College of Arts & Sciences

Academic Advising

Every full-time student in the College chooses an academic advisor. The success of the advising system depends on the student as well as the advisor. Students must confer with their advisors before registration for each successive term and should meet with them periodically during each semester.

Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center


In planning an academic program, students may encounter complex problems that even the most careful reading of this bulletin will not resolve. The Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center, CAS Room 105, is staffed by personnel who can assist in the resolution of such issues or any other academic problems. Freshman and sophomore students who have not chosen a concentration will be provided special assistance in registering, selecting a concentration, and developing a comprehensive program for their studies by their faculty advisors in CAS 105. Students with declared concentrations are assigned advisors in their departments. All College of Arts & Sciences students are encouraged to consult the staff in Room 105 for help with any academic problem.

To contact the Taylor Academic Advising Center, call 617-353-2400. E-mail: cas105@bu.edu.

Summer Orientation

In June and July, the College of Arts & Sciences holds a series of two-day orientation sessions to help incoming freshmen and transfers begin their college experience on a positive note, with a personal and thorough introduction to the College of Arts & Sciences and the University. Conducted by faculty, staff, and students from the College, these sessions allow new students to meet other students, become acquainted with the campus, take placement tests, and participate in registration workshops. Most important, the sessions ensure that incoming freshmen and transfer students are properly registered for the fall semester. Information concerning the program is mailed to each student accepted to the College of Arts & Sciences.

Declared Concentrations

Entering students who have indicated a tentative choice of concentration are assigned to or choose an advisor in the corresponding department. All students are expected to meet with their advisors before registration and often during the semester to keep them informed of progress and to develop a strong mentoring relationship.

Undeclared Students

Entering freshmen or transfer students who have not indicated a choice of concentration choose a primary faculty advisor at the Dean Ralph W. Taylor Academic Advising Center in CAS 105. The faculty advisors and staff of CAS 105 provide assistance to undeclared students until they select their concentrations.

Special Advising

The College of Arts & Sciences provides specialized advising for preprofessional students interested in law or health care. Other specialized advising is provided by University offices including the International Students & Scholars Office, the Study Abroad Office, and the Educational Resource Center. These advising arrangements supplement rather than replace departmental advising. Information about special advising is available in the Academic Advising Center, CAS Room 105; E-mail: cas105@bu.edu.

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Health Professions


Students preparing for medical, dental, veterinary, or other health science graduate programs should open a file in the Preprofessional Advising Office, CAS Room B2. General orientation meetings for all interested students are held each year, and advising appointments may be scheduled by individual students throughout the year. Information is available throughout the year in CAS Room B2.

Premedical  Admission requirements of medical schools are to some degree standardized by the Association of American Medical Colleges. Premedical students should become familiar with the particular requirements of the medical schools to which they intend to apply.

In general the following requirements must be met:

1. four full academic years (32 courses) of acceptable work in an accredited four-year college or university

2. English (including expository writing): two courses

3. science courses, including both lectures and laboratory, as follows: biology, two courses; general inorganic chemistry, two courses; organic chemistry, two courses; and elementary physics, two courses. A one-year course in calculus is strongly recommended, being required by many schools.

Completion of these courses by the end of the junior year enables students to take the MCAT and begin the application process prior to the senior year.

The foreign language and general education requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences degree are satisfactory for all medical schools. In addition to the basic courses listed above, a number of medical schools may require one or more additional courses such as biochemistry or literature. Premedical studies do not constitute a concentration or a minor concentration program. Premedical students must declare a concentration by the end of their sophomore year and are encouraged to pick an area (not necessarily science) in which they have a strong academic interest.

Medical schools require applicants to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Students are advised to take this test in the spring of their junior year.

Predental and Preveterinary  Students ordinarily follow a premedical program, except when the schools to which the candidates apply indicate special requirements. This is particularly true of veterinary programs, which often require additional coursework in biology and animal sciences. Dental programs require the Dental Admission Test (DAT). Veterinary programs generally require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Additional Health-Related Professions  Advisors in the Preprofessional Advising Office provide assistance to students interested in a broad range of health-related professions. Students are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment to discuss their particular field of interest.

Prelaw


The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and most law schools state specifically that a prelaw curriculum is not particularly advantageous or even desirable. Law schools look for skills in reading, analytical thinking, and written and oral communication; these skills can be gained in almost any curriculum. Boston University therefore does not offer a specific prelaw concentration. Instead, students are encouraged to choose classes based on their interest in the subject matter and their ability to do well in such classes. It is, however, important to develop those skills that are most likely to be utilized in law school and in the practice of law, such as written and oral communication skills and knowledge of current political and social issues. Additionally, students are urged to acquire a broad liberal arts foundation by taking courses in a number of different areas.

Some students may be undecided about whether to pursue legal studies. Boston University does offer courses related to law, legal thinking, and the legal process in a variety of the departments within the University. These courses may be particularly helpful to students in the decision-making process.

Some internship programs that may be of interest to students considering law school are the Boston University Washington Internship Program, the London Internship Program, the Madrid Program, and the Dublin Internship Program. The Washington Internship Program is for students seeking placements with members of Congress and Congressional committees and caucuses. The London Internship Program offers a one-semester opportunity to combine study, independent living, and work in London, including possible positions with members of Parliament. One of the London programs concentrates on comparative English and American law. There are several other internships with some prelaw content. For additional information about internships, please contact the Division of International Programs, 232 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215; 617-353-9888.

Each year, more than 500 current students and graduates of Boston University apply to law schools. Students who are interested in applying to law school should register early in their college careers with the prelaw advisor in CAS Room B2. The Preprofessional Advising Office has information and materials relating to law school and law-related careers.

Interested students should also obtain information about the five prelaw organizations: the Prelaw Society, the Diversity in Law Association, the Prelaw Review, the Mock Trial Team, and the Mock Mediation Team. For additional information regarding these organizations, visit CAS Room B2, call 617-353-4867, or send e-mail to preprof@bu.edu.

Programs Office

The Programs Office provides links to an enriched academic life for CAS students through programs and events that connect students to classmates and professors.

The Programs Office also sponsors and coordinates CAS participation in University-wide events like Commencement, Family Weekend, and Spring Open House. The Programs Office is located in CAS Room 107: 617-358-3199 or casevent@bu.edu.

Teaching Licensure

Students preparing to teach in public schools should refer to the College of Arts & Sciences “Education” section. In addition to the requirements of a College of Arts & Sciences concentration, students must meet requirements for teacher licensure. To be considered for admission to a teacher licensure sequence, students must achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.6 and a passing entry-level score on a School of Education Literacy Test or have the approval of the Dean of the School of Education. These requirements must be met before a student may register for the upper-level prepracticum and practicum courses. Contact Director of Student Services, Jacqueline Boyle, in Room 243 at the School of Education for an appointment to discuss options and to receive an application. Application should be made no later than the beginning of the second semester of the sophomore year.

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Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215

16 October 2009
Boston University
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