The new degree plans takes another step toward reality
Dear students,
As many of you know from past Town Hall and other events, the College has proposed a new degree, the Bachelor of Science and Arts, which allows CNS students to compete a major in mathematics or science, and also explore a minor in another field outside of the college (more details below). The BSA would be a new option offered in addition to current BS and BA degrees.
This week I am happy to provide you an update. The degree was endorsed unanimously by the CNS faculty Course and Curriculum Committee, as well as the university-wide Committee for Undergraduate Degree Program Review. It then went to Faculty Council, which on Monday voted to support the proposal. The proposal now goes to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for review. There is still a ways to go, but the Faculty Council vote was a significant milestone.
In the weeks ahead, we will be developing an advising plan to communicate who best benefits from the BS vs BSA vs BA degree. In addition, we will be working to synthesize feedback we've received from companies about career planning and job skills found in each of these degrees, as well as professional schools and how preparing for those tracks can be done in either degree.
With any luck we will be able to communicate with you this summer or fall whether it has been approved. If approved, it will go in to effect in the UT Catalog that commences in Fall 2014, so anyone graduating that semester or later would be able to participate in the degree.
Best wishes for your final exams,
Dr. Kopp
PS: Want more information about the Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA) degree? It is a cross-disciplinary 120hr degree which consists of:
- University Core: signature course, gov't, history, English, etc (42 hr, of which 12hrs is in science/ math). Since 12 hrs apply to your science/math major, think of this component as 30 hrs.
- Science/Math Major: 48 hours of science and math (overlaps 12hrs with the core above). The fields are those currently found in CNS: biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, astronomy, physics, computer science, mathematics, human ecology, nutrition, human development and family sciences. The courses within the major are specified by the home department.
- Cross disciplinary work (42hr):
-15-18 hr minor outside of the sciences.
-12 hrs electives in two of four categories of social science, humanities, languages, or fine arts
-12 hrs electives of any sort
The minor can be satisfied in one of two ways: (1) a student can complete a certificate (bridging disciplines, business foundations, university fellows, core texts and ideas, UTeach, a new pre-health education certificate, and many more); or (2) a student can complete 15-18hrs in a single field of study (anthropology, philosophy, psychology, Spanish, and many more....) that is outside of the sciences. How do you pick the minor that goes with your major? It is really up to you. You can be a biology major with a psychology minor, a physics major with a minor in a foreign language, a chemistry major with a business foundations minor, and so on. The pairing will reflect your choice on what best complements your career down the road.
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