College of Science

Neff Hall ~ Suite 360 ~ 260-481-6833

Dean: Ronald S. Friedman

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 College of Science 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.

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 PFW resident credits at the 2000 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 are attached to a major degree and cannot be awarded separately.

Certificates

Certificates require a minimum GPA of 2.00 for graduation.  The minimum grade in courses required to complete a certificate is at least a C-.  Each program will specify the number of PFW resident credits needed to earn their certificate.  You can find certificate program information in the Program Descriptions section 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. 

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

Additional information for the Associate of Science Degree (AS)

1. The link to program requirements for the Associate of Science in Chemical Methods appears in the Program Descriptions 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 PFW resident course credit, including at least 15 PFW 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 PFW resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements in another approved College or university and have the credits transferred back to PFW.

Additional Information 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:

1. 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.
2. At least 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.
3. 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.
4. A sufficient number of elective credits to bring the total number of credits counting toward graduation to 120.
5. Residency requirements for a Bachelor’s degree: registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of PFW resident course credit at the 2000+ level or above, including at least 15 PFW resident credits at the 3000+ level or above in courses applicable to the major.
6. Normally, you must complete the entire final year at PFW.  However with the approval of the College and satisfaction of the PFW resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements at another approved College or university and have the credits transferred back to PFW.

Additional information 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:

1. An overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required for the major.
2. At least 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.
3. A sufficient number of elective credits to bring the total number of credits counting toward graduation to 120.
4. Residency requirements for a Bachelor’s degree: registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of PFW resident course credit at the 2000+ level or above, including at least 15 PFW resident credits at the 3000+ level or above in courses applicable to the major.
5. Normally, you must complete the entire final year at PFW.  However with the approval of the College and satisfaction of the PFW resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements at another approved College or university and have the credits transferred back to PFW.

Supplemental Degree Information:

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

• Credit Restrictions:

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

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

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

• Courses that provide only surveys of career opportunities (e.g., 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

• 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.

•  Graduation:

Students are required to be in active status and must apply for graduation.  Information about how to apply and other graduation related FAQs can be found in Academic Regulations, Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. 

Graduation with distinction: To be a candidate for the Bachelor’s degree with distinction, the student must have a minimum of 60 PFW resident credits included in the computation of the cumulative GPA. To be a candidate for the Associate’s degree with distinction, the student must have a minimum of 35 PFW resident credits included in the computation of the cumulative GPA.  For both the bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs, the minimum cumulative GPA for graduation with Highest Distinction shall be 3.95-4.00 (A = 4.00). The minimum cumulative GPA for graduation with Distinction shall be 3.80-3.94 (A = 4.00).