2009-10 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.
The European Union Studies Program certificate is designed by the Center for European Studies to give UF students the opportunity to gain EU expertise through multi-disciplinary course work. The certificate is open to all UF undergraduates.
Political science and non-major students who are interested in international relations can pursue undergraduate training in two ways: through an interdisciplinary major that includes courses on comparative politics and international relations or through a certificate in international relations. Further information on the international relations options can be found under the interdisciplinary studies majors listings and the department website.
The Department of Political Science offers a certificate in political campaigning to its undergraduate majors. The certificate is designed for students who may wish to consider pursuing careers in practical politics, including campaign management, lobbying, issue advocacy and others.
The certificate in public affairs is designed for those students interested in a career in or near government. Students take courses including public administration, the policy process, policy analysis and one or more substantive policy courses in foreign policy, education, health, immigration, civil rights, welfare or environmental protection. Credits earned toward the certificate also count toward the political science major. The certificate is open to non-political science majors as well. Additional information on the certificate is available on the department website.
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.
European Union
The European Union Studies Program certificate is designed by the Center for European Studies to give UF students the opportunity to gain EU expertise through multi-disciplinary course work. The certificate is open to all UF undergraduates.
International Relations
Political science and non-major students who are interested in international relations can pursue undergraduate training in two ways: through an interdisciplinary major that includes courses on comparative politics and international relations or through a certificate in international relations. Further information on the international relations options can be found under the interdisciplinary studies majors listings and the department website.
Political Campaigning
The Department of Political Science offers a certificate in political campaigning to its undergraduate majors. The certificate is designed for students who may wish to consider pursuing careers in practical politics, including campaign management, lobbying, issue advocacy and others.
Public Affairs
The certificate in public affairs is designed for those students interested in a career in or near government. Students take courses including public administration, the policy process, policy analysis and one or more substantive policy courses in foreign policy, education, health, immigration, civil rights, welfare or environmental protection. Credits earned toward the certificate also count toward the political science major. The certificate is open to non-political science majors as well. Additional information on the certificate is available on the department website.
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, POS 2041 or POT 2002
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
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements —
Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| Political science core course (CPO 2001, INR 2001, POT 2002 or POS 2041) (GE-S) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 13-14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 3-0 |
| Foreign Language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Political science core course (GE-S) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B) | 1 |
| Total | 16-15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (GE-M) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Political science core course (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 3 |
| Physical science course | 3 |
| Two political science 3000-/4000-level courses | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| POS 4934 Honors Preparation (department honors, optional) | 1 |
| Elective (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Two political science 3000-/4000-level courses | 6 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| POS 4734 Research Methods in Political Science (department honors, optional) or Political science 3000-/4000-level course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 6 |
| Political science 3000-/4000-level course | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Political science course or POS 4970 Senior Thesis (department honors, optional) | 2-4 |
| Electives | 7-5 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) * | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
*Electives: Majors are encouraged to use some of their electives to pursue a minor.