University Academic Requirements

To graduate from the University of New Hampshire, baccalaureate and associate in arts students must fulfill four types of University requirements: writing, general education, degree, and major.

University Writing Requirement

a. Students should use writing as an intellectual process to learn material, to discover, construct, and order meaning.

b. Students should learn to write effectively in various academic and disciplinary genres for professional and lay audiences.

c. Students should learn to display competence with the generic features and conventions of academic language.

Writing-Intensive Courses

All courses that are currently approved as writing intensive appear on this list. Additional courses may be added. Visit our Web site at unhinfo.unh.edu/registrar/registration.html for the most up-to-date list. Some courses have both writing intensive and non-writing intensive versions, such as ANSC 400 and ANSC 400W. In those cases, only the sections attached to the "W" courses will be writing intensive.

Please note that some cross-listed courses are also writing intensive. For the most current information on cross-listed courses, visit the Web site listed above.

‡UNHM courses

General Education Program

General education is intended to serve as a foundation for any major. It aims to go beyond the mastery of job-related skills and educate students so that they learn how to learn. The program is based on the premise that change is the dominant characteristic of our times and that the truly useful education stresses intellectual adaptability and the development of those problem-solving abilities, cognitive skills, and learning techniques vital to lifelong learning.

General Education Requirements

1. one course in writing skills, which must be taken during a student's first year. This course will satisfy the English 401/Freshman Composition component of the writing requirement;

2. one course in quantitative reasoning, which must be taken during a student's first year;

3. three courses in biological science, physical science, or technology, with no more than two courses in any one area;

4. one course in historical perspectives;

5. one course in foreign culture (may also be satisfied by approved study abroad programs);

6. one course in fine arts;

7. one course in social science; and

8. one course in works of philosophy, literature, and ideas.

General education requirements shall not be waived on the basis of special examinations or placement tests, except for the College Board Advanced Placement tests and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests. The required courses cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis. No single course may be counted in more than one general education category. Academic departments may or may not permit general education courses to count toward requirements for a major. Each course must carry at least 3 credits to qualify for general education consideration.

The specific courses that fulfill each category of the general education requirements are printed below. Any course appearing in this list will fulfill a general education requirement if taken after September 1, 2001.

1. Writing Skills
ENGL 401

2. Quantitative Reasoning
ADM 430‡
BIOL 528
CIS 425
CS 405, 407, 410
DS 420
EREC 525
HHS 540
INCO 404B*
MATH 419, 420, 424, 425
PHIL 412, 550
PSYC 402
SOC 502

3. Biological Science, Physical Science, and Technology
Biological Science
ANSC 400, 401
BIOL 405‡, 406‡, 411, 412, 413‡, 414‡, 520‡
HMP 501
INCO 404C*
KIN 527, 607
MICR 501
NR 410, 412
PBIO 400, 412, 421
WILD 433
ZOOL 402, 412, 474, 507, 508
Physical Science
CHEM 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 409
EOS 405
ESCI 401, 402, 405, 409, 450, 501
GEOG 473
INCO 404D*
PHYS 401, 402, 406, 407, 408
WARM 504
Technology
CIS 411‡, 515‡
CS 401, 403
EC 535
ENE 520
FOR 502
INCO 404E*
PHIL 447, 450
TECH 583

4. Historical Perspectives
ENGL 515
HMP 510
HIST 405, 406, 410, 421, 422, 435, 436, 483, 497, 505, 506, 511, 521, 522, 523, 531, 532
HUMA 510C†, 511C†, 512C†, 513C†, 514C, 515C
INCO 404F*, 404G*
KIN 561
POLT 403, 508
RS 483

5. Foreign Culture
ANTH 411, 500, 512, 515, 519
CHIN 503, 504
ENGL 581
FREN 425, 426, 503, 504, 525, 526
GEOG 401, 402, 541
GERM 503, 504, 523, 524, 525
GREK 503, 504, 505, 506
HIST 425, 563
INCO 404H*, 404J*, 404K*
INTR 438‡
ITAL 425, 503, 504, 525
JPN 425, 503, 504
LATN 503, 504
POLT 553, 555, 556, 557, 559
PORT 503, 504
RUSS 425, 502, 503, 504
SPAN 503, 504, 525, 526
WLCE 425F, 425I, 425R, 426F, 523G, 524G, 525F, 525G, 525I, 525S, 526F, 526S

6. Fine Arts
ARTS 431, 480, 487, 532, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 580, 581
HUMA 480A**, 510A†, 511A†, 512A†, 513A†, 514A 515A†
INCO 404L*, 404M*, 404N*, 480
MUSI 401, 402, 501, 502, 511, 512
PHIL 421
SOC 580
THDA 435, 436, 438, 441, 450, 459, 461, 462, 463, 487, 546, 548, 551, 555, 583, 624

7. Social Science
ANSC 405
ANTH 412, 518, 625
CD 415
CLAS 506
CMN 402, 455, 457
ECN 411‡, 412‡
ECON 401, 402
ENGL 505
EREC 411
FS 525
GEOG 581, 582
GERO 600
HHS 510
HMP 401
HUMA 510D†, 511D†, 512D†, 513D†, 514D, 515D†
INCO 401, 402, 404O*, 404P*, 404R*, 404S*
KIN 560
LING 505, 506
NURS 535, 670
NUTR 405
POLT 402, 504, 505, 560, 564, 565, 566, 567
PSYC 401
RMP 550, 570
SW 525
SOC 400, 500, 520, 530, 540, 625
WS 401

8. Works of Literature, Philosophy, and Ideas
AMST 501, 502
CLAS 401, 402, 421, 422, 500
CMN 456
ENGL 511, 513, 514, 516, 517, 518, 519, 521, 522, 523, 533, 585, 586, 630, 631, 632, 651, 657, 681, 685
FREN 500, 521, 651, 652
GERM 500, 520, 521
HIST 484
HUMA 401, 411‡, 412‡, 480B**, 500, 501, 502, 503, 510B†, 511B†, 512B†, 513B†, 514B, 515B†, 519‡, 520†, 650, 651
INCO 404T*, 404U*, 404W*, 404Y*, 450
ITAL 500, 521, 522, 651, 652
PHIL 401, 417, 424, 430, 435, 436, 520, 525, 540, 570, 574, 600, 630, 660
POLT 401, 407, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524
PORT 500
PSYC 571
RS 484
RUSS 500, 521, 522, 593
SPAN 500, 521, 522, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654
WLCE 500, 520G, 521F, 521G, 521I, 521R, 521S, 522R, 522S, 593R

Degree Requirements

Modifications tend to occur in major programs during the four-year period of students' undergraduate careers. Students are expected to conform to these changes insofar as they do not represent substantive alterations in their course of study.

Note: Although the University will try to provide sufficient facilities so that students may pursue any major or curriculum for which they meet the requirements, such a privilege cannot be guaranteed, since rapidly increasing enrollment sometimes results in the overcrowding of required specialized courses. On occasion, students may remain in a crowded curriculum if they are willing to take certain courses during the summer session.

Bachelor of Arts

2. Completion of the University general education requirements.

3. Proficiency in a foreign language at the level achieved by satisfactory work in a one-year, college-level course. This requirement may be fulfilled by taking a College Board foreign language achievement test, or by completing a full-year elementary course in any foreign language, or by completing a semester of a course in a foreign language beyond the elementary year, or by completing a one-year college-level course in American Sign Language (must be 8 UNH credits or equivalent). This requirement must be satisfied by the end of the sophomore year.

Note: A student with a documented disability who wishes accommodation on the basis that the disability will prevent him or her from successfully mastering a foreign language requirement, or whose foreign language requirement was waived in high school because of a documented disability, must contact the Access Office, 118 Memorial Union Building, (603) 862-2607 (Voice/TDD).

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Science
1. At least 128 credits in courses numbered 400-799, with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 for all courses taken at the University in which a grade is given.

2. Completion of the University general education requirements.

3. For specific requirements, check individual departmental or program listings. See also pages 50, 67, 78, 93, and 117 of the printed catalog.

Associate in Arts
1. Completion of at least 64 credits with a minimum grade-point average of 2.00.

2. Completion of two "writing intensive courses," one of which must be ENGL 401, Freshman Composition.

3. Completion of general education requirements as follows (no pass/fail allowed):

The Division of Continuing Education may prescribe up to four of the six required courses used to satisfy the general education requirements. A list of courses that may be used to meet these requirements will be available from an adviser.

4. A minimum of four courses freely selected by the student.

5. The remaining courses or credits may be earned in one of the career concentrations described on page 120 of the printed catalog and/or in elective general education courses.

6. The last 16 credits must be University of New Hampshire courses completed at UNH following admission and matriculation, unless permission is granted to transfer part of this work from another institution.

Dual Degrees
The opportunity to pursue simultaneously two undergraduate degrees enhances and broadens the education of certain students. The program is only for those students who can adequately handle the requirements for two different degrees and who can reasonably allocate the additional time and effort needed for the program. Except for specific five-year degree programs, a student may not pursue two different degree levels simultaneously.

Requirements
1. Students desiring dual degrees must petition the college dean or deans involved for permission.

2. Students must have a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade-point average.

3. Students planning to take one degree in a highly prescribed curriculum should register as freshmen in the appropriate school or college for that curriculum.

4. It is expected that candidates for two degrees will complete 32 credits beyond those required for the first degree.

5. Students can earn more than one bachelor of science (B.S.) degree, provided that each degree is in a different field. Students cannot earn more than one bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree.

6. Transfer students already holding a baccalaureate degree from another accredited institution may pursue an additional baccalaureate degree at the University of New Hampshire provided they fulfill the previously listed requirements. The degree received at the first institution will be accepted by UNH as awarded by that institution.

Supervision
As soon as a student is accepted as a candidate for two degrees, the appropriate dean(s) will appoint supervisors for each of the proposed majors. The supervisors and the student will work out a basic course plan for the two degrees and inform the appropriate dual degree dean(s) of the plan. The supervisors will maintain joint control over the student's academic program. The college offices and the supervisors will receive copies of grade reports and other records for students pursuing two degrees.

Minimum Graduation Average
A cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in University of New Hampshire courses is the minimum acceptable level for undergraduate work in the University and for graduation. In addition, some majors require a grade-point average greater than 2.00 in certain courses or combinations of courses. The Academic Standards and Advising Committee examines the records of students periodically and may place academically deficient or potentially deficient students on warning, or may exclude, suspend, or dismiss those who are academically deficient.

Quota of Semester Credits
Students registering for more than 20 credits must receive the approval of the college dean.

Baccalaureate and Asssociate in Arts undergraduates are assigned class standing on the basis of semester credits of academic work completed with a passing grade, as follows: to be a sophomore--26 credits; to be a junior--58 credits; to be a senior--90 credits.

Residence
"Residence" means being enrolled in University of New Hampshire (including UNH at Manchester) courses after admission to and matriculation in a degree program. Students who are candidates for a bachelor's degree must attain the last one-quarter of total credits for the degree in residence unless granted permission by the Academic Standards and Advising Committee to transfer part of this work from other accredited institutions.

Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from the University
Students who leave the University are required to file formal notification with the registrar.

Majors, Minors, and Options

Student-Designed Majors
See page 101 of the printed catalog for requirements for a student-designed major.

Second Majors
Bachelor's degree students may choose to fulfill the requirements of two dissimilar major programs, provided they obtain the approval of their principal adviser and the dean(s) of the college(s) in which the programs are offered, and comply as follows:

1. If the two 0majors are offered in different schools or colleges within the University, the admissions requirements of each must be satisfied.

2. If the two majors have two distinct degrees, e.g., B.A., B.S., or some other designated degree, students must choose which of the two degrees is to be awarded and fulfill all requirements for that degree.

3. No more than 8 credits used to satisfy requirements for one major may be used as requirements for the other major.

Minors
Bachelor's degree students may earn a minor in any undergraduate discipline designated by the University. A list of minors is available from the advising coordinator in each college or school (or see the program descriptions for each college or school in this catalog). Students must consult with their major adviser and also the minor supervisor. A minor typically consists of 20 credits with C- or better and a 2.00 grade-point average in courses that the minor department approves. Courses taken on the pass/fail basis may not be used for a minor. No more than 8 credits used to satisfy major requirements may be used for the minor. Students should declare an intent to earn a minor as early as possible and no later than the end of the junior year. During the final term, an application should be made to the dean to have the minor shown on the academic record.

Options
Some degree programs offer a selection of options (e.g., art history and art studio through the Department of Art and Art History). These concentrations allow students to specialize within a discipline. The choice of option is recorded on the student's transcript.

Grades

Instructors assign grades as listed below; grade points per credit are indicated in parentheses. For all undergraduate courses, grading standards established by the Academic Senate are that a C indicates competent, acceptable performance and learning; B indicates superior performance and learning; and A indicates excellent performance and learning. These standards apply to all undergraduate courses, instructors, departments, subjects, and colleges. The University reserves the right to modify grading and honors practices.

Students earning a semester or cumulative grade-point average less than 2.00 are placed on "academic warning."

Pass/Fail
While earning a bachelor's degree, students may choose the pass/fail grading alternative for a maximum of 4 credits per semester up to a total of 16 credits toward the degree.

Pass/fail cannot be used for general education requirements, for writing intensive courses, for courses required by a student's major or second major, for option or minor requirements, for ENGL 401, or for repeated courses. In addition, B.A., B.F.A., and B.M. degree candidates may not use pass/fail for courses taken to meet the foreign language requirement, and no Whittemore School course may be taken on a pass/fail basis by a student majoring in administration, economics, or hospitality management.

The minimum passing grade for credit is a D- (0.67); any grade below this minimum is a fail. All grades will be recorded on the grade roster as A, B, C, D, F, or intermediate grades. The pass/fail marks will be placed on students' transcripts and grade reports by the Registrar's Office. The course will not be included in the grade-point calculation, but the pass or fail will be recorded, and in the case of a pass, the course credits will be counted toward degree requirements.

Associate in arts students, see page 17 of the printed catalog.

Honors
An undergraduate degree student, after completion of at least 12 graded credits in University of New Hampshire courses, is designated as an honor student for a given semester if the student has (a) completed at least 12 graded credits for that semester and earned at least a 3.20 semester grade-point average; or (b) earned at least a 3.20 cumulative grade-point average and at least a 3.20 semester grade-point average regardless of the number of graded credits that semester. These categories are used: 3.20 to 3.49 (honors); 3.50 to 3.69 (high honors); and 3.70 to 4.00 (highest honors).

Bachelor's degree candidates who have earned honors for their entire work at the University will be graduated with honors based on the final cumulative grade-point average, provided that a minimum of 64 graded credits have been completed in University of New Hampshire courses. The Latin equivalent of the honors classification will appear on the student's academic record and diploma. The student's honors classification will be noted in the commencement program.

Academic Honesty