Students are expected to maintain regular progress toward the baccalaureate degree by carrying the "normal" course load--between 12 and 18 credit hours each semester. Each student is expected to complete the baccalaureate degree by attending four consecutive years and eight semesters. They may, however, wish to accelerate the pace toward graduation by using advanced placement credits, summer session study, and receiving credit for courses through examination. Students will have a limit of 8 calendar years to complete the requirements for the bachelor's degree. Students may petition the Committee on Standing of Students for up to a one-year leave of absence for special circumstances beyond their control.
Students in good academic standing earn their degrees by meeting the requirements of their specific degree curriculum as well as general university requirements. Students should confer with their advisers on matters related to curriculum.
Students are expected to satisfy the credit-hour requirements of their chosen curriculum. Basic military science credit hours are in addition to the credit hours specified in the curricula. A maximum of six credit hours of advanced military science courses may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree.
To be eligible to receive a Lehigh baccalaureate degree, the candidate must have completed either a minimum of 90 credit hours in residence, or all of the last 30 credit hours at the University or in residency programs.
The university's five-year, two-degree programs enable a student to receive two bachelor degrees upon completion of five years of study.
The civil engineering and earth and environmental sciences program that affords two bachelor degrees, and the electrical engineering and engineering physics two-degree program are examples of programs in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Some five-year, two-degree programs appear in the description of courses under Arts-Engineering and Five-Year Programs in Section V. It is possible to arrange for a dual bachelor degree program even after studying at Lehigh for some time. Engineering students, for example, who decide at any stage of study that they wish to meet the requirements for both the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree may complete the combined requirements in five years if the decision is made before the third year.
Second degree candidates-A student entering Lehigh to obtain a second bachelor's degree, or those Lehigh students who wish to declare a second major in another college, or both a B.A. and a B.S. degree within the College of Arts and Sciences must have a minimum of 30 additional credit hours beyond the first degree credit-hour requirements in order to qualify for the second degree. All of the 30 additional credit hours must be taken at Lehigh or in Lehigh residency programs. All special second degree programs must be approved by the dean of the college in which the degree is to be offered and the Standing of Students Committee.
Every undergraduate is assigned a faculty adviser. Undeclared majors in the College of Business and Economics are assigned to the undergraduate adviser and a student mentor. Until the major is declared, assistance is also available through the dean's office of the college in which the student is enrolled. When the major has been chosen, a faculty member from the major department will act as the academic adviser.
This adviser is one of the most valuable resources in the educational process, not only to assist in making academic selections to match the student's particular background, interests, and future objectives, but also to identify program options, to work out an academic pace, and to develop career planning strategies. The adviser will help to identify other resources and support systems available at the university, such as The Learning Center, the counseling service, and the Office of Career Services.
The university has adopted over the years numerous rules and regulations. Some of the principal rules and regulations are given here so that currently enrolled and potential undergraduates and graduate students will be apprised of what is expected of them, and what they can expect of the university.
This section concerns academic regulations. Additional regulations can be found in the Lehigh Handbook, and there is a comprehensive statement of all policy in the publication Rules and Procedures of the Faculty. All students are given a Handbook at the beginning of the fall semester; Rules and Procedures is available on Lehigh's Web site.
In order to be graduated, a candidate for a baccalaureate degree must achieve a minimum cumulative average of 2.00.
To be eligible for a degree, a student must not only have completed all of the scholastic requirements for the degree, but also must have paid all university fees, and in addition all bills for the rental of rooms in the residence halls or in other university housing facilities. Payment also must have been made for damage to university property or equipment, or for any other indebtedness for scholarship loans or for loans from trust funds administered by the university.
Responsibility for meeting academic requirements.
Each student is responsible for his or her progress toward meeting specific requirements for graduation. Academic advisers and department chairs are available to assist the student. It is strongly recommended that the student specifically consult with his or her adviser prior to the senior year to ascertain eligibility for the degree for which he or she desires to qualify and to determine that all program and hours requirements are met.
The registrar's office will provide, at the student's request, a printout of a degree audit noting all program deficiencies. The degree audits are also available on the web for all undergraduate students. All students are requested to go through this process before registering for their senior year.
Final date for completion of requirements. For graduation, all requirements, scholastic and financial, must have been satisfied prior to the date stated in the university calendar.
Candidates for graduation on University Day in May must file with the registrar on or before March 1 a written notice of candidacy for the degree; candidates for graduation in September file a notice of candidacy on or before July 1; candidates for graduation in January file a notice of candidacy on or before November 1.
Failure to file such notice by such dates mentioned debars the candidate from receiving the degree at the ensuing graduation exercises. If a petition for late filing is granted, but before deadline to complete all requirements, a fee is assessed.
The original of the undergraduate thesis, when required, is accompanied by drawings and diagrams whenever the subject needs such illustration. The original is kept by the university, as a part of the student's record, for future reference; but copies may be retained by students and may be published, provided permission has first been obtained from the faculty.
A "semester hour," used interchangeably with "credit hour," is a course unit normally involving three to four hours of student effort per week during one semester. This includes both in-class contact hours and out-of-class activities. The major parameters influencing the in-class/out-of-class division include the mode of instruction and the level of the course.
Latest date for registration. No registration is accepted later than the tenth day of instruction in any semester, or fifth day of a summer session.
Definitions of grades. Course grades are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, P, F, N, X and Z. The meaning of each grade is as follows: A, A-, excellent; B+, B, and B-, good; C+ and C, competent; C-, continuation competency (the student has achieved the level of proficiency needed for the course to satisfy prerequisite requirements); D+, D, and D-, passing, but performance is not adequate to take any subsequent course which has this course as a prerequisite. The student must petition to waive a prerequisite. Upon presentation of evidence of substantially equivalent preparation and with the approval of the instructor of the course, the teaching department chair and the chair of the major department, the prerequisite will be waived. P, pass-fail grading with a grade equivalent to D- or higher; F, failing; N, incomplete; X, absent from the final examination; Z, absent from the final examination and incomplete.
Other symbols used for courses on student records are: Cr, credit allowed; NCR- no credit, W, withdrawn; WP, withdrawn with permission and with passing performance at the time of withdrawal; WF, withdrawn beyond the deadline and/or with failing performance.
Grades in the range of A through D-, P, and Cr may be credited toward baccalaureate degrees within the limits of program requirements. Grades of F, N, X, Z, W, WP, and WF cannot be credited toward the degree. Grades of W and WP do not count as hours attempted.
Courses in which grades of D+, D, D-, F, NCR, W, WF, N, X, or Z are recorded do not meet prerequisite requirements.
The grade N (grade) may be used to indicate that one or more course requirements (e.g., course report) have not been completed. It is the obligation of the student to explain to the satisfaction of the instructor that there are extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness or emergency) that justify the use of the N grade. If the instructor feels the N grade is justified, he or she assigns a grade of N supplemented by a parenthetical letter grade, (e.g., NA9). In such cases, the instructor calculates the parenthetical grade by assigning an F (or zero score) for any incomplete work unless he or she has informed the class in writing at the beginning of the course of a substitute method for determining the default grade.
In each case in which an N grade is given, the course instructor shall provide written notification to the department chairperson stating the name of the student receiving the grade, the reason for the incomplete work, the work to be done for the removal of the N grade and the grade for the work already completed.
A student who incurs an N grade in any course is required to complete the work for the course by the fifth day of instruction in the next regular semester. The N grade will be converted into the parenthetical grade after the tenth day of instruction in the next regular semester following receipt of the N grade unless the instructor has previously changed the grade using the removal-of-incomplete procedure. The parenthetical grade will be dropped from the transcript after the assignment of the course grade.
In no case shall the grade N be used to report absence from a final examination when all other course requirements have been met.
N grades do not count as hours attempted and are not used in computations of cumulative averages.
The grade X (grade) is used to indicate absence from the final examination when all other course requirements have been met. The grade in parentheses is determined by including in the grade calculation an F (or zero score) for the missing final exam. The X grade may be removed by a make-up examination if the absence was for good cause (e.g., illness or other emergency). To be eligible for the make-up exam, the student must file a petition and the petition must be approved by the Committee on the Standing of Students. If the student fails to petition, or if the petition is not granted, or if the student fails to appear for the scheduled make-up examination, then the X grade will be converted into the parenthetical grade after the first scheduled make-up examination following the receipt of the X grade. If the petition is granted and the final examination is taken, the X grade will be changed by the instructor using the make-up examination procedures and the parenthetical grade will be dropped from the transcript.
Where valid reasons exist for not taking the make-up examination at the scheduled time, the student may petition for a later examination with a fee. A students grade that was originally assigned an N, X, or Z grade when converted or computed will be noted with an '*' asterisk prefix.
The grade Z (grade) is used to indicate both absence from the final examination and incompletion of one or more course requirements. The instructor calculates the parenthetical grade using an F (or zero score) for the final examination and either an F (or zero score) or the substitute method of calculation as described above for the incomplete work.
The Z grade may be removed by the procedures presented in the previous paragraph for removing the X grade. If this results in an N grade because the course work is still incomplete, the provisional Incomplete (N grade) above shall apply, except that in no case shall the deadline for completion of the work be later than the last day of classes in the first full semester in residence (except summer) following receipt of the Z grade.
X and Z grades do not count as hours attempted and are not used in computations of cumulative averages.
Where failure to complete coursework prevents the student from taking the make-up examination at the scheduled time, the student may petition the Committee on the Standing of Students for a later examination.
A Z grade that is still outstanding after the tenth day of instruction in the next academic-year semester following receipt of the Z grade will be converted into the parenthetical grade. The parenthetical grade will be dropped from the transcript.
The notation of NR (not reported) is temporarily placed in a student record when due to circumstances, no grade was reported by the instructor by the established deadline.
Scholastic Averages and Probation
Scholastic requirements for undergraduate students are expressed in terms of the cumulative grade point average (GPA)-the weighted average of all grades received in residence or at institutions specifically approved for grade transfer. The cumulative GPA is computed at the end of each semester and the second summer session. Following are the cumulative GPA requirements for good standing:
freshmen 1st semester 0 to 22 credits earned |
1.70 |
|
sophomores 23 to 51 |
1.80 |
|
juniors and seniors more than 52 |
2.00 |
|
For computational purposes students who have completed 22 or fewer earned hours shall be required to achieve a 1.70 cumulative grade point average. Students who have completed 23 but fewer than 52 earned hours at the end of the most recent graded term shall be required to achieve a 1.80 cumulative grade point average. Students who have completed 53 earned hours at the end of the most recent graded term shall be required to achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average. Other undergraduates including all General College Division, Lehigh Valley Association of Independent College cross registered students, high school scholars and R.O.T.C. students will be required to achieve a 2.0 cumulative grade point average - the minimum average required for graduation - to remain in good academic standing.
Any undergraduate student who achieves a 1.69 or lower cumulative grade point average in a given term is eligible to be reviewed by and may be placed on probation or dropped for poor scholarship at the discretion of the Committee on the Standing of Students.
Students who do not meet the above requirements will be placed on scholastic probation. Students who, regardless of their cumulative average, have failed more than eight hours of course work in any semester are also placed on scholastic probation.
While there is no specific credit hour requirement for good standing, certain categories of students (e.g., those on financial aid and those playing intercollegiate athletics) will be expected to maintain whatever hours are required for eligibility.
Removal from probation. Students are removed from probation at such time as they meet the standard listed above, effective at the end of any semester or the second summer session.
Dropped for poor scholarship. A student who makes a 2.2 GPA or better in the probationary semester but fails to meet the standards stipulated is continued on probation for another semester. A student who makes less than a 2.2 GPA in the probationary semester and fails to meet the standards stipulated above, is dropped for poor scholarship.
If a student goes on scholastic probation for a second (although not necessarily consecutive) term, a review by the Committee on the Standing of Students will determine whether the student will continue on scholastic probation or be dropped for poor scholarship.
Withdrawal From a Course. A student dropping a course within the first ten days of the semester (five days for summer sessions) will have no record of the course on the transcript. A student dropping all courses for which he or she is registered is considered to be withdrawing from the university and the policy is noted below. A student who drops a course with the approval of his/her advisor and section instructor after the tenth day of instruction and before the end of the eleventh week of instruction will have a grade of "W" assigned to the course. A student who drops a course with the approval of his/her advisor and section instructor after the eleventh week of instruction and before the end of classes receives a "WP" or "WF" at the discretion of the instructor. A "WF" is considered to be a failing grade. An Add/Drop form signed by the student's advisor must be submitted to the registrar's office, before the deadlines noted above, to be official. No course may be dropped after the last day of classes during a term as noted in the University Calendar.
University Withdrawal. A student withdrawing from the university (dropping all courses during a given term) must submit the withdrawal form to the dean of students office. Withdrawal after registration day and during the first 11 weeks of instruction will be noted on the academic transcript by assigning a grade of "W" to all courses. A withdrawal after the eleventh week of instruction and before the end of classes will have the grade of "WP" or "WF" assigned for each course at the discretion of the instructor. The date of the withdrawal will be noted on the academic transcript for a withdrawal at any time during the term.
A student who reduces his or her course load below the minimum required for standing as a full-time student, but does not withdraw from the university, becomes a part-time student for the rest of that semester. Some areas affected by part-time status are financial aid, athletic eligibility, veterans affairs, immigration status, insurance and loan deferment.
Release of Final Grades. Grades for undergraduate students are available from the registrar as soon as possible following the deadline for reporting of grades on line using the secure access facility. Undergraduates students who would like a grade report must submit the request in writing to the Registrar's Office each term. Instructors may develop their own policies for release of unofficial reports of academic progress to individual students, or to their advisers, deans, or financial aid officers, on a need-to-know basis, including early release of unofficial final course grades. Any such policies must respect the rights of students to privacy.
Repeating of courses. If a course is repeated, the final grade received upon repetition of the course is counted in the cumulative average. The original grade and credit hours received will be dropped from the cumulative average. However, a student who fails a repeated course after receiving a passing grade the first time will have the original grade deleted from his or her average, but will retain credit for the course toward graduation. Students must inform the Registrar to assure credit is applied to the degree.
A grade that was originally received in a course may not be changed by repeating the course under the pass-fail option.
Students repeating a course that has been graded C or better may not overload (greater than eighteen credits) during that term. For deletion of a grade from the cumulative average after repeating a course, a student must (a) file the deletion form with the registrar's Office; and (b) repeat the identical course with a final grade at Lehigh.
Student Option System. The pass-fail grading option is intended to encourage undergraduate students to take challenging courses outside the major field that otherwise might be avoided for fear of lowering grade-point averages. Students are not permitted to take courses numbered below 100 and over 400 using the optional pass/fail grading system and should avoid wasting this option on unsuitable courses, such as courses having no college-level prerequisite or corequisite. The restrictions on the use of the system are listed below.
A student may register for no more than one course pass-fail numbered above 100 and below 400 in any one semester. Students should check the pass/fail restrictions for specific courses noted in section V of the catalog. He or she may take a maximum of six courses pass-fail per undergraduate career if the student is on a four-year program, or a maximum of eight courses per undergraduate career with a five-year, two-degree program. If a student changes a course after the first ten days of instruction from pass-fail grading to regular grading, as provided below, that course shall still count toward the maximum number of courses taken pass-fail during the student's undergraduate career.
Each college faculty shall decide under what conditions and which courses or categories of courses throughout the university may be taken for pass-fail credit by students registered in that college, except for courses designated specifically for pass-fail grading. Each college shall keep the educational policy committee advised of changes in its rules.
A student designates the course(s) to be taken pass-fail normally at preregistration but not later than the fifteenth day of instruction in a regular semester or the fifth day of instruction in any summer session. Prior to this deadline, the student may transfer from pass-fail to regular grading, or vice-versa, without penalty. The courses designated for pass-fail grading by the student require the written acknowledgment of the academic adviser.
Since the instructor giving the course is not officially notified which students are taking the course pass-fail, a regular letter grade is reported to the Registrar for the pass-fail students. The Registrar then records "P" for reported letter grades from A through D-, and "F" for a reported letter grade of F.
Under this system, the student surrenders his or her equity to letter grades of A through D-, except as specified below. A grade of P applies to the student's graduation requirements but is not used in the computation of the cumulative average; whereas an F grade is included in the cumulative grade point average.
If a student changes his or her program such that a course previously taken for pass-fail grading is not allowed for pass-fail grading in the new program, the student must submit a petition to the Committee on the Standing of Students requesting acceptance by the new program of the pass-fail grading for that course, or substitution of the original letter grade submitted by the instructor for the pass-fail grade, or the substitution of another course for the course taken pass-fail. The recommendation of the adviser must accompany the petition.
Transfer of credit from other institutions is the responsibility of the Registrar. Any students planning to take work at other institutions in the United States or elsewhere should initially check with the Registrar on policies and procedures. Full time students may not be concurrently enrolled at any other institution, except for the LVAIC Consortium cross registered courses, without the advanced approval of the Committee on Standing of Students. Transfer of grades from institutions other than the LVAIC System is not possible.
A student who is in good academic standing and has not failed any courses in the previous term may be admitted as an auditor in not more than one course, which shall be outside the curriculum requirements. Application for such admission is by petition approved by the departmental chair and the Standing of Students Committee. In no case shall a student who has attended a course as an auditor be given an anticipatory examination for credit or register for the same course in the future. A student completing a course in this manner will have the course and the notation AU indicated on the permanent record. A student rostered on an audit basis may be withdrawn from the course with a grade of W for poor attendance. Audit courses do not count toward full-time status.
The Review-Consultation-Study (RCS) period is intended to provide a few days for informal academic work between the end of the formal instruction period and the beginning of the final examinations.
It is expected that students will use this period to consolidate their command of the material in their courses. Faculty members make themselves available to their students at announced times during this period.
No quiz or exam may be given during the last five class days before final examination period begins.
Beginning with all new degree seeking students in the Fall of 2004 or any students graduating in the Spring of 2008, degrees with honors are awarded by vote of the university faculty to those students who have attained an average of not less than 3.40 in a minimum of 90 credit hours in residence at Lehigh University or in programs approved by the faculty to have grades and credit accepted toward the undergraduate degree.
Degrees with high honors are awarded by vote of the university faculty to those students who have attained an average of not less than 3.60 in a minimum of 90 credit hours in residence at Lehigh University or in programs approved by the faculty to have grades and credit accepted toward the undergraduate degree.
Degrees with highest honors are awarded by vote of the university faculty to those students who have attained an average of not less than 3.80 in a minimum of 90 credit hours in residence at Lehigh University or in programs approved by the faculty to have grades and credit accepted toward the undergraduate degree.
For the purposes of graduation honors calculations, courses taken more than once at Lehigh will only have the most recent grade used in the calculation. Courses taken under the cross-registration policy of the LVAIC, the Washington Semester and the Urban Studies semester program will be used.
Students who spend part of their career at another institution, or are transfer admits to degree programs and have fewer than ninety hours of in residency courses, may qualify for graduation honors under the following conditions:
The student must have at least sixty credit hours of regularly graded (not pass/fail) courses that meet the residency requirement. The graduation honors category is determined by the lower of the two averages computed as follows: (1) the average of grades received at Lehigh; (2) the average of all grades received at Lehigh and grades for courses taken elsewhere for a regular grade and that are appropriate to be considered for transfer to Lehigh, or in provisionally approved study abroad programs.
Many departments offer honors work adapted to its curriculum for students who wish to demonstrate unusual academic ability and interest in exploring a chosen field through independent study and research. The precise nature of the program for each student is determined by the academic major department, but may include: unscheduled work or independent study, participation in graduate (400-level) courses, and an honors thesis or project.
Qualified candidates should inform their academic advisers by the end of the junior year of their intention to work for departmental honors. The adviser will give the college and the registrar names of seniors working for departmental honors in particular majors. Names of those students attaining departmental honors are published in the commencement program.
Sophomores may apply for acceptance into the Eckhardt College Scholars Program, which offers unique opportunities for those qualified to develop their critical faculties and intellectual interests.
There are at least 18 honor and course societies. The three best-known are:
Phi Beta Kappa. The oldest honor society in the United States is represented at Lehigh by the Beta chapter of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the 27th oldest chapter in the nation. The chapter's council considers for invitation into its membership those students in each of Lehigh's three undergraduate colleges who satisfy the following profile:
Please note: Satisfaction of this profile guarantees consideration by the Phi Beta Kappa council; it does not guarantee election to Phi Beta Kappa. Any undergraduate who has questions about any of the items in this profile should contact Prof. Scott Gordon, Executive Secretary of Lehigh's chapter. Office phone: 610-758-3320; e-mail: spg4@lehigh.edu
Beta Gamma Sigma. Election to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest scholastic honor that a student in business administration can achieve. Beta Gamma Sigma is the only national honorary scholarship society in the field of business administration recognized by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.
Tau Beta Pi. Tau Beta Pi recognizes high achievement in all engineering curricula. The national Tau Beta Pi was founded at Lehigh in 1885. A bronze marker in front of Williams Hall commemorates this event.
Among course societies are the following: Alpha Pi Mu, for those in industrial engineering; Beta Alpha Psi, accounting; Chi Epsilon, civil engineering; Eta Kappa Nu, electrical engineering; Lambda Mu Sigma, marketing; Omicron Delta Epsilon, economics; Omicron Delta Kappa, leadership; Order of the Omega, leadership in Greek activities; Phi Alpha Theta, history; Phi Beta Delta, international; Phi Eta Sigma, freshman scholastic excellence; Pi Tau Sigma, mechanical engineering; Psi Chi, psychology; Sigma Tau Delta, English; and Sigma Xi, research.
The Eckardt Scholars Program is a university-wide honors program designed for students who show outstanding academic promise or unusual creativity. It is a highly selective program, restricted to a small number of especially qualified students, some of whom are enrolled at the time of admission to the university and the rest as first-semester sophomores. Entering freshmen may join the program at the invitation of the Eckardt Scholars Advisory Council. Applications from sophomores are evaluated by the Advisory Council on the basis of their academic records and written statements of educational goals, and recommendations from two faculty members.
The Program allows students to engage in scholarly work of an advanced nature. Participants are obliged to obtain the same number of credits as other members of their colleges, including at least two Eckardt Scholars Seminars, and pursue departmental or interdisciplinary majors. With the exception of students in some disciplines, they are released from distribution requirements and, if necessary, modifications may be made in major requirements. Responsibility for the student's over-all program lies with the director who cooperates closely with the major adviser. In the final two years, the student receives up to twelve credits for work with a faculty member, leading to a senior project of substantial dimensions. This can take whatever form is appropriate to the nature of the subject. Seniors present accounts of their projects at the annual Eckardt Scholars graduation dinner and are eligible for the George B. Lemmon Prize, which is presented annually to members whose academic performance has been outstanding. The award of Eckardt Scholars graduation honors is subject to the recommendation of the program director (Prof. Ian Duffy, 340 Maginnes Hall) and the chair in the major field.
In addition to the academic privileges of the program, Eckardt Scholars are offered a variety of extracurricular opportunities. These include invitations to meet visiting speakers, informal meetings with faculty members, dinners, lectures, plays, musical events, and other cultural activities in the Lehigh Valley and nearby cities. For a listing of courses and Advisory Council members, see the Eckardt Scholars Program entry, section V.
Anne S. Meltzer, dean; Barbara H. Traister, associate dean; Augustine Ripa, Jr., associate dean; Sharon M. Friedman, associate dean.
Under the name "School of General Literature," the College of Arts and Sciences was a part of the original plan of the University. Although its aims have remained constant over the years, the means employed to achieve those aims have been adapted to the changing times. The main purpose of the undergraduate programs in the College is to prepare each student for the exercise of individual responsibility in the affairs of mature life. We seek to prepare students for life-long commitment to the public trust of a privileged education. The College faculty recognizes three distinguishing characteristics of an educated person: the ability to think and communicate in a disciplined manner, the ability and willingness to make discerning judgments, and the capacity to apply one's creative imagination. The well-educated person accepts that continuous learning is the basis for making agile adaptations in one's contributions to enterprise, family, and community in response to changing circumstances and that making such well-adapted contributions is the true path to personal growth and fulfillment. In order to achieve the College's purpose, the College faculty shares with the student facts and ideas and guides the student in transforming the raw material of facts and ideas into knowledge and understanding. Students in the College develop new habits of mind that characterize the liberal arts education, such as testing assumptions, questioning authority, respecting evidence, and probing the unknown with curiosity and an open mind. Those habits prepare our graduates to thrive in an uncertain world. We also expect students to discipline their use of time and to master the fundamentals of rational discourse and scholarly inquiry. The basic elements of the Arts and Sciences education remain what they have been for generations of liberal arts students-comprehensive study of the broad domains of knowledge and the development of expertise in one domain.
The College of Arts and Sciences offers several curricular options:
Teacher preparation
Specific requirements for many of the degree programs described in this section may be found in Section V.
Two distinct bachelor-degree programs are offered by the College, each distinguished mainly by the proportion of courses taken in the major field. For the Bachelor of Arts degree the student takes a comparatively smaller number of courses to fulfill the major requirements plus a selection of courses in various fields outside the major. For the more professionally oriented Bachelor of Science degree, offered by the College in designated disciplines, the student takes a more extensive concentration in the major field, along with a proportionally smaller number of courses outside the major. Except for this distinction, the same basic requirements must be met for both degree programs (including the minimum number of 121 hours for graduation and the minimum average in the major of 2.0). No more than six hours of military science may be applied toward either degree.
Humanities: architectural history, architecture, art, art history, Asian studies, classical civilization, classics, design arts, English, modern languages and literature (French, German and Spanish), music, music composition, philosophy, religion studies, theatre
Social Sciences: Africana studies, American studies, anthropology, cognitive science, economics, environmental studies, global studies, history, international relations, IR/MLL joint major, journalism, journalism/science writing, political science, psychology, STS (science, technology and society), sociology/social psychology, sociology and anthropology, urban studies, women's studies
Mathematics and Natural Science: Astronomy, behavioral neuroscience, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental science, mathematics, molecular biology, physics
BA degrees in predental science, premedical science, or preoptometry science are available to students who are admitted to certain combined degree programs (see Health Professions Programs).
Astrophysics, behavioral neuroscience, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and environmental science, mathematics, molecular biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, physics, psychology, statistics
Students in the College are required to choose - usually by the end of the sophomore year - a major field and to complete a program of courses, selected in consultation with the student's adviser, to provide the breadth that is the mark of a liberal education. For most students, the credits earned for the major and those earned for the distribution requirements are not enough to meet the graduation requirement of 121, and students take free elective courses in areas of interest to earn the remaining credits. Three schemes of courses - one in the student's area of concentration (the major-field requirements), a second set drawn from certain designated disciplines (the distribution requirements representing the minimum set), and a third set without constraints (the free electives) - make up the educational program in the College.
By majoring in a specific discipline, a student establishes a foundation of knowledge in that field, learns to frame its particular kind of questions, and starts to apply its traditional body of knowledge. By submitting to increasingly challenging and complex exercises in a distinct discipline over several semesters under the guidance of mature practitioners, the student can start to feel the rewards of intellectual mastery of a subject. The student thus experiences the gratification of developing expertise and intellectual sophistication.
Along with introductory courses in the discipline, the minimum number of credits for the major is 30. The student must maintain a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 in the major field.
Standard major sequences. When a student chooses one of the standard majors, a faculty member from the department or program offering the major becomes a student's major adviser and assists the student in constructing a program of study. In all cases, the final responsibility for meeting both major and non-major requirements rests with the student.
Special interdisciplinary majors. In addition to the standard major programs, specially structured interdisciplinary major sequences between majors are possible. For example, a student interested in a professional school of urban or regional planning might wish to structure a special major consisting primarily of courses in political science and economics or in economics and social relations.
Any student may, with the aid of faculty members chosen from the disciplines involved, devise an interdisciplinary major program to include not less than thirty credits of related course work, of which at least 15 credits must consist of advanced courses. The major advisers and the dean of the college must approve the program.
Multiple majors and Double degrees. A student who wishes to fulfill the requirements for more than one major program has two options. A double major is a single BA degree with two majors (some students complete triple majors). A student pursues a double major by declaring both majors. Typically, double majors can be completed in four years, but sequencing of courses and time conflicts with required courses can introduce delays. No more than three courses may overlap two majors. A double degree program is a combined BA and BS program or two Bachelor of Science degrees in one or more of our undergraduate colleges. The BA is in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the BS may be in any one of the three undergraduate colleges. A student pursues a double degree by declaring the first program and then petitioning the standing of students committee for permission to pursue the second degree program. A special balance sheet and a major declaration for the second degree must accompany the petition to pursue a second degree. The double-degree student must satisfy major and distribution requirements for both degrees and earn a minimum of 30 additional credits beyond those required for the first degree. All of the 30 additional credits must be taken at Lehigh or in Lehigh residency programs. The requirement of 30 additional credits typically makes the double degree program a five-year program. There is no limit on the number of overlapping courses between two degrees, but there must be at least 30 credits of non-overlapping coursework in each degree program. For administrative purposes, students who take two degrees or two majors must designate one as the primary major or primary degree.
Whatever expertise in a single discipline an undergraduate may achieve, in the course of a lifetime, curiosity lures most of us beyond the confines of a single chosen specialty. Furthermore, in a swiftly changing world, careers are being rapidly redefined, and only a person of broad intellectual orientation can intelligently consider where one may be most useful to our society and find most personal gratification. Many of the basic modes of thought and work in various fields are being reformulated, often producing surprising influences in the public and private spheres. In this world-to devise for oneself a satisfying professional life and to be a responsible citizen-one needs some awareness of the concepts and methods specific not to one field only but to a variety of disciplines.
The distribution requirements are the four domains of learning in which the College faculty requires students to develop an introductory level of expertise through encountering the body of knowledge that each discipline has gathered, the kinds of phenomena it describes and manipulates, and the types of problems it addresses. Specified numbers of credits are required in each of the four domains: the mathematical sciences, the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the arts and humanities.
Distribution Requirements for the B.A. and the B.S.
|
A. |
Arts 1, Choices and Decisions |
1 credit |
|
(first semester at Lehigh) |
||
|
B. |
College Seminar/First-Year Class |
1-4 credits |
|
(one course during the first year) |
||
|
C. |
English Composition |
6 credits |
|
(two courses during the first year) |
Students and advisers should monitor closely the progress toward completion of requirements D through G. Courses taken to satisfy a major program may be used to satisfy distribution requirements in only one distribution area.
|
D. |
Mathematical Sciences |
3 credits |
|
Chosen from mathematics or designated courses from philosophy or computer science |
|
E. |
Natural Sciences |
8 credits |
|
Chosen from those designated in: astronomy, biological anthropology, biosciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, physics, and neuroscience. |
||
|
At least one science course must also include the associated laboratory. |
|
F. |
Social Sciences |
8 credits |
|
Chosen from those designated in: anthropology, classics, economics, political science, history, international relations, journalism, psychology, social psychology, social relations, sociology, STS, and urban studies. |
|
G. |
Arts and Humanities |
8 credits |
|
Chosen from those designated in: architecture, art, classics, history, modern languages and literature, English, music, philosophy, religion studies, and theatre. |
Total required for graduation: 121 credits
A student's program, including the choice of distribution requirements, is not official until approved by the adviser.
The faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences holds that writing is an essential tool for learning and that writing well is indispensable for performing responsibly in a profession and in one's life as a citizen. Beyond the two writing courses required in the first year, students in the College are encouraged to take courses that provide continued practice in writing throughout their years at Lehigh. In particular each student in the College must complete at least one "writing-intensive" course-normally during the junior year-and receive writing certification from the instructor. Some major programs require that the writing-intensive course must be taken in the major field; others, that it be taken in a specific department outside the major; still others, that it may be chosen freely from writing-intensive courses offered by any department in the College. Courses that satisfy the writing-intensive requirement may also be used to fulfill major or distribution requirements.
Students planning to pursue graduate study toward a doctorate are reminded that most graduate schools require doctoral candidates to demonstrate a reading knowledge of one or two foreign languages. Proficiency in foreign languages is advantageous for careers in law, government, journalism, commerce, industry and other fields.
Many departments and programs offer optional internship courses, and some require an internship as part of a major program. Students should consult with the department offering the internship course for information about how the internships are arranged. The University faculty has established three important criteria that must be met by all internships: 80 hours of work are required for each credit awarded, no credit can be awarded for an internship ex post facto, and the student must register for the internship course during the same term that the internship work is actually conducted. Students should be sure to pre-arrange all internship experiences with the appropriate department. Internship credits cannot be awarded for work experiences without a distinct educational component. A memorandum of understanding circulated among the employer, student, and departmental internship course director helps to promote a common understanding of the educational and work objectives of the internship. Students are advised that not all work experiences advertised as "internships" warrant academic credit, even though they may be otherwise worthwhile.
Two multidisciplinary, non-degree-granting University programs offer students special integrated learning opportunities. LEO, the Lehigh Earth Observatory, engages students and faculty from all four of Lehigh's colleges. Students from economics, political science, Earth and environmental science, civil and environmental engineering, history, art and architecture, and education are among those who have staffed LEO projects. LEO activities emphasize communication and information sharing across the disciplines. The range of projects includes water-quality monitoring on the Lehigh River, the development of a geographic information system for the Lehigh River watershed, operating a seismic station and a network of weather-monitoring stations, and collaborative work with the Nature Conservancy and the Wildlands Conservancy. The LEO program director is Prof. Dork Sahagian (Earth and Environmental Sciences). The Integrated Product, Process, and Project Development (IPD) Program integrates the three fundamental pillars of successful product design and commercialization: design arts, engineering, and business. Student teams produce technical and feasibility studies, design mock-ups, develop working prototypes, and prepare business plans for real clients. IPD emphasizes a solid grasp of engineering science, industrial design, business fundamentals, good communication skills, a superior understanding of the design and manufacturing process, and an appreciation of multidisciplinary teamwork. The IPD program director is Prof. John Ochs (Mechanical Engineering).
Certain departments, divisions, and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences afford an opportunity to minor in an additional field of concentration other than the major field.
A minor consists of at least 15 credits; the specific content is determined by the department, division, or program concerned. A minor is optional and, if successfully completed, will be shown on the university transcript in the same manner as the major field. A 2.0 minimum grade-point average is required for courses in the minor. Because of this requirement, no course in the minor program may be taken with Pass/Fail grading. No more than one course may be double-counted toward a major and a minor, and no more than one course may overlap between two minors.
It is the responsibility of students desiring a minor to initiate it no later than the beginning of the junior year by filing a minor program with the department, division, or program where it is offered. The student's minor adviser maintains appropriate records.
Minors in the College of Arts and Sciences departments and programs are available for degree candidates in other colleges within the university, with approval of their college adviser.
The following are established minors in the College of Arts and Sciences. Program descriptions may be found in the alphabetical listing of Section V. Some minor-program descriptions are collected within departmental descriptions, or located elsewhere, as indicated by parentheses. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may also complete a minor in Business through the Business College or an Engineering minor through the College of Engineering.
Actuarial Science (Mathematics)
Africana Studies
American Literature (English)
Anthropology (Sociology and Anthropology)
Art (Art and Architecture)
Art/Architecture History (Art and Architecture)
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Biology (Biological Sciences)
British Literature (English)
Business
Chemistry
Chinese (Modern Languages and Literature)
Classical Civilization (Classical Studies)
Classics (Classical Studies)
Cognitive Science
Communication (Journalism and Communication)
Computer Science
Design Arts
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Economics
Education (Education Minor, this section)
Engineering
English
Environmental Studies
French (Modern Languages and Literature)
German (Modern Languages and Literature)
Graphic Communication (Art and Architecture)
Health, Medicine and Society
History
Humanities Minor in Ethics
Humanities Minor in Medieval Studies
International Environmental Policy
International Relations
Japanese
Jewish Studies
Journalism (Journalism and Communication)
Latin American Studies
Mathematics, Applied (Mathematics)
Mathematics, Pure (Mathematics)
Military Science
Molecular Biology (Biological Sciences)
Museum Studies (Art and Architecture)
Music
Music Industry
Peace Studies
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Probability and Statistics (Mathematics)
Psychology
Public Administration (Political Science)
Public Relations (Journalism and Communication)
Religion Studies
Russian (Modern Languages and Literature)
Science, Technology and Society
Science Writing (Journalism and Communication)
Social Relations (Sociology and Anthropology)
Sociology (Sociology and Anthropology)
Social Psychology (Sociology and Anthropology)
Spanish (Modern Languages and Literature)
Studio Art (Art and Architecture)
Theatre
Urban Studies
Women's Studies
Writing (English)
During the fall or spring semester of the first year, every student in the College of Arts and Sciences is required to enroll in a College Seminar or First-Year Class (FYC) taught by a member of the faculty. With ten to 20 students per class, these college seminars and special classes provide an intimate and supportive environment that facilitates the transition to university life. Students begin to develop many of the skills that serve as a framework for their future scholarly work-how to read closely, think critically, write clearly, learn cooperatively, speak persuasively, and solve problems creatively.
Courses in this program are an excellent way to explore a subject that may be new, or to enter more deeply into an area of previous interest. Many of the topics are non-traditional or interdisciplinary subjects of special interest to the professor.
Whatever the topic, FYCs involve considerable effort on the part of students. Some classes emphasize reading assignments, papers, and oral presentations; others include tests, laboratory work, or fieldwork.
The university has a strong pre-law tradition. In keeping with the policy of the Association of American Law Schools, the university does not have a prescribed pre-law program.
Lehigh students have been successful in attaining entrance into law schools from diverse curricula in all three of the undergraduate colleges. Illustrative courses in the arts and sciences include constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties, law and order, and issues in contemporary political philosophy. Correspondingly, there are courses such as Introduction to law and legal environment of Business in the College of Business and Economics. That college also offers basic accounting courses that are often recommended as part of an undergraduate's pre-law preparation.
In addition to formal academic instruction, Lehigh provides other opportunities for learning about law and careers in law. The annual Tresolini Lecture series brings nationally recognized speakers to campus for extended interactions with faculty and students. Tresolini lecturers have included present and past U.S. and state Supreme Court justices and renowned legal scholars and practitioners. Lehigh also provides opportunities for gaining academic credit in several off-campus programs which provide practical experience in law and public affairs.
Counseling is available to prospective pre-law students on a continuous basis from freshman orientation through the law school application process in the senior year. The pre-professional adviser in Career Services coordinates these pre-law counseling services.
Schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary medicine stress the importance of a strong liberal arts education as well as prescribed studies in the sciences. Although most pre-health students will choose a major in a pure or applied science, as long as candidates have the essential courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, they may major in any of the three undergraduate colleges.
A health professions advisory committee, which includes a pre-professional advisor and faculty members from the sciences, provide career and academic counseling and work closely with students from freshman orientation through the entire process of applying to professional schools. Students are urged to consult with the pre-professional adviser in Career Services as early as possible in their academic career. Students interested in other allied health fields may also obtain information to aid them in planning their courses with their academic advisers.
In cooperation with Drexel University College of Medicine the university offers an accelerated program that enables selected students to earn both the bachelors of arts degree in premedical science and the M.D. degree after seven years of study at the two institutions. The program was initiated in 1974, and approximately ten students matriculate each year.
The program includes three academic years at Lehigh during which time credit hours are earned toward the 121 credits required for the baccalaureate degree. The next four years are spent in the regular program of medical education in Philadelphia. After successfully completing the one year at the medical school, students will have acquired necessary additional credit hours for the baccalaureate degree.
During the pre-professional years at Lehigh, students are expected to make satisfactory progress in academic areas as well as in the more subtle task of personal growth in those attributes ultimately needed as a physician. Drexel University College of Medicine receives student grades and monitors student progress through feedback from Lehigh. Students are expected to maintain an overall GPA of 3.45 or better (A=4.0) and a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the prerequisite sciences and receive no grades in any course less than a "C". Credentials again will be processed through the medical school's Admissions Committee prior to extending a final definitive acceptance. This program also requires that students take the Medical College Admissions Test. The results will be evaluated by the committee prior to final acceptances. It is expected that the three numbered scores be 9 or better on the 1-15 scale or a total of 30 on any given exam with no score less than a 7 or an M.
The medical college reserves the right to withdraw an offer of acceptance if academic or personal concerns cause the college to question a student's academic or personal maturation.
Application for admission to the program is made through Lehigh Office of Admissions. Criteria for admission includes minimum combined SAT scores of 1360, scholastic achievement, maturity, and motivation for medicine. SAT II scores are required in mathematics, English composition, and chemistry.
Completed applications are reviewed by the Office of Admissions, and a pool of students chosen for interview at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Interviews are not required at Lehigh, but students are encouraged to make arrangements to come to campus to have an interview and to become better acquainted with Lehigh and the special features of the program. Application deadline is December 1.
Required Science and Math Courses:
Chemistry: CHM 25 and CHM 31 OR CHM 75, 76; CHM 51, 53, 52, 58
Biology: BIOS 41, 42; BIOS 115, 116; BIOS 120
Physics: PHY 10, 12, 13, 22
Math: MATH 21, 22 or MATH 51, 52 plus one additional approved math course
Required Non-Science Courses:
Choices and Decisions
Freshman Seminar
English Comp & Lit (two semesters)
Humanities (3 courses, 9-12 credits)
Social Sciences (3 courses, 9-12 credits)
Writing Intensive
Approved Electives: (12-16 credits)
Lehigh University and Lehigh Valley Hospital have established a unique premedical education program that emphasizes the link between academic and practitioner training.
Project-based, experiential learning is the driving educational philosophy behind the program. Highlights include: three years of combined biomedical research/internship experiences, guaranteed, paid summer research opportunities ($3,000 per summer) between the sophomore-junior and junior-senior years that will provide practical experience in biomedical settings to promote and accelerate skill development, joint faculty and physician advising, special courses in modern medical economics, business practices, and ethics, travel to major professional society meetings to present research and learn about state-of-the-art developments, a lecture/dinner series that will include special, individual sessions with distinguished speakers.
This is a highly competitive program open to a limited number of outstanding, strongly motivated students.
The university, in cooperation with the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, offers an accelerated program that enables selected students to earn a combined baccalaureate and doctor of medicine degree after a minimum of seven years of study at the two institutions.
The program includes three academic years during which time credit hours are earned toward the baccalaureate degree. The next four years are spent in the regular program of dental education in Philadelphia.
During the first three years at Lehigh, students are expected to make satisfactory progress in the academic areas as well as in the areas of personal growth, developing those attributed ultimately needed to become a dentist. Students must maintain a minimum overall and science GPA of 3.2 throughout the three years at Lehigh and are required to take the Dental Admissions Test with a minimum of 16 in all subject areas.
The dental school reserves the right to withdraw an acceptance if academic or personal concerns cause the college to question a student's ability to function as a dentist. The dental school also reserves the right to require that students spend additional time at Lehigh if the school feels that this is necessary to insure the student's academic or personal maturation.
Application to the program occurs when a student applies to Lehigh University. The dental school takes action on the applicant in the spring of an academic year. Final decisions are forwarded to Lehigh University about March 20. The applicant is notified of joint acceptance by Lehigh University. Admission is based on SAT scores (a minimum combined score of 1270 recentered scale), scholastic achievement, maturity, and motivation for dental school. Application deadline is January 1.
Required Science and Math Courses:
Chemistry: CHM 25 and CHM 31 OR CHM 75, 76; CHM 51, 53, 52, 58
Biology: BIOS 41, 42; BIOS 115, 116; BIOS 120; plus two approved BIOS electives (6 credits)
Physics: PHY 10, 12, 13, 22
Math: MATH 21 or 51; MATH 22 or 52
Required Non-Science Courses:
Choices and Decisions
Freshman Seminar
English Comp & Lit (2 semesters)
Humanities (3 courses, 9-12 credits)
Social Sciences (3 courses, 9-12 credits)
Writing Intensive
Approved Electives: (12-16 credits)
In cooperation with the State University of New York, State College of Optometry located in New York City, Lehigh offers a seven-year Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Neuroscience and Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) Program. Students accepted into the joint degree program are admitted into the behavioral neuroscience major and are simultaneously admitted to candidacy in the SUNY College of Optometry's professional program of study.
Application to the program occurs when a student applies to Lehigh or while enrolled at Lehigh. Criteria for selection is based upon maturity and motivation; an interest in the basic understanding of the optometric profession; a minimum combined SAT score of 1180, 92 high school grade point average, and ranked in the top 10% of the high school graduating class. Or as a first- or second-year Lehigh student, a minimum overall 3.2 GPA in undergraduate coursework and in all prerequisite math and science courses completed at the time of application with no grade below a C. A committee comprised of representatives from both institutions selects the students for admission into the program.
Students will spend three years at Lehigh during which time credit hours are earned toward the baccalaureate degree. Upon maintaining a minimum 3.2 GPA in the math and science prerequisites, attaining total science scores of 320 or above on the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), and passing reasonable personal interview standards, these students will be admitted to the SUNY College of Optometry at the completion of their third year at Lehigh. All science and math prerequisite courses must be satisfied with a C or higher. Students must submit a formal application, transcripts, and recommendations at this time. After successfully completing all first-year coursework at the college of optometry, a BA degree on behavioral neuroscience will be granted by Lehigh.
The optometry school reserves the right to withdraw an acceptance if academic or personal concerns cause the school to question a student's ability to function as an optometrist.
Application for admission to the program for incoming students is made through Lehigh Office of Admissions. Application deadline is January 1. For curriculum information, consult with the pre-professional advisor in Career Services.
The education minor helps undergraduates explore career options in school teaching or other professional careers with elementary, secondary, or special education students. The minor may accelerate entry into a teaching career because appropriate credits from the minor may be applied toward completion of teacher certification credits for those admitted to Lehigh's graduate-level Teacher Intern Program.
The minor offers a systematic background of professional education experiences, coordinating practicum activities with theory courses designed to provide a foundation for future educational studies. Its focus is exploratory.
The experiences of the minor are intended to enrich an individual's understanding of education as a central intellectual activity of our culture and to provide self-understanding of one's own potential as an educator.
An undergraduate may take these courses with the approval of the adviser and minimum GPA of 2.75. Completion of the minor does not assure admission to the Teacher Intern Program to become a certified professional.
The program coordinator is Professor Lynn Columba, College of Education, Mountaintop Campus, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Drive.
Fifteen credit hours are required for the education minor as follows:
TLT 314 Seminar in Elementary and Secondary Education (3)
TLT 394 Special Topics in Education: (subtitle) (3)
TLT 408 Development, Classroom Management and Assessment: Elementary (3)
OR
TLT 409 Development, Classroom Management and Assessment: Secondary (3)
TLT XXX Elective-College of Education course (3)
TLT XXX Elective-College of Education course (3)
The College of Education offer a five-year degree program that is designed to allow students to earn both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in five years instead of the traditional six.
The combined degree program leads to either a B.A./B.S. degree in an academic discipline from the College of Arts and Sciences, the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, or the College of Business and Economics, and an M.Ed. degree in either elementary or secondary education. In addition, an Instructional I teaching certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education is also earned. These certification areas are
Biology 7-12
Chemistry 7-12
Citizenship Education 7-12
Earth and Space Science K-12
Elementary K-6
English 7-12
Environmental Education K-12
General Science 7-12
Mathematics 7-12
Physics 7-12
Social Sciences 7-12
Social Studies 7-12
Freshman, sophomores and juniors with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 may apply to the program. Those accepted will begin education courses in the second semester of sophomore year (junior year for those admitted later).
Criteria for admission to the program include:
• |
A demonstrable commitment to learning and intellectual growth |
• |
An expressed interest in teaching as a career |
• |
Previous experience in working with young people; this can be gained in the summers of freshman and sophomore years. |
In the fall semester of senior year, students must complete an application for admission to the graduate College of Education (elementary or secondary education) in order to continue in the program and complete the master's degree/Instructional Level I teacher certification portion of the program.
For information students should contact Professor Lynn Columba, College of Education, Mountaintop Campus, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Drive.
Paul Brown, dean; Joan B. DeSalvatore, associate dean, director of undergraduate programs; Michael Kolchin, associate dean of graduate programs; Mary Theresa Taglang, director of graduate programs; Kenneth P. Sinclair, chair, department of accounting; James Dearden, chair, department of economics; Richard J. Kish, chair, Perella Department of Finance; Susan A. Sherer, chair, department of management; K. Sivakumar, chair, department of marketing; Shin-Yi Chou, director, Ph.D. program; Robert J. Thornton, director, master of science in economics; John W. Paul, director, master of science in accounting; Michael Kolchin, director, MBA and Professional Education.
The College of Business and Economics offers the bachelor of science degree in business and economics. In the dynamic global environment of the 21st Century, today's business students face unprecedented challenges. Lehigh's College of Business and Economics prepares them to meet these challenges and to succeed. The mission of Lehigh University's College of Business and Economics is to provide an intellectual and professional learning environment that advances knowledge through research and scholarship and that develops future leaders through experiential learning, rigorous analysis and the discipline of a strong work ethic - the hallmarks of a Lehigh University business education.
The College of Business and Economics consists of five departments: accounting, economics, Perella Department of Finance, management and marketing. Its programs, accredited by the AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-provide students with a solid foundation in business and economics principles. In addition to the traditional undergraduate majors of accounting, economics, finance and marketing, the College offers innovative programs and courses that respond to today's unique business requirements, including:
The Business Information Systems major that answers a recognized need in the business world. As businesses seek to make themselves more productive and competitive, they have become more reliant on information technology. Students with a good understanding of information systems can help businesses enhance their use of this technology.
The Supply Chain Management major is another response to the complex environment facing business graduates. This undergraduate major gives students solid exposure to supply management, logistics, business-to-business marketing and operations management.
The College of Business and Economics has joined with the College of Engineering to offer two cross-college programs. These programs, Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) and Computer Science and Business (CSB) are described in full in the following "Crossing Boundaries" section.
All minors offered by the College of Arts and Sciences are available to CBE undergraduate students. The engineering minor offered by the College of Engineering is also available to all CBE undergraduates.
A major strength of the College of Business and Economics is its ability to develop programs by partnering across academic disciplines within the College, across the colleges within the University and with the business community. Students are able to cross traditional boundaries and take advantage of all that the College of Business and Economics and other colleges of the University have to offer. The partnerships built with alumni and the business community afford students the opportunity for internships in their areas of interest.
As the needs in the marketplace change, the ingredients necessary for success must reflect these new requirements. From courses in e-commerce to supply chain management and joint degree programs, the College of Business and Economics provides today's undergraduate students with the skills necessary to become tomorrow's business leaders.
Entrepreneurship Minor
The program aims to prepare students from all undergraduate colleges at Lehigh with the skill sets, attitudes, and understanding of the processes to realize their entrepreneurial goals in either an emerging or established company setting. The program is designed to be generally accessible to students from all disciplines with an emphasis upon innovation, the entrepreneurial process, and cross-functional integration. The minor can be added to any undergraduate degree at the university.
Integrated Real Estate Minor
Integrated Real Estate At Lehigh (ire@l) is a three or four year course of study designed to complement a wide range of majors, from art and architecture to civil engineering to environmental science to finance to marketing to economics. The mission of the ire@l program is to prepare the next generation of real estate leaders. Students completing the ire@l program will earn a minor in real estate.
Career Placement
The undergraduate programs in the College of Business and Economics provide the students with a strong foundation in business and economic principles necessary for success in business. Upon graduation, the majority of students from the College of Business and Economics enter business in many different professional positions including accounting, investment banking, advertising, marketing, management consulting and information systems. Further professional studies in law, graduate business schools or specialized graduate education in economics, operations research, or other related fields are additional options open to graduates.
Variety of Options
While preparing students for a career in business and economics, we recognize the importance of a well-rounded individual. At Lehigh, this important exposure to science, language and the arts and humanities is accomplished by distribution requirements, within which the student has wide choice. Students have a minimum of 52 free electives, 48 of which must be taken outside the College of Business and Economics.
The bachelor of science in business and economics may also lead to admission into the master of business administration program at Lehigh or another institution after graduates have at least 2-3 years of work experience. In addition, the college also offers the following graduate degrees: doctor of philosophy, master of business administration and engineering, master of business administration and educational leadership, master of science in accounting and information analysis, master of science in economics, master of science in health and bio-pharmaceutical economics and master of science in analytical finance. These are described in Section IV.
The College of Business and Economics and the Computer Science and Engineering department in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science jointly offer the Computer Science and Business (CSB) program. The mission of the program is to provide rigorous computer science education integrated with in-depth business training that prepares high quality undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds for lifelong learning and to assume positions of leadership in the business community. This 135 credit hour degree integrates technology skills in software development with a solid background in business and economics. Deep immersion in both of these areas distinguishes CSB from programs offered by other universities. At the same time it is well balanced with approximately one third of the courses in liberal arts, one-third in computer science, and one-third in business.
After four years the program leads to a degree in Computer Science and in Business, which is jointly awarded by the College of Business and Economics and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Graduates of the program will be ideal candidates for placement within public accounting firms, consulting companies, and startup companies. This program provides students with the background needed to become the CIO's, decision makers, and general managers of information age corporations.
While honors-like in quality and rigor, the CSB program is open to any student wishing to accept the challenges it offers. Students may matriculate at Lehigh specifically into CSB or enter the program at a later point. Transferring into CSB after freshman year, however, may require students to take additional credits to graduate. The co-directors of the CSB program are James A. Hall, Peter E. Bennett Chair in Business and Economics (jah0@lehigh.edu) and Edwin Kay, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering (ejk0@lehigh.edu). For additional information see Section V of this catalog or visit the CSB web site at: http://www.cse.lehigh.edu/csb
The Integrated Business and Engineering Program (IBE) is offered jointly by the College of Business and Economics and the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. The mission of the Integrated Business and Engineering Honors program is to produce graduates with a unique set of skills and competencies: In addition to the mastery of the concepts and procedures taught in individual courses in each college, the IBE Honors Program develops competencies that require an integrated knowledge from both engineering and business. This program recognizes the need for today's leaders in business and industry to have a sound foundation in both commerce and technology.
After four years and a minimum of 137 credits, students will receive a single Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Engineering. The program meets the accreditation standards of AACSB International. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 in order to remain in the program.
Students in the IBE Honors Program can major in any area of business or engineering that Lehigh offers. After freshman year, each student will elect a major in either the College of Business and Economics or the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students wanting to major in an area of business can select from: accounting, business information systems, economics, finance, marketing, management or supply chain management.
Admission to the Integrated Business and Engineering Honors Program is highly selective, with annual admission limited to approximately 50 students. The University's Office of Admissions (610-758-3100) can explain the procedure for applying to the program.
It is possible that a small number of exceptional students may be admitted to the program following the completion of their freshman year. Admission at this point would be highly competitive and based upon freshman year GPA, faculty recommendations, and space availability.
The co-directors of the IBE Honors Program are Stephen G. Buell, Professor of Finance and Business Information Systems (sgb2@lehigh.edu) and Robert H. Storer, Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (rhs2@lehigh.edu). For additional information, see the IBE Honors Program entry in Section V of this catalog or visit the IBE web site at www.lehigh.edu/~inibep/inibep.html.
The college also oversees research and scholarship in a number of centers and institutes, where graduate and undergraduate students work closely with faculty members. These include: Iacocca Institute, Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise, Murray H. Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies, Philip Rauch Center for Business Communications, Value Chain Research Institute, Financial Services Laboratory, and Small Business Development Center.
The College of Business and Economics at Lehigh University prepares students to become business and community leaders in a broad range of organizations. Our undergraduate students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to excel in business. Overall, we expect our graduates to be able to successfully solve complex, unstructured business problems.
For the bachelor of science degree in business and economics, 124 credit hours are required. A writing requirement, which is included within the required 124 credit hours, is also a part of the college curriculum.
Planning Courses of Study
First year
ENGL 1 |
Composition and Literature I (3) |
ENGL 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 |
Composition and Literature II (3) |
MATH 21 |
Calculus I (4) or |
MATH 75/76 |
Calculus I - Parts A & B (2 each) |
ECO 1 |
Principles of Economics (4) |
BUS 1 |
Introduction to Business (3) |
Excel competency must be completed before ACCT 151 and ECO 145.
ECO 045 |
Statistical Methods (3) |
ECO 029 |
Money, Banking, and Financial Markets (3) |
BUS 005 |
Values-Based Decision Making for Business (1) |
Second Year
|
ACCT 151 |
Introduction to Financial Accounting (3) |
ACCT 152 |
Introduction to Managerial Accounting (3) |
BIS 111 |
Management Information Systems (3) |
ECO 146 |
Applied Microeconomic Analysis (3) |
FIN 125 |
Business Finance (3) |
MGT 186 |
Supply Chain Operations Management (3) |
MKT 111 |
Principles of Marketing (3) |
Students should plan their sophomore year core courses in consultation with the department of their intended major(s).
Third Year
LAW 201 |
Legal Environment of Business (3) |
MGT 243 |
Management of Organizations (3) |
Fourth Year
MGT 301 |
Business Management Policies (3) |
Major Programs (15 credits - 21 credits)
Before the end of the first semester of the junior year, students select a major consisting of sequential or related courses in one of the following major programs: accounting, business economics, business information systems, economics, finance, management, marketing and supply chain management. A GPA of 2.0 or higher in the major program is required for graduation.
Double Majors
Students in the College of Business & Economics may pursue a double major within the CBE according to the following guidelines. Students must declare a single major prior to declaring a second major, and must complete an application including a statement of rationale for pursuing the second major. Students planning to pursue more than one major within the CBE must meet a pre-requisite GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Distribution Requirements (15 credits)
Students are required to take six (6) credits of humanities (HU), six (6) credits of social science (SS), and three (3) credits of science (NS) for a total of 15 credits of distribution requirements. Students should refer to the department in the catalog to determine which course offerings may be taken to satisfy these requirements.
Electives (52-58 credits) - depending on major
Students will earn 52-58 credits of "free" electives; A minimum of 48 credits are to be taken outside the College of Business and Economics.
In the College of Business and Economics, the pass-fail option is available for elective courses only. A student desiring Lehigh credit for a course taken at another institution must complete a transfer credit form and obtain approval from the appropriate Lehigh academic department in advance.
The purpose of the business minor program is to enable non-CBE students to pursue a course of business studies which enables them to supplement their major studies and enhance their career options upon graduation. The overall learning objective of the program is to provide non-CBE students with the knowledge and skills with which to make more informed business decisions.
Courses offered in the business minor program are not open to students currently in the CBE nor may these classes count as substitutes for CBE core classes should a student later decide to transfer into the CBE.
Program of Studies: The business minor consists of 14 credit hours. The courses are integrated across the entire program and must be taken in a stepped sequence. These 14 credit hours plus the prerequisite consist of the following courses:
Required prerequisite course:
Required courses:
First Year
Second Year
Recommended courses:
The courses required in the business minor program will be offered in a stepped sequence requiring completion of each course in the sequence before being able to continue to the next course. That is, students must first complete BUS 125 and BUS 126 before taking BUS 127, BUS 127 before taking BUS 225, and BUS 225 before taking 226. BUS 125 and BUS 326 are to be taken in conjunction with BUS 126 and BUS 226, respectively.
Program admission requirements: Each spring, 80 students will be accepted into the business minor program for the following fall. Applications to the program will be made by students and submitted to the program director by the first Monday in March. An admissions committee comprised of the business minor program director, associate dean for the undergraduate CBE program, and the business minor curriculum committee will make admission decisions based on G.P.A., experience, and interest in pursuing business opportunities upon graduation from Lehigh (to be evaluated on the basis of a written essay). Students will be notified of admissions decisions prior to registration for the fall semester. Entrance into business minor classes will be controlled by restricted overrides by the director of business minor program. The Director of the Business Minor program is Geraldo M. Vasconcellos, Allen DuBois Distinguished Professor of Finance & Economics (gmv0@lehigh.edu). Professor Vasconcellos' office is in the Rauch Business Center, Room 320.
Integrated Real Estate At Lehigh Program (ire@l)
Integrated Real Estate At Lehigh (ire@l) is a three or four year course of study designed to complement a wide range of majors, from art and architecture to civil engineering to environmental science to finance to marketing to economics. The mission of the ire@l program is to prepare the next generation of real estate leaders. Students completing the ire@l program will earn a minor in real estate.
Required Courses comprising the minor include:
Recommended Courses:
The director of the Goodman Center for Real Estate Studies and the ire@l program is Associate Professor Stephen Thode (ire@lehigh.edu).
Program Management: CBE and RCEAS faculty committee. Minor Program Director: Graham Mitchell
The purpose of the entrepreneurship minor is to enable students to supplement their major with knowledge and skills that increase their ability to realize their entrepreneurial goal and/or make them more marketable upon graduation. It will also work to create an environment and campus center of gravity that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset among students, and also serve as a locus for community building among entrepreneurial students, faculty, and alumni. This minor is available for students at Lehigh University.
Required pre-requisite course:
Required Courses:
Recommended Additional Courses:
Students must complete the minor sequence with an average GPA of at least 2.0 in the required minor courses in order to qualify for the minor. Courses in the Entrepreneurship minor cannot be used towards either the Engineering minor or the Business minor.
The university's College of Education offers opportunities for advanced study in the field of education. For information, see Graduate Study in Education, Section IV, or College of Education, Section V.
David Wu, dean
John P. Coulter, associate dean for graduate studies and research
Gerard P. Lennon, associate dean for undergraduate studies
The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science offers the bachelor of science degree in 17 programs, combining a strong background in sciences and mathematics with requirements in humanities and social sciences. Students in college programs learn principles they can apply immediately in professional work; those who plan on further academic experience can design a curriculum centering on interests they will pursue in graduate school.
The Mission of the college is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators, leaders and life-long learners in a global society and to create an environment where students pursue cutting-edge research in engineering and engineering science.
The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science includes seven departments and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the bachelor, master, and doctor of philosophy levels.
The undergraduate degree programs leading to the bachelor of science degree are:
applied science
bioengineering
chemical engineering*
chemistry
civil engineering*
computer engineering*
computer science**
computer science and business***
electrical engineering*
engineering mechanics
engineering physics
environmental engineering
industrial engineering*
information and systems engineering
integrated business and engineering
integrated degree in engineering, arts and sciences
materials science and engineering*
mechanical engineering*
*Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 – telephone (410) 347-7700
** Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 – telephone (410) 347-7700.
***Accredited by both the by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 – telephone (410) 347-7700 and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
Programs in chemistry and physics have been approved by the faculty program review committee in these disciplines.
Information about each of these programs may be found under alphabetical listings in Section V.
Free Electives
The college, through its advisers, is prepared to help students to use the credit hours of "free electives" that, along with other electives in the curriculum, may be used to develop a program of personal interest. Free electives may be satisfied by taking regular course offerings or up to six credit hours from each of the following from Mus 21-79, from Jour 1-8, or up to six credit hours of advanced ROTC courses.
Freshman year, first semester (14 - 15 credits)
Freshman year, second semester (14 - 15 credits)
*The required science courses, one taken fall semester and the other taken in spring, are:
Bioengineering students take Chm 25 and ENGR1 in the fall, and Bioscience 41/42 (instead of ENGR5) in the spring along with PHY 11/12.
Basic Requirement: English and Economics. Three courses totaling a minimum of ten credit hours: Students must complete English 1 (or 3), English 2 (or 5, or 11) and Economics 1. Students with advanced placements in English 1 usually take English 11 to complete the English requirements.
Advanced Requirement: Breadth and Depth. 13 credits in courses designated as HU (humanities) or SS (social science), with the following restrictions:
Currently, the following technical minors are offered:
Technical Minor |
Department |
aerospace engineering |
Mechanical Engineering |
biotechnology |
Chemical Engineering |
chemical engineering |
Chemical Engineering |
computer science |
Computer Science and Engineering |
engineering leadership |
Industrial and Systems Engineering |
environmental engineering |
Civil & Environmental Engineering |
manufacturing systems |
Industrial & Systems Engineering |
materials science |
Materials Science & Engineering |
nanotechnology |
Materials Science & Engineering |
polymer science |
Center for Polymer Science Engineering |
A minor in Engineering Leadership provides students with knowledge, experiences and interaction with successful business managers in order to become more effective leaders.
The College of Business and Economics offers a minor in Business for students in the College of Arts and Sciences and P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science to provide students with knowledge and skills to allow them to make informed business decisions. A sequential sequence of courses is designed to integrate such traditional topics as accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Minors in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship are also offered. The courses in the latter treat subjects such as intellectual property, creativity and innovation, venture capital, positioning of products and services, and understanding the entrepreneurial mindset.
Students in engineering can also earn a minor in various humanities or social sciences by using their humanities and social science and free electives.
Music and Engineering is not a major in itself. However, Lehigh attracts many engineering and science students who wish to continue their active involvement in music and the music department. For those students who are interested in pursuing this option, music can be taken as a second degree or minor.
Co-Op is available for undergraduates in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science; the program provides eight months of paid, full-time work experience, bridging the gap between engineering theory and application and allowing students to graduate within a four year time-frame. Because of the rigorous academic schedule, the program is selective.
The Co-Op schedule provides for interviews and selection by the companies in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Those students selected attend Lehigh for a challenging summer schedule of junior-level coursework, then begin their first work rotation with the sponsoring company in mid-August. This rotation will last until mid-January when the student returns to Lehigh for the second semester coursework of the junior year. The Co-Op experience is completed with a second work rotation the following summer (mid-May through August). Students earn 3 free elective credits per successful work assignment for a total of 6 free elective credits.
The Integrated Business and Engineering Honors Program (IBE) is offered jointly by the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Business and Economics. The program recognizes the need for today's leaders in business and industry to have a sound foundation in both commerce and technology.
After four years and a minimum of 137 credits, students will receive a single Bachelor of Science Degree in Integrated Business and Engineering. The program meets the accreditation standards of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 in order to remain in the program.
A second option is the five-year dual degree program. This option allows students to obtain a second Bachelor of Science degree in engineering by completing course work in the engineering field chosen by the student as their IBE major. Students enrolled in the four year IBE Honors Program and in satisfactory standing are able to transfer to a dual-degree at any time, and stay within the honors program cohort. The additional time necessary to complete the second degree will depend on the curriculum selected, and the number of advanced placement credits. The number of additional credit hours will typically be in the range of 27 to 30.
Students in the IBE Honors Program can major in nearly any area of engineering or business that Lehigh offers. After their freshman year, each student will elect a major in either the P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science or the College of Business and Economics.
Admission to the Integrated Business and Engineering Program is highly selective, with annual admission limited to approximately 45 students. The University's Office of Admissions can explain the procedure for applying to the program. It is possible that a small number of exceptional students may be admitted to the program following the completion of their freshman year. Admission at this point would be highly competitive and based upon freshman year GPA, faculty recommendations, and space availability.
The Co-Directors of the IBE Honors Program are Robert H. Storer, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering (rhs2@lehigh.edu) and Stephen G. Buell, Professor of Finance (sgb2@lehigh.edu). For additional information, see the IBE Honors Program entry in Section V of this catalog or visit the IBE web site at www.lehigh.edu/~inibep/inibep.html.
The B.S. in Integrated Engineering, Arts and Sciences (IDEAS) provides students with a unique opportunity to combine the breadth and depth of two focus areas, one from engineering and one from arts and sciences in a four-year experience. More information is available in the IDEAS entry in this catalog, or online at www.lehigh.edu/ideas.
Faculty and students in the college also have research and scholarship activities in a number of centers and institutes, where graduate and undergraduate students work closely with faculty members. These include: Center for Advanced Technology for Large Structural Systems, Biopharmaceutical Technology Institute, Chemical Process Modeling and Control Center, Emulsion Polymers Institute, Energy Research Center, Enterprise Systems Center, Fritz Laboratory, Sherman Fairchild Center for Solid-State Studies, Polymer Science and Engineering Center, Structural Stability Research Council, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Center for Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Manufacturers Resource Center, Center for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, and Center for Optical Technologies.