L&S+Degree+Issues

=L&S Requirements and Policies=

Degree Requirements
Geography and Cartography/GIS majors can pursue either BA or BS degrees. In 2007, the requirements for an L&S degree (both BA and BS) changed, and all majors who were matriculated that Fall will automatically be under those rules. Students who were here before that have the option to change from the old (1971) requirements to the "BABS07" requirements, and there have been several cases where the new requirements allow majors to graduate sooner (mostly due to the number of non-L&S elective credits the new requirements permit.)

Students can get advising in their L&S degree from the Academic & Career Advising Center: http://uas.ls.wisc.edu/academic_advising/gettingadvising.html

If a student **wants to change from BA to BS** (or vice versa), they should go to this form on the Student Academic Affairs website. Note they can only do this once!

Here is the basic breakdown of the requirements for BA and BS (effective 2007):

1 QR-A course 1 QR-B course 1 Ethnic St course 1 Comm-A course 1 Comm-B course || **General Ed Reqs:** (same) 1 QR-A course 1 QR-B course 1 Ethnic St course 1 Comm-A course 1 Comm-B course || None beyond QR-A and QR-B reqs || **Math:** 2 courses at I/A level of at least 3 cr -- includes Math, Comp Sci, Stat 1 language to 4th level OR 1 language to 3rd level + 1 language to 2nd level || **Foreign Language:** 1 language to 3rd level || 12 cr, including 6 cr of literature 12 cr 12 cr to include: 1 Biol Sci course of at least 3 cr 1 Phys Sci course of at least 3 cr || **Breadth:** 12 cr, including 6 cr of literature 12 cr 12 cr to include: 6 cr of Biol Sci 6 cr of Phys Sci || 60 cr of I/A work At least 1 major declared || **Depth:** (same) 60 cr of I/A work At least 1 major declared || 120 Total Credits 108 cr of Liberal Arts & Sciences classes (Designated C in Timetable) 30 cr in residence overall (this can include IAP study abroad) 30 cr in residence after the 90th cr Min. 2.0 GPA all around (in major, in all courses, in I/A/D-level both in major and all courses) || **Quantity & Quality of Work:** (same) 120 Total Credits 108 cr of Liberal Arts & Sciences classes (Designated C in Timetable) 30 cr in residence overall (this can include IAP study abroad) 30 cr in residence after the 90th cr Min. 2.0 GPA all around (in major, in all courses, in I/A/D-level both in major and all courses) ||
 * **BA** || **BS** ||
 * **General Ed Reqs:**
 * **Math:**
 * note, only 1 Comp Sci and 1 Stat class allowed for this req ||
 * **Foreign Language:**
 * **Breadth:**
 * Humanities** (L, H, X, Z):
 * Social Science** (S, W, Y, Z):
 * Natural Science** (B, P, N, W, X, Y):
 * Humanities** (L, H, X, Z): (same)
 * Social Science** (S, W, Y, Z): (same)
 * Natural Science** (B, P, N, W, X, Y):
 * **Depth:**
 * **Quantity & Quality of Work:**

For older requirements, check the archives of the [|Undergrad Catalog] for the year in which the student matriculated.

Important note about **non-L&S courses** that **may/may not count for our majors in L&S:** Under the 2007 requirements, L&S students may take some non-L&S courses. Some of these courses have been reviewed and meet L&S expectations for “Liberal Arts and Science” courses. All such courses – even the ones offered in L&S – will be designated with a “C” (“counts”) in the Timetable/Course Guide. Other non-L&S courses may or may not have a “T” designation (an artifact of the old 20-credit rule). Students should pay close attention to the "Additional Information" column in Course Guide -- specifically the part that says "L&S Credit Type". If **nothing** shows up there, **it will not count toward graduation under any circumstances.** (Although they might just take it for fun.) If they see a "C" or a "T" there, that means it will count for L&S degree credit. But they need to be careful! If "C" is the credit type, it counts with absolutely no restrictions. If "T" is the credit type, it counts, **but only a maximum of 20 "T" credits may be applied to an L&S BA/BS degree**.

Environmental Studies 401 (Schneider) carries C credit, for example. Urban & Regional Planning courses count as L&S because they are technically in L&S. **Always check the Course Guide when advising students about non L&S courses.** = = =Policies=

You may be able to find answers to your general college questions in the General Academic Information section of the Undergrad Catalog.

If you want more detail, you may find it in this copy of the most recent L&S Policy Book (probably the last edition of the PB published):

The bulk of the PB is useful only to L&S Deans, as you can see by the number of degree-level exceptions that appear -- but there are a few items of interest, particularly regarding Honors.

Here are a few selections dealing with common issues we have come across in advising Geography and Cartography/GIS majors.

**Concurrent and Summer Enrollment Off Campus:**
A student may request permission for concurrent enrollment at another institution from a Dean. The request should be made prior to the end of the second week of classes of the semester in which concurrent registration is initiated.

Courses carried by correspondence through Extension (Learning Innovations) or at other UW units may be carried "concurrently with residence program" with a dean's approval.

Edgewood College and UW-Madison have an agreement by which UW-Madison students may take courses at Edgewood College at UW-Madison tuition rates. It is recommended that students interested in the Collaborative Program meet with an Edgewood Admission’s representative so that any questions or concerns about the program can be addressed. Credits carried at Edgewood College do not count toward establishing fulltime (12 credits) student status on the UW-Madison campus.

Summer Session credits may be earned off the Madison Campus but only if they notify Admissions beforehand, and declare their work when they return to Madison. An official transcript must be sent to the Office of Admissions for evaluation. Prior to taking the courses, Admissions will, for each student, evaluate up to four summer courses at another school for transferability. Students may get a Summer Session Request form in the Admissions Office, in the Red Gym.

Grades:
Retaking a failed course is possible, but the F continues to be factored into the GPA.

Grades of CR (credit) or NC (no credit) do not affect a student’s grade point average. Geog 602 and 698 are the only undergrad courses in our department that are graded as CR/NC.

For students who audit a course, the letters “AU” are entered on the transcript and the course does not earn credit or affect the GPA.

For courses taken under the Pass/Fail option, the grade of “S” shall be recorded by the Registrar in place of instructor’s grades of A, AB, B, BC, or C. The grade of “U” will be recorded in place of the instructor’s grades of “D” or “F” and no credit will be granted. Neither “S” nor “U” will affect the student’s grade point average.

PROBATION SYSTEM (Effective First Semester 1983-84)
 * If a student is: || Action: ||
 * Not on Probation; earns a term GPA of 1.00--1.99 || PROBATION ||
 * Not on Probation; earns a term GPA of less than 1.00 || STRICT PROBATION ||
 * On Probation; earns a term GPA of 1.50--1.99 || STRICT PROBATION ||
 * On Probation; earns a term GPA of less than 1.50 || DROPPED FOR ONE YEAR ||
 * On Strict Probation; earns a term GPA of less than 2.00 || DROPPED FOR ONE YEAR ||

Pass/Fail:
Majors can't take any Geog course pass/fail that they need to count towards their major (if they have 30 cr. or more, and are simply taking electives, it would be OK.)


 * How it works on the faculty end**: instructor grades student as usual. The P/F status should not be known to him/her.


 * How it works on the student end:** to add P/F, the student goes to MyUW Student Center and selects the Course Change Request (instructions are [|here] on the 70 Bascom page) -- the whole process is online, no paper forms needed. The student receives a grade of “S” for passing (grade of C or better) or a “U” for failing (grade of D or F).