Undergraduate Programs Choos ing an Undergraduate Major
required. These should be included in the tentative semester by semester plan.
Every student should choose a major by the end of the sopho- more year so that he or she may complete the major requirements in a timely fashion. To help students, the university has available a number of useful resources to assist in making the decision: academic advisors, careers counselors, First-Year Seminar classes conducted during the first semester of attendance, curriculum charts detailing the academic requirements for each program, and various fliers and brochures produced by each department. The task of selecting a major (and often a minor or other compli- mentary specializations) becomes one of crystallizing ideas on the basis of experiences in specific courses, discussions with other students, staff and faculty. Faculty advising is a service offered to students; however each student is responsible for choosing courses and fulfilling graduation requirements. Students must plan freshman or sophomore programs which will permit them to enter or take advanced courses in fields they may want to pursue. They should be sure to begin or complete require- ments such as mathematics, chemistry or a foreign language early in their academic careers. Students anticipating graduate or professional study should exercise special care in planning undergraduate programs and seek faculty counseling in the field of interest. Advance examination of the possibilities of graduate or professional study will be helpful to students who have clear educational and vocational objectives.
Some departments require an application to the department and acceptance; and or placement tests prior to admission to classes. The times and places for the tests are determined by the depart- ment. Students should contact departments for testing times.
Change of Major or Degree To change a major or degree a student must:
Undergraduate •
Obtain the form from the Office of the Registrar and obtain the signatures from your current and new majors, or
• If changing a degree program in another school, submit a full application.
Graduate •
If changing a degree program at the same degree level within a school, submit a letter to the Office of Admission, or
• If changing a degree program in another school, submit a full application.
Major changes are effective the following semester after the receiving and processing of the student request by the Office of the Registrar. A student may not avoid a requirement of Admission by a change in status. Whenever a student changes major or degree, they follow the catalog for the academic year in which they make the change. A student must be in good standing in the current major / degree program before requesting a change. Students are not allowed to change programs while on probation in their current program. They must clear their present academic status before changing to a new degree program. Double Degree Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 30 distinct units with 24 distinct upper division units in a second area of major studies. A minimum of 160 total units are required for graduation with a double degree. All prerequi- sites, supporting courses and departmental requirements for each major must be completed. The student must confer with the departments in which he will major and with the Office of the Registrar. Double Major A student may be graduated with two majors. The following infor- mation is for those pursuing two majors:
The student’s transcript cannot be altered to add a major or minor once the degree is completed.
Note:
Undeclared Majors Students who are uncertain about their primary educational or vocational goals may enroll as undeclared majors. However, they should consult an advisor in the Academic Advising Office prior to registration each semester. While most undeclared students will enroll in primarily general education and Biblical Studies requirements, many general education requirements are “major specific” and should be chosen with possible majors in mind. A student should not plan to stay “undeclared” for more than three semesters. Planning a Major Program When students have selected a major field, they should study all the requirements that are specified in this catalog under their cho- sen degree program. They should make a tentative semester by semester plan for completing the requirement including prerequi- sites and discuss this plan with an advisor in the major.
In addition to courses in the major department, related courses in other fields and supporting courses in basic skills may also be
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General Information
Biola University
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