Successful completion of Allegheny’s four-year program leads to the degree Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Students planning double or student-designed majors that include courses from different programs determine the appropriate degree in consultation with faculty.
In addition to appropriate courses and advising to prepare for law school and postgraduate study in the health professions (including medical school), the College also offers pre-professional programs in allied health fields, engineering, environmental studies, nursing and teacher certification through cooperative program arrangements; see the “Curricular Options ” section of this Bulletin for more information.
Courses offered are listed within a specific program. Not all courses are offered each year, and the College reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses for enrollment, staffing, or other reasons. Changes in staffing may also be necessary. Places in courses cannot be guaranteed other than by the established registration procedures. There may be minor variation in course content or approach from the Bulletin course description if the instructor deems it appropriate. Each academic year, the courses to be offered and the semester in which they are taught is made available on-line via Self-Service.
Course Classification and Distribution Requirements
Programs (majors and minors) are grouped into the following six areas of study:
Interdisciplinary Studies
Black Studies, Chinese Studies, Community and Justice Studies, Education Studies, Energy and Society, Environmental Science and Sustainability, Global Health Studies, Integrative Informatics, International Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin and Caribbean Studies, Middle East and North African Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Languages, Literature, and Culture
Arabic, English, French, German, Journalism in the Public Interest, Spanish
Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Astronomy, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Business, Economics, Political Science, Psychology
Values and Societies
Classical Studies, Communication and Cultural Studies, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Art, Science, and Innoovation, Dance and Movement Studies, Music, Studio Art, Theatre
The General Education requirements are satisfied by taking one course (four credits) that covers each of the eight Distribution Requirements. Courses that satisfy each Distribution Requirement are indicated in the course description using the following letter codes:
- CL: Civic Learning
- HE: Human Experience
- IP: International and Intercultural Perspectives
- ME: Modes of Expression
- PD: Power, Privilege, and Difference
- QR: Quantitative Reasoning
- SB: Social Behavior and Institutions
- SP: Scientific Process and Knowledge
Courses for which no codes are listed do not satisfy any Distribution Requirements; these include FS courses, Junior Seminars, Internships, and Senior Projects as well as Special Topics courses numbered in the 90’s (see “The Numbering System,” below).
The Credit System
All courses carry four semester hours of credit unless otherwise specified in the course description.
The Numbering System
Courses have a prefix of up to 5 letters that designates the program a course is associated with (i.e. BLKST for Black Studies, WGSS for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, etc.) followed by a number. Courses are numbered as follows:
001–299: Primarily for first-year students and sophomores
- 190–199*: Special topics, primarily for first-year students and sophomores, offered once or twice.
- 290–299*: Special topics, primarily for first-year students and sophomores, offered once or twice.
300–589: Advanced, primarily for juniors and seniors
- 390–399*: Special topics, advanced level, offered once or twice.
- 490–499*: Special topics, advanced level, primarily for juniors and seniors, offered once or twice.
- 500–539: Undergraduate internships
- 540–549: Internship seminars
- 550–589: Junior/Senior seminars
590–593: Supervised independent work (see specific descriptions below). On rare occasions, a course numbered in the 590 range may be a student’s only option for completing a College curricular requirement. In such cases, the instructor should contact the Registrar before the course begins and must document how the course satisfies the intention of the requirement it will be used to fulfill.
590 Independent Study
An independent study or research experience. The student independently pursues a topic or project of interest with guidance from a faculty member. Students meet one-on-one with the faculty mentor on a regular basis and also complete independent readings, laboratory work, or comparable activities. Credit: One to four semester credit hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
591 Group Study
Group study or research with faculty guidance. A group of students meets together with a faculty member on a regular basis to pursue a topic in depth. Students typically complete a set of common readings and assignments. Credit: One to four semester credit hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
592 Teaching in the Elementary or Secondary Schools
A field experience in education during which students work with teachers and students in elementary or secondary schools. Relevant readings, as well as discussions with the instructor and the supervising teacher, provide the background and context for the fieldwork. Students are required to keep a reflective journal and to complete a culminating project based on their experiences in the classroom. Credit: Two to four semester credit hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
593 Peer Mentoring
Structured work to enhance learning by other students who are enrolled in a regular course. To receive academic credit, peer mentors are expected to complete assignments other than those assigned in the course and to reflect on the peer-leadership experience. Credit: One to four semester credit hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
600–630: Senior Project
Registration for the senior project requires instructor permission in all cases.
- 600. First semester of two-semester senior project. Credit: One to four semester credit hours; varies by department.
- 610. Second semester of two-semester senior project. Credit: One to four semester credit hours; varies by department.
- 620. One-semester senior project. Credit: four semester credit hours.
- 630. One-semester senior project offered in a seminar format. Credit: four semester credit hours.
“Community Engaged” Course Section Designation
Courses with Section Numbers designated as “E” indicate that the course has a required community engagement component. These courses are designated as an “E” in order to help students make informed decisions about the courses that they select. The “E” courses have received this designation by fitting with the following criteria.
- Criterion 1: Integrated Learning: The engagement activity(s) and the course content/learning objectives complement each other. The learning experience involves interactive partnership with community through students working directly with community members, organizations, and/or issues.
- Criterion 2: Identified Community Issues and/or Needs: The engagement activity(s) implemented within the course correlates to a community need or issue – it is imperative that the community needs are identified by or in collaboration with the community partner.
- Criterion 3: Reflection: Students reflect, through written work or other forms of evaluation, on the application of the engagement activity(s) as they relate to the course content.
- Criterion 4: Course Pedagogies: Course utilizes an engaged pedagogy such as: Issue/Problem/ Policy-Based Learning, Service-Learning or Community-Based Learning, Action Research or Community-Based Research, Public Scholarship.
Questions about designating a course as E should be directed to the Civic Engagement Ad hoc Committee.
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