Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in philosophy and science

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a concentration in philosophy and science is an interdisciplinary curriculum requiring a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 30 of those credits in the major area, at least half of which must be upper-level.

Students with a strong interest in the philosophy of science and the relation between philosophy and science (and those considering graduate work in an area of science) will probably want to choose the philosophy and science concentration.

Student learning outcomes

Philosophy core outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a good knowledge of and facility with the methods and concepts of modern, analytic philosophy
2. Demonstrate a good knowledge of the current state of academic discussion of some of the central philosophical topics
3. Demonstrate some knowledge of the history of philosophy, including both major themes and movements and some specific figures and systems
4. Demonstrate the ability to think critically and systematically about philosophical problems, both abstract and practical, and to write clearly and cogently about them
5. Demonstrate the ability to construct and analyze arguments clearly and cogently, independently of their subject matter

Philosophy and science concentration-specific outcomes

1. Demonstrate a good knowledge of philosophical questions about scientific inquiry including but not limited to questions about scientific explanation, the confirmation and disconfirmation of scientific theories, and what distinguishes science from non-science
2. Demonstrate a good knowledge of a particular area of science including the research methods of that area of science

Degree requirements for Philosophy, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a concentration in philosophy and science

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Scientific focus areas

Anthropology

Bioinformatics

Chemistry

Computer science

Economics

Environmental studies

Mathematical sciences

Political science

Psychology

Sociology

Physics

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Recommended course sequence/plan of study 

Freshman year
Fall semester		Hours
UNIV 101	Introduction to the University	1
UNIV 111 Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication	Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
AI literacy course 2		3
General education courses		6
Open elective		3
	Term Hours:	16
Spring semester
HUMS 203	Career Compass	1
UNIV 200	Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations)	3
General education courses		6
Open electives		6
	Term Hours:	16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
PHIL 103 or PHIL 104	Ancient Greek and Medieval Western Philosophy or Modern Western Philosophy	3
PHIL 201 or PHIL 202 or PHIL 211 or PHIL 212 or PHIL 213 or PHIL 214	Introduction to Ethics 1 or Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 1 or History of Ethics 1 or Ethics and Applications 1 or Ethics and Health Care 1 or Ethics and Business 1	3
Foreign language 101		3
General education course		3
Open elective (or select general education course if PHIL 201 was not selected above)		3
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
PHIL 104 or PHIL 103	Modern Western Philosophy or Ancient Greek and Medieval Western Philosophy	3
PHIL 222	Logic	3
Foreign language 102		3
General education courses (select BOK to complete breadth of knowledge requirement)		6
	Term Hours:	15
Junior year
Fall semester
PHIL 331	Philosophy of Science	3
Scientific focus area upper-level course		3
Open electives		9
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
PHIL 300 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 321 or PHIL 327 or PHIL 328 or PHIL 332 or PHIL 333 or PHIL 335	Philosophical Concepts or Metaphysics or Epistemology or Philosophy of Language or Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Law or Meaning of Life or Normative Ethics or Metaethics or Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence or Philosophy of Medicine or Social and Political Philosophy	3
Scientific focus area research methods course		3
Open electives		9
	Term Hours:	15
Senior year
Fall semester
PHIL 300 or PHIL 301 or PHIL 302 or PHIL 303 or PHIL 304 or PHIL 320 or PHIL 321 or PHIL 327 or PHIL 328 or PHIL 332 or PHIL 333 or PHIL 335	Philosophical Concepts or Metaphysics or Epistemology or Philosophy of Language or Philosophy of Mind or Philosophy of Law or Meaning of Life or Normative Ethics or Metaethics or Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence or Philosophy of Medicine or Social and Political Philosophy	3
Scientific focus area upper-level course		3
Open electives		9
	Term Hours:	15
Spring semester
PHIL 490	Seminar in Philosophy	3
Open electives		10-12
	Term Hours:	13-15
	Total Hours:	120-122

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

Accelerated B.S. and M.P.A.

The accelerated B.A. and M.P.A. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.A. in Philosophy, including all concentrations, and the Master of Public Administration in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.A. and M.P.A. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 147 credits rather than the 159 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will gain complementary preparation in ethical reasoning, policy analysis and public sector leadership. The two programs together develop the ability to evaluate competing values, analyze complex policy issues and communicate effectively in diverse civic and organizational settings. Graduates will be prepared for professional public managers, public officials and citizens who are able to meet the challenges of public service in both government and nonprofit sectors and serve the profession and local, state, federal and international communities.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours including a minimum of nine credit hours in philosophy courses; an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.0 in philosophy course work. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements may submit GRE scores to receive further consideration.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in an accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate philosophy adviser and the faculty adviser to the graduate program.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits may be used to satisfy open elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate public administration courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.

Accelerated B.S. and M.P.H.

The accelerated B.A. and M.P.H. program allows academically talented students to earn both the B.A in Philosophy, concentration in ethics and public policy; philosophy and law; or philosophy and science and the Master of Public Health, concentration in applied public health; cancer prevention and control science; epidemiology; health communication; or health policy, in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of the undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.A. and M.P.H. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 153 credits rather than the 165 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.

Students holding these degrees will have received complementary education in critical thinking, ethical reasoning and persuasive communication with advanced knowledge of public health practice and research. This interdisciplinary training prepares graduates to address complex health challenges that require not only scientific and policy expertise but also the ability to evaluate competing values and make ethical decisions for the common good. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, policy institutes and community health initiatives where ethical leadership and analytical reasoning are essential.

Entrance to the accelerated program

Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Space may be limited and academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.

Minimum qualifications for entrance to the accelerated program include completion of 84 undergraduate credit hours including (PHIL 222 and PHIL 331, OR PHIL 332, OR PHIL 333); an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.0 in philosophy coursework.

Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students in the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate philosophy adviser and the M.P.H. education administrator.

Admission to the graduate program

Entrance to the accelerated program enables students to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into the accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin.

Degree requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. The graduate credits count as 12 credits of open elective coursework for the undergraduate degree. The courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

The graduate public health courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:

Recommended course sequence/plan of study

The recommended plans of study are specific to the B.A. in philosophy in all concentrations and the Master of Public Health with a concentration in applied public health. Students in the accelerated program may enter into any M.P.H. concentration and will work with the M.P.H. education administrator on the plan of study, once admitted into the graduate program.