College of Arts and Sciences - Academic Programs 

History

The Department of History provides instruction in African, European, Latin American and the Caribbean, and United States history. Methodological, cross-national and cross-cultural courses are also offered. Majors are required to complete a minimum of 36 credits in history. They must take the core program, which consists of the following courses: HIST 001, HIST 009, HIST 030, HIST 081, HIST 082, HIST 150, HIST 151, HIST 700, HIST 705 and an additional 12 credits of electives. The electives chosen, however, may not include more than six credits in either of the following: United States history or European history. Students choosing to minor in History must complete 18 semester hours. The course HIST 081 is required of all minors.

The History department also offers a Geography minor. Students choosing to minor in Geography must complete 18 semester hours. The course HIST 101 is required of all minors.

Mathematics

It is essential that every student taking a mathematics course at Howard University be placed in a course commensurate with the student’s level of mathematical preparation. For this purpose, the Department of Mathematics administers a Mathematics Placement Examination each August and each January. Each student entering Howard University, planning to take a mathematics course at any time while at the University, should take the Mathematics Placement Examination at the time of entrance into the University.Students planning to transfer mathematics credits from another university should also take the Mathematics Placement Examination when entering Howard University to guarantee efficient evaluation of previous mathematical work.

Major in Mathematics

Students majoring in mathematics may choose concentrations in one of three areas: (1) pure and applied mathematics, (2) actuarial science, or (3) computer science. Students may make a late declaration as a Mathematics Major, after completion of 156, 157, or 158, and in such cases, the corresponding courses 146, 147, or 148 can be omitted from their requirements.

Pure and Applied Mathematics Concentration. Students majoring in mathematics with a concentration in pure and applied mathematics must complete the following 31 credits: 146, 147, 148, 159, 160, 180, 195, 196 and 197. Also, one course must be chosen from 185, 186, 198, or 199, and one course must be chosen from 164, 183, 189, or 191. A maximum of 3 credits in computer science may be substituted for either of the latter two courses. A superior student may satisfy up to 13 credits of the 37 credits required by examination.

Actuarial Science Concentration. Students majoring in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial science must complete the following 30 credits: 146, 147, 148, 160, 164, 180, 189, 190, 195, 196. Also, the three courses 168 (1 cr.), 169 (1 cr.), and 193 (3 crs.) must be completed, comprising a required total of 38 credits.

Computer Science Concentration. Students majoring in mathematics with a concentration in computer science must complete the following 27 credits: 130, and 131, and 132, 146, 147, 148, 160, 180; 195, 196. Also, the student must complete the Engineering courses SYCS 250 and SYCS 307, and two courses from one of the three following groups. Group I: 159 and 164; Group II: 134, 189, 190, and Group III: 133, 181, 182.

Minor in Mathematics. A minor in mathematics requires 15-18 credits, 12 of which include 156, 157, and 158. The remainder must consist of mathematics courses whose numbers are greater than 100. Students who minor in mathematics should seek the advice of a member of the department to choose the proper sequence.

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (Aerospace Studies)

The Department of Aerospace Studies represents the Air Force ROTC program on campus. Through the Air Force ROTC program, students can earn a degree and a commission as an officer in the Air Force. Air Force ROTC programs offer scholarships ranging from one to four years. Each scholarship provides all or a percentage of tuition, fees, books, and a variable monthly allowance.

All freshmen and sophomores are eligible for enrollment in the Air Force ROTC General Military Course (GMC). To gain entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC), normally taken during the junior and senior years, students must:

• pass competitive Air Force ROTC entry requirements;
• be a citizen of the United States;
• be at least 17 years of age;
• be commissioned before age 34 (26 1/2 for pilot and navigator); and
• pass the Air Force Pre-Commissioning Physical.

Program Basics: The first two years of the program are called the General Military Course (GMC). No commitment is gained from membership in the GMC.

The first-year course explores the mission, organization, and weaponry of Air Force units. The student gains a detailed knowledge of strategic forces. Also included is a description of Army, Navy, and Marine forces. (AERO 011, AERO 012)

The second year deals primarily with the studies of air power. The course is developed from a historical perspective, starting before the Wright Brothers and continuing through the early 1970s. (AERO 021, AERO 022)

The third and fourth years of the Four-Year Program are called the Professional Officer Course (POC).

The third-year course concentrates on management problems, the meaning of professionalism, and individual preparation for commissioning. (AERO 131, AERO 132)

The fourth-year course concentrates on American defense policy, the officer and his place in contemporary society, and international relations. (AERO 141, AERO 142)

Oral and written communicative skills are emphasized throughout the AFROTC program.

2-3 Year Program: Enrollment in this program is highly competitive. Eligibility requirements are the same as for the four-year program, except that in lieu of completion of the GMC and a four-week field training course, students must complete a six-week field training course before entry into the POC. They also must be able to successfully compete on a best-qualified basis and meet the current AFROTC POC selection criteria. Because of the highly competitive aspects of entry into the 2-3 year program, it is strongly recommended that the four-year program be pursued instead. However, if students do not or have not completed the GMC and desire to enroll in the 2-3 year program, they should not hesitate to apply.

Go to Http://www.afrotc.com to learn all about scholarship opportunities for in-college students.

United States Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)  

Military Science Department courses develop management, communication and leadership abilities through the study of military principles. All courses stress practical military skills and the role and development of the military in a modern society. Students gain management and leadership experience through application of acquired skills. Instruction is offered for all students through two-year and four-year programs. Both programs may lead to an award of a commission as a Second Lieutenant. The ROTC program is designed to complement the student’s chosen field of study. The Department of Military Science does not offer a major or minor degree program.  

Four-Year Program. Consisting of 26 semester hours, the four-year program is the traditional ROTC program of study and may be subdivided into a basic course and an advanced course. The basic course, freshman and sophomore courses MILI 101, MILI 102, MILI 201, MILI 202, consists of 6 semester hours. The advanced course, junior and senior courses MILI 301, MILI 302, MILI 401 and MILI 402, consists of 16 semester hours. Enrollment in the basic course is open to all full-time students at any of the Washington area colleges and universities. There are no prerequisite courses for basic enrollment, and basic course students do not incur any military obligations.

Leadership Laboratory is taught in conjunction with classroom instruction. Courses are one credit hour each. Basic course students register for Leadership Laboratory MILI 001 and MILI 002, for freshmen and MILI 003 and MILI 004 for sophomores. Physical Fitness and Enhanced Skills Training are also provided to help students realize their full potential. Physical Fitness credits required for graduation can be earned through the ROTC program in most majors.

The 16 semester hours comprising the advanced ROTC program include four semester hours of Leadership Laboratory. All advanced course students are required to complete one semester hour of Leadership Laboratory (MILI 005, MILI 006, MILI 007, and MILI 008) each semester in addition to their normal ROTC lecture requirements.

Successful completion of the basic course is a prerequisite for enrollment in the advanced course. Advanced course students receive financial support and attend a six-week summer training period between their junior and senior years.

Two-Year Program. This program is designed primarily for students who did not register for ROTC during their freshman and sophomore years. Students may receive credit for up to two years of the basic course through prior military service or by attending a six-week summer training period. Those who successfully complete the training are eligible for enrollment in the advanced course the following semester.

Financial Support. All advanced course and scholarship students receive $150 per month (tax free) up to ten months per year. They receive approximately $600 for each summer training period. ROTC students may also earn competitive three-year scholarships. All Army ROTC scholarships pay tuition and academic fees, and provide a liberal book allowance.