Dec 04, 2024  
2013-2014 General Catalog 
    
2013-2014 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Programs



The State of Louisiana Board of Regents, in its Master Plan for Higher Education, designated LSU as Louisiana’s single “comprehensive university.”

LSU is also the “flagship university” of the state of Louisiana.

LSU students have the opportunity to experience a rich diversity of courses, curricula, students, faculty, and settings that stimulate and challenge individual growth. As the state’s comprehensive university, LSU offers numerous choices for intellectual development, career options, and cultural exposure. The undergraduate classroom is enhanced through LSU’s research status, ensuring that students are aware of the most recent discoveries and are taught innovative modes of inquiry.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in 70 major fields, master’s degrees are offered in 76 major fields, and doctoral degrees are offered in 48 major fields.

The university has no more important mission than to provide its students with outstanding learning opportunities. LSU offers undergraduate programs of study that are both rigorous and exciting. These programs attract bright, energetic students who wish to prepare for the career challenges of the 21st century.

Undergraduate Degrees

Academic programs and services at LSU provide students with the opportunity to obtain a strong general education, explore a variety of fields and majors, and have direct contact with faculty in their major field. Freshmen are admitted to University College where they either declare a major or examine educational and career alternatives while completing the general education requirements. To complete degree requirements, students must meet the admission requirements of a senior college.

Students select from degree programs offered by ten senior colleges and schools.

College of Agriculture

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Forestry

College of Art & Design

Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Interior Design
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

E. J. Ourso College of Business

Bachelor of Science

School of the Coast & Environment

Bachelor of Science in Coastal Environmental Science

College of Human Sciences and Education

Bachelor of Science

College of Engineering

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering

College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Bachelor of Science

Manship School of Mass Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication

College of Music & Dramatic Arts

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music Education

College of Science

Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Geology

Graduate Degrees

Graduate degrees that the university is currently authorized by the Board of Regents to offer are listed below. Please see “The Graduate School ” for additional information.

Master of Applied Statistics
Master of Architecture
Master of Arts in Teaching
Master of Arts
Master of Arts in Liberal Arts
Master of Business Administration
Master of Education
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Landscape Architecture
Master of Library & Information Science
Master of Mass Communication
Master of Music
Master of Natural Sciences
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science
Master of Science in Biological & Agricultural Engineering
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Master of Science in Engineering Science
Master of Science in Industrial Engineering
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
Master of Science in Systems Science
Master of Social Work
Certificate of Education Specialist
Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Course Offerings

Instruction is provided through a wide variety of on- and off-campus courses. The academic year is divided into fall and spring semesters and a summer term consisting of one or more sessions. Most classes are taught between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The fall semester starts in mid-August and ends in mid-December; the spring semester lasts from January to May. The summer sessions are generally held from early June to early August. There are three intersession terms: between the fall semester and the spring semester, the spring semester and the summer term, and the summer term and the fall semester. During the three-week intensive intersessions, students attend classes for approximately three hours each day. Many students take advantage of the summer term and intersessions to expedite graduation, to take courses unavailable during the fall or spring, or to lighten their academic load for the following semester.

Some courses are taught through independent learning, online, or in off-campus locations through Continuing Education. These offerings provide maximum flexibility for students, particularly adult students and those who work during the day. Also available are educational opportunities through ROTC, the “Artist and Lecture Series,” the Career Services Center, LSU-Baton Rouge Community College Cross-Enrollment Program, and LSU-Southern University cooperative programs.

Special Programs

Continuing Education offers instruction to traditional and non-traditional students by extending the educational services of LSU through a wide range of outreach efforts. Programs include on- and off-campus credit and noncredit courses and certificate programs; distance learning programs; programs for professional advancement, conferences, seminars; precollege programs, and other specialized instructional programs. For more information, see “Continuing Education ” in this catalog.

The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes (CCACSA) is comprised of an academic affairs team, a student affairs team, and an information technology team. Collectively, the purpose is to provide an all-inclusive student-centered support structure for all student-athletes from matriculation through graduation and life beyond.

Artist and Lecture Series and Lectureships

LSU sponsors artist and lecture series and lectureships to foster intellectual inquiry, stimulate dialog, and cultivate unique experiences with outstanding performance in a variety of fields. Among these programs are:

  • Aesculapian Lecture Series in Veterinary Medicine
  • Senator John Breaux Annual Symposium in Media and Public Affairs
  • Chancellor’s Distinguished Lectureship Series
  • Max Z. Conrad Lecture Series
  • LSU Curriculum Theory Project Distinguished Lecture Series
  • Deep South Conference in Communication Sciences & Disorders
  • Delta Mouth Literary Festival
  • Design Week Visiting Critic, Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture
  • J. Norman Efferson Lectureship Series
  • Festival of Contemporary Music
  • Walter Lynwood Fleming Lectures in Southern History
  • LSU Flores MBA Program Distinguished Speaker Series
  • Frank J. Germano Lecture Series in Civil Engineering
  • Max Goodrich Distinguished Speaker Series in Physics and Astronomy
  • Giles Wilkeson Gray Lecture Series in Communication Studies
  • Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Lecture Series
  • Holt B. Harrison/Harrison Paint Co./Elmira H. Harrison Lectureship
  • History Graduate Student Association Annual Conference
  • Walter Hitesman Lecture Series in Mass Communication
  • Hubert H. Humphrey Lectureship in Public Affairs
  • J. W. Kistler Conference
  • W. A . Lawrence Lecture
  • School of Library & Information Science Beta Phi Mu Lecture Series
  • Louisiana Environmental Lecture Series of the Coast and Environment
  • LSU School of Art Artist in Residence
  • Paula G. Manship College of Art & Design Lecture Series
  • Paula G. Manship School of Music Guest Artist Series
  • Marathon Speaker Series in Geology
  • Modern History Colloquium
  • Grover E. Murray Lecture Series in Geology
  • E. J. Ourso College of Business/LSU Flores MBA Alumni Association Louisiana Looking Up
  • Pasquale Porcelli Distinguished Lecture Series in Mathematics
  • Patrick Lecture Series in Nutrition, Food Science, and Wetland Science
  • The performance studies area in the Department of Communication Studies presents performances of literature, performance art, and experimental productions designed by students, faculty, and guest artists throughout the academic year.
  • Evelyn Pruitt Geography Lecture Series
  • William A. Pryor Lecture Series
  • Readers & Writers Literary Forum
  • Janice R. Sachse Visiting Artist Series
  • School of Architecture Lecture Series
  • Stephenson Entrepreneurship Institute’s Distinguished Entrepreneurship Speaker Series
  • The Underpass/Small Bar Reading Series
  • Visiting Poets Series
  • Edward Douglass White Lectures on Citizenship
  • L. J. Wilbert Memorial Lectures in Geology
  • School of Music–Throughout each year, the School of Music presents a comprehensive series of concerts involving faculty and student performers; orchestras; wind ensembles; jazz groups; gospel choirs; choral ensembles; chamber music; and opera.
  • LSU Theatre and Swine Palace present six major productions each year featuring students, faculty, and professional artists as well as a Lab Season of student-directed workshop productions and the annual LSU Dance Concert.

Board of Regents’ Academic Policy

The university conforms to Board of Regents’ requirements to ensure consistency of official documentation with the Regents’ Inventory of Degree and Certificate Programs. The following standardized terms are used in LSU catalogs, diplomas, commencement programs, transcripts, and other official documents.

Degree ▪ The title of the award conferred on students by a college, university, or professional school upon completion of a unified program of study (i.e., Bachelor of Arts, BA; Bachelor of Science, BS; Master of Science, MS; Master of Fine Arts, MFA; Master of Landscape Architecture, MLA; Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, etc.).

Degree Program ▪ A grouping of campus-approved courses and requirements (i.e., minimum GPA, comprehensive examinations, English and mathematics proficiency) that, when satisfactorily completed by a student, will entitle him or her to a degree from a public institution of higher education.

Degree Designation ▪ A degree designation for each authorized program at public institutions of higher education is listed in the Board of Regents’ Inventory of Degree and Certificate Programs. Some professional programs require the name of the general subject area as part of the degree designation (i.e., Bachelor of Architecture, BArch; Master of Social Work, MSW; Juris Doctorate, JD, etc.).

Degree Subject Area ▪ The primary discipline that constitutes the focus of a degree program. (For example, a Bachelor of Arts in history. In some cases, the degree subject area is part of the degree title, as in Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture.) When a student satisfactorily completes a degree program, he/she will be entitled to a degree in the appropriate subject area (i.e., biology, history, English, etc.)

Degree Title ▪ The complete label of a degree program, consisting of the degree designation and the degree subject area (i.e., Bachelor of Arts in history; Bachelor of Science in chemistry).

Curriculum ▪ A description of the required and elective courses for a degree program.

Major ▪ That part of a degree program that consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline or field. The name of the major is usually consistent with the degree subject area. A major usually consists of 25 percent or more of the total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Establishment of a major requires prior approval by the Board of Regents.

Minor ▪ That part of a degree program that consists of a specified group of courses in a particular discipline or field. The minor usually consists of 15 percent or more of the total hours required in an undergraduate curriculum. Minors do not require prior approval by the Board of Regents.

Concentration ▪ An alternative track of courses within a major, accounting for at least 30 percent of the major requirements. Establishment of a concentration does not require prior approval by the Board of Regents. Transcripts list degree titles, majors, minors, and concentrations. Diplomas list only the appropriate degree designations.

Under­graduate degrees that the university is cur­rently authorized by the Board of Regents to offer are presented in this table  by college. Mi­nors within degree programs are listed in this table.  Please consult the appropriate senior college section for more information.

Louisiana State University

University College

Go to information for University College.

College of Agriculture

Go to information for College of Agriculture.

General Minor

Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness

Go to information for Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness.

Major

Minor

Department of Entomology

Go to information for Department of Entomology.

Major

Minor

Department of Experimental Statistics

Go to information for Department of Experimental Statistics.

Minor

Department of Food Science

Go to information for Department of Food Science.

Major

Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology

Go to information for Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology.

Major

School of Animal Sciences

Go to information for School of Animal Sciences.

Major

Minor

School of Human Ecology

Go to information for School of Human Ecology.

Major

Minor

Agricultural Education (Intercollegiate Program)

Go to information for Agricultural Education (Intercollegiate Program).

Major

Minor

School of Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences

Go to information for School of Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences.

Major

Minor

School of Renewable Natural Resources

Go to information for School of Renewable Natural Resources.

Major

Minor

College of Art & Design

Go to information for College of Art & Design.

E.J. Ourso College of Business

Go to information for E.J. Ourso College of Business.

General Minor

General Business (Interdepartmental Program)

Go to information for General Business (Interdepartmental Program).

Major

Department of Accounting

Go to information for Department of Accounting.

Major

Department of Economics

Go to information for Department of Economics.

Major

Department of Finance

Go to information for Department of Finance.

Major

Minor

Department of Information Systems & Decision Sciences

Go to information for Department of Information Systems & Decision Sciences.

Major

Minor

William W. and Catherine M. Rucks Department of Management

Go to information for William W. and Catherine M. Rucks Department of Management.

Major

Minor

Department of Marketing

Go to information for Department of Marketing.

Major

Public Administration Institute (Interdepartmental Program)

Go to information for Public Administration Institute (Interdepartmental Program).

School of the Coast & Environment

Go to information for School of the Coast & Environment.

College of Engineering

Go to information for College of Engineering.

General Minor

Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering

Go to information for Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering.

Major

General Minor

Gordon A. and Mary Cain Department of Chemical Engineering

Go to information for Gordon A. and Mary Cain Department of Chemical Engineering.

Major

Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Go to information for Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Major

Minor

Department of Construction Management

Go to information for Department of Construction Management.

Major

Minor

School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Go to information for School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

Major

Minor

Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Go to information for Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering.

Major

Minor

Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering

Go to information for Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering.

Major

Honors College

Go to information for Honors College.

College of Human Sciences and Education

Go to information for College of Human Sciences and Education.

School of Education

Go to information for School of Education.

Major

Minor

School of Human Resource Education & Workforce Development

Go to information for School of Human Resource Education & Workforce Development.

Major

Minor

School of Kinesiology

Go to information for School of Kinesiology.

Major

Minor

School of Library & Information Science

Go to information for School of Library & Information Science.

School of Social Work

Go to information for School of Social Work.

Major

Minor

College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Go to information for College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

General Minor

Department of Aerospace Studies

Go to information for Department of Aerospace Studies.

Minor

Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders

Go to information for Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Major

Department of Communication Studies

Go to information for Department of Communication Studies.

Major

Minor

Comparative Literature (Interdepartmental Program)

Go to information for Comparative Literature (Interdepartmental Program).

Doctorate

Economics (Intercollegiate Program)

Go to information for Economics (Intercollegiate Program).

Major

Department of English

Go to information for Department of English.

Major

Minor

Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures

Go to information for Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures.

Major

Minor

Department of French Studies

Go to information for Department of French Studies.

Major

Minor

Department of Geography & Anthropology

Go to information for Department of Geography & Anthropology.

Major

Minor

Department of History

Go to information for Department of History.

Major

Minor

Interdisciplinary Studies (Interdepartmental Program)

Go to information for Interdisciplinary Studies (Interdepartmental Program).

Major

International Studies (Interdepartmental Program)

Go to information for International Studies (Interdepartmental Program).

Major

Minor

Liberal Arts (Intercollegiate Program)

Go to information for Liberal Arts (Intercollegiate Program).

Major

Linguistics (Interdepartmental Program)

Go to information for Linguistics (Interdepartmental Program).

Minor

Department of Military Science

Go to information for Department of Military Science.

Minor

Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies

Go to information for Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies.

Major

Minor

Department of Political Science

Go to information for Department of Political Science.

Major

Minor

Department of Psychology

Go to information for Department of Psychology.

Major

Minor

Department of Sociology

Go to information for Department of Sociology.

Major

Minor

School of Mass Communication

Go to information for School of Mass Communication.

College of Music & Dramatic Arts

Go to information for College of Music & Dramatic Arts.

College of Science

Go to information for College of Science.

School of Veterinary Medicine

Go to information for School of Veterinary Medicine.

Doctorate

The General Education Component of Undergraduate Education

Go to information for The General Education Component of Undergraduate Education.

The Graduate School

Go to information for The Graduate School.

Accounting (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Accounting (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Animal Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Animal Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Architecture (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Architecture (Graduate Program).

Masters

Art & Art History (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Art & Art History (Graduate Program).

Masters

Biological & Agricultural Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Biological & Agricultural Engineering (Graduate Program).

Doctorate

Biological Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Biological Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Interdepartmental Studies in Business Administration (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Interdepartmental Studies in Business Administration (Graduate Program).

Doctorate

Graduate

Chemical Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Chemical Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Chemistry (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Chemistry (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Civil & Environmental Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Civil & Environmental Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Communication Sciences & Disorders (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Communication Sciences & Disorders (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Communication Studies (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Communication Studies (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Comparative Biomedical Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Comparative Biomedical Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Comparative Literature (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Comparative Literature (Graduate Program).

Doctorate

Computer Science & Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Computer Science & Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Construction Management (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Construction Management (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Economics (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Economics (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Education (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Education (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Certificate

Electrical & Computer Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Electrical & Computer Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Interdisciplinary Progam in Engineering Science (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Interdisciplinary Progam in Engineering Science (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

English (Graduate Program)

Go to information for English (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Entomology (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Entomology (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Environmental Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Environmental Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Experimental Statistics (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Experimental Statistics (Graduate Program).

Masters

Finance (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Finance (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Graduate

Food Science (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Food Science (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Foreign Languages & Literatures (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Foreign Languages & Literatures (Graduate Program).

Masters

French Studies (Graduate Program)

Go to information for French Studies (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Geography & Anthropology (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Geography & Anthropology (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Geology & Geophysics (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Geology & Geophysics (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

History (Graduate Program)

Go to information for History (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Graduate

Human Ecology (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Human Ecology (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Human Resource Education & Workforce Development (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Human Resource Education & Workforce Development (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Industrial Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Industrial Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Information Systems & Decision Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Information Systems & Decision Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Kinesiology (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Kinesiology (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Landscape Architecture (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Landscape Architecture (Graduate Program).

Masters

Interdepartmental Program in Liberal Arts (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Interdepartmental Program in Liberal Arts (Graduate Program).

Masters

Library & Information Science (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Library & Information Science (Graduate Program).

Masters

Management (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Management (Graduate Program).

Doctorate

Marketing (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Marketing (Graduate Program).

Doctorate

Mass Communication (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Mass Communication (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Graduate

Mathematics (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Mathematics (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Mechanical Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Mechanical Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Music (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Music (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Interdisciplinary Program in Natural Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Interdisciplinary Program in Natural Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Oceanography & Coastal Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Oceanography & Coastal Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Pathobiological Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Pathobiological Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Petroleum Engineering (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Petroleum Engineering (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Philosophy (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Philosophy (Graduate Program).

Masters

Physics & Astronomy (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Physics & Astronomy (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology: Plant Health (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology: Plant Health (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Political Science (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Political Science (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Psychology (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Psychology (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Public Administration Institute (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Public Administration Institute (Graduate Program).

Masters

Graduate

Renewable Natural Resources (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Renewable Natural Resources (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Social Work (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Social Work (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Sociology (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Sociology (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Theatre (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Theatre (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate

Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Graduate Program)

Go to information for Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Graduate Program).

Masters

Doctorate