College of Arts and Sciences

Programs

About the College

USF College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is committed to promoting globally-competitive undergraduate, graduate and professional programs that support interdisciplinary inquiry, intellectual development and skill acquisition.

USF’s academic programs are designed to meet the needs of all learners, including traditional learners, special needs learners, adults interested in advancing their careers, veterans and distance learners. Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to take advantage of a wide range of undergraduate research opportunities and study abroad programs.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences focus on a specific discipline, but degree programs and opportunities for research and internships encourage students to get a broad, interdisciplinary liberal arts education. The CAS Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies helps to oversee the administration of these programs and provides resources for faculty members and students to facilitate effective learning.

Mission, Vision, Values

The College of Arts and Sciences is the intellectual heart of the University of South Florida. We are a community of teachers and scholars united in the belief that broadly educated people are the basis of a just, free, and prosperous society. By focusing on the big questions facing all of humanity, we prepare students for successful personal and professional lives. By conducting innovative, interdisciplinary research and scholarship, we advance knowledge in ways that prepare us to address vexing social problems and enhance quality of life for people and communities.

The College of Arts and Sciences aspires to be a national model for integrating the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences into a dynamic, trans-disciplinary entity focused on knowledge generation, global problem solving, skills development, and real-world applications. We will nurture academic success for a diverse population by creating engaged, inclusive learning environments that prepare students for productive personal and professional lives as global citizens. Through innovative, interdisciplinary research, creative activities, and mutually beneficial community partnerships, the college seeks to become a global leader in scholarship that addresses vexing social and environmental challenges and consequently enhances quality of life for all.

Housing

BioLife – First Year Interest Group Housing at the St. Petersburg campus
The BioLife First Year Interest Group is an academic-based community open to first-year students majoring in Biology at the St. Petersburg campus. This community offers residents the opportunity to learn together about the interdisciplinary nature of biology, engage with faculty in the Biological Sciences program, participate in civic engagement activities with a biology focus, and explore potential career opportunities. For more information, visit: https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/student-life/housing/residential-community-programs/index.aspx

STEM Living Learning Community – Housing for STEM majors at the Tampa campus
The STEM Living Learning Community (LLC), located in Cypress Hall, is a stimulating living learning environment that was created to meet the needs of STEM students interested in various science, technology, engineering, psychology, and math areas. The goals of the STEM LLC are to assist students in achieving academic and personal success while fostering an understanding of the multiple career pathways available to graduating STEM students. The STEM LLC is open to the following majors: Biomedical Sciences, Biology (all related biology), Molecular Biosciences, Chemistry (all related chemistry), Computer Science, Engineering, Geology/Geological Sciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology and Statistics. To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.usf.edu/housing/residential-learning/llc-major/stem.aspx

Rising Health Professionals Living Learning Community – Pre-Health Housing at the Tampa campus
Live with other students preparing to become a health professional in the Rising Health Professionals LLC, located in Beacon Hall. Explore a range of careers open to Pre-Health track students via experiential learning opportunities, faculty mentoring and peer connections. Benefit from in-hall academic advising and tutoring in required Pre-Health track courses. The LLC is open to any student on the Pre-Health track in the College of Arts and Sciences. To learn more and apply, visit the Rising Health Professionals LLC website.

Zimmerman Advertising Program Living Learning Community – Housing for first-year ZAP students at the Tampa campus
The Zimmerman Advertising Program Living Learning Community (ZAP LLC) is for first-year undergraduates who know that they want to be future leaders in the advertising industry, such as Brand Managers and Chief Marketing Officers. Expand your understanding of this exciting career aspiration with the shared experiences of a built-in peer network. The ZAP LLC creates unique opportunities to interact with Business and Mass Communications faculty; tour agencies, media and marketing firms; interact with working professionals; and prepare for internships. Visit the ZAP website to learn more.

Admission Requirements, Initial Major Declaration and Change of Major

Admission to the College of Arts and Sciences is open to students who have been accepted to the University of South Florida and who declare a major in a particular field provided that students are able to meet degree progression standards per USF Policy 10-505.

Undergraduate students must submit a formal declaration of major for admission into the College. This usually occurs during orientation and advising for new students. Students who wish to change their major after matriculation also need to seek approval. Declaration and Change of major requests should be completed online at https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/students/undergraduate/declare-a-cas-major.aspx.

To ensure students are able to meet degree progression standards per USF Policy 10-505, the Office of Admissions and College of Arts and Sciences staff will review student records before processing declaration or change of major requests. Students who cannot complete the requested major within degree progression limits will not be permitted to pursue the major. Students preparing for a science or mathematics career must plan their courses carefully because of the sequential nature of the curricula.

Students seeking entrance into a health professional school or the medical technology internship program require specialized counseling, therefore, immediate application for admission into the College is strongly recommended. 

College-Level Graduation Requirements

1. Students must complete all State and University level graduation requirements.
2.  Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in USF coursework. Note: Some Departments/program/major require a higher GPA. Students should refer to Department/program/major specific catalog requirements.
   • The College may approve an exception when a student has successfully earned the minimum grade required for all courses applied in the major but does not have a major GPA of 2.0.
3. Physical Education coursework is limited to two (2) semester hours.
4. ROTC courses that are primarily physical training and field experiences will not be applied to College of Arts and Sciences degree programs. All other military Science coursework will apply, in particular, coursework utilized toward completing an established ROTC minor will be applied to the total hours toward degree. 
5. When earning a second degree, double major or concurrent degree, the Major Core and Major Elective/Concentration areas of the degree audit must not overlap for both degrees.  All other areas of the degree audit may have overlapping credit hours applied.
6. Maximum of 20 hours of S/U option. S/U contracts must be negotiated in writing within the first three (3) weeks of the term. None of the 20 credits may be taken in the student’s major unless S/U is the only grading option. Coursework fulfilling the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements and the State Communication Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Writing) and State Computation Requirement (formerly known as Gordon Rule Math) may not be taken S/U.
7. The Audit option is available only during the first 5 days of classes.
8. Complete all major course requirements.
9. College of Arts and Sciences students are expected to complete a minimum of 50% of their major and/or minor coursework in residence at USF. Some College of Arts and Sciences Departments/programs/majors have established additional major course hours to be taken in residency at USF. See the major or program section of the catalog for these credit-hour requirements.

Other Information - Health Professions 

The University of South Florida is an excellent location to prepare for a career in the health professions. The Veterans Administration Hospital, University of South Florida Medical Center, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, and Florida Hospital Tampa, are within walking distance of the campus, and offer students excellent opportunities for shadowing, clinical volunteering and research. 

The Division of Health Professions Advising (DHPA) in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers programs designed to prepare students for admission to allopathic medicine (M.D.), osteopathic medicine (D.O.), chiropractic medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, anesthesiologist assistant, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Most of these health professions require four years of undergraduate pre-professional preparation, followed by four years of training in a professional school. A few well-prepared students with exceptional qualifications may be admitted to some professional schools, as early as the completion of the junior year of pre-professional work. The pre-professional programs do not meet requirements for a degree; therefore, students must choose a major in addition to fulfilling their pre-professional requirements.

Most pre-professional students major in biology, biomedical sciences, or chemistry, because of their interest in a health profession. There is considerable overlap between the pre-professional curriculum and the above majors’ requirements. However, there is no specific major required for admission into a health profession. Entrance into all professional schools or programs is competitive, and students should begin establishing a record of academic excellence within their first year at USF. Furthermore, it is essential that students also pursue courses in the social sciences and humanities. Students must have shadowing and clinical volunteer experiences related to their intended profession. 

Students considering one of the health professions should visit the DHPA website at https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/health-professions/. They can also contact the Division by email at healthprofadvise@usf.edu. Admitted students to USF should declare their interest in a health profession when they attend Orientation. 

The following websites provide information on the study of medicine, physical therapy, pharmacy and physicians assistant programs at the University of South Florida. 

• Allopathic Medicine (MD), visit https://health.usf.edu/medicine/ 

• Physical Therapy, visit https://health.usf.edu/medicine/dpt 

• Pharmacy, visit https://health.usf.edu/pharmacy/ 

• Physicians Assistant, visit https://health.usf.edu/medicine/pa/ 

General Requirements for Health Professions Schools

The following courses prepare students for admission to professional schools of chiropractic medicine, dentistry, allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy. All of these professional schools have in common the following course requirements, which should be completed by the end of the junior year, the usual time of application: 

Biology 

BSC 2010 - Cellular Processes/BSC 2010L - Cellular Processes Laboratory 
BSC 2011 - Biodiversity/BSC 2011L - Biodiversity Laboratory  

Chemistry 

CHM 2045 - General Chemistry I/CHM 2045L - General Chemistry I Laboratory       
CHM 2046 - General Chemistry II/CHM 2046L - General Chemistry II Laboratory 
CHM 2210 - Organic Chemistry I/CHM 2210L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
CHM 2211 - Organic Chemistry II/CHM 2211L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II  

Physics 

PHY 2053 - General Physics I/PHY 2053L - General Physics I Laboratory 
PHY 2054 - General Physics II/PHY 2054L - General Physics II Laboratory  

Some schools require calculus and some require one or two courses in biochemistry. CLEP credit is not generally accepted by professional schools. Some schools do not accept AP or IB credit and have specific restrictions for accepting dual enrollment credits. Students should check with the school of their choice regarding acceptable acceleration credit. To be competitive for acceptance into health professions schools, students need to take upper level natural science coursework. 

B.S. in Biomedical Sciences for Early Admission Students 

Early admission to professional school is exceptional with today’s competitive applicant pool; however, a few students may be admitted prior to completion of the Bachelor’s degree through special programs. 

There are no State Mandated Common Prerequisites for this degree program. 

Students planning on early admission should begin studies at a 4-year institution, as professional schools require at least 1 year of studies at a university prior to application. Depending upon the professional school, additional science courses may be required or strongly recommended as indicated in the preceding sections. Exposure to a health profession is also strongly recommended. 

Students who are admitted to an accredited U.S. medical or dental school after completing their junior year at the University of South Florida may be awarded the B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences subject to the following conditions: 

1. Transfer of a minimum of 30 semester hours of science courses from an accredited medical or dental school. 

2. Completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 00 prior to transfer to the medical or dental school. 

3. Completion of the following courses with at least a C in each course. 

4. Completion of the University’s General Education Requirements. 

5. Completion of the last 30 hours prior to transfer to a medical or dental school in residence at the University of South Florida. 

6. Application for the degree must be received no later than two years from the date of entrance into the professional school. 

Students that are admitted to professional schools of veterinary medicine, optometry, physical therapy, or podiatric medicine prior to completion of their degree may also be able to transfer courses from the professional school and receive their Bachelor’s degree. However, approval of the courses to be transferred must be obtained on an individual basis from the College of Arts and Sciences, and in some cases, it may be necessary for students to complete more than 90 hours prior to leaving the University of South Florida. 

Global Pathways

https://www.usf.edu/gcp/students/index.aspx
A Global Pathway is an undergraduate major or degree program that has significant global content. Global Pathways provide students with the opportunity to practice and apply global competencies through the major or degree program. The following programs are designated as Global Pathway Programs:

Undergraduate Advising Information

The College of Arts and Sciences’ decentralized advising provides students the opportunity to work with a professional who has specialized knowledge and understanding of the major requirements, course offerings, and undergraduate research and career opportunities in their field. In addition to major advising, the college offers pre-professional advising for students intending to pursue careers in law and the health professions. Each program has its own advising office. The advisor should be contacted for information on curriculum planning, graduation requirements, and admission to professional schools.

Undergraduate Advisors List

http://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/students/academic-advising/undergraduate-advising.aspx

To schedule an advising appointment:

• Prospective or current students with an active UID can schedule an appointment online via Archivum.
• Prospective students who have not yet applied or students who are inactive (e.g., dismissed or not enrolled for 3 consecutive terms) should contact the appropriate advising location in their intended major: https://www.usf.edu/undergrad/students/advising.aspx.
• Health Professions Advising: Please refer to http://cas.usf.edu/healthprofessions/advising/.
• Pre Law Advising: Please email questions to PreLawAdvise@usf.edu.