Summary of Curriculum for all Students
I. Core Requirements (see below)To determine how your courses fulfill curricular requirements you should run a GriffAudit. To run a GriffAudit go to http://www.canisius.edu, select ‘Current Students’ option, then Online Registration option. Complete instructions can be found on this page.
II. Major Requirements (see alpha listing)
III. Electives (sufficient courses and credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits to graduate)
Core Curriculum Mission
For complete information about the Core Curriculum, go to /academics/core.asp.
At Canisius College, we espouse the ideal of academic excellence along with the responsibility to use one’s gifts for the service of others and the benefit of society. In the spirit of our mission as an American Catholic Jesuit University, Canisius Collage offers a Core Curriculum founded in Ignatian pedagogy and tradition.
By requiring the Core Curriculum, our faculty attends to cura personalis (care for the whole person) as we prepare students to be men and women who strive continually for magis (“something more”).Demonstrating our highest aspirations for all our students, the Core enables you to achieve: 1. A breadth of knowledge in the liberal arts toward development of reflection and judgment. 2. A focused awareness of the human condition, as marked by both cooperation and conflict, to which educated people of good will and good spirit bring both thoughtfulness and understanding. 3. A foundation of skills that helps students to turn their knowledge and understanding into academic productivity and social responsibility.
Core Curriculum Requirements
I. Foundation Courses (4 courses: FYS 101, ENG 101, PHI 101, RST 101)
Students are recommended to complete these courses in the first year, as long as the major schedule permits. FYS 101 is recommended for most students in the fall semester, with ENG 101 recommended in the spring semester. First year students take either PHI 101 or RST 101 in the fall semester, and complete the second course in the spring semester.
II. Breadth of Knowledge (at least 7 courses)
Students are required to take at least seven courses, with at least one from each of the following Fields: Religious Studies, Philosophy, Arts, History, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences. Only courses appropriately designated count as fulfillment of a Field requirement. Courses designated as satisfying Field requirements may also satisfy major requirements. See your major course of study.
III. Cross-disciplinary Knowledge and Skills Courses
(courses carrying the following six designations)
Students are required to take courses designated for the following cross-disciplinary knowledges and skills: Justice, Ethics, Diversity, Global Awareness, Advanced Writing-intensive and Oral Communication. Courses designated for Field or courses that satisfy major or elective credit may carry these designations. Some courses may carry more than one designation. Students must take as many courses as necessary to achieve all six requirements.
IV. Core Capstone (1 designated course or experience)
Students must complete all other core requirements before taking a Core Capstone. Typically, students will take a Core Capstone in the junior or senior year. Some core Capstones may also be designated capstones in a major (see your major course of study for such overlap).
Descriptions of Core Curriculum Requirements
The Core Curriculum is a multi-disciplinary program of study required of all students attending Canisius College. The Core requirements are:
I. Foundation Courses
The Core Curriculum provides a Foundation of four common courses, generally completed in the first year. These courses include basic instruction in writing (FYS 101, ENG 101), attention to the process of critical thinking through basic development of information literacy (FYS 101, ENG 101, PHI 101, RST 101), and basic understanding of the importance of studying religion and philosophy within the Catholic and Jesuit tradition of education (PHI 101, RST 101).
Foundation FYS 101 Explorations of Academic Writing: Special Topics
This course emphasizes the production of academic writing through critical analysis oftexts, with topics drawn from a wide range of academic disciplines. The courses are intended to be seminar style with reading and discussion appropriately challenging for first year students, with the expectation that students will be able to write so as to enhance learning, find and evaluate information, practice academic integrity, negotiate the process of revision and use correct grammar and syntax.
Foundation ENG 101 Writing about Literature
This course develops strategies for reading and writing about literature (poetry, drama, fiction, literary essays), with the expectation that students will be able to understand and interpret primary literary texts; develop writing skills; and develop and organize interpretive essays through the use and evaluation of sources. ENG 101 courses will have a significant component of the course devoted to writing instruction and developing information literacy.It is expected that in ENG 101 students will engage in revision, as well as write at least 15 pages of polished prose, and that they will engage in appropriate research activities.
Foundation PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy
This requirement acknowledges the special place of the study of philosophy in Catholic Jesuit education. The course provides a thoughtful examination of philosophical issues, with the expectation that students will be able to use logical and critical analysis to understand the claims and arguments proposed by classical and modern philosophers, including some in the Catholic philosophical tradition.
Foundation RST 101 Introduction to Religious Studies
This requirement acknowledges the special place of the study of religion in Catholic Jesuit education. The course provides an academic introduction to religion, with the expectation that students will understand the nature and role of religion in human life and society, including the Jesuit and Catholic traditions as well as other world religions.
II. Breadth of Knowledge
The Core Curriculum provides for a distribution of seven courses, one in each of seven Fields. The courses provide a broad exposure to the liberal arts tradition, which is an invitation to recognize the multiple ways that natural and social phenomena have been studied and categorized. Many courses designated for Field credit also count as major requirements.
Collectively through the Breadth of Knowledge requirement, students are encouraged to reflect about their inner lives, to consider how attention to the life of the mind bears upon reality, and to discern the human relationship to the natural world and to social institutions. The skills and knowledge students develop through the Breadth of Knowledge reflect the variety of disciplinary norms specific to each Field.
The seven Fields are:
Field 1: Religious Studies and Theology
Designated courses that enable students to gain a clearer understanding of the role which religion plays in human life through a careful and systematic examination of religious ideas, institutions, values or patterns of belief and practice.
Field 2: Philosophy
Designated courses that enable students to understand, articulate, and evaluate the values, principles, and assumptions on which individual and social decisions rest.
Field 3: Arts
Designated courses that enable students to understand the aesthetic dimension of creative work in the fine arts and/or literature and to articulate how that creative work mirrors and shapes human experience.
Field 4: History
Designated courses that enable students to understand how historians use evidence to study the recorded past, to situate events, artifacts and experiences in their historical context, and to analyze the process of change over time.
Field 5: Social Sciences
Designated courses that enable students to explain, interpret and critically analyze human behavior and social structures from the perspective of the social science through which the courses are offered.
Field 6: Natural Sciences
Designated courses that enable students to explain, interpret, and critically analyze the natural world using the scientific method from the perspective of the natural science through which the courses are offered.
Field 7: Mathematical Sciences
Designated courses that enable students to reason quantitatively, abstractly, or computationally about the world using the symbol systems rooted in quantitative measures, logical analysis, and/or algorithms to solve practical problems.
III. Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge- and Skill-Designated Courses
The Core Curriculum provides six requirements which address matters central to the Catholic Jesuit tradition of education and necessary for preparing students for the modern world. Students are required to take courses with all six designations. Any course may carry the Cross-Disciplinary Knowledge or Skill designations as long as the course has a significant component on the specific subjects.Designated courses may also satisfy Field and major requirements, as well as elective credit.
Diversity Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an understanding of the multicultural character of the United States by giving attention to the cultural differences within the United States in many areas of society. This Core goal is grounded on the assumption that education ought to provide students with the intellectual tools and expansive perspectives by which to examine their own communities and values as well as the communities and values of people different from them.
Ethics Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an understanding of personal action, the good in terms of human agency, happiness and living a worthwhile life. Focus will be upon moral issues, living well and the frameworks that make living well intelligible, both personally and professionally. This Core goal is grounded on the assumption that an understanding of ethics is an integral part of educating the whole person.
Global Awareness Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an awareness of nations, countries, regions, communities and cultures outside of the United States. This Core goal is grounded on the assumption that we live in an increasingly interconnected world, and that a liberal arts education ought to provide students the intellectual tools and understandings to comprehend global events.
Justice Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop an understanding of the nature of justice, including the tension between justice and power, as well as the causes of injustice. The focus will be upon the promotion of justice.
Advanced Writing-intensive Designation
Designated courses at the 200-level or above with significant emphasis on using writing as a way to learn. The Core goalis that students will engage in the process of drafting, re-writing, and editing at an advanced level, with extensive commentary and assistance of instructors.
Oral Communication Designation
Designated courses that enable students to develop abilities to communicate effectively and appropriately in a range of contexts, including face-to-face through practicing their skills at both sending and receiving messages. Effective communication helps maintain a sense of community as well as an ability to craft consensus in an increasingly diverse and complex world. Preparation for life in the modern world requires sensitive and skillful communication with those of widely different backgrounds, cultural experiences and values.
IV. Core Capstone
The Core Curriculum provides for a Core Capstone, an opportunity for students to reflect upon the meaning and significance of the Core Curriculum, as well as to consider the value of public service and the necessity of leadership. Students take the Core Capstone once all the other core requirements have been fulfilled, usually in the junior or senior year.
Undergraduate Degrees
To earn a bachelor’s degree from Canisius College, the student must complete a minimal total of 120 credit hours. Within each curriculum these courses are distributed into three areas: (1) Core Curriculum; (2) Major Requirements; and 3 Electives courses.
Major Requirements
Each major has its own specific requirements, which are listed by the individual department under the heading “Curriculum.” Students should make sure that any restricted electives are chosen from among the courses approved by the department involved.
Electives
The remaining courses may be chosen in any area. These free electives complete the student’s requirements for the baccalaureate degree.
Credit Policy
A bachelor’s degree requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credits. The number of actual courses and credits varies depending upon the particular program as described in this catalog. All Canisius credits, regardless of the number of credits earned for a course, count toward the fulfillment of the 120 total. In practice this means that students may combine one credit courses to make the equivalent of a three credit free elective. A student may also combine unrelated laboratory credits to make free electives if that student has changed from a science to a non-science major. Any questions about the award of credits and their application to a degree can be directed to the Student Records Office or to an academic advisor.
To earn a degree of associate of arts, a student must complete the required Core Curriculum courses, major courses, elective courses and a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Canisius College offers undergraduate curricula leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), and Associate of Arts (A.A.) major and/or concentrations as listed below. Each program is listed with the official approved title and HEGIS number by which it is registered with the New York State Education Department. Enrollment in programs other than those that are registered or otherwise approved may jeopardize a student’s eligibility for certain student-aid awards. The programs are as follows:
| Arts and Sciences – Bachelor of Arts Degree: | ||
| Anthropology Art History Biology Classics Communication Studies Computer Science Criminal Justice Economics English European Studies History Humanities International Relations Mathematics Modern Languages French German Spanish Music Philosophy Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Sociology and Anthropology Urban Studies |
2202 1003 0401 1504 0601 0701 2105 2204 1501 0310 2205 4903 2210 1701 1102 1103 1105 1005 1509 2207 2001 1510 2208 2214 | |
| Arts and Sciences – Bachelor of Science Degree: | ||
| Animal Behavior | 0499.99 | |
| Biochemistry | 0414 | |
| Bioinformatics | 0499 | |
| Biology | 0401 | |
| Chemistry | 19054 | |
| Computer Science | 0701 | |
| Digital Media Arts | 0605 | |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | 1223 | |
| Environmental Science | 0420 | |
| Physics | 1902 | |
| Social Sciences-General | 2201 | |
| Technical and Liberal Studies | 4999 | |
| Education and Human Services – Bachelor of Arts Degree: | ||
| Education (Adolescence): Biology "7-12" Chemistry "7-12" English "7-12" French "7-12" German "7-12" Spanish "7-12" Mathematics "7-12" Physics "7-12" Social Studies "7-12" Early Childhood Education Childhood Education English Social Studies Mathematics Science French German Spanish |
10401-01 1905-01 1501-01 1102-01 1103-01 1105-01 1701-01 1902-01 2201-01 0823 0802 0804-01 0804-02 0804-03 0804-04 0804-05 0804-06 0804-07 | |
| Education and Human Services – Bachelor of Science Degree: | ||
| Athletic Training Physical Education Teacher K-12 Special Education/Early Childhood Special Education/Childhood |
1299-30 0835 0808 0808 | |
| Business Administration – Bachelor of Science Degree: | ||
| Accounting | 0502 | |
| Accounting Information Systems | 0502 | |
| Economics | 0517 | |
| Entrepreneurship | 0506 | |
| Finance | 0504 | |
| Information Systems | 0702 | |
| International Business | 0513 | |
| Management | 0506 | |
| Marketing | 0509 | |
| Accounting/Professional Accounting (150 hour Program) |
0502 | |
| Arts and Sciences – Associate of Arts Degree: | ||
| Humanities (General) | 5649 | |
| Social Sciences | 5622 | |
| Certificates: | ||
| Computer Science Women’s Studies |
0701 2299 | |
Pre-Professional Programs
Canisius College offers pre-professional training for students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in a number of professions. Programs and/or concentrations are available in the following areas:
- Pre-Medicine
- Pre-Dentistry
- Pre-Law
- Pre-Veterinary
- Pre-Pharmacy
Canisius College offers 3+2 Dual Degree Program in Physics and Engineering that include the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a dual degree program in physics and engineering with Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College.
Students begin the program at Canisius and complete three years, or the equivalent, studying liberal arts courses in addition to pre-engineering courses in the basic sciences. Upon completion of the first three years and with a recommendation from Canisius, students then enter State University of New York at Buffalo or Pennsylvania State for two years to complete the engineering courses required there, with articulation agreements in place to ensure a smooth transfer process.
Students who complete one of the dual degree programs receive two bachelor’s degrees, one from Canisius in physics, and one in an engineering discipline (UB – Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Aerospace and Penn State - Mechanical) from the partner school.
Dual Degree Programs
Canisius College also offers Dual Degree programs in a number of areas. These programs allow for the completion of a bachelor’s degree in four years, followed by a master’s degree in approximately one year. These programs are as follows:
- A Dual Degree program leading to a Master of Business Administration degree is offered for students majoring in business and a number of majors in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Minors are available in the following areas:
Animal Behavior
Anthropology
Art History
Biblical Studies
Bioinformatics
Biology
Business
Business Management
Catholic Studies
Cell and Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Child, Family & Community Studies
Christian History, Thought & Ethics
Classics Departmental
Classics Interdepartmental
Clinical Psychology39
Cognitive Science
Computer Science
Computer Theory
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice
Economics
English
Environmental Biology
European Studies
Exercise Science
Fine Arts
Forensic Psychology
General Psychology
Gerontology
Health & Human Performance
History
Human Resource Management
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Information Systems
International Business
International Management
International Relations
Irish Studies
Law & Public Policy
Literature
Management of Technology
Mathematics
Music
Neuroscience
North American Studies
Peace and Justice Studies
Philosophy
Psychology
Physics
Political Science
Religions of the World
Religious Studies
School Psychology
Social Sciences
Sociology
Sports Psychology
Studio Arts
Supply Chain Management
Theatre Arts
Women’s Studies
Writing
Zoo Biology
Courses of Instruction
The college year consists of two semesters, fall and spring. The unit of instruction is the semester hour or credit hour, which consists of one lecture period of 50 minutes length each week for the entire semester. A course having three 50-minute class periods a week will, therefore, earn three semester hours of credit. A two- to three-hour period of laboratory work in the sciences or education each week is considered equivalent to one lecture period, and therefore, to one semester hour.
The number of semester credits to be earned in a given course is always indicated by the number after the course title.
Course Registration Restrictions: In some departments registration in all or in some the course offerings may be restricted to majors in that department. In some instances the department chairperson may authorize registration of non-majors in the course offerings.
Prerequisites: Some courses have prerequisites that must be met before a student can register for the course. Prerequisites include such requirements as the successful completion of previous courses, concurrent registration in another course, permission of the instructor or chair, and specific G.P.A. and course grade requirements. A student may not register for a course where prerequisites are indicated unless the prerequisites have been successfully completed.
Note: For two-semester courses that are listed with one title and description (e.g., BIO 107-108 Human Anatomy and Physiology), it is understood that successful completion of the first semester is a prerequisite for admission to the second half of the course.The numerical sequence used at Canisius College indicates the following: Courses numbered 100-199 and 200-299 are usually freshman/sophomore courses; 300-399 and 400-499 are usually junior/senior courses. Upperclassmen, on the approval of the department chair, may take courses in the 500-599 category. Courses in the 600 category are restricted to graduate students only.
All courses described in the catalog are scheduled for both 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 unless otherwise indicated.
The college reserves the right to cancel a course because of inadequate registration or for reasons that cannot be foreseen. This is especially true of courses that are listed for 2009-2010. Because of the brevity of course descriptions, further information concerning the content of each course should be obtained from the individual department.
Declaring a Major
A student declares a major upon entrance to the college by filling out the “Academic Interest” section on the admission application. If students wish to change their majors, they must complete a Change of Major form in the Student Records Office. It is the students’ responsibly to make sure the record reflects their correct major, concentration or minor data.
Minors are an option available to students. The requirements for each minor are outlined in the appropriate departmental sections.
Dual Majors
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a dual major. The decision may be based on career goals or planned graduate studies. Before a student declares a dual major it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. Some dual major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement. But in some cases additional course work may be required.
In order to declare a dual major, the student must complete the appropriate dual major request form and get the signature of each department chairperson and the appropriate associate dean.
Substitutions
All degree requirements must be satisfied as stated in the catalog. In some circumstances it may be necessary to make adjustments to the student’s curriculum. Substitutions must be approved in writing by the appropriate person: the associate dean for the Core Curriculum and the department chairperson for the major and/or concentration requirements.
Writing
Writing is a way of learning as well as a way of communicating. The development of skill and fluency in the written use of language is inseparable from the development of skill and fluency in thought. As part of their learning experiences, students should expect to write in a variety of modes, from class notes, diaries and poems to examination essays and research papers. Opportunities for writing are a feature of every course in the college. To help develop skill and fluency in writing of various kinds, students may seek assistance from the staff of the Tutoring Center.
Academic Support Services
Students whose prior academic record or performance on placement examinations indicates that they will need additional help to succeed in their college work will be placed into special sections or courses that are designed to assist them in their future course of studies. Students may also be advised to take special courses or sections if their performance in the first year indicates such special attention may be helpful. When necessary, the college, working through the Student Advisement Center and the various departments, may require that such courses be taken.
Summer Session
The Canisius College Summer Session affords qualified graduate and undergraduate students educational opportunities of the same quality as the courses offered during the regular fall and spring semesters. Course offerings are planned especially for the following groups:
- Undergraduate students who wish to complete required courses, acquire additional credits toward a degree, or make up deficiencies.
- Transient students, graduate and undergraduate, who are pursuing degree work at other colleges and universities.
Students come to the college with diverse needs and varied backgrounds. The college believes that this diversity calls for individualized assistance as students develop into self-directed, independent learners. The college’s Student Advisement Center is designed to provide professional assistance for students on an individual basis. Advisors help students understand the college’s expectations and foster in them a sense of independence as learners and responsibility for achieving their educational goals. The advisor helps students recognize their academic strengths and weaknesses, establish realistic educational goals, and identify the courses and resources necessary to achieve these goals. The advisor provides academic guidance by interpreting institutional requirements, recommending courses of action and referring students to other people or departments for assistance. The Student Advisement Center is located in Bagen Hall, Room 103.
Freshmen: Each entering freshman is assigned an academic advisor in the area of their academic interest who assists the student throughout the freshman year by explaining the college’s curriculum and discussing the particular program of study that interests the student. During the freshman year the student will meet with an advisor at least twice each semester to discuss academic performance, student needs, available resources and course scheduling for subsequent semesters.
Undecided Students: Students who have not selecteda major after their freshman year will receive academic advisement from the Student Advisement Center.
Part-time Students: Part-time students are required to meet with an advisor, and are encouraged to use the services of the Student Advisement Center in selecting proper courses and understanding the resources that are available to assist them at the college.
Upper Class Students: After their freshmen year students who have selected a major are assigned an advisor in their major field. Each academic department will assign their majors to an advisor. The student must meet with his/her advisor within the department of their major for advisement each semester.
Non-Matriculated Students: Non-matriculated students are advised through the Office of Student Records in BA 106.
Second Degree
Individuals may enroll in a second baccalaureate degree if they can demonstrate that a second bachelor’s degree is necessary for their career. Individuals must fulfill the admissions requirements for the degree sought and must receive approval from the appropriate dean prior to matriculation in the program. These individuals, however, should be advised that in most cases it is unnecessary to receive a second baccalaureate degree; rather they merely need to complete a prescribed series of courses that apply to their career or life needs.
If they still wish to receive the second degree, the following policy will be the guideline for them: The credits received from the first bachelor’s degree will be applied as transfer credit to the second degree. The first degree need not have been completed at Canisius. The minimum requirements for the second degree include the completion of a minimum of at least thirty credit hours at Canisius, with at least 18 credit hours of the courses being taken from the selected major. The student must complete all the departmental requirements for the degree, as well as the general graduation requirements, including a 2.00 grade point average for all courses taken at Canisius.
Individuals should meet with the appropriate dean or advisor to outline the program of courses necessary for the completion of the second degree.