics

English (only ENGL 20501, 20600, 30101)

Geography (only human, cultural, or social geography)

Gerontology (only GERN 23100)

International Studies (only INTL 20000)

Journalism (only COM 30001, 30002)

Linguistics

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Political Science (excluding POL 39500)

Psychology (excluding PSY 20100)

Sociology (excluding SOC 35100)

Spanish* (only SPAN 42500, 42601, 42800)

Women’s Studies (only WOST 21000, 24000)

Humanities

Afro-American studies

Arabic*

Architectural Engineering Technology (only ARET 21000, 31000)

Chinese*

Classical studies*

Communication (only COM 21000, 21600, 23800, 31200, 31600, 35800, 46300, 47500)

Comparative literature

English (excluding ENGL 20501, 20600, 30101, 12900, 13100, 14000, 23202, 23301, 23401, 33101, 36402, 39700, 39800, 42101, 42202, 46001)

Film studies

Fine arts (excluding studio courses)

Folklore

French*

German*

History

International Language and Culture Studies (excluding ILCS 30000)

International Studies (excluding INTL 20000)

Japanese*

Journalism (excluding COM 30001, 30002)

Latin American Studies

Medieval Studies

Music (excluding performance/skills courses)

Near Eastern Language and Culture*

Peace and Conflict Studies (only PACS 20000)

Philosophy

Religious Studies

Russian*

Spanish* (excluding SPAN 42500, 42601, 42800)

Theatre (excluding performance/production courses)

Women’s Studies (excluding WOST 21000, 24000)

*excluding courses used to satisfy the Part B requirement

Part D:  Cultural Studies

Another important element for the bachelor of arts degree is for students to acquire skills necessary to be productive, responsible citizens and community leaders. To do this, you must have a commitment to free and open inquiry and show mutual respect across multiple cultures and perspectives. Students will accomplish this by taking at least 6 credit hours in cultural studies, including one 3 credit course in Western Culture and one 3 credit course in Non-Western Culture.  The Western Culture courses deal broadly with the Western tradition.  The Non-Western Culture courses deal exclusively or primarily with a non-Western culture or cultures. Contact your advisor or the College of Science Student Success Center to discuss the possibility of courses double counting to satisfy the Western and Non-Western Culture Studies requirements.

Western Culture

CLCS 20500, 40500

COM 31200

ENGL 10101, 10201

AD 11100, 11201

HIST 11300, 11400, 22500 (only when offered as Intro To Political Theory), HIST 38601, HIST 38801

PHIL 11000, 24000, 30100

POL 10500, 38100, 38200

REL 11200, 23100, 30000

Non-Western Culture

ANTH 31001, 33000, 35600, 37500, 39800, 40200, 44500, 45500, 45700, 47000, 37001

EALC 23100, 27100

ENGL 10700, 36401

FOLK 30500, 35200

HIST 10001, 20101, 20200, 23200, 31001, 31002, 31101, 33101, 33201,  33503, 34201, 34601, 39201, 39301, 40201, 43200,

NELC 2040

POL 33900, 34000

REL 23000, 30100, 30600, 30700, 31100

SOC 21001, 21100 (only when offered as Contemporary Japanese Culture), SOC 41000  (only when offered as Culture of China, or Modern Japanese Society)

SPAN 41200, 47101, 47200, 47900, 48001

WOST 30100

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree (BS, and BSC, BSAS, BSDSAS)

  In addition to the General Education Requirements  and the requirements for your major found in Program Descriptions , you must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of Parts A and B listed below.
2. At least 30 credits in upper-level courses as defined by the departments offering the courses.
3. An overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
4. The College requires that students complete one of the following MA courses:  MA 14000, 15300, 15900, 16500, 22700, 22900, STAT 12500, or placement above MA 15300, or the math course required for your major.  Please note that in many degree programs, a specific math course/courses is/are required.  The various courses differ with respect to emphasis on the foundations of mathematical reasoning and their application.  One of these MA courses may also meet your PFW General Education Category A3 (Quantitative Reasoning) requirement; therefore, you are strongly encouraged to consult your academic advisor to determine which course would be most appropriate for you.
5. A sufficient number of elective credits to bring the total number of credits counting toward graduation to 120.
6. Residency requirements for a Bachelor’s degree: registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of resident course credit at the 2000+ level or above, including at least 15 resident credits at the 3000+ level or above in courses applicable to the major.
7. Normally, you must complete the entire final year at PFW.  However with the approval of the College and satisfaction of the resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements at another approved College or university and have the credits transferred back to PFW.
8. You must register, either in residence or absentia, as a candidate for the desired degree during the academic session immediately preceding its conferral.

Part A:  English Writing and Speaking

An education in the sciences also emphasizes the value of analyzing and presenting ideas in writing and speaking; thus the College strives to improve its students’ oral and written communication skills.  Consequently, in addition to your General Education writing course (ENGL 13100 or equivalent), you are required to complete ENGL 23301 or an equivalent second writing course approved for this purpose by individual departments and the College.  In general, these second writing courses are developed to introduce students to the types of writing they will do in their respective fields.  Approved equivalents are:  ENGL 20201, HIST 21700, ILCS 30000, POL 20700, or WOST 23000.  You are also required to complete COM 11400 or an equivalent oral communication course approved by individual departments and the College.  An approved equivalent course is HIST 12500.  You must complete all courses meeting this requirement with a grade of C- or better.

Part B:  Language

You must complete two courses at the first-year level in a single international language or in American Sign Language (or demonstrate equivalent proficiency). You are urged to begin studying a language as soon as possible.  When you begin your international language or American Sign Language studies at PFW at the second-semester level or higher, you are eligible to apply for special credit after successfully completing the course into which you placed.  This credit is not automatically granted and must be applied for through either the Department of International Language & Culture Studies or the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders. To demonstrate language proficiency non-native English speaking students may visit the College’s Student Success Center.  Students with other language transfer credits may also contact the College’s Student Success Center for assistance.

Additional Degree Information:

Along with the PFW Academic Regulations , the following information also applies to the College of Science degrees:

• Undistributed Transfer Credit:

Undistributed transfer credit (for courses not equivalent to PFW courses) may be used to satisfy general education requirements and distribution requirements, and may be counted in the degree program where appropriate. Contact the Lead Advisor in the College of Science Student Success Center as soon as possible to confirm the application of any undistributed transfer credit you are awarded.  Properly distributing transfer credit will help students avoid enrolling in duplicate or overlapping courses.

• Credit Restrictions:

a.  You may count no more than 4 credits in:

• HPER activity courses (i.e., HPER 11100, 11700, 11900, 12100, 13300, 13501, 15000, 15900, 16500, 18100, 18500, 19000, 21100, 21701, 25001, 29000)

b.  You may count no more than 3 credits toward a major in:

• IDIS courses, MA 14900

c.  You may count no credit toward a major in:

• Developmental courses (i.e., ENGL 11500, 11600, 15000, MA 11300)
• Courses that provide only surveys of career opportunities (i.e., AGR 10100, BUS 10000, EDU 30000 (except when offered as Invitation to Teaching), 21000, HSRV 10000, VM 10200)
• Courses designed to provide a skill not required to complete the major

• Credit for Military Service:

Up to 9 credits for military service in the armed forces of the United States may be counted toward graduation. 

• General Education Requirements:

Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description.  Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major.  A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.  Transfer students who have the Indiana Statewide Gen Ed Core completed at a transfer institution will have the Indiana STGEC Completed noted in their records.

• Upper-Level Courses:

All courses numbered 3000+ are considered upper-level courses.  In addition, the following 2000+ numbered courses are defined as upper-level by the College of Science Departments offering them and may be included in the 30 credits in upper-level courses required for graduation.

Courses which may count toward 3000+ level requirement:

CHM  24100, 25400, 25500, 25600, 25800, 26100, 26200, 26500, 26600

ENTM 20600, 20700

EAPS 22101, 22201

MA 26100, 26300, 27300, 27500

PSY 20300, 20500, 23500, 24000, 27200

•  Graduation With Distinction:

Graduation with distinction. To be a candidate for the bachelor’s degree with distinction, the student must have a minimum of 65 resident credits included in the computation of the cumulative GPA. To be a candidate for an associate degree with distinction, the student must have a minimum of 35 resident credits included in the computation of the cumulative GPA.  In each college/school, the minimum cumulative GPA for graduation with highest distinction from an associate or bachelor degree program shall be at least 3.95 (A = 4.00).  In each college/school, the minimum cumulative GPA for graduation with distinction from an associates or bachelor degree program shall be at least 3.80 (A = 4.00).

The required GPA, calculated each spring as detailed above, also applies to degrees for the following summer sessions and fall semester.  Conferring of degrees: Degrees are granted at the close of each academic session.

Degree+ Program:

1. COS Bachelor of Science students listed in point 4 below who are double majoring in one of the degree programs outside of COS listed in point 5 below, do not need to complete the following requirements:
   1. Speaking Requirement
   2. Writing Requirement
   3. Foreign Language Requirement
       
2. If a Bachelor of Science student in a program listed in point 4 below does not complete the degree program listed in point 5 below, the student must complete the Speaking, Writing, and Language requirements for COS Bachelor of Science degrees.
    
3. If a student is returning with a degree from IPFW, Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW), or any Higher Learning Commission accredited university that matches one of the degrees listed in point 5 below, and wants to complete a second COS Bachelor of Science degree listed below in point 4, the Speaking, Writing, and Foreign Language Requirements are waived.
    
4. This policy affects the following Bachelor of Science degrees in COS:
   1. Bachelor of Science in Biology, including:
   • Biology with an Ecology & Evolutionary Concentration (B.S.)
   • Biology with a Genetics, Cellular, and Molecular Concentration (B.S.)
   • Biology with a Microbiology and Immunology Concentration (B.S.)
   2. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, including:
   • Biochemistry (B.S.)
   • Chemistry (B.S.)
   • Chemistry (B.S.C)
   3. Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.S.)
       
   4. Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences, including:
   • Actuarial Sciences (B.S.A.S.)
   • Data Sciences and Applied Statistics (B.S.D.S.A.S.)
   • Mathematics (B.S.)
   • Mathematics Teaching (B.S.)
   5. Bachelor of Science in Physics, including:
   • Physics (B.S.)
   • Physics Engineering Concentration (B.S.)
   • Physics with Biomedical Concentration (B.S.)
   • Physical with Computational Concentration (B.S.)
   • Physics with Optoelectronics Concentration (B.S.)
   6. Bachelor of Science in Psychology, including:
   • Psychology (B.S.)
5. The following degrees qualify as second majors outside COS degree programs for Degree:
   1. Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering, including:
   • Computer Science (B.S.)
   • Computer Engineering (B.S.)
   • Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
   • Information Systems (B.S.)
   • Computer Engineering Technology (B.S.)
   • Electrical Engineering Technology (B.S.)
   • Physics + Electrical Engineering Dual Degree (B.S.) (would need curricular change in ETCS as well)
   • 5 year B.S./M.S.E. Combined Degree (B.S./M.S.E.)
      
   2. Bachelor of Science in Civil and Mechanical Engineering, including:
   • Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.)
   • Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)
   • 5 Year BSME/MSE program (B.S./M.S.E.)
      
   3. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Biology (Life Science), including:
   • Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. in point 4.1 above
      
   4. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Chemistry, including:
   • Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. in point 4.2 above
      
   5. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education - Mathematics, including:
   • Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. in point 4.4 above
      
   6. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. - Physics, including:
   • Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. in point 4.5 above

7. Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. - Psychology, including:

• Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) + B.S. in point 4.6 above

All students must meet Purdue University Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.