Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

College of Arts and Sciences

Scott Hughes, Ph.D., Interim Dean
Raz Stowe, Ph.D., Interim Associate Dean
Sherri Dienstfrey, Ph.D., Interim Assistant Dean
Corrections? Please Contact Editor

College Introductory Information

Departments:  

College of Arts and Sciences


General Education Requirements
General Studies Degrees (Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts)
Major Requirements
Pre-Health Professions Advising		 Pre-Law Advising
Teacher Education Program
Transfer Students


The College of Arts and Sciences introduces students to ways of thinking and expression intrinsic to the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Students are thereby aided in the development of intellectual skills and personal values which serve them in career planning and lifelong learning.

Some fifty different curricula provide work leading to Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Public Administration, Master of Natural Science, Master of Science, Doctor of Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These curricula provide a rather wide selection which includes the recognized courses in the main fields of knowledge. The general plan is to provide an acquaintance with the basic tools of culture and to explore one or another discipline in greater depth. The bachelor's degrees which are awarded are considered as evidence of qualification to enter certain occupations directly; in many instances they indicate preparation for more advanced professional study.

Students planning to complete work in a graduate school or professional school, for example, in engineering, law, dentistry or medicine, should pay particular attention to the stated requirements of the institution which they plan to attend to be prepared for admission. If a particular institution has not yet been selected, the student is advised to consult catalogs and seek advice as to the requirements commonly made in such schools.

General Education Requirements

All Associate and Bachelor of Arts and Associate and Bachelor of Science degree programs include a general education component intended to provide a breadth of knowledge in liberal studies as a necessary background for the specialized knowledge acquired in the discipline in which the student majors. Additionally, the General Education Requirements are intended to assist the student in developing the intellectual flexibility necessary for a fulfilling career.

By meeting these requirements, students develop their skills in oral, written, and mathematical communication. They also acquire habits of thought traditionally associated with the well-educated person: the ability to analyze and propose solutions to personal, social, and scientific problems; the ability to recognize and assess value structures; and the ability to understand and evaluate the literary and expressive arts.

The general education components for the Associate and Bachelor of Arts and Associate and Bachelor of Science degree programs require students to complete the goal requirements listed under the General Education Requirements section under General Academic Information of this catalog. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor in determining their curriculum.

Transfer Students

Students transferring to Idaho State University who seek a bachelor's degree in the College of Arts and Sciences should refer to the section, Policies Governing Fulfillment of General Education Requirements by Transfer Students (under Admissions in General Information).

Major Concentration Requirements

In addition to the general education component, all Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs require a concentration in a departmental major of at least 24 credits, of which at least 16 credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. The particular course requirements of the departmental majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are outlined under the department headings in the catalog.

The Teacher Education Program

The College of Arts and Sciences shares responsibility with the College of Education for the Teacher Education Program. Students may fulfill the requirements of the Teacher Education Program while majoring in a discipline within the College of Arts and Sciences. Application for admission to the Teacher Education Program does not require a student to apply for admission to the College of Education. The Teacher Education Program admission and completion requirements are detailed in the College of Education section of this catalog.

Pre-Health Professions Advising

Idaho State University offers advising for pre-health professional students which prepares them for application to and acceptance by a variety of health professional schools. Health professional programs for which advising is offered include: dentistry, medicine, osteopathic medicine, optometry, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic, and physician assistant. For students interested in one of the health professional programs offered at Idaho State University, such as clinical laboratory science, counseling, dental hygiene, family medicine, health and nutrition sciences, health care administration, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant, pharmacy, radiographic science, and speech pathology and audiology, the Pre-health Advisor will refer the students to the appropriate department or college for additional information.

The Pre-health Professions Advising Office is located in the Department of Biological Sciences, Room 202 of the Life Sciences Building (Building #65 on the Idaho State University map). Students who plan to apply to one of the professional schools listed above should establish and maintain close contact with the Pre-health Advisor throughout their undergraduate program at Idaho State University. The Pre-health Advisor monitors students’ progress through their degree programs and the health professional prerequisite courses, provides information about application procedures, and organizes informational meetings, workshops, and speakers on specific health professions. The advisor also coordinates the Pre-health Professions Advisory Committee that provides interviews to prepare students for the health professional programs application processes.

Pre-Health Advisor:  Becky Connell

Committee Members:
Dr. Ralph Baergen, English and Philosophy
Dr. Lyle Castle, Chemistry
Dr. Karl DeJesus, Chemistry
Dr. James Groome, Biological Sciences
Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler, College of Health Professions
Dr. Cynthia Hill, Economics
Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum, Biological Sciences
Dr. Alex Urfer, Physical Therapy
Dr. Derek Wright, Idaho State University Family Practice Clinic

In general, health professional schools have no preference for specific academic majors. Instead, they prefer that applicants major in a defined academic area (zoology, chemistry, psychology, economics, for example) and concurrently satisfy the prerequisite courses for the specific health professional school. Pre-health professional students should consult with the Pre-health Advisor or a member of the Pre-Health Professions Advisory Committee in order to successfully combine an academic major with a pre-health professional program. It is strongly recommended that pre-professional students develop a strong background in courses such as those listed below. Courses required by most health professional schools include, but are not limited to, the following: 
BIOL 101,101L   Biology I, and Lab			4 cr
BIOL 102,102L   Biology II, and Lab			4 cr
BIOS 206	Cell Biology and Lab			4 cr
CHEM 111,111L	General Chemistry I, and Lab		5 cr
CHEM 112,112L	General Chemistry II, and Lab		4 cr
CHEM 301	Organic Chemistry I			3 cr
CHEM 302	Organic Chemistry II			3 cr
CHEM 303	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I		1 cr
CHEM 304    	Organic Chemistry Laboratory II		1 cr
ENGL 101	English Composition			3 cr
ENGL 102	Critical Reading and Writing		3 cr
PHYS 111	General Physics I			3 cr
PHYS 112	General Physics II			3 cr
PHYS 113,114    General Physics Laboratory I and II	2 cr
(Departmental prerequisites may apply to some of these courses.)

In addition to completing specified prerequisite courses, most health professional schools require that the pre-professional student obtain practical experience in the health professional field she or he plans to enter, and take a national standardized admission test. Specific information about the national exams and acceptable practical experiences are included in the sections below.

Students who complete three years of the curriculum in zoology with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher may be eligible to receive a B.S. degree in zoology after completion of the first year of study at a departmentally approved school of dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Students choosing this option must complete a minimum of 96 credits, satisfy all Idaho State University General Education Requirements, and complete all courses numbered lower than 400 which are required by the zoology curriculum. Students are advised to consult with the Assistant Chair for Undergraduate Programs of the Department of Biological Sciences or the Pre-health Advisor early in their undergraduate programs if they plan to pursue this program option. Students should be aware that this practice is in decline, and few applicants matriculate into schools of dentistry or veterinary medicine prior to completion of a bachelor’s degree. 

Chiropractic

The undergraduate courses listed above provide some guidance for the pre-chiropractic student. However, significant differences in pre-requisite coursework by the various chiropractic schools require that students obtain a specific list of requirements for each school. The most current admission requirements for chiropractic schools are described on the schools’ websites, which can be accessed through the Association of Chiropractic Colleges website at www.chirocolleges.org. 

Dentistry

The Idaho State University courses listed above provide a core for pre-dental requirements of most dental schools. However, some dental schools have additional requirements. The most current admission requirements for each dental school are described on the schools’ websites, which can be accessed through the American Dental Education Association website at www.adea.org, or by consulting the latest edition of “ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools,” published by the American Dental Education Association, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.  A copy of this guide is available in the Pre-health Professions Advising Office. All dental applicants must take the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and have shadowed a practicing dentist prior to applying to the individual schools of dentistry. 

Cooperative Program with the Creighton University School of Dentistry -- In the fall of 1982, Idaho State University and the Creighton University School of Dentistry implemented a decentralized dental education program, the Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP). Under this program, up to 8 seats per year at the Creighton University School of Dentistry are reserved for Idaho residents. The first professional year of the dental school program is on the Idaho State University campus in Pocatello. The students then move to the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, NE for the second, third, and fourth professional years. Idaho residents who wish to be considered for IDEP must apply to Creighton University School of Dentistry and meet all other admission requirements. 

Medicine

The undergraduate courses required by most medical schools is the same as described above. However, many medical schools have additional requirements. The most current admission requirements for each medical school are described on the individual schools’ websites, which can be accessed through the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) website at www.aamc.org, or by consulting the latest edition of “Medical School Admission Requirements, USA and Canada,” published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, One Dupont Circle NW, Washington, D. C. 20036. A copy of this publication is available in the Pre-health Professions Advising Office. All medical applicants must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and have shadowed a practicing physician prior to applying to the individual schools of medicine. 

Cooperative Program with the University of Washington School of Medicine -- Idaho residents are eligible for the Washington-Wyoming-Alaska-Montana-Idaho (WWAMI) decentralized medical education program of the University of Washington School of Medicine. Currently, the University of Washington reserves 20 seats for Idaho residents, and accepted students are charged an Idaho tuition rate. Idaho residents who wish to be considered for the WWAMI program must apply to the University of Washington School of Medicine, and meet all other admission requirements. Additional information about the WWAMI program is available in the Pre-health Professions Advising Office. 

Cooperative Program with the University of Utah School of Medicine -- Idaho residents are eligible to compete for 8 reserved seats at the University of Utah School of Medicine, and those accepted under this program pay an Idaho tuition rate. To be considered for this program, students must apply to the University of Utah School of Medicine, and meet all other admission requirements. Additional information about the Idaho agreement with the University of Utah School of Medicine is available in the Pre-health Professions Advising Office.

Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant

Advising for each of these professions is available at Idaho State University. Specific pre-professional requirements for these programs can be obtained elsewhere in this catalog where those programs are described.

Students may be advised to satisfy prerequisites not only for these programs at Idaho State University, but also for programs in the same profession located at other institutions. Students may consult with the Pre-health Advisor for information about prerequisites for admission to these programs at other institutions. Prerequisites for professional programs at other institutions can be met by courses taken at Idaho State University. 

Optometry

The undergraduate courses listed above provide some guidance for the pre-optometry student. However, significant differences in pre-optometry requirements by the various optometry schools require that students obtain a specific list of requirements for each optometry school. The most current admission requirements for optometry schools are described on the schools’ websites, which can be accessed through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) website at www.opted.org, or by consulting the latest edition of “Schools and Colleges of Optometry Admission Requirements.” This is an electronic publication available on the ASCO website. All optometry applicants must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Several optometry schools are members of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and will therefore give preference to applicants who are residents of WICHE states, such as Idaho. To be considered for the WICHE program, Idaho residents must apply to the participating optometry schools, and meet all other admission requirements. Additional information about the WICHE program is available in the Pre-health Professions Advising Office. 

Osteopathic Medicine

Admission requirements and undergraduate prerequisite courses for schools of osteopathic medicine are nearly identical to those described under medicine. More information about osteopathic medicine and admission requirements for the individual schools of osteopathic medicine can be found at the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) website at www.aacom.org or by consulting the Pre-health Advisor. All osteopathic medical applicants must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and have shadowed a practicing physician prior to applying to the individual schools of osteopathic medicine.

Podiatric Medicine

The undergraduate courses listed above are required by most podiatric medical schools. However, some podiatric medical schools may have additional requirements. The most current admission requirements for podiatric medical schools are described on the schools’ websites, which can be accessed through the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine website at www.aacpm.org, or by consulting the latest edition of “Podiatric Medical Education,” available from the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine, 1350 Piccard Drive, Suite 322, Rockville MD 20850. A copy of this publication is available in the Pre-health Professions Office. All podiatric medical applicants must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). In addition, most schools of podiatric medicine expect applicants to have shadowed a practicing podiatrist prior to applying to the individual schools of podiatry.

Veterinary Medicine

The undergraduate courses listed above provide some guidance for the pre-veterinary medicine student. However, significant differences in pre-veterinary requirements by the various schools of veterinary medicine require that students obtain a specific list of requirements for each school. The most current admission requirements for veterinary medicine schools are described on the schools’ websites, which can be accessed through the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC): www.aavmc.org. Veterinary medicine applicants must take the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and have volunteer experience with a practicing veterinarian prior to applying to the individual schools of veterinary medicine.

Idaho residents should be aware that a long term agreement has been reached among the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (WOI) to share responsibility for the curriculum and program at the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The WOI program gives admissions preference to Idaho residents. Students who are not residents of Idaho or any students who wish to apply to other schools of veterinary medicine should consult with the Pre-health Advisor concerning the proper development of a pre-veterinary medical program at Idaho State University. 

Websites of Interest to Pre-health Professions Students

Most health professions have national associations that maintain detailed websites with information about the profession, the professional schools, and admissions information. The list below includes websites most commonly used by the pre-health professions students. 

  1. Dentistry
  2. Medicine
  3. Occupational Therapy
  4. Optometry
  5. Physical Therapy
  6. Physician Assistant
  7. Veterinary Medicine
  8. Chiropractic
Pre-Law Advising

The successful attorney is one who understands how changes within society affect the relationships between and among people. An effective attorney should have an understanding of human behavior, social, political and economic change, our ecological systems and the general influence of our philosophical, literary, and historical heritage. Hence, the student with a broad undergraduate preparation and a developed insight into many facets of life attains the best educational preparation for the practice of law.

The student who aspires to attend law school should seek the counsel of one of the Pre-Law Advisors:

Dr. David Adler, Political Science

Dr. Thomas Hale, History

Dr. Bruce Loebs, Communication and Rhetorical Studies

Dr. Tesa Stegner, Economics

These pre-law advisors will create a pre-law curriculum designed to accommodate the student's major and help him/her prepare for the Law School Admission Test and a career in accordance with the principles discussed above.


Associate of Arts or Bachelor of Arts in General Studies

This is a non-specialist degree program designed to meet the needs of students interested in broadly based education in the liberal arts. It provides greater flexibility and breadth in subject matter than provided by traditional degree programs. Students in the General Studies program must complete all of the General Education goals (including 10A and 10B) as a program requirement. See the ­Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for advising in this program.

Associate of Arts in General Studies

The Associate degree requires completion of the following program:
All of the General Education Goals (10A and 10B)		37-53* cr
Additional lower division courses in the Humanities		6 cr
Additional lower division courses in the Social Sciences	6 cr
Electives (lower division)					0-15 cr
							TOTAL:  64 cr








* The number of credits required for the General Education Requirements
­varies depending on the student’s ­performance on
proficiency or placement examinations in English, foreign languages, or
­mathematics.








  
  
  
  
  
  

Bachelor of Arts in General Studies









A student’s Bachelor of Arts in General Studies (BAGS) program
must include approved coursework from these areas: 








  
  
  
  
  
  







  








 The BAGS advisor approves these courses. Students may use
courses they have taken to satisfy General Education goals to meet
these additional program requirements.








  









Upper division courses - At least 48 cred­its of Arts and Sciences
courses are re­quired, but not more than a total of 40 credits may
be earned in any one subject field. Coursework graded P/NP or S/U must
be approved in advance.








  









Electives - Courses from all across the university may be utilized to complete the 128 credit hours required for graduation.








  
  
  
  
  
  


















































































































  


























    



























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Revised: August 2009