South Carolina Honors College

 

 Undergraduate Index


Peter C. Sederberg, Ph.D., Dean of the College
James L. Stiver, Ph.D., Associate Dean
Douglas F. Williams, Ph.D., Associate Dean

Overview

South Carolina Honors College (SCHC) has been established in order to provide highly gifted and motivated students with the opportunity to develop their intellectual potential to the fullest. It emphasizes small classes with intimate exchange between students and teachers and a curriculum designed to exploit fully the talents of both students and teachers. The college is structured to permit any qualified student, regardless of major or career interest, to participate in this unique educational experience--the benefits of a small college in the context of a major university.

Admission

Admission to the college is based upon proof of a student’s potential for high academic achievement. The most common indicators are outstanding work in high school, high aptitude test scores, the ability to write well, and a strong intellectual curiosity. A candidate for the college must first be accepted for admission to the University.

The admissions policies are determined by the South Carolina Honors College Policy Committee and administered by the coordinator of admissions for South Carolina Honors College in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The normal standards to be considered for admission include, but are not confined to, an SAT of 1300 and a strong academic performance in high school, as well as evidence of keen analytical skills and a clear writing style. Transfer students and students already enrolled in the University who have a GPA of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale also may be considered for admission. Admission of such students will be contingent on a review of the student’s overall record and the availability of space in the Honors College.

Housing

Students enrolled in South Carolina Honors College have the option of applying through University Housing for available SCHC housing. New vacancies are offered first to South Carolina Honors College upper-level students in residence halls located on the historic Horseshoe, the site of the original South Carolina College. In order to emphasize the relationship of the college and its students to the general University, approximately 30 percent of the housing space is made available to students not enrolled in the college. Housing for freshmen is in the freshman honors residence, Maxcy College.

Regulations

Students enrolled in the college must maintain a minimum GPA on a sliding scale from 3.00 to 3.30 in order to remain in good standing; they are permitted one semester of probation.

Advisement

During the freshman year students will be advised by the staff of South Carolina Honors College. Once students select a discipline for their major, they will be advised by specially chosen faculty members in that discipline, as well as by the administrative staff of South Carolina Honors College.

Curriculum

To graduate with honors from South Carolina Honors College, students must complete at least 45 credit hours in honors courses, including a senior thesis or project. Two courses each in English, science, and the history of civilization are required, as well as one course in analytical reasoning and two additional courses in liberal arts. The curriculum is designed so that all students, regardless of their major, can complete the requirements without additional course work.

Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae

South Carolina Honors College offers a unique degree, the Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae (Bachelor of Arts and Science). Admission to the degree program is based on outstanding academic work and a commitment to developing intellectual breadth. Each program is tailored to the students’ own needs and aptitudes. The individual curriculum is supervised by an advisory committee which aids candidates in course selection and career orientation. The traditional major and cognate or minor are replaced by a wide range of courses designed to develop intellectual inquisitiveness. Students will satisfy the basic degree requirements of both the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science and Mathematics; students will also demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at the third-year level, submit a senior thesis or project worth nine to 15 credits, and complete a total of at least 69 credits within South Carolina Honors College. A 3.50 cumulative GPA is required to graduate with the Baccalaureus. The degree is most suitable to students preparing to continue their studies beyond the baccalaureate level, especially in law, government service, various graduate areas, and medicine. Additional requirements will be established by each student’s advisory committee, depending on individual goals, needs, and lacunae. See the SCHC Student Handbook for further details.

Proseminars

Although many honors courses are offered directly through various academic departments, many others bear the SCCC prefix, indicating that they have been developed specifically for the Honors College.

Another special feature of the Honors College curriculum is the proseminar. At the sophomore level it is expected that the proseminars will be broad in scope, providing a firm grounding in the general area described by the discipline. At the junior and senior levels, the proseminars will be rather more specific in their content, providing the students and professor the opportunity to delve deeply into a specialized subject. Proseminar course listings have purposely been left general in order to permit the development of courses which will answer the specific needs of the students in the college. Of special interest are the interdisciplinary proseminars, which are intended to bring knowledge from several academic disciplines to bear on a particular problem. They may be taught by more than one faculty member.

With the approval of the appropriate dean or department head, all SCCC courses may count toward group, area, major, or cognate requirements.

For further information contact: Dean, South Carolina Honors College, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.

Curriculum (SCCC)

  • 101, 102--Principles of Biology. {=BIOL 101, 102} (4 each) Must be taken in sequence.
  • 103, 104--Principles of Chemistry. {=CHEM 111, 112} (4 each) Must be taken in sequence.
  • 105, 106--Principles of Geology. {SCCC 105=GEOL 103; SCCC 106=GEOL 105} (4 each)
  • 107L--Marine Science Lab I. {=MSCI 101L} (1)
  • 108L--Marine Science Lab II. {=MSCI 102L} (1)
  • 109, 110--Principles of Physics. {=PHYS 211, 212} (4 each) Must be taken in sequence.
  • 111, 112--Calculus. {=MATH 141, 142} (4 each) Must be taken in sequence.
  • 113, 114--Logic. {=PHIL 110, 111} (3 each)
  • 115, 116--Descriptive Astronomy. {=ASTR 111, 112} (4 each) Must be taken in sequence.
  • 117--Computer Science: Algorithmic Design I. {=CSCE 145} (4) (Prereq: MATH 115, or enrollment in MATH 141 or SCCC 111)
  • 121--American History. {=HIST 110} (3)
  • 123, 124--European History. {=HIST 101, 102} (3 each)
  • 125, 126--Special Topics in History. (3 each)
  • 130--Introduction to Psychology. {=PSYC 101} (3)
  • 131--Introduction to Sociology. {=SOCY 101} (3)
  • 132--Introduction to Anthropology. {=ANTH 102} (3)
  • 133--Introduction to Political Analysis. {=GINT 100} (3)
  • 134--Introduction to International Relations. {=GINT 101} (3)
  • 135, 136--Principles of Economics. {=ECON 221, 222} (3 each)
  • 137--Introduction to Geography. (3)
  • 154--Expository Prose. (3) Intensive composition work with substantial study of prose writing in various modes or from various disciplines.
  • 155--Poetry. (3) Intensive composition work with substantial study of poetry. Students may not receive credit for both SCCC 155 and ENGL 286.
  • 156--The Novel. (3) Intensive composition work with substantial study of fiction. Students may not receive credit for both SCCC 156 and ENGL 282.
  • 157--Drama. (3) Intensive composition work with substantial study of drama. Students may not receive credit for both SCCC 157 and ENGL 284.
  • 158--Rhetoric. {=THSP 140} (3)
  • 159--Ancient Philosophy. (3)
  • 163--Readings in French. {=FREN 122} (3) A review of French grammar and structure through a study of representative texts of French literature. Taught in French.
  • 164--Readings in Spanish. {=SPAN 122} (3) A review of Spanish grammar and structure through a study of representative texts of Spanish literature. Taught in Spanish.
  • 165--Readings in German. {=GERM 122} (3) A review of German grammar and structure through a study of representative texts of German literature. Taught in German.
  • 166--Art History. (3)
  • 167--Music History. (3)
  • 169--Readings in Latin. {=LATN 201} (3) A review of Latin grammar and structure through a study of representative texts of Latin literature.
  • 170--Introduction to Engineering I. (2)
  • 171--Introduction to Engineering II. (2)

Note: The following courses are proseminars, with specific topics to be selected as need and interests dictate. Generally limited to 18 students, they are either an extensive study of a broad area, or an intensive examination of a specific problem.

  • 203, 204--Proseminar in Chemistry. (4 each)
  • 209--Proseminar in Physics. (3)
  • 209L--Proseminar in Physics Lab. (1)
  • 211--Vector Calculus. {=MATH 241} (3)
  • 212--Proseminar in Mathematics. {=MATH 242} (3)
  • 231--Proseminar in Sociology. (3)
  • 232--Proseminar in Anthropology. (3)
  • 233--Proseminar in Political Science. (3)
  • 235--Proseminar in Economics. (3)
  • 252--Studies in Writing. (3) (Prereq: see note above) Theory and practice of rhetoric and study of selected writings. Minimum of three papers and a term paper.
  • 253--Comparative Studies in Literature. (3) (Prereq: see note above) Broad historical or generic topics in literature. Minimum of three papers and a term paper.
  • 254--Studies in American Literature. (3) (Prereq: see note above) Broad historical or generic topics in American literature. Minimum of three papers and a term paper. Students may not receive credit for both SCCC 254 and English 287.
  • 255--Studies in British Literature. (3) (Prereq: see note above) Broad historical or generic topics in British literature. Minimum of three papers and a term paper. Student may not receive credit for both SCCC 255 and English 288 or 289.
  • 259, 260--Proseminar in Philosophy. (3 each)
  • 263--Proseminar in French. (3) Satisfies Track II requirement.
  • 264--Proseminar in Spanish. (3) Satisfies Track II requirement.
  • 265--Proseminar in German. (3) Satisfies Track II requirement.
  • 266--Proseminar in Art. (3)
  • 270, 271--Proseminar in Engineering. (3 each)
  • 274, 275--Proseminar in Business Administration. (3 each)
  • 280, 281--Interdisciplinary Proseminar in the Liberal Arts. (3 each)
  • 284, 285--Interdisciplinary Proseminar in Science and Mathematics. (3–4 each)
  • 301--Proseminar in Biology. (3)
  • 301L--Biology Lab. (1) (Coreq: SCCC 301)
  • 302--Proseminar in Biology. (3)
  • 302L--Biology Lab. (1) (Coreq: SCCC 302)
  • 311--Proseminar in Mathematics. (3)
  • 312--Proseminar in Statistics. (3) (Prereq: Sophomore standing and either MATH 122 or SCCC 111 or MATH 141).
  • 321, 322--Proseminar in American History. (3 each)
  • 325--Proseminar in History. (3)
  • 330--Proseminar in Psychology. (3)
  • 331--Proseminar in Sociology. (3)
  • 332--Proseminar in Anthropology. (3)
  • 333--Proseminar in Political Science. (3)
  • 334--Proseminar in International Studies. (3)
  • 335--Proseminar in Economics. (3)
  • 337--Proseminar in Geography. (3)
  • 350--Proseminar in American Literature. (3)
  • 351--Proseminar in Pre-1660 British Literature. (3)
  • 352--Proseminar in Post-1660 British Literature. (3)
  • 353--Proseminar in Comparative Literature. (3)
  • 354--Proseminar in Creative Writing. (3)
  • 355--Proseminar in Poetry. (3)
  • 356--Proseminar in the Novel. (3)
  • 357--Proseminar in the Drama. (3)
  • 359, 360--Proseminar in Philosophy. (3 each)
  • 361, 362--Proseminar in Religious Studies. (3 each)
  • 363--Proseminar in French. (3) Satisfies Baccalaureus requirement.
  • 364--Proseminar in Spanish. (3) Satisfies Baccalaureus requirement.
  • 365--Proseminar in German. (3) Satisfies Baccalaureus requirement.
  • 366--Proseminar in Art. (3)
  • 374, 375--Proseminar in Business Administration. (3 each)
  • 377--Proseminar in Education. (3)
  • 380-389--Interdisciplinary Proseminars. (3-4 each)
  • 390-398--Proseminar. (1-3 credits per semester) South Carolina Honors College courses offered for variable credit.
  • 399--Independent Study. (3-15) Required of all Baccalaureus students. Contract approval by instructor, department advisor, and dean or associate dean is required.
  • 401--Proseminar in Biology. (3)
  • 401L--Biology Lab. (1) (Coreq: SCCC 401)
  • 402--Proseminar in Biology. (3)
  • 402L--Biology Lab. (1) (Coreq: SCCC 402)
  • 411, 412--Proseminar in Mathematics. (3-4 each)
  • 411L--Mathematics Laboratory. (1) Computer implementation of linear algebra algorithms for SCCC 411 (optional).
  • 422--Proseminar in American History. (3)
  • 423--Proseminar in European History. (3)
  • 425--Proseminar in History. (3)
  • 430--Proseminar in Psychology. (3)
  • 431--Proseminar in Sociology. (3)
  • 433--Proseminar in Political Science. (3)
  • 434--Proseminar in International Relations. (3)
  • 437--Proseminar in Geography. (3)
  • 450--Proseminar in American Literature. (3)
  • 451--Proseminar in Pre-1660 British Literature. (3)
  • 452--Proseminar in Post-1660 British Literature. (3)
  • 453--Proseminar in Comparative Literature. (3)
  • 454--Proseminar in Writing. (3 each)
  • 455--Proseminar in English Language and Linguistics. (3)
  • 456--Proseminar in Criticism. (3)
  • 457--Proseminar in Literature. (3)
  • 458--Proseminar in Theatre and Speech. (3)
  • 462--Proseminar in Religious Studies. (3)
  • 463--Proseminar in French. (3)
  • 465--Proseminar in German. (3)
  • 466--Proseminar in Art. (3)
  • 472, 473--Proseminar in Journalism. (3 each)
  • 480-489--Interdisciplinary Proseminar. (3-4 each)
  • 498--Honors Internship. (3--15) Sophomore standing or above; Honors College; approval of honors dean required.
  • 499--Senior Thesis/Project. (3-15 hours subject to individual college requirements) Required of all students graduating with honors from South Carolina Honors College.

Note: The following courses are offered infrequently, and should not be considered a regular part of the SCCC curriculum.

  • 107--Principles of Marine Science I. {=MSCI 101} (3)
  • 108--Principles of Marine Science II. {=MSCI 102} (3)
  • 160--Modern Philosophy. (3)
  • 161--Judaism. (3)
  • 162--Christianity. (3)
  • 168--Theatre History. (3)
  • 201, 202--Proseminar in Biology. (4 each)
  • 205, 206--Proseminar in Geology. (3 or 4 each)
  • 207, 208--Proseminar in Marine Science. (4 each)
  • 210--Proseminar in Physics. (4)
  • 213, 214--Proseminar in Mathematics. (4 each)
  • 221, 222--American History. {=HIST 201, 202} (3 each)
  • 223, 224--Proseminar in European History. (3 each)
  • 225, 228--Proseminar in History. (3 each)
  • 230--Proseminar in Psychology. (3)
  • 231--Proseminar in Sociology. (3)
  • 234--Proseminar in International Relations. (3)
  • 237--Proseminar in Geography. (3)
  • 258--Proseminar in Theatre and Speech. (3)
  • 261, 262--Proseminar in Religious Studies. (3 each)
  • 267--Proseminar in Music History. (3)
  • 268--Proseminar in Theatre History. (3)
  • 272, 273--Proseminar in Journalism. (3 each)
  • 276--Proseminar in Health and Physical Education. (3)
  • 277--Proseminar in Education. (3)
  • 278--Proseminar in Pharmacy. (3)
  • 279--Proseminar in Nursing. (3)
  • 303, 304--Proseminar in Chemistry. (4 each)
  • 305, 306--Proseminar in Geology. (4 each)
  • 307, 308--Proseminar in Marine Science. (4 each)
  • 309, 310--Proseminar in Physics. (4 each) Open to students with sophomore standing.
  • 323, 324--Proseminar in European History. (3 each)
  • 326, 327, 328--Proseminar in History. (3 each)
  • 358--Proseminar in Theatre and Speech. (3)
  • 367--Proseminar in Music History. (3)
  • 368--Proseminar in Theatre History. (3)
  • 370, 371--Proseminar in Engineering. (3 each)
  • 376--Proseminar in Health and Physical Education. (3)
  • 378--Proseminar in Pharmacy. (3)
  • 379--Proseminar in Nursing. (3)
  • 403, 404--Proseminar in Chemistry. (4 each)
  • 405, 406--Proseminar in Geology. (4 each)
  • 407, 408--Proseminar in Marine Science. (4 each)
  • 409, 410--Proseminar in Physics. (4 each) Open to students with sophomore standing.
  • 421--Proseminar in American History. (3)
  • 424--Proseminar in European History. (3)
  • 426, 427, 428--Proseminar in History. (3 each)
  • 432--Proseminar in Anthropology. (3)
  • 435--Proseminar in Economics. (3)
  • 459, 460--Proseminar in Philosophy. (3 each)
  • 464--Proseminar in Spanish. (3)
  • 467--Proseminar in Music History. (3)
  • 468--Proseminar in Theatre History. (3)
  • 470, 471--Proseminar in Engineering. (3 each)
  • 474, 475--Proseminar in Business Administration. (3 each)
  • 476--Proseminar in Health and Physical Education. (3)
  • 477--Proseminar in Education. (3)
  • 478--Proseminar in Pharmacy. (3)
  • 479--Proseminar in Nursing. (3) 

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This web site updated September 2001 by Thom Harman, and copyright © 2001-2002 by the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina. All Rights Reserved.
URL http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/ugrad/HonorsCollege.html