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OTHER ACADEMIC
PROGRAMS Coordinator: Dr. Samuel
H. Howell Jr. The Bachelor of General
Studies (BGS) Program is offered for the benefit of certain students who, for
specific reasons, are unable to complete a regular program in the academic
disciplines within normal time limits. These students will normally have earned
many college credits at other institutions and in various disciplines over a long
period of time but have not met the specific requirements for a major. Students
accepted into the BGS program at FMU choose from one of the following areas of
concentration: Arts and Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural
Science and Mathematics, or Management Technology. Students earn a Bachelor of
General Studies degree (rather than a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
degree). Students must complete
an application for admittance into the Bachelor of General (BGS) program. The
application form, along with the documentation specified in the application,
must be submitted to the Bachelor of General Studies Committee. Documentation includes a
written statement explaining the rationale for entering the BGS program and a
proposed area of major concentration. This documentation must also include a
faculty member’s recommendation and statement of willingness to serve as an
adviser throughout the pursuit of the BGS degree. Applications must be
submitted by April 15 for fall semester enrollment and by October 15 for spring
semester enrollment. Application forms are available from the Office of the
Provost. Prior to applying to the
BGS program, (1) students must be enrolled at Upon acceptance, the
student is required to submit, in writing, a proposed course of study to
his/her academic adviser. The student’s academic
adviser must approve the student’s proposal before the student is officially
considered a BGS candidate. A copy of the approved
course of study must be placed on file in the Registrar’s Office prior to the
student’s enrollment. The student is
officially admitted as a BGS student the semester following acceptance into the
program. If the student does not enroll the following semester, he or she must
reapply to the BGS program. If the student terminates enrollment with the
University, the student is withdrawn from the BGS program. Students must report
any proposed change in their course of study to their academic adviser for
approval and the Registrar’s Office. A Bachelor of General
Studies student is required to: 1. Meet all general
education requirements for either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts
degree. 2. Have a minimum 30
credit hours above the 299 level. designation in one of
the following areas of concentration: a. Arts and Humanities: Art, English, History,
Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Theatre b. Social and Behavioral
Sciences: Anthropology, Geography,
History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology c. Natural Science and
Mathematics: Astronomy, Biology,
Chemistry, Mathematics, Physical Science, Physics d. Management
Technology: Accounting, Business,
Computer Science, Economics, Finance, Management Information Systems,
Marketing, Mass Communication, Psychology 3. Complete the General
Studies Capstone Experience course (see below). This one credit hour course may
only be taken during the student’s senior year. 4. Select, in
consultation with his/her academic adviser, a sufficient number of elective
hours to satisfy graduation requirements. A student must earn
grade point averages of at least a 2.0 for the cumulative grade point and the
grade point average in the area of concentration. A Bachelor of General Studies
student must meet the same general requirements for graduation, including a
total of 120 credit hours, as students in any major offered by the University. BACHELOR OF GENERAL
STUDIES COURSE (BGS) 496 General Studies
Capstone Experience (1) As Needed. Includes assessment of student program goals and
preparation for career advancement. The University offers a
curriculum which will prepare a student for transferring to another state-supported
institution for completion of degrees in several areas. The curriculum is
either General Education Requirements or a highly scientific program, depending
upon the degree the student seeks. The coordinator of the particular program
should be consulted for details. Coordinator: Dr. Peter
D. King The minimum requirements
for dental and medical schools are the same. Students planning a career in
dentistry or medicine must register with the Chairman of the Committee on Pre-medical
Sciences (Department of Biology, Leatherman Science Facility). Coordinators: Dr. John
A. Britton, Dr. William M. Ramsey, Dr. James L. Renneker,
Dr. David R. White Law schools are seeking
students with outstanding academic records, not students who have majored in
one particular discipline. The University offers
majors as indicated elsewhere in the Francis Marion University Catalog. Any of
these majors would be acceptable to a law school, provided a student has a demonstrated
proficiency in the use of the English language as well as a high grade point
average. However, the Supreme Court of South Carolina advises students that the
Court has found the following subjects highly beneficial in taking the bar
examination and for the pursuit of a career as an attorney: 1. English composition 2. English public
speaking 3. 4. Accounting 5. Economics 6. Logic 7. Literature 8. Political science 9. Philosophy Introductory levels of
four of these courses (composition, history, literature, and political science)
are required as general education subjects. Students interested in going to law
school should try to take the other five as well and should consider taking
upper-level courses from some areas, in addition to the introductory-level
courses. For further information, students can contact a coordinator. Coordinator: Dr. Peter
D. King Each student should
acquaint himself/herself with the specific requirements of the medical schools
to which he/she plans to apply for admission. Each student planning a
career in medicine must register with the Chairperson of the Committee on
Pre-medical Sciences (Department of Biology, Leatherman Science Facility).
Premedical students frequently major in chemistry or biology but need not major
in science. The following courses,
as part of the baccalaureate degree, meet the minimal requirements of most
medical schools:
Medical schools prefer a
broad liberal arts background rather than an excessive concentration in science.
Courses in the humanities and fine arts such as literature, philosophy,
sociology, and psychology are worthwhile. Future physicians will also benefit
from electives in business, computer science, anatomy, microbiology,
physiology, cell biology, and biochemistry. Coordinator: Dr. Gerald
W. Long The program, at The pre-nursing program
offers appropriate courses and learning opportunities which, with a strong
performance and acceptable admission materials, will allow enrollment in the
nursing program. Students who elect to participate in the prenursing program at
After completing the
pre-nursing curriculum, students are prepared to transfer to a baccalaureate
nursing program (assuming they apply and are admitted) where they will have the
opportunity to apply the liberal arts background they have acquired at Francis
Marion University to the health needs of the clients they serve. Admission to any
Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is competitive and cannot be guaranteed.
Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the application procedures
and admissions criteria of the degree granting institution. All nursing programs
require English 112 and 200, three upper- level biology courses (Anatomy,
Physiology, and Microbiology) and at least three courses in General Education.
Most programs also require a year of chemistry and mathematics and statistics.
What follows, on page 173, is a recommended curriculum for pre-nursing students
at CURRICULUM FOR PRE-NURSING STUDENTS
TOTAL 60 Semester Hours *Students who do not
have the math skills to take Chemistry in the fall of their freshman year
should consider attending summer school to improve their math skills before enrolling
in the Chemistry 101. **Recommended:
Sociology, Political Science, Speech Communication, Computer Science and other
social sciences and humanities. Students should write to the Admissions Office
of their chosen nursing school to find out its particular requirements.
34 semester hours
SOPHOMORE YEAR
32 semester hours
General Education Courses which will transfer to Clemson and meet Clemson’s
General Education requirements. SIX HOUR SOCIAL SCIENCE
REQUIREMENT Geography 105 Political Science 101,
103 Economics 203, 204 SIX HOUR HUMANITIES
REQUIREMENT Philosophy and Religious
Studies 201, 202 Theatre 101 English 202, 203 EMPHASIS AREA COURSES Biology 206 and 402 Coordinator: Dr. Peter
D. King The courses that follow
will assist a student in preparing for enrollment in a school of veterinary
medicine. After completion of these courses at the University, a student
transferring to another four-year institution in Generally, applicants for
a school of veterinary medicine are screened according to scholastic rating.
Students with the highest average are given preference. Each student planning a
career in veterinary medicine must register with the Chairperson of the
Committee on Pre-medical Sciences (Department of Biology, Leatherman Science
Facility). Minimum program for
pre-veterinary students includes:
63-66 semester hours Undergraduate
cooperative majors are offered with South Carolina Technical Colleges in the areas
of civil engineering technology and electronic engineering technology, with ARRANGEMENT IN AQUACULTURE, FISHERIES,
AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGY WITH Coordinator: Dr. Jeffrey
D. Camper A special arrangement
allows students majoring in Aquaculture, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology to
complete two years at FRESHMAN YEAR
ARRANGEMENT IN Coordinator: Dr. Gerald
W. Long A special arrangement
allows students majoring in forest management to complete two years at Freshman Year
33 Sophomore Year
*Student may elect to take
four (4) hours in Biology and eight (8) hours in Chemistry or eight (8) hours
in Biology and four (4) hours in Chemistry. Coordinators: Dr. James
L. Renneker (Political Science) Dr. Joel H. Thayer (Sociology) An 18-hour concentration
in criminal justice is available to political science and sociology majors. For
details, see the description of the major in political science or the major in
sociology. Coordinator: Dr. John G.
Rae III Environmental Science
options are offered for biology, chemistry and physics majors. A minor in environmental
studies is offered for non-science majors. A 19- to
20-semester-hour minor in environmental studies is offered only for non-science
majors and requires the following:
COLLATERAL A collateral in environmental studies is offered
for non-science majors and biology majors. A 13-semester-hour
collateral in environmental studies is offered only for non-science majors and
requires the following:
A 13-semester-hour collateral in environmental
studies is offered only for biology majors and requires the following:
Coordinator: Dr. Scott
S. Brown The international
studies program of Reflecting the diversity
of the modern era, the international studies program employs several approaches
to the study of human endeavor in culture, business, and politics throughout
the regions and nations of the world with instruction provided by faculty
members in several different academic disciplines. This program supports A major in international
studies requires the following: 1. At least 31 hours in
international studies courses including: a) INTS 200 and 400 b) c) b) an 18-hour minor
approved by the faculty adviser 3. The completion of 6
hours in a foreign language above the 299-level. The six hours in foreign
language courses numbered 300 or above will count as part of the 31 hour
international studies requirement. A minor in international
studies consists of 18 hours plus INTS 200. The student will select six to nine
hours from one of the seven concentrations and six to nine hours from the whole
range of courses listed under the international studies program. At least six hours of
these courses must be numbered 300 or above. In addition each minor is required
to take INTS 400 for a total of nine hours in courses numbered 300 or above. A collateral in
international studies consists of 12 hours of courses listed under the
international studies program from at least three disciplines. It is strongly urged
that students seeking a minor or a collateral in International Studies complete
at least 12 hours in a foreign language, especially if they intend to apply for
employment or for graduate study in this field. INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
COURSES (INTS) 200 International
Studies (1)
Introductory survey of the basic concepts and scope of the major including the
perspectives of the various disciplines involved. 298-299 International
Studies: Travel Seminars (3+3) Students may earn 3 hours credit for each of two
approved travel seminars conducted by FMU faculty or faculty from other
universities or colleges. 400 International
Studies: Senior Project (3) Each international studies major will be required to
take this directed studies course with a faculty member in international
studies. This course will consist of a review of the student’s previous
international studies course work and a major research project. 497 International
Studies: Special Studies (3) (2) (1) (Permission of IS Committee required. Open only
to juniors and seniors with GPA of 3.0 or higher in their major courses. A
maximum of 3 semester hours may be earned.) All individual research projects
are reviewed by three faculty members from two different disciplines. May be
taken for credit (3 hours) towards the Honors degree by special arrangement. Seven Areas of Concentration
(for full course descriptions see the listings under the respective departments
and schools) World Cultures
Global Economics and Business
World Politics
Director: Dr. Pamela A. Rooks In order to help meet the special needs of students with superior
academic ability, the University has established an Honors Program. The program
is open to eligible students with superior academic records. (Other students
may apply for admission to a specific Honors Course.) Initial eligibility for
the Honors Program is determined by SAT or ACT scores. A minimum score of 1100
on the SAT or 24 on the ACT qualifies an entering student for the Honors
Program. Second semester freshmen must earn an overall grade point average of
3.0 in order to become or remain eligible for the Honors Program. Sophomores, juniors and seniors must earn an overall grade point
average of 3.25 in order to become or remain eligible for the Honors Program. The program is implemented through an interdisciplinary “gateway”
course designed to introduce Honors students to the Honors program, Honors
Sections of regular courses, an interdisciplinary Honors Colloquium, and an
Honors Independent Study. Each carries regular academic credit and is
designated as an Honors Course on the student’s University records. Students who wish to receive a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of
Business Administration, a Bachelor of General Studies, or a Bachelor of
Science degree “With University Honors” must fulfill the following
requirements: 1. All regular University and departmental or school requirements. 2. An overall grade point average of 3.25 or above, including
transfer courses. All work that is taken at 3. Completion of a minimum of 21 hours in Honors Courses with a
grade point average of 3.25 or above in all Honors Courses taken. Of the 21
hours, 9 must be above 299, including three hours of the Honors Colloquium
(397) and three hours of the Honors Independent Study (491-499) or acceptable
substitutes. Grades below 3.0 in the Honors Colloquium and the Honors
Independent Study do not count toward credit for the Honors degree, although
they do count toward regular degree requirements. If necessary, the Honors
Committee may accept substitutes for specific three-hour requirements through
the “Honors Contract” option. 4. Honors credit may be allowed to a student transferring from
another institution for courses that are accepted by For further information, students should contact the Director of
the Honors Program. 101 Freshman Honors Seminar (3) (Prerequisite: Invitation into/
eligibility for Honors Program.) An honors “gateway” course designed to
introduce freshman Honors students to the Honors Program and to
interdisciplinary learning. An examination of special topics from an
interdisciplinary point of view. Carries elective, but not General Education
credit. 397 Honors Colloquium (3) Deals with special topics, selected each
time the course is offered, from an interdisciplinary point of view. Seeks to
provide Honors students with the opportunity to examine subjects which do not
fall completely within the province of any one department or school. Carries
elective, but not departmental or school credit. May be taken for credit no
more than twice. Grades below 3.0 do not count toward credit for the Honors
degree, although they do count toward regular University degree requirements. 491-499 Honors Independent Study (3) Allows the Honors
student to pursue independent academic work, normally in the area of major
concentration, under the guidance of a faculty member. Usually takes the form
of a senior research project or senior thesis. Open to students who have
completed 12 hours of Honors Courses. Topics must be approved by both the
appropriate chairman of department or dean of school and the Honors Committee.
Projects are reviewed by three faculty members from two different disciplines.
Grades below 3.0 do not count toward credit for the Honors degree, although
they do count toward regular University degree requirements. May be taken a
second time in a second discipline.
497 Special Studies (3) in various disciplines and PRS 499 Advanced
Study may be taken for Honors credit, by special arrangement, in place of
491-499. Grades below B do not count toward credit for the Honors degree,
although they do count toward regular degree requirements. Students who
successfully complete the Washington Semester Program may count 3 credit hours
of POL 497-H WS, ENG 498-H WS, or PSY 310-H WS in place of 491-499. Grades
below B do not count toward credit for the Honors degree, although they do
count toward regular degree requirements. A special arrangement with the Honors students at any Francis • POL 497-H (Special Studies: Washington Semester) (6) • ENG 498-H
(English Internship: Washington Semester) (3) • PSY 310-H (The Psychological
Focus: Leadership; Washington Semester) (3) • THEA 101-H (Introduction to
Theatre: Washington Semester) (3) For further information about the Washington
Semester Program and the application process, contact the FMU Honors Director. Director: Dr. Leslie E. Barnes-Young The University Life program at Other first-semester students may enroll in the course, receiving
elective credit but not General Education credit, on a first-come, first-served
basis. 100 University Life (1) F, S, SU. This course is designed for first
year students to assist in the development and enhancement of skills necessary
to be successful at FMU. Students will become familiar with the resources available
to help solve academic, personal, and social problems. This course is required
for all students admitted into the Comprehensive Achievement Program. |