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2007-08 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Political Science
College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Hours for the Degree: 120
Minor: No
Certificate Programs: Yes
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: www.polisci.ufl.edu/undergrad/

The political science major is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in or near the public sector. Students take course work in areas as diverse as American and comparative politics, political theory, international relations, public policy and public administration. Students leave the major with an understanding of how politics and government operate, an appreciation for the values governments pursue, and the critical and analytic skills necessary for understanding the empirical and normative dimensions of the political world.

Political science majors are encouraged to serve in a political internship and participate in an overseas studies program. There are also numerous opportunities for students to conduct independent research with faculty. Recent graduates serve throughout federal, state and local governments, attend law and graduate schools, and work in the private sector.

International Relations:

Political science and non-major students can pursue undergraduate training in international relations in two ways: Students can select an interdisciplinary program that includes courses on comparative politics and international relations or they can pursue a certificate in international relations. Further information on the interdisciplinary option can be found in this catalog under Majors - Interdisciplinary programs.

Critical Tracking and Semester Plan

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • Complete 1 of 4 political science critical-tracking courses: CPO 2001, INR 2001, POT 2002 or POS 2041

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional political science critical-tracking course or STA 2023 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023

Semester 3:

  • Complete 1 additional political science critical-tracking course or STA 2023 with a 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023

Semester 4:

  • Complete 3 of 4 political science critical-tracking courses and STA 2023 with a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023

Semester 5:

  • Complete 1 additional political science course at the 3000 level or higher with a C or better in the course and maintain a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023

Suggested semester-by-semester plan

Semester 1Credits
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Political science core course (CPO 2001, INR 2001, POT 2002 or POS 2041) (GE-S)3
Foreign language4-5
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Total 13-14
Semester 2Credits
Political science core course (GE-S)3
Foreign Language3-5
Humanities (GE-H)3
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B)1
Elective3-0
Total 16-15
Semester 3Credits
Political science core course (GE-S)3
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option)3
Elective 3
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
Humanities (GE-H)3
Physical Science (GE-P)3
Biological Science (GE-B)3
Electives6
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
Two political science 3000-/4000-level courses6
Physical science course3
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) *3
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C, WR)3
Total 15
Semester 6Credits
Two political science 3000-/4000-level courses6
POS 4934 Honors Preparation (department honors, optional)1
Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) *3
Electives6
Total 16
Semester 7Credits
Political science 3000-/4000-level course3
POS 4734 Research Methods in Political Science (department honors, optional) or
Political science 3000-/4000-level course
3
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) *6
Elective3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
Political science course or POS 4970 Senior Thesis (department honors, optional)2-4
Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) *6
Electives 7-5
Total 15

* Electives: Majors are encouraged to use some of their electives to pursue a minor.