College of Arts and Sciences Administrated Programs

Bachelor's Degrees

Latinx Studies, B.A.

Latinx Studies is an interdisciplinary course of studies in literature, politics, history, culture, and society. Students can pursue a primary course of study (a Planned Program) or take courses toward a minor to create a valuable supplement to any major whether in the humanities, sciences, or social sciences.

Public and Community Health

Public and community health programs focus on population health (e.g. the community, group, city level), instead of individual patient health. These programs build from the OU core curriculum and build knowledge and skills necessary for work public health, community health, and related fields. We want to understand what factors contribute to health, what factors contribute to injury or disease, prevent poor health outcomes, and promote healthy populations. Public health is a very broad field of study, incorporating many disciplines, to develop solutions to complex health issues (for example: access to healthcare, substance abuse, workplace injury, infectious disease outbreaks).

Planned Programs

The Planned Program options offer students the opportunity to design a degree program that meets their own unique needs and interests, particularly when their interests diverge from the pre-determined options offered by the University. Students in this major will work closely with an academic advisor in the development of their degree program and selection of appropriate courses for their concentration.

Minors

Undergraduate Certificates

Master of Arts

Integrative Studies, M.A.

The Integrative Studies Master of Arts provides graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to make positive, well-informed, and immediate contributions in their careers and communities. Curricular tracks are available in in Archaeoastronomy and Astronomy in Culture, Diversity, and a Self-Design track for direct student research in clearly delineated areas of study.

Master of Science

Applied Statistics, M.S.

The objective of the graduate degree in Applied Statistics is to provide a pathway for students with diverse disciplinary interests to develop authoritative and practical expertise in applying statistical methods to analyzing data across disciplinary boundaries. Further, the program is designed for adult learners who may already be practicing professionals to increase their skills in applied statistics within various business and nonprofit contexts.

Graduate Certificates

Accelerated Programs

Courses

CAS 1104. YES Oklahoma - A Primer for Cancer Research.4 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in OU's YES Oklahoma summer STEM program (instructor permission and concurrent high school student). Understanding cancer research and its societal and cultural contexts is vital for all. The course has a nature, life and social science perspective, yet the assignments are heavily social science methods. (Su) [III-SS].

CAS 1124. YES Oklahoma: Cancer Research Training.4 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Enrollment in OU's YES Oklahoma summer STEM program (instructor permission and concurrent high school student). This is the natural science course for the concurrently enrolled students of YES Oklahoma; the focus is scientific methodology and an introduction to a body of foundational and factual knowledge about cancer. Included is an introduction to genomics, human variation and cancer biology, laboratory research experiences and professionalization. (Su) [II-NSL].

CAS 1523. Gateway to Belonging at OU.3 Credit Hours.

This course teaches critical thinking skills and supports students in developing a true understanding of others, as well as a sense of belonging at OU and beyond. It offers students an opportunity to consider how they have formed their own beliefs and opinions and how they can interact with one another to gain the most from their college experience. (F, Sp, Su) [V-FYE].

CAS 1543. Ethical and Intercultural Leadership.3 Credit Hours.

This course offers students an exploration of ethical and intercultural leadership through an interdisciplinary lens. Students will have an opportunity to practice ethical and moral decision-making and other competencies, skills, and attitudes that are beneficial for leading and facilitating intercultural groups in the campus and community environments. (F, Sp, Su) [V-FYE].

CAS 1553. Gateway to the Sciences.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Majors only. This course enriches the first-year experience. Students discuss how various fields of science impact society and explore majors and career possibilities. Students develop the ability to find and critically evaluate sources of information, build teamwork skills, and effectively communicate. Students learn fundamental concepts and effective study strategies. Enrollment is restricted to specific majors. (F, Sp, Su) [V-FYE].

CAS 1563. Gateway to the Social Sciences.3 Credit Hours.

This course enhances the first-year experience by cultivating a supportive student community that thrives on interactive learning. Participants will actively examine how diverse fields within the realm of social sciences influence society, and gain insights into their research methodologies. Students will also gain an understanding of the rich diversity of scientific disciplines within the social sciences. (F, Sp, Su) [V-FYE].

CAS 1573. Gateway to the Humanities.3 Credit Hours.

This course enhances the first-year experience by cultivating a supportive student community that thrives on interactive learning. Participants will actively examine how diverse fields within the realm of the Humanities influence society, and gain insights into their research methodologies. Students will also gain an understanding of the rich diversity of disciplines within the Humanities. (F, Sp, Su) [V-FYE].

CAS 2970. Special Topics.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: May be repeated; Maximum credit nine hours. Special topics course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research, and field projects. (Irreg.)

CAS 3002. Digital Scholarship Internship.2 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor. Provides the opportunity to learn technological means of communicating academic information to the public. Such digital skills are increasingly necessary in a global job market. Students will reflect upon and integrate their practical experiences learning technological communication formats into their major, minor, or study abroad coursework, incorporating how the internship illuminates and augments a particular aspect of academic research. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 3091. Career Planning for Arts and Sciences Students.1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisite: CAS major; must have completed 30 hours. Assist students to determine personal career goals, explore career opportunities beyond graduation, develop a strategy for the job search process, and improve job search techniques as life-long resource tools. (F, Sp)

CAS 3440. Mentored Research Experience.3 Credit Hours.

0 to 3 hours. Prerequisites: ENGL 1113 or equivalent, and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit 12 hours. For the inquisitive student to apply the scholarly processes of the discipline to a research or creative project under the mentorship of a faculty member. Student and instructor should complete an Undergraduate Research & Creative Projects (URCP) Mentoring Agreement and file it with the URCP office. Not for honors credit. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 3900. Study Abroad.1-6 Credit Hours.

1-6 hours. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and completion of ENGL 1213, or permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit 12 hours. Content/location varies. Enrollment in this course indicates that the student is participating in an OU study abroad program run by the College of Arts and Sciences, taught by OU faculty. They will study various cultural, historical, political, social, economic or linguistics issues relevant to understanding their study abroad environment in the specific country chosen and reflected in the course title. (Su)

CAS 3901. Arts and Sciences Co-Op Program.1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisite: concurrent participation in A&S Co-Op Program. Program allows students to work outside the university in a job related to the major. Enrollment in this course will be during a term in which a student is working full-time, with the cooperation of the employer, with the intent of returning to OU to continue with the degree requirements. Upon completion of the term's work, the student will write a paper describing their work experience and the relevance to their major. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 3960. Honors Reading.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Consists of topics designated by the instructor in keeping with the student's major program. The topics will cover materials not usually presented in the regular courses. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 3970. Honors Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Subjects covered vary. Deals with concepts not usually treated in regular courses. (Irreg.)

CAS 3980. Honors Research.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Will provide an opportunity for the gifted Honors candidate to work at a special project in the student's field. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 3990. Independent Study.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and junior standing. May be repeated once with change of content. Independent study may be arranged to study a subject not available through regular course offerings. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 4103. Star Trek Science & Philosophy.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor. This class explores classic themes from science and philosophy as illustrated by select episodes from Star Trek the Original Series (1966-1969). This is not a film class, it is a class in intellectual history. In addition to viewing select episodes of Star Trek in class, there is a significant amount of reading involved. (F, Sp)

CAS 4113. Life After OU: A Survival Course.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: senior standing. Introduces students to practical aspects of life after college. Includes interviewing; legal aspects of employment; money, banking and finances; insurance; mortgages; estate planning; and civic involvement. (Irreg.)

CAS 4630. CAS Internship.1-6 Credit Hours.

1 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: CAS major; must have completed at least 30 hours; permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Provides hands-on experience for students in chosen field of study. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 4703. Multidisciplinary Capstone.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: senior standing and permission. Explores interdisciplinary topics through research, analysis, and writing. It will incorporate instruction in appropriate research methods, focus on contemporary issues from a global perspective, and prepare students to function as informed citizens in a democracy. Required readings will provide a common basis for discussion. (F, Sp) [V] .

CAS 4710. Entrepreneurship Internship.1-3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Student must have declared minor in enterprise studies. May be repeated for up to six hours credit. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 4960. Directed Readings.1-4 Credit Hours.

1 to 4 hours. Prerequisite: good standing in University; permission of instructor and dean. May be repeated; maximum credit four hours. Designed for upper-division students who need opportunity to study a specific problem in greater depth than formal course content permits. (Irreg.)

CAS 4970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Special topics or seminar course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)

CAS 4990. Independent Study.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Contracted independent study for a topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)

CAS 5003. Introduction to Grad Studies.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Intensive seminar providing orientation to advanced interdisciplinary study, appreciation for standards of performance and scholarship appropriate to graduate study, development of skills necessary for success in academic research and writing in a graduate interdisciplinary program. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5013. Interdisciplinary Foundations.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing. Selected readings designed to reinforce the interdisciplinary approach to graduate studies and to introduce the concept of paradigms as an organizing principle for understanding and interpreting information. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5043. Research Methods.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003 and CAS 5013; or permission of dean. Theories and techniques of research designed to prepare MLS students to carry out individual research on a topic within an interdisciplinary program of study. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5073. Quantitative Research Methods for Interdisciplinary Studies.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing, CAS 5003 and CAS 5013 or permission from graduate advisor. Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative research in interdisciplinary studies. Includes use of graphs, frequency distributions, probability, central tendency, dispersion, hypothesis testing, tests of mean differences, and correlation. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5083. Qualitative Research Methods in Interdisciplinary Studies.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: graduate standing, CAS 5003 and CAS 5013; or permission of dean. An inquiry designed to acquaint students with qualitative research methods in interdisciplinary study. By the end of the course, the student will be familiar with the most common methods and issues qualitative research. Students will learn how to design a study; how to recognize and address ethical issues; and how to analyze qualitative data. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5700. Advanced Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies.2-9 Credit Hours.

2 to 9 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing. Intensive research on a topic related to the student's program of study; variable topics. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5920. Internship.2-6 Credit Hours.

2 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, CAS 5003, and permission of dean; May be repeated, maximum credit six hours. 450 hours of field experience directly related to study focus in the MA in Integrative Studies program (75 hours per credit hour of enrollment). Requirements include journal, reports, written summary, and comprehensive examination over these materials. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5940. Research Project.2-6 Credit Hours.

2 to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, CAS 5003, CAS 5013, and completion of core class; May be repeated, maximum credit six hours. Completion of an applied research project related to MS in Criminal Justice. The format of the final deliverable may vary according to topic and purpose of the project but must include a written component. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5960. Directed Readings.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of department. May be repeated; maximum credit twelve hours. Directed readings and/or literature reviews under the direction of a faculty member. (F, Sp, Su)

CAS 5970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Special topics or seminar course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)

CAS 5990. Independent Study.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Contracted independent study for a topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)

PHCH 2013. Introduction to Public and Community Health.3 Credit Hours.

Introduction to fields of public and community health, including principles of population health, determinants of health, prevention of disease and disability, public health institutions and systems, essential health services, the US healthcare system, health policy, and the role of advocacy and politics in public health. (F, Sp)

PHCH 2970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. May be repeated; Maximum credit nine hours. Special topics course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research, and field projects. (Irreg.)

PHCH 3113. Introduction to Epidemiology.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 or concurrent enrollment. Principles of epidemiology, the systematic approach to collecting and evaluating information on distributions of health outcomes in populations; history of epidemiology, descriptive epidemiology, epidemiologic methods, association and causation, evidence-based public health and applications. (F)

PHCH 3213. Health Policy, Law, and Ethics.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 or concurrent enrollment. Examines the legal and ethical dimensions of public health, preparing students to make informed, ethical decisions in arenas such as policy development, clinical care, research, environmental health, occupational health, resource allocation, and genetics. (Sp)

PHCH 3313. Health Data and Statistics.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to the basic concepts, methods, and tools of public health data collection, use, and analysis. Specific topics may include biostatistical and epidemiological methods, informatics, and the use, management, and dissemination of big data. (Sp)

PHCH 3413. Health Communication.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 or concurrent enrollment. Explores key concepts and strategies of communication specific to public health, including risk communication, the use of mass media for health communication, and evaluation of public health communication effectiveness. (F)

PHCH 3513. Public Health & Healthcare Systems.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 or concurrent enrollment. Designed to introduce students from multiple disciplines to the fundamental characteristics of health care systems; the organization, financing, and delivery of services in the US health care system; the role of prevention and other non-medical factors in population health outcomes; key management and policy issues in contemporary health systems; and the process of public policy development. (F, Sp)

PHCH 3613. Determinants of Health.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213; PHCH 2013 or concurrent enrollment. Explores key social determinants of health, including: socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, neighborhood environments, social relationships, and political economy. Mechanisms through which these factors are hypothesized to influence health, such as stress and access to health resources and constraints, will be discussed, as well as the ways in which these mechanisms can operate across the lifecourse. (F, Sp)

PHCH 3960. Honors Reading (HONORS).1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Admission to Honors Program; May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Consists of topics designated by the instructor in keeping with the student's major program. The topics will cover materials not usually presented in the regular courses. (F, Sp, Su)

PHCH 3980. Honors Research.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: admission to Honors Program. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Provides an opportunity for the gifted Honors candidate to work at a special project in the student's field. (F, Sp, Su)

PHCH 4013. Community Health Capstone.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: PHCH 2013, senior standing, and 9 additional hours of PHCH coursework. Integrates knowledge and skills developed in previous coursework to prepare students to become impactful community health practitioners. Students will work in groups to develop, implement, and evaluate a community health project. (Sp) [V].

PHCH 4103. Environmental Health.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Admission to BPH degree program or permission of instructor. The effects of environment on health. Consideration is given to urban water supply and wastewater disposal, air quality control, solid and hazardous wastes, and sanitation. No students may earn credit for both PHCH 4103 and OEH 5013. (Sp)

PHCH 4106. Cumulative and Experiential Public Health Activities.6 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Admission to BPH program. Provides students with opportunities to integrate, synthesize, and apply knowledge through cumulative and experiential activities. Students will complete a cumulative applied or scholarly experience that may include either (a) an internship with a local-level public health professional and/or agency or (b) a faculty- mentored research project. (F, Sp)

PHCH 4113. Public Health Capstone.3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Admission to Bachelors of Public Health Program; senior standing. A specialized project-based culminating course for students accepted to the Bachelor's of Public Health program. Students will use knowledge and skills they have developed in their major to complete a project to address a specific public health issue. (Sp) [V].

PHCH 4960. Directed Readings.1-4 Credit Hours.

PHCH 4970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.

PHCH 4990. Independent Study.1-3 Credit Hours.

1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: three courses in general area to be studied, permission of instructor and department. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. Contracted independent study for topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (F, Sp, Su)