Undergraduate Education at The University of Tulsa
Through a wide range of courses and modes of learning, undergraduate education at The University of Tulsa challenges students to develop an appreciation of a liberal education, a breadth of knowledge, and the reasoning and communication skills that will enhance their ability to participate fully in contemporary society. Students enjoy not only diverse opportunities to participate in the scholarly process but also, through study in a major subject area or area of concentration, gain depth of understanding and proficiency in a particular subject.
Baccalaureate Degrees Awarded
The University of Tulsa offers the following undergraduate degrees:
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Education (B.A.D.E.)
Bachelor of Music (B.M.)
Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and
Bachelor of Science in the following fields:
Applied Mathematics (B.S.A.M.)
Athletic Training (B.S.A.T.)
Business Administration (B.S.B.A.)
Biochemistry (B.S.B.)
Biogeosciences (B.S.B.G.)
Chemical Engineering (B.S.Ch.E.)
Chemistry (B.S.C.)
Computer Science (B.S.C.S.)
Computer Simulation and Gaming (B.S.C.S.G.)
Electrical and Computer Engineering (B.S.E.C.E.)
Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.)
Engineering Physics (B.S.E.P.)
Exercise and Sports Science (B.S.E.S.S.)
Geophysics (B.S.G.P.)
Geosciences (B.S.G.S.)
Information Technology (B.S.I.T.)
International Business and Language (B.S.I.B.L.)
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)
Nursing (B.S.N.)
Petroleum Engineering (B.S.P.E.) and
Speech-language Pathology (B.S.S.P.).
Minors and Certificates
Students in all undergraduate colleges may complete minors and certificate programs which allow them to acquire proficiencies in a specialized area of study. Many of the hours that count toward a minor or certificate will also count toward the student’s general education and major requirements or as electives. A certificate program may also function unofficially as a minor. Certificates may be earned by individuals who already possess one or more college degrees or at the time of graduation with a bachelor’s degree, but will not be awarded prior to awarding of a bachelor’s degree.
The Tulsa Curriculum
Every undergraduate must fulfill the requirements of the Tulsa Curriculum, which has two parts: the core curriculum and the general curriculum. Most students complete the Tulsa Curriculum before beginning the junior year. The University Curriculum Committee exercises oversight of the Tulsa Curriculum.
The Core Curriculum
Core curriculum requirements in writing, mathematics, and languages include the development of fundamental intellectual skills that are not only immediately useful in helping students meet the requirements of general education courses but that also equip them with basic competencies.
It is presumed that all undergraduates enter the University with adequate computer skills. Short courses and workshops are available to students who want to improve their computer skills.
Writing
All undergraduates must take at least two writing courses. Students in The Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences take ENGL 1033 Exposition and Argumentation and FS 1973 First Seminar . Students in the The Collins College of Business , the The College of Engineering and Natural Sciences , and the The Oxley College of Health Sciences take ENGL 1033 Exposition and Argumentation and ENGL 3003 Writing for the Professions . Non-native speakers of English and other students who need developmental work in the fundamentals of writing, as evidenced by their test scores and performance on a diagnostic writing test, are required to enroll in ENGL 1004 Introduction to College Writing as a prerequisite for ENGL 1033 . Total: 6-10 hours.
Mathematics
All incoming undergraduates must complete, place out of, or show proficiency in MATH 1083 Contemporary Mathematics or another basic mathematics course certified by the University Curriculum Committee such as MATH 1093 Mathematics with Applications , MATH 1103 Basic Calculus , or MATH 1163 Pre-calculus Mathematics . Total: 0-3 hours.
Bachelor of Science students have additional requirements in math and computer science or computer applications.
For specific requirements of each degree program, consult the appropriate collegiate advising office.
Languages
Students in many degree programs are required to take a foreign language, as follows:
All Bachelor of Arts students must complete, place out of, or show proficiency in a foreign language through the second-year level. Total: 0-14 hours.
All Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education students must complete or show proficiency in a foreign language through the first-year level (1004-1014) and either continue the foreign language through the second level or take two additional courses from Blocks I and II in the general curriculum. Total: 0-14 hours.
All Bachelor of Science in Business Administration students must complete, place out of, or show proficiency in a modern foreign language through the first-year level (1004-1014). Total: 0-8 hours. The Collins College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Language which, in addition to the business core, requires language proficiency in French, German, Spanish, Russian or Chinese.
The General Curriculum
Because the development of knowledge involves collaboration with the past and engagement with the present, the general curriculum, through the blocks defined below, is structured to encourage this collaboration and engagement. Its goal is to lead students to a breadth of knowledge and intellectual rigor rooted in the academic disciplines. Reflecting the University’s commitment to writing through the curriculum, courses in the general curriculum typically require significant amounts of writing. These courses also emphasize original texts, wherever appropriate, as well as current scholarship.
This Bulletin and the Schedule of Courses for each semester specify course offerings in the general curriculum. In meeting the general curriculum requirement, a student may take no more than two courses from a single department. Course selection may be governed in part by a student’s prospective major. Except for students in the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences who are typically exempted from Block III, each student must complete 25 hours of general curriculum courses: six from Block I, twelve from Block II, and seven from Block III.
Block I (AICE): Aesthetic Inquiry and Creative Experience (6 hours)
Block I courses consider the human activities of making, thinking, and doing. Two different approaches are offered: those that involve students in the creative process through study in courses designed to produce or perform creative works; and those that investigate the nature of texts, works of art or music, or systems of thought.
Block II (HSI): Historical and Social Interpretation (12 hours)
Block II courses investigate and interpret how human thought and action - and the products of such thought and action - are shaped by social, historical, cultural, environmental, and/or psychological factors.
Block III (SI): Scientific Investigation (7 hours)
Block III courses focus on methods of investigation and explore the relationships among key concepts in the sciences. The process of scientific inquiry - including hypothesis generation, data collection, analysis, and modeling, use of technology and mathematics, and presentation of results - is fundamental to courses in this block. These courses may also consider the interrelationships among technical concepts and contemporary societal issues. At least one of each student’s Block III courses must include laboratory or field experiences that provide practical experience in inquiry.
Senior Requirement
Most undergraduates at The University of Tulsa complete their course of study with an intensive, rigorous, semester-long academic experience in the senior year. The nature of this requirement varies by discipline and may be a design project, a recital, an internship, or a specially designed interdisciplinary or major course. To determine the appropriate senior requirement, students should consult their faculty advisors or collegiate advising offices.
Interdisciplinary and Pre-professional Programs
Undergraduates at The University of Tulsa may expand their intellectual and professional opportunities by participating in a wide range of interdisiplinary educational and pre-professional programs including the Honors Program , the Global Scholars Program , the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge , Pre-med , and Pre-law .
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