Departments and Schools
KEVIN R. CARMAN, Dean
GARY R. BYERLY, Richard R. and Betty S., Fenton Alumni Professor
Associate Dean for Student Services
RICHARD L. KURTZ, Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
MARTHA A. CEDOTAL, Senior Assistant Dean for Student Services
SARA MARCHIAFAVA, Senior Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration
KARLA LEMOINE, Assistant to the Dean
ROBBY S. BOWEN, Counselor
ALLIE PREST, Counselor
JAMI CATES, Advisor
338 Choppin Hall
225-578-4200
FAX 225-578-8826
WEB SITE • science.lsu.edu
The College of Science offers preparation for careers in biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, geology and geophysics, mathematics, microbiology, and physics and astronomy. Students are also provided with strong academic backgrounds for professional study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and many other careers that require in-depth study of science and mathematics.
The departments within the college, the various curricula, and the degrees that may be earned are shown in the following chart. These curricula provide broad general education as well as knowledge of the structure of science. Students in the college may also choose curricula that provide premedical or predental preparation, including curricula in biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry with a preprofessional concentration, computer science with a life sciences concentration, and physics with a medical physics concentration. Classroom and laboratory study may be supplemented by contact with active research programs.
The Department of Computer Science offers work leading to the bachelor's and doctoral degrees in computer science and is a participating department in the University's graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Systems Science degree. The other departments of the college offer work leading to the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Degree Programs
All undergraduate degrees in the College of Science are Bachelor of Science degrees. The following programs are offered by the College of Science:
For specific information concerning undergraduate degree programs, refer to the curricula offered by the departments on the following pages. Detailed information about graduate degree programs may be obtained from the Graduate Bulletin.
Students who contemplate entering this college should give special attention to the mathematics and science courses they select and should consult a representative of the department they plan to enter prior to completing their initial registration.
Students will be admitted to the college when they:
Transfer students from other accredited colleges or universities will be permitted to enter the college when they: (1) present, by means of an official transcript, evidence that they have met the current admission requirements of the University and the senior college; and (2) receive approval of the dean of the college.
Students who, after initial enrollment in this college, wish to obtain credits from colleges or universities other than LSU and who plan to offer such credits toward their degree requirements must obtain prior approval from the dean on a specific-course basis.
The college offers the bachelor's degree in several curricula designed to give students a thorough education in a particular scientific discipline. In addition, a core of material representing a broad exposure to the human cultural heritage is an integral part of the curricula in the college. That core consists of the following course work.
English • Twelve semester hours including ENGL 1001, 2000 and six hours chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list.
Mathematics • A minimum of five semester hours of calculus (Mathematics 1550). Some curricula require additional credits in mathematics. Degree credit will not be allowed for mathematics courses numbered below 1550.
Foreign Language • Students may satisfy the college foreign language requirement by passing eight to 10 semester hours in a single foreign language. Ordinarily, courses numbered 1001 and 1002, or 1101 and 1102, or 1001 and 2051 are chosen. For example, students choosing Russian will take RUSS 1001 and 1002 (10 semester hours), but students choosing French will take FREN 1001 and 1002 (8 semester hours) and the additional two semester hours will be added to free electives.
International students whose native language is not English and who did not attend an English-speaking high school may satisfy the foreign language requirement as follows:
Sciences • Fourteen hours including two semesters of study in the biological sciences, and a year-course in a physical science. Either the biological or physical sciences must include laboratory credits. Courses selected to meet this requirement must be chosen from courses offered by departments in the College of Science.
Social Sciences and Humanities • Fifteen semester hours in most curricula of the college. These hours are in addition to the English and foreign language requirements described above. Nine to 12 hours of the required social sciences/humanities courses must be chosen from the list of general education courses in the following way: three hours in the arts, three hours in the humanities (depending on the curriculum), and six hours in the social sciences.
Academic Policy • Following is a listing of the more important academic policies of the college offered to guide students toward degrees.
With the dean's approval, a student may be enrolled in two bachelor's degree programs concurrently and thereby either earn two degrees, or earn one degree with two majors listed on the transcript, provided all requirements are completed as of the same commencement.
A student may earn one degree, with two majors listed on the transcript, by completing the residence and academic requirements for each major and the degree program to which it belongs. The student may earn two degrees by, in addition, earning 30 hours more than required for the degree that requires the fewer number of hours.
If the two programs are in different colleges, then the student must be accepted for admission to both colleges and must adhere to the regulations of both colleges. The student must declare a home college, where registration will be initiated and permanent files maintained, and must maintain contact with the second college to ensure that satisfactory progress is being made toward the requirements of its degree program.
A student in the College of Science who fails to earn a 2.00 semester aver-age in a regular semester or a summer term will be placed on college probation. In addition, students who fail to meet the college academic requirements noted in the section on degree requirements, or who enter the college with deficiencies may be placed on college probation. At the discretion of the dean, a student who is on college probation and fails to meet the academic requirements, including earning a 2.00 or better semester average, may be declared ineligible to continue in the college. A student on college probation who does earn a 2.00 or better semester gpa, who remediates course deficiencies, and who makes satisfactory progress in the degree program will be removed from college probation.
Counselors are available to help students with applications to medical and dental schools. This application process begins one and one-half years prior to professional school entry. Information regarding the pre-medical/pre-dental program at LSU and the professional school application process is available at the following Web site: http://science.lsu.edu/premedicalpredental.cfm.
The College of Science sponsors a Pre-medical/Pre-dental Review Committee that provides letters of evaluation for LSU students applying to professional schools. Students wishing to use the services of the LSU Pre-medical/Pre-dental Review Committee must: (1) have a minimum 3.0 cumulative and science gpa, (2) have been enrolled on the LSU main campus as a full time student for the two semesters preceding the committee review, (3) attend mandatory informational meetings, and (4) meet all registration deadlines.
Further information about the committee procedures and requirements may be obtained in the dean's office, 351 Hatcher Hall.
Students in the College of Science may register for courses in the college on a pass-fail basis under the following conditions:
Students from other colleges who wish to register for courses in this college on a pass-fail basis will present a petition form to the dean of the college. If the petition is approved, the student will then present the form to the instructor concerned for the appropriate action.
Courses offered by the College of Science that are required in a student's curriculum or are normally considered important in preparation for the student's career will not be approved on a pass-fail basis.
Distance program credit may be accepted toward meeting degree requirements only with approval of the dean of the college and may not exceed a total of 12 hours.
Students in the College of Science may not register for more than three semester hours of credit during Intersession without approval of the dean.
Students in residence may take courses by distance program only in exceptional cases (e.g., conflicts between single sections of required courses) and with specific approval of the dean of the college.
Students may not be enrolled in distance program course work the semester they intend to graduate.
Students in this college bear final responsibility for selection of their academic programs and adherence to all published regulations and requirements of the college and the University. Each student must see his or her counselor in the college office for a final degree checkout during the semester prior to the semester in which the degree is to be awarded.
A student in the College of Science may earn a minor in a second field under the following conditions:
The department offering the minor may impose additional requirements; the specific requirements of the department must be stated in the catalog.
Students in other colleges who wish to obtain a minor in one of the departments of the College of Science must meet the same requirements listed above.
The departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy offer undergraduate degree programs with an area of concentration in secondary education (middle school and high school). Students in the program may receive a BS in biological sciences, chemistry, mathematics, or physics and qualify for teacher certification. The curricula have been developed cooperatively with faculty in the College of Education and include courses taught jointly by faculty in the College of Science and the College of Education. Students completing these degree programs and meeting any additional requirements of the Louisiana Department of Education will be eligible for certification in the state of Louisiana as teachers in grades 6-12.
The following requirements pertain to students enrolled in the secondary education concentration:
A second option for students interested in middle/high school science teaching is to pursue a traditional bachelor's degree in science and then complete a master's degree in the LSU College of Education. The master's degree program (Holmes Program) begins in June and requires 12 consecutive months of course work and classroom experience leading to both the master's degree and teaching certification. Information about the program and potential scholarship assistance is available through the College of Education, Office of Student Services.
OFFICE • 202 Life Sciences Building
TELEPHONE • 225-578-2601
FAX • 225-578-2597
WEB SITE • www.biology.lsu.edu
The Department of Biological Sciences offers a comprehensive background in biology for teacher preparation, graduate studies, and for professional programs in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. The department offers bachelor of science degrees in biochemistry, biological sciences and microbiology. All degrees require a core of departmental courses that include BIOL 1201, 1202, 1208, 1209, 2051, 2153, and either 4087 or 4093 and 4094. In addition, all students are required to take 20-25 hours of electives from courses numbered 3000 and above in biological sciences that include two courses with laboratories and at least one course from three of four departmental groupings (described below). Students seeking the bachelor of science degree in biological sciences may fulfill the requirement for 20 hours of electives with courses from all areas of the department while students seeking the biochemistry and microbiology degrees take courses specific to those degrees. All students in the department may earn a maximum of six hours of BIOL 3999. A maximum of three hours of BIOL 3999 may be taken as advanced biochemistry, biological sciences, or microbiology electives. BIOL 3999 may not be used as a laboratory course. Students may earn more than one degree in the department but biological science courses numbered 3000 and above (excluding the core biochemistry courses) may only be applied to one degree. This policy also applies to transfer students who enter with a degree earned in one of the Department of Biological Sciences majors. Majors in the department are ineligible for the departmental minor.
Admission into the Department of Biological Sciences
In addition to admission to the College of Science, entry into any of the three majors (biochemistry, biological sciences, and microbiology) in the Department of Biological Sciences requires earned credit in BIOL 1201 and 1202; CHEM 1201; and MATH 1550.
CURRICULUM IN BIOCHEMISTRY
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 126
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 1201, 1202, 1208, 1209 | 8 |
| Chemistry 1201, 1202, 1212 | 8 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 | 9 |
| General education arts course | 3 |
| 31 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 2051, 2153 | 8 |
| Chemistry 2001, 2261, 2262, 2364 | 11 |
| Physics 2001, 2002, 2108, 2109 | 8 |
| English 2000 | 3 |
| General education social science course | 3 |
| 32 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 4001, 4093, 4094 | 9 |
| Approved biochemistry elective | 6 |
| Foreign language courses | 8-10 |
| Six hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 6 |
| Approved electives | 3-1 |
| 32 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 4385 | 3 |
| Approved biochemistry electives | 9 |
| General education social sciences course (sophomore level or above) | 3 |
| Social science/humanities courses | 6 |
| Approved electives | 9 |
| 30 |
Approved biochemistry electives must come from the following list, must include at least one laboratory course, and must include at least one course from both Group 1 and Group 3 and two courses from Group 2:
CURRICULUM IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 125
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 1201, 1202, 1208, 1209 | 8 |
| Chemistry 1201, 1202, 1212 | 8 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 or EXST 2201 | 9 |
| General education arts course | 3 |
| 31 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 2051, 2153 | 8 |
| Chemistry 2261, 2262, 2364 | 8 |
| Six hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 6 |
| Foreign language courses | 8-10 |
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Approved electives | 2-0 |
| 35 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 4087 or 4093 and 4094 | 4-6 |
| Approved biological sciences electives | 6-9 |
| Physics 2001, 2002, 2108, 2109 | 8 |
| General education social sciences courses (sophomore level or above) | 6 |
| Approved electives | 5-0 |
| 29 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Approved biological sciences electives | 11-14 |
| Social sciences/humanities courses | 6 |
| Approved electives | 13-10 |
| 30 |
Approved biological sciences electives (20 hrs. required) are BIOL courses numbered 3000 and higher and must include two courses with laboratories (excluding independent research BIOL 3999). Further, biological sciences electives must include at least one course from three of the following areas:
CURRICULUM IN MICROBIOLOGY
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 126
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 1201, 1202, 1208, 1209 | 8 |
| Chemistry 1201, 1202, 1212 | 8 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 or EXST 2201 | 9 |
| General education arts course | 3 |
| 31 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 2051, 2153 | 8 |
| Chemistry 2261, 2262 | 6 |
| Three hrs. chosen from English or Honors courses at the 2000-level and above from general education humanities list | 3 |
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Foreign language courses | 8-10 |
| Approved electives | 2-0 |
| 30 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 3116, 4110 | 6 |
| Chemistry 2001, 2364 | 5 |
| Physics 2001, 2002, 2108, 2109 | 8 |
| Three hours chosen from English or Honors courses at 2000 level and above from general education humanities list | 3 |
| Approved microbiology electives | 4 |
| General education social sciences course (sophomore level or above) | 3 |
| Approved electives | 3 |
| 32 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 4246, 4125 or 4256 | 6-7 |
| Biological Sciences 4087 or 4093 and 4094 | 4-6 |
| Approved microbiology electives | 6 |
| Social sciences/humanities courses | 6 |
| General education social sciences course | 3 |
| Approved electives | 8-5 |
| 33 |
Approved microbiology electives must come from the following list and must include two laboratory courses: BIOL 3090, 3999 (3), 4053, 4054, 4084, 4090, 4105, 4106, 4123, 4124, 4125, 4126, 4127, 4132, 4162, 4163, 4190, 4200, 4256, 4400.
CHAIR • Maverick
OFFICE • 232 Choppin Hall
TELEPHONE • 225-578-3361
FAX • 225-578-3458
WEB SITE • chemistry.lsu.edu
Students obtain a thorough working knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry, supplemented by study in physics, mathematics, and other sciences. The curriculum is further enriched by the requirement of a broad basic background in the social sciences and humanities. The department offers special lecture and laboratory courses for its majors.
Chemistry majors must select one of nine areas of concentration, preferably in their sophomore year. The different concentrations can be grouped according to whether or not they prepare the student for an active career in chemistry or for another profession, such as medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine.
Active Careers in Chemistry • These concentrations are recommended for students who seek a professional career in chemistry or plan to pursue graduate studies in chemistry or a closely related field. The areas of concentration listed in this section are certified by the American Chemical Society. Students successfully completing those concentrations will receive a certificate upon graduation. The biological chemistry concentration strengthens the student's knowledge of the chemistry and structure of living systems. The chemical physics concentration emphasizes understanding chemical systems based on fundamental physical, mathematical, and theoretical principles. The chemistry concentration provides a broad background in chemistry. It is recommended to students who desire a career in chemistry but do not yet know which branch of chemistry best suits them. The environmental chemistry concentration is recommended for preparation as a chemical professional or for entrance to graduate study in chemistry, but with an environmental emphasis. The materials concentration makes the connection between chemistry and a wide range of practical materials used to fabricate electronic, optical, and other devices. The polymer concentration is designed for students with career objectives in the science of synthetic or biological macromolecules, including plastics.
The secondary education concentration leads to certification as a chemistry teacher in grades seven through 12.
Chemistry for Other Professions • The preprofessional concentration is designed primarily for students who will apply for graduate education in another profession, such as medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. The chemistry and a second discipline concentration allows students to develop their interests and abilities in other disciplines outside of chemistry, whether or not graduate education is contemplated. Students may choose second disciplines such as computer science, geology, engineering, business administration, history, foreign languages, political science, and others.
CURRICULUM IN CHEMISTRY
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 128
*With the dean's approval, CHEM 1202, 1212 may be substituted for CHEM 1422, 1431; and CHEM 2261, 2262, and 2364 may be substituted for CHEM 2461, 2462, and 2463.
**The biological chemistry, pre-professional, and secondary education concentrations also require Biological Sciences 1208 and 1209 laboratories.
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Biological Sciences 1201 and 1202** | 6-8 |
| Chemistry 1201 or 1421; 1422; 1431* | 8 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| General education arts course | 3 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 | 9 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 3-1 |
| 32 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Chemistry 2001, 2002, 2461, 2462, 2463* | 12 |
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Mathematics 2057 | 3 |
| Physics 2101, 2102, 2108, 2109 | 8 |
| Approved electives or area requirements . | 6 |
| 32 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Chemistry 3491, 3492, 3493 | 9 |
| Six hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 6 |
| Foreign languages courses | 8-10 |
| General education social sciences courses | 3 |
| General education social sciences courses (2000 level or above) | 3 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 3-1 |
| 32 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| CHEM 4570 | 3 |
| Approved social sciences/humanities courses | 6 |
| Approved electives or concentration courses | 23 |
| 32 |
In addition, the student must take EDCI 2500 as one of the General Education social science courses and PHIL 2786 as one of the approved social science/humanities courses. Students should plan their coursework so that the last semester of the senior year can accommodate the 12 hrs. that are required to be taken concurrently (EDCI 4006 and 3136). BIOL 1208 and 1209 labs should be included in the freshman year.
OFFICE • 298 Coates Hall
TELEPHONE • 225-578-1495
FAX • 225-578-1465
WEB SITE • www.csc.lsu.edu
The mission of the program is to instill in the student theoretical and applied practical skills needed to solve challenging problems using a computer. Graduates of the program use such concepts as abstraction and complexity analysis to solve innovative problems or to orchestrate evolutionary change as applied to the development of software. The program provides a strong foundation such that students can build on their skill sets as the field rapidly evolves.
The program objectives for the BS degree candidate in computer science are:
Upon graduation, graduates should be able to:
The undergraduate computer science curriculum is structured around basic courses in computer science and mathematics. The curriculum is designed to allow a flexible plan of study via the mandatory selection of one of three concentrations: networking, software engineering, and computer science and a second discipline. A concentration should be declared at the beginning of the sophomore year. If the second discipline concentration is selected, an approval form must be completed and approved by the department and the dean's office.
Computer science students will not receive degree credit for the following courses: CSC 4602; ELRC 4006; EXST 2000, 2095, 2201, 3001, 4001; ISDS 2000, 2001, 3001, 3002, 3107; PSYC 2011, 4111; and SOCL 2201. Computer science students may not receive credit for both IE 3302 and ISDS 2000, or for both IE 4510 and ISDS 2001.
CURRICULUM IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 123
1See college list of approved general education
natural sciences courses.
2If a 10-hour foreign language sequence is taken, the extra
two hours will be counted toward approved electives.
3Students who have completed the prerequisites may substitute
MATH 3355 or EE 3140 or EXST 4050.
4The computer science senior elective (three semester hours)
must be an approved 4000-level computer science course.
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Computer Science 1200, 1350, 1351 | 7 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 | 9 |
| Biological or physical sciences sequence1 | 6 |
| General education humanities communication studies course | 3 |
| 31 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Computer Science 2259, 3102, 3380 | 9 |
| Computer science elective 2000- level or above or computer science area requirement | 3 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Mathematics 2090 | 4 |
| General education biological or physical sciences sequence with lab1 | 8 |
| General education social sciences course | 3 |
| 33 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Computer Science 2262, 3501, 4101 | 9 |
| Computer science electives 3000-level or above or computer science area requirement | 3 |
| Foreign language courses2 | 8 |
| Industrial Engineering 33023 | 3 |
| General education social sciences course at the sophomore level or above | 3 |
| Approved elective or area requirements | 6 |
| 32 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Computer science 4103, 4330 | 6 |
| Computer science senior elective4 or computer science area requirement | 3 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 12 |
| General education arts courses | 3 |
| Social sciences/humanities course | 3 |
| 27 |
OFFICE • E235 Howe-Russell-Kniffen Geoscience Complex
TELEPHONE • 225-578-3353
FAX • 225-578-2302
WEB SITE • www.geol.lsu.edu
E-MAIL • geology@lsu.edu
The geology curriculum prepares under-graduates for graduate study in geology and geophysics and related fields and for a wide range of professional careers, including teaching, research, resource exploration and development, and environmental management and remediation. The curriculum has three areas of concentration: geology, environmental geology, and geophysics.
Geology students in the geology and environmental concentrations follow the same basic curriculum during the first five semesters of study. Students during this time receive a firm foundation in mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, and sedimentology, as well as basic courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The geophysics concentration has additional emphasis on mathematics and physics. Emphasis for all concentrations is on fundamental geologic processes operating on and within the earth. Laboratory and field studies are integrated into the curriculum at all levels and include a six-week field geology course at the department's permanent field camp in the Colorado Front Range.
The curriculum is designed to leave much of the final three semesters of study relatively unstructured so that students, with the guidance and approval of the department, can develop a program of advanced course work most appropriate to their area of concentration and career objectives. Students selecting the geology and environmental geology concentrations take, in addition to the first five semesters of courses, history of the biosphere and nine hours of geology 4000-level electives. Students selecting the environmental geology area of concentration take physical hydrogeology. Students selecting the geophysics area of concentration take additional mathematics and physics courses as well as plate tectonics, and well-logging in petroleum engineering, and twelve hours of geology courses at the 4000 level. All three areas of concentration are designed to provide students with a sound foundation in basic geology and to prepare them for entry into a graduate program or directly into a professional career.
Graduate and undergraduate majors in geology must pay a $35 field service fee each semester. Students not majoring in geology who schedule courses requiring field trip fees will be assessed a pro rata part of the amount above as determined by the department chair. Part-time students enrolled in seminar courses only and students registered for thesis or dissertation only are exempt from the fee. Additional information concerning fees for field geology courses is available from the Geology Field Camp Director, Department of Geology & Geophysics.
CURRICULUM IN GEOLOGY
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 123
*See area requirements.
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| General Education art course | 3 |
| Chemistry 1201, 1202, 1212 | 8 |
| Geology 1001, 1003, 1601, 1602 | 8 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 | 9 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| 31 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Approved electives | 3-4 |
| Biological Sciences 1201, 1202 | 6 |
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| Geology 2081 | 3 |
| Area of concentration course | 3 |
| General education social sciences courses (one course must be at the sophomore level or above) | 6 |
| Physics 1201 or 2101, and 1208 or 2108 | 5-4 |
| 32 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Approved electives | 0-3 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| Foreign Language courses | 10-8 |
| Approved Soc. Sci./Humanities course | 3 |
| Geology 3032 | 3 |
| Geology 3041 | 4 |
| Geology 3071 | 4 |
| Physics 1202 or 2102 or 2002, and 1209 or 2109 | 5-4 |
| 32 |
| SUMMER (FOLLOWING JUNIOR YEAR) | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Geology 3666 | 6 |
| 6 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Area of concentration courses | 9-22 |
| Approved electives | 15-2 |
| 24 |
OFFICE • 301 Lockett Hall
TELEPHONE • 225-578-1665
FAX • 225-578-4276
WEB SITE • www.math.lsu.edu
E-MAIL • department@math.lsu.edu
Students majoring in mathematics may choose from several areas of concentration. (See "Areas of Concentration" below.) Each concentration requires the following lower division mathematics courses (totaling 22 sem. hrs.): 1550 (or 1551), 1552 (or 1553), 2057 (or 2058), 2060, 2085 (or 2086), and two courses from 2020, 2025, 2030. Each concentration requires additional courses (see below) and a capstone experience. Credit for mathematics courses numbered below 1550 will not be counted toward the required credits for mathematics majors.
Those students who are planning to pursue a graduate degree in mathematics are strongly advised to include MATH 4031, 4032, 4035, 4153, and 4200 in their curriculum even if they do not select the mathematics area of concentration.
The requirements for an undergraduate minor in mathematics are as follows: MATH 1550 (or 1551), 1552 (or 1553), 2057 (or 2058), 2085 (or 2086 or 2070 or 2090), and at least nine semester hours at the 3000- or 4000-level, but excluding MATH 3903, 3998, and 4005.
Honors courses offered in mathematics are MATH 1551, 1553, 2058, and 2086. The honors option is available to students in upper division mathematics courses. (See "Honors Option" in the Honors College section in this catalog.) A special curriculum leading to the BS degree in mathematics with departmental honors is offered. Details are available from the departmental office.
CURRICULUM IN MATHEMATICS
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 120
Consult "Degree Requirements of the College" in this section of the catalog for specific instructions regarding electives and the general education literature and social sciences requirements.
+See college approval list of natural science courses. If first science course sequence is taken from the physical sciences, the second course sequence must be taken from the life sciences, and vice versa.
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| English 1001 | 3 |
| Two-course sequence in a foreign language | 8-10 |
| Mathematics 1550/1551, and 1552/1553 | 9 |
| General education natural science course sequence with lab(s) | 8 |
| 28-30 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Social science or humanities course | 3 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| Select two courses from Mathematics 2020, 2025, and 2030 | 6 |
| Mathematics 2057, 2060, 2085 | 7 |
| General education social science | 3 |
| General education natural science course sequence in alternate area+ | 6 |
| 31 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Area requirements | 12 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| General education social sciences course (2000 level or above | 3 |
| Social science or humanities course | 3 |
| Approved elective or area requirements | 9 |
| 30 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Mathematics courses area requirements | 6 |
| General education arts course | 3 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 22-20 |
| 31-29 |
OFFICE • 202 Nicholson Hall
TELEPHONE • 225-578-2261
FAX • 225-578-5855
WEB SITE • www.phys.lsu.edu
The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers master's degrees for medical physics studies. For additional information, see the section, "Graduate School and Professional Programs" in this catalog.
CURRICULUM IN PHYSICS
TOTAL SEM. HRS. • 129
Students planning to enter graduate school are encouraged to select a modern foreign language.
| FRESHMAN YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| Mathematics 1550, 1552 | 9 |
| Physics 1201, 1202, 1208, 1209 | 10 |
| English 1001 | 3 |
| General education arts course | 3 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 3 |
| 31 |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| English 2000 | 3 |
| Three hrs. chosen from 2000-level or above English or Honors courses from the general education humanities list | 3 |
| Mathematics 2057, 2090 | 7 |
| Physics 2203, 2207, 2221 | 7 |
| Biological sciences 1001 and 1002 or 1201 and 1202 | 6 |
| Computer science programming course | 3 |
| Approved social science/humanities | 6 |
| 35 |
| JUNIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Foreign language courses | 8-10 |
| Physics 2231, 2411, 4098, 4132 | 12 |
| General education social sciences course | 3 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 8-6 |
| 31 |
| SENIOR YEAR | SEM. HRS. |
|---|---|
| Physics 4125 | 3 |
| General education social sciences/humanities course | 3 |
| Approved electives or area requirements | 26 |
| 32 |
Seniors and juniors with gpa of at least 3.60 and 3.90, respectively, are considered for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest scholastic honor society in the United States. Excellence in a variety of intellectual disciplines, rather than proficiency in a single field of study, is the major criterion for election.
The academic record should include satisfactory completion of the general education requirement, including two courses in English or American literature or literature in a foreign language (if not the major field); six-hour sequences in both a life science and a physical science, with an additional two hours of related laboratory work in one of these fields; upper division courses (3000 level or above) in at least two different humanities or social sciences outside the major; and elec-tives that show a commitment to a liberal education.
Sophomores and juniors with high gpas should consult with Phi Beta Kappa officers or college counselors for more specific information. Specific requirements are described on the Phi Beta Kappa Web site lsu.edu/student_organizations/phibetakappa/.
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines. Its chapters are on nearly 300 campuses in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. Each year, approximately 30,000 members are initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, writer John Grisham, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, and Netscape founder James Barksdale. The LSU chapter was founded in 1930 as the 43rd chapter in the nation.
The mission of Phi Kappa Phi is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others. Phi Kappa Phi is unique because it recognizes superior scholarship in all academic fields, rather than restricting membership to a limited field. Juniors in the top 7.5 percent and seniors and graduate students in the top 10 percent of their classes may be invited to become members of Phi Kappa Phi. New LSU Phi Kappa Phi members are initiated and honored in the spring semester each year and wear identifying ribbons on their academic gowns at commencement exercises. Additional information about the Society may be found at www.phikappaphi.org.