2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
The political science major is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in or near the public sector. Students take coursework in areas as diverse as American and comparative politics, political theory, international relations, public policy, and public administration. Students leave the major with an understanding of how politics and government operate, an appreciation for the values governments pursue, and the critical and analytic skills necessary for understanding the empirical and normative dimensions of the political world.
Political science majors are encouraged to serve in a political internship and participate in an overseas studies program. There are also numerous opportunities for students to conduct independent research with faculty. Recent graduates serve throughout federal, state, and local government, attend law and graduate school, and work in the private sector.
Political science and non-major students can pursue undergraduate training in international relations in two ways: Students can select an interdisciplinary program that includes courses on comparative politics and international relations or they can pursue a certificate in international relations. Further information on the interdisciplinary option can be found under Majors - Interdisciplinary and Certificate Programs in this guide.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
* Electives: Majors are encouraged to use some of their electives to pursue a minor.
| Political Science |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Arts |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Minor: No |
| Certificate Programs: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: Yes |
| Website: www.polisci.ufl.edu/undergrad/ |
The political science major is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in or near the public sector. Students take coursework in areas as diverse as American and comparative politics, political theory, international relations, public policy, and public administration. Students leave the major with an understanding of how politics and government operate, an appreciation for the values governments pursue, and the critical and analytic skills necessary for understanding the empirical and normative dimensions of the political world.
Political science majors are encouraged to serve in a political internship and participate in an overseas studies program. There are also numerous opportunities for students to conduct independent research with faculty. Recent graduates serve throughout federal, state, and local government, attend law and graduate school, and work in the private sector.
International Relations
Political science and non-major students can pursue undergraduate training in international relations in two ways: Students can select an interdisciplinary program that includes courses on comparative politics and international relations or they can pursue a certificate in international relations. Further information on the interdisciplinary option can be found under Majors - Interdisciplinary and Certificate Programs in this guide.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- Complete 1 of 4 political science critical-tracking courses: CPO 2001, INR 2001, POT 2002 or POS 2041
Semester 2:
- Complete 1 additional political science critical-tracking course or STA 2023 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023
Semester 3:
- Complete 1 additional political science critical-tracking course or STA 2023 with a 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023
Semester 4:
- Complete 3 of 4 political science critical-tracking courses and STA 2023 with a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023
Semester 5:
- Complete 1 additional political science course at the 3000 level or higher with a C or better in the course and maintain a 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking courses and STA 2023
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Political science core course (CPO 2001, INR 2001, POT 2002 or POS 2041) (GE-S) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 13-14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| Political science core course (GE-S) | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B) | 1 |
| Electives | 3-0 |
| Total | 16-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| Political science core course (GE-S) | 3 |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Two political science 3000-/4000-level courses | 6 |
| Physical science course | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 3 |
| ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Two political science 3000-/4000-level courses | 6 |
| POS 4934 Honors Preparation (department honors, optional) | 1 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Political science 3000-/4000-level course | 3 |
| POS 4734 Research Methods in Political Science (department honors, optional) or Political science 3000-/4000-level course | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 6 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Political science course or POS 4970 Senior Thesis (department honors, optional) | 2-4 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 6 |
| Electives | 7-5 |
| Total | 15 |
* Electives: Majors are encouraged to use some of their electives to pursue a minor.