Courses of Instruction

Allegheny College offers two degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Arts degree is earned by completing successfully all college requirements (see “Graduation Requirements”), including a major in one of the following disciplines: Art, Communication Arts, Economics, English, French, German, History, International Studies, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Spanish or Women’s Studies. The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded when completion of college requirements includes a major in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Neuroscience or Physics. Students majoring in Geology or Psychology may earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree, depending upon course selection and the area of emphasis. Students planning double or student-designed majors that include courses from different disciplines determine the appropriate degree in consultation with faculty.

In addition to special preparation for medical school or law school, the College also offers pre-professional programs in allied health fields, engineering, environmental studies, nursing and teacher certification through cooperative program arrangements.

Courses offered are listed within the department or field. Not all courses are offered each year, and the College reserves the right to cancel or reschedule courses for enrollment, staffing, or other reasons. Changes in staffing may also be necessary. Places in courses cannot be guaranteed other than by the established registration procedures. There may be minor variation in course content or approach from the catalogue course description if the instructor deems it appropriate. The Registration Guide lists the courses to be offered, the semester in which they are offered, and the final examination schedule.

Classification Departments and interdisciplinary programs are classified in divisions as follows:

Humanities

Art, Communication Arts, Dance and Movement Studies, English, Modern and Classical Languages (includes Chinese, French, German, Latin, and Spanish), Music, Philosophy and Religious Studies.

Natural Sciences

Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics.

Social Sciences

Economics, Environmental Studies, History, International Studies, Political Science, Psychology.

Additional courses that do not fall into one of the three divisions above are offered by the Women's Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies and First-Year/Sophomore Seminar Programs.

The Numbering System Courses are numbered as follows:

001-299: Primarily for first-year students and sophomores
190-199: Special topics, primarily for first-year students and sophomores, offered only once
300-569: Advanced, primarily for juniors and seniors
489: Student-designed seminars
490-499: Special topics, advanced level, offered only once
500-529: Undergraduate Internships
550-589: Seminars
590: Independent Study
600-699: Senior Project

The Credit System

All courses carry four semester hours of credit unless otherwise specified in the description.