UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

Each student is responsible for the proper completion of his/her academic program as based on the requirements stated in the Francis Marion University Catalog. The assigned faculty adviser is available for consultation, but responsibility remains with the student.

SEMESTER HOUR REQUIREMENT

Francis Marion University offers five baccalaureate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, the Bachelor of General Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Each of these degrees requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of approved credit, which includes those hours required for completion of the General Education Program and those hours required for majoring in the student's area or areas of concentration. Some majors may require more than 120 hours.

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GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

FMU offers programs of study that encourage students to think critically and creatively, communicate clearly and honestly, develop appreciation of aesthetic values, and be concerned with the common good as well as their own interests. Our educational goals are sustained by the liberal arts tradition and seek to provide all baccalaureate degree students with the following: proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing, proficiency in the use of quantitative skills and scientific method, the ability to access and use information, an introductory level of knowledge in a variety of disciplines in the Arts and Sciences, an understanding and appreciation of the Western heritage and cultures of the United States and the world, basic computer skills, global awareness and tolerance for a diversity of ideas, a sense of individual responsibility and ability to work cooperatively, and a lifelong love for inquiry and learning.

The General Education required of all students at FMU is designed to give students an introduction to the broad areas of knowledge essential to a successful life and career. Included in the General Education program are choices in the humanities, the social sciences, the laboratory sciences, and basic communications. Through this program, students begin to acquire an awareness of the diverse cultures of the past and present. They also develop communication, conceptualization, and analytical and critical thinking skills. These general education courses provide the foundation for the student's declared major.

Students should note the following specific requirements pertaining to the General Education program:

ENGLISH

Students must complete English Composition through English 200 to satisfy the Communications portion of the General Education requirements.

MATHEMATICS

A minimum of six hours in mathematics above Math 110/110L. Math 105 and Math 110/110L are the only courses that do not count toward the hours of Mathematics in the General Education requirements. A B.A. degree allows PRS 203 to be substituted for one of these mathematics courses. Students should consult with their academic advisers concerning their mathematics courses.

MATH 140 is required of all majors in the Bachelor of Business Administration program and fulfills three hours of the General Education requirements (Mathematics).

MATH 170 and 270 are required of all early childhood and elementary education majors and for those two majors only fulfill the General Education requirements (Mathematics).

MATH 134 is required of all psychology and nursing majors.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Credit toward graduation may not be earned in both Physical Science 101-102 and any chemistry course or any physics course.

HUMANITIES/SOCIAL SCIENCES/NATURAL SCIENCES

General Education requirements in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences differ for teacher education students seeking South Carolina licensure and are listed under South Carolina Licensure Requirements in the School of Education section of this catalog. Specific General Education requirements for each teacher certification program offered at FMU are also listed under each department offering a Teacher Certification Option.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

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B.B.A. & B.G.S. degrees must satisfy the general education requirements for either B.S. or B.A.; B.S.N. degree must satisfy the general education requirements for the B.S.

*B.S.N. students may count PSY 334 as social science elective.

**Credit toward graduation may not be earned in both Physical Science 101-102 and any chemistry course or any physics course.

All major programs require students to complete either a minor of 18 semester hours or two collaterals of 12-semester hours each as part of a degree program at Francis Marion University.  The only exceptions are programs leading to the Bachelor of Business Administration degree; majors in Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education (although no minor is required for the Elementary Education major, one collateral is required) English Secondary Education option, Middle Level Education (no minor or collateral is required for the Middle Level Education major, two specified areas of specialization are required), Mathematics Secondary Education option (although no minor is required for the Mathematics Secondary Education option, one collateral is required), and Physics; and double majors (unless a specific minor or collateral is required for one of those majors). Majors in the Bachelor of General Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs do not require a minor or collaterals.

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UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES AND MAJORS

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree may be earned. The Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree may be earned with a major concentration in Biology, Economics, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology. Only the Bachelor of Arts degree may be taken with a major concentration in English, French, German, International Studies, Mass Communication, Spanish, Theatre Arts, or Visual Arts. Only the Bachelor of Science degree may be taken with a major concentration in Art Education, Chemistry, Computational Physics, Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Physics, Middle Level Education, Engineering Technology, or Music Industry. Only the Bachelor of Business Administration degree may be taken with a major concentration in Accounting, Business Economics, Finance, General Business Administration, Management, Management Information Systems, or Marketing.

MAJOR

The typical liberal arts major at FMU consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours. Students must satisfy all requirements as listed for each major. The list of requirements for each major precedes the list of courses offered in that subject in this catalog.

A minimum of three courses above 299 in the student's major must be earned in residence (see general Residence Requirements earlier in this catalog and specific requirements for School of Business students in the Business section of the catalog.) Correspondence credit does not count as residential credit.

Students should declare a major no later than the second semester of their sophomore year, and it is desirable that certain course selections be made in the freshman year for students planning to major in one of the business programs, education, mathematics, engineering technology, or one of the sciences.

All major programs require students to complete either a minor of 18 semester hours or two collaterals of 12 semester hours each as part of a degree program at FMU. The only exceptions are programs leading to the Bachelor of Business Administration degree; majors in Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education (although no minor is required for the Elementary Education major, one collateral is required), Middle Level Education (no minor or collateral is required for the Middle Level Education major, two specified areas of specialization are required), English-Teacher Certification Option; Math-Teacher Certification Option (one 12 hour collateral is required); Physics; and double majors (unless a specific minor or collateral is required for one of those majors). Majors in the Bachelor of General Studies and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs do not require a minor or collaterals.

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MINOR

A student's minor must be different than the subject area of the student's major area of study.

A student may earn a minor in most of the subject areas offered at FMU through the completion of 18 semester hours. The specific course requirements for minors are found in the department/school sections of this catalog. Specific minors may be required for particular major programs. Students are expected to declare a minor (if required) no later than the second semester of their sophomore year. The minor requirement is waived for students completing a double major unless a specific minor is required for one of those majors.

All major programs require students to complete either a minor of 18 semester hours or two collaterals of 12 semester hours each as part of a degree program at FMU. The only exceptions are programs leading to the Bachelor of Business Administration degree; majors in Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education (although no minor is required for the Elementary Education major, one collateral is required), Middle Level Education (no minor or collateral is required for the Middle Level Education major, two specified areas of specialization are required); English-Teacher Certification Option; Math-Teacher Certification Opton (one 12 hour collateral is required); Physics and double majors (unless a specific minor or collateral is required for one of those majors). Majors in the Bachelor of General Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs do not require a minor or collaterals.

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COLLATERAL

A student's collateral must be different from the subject area of the student's major area of study.

A student may earn a collateral in most subject areas offered at FMU through the completion of 12 semester hours. The specific course requirements for collaterals are found in the department/school sections of this catalog. Specific collaterals may be required for particular major programs. Students are expected to declare a collateral (if required) no later than the second semester of their sophomore year. The collateral requirement is waived for students completing a double major unless a specific collateral is required for one of those majors. Although no minor is required for the Elementary Education major, one collateral is required.

DOUBLE MAJOR

The minor and collateral requirement is waived for students completing a double major unless a specific minor or collateral is required for one of those majors. The double major will be listed on the student's transcript, but only one diploma will be awarded.

SECOND DEGREE

A second baccalaureate degree may be earned after the first degree has been awarded by an accredited institution. Students will be considered as having met the general education requirements. Some exceptions may occur due to outside accrediting agencies. Students are required to meet with an academic adviser to review the requirements for the major in which the student wishes to earn the second degree. Second degree students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours in residence at FMU. Course requirements for the second major must be satisfied.

SPECIALIZATIONS

Within some majors, specializations are offered allowing students to plan a focused area of study. Described under degree programs, the specializations are labeled either options, tracks, concentrations, or specializations.

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PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The rationale and organizing principles that guide the School of Education's development of professional education programs are couched in a tripodal model which mirrors the school's goals for its students. We believe that our students must be knowledgeable about learners, content, and pedagogy. Students must be reflective as they plan, implement, and evaluate pedagogical and curricular issues. Students must be collaborative, developing and honing communication and leadership skills necessary to work with colleagues, students, parents, and community leaders to plan and implement efficient and effective educational programs and to initiate change when needed. We believe that critical thinking is the connecting strand which permeates these three elements. Critical thinking is a process which involves assessment, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and appropriate action. It is our goal to prepare the Professional Educator for the 21st century.

South Carolina teacher licensure requires completion of an approved professional education program.

The professional education programs approved and available at FMU are those listed below. Major requirements for these professional education programs are listed in their respective sections of this catalog.

Requires major in Economics, History, Political Science, or Sociology with supporting courses in the other areas.

Approved programs in professional education require the following, in addition to or as a part of, the general University requirements for all programs:

1. Minimum of 126 hours required for the degree.
2. Specific general education requirements as indicated in the School of Education section of this catalog.
3. Overall grade point average of 2.5.

DEPARTMENTAL AND COLLEGE/SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

The academic program of Francis Marion University is offered through the following college and two schools:

FRANCIS MARION COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Department of Biology
Biology (B.A., B.S., minor, collateral)

Department of Chemistry
Chemistry (B.S., minor, collateral)

Department of English, Modern Languages,and Philosophy
English (B.A., minor, collateral)
  Modern Languages (B.A., tracks in French, German, and Spanish; minors and collaterals in French, German, and Spanish)
  Philosophy (Minor and collateral)
  Religious Studies (Minor and collateral)

Department of Fine Arts
  Art Education (B.S., no minor or collateral)
  Music (Minor only)
  Music Industry (B.S., no minor or collateral)
  Theatre Arts (B.A., minor, collateral)
  Visual Arts (B.A., minor, collateral)

Department of History
 History (B.A., B.S., minor, collateral)

Department of Mass Communication
 Mass Communication (B.A., minor, no collateral)
 Speech (Collateral, no major or minor)

Department of Mathematics
 Mathematics (B.A., B.S., minor, collateral)

Department of Nursing
 Nursing (B.S.N. Basic Track, R.N. to B.S.N. Track, no minor or collateral)

Department of Physics and Astronomy
 Astronomy (Collateral, no major or minor)
 Physics (B.S., minor, collateral)
 Physical Science (Courses only: no major, minor, or collateral)

Department of Political Science and Geography
 Geography (Minor, collateral)
 Political Science (B.A., B.S., minor, collateral)

Department of Psychology
Psychology (B.A., B.S., M.S., minor, collateral)

Department of Sociology
 Anthropology (Course only: no major, minor, or collateral)
Sociology (B.A., B.S., minor, collateral)

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SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

 Accounting (B.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 Business (Minor only)
 Business Economics (B.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 Computer Science (B.S., minor, collateral)
 Economics (B.A., B.S., minor and collateral)
 Finance (B.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 General Business Administration (B.B.A., M.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 Management (B.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 Management Information Systems (B.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 Marketing (B.B.A., no minor or collateral)
 Master of Business Administration (Generalist; Concentration in Health Management)

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

 Early Childhood Education (B.S., no minor or collateral)
 Education-Secondary (No undergraduate major, minor or collateral)
 Elementary Education (B.S., no minor or collateral)
 Health (Courses only: no major, minor, or collateral)
 Instructional Accommodation (M.Ed., no minor or collateral)
 Learning Disabilities (M.A.T., M.Ed., no minor or collateral)
 Middle Level Education (B.S., no minor or collateral; two specialty areas)
 Physical Education (No major, minor or collateral)

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OTHER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Bachelor of General Studies Program
General Studies (B.G.S, no minor or collateral)
Military Science (No major, minor or collateral)

Pre-professional Programs
Pre-dental (Courses only)
Pre-engineering (Courses only)
Pre-law (Courses only)
Pre-medical (Courses only)
Pre-pharmacy (Courses only)
Pre-veterinary (Courses only)

Cooperative Majors and Programs
Degrees earned at Francis Marion University
Civil and Electronic Engineering Technology (B.S. - Major offered through cooperative arrangements with South Carolina Technical Colleges, no minor or collateral)
Medical Technology (B.S. in Biology w/emphasis in Medical  Technology)

Degrees earned at other institutions
The University offers a curriculum which will prepare a student for transferring to another institution for completion of the professional degree.
Wildlife and Fisheries Biology (Offered through cooperative arrangement with Clemson University, no minor or collateral)
Engineering-Dual Degree (Offered through cooperative arrangements with Clemson University, no minor or collateral)
Forest Resources (Offered through cooperative arrangements with Clemson University, no minor or collateral)

Interdisciplinary Programs

Criminal Justice Concentration (available to Political Science and Sociology majors)
Environmental Studies (No major; minor offered for non-science majors; collateral offered for non-science majors and biology majors)
Gender Studies (Minor, collateral)
Honors Program (Courses only: no major, minor, or collateral)
International Studies (B.A., minor, collateral)
Non-profit Management (Collateral)
University Life (Course only: no major, minor, or collateral)

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COURSE LISTINGS AND NUMBERING

For university courses, the following information is indicated:

Course number
Course title
Semester hour value of course
Number of clock hours required per week in course
Statement of prerequisites and/or other restrictions on enrollment
Term(s) offered
Brief course description
Restriction of credit

When two courses are listed under a single title, a hyphen (-) between the course numbers indicates that the first is prerequisite to the second. A comma (,) between the course numbers indicates that the first is not prerequisite to the second.

Courses are classified by numbers, which indicate the class level at which they are most often taken. Class levels and number sequences are as follows:

With written departmental/school approval, seniors may take courses numbered 500-599 for either undergraduate or graduate credit. Designation of credit as undergraduate or graduate must be made at registration. With written departmental/school approval and with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better, seniors may take courses numbered 600-799 for graduate credit. All seniors taking courses for graduate credit must submit a Graduate Application for Admission. Some programs require formal admission before enrolling in any course numbered 600 or above. Work taken for graduate credit may not be used to meet undergraduate requirements. Any senior permitted to enroll for graduate credit will be classified as a non-degree student until the student has attained regular admission to a graduate degree program. No more than 12 hours of graduate work may be completed prior to the completion of baccalaureate degree requirements and admission to the graduate program as a graduate degree student.

The figures enclosed in parentheses immediately following the title of a course are, in order of appearance, indications of the following:

1.  Number of semester hour credits given for the course.

2.  Number of lecture hours normally scheduled each week for one semester in the course.

3.  Number of laboratory hours normally scheduled each week for one semester in the course.

If there is one figure only, there are as many class meeting hours per week as there are semester hours credit for the course. A two-number sequence, such as (3:4), means that the course carries three semester hours credit but meets four class hours each week. A three-number sequence, such as (3:2-3), means that the course carries three semester hours credit but meets two lecture hours and three laboratory hours each week.

 Terms Offered Key:

 F = Fall
 S = Spring
 SU = Summer
 AF = Alternating Fall Terms
 AS = Alternating Spring Terms

Certain courses may be offered as summer workshops and/or through distance learning.

CANCELLATION OF COURSES

The University reserves the right to withdraw any course for insufficient enrollment. In certain cases and with the approval of the Dean, classes may be offered with fewer than the required number of students in order to meet specific needs.

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