CLARKSON UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2019-2020 School of Arts & Sciences David D. Reh School of Business Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering Interdisciplinary Programs Institute for a Sustainable Environment Institute for STEM Education www.clarkson.edu 315-268-6400 Clarkson University is a nationally-ranked research university and the institution of choice for more than 3,800 enterprising, high-ability scholars from diverse backgrounds who embrace challenge and thrive in a rigorous, highly collaborative learning environment. We add value to our students’ education by partnering with leading businesses, industries and thought leaders to bring relevance to the challenges and needs of a modern world in which the boundaries of knowledge, discipline, nations, and cultures blur. We encourage students to question the status quo, push the limits of what is known, and to apply their ingenuity to develop fresh solutions to real-world challenges. For more than 100 years, our graduates have achieved extraordinary professional success, risen to societal challenges, and advanced the global economy ethically and responsibly. Among our 38,000 alumni, one in five is a CEO, senior executive or owner of a company. Founded in 1896 to honor Thomas S. Clarkson, the University's main campus is located in the “college town” of Potsdam, NY on a historic 640-acre wooded homestead in the foothills of the Adirondack Park. With three other universities nearby, Clarkson community members enjoy a constantly changing social and intellectual quality of life largely influenced by our proximity to the north slope of the Adirondacks; easy drives to Lake Placid as well as Ottawa and Montreal, Canada; and a high level of regional camaraderie to encourage innovative partnerships in small business development, arts, tourism, recreation, agriculture and green energy. Clarkson's educational strengths include: rigorous professional preparation dynamic, real-world learning highly collaborative community teamwork that spans disciplines 1 Questions regarding undergraduate admission and requests for information about Clarkson may be directed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Changes in Curricula Information contained in this catalog is current at the time the catalog is posted on our Web site, but as courses and curricula undergo changes by official action of the University, occasionally such changes may supersede information found herein. The accuracy of any particular information can be checked through the Office of Undergraduate Admission, Student Administrative Services, the Dean of the appropriate School, or academic departments. Please be aware that the information concerning academic requirements, courses, and programs of study in the catalog does not establish an irrevocable contract between the student and the University. The University can change, discontinue, or add academic requirements, courses, and programs of study at any time, without notice. Although every effort is made to provide timely notice to students in order to help in the planning process, it is the responsibility of the student to confirm that all appropriate degree requirements are met. All students are encouraged to read the catalog thoroughly. Failure to be familiar with the contents does not excuse a student from the requirements and regulations described herein. Courses Typical courses for each department are listed in this catalog, but not all courses are offered each year. Descriptions of courses and terms in which specific course are offered are accessible in PeopleSoft. Viewing Clarkson’s searchable course catalog will give up-to-date course descriptions, pre- or co-requisites, course attributes, and other information pertaining to all courses offered. Clarkson’s browse course catalog can be viewed at www.clarkson.edu. 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Course credit is also available for Independent Study and Special Projects. 2 CONTENTS THE CLARKSON EDUCATION ............................................................................................................................... 7 ABOUT CLARKSON UNIVERSITY .......................................................................................................................... 9 A BRIEF HISTORY OF CLARKSON ....................................................................................................................... 12 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS .................................................................................................................................... 14 Bachelor’s Degree Majors ..................................................................................................................... 14 Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) .................................................................................................. 15 Double Majors and Second Clarkson Degrees ....................................................................................... 15 Minors ................................................................................................................................................... 15 Professional Concentrations .................................................................................................................. 16 Accreditation ......................................................................................................................................... 17 ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ........................................................... 18 The OFFICE of the PROVOST ............................................................................................................................. 22 Honors Program .................................................................................................................................... 22 Early Entrance College Program: The Clarkson School .......................................................................... 24 Office of Undergraduate Academic Advising ......................................................................................... 25 Pre-Health Professions and Advising ........................................................................................ 26 Pre-Law ..................................................................................................................................... 27 Multidisciplinary Project (MP) and Multidisciplinary Team (MT) Courses ............................................. 27 Summer Sessions ................................................................................................................................... 28 Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Option ................................................................................................... 28 University Studies .................................................................................................................................. 28 Non-Degree Students ............................................................................................................................ 28 Clarkson Ignite ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Shipley Center for Innovation ................................................................................................................ 29 The Associated Colleges Consortium ..................................................................................................... 30 University Libraries ................................................................................................................................ 30 Physical Education ................................................................................................................................. 31 BACHELOR’S DEGREE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 32 UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION ........................................................................................................................ 35 UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ..................................................................... 46 STUDENT ACCOUNTS ........................................................................................................................................ 70 SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES ...................................................................................................................... 73 Faculty ................................................................................................................................................... 73 BS In Applied Mathematics and Statistics.............................................................................................. 75 BS In Biology .......................................................................................................................................... 78 BS In Biomolecular Science .................................................................................................................... 81 BS In Chemistry ..................................................................................................................................... 85 BS In Communication ............................................................................................................................ 88 BS In Data Science ................................................................................................................................