College of Science and Mathematics

Lok C. Lew Yan Voon, Dean

http://www.westga.edu/cosm

The College of Science and Mathematics is charged with the responsibility of providing instruction to students majoring in traditional sciences and mathematics disciplines, as well as providing the general education component of all the non-science and mathematics programs. It does so with the realization that in order to prepare students to face the ever-changing, complex society in which we live, it is necessary to do more than teach them a number of facts and train them in a variety of skills. This is done by offering a challenging curriculum that exposes students to innovative teaching and hands-on experiences.

The College of Science and Mathematics offers degrees in all traditional areas of science and mathematics, including biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and physics. Sequences of quality academic courses are provided to prepare students for graduate studies in the discipline and the school of their choice, as well as for a variety of scientific careers, including elementary and secondary school teaching. In addition, it is believed that an educated person in modern society requires a basic understanding of science and mathematics as well as computational skills. Courses designed to accommodate this need are incorporated in all major programs and are available to students desiring a liberal experience in the sciences.

Graduation Requirement for Discipline-Specific Writing

All students majoring in disciplines in the College of Science and Mathematics must satisfy the requirements for Discipline Specific Writing (DSW) in order to graduate.

DSW Requirements

ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 (or the equivalent of) are prerequisite to all “W” (writing-intensive) courses.
W-courses will require a minimum of 4000 words of original, formal, graded writing, including one major assignment entailing instructor feedback and revision.
Students must take at least two 3000/4000-level W-courses (courses approved as writing-intensive courses and marked in the course bulletin with a W) for a total of at least 6 hours. Both courses must satisfy requirements or electives in the student’s major, and at least one must be specific to the major. Departments may also elect to designate specific courses in allied disciplines that would fulfill the DSW requirement for the major.
DSW requirements vary from department to department: students should consult the catalog and department DSW website for requirements specific to their major.

Certificate Option

A DSW certificate option is available for students who wish to gain additional experience in writing as well as to demonstrate a commitment to developing exemplary communication skills. A student may elect to double the basic DSW requirements, passing 12 hours of writing-intensive courses. These additional courses need not be in the student’s major, unless the department specifies otherwise. Students who elect this option and earn a grade of C or above in each of their writing-intensive classes will receive:

a Discipline-Specific Writing certificate, and
transcript notation of this accomplishment.

Physical Education Requirement

The college of Science and Mathematics does not have any physical education requirements. Physical Education classes will not count as electives. Note, however, that if a student changes from the College of Science and Mathematics to the College of Education, the student must satisfy that college’s physical education requirement.

Professional Practice Program

The Department of Career Services assists students in combining classroom study and field experience related to students’ majors and/or career goals. Cooperative Education and Internship opportunities are available to students within the College of Science and Mathematics. For further details on Professional Practice opportunities, contact the Department of Career Services at 678-839-6431, come by Room 222 in Parker Hall, or visit the department’s website at www.westga.edu/careerweb/.