BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in liberal studies

Southern offers a B.S. degree in Liberal Studies for students whose professional objectives are not met by the university's established majors. This approach is also attractive to students who want to combine minors in different areas of study to create personalized programs of study.

The difference between this program and the B.S. in liberal arts is that it does not restrict students to a single major, but rather allows them to broaden their studies by selecting three minors of 18 credits each. Approval of the planned arrangement of three minors must be obtained from the Liberal Studies Advisory Panel prior to the completion of 60 credits (75 credits for students who have transferred to Southern Connecticut State University). Interdisciplinary minors must be approved by the Liberal Studies Panel before the completion of more than 9 credits in the interdisciplinary minor. Students who have earned more than 60 credits are welcome to file a written appeal, detailing the reasons which would warrant an exception to the policy, with the Liberal Studies Panel for waiver of this requirement. However, students who apply with more than 60 credits are advised that more than 122 credits may be required to complete the degree.

Students in this program may take more than the minimum 18 credits required for a minor. In a discipline with an established minor, however, the university will count towards the 122 credits needed to graduate no more than 24 credits, not including those taken as University Requirements. Students who want to take more than 24 credits in any single area should major in that area. In the case of interdisciplinary minors, the Liberal Studies Panel will determine what courses will be accepted.

Like all students at the university, liberal studies students must also satisfy the University Requirements for the B.S. degree, which consists of 41-47 credits. Further, they must elect an additional 21-27 credits to complete the 122 credits required for a bachelor's degree. At least 36 of these 122 credits must be in courses at the 300-level or higher. A minimum 2.0 QPR is required for acceptance into the Liberal Studies program. A 2.0 QPR is also required in each minor in order to graduate from the program.

The Liberal Studies Panel meets regularly in the fall and spring semesters to review applications to the program. Students who wish to be admitted to the program must file a formal application at least two months in advance of the date they seek admission to liberal studies. Applications are available in the Academic Advisement Center, in the Wintergreen Building.

Students majoring in elementary education may choose liberal studies as a subject matter major. Those interested should apply to the liberal studies program first by making an appointment with the liberal studies coordinator in the Academic Advisement Center. Once eligibility for the liberal studies program is determined, applicants may then seek advisement for the elementary education program through Professor Elizabeth Foye in the elementary education department. Elementary education students who choose liberal studies as their second major are assigned an adviser from the elementary education department.

Through the Molecular Biology-Biochemistry and Environmental Studies options offered in the liberal studies program, students are offered an interdisciplinary approach to the study of science. Students enroll in an equal number of courses in chemistry, biology, and environmental science as well as in physics, mathematics, computer science, and earth science. The academic background provided in these specializations enables students to pursue graduate study in biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, forensics, environmental studies, environmental law, or medical, dental, veterinary, or chiropractic schools. Industrial opportunities are made available in pharmaceuticals, university research, cosmetics, hospitals, medical technology, environmental management, and other fields.

For further information on these options, contact the Chemistry Department, (203) 392-6260.

Students interested in the liberal studies degree can obtain further information by contacting the Academic Advisement Center, in the Wintergreen Building, (203) 392-5367.