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College Distribution Requirements

To meet its mission of helping students become educated and engaged citizens, the College of Arts and Sciences requires that students complete a broad range of courses distributed across many departments and disciplines. Students should check within their department or program to determine if their major requires particular courses within the distribution.

BA and BS Degrees

Introduction to the Arts and Sciences - CAS 101 or 103: one of these courses is required for all students in the College of Arts and Sciences during their first semester, with the exception of Honors College students enrolled in HON 101. Entering Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics majors take CAS 101; all other students take CAS 103.

BA Degree

Literature - 6 credits from literature classes in English, Foreign Literature and Languages,or Portuguese
Natural Science - 9 credits from Biology, Chemistry, Medical Laboratory Science, or Physics
Humanities - 9 credits, with no more than 6 in any one field, from History, Philosophy, Art Theory, Art History, Music Theory, or Music History (excludes "applied" courses in Art or Music)
Social Science - 12 credits, with no more than 6 in any one field, from Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Crime and Justice Studies, or Women’s and Gender Studies 
Foreign Language - 0-12 credits, to demonstrate competency in a language other than English through the 202 level (for example, SPA 202)

BS Degree

Literature - 6 credits from literature classes in English, Foreign Literature and Languages, or Portuguese
Humanities and Social Sciences - 18 credits, with a minimum of 6 credits from each area

  • Humanities - classes in History, Philosophy, Art Theory, Art History, Music Theory, Music History (excludes applied courses in Art or Music), or Foreign Language and Portuguese
  • Social Sciences - classes in Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Crime and Justice Studies, or Women’s and Gender Studies

University Studies and the College Distribution

Although there is some overlap, the CAS Distribution Requirements are in addition to the University's Studies Program.

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