Dec 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Philosophy BA


Philosophy trains your mind. As a philosophy major, you’ll get to ask the big questions about the nature of reality, beauty and justice-and study a rigorous methodology and analytical skills that are broadly applicable throughout your professional and personal life. Whether you’re thinking about graduate school (including law school or business school), or you want to get a job right after graduation, philosophy is a thoughtful choice that gives you flexibility.

Visit the Philosophy academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Philosophy department page  for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria


Current UB students seeking admission to the Philosophy BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Course Requirements


Six Philosophy Electives (18 credits)


  • Six PHI courses, four of which must be at the 300/400 level.
  • UB Seminar courses (198/199) are excluded.

Total Credits Required for Major: 33-34


Additional Degree Requirements Include:


  • Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
  • Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120


Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Notes


PHI 372  can satisfy either, but not both, of the Ethics and History of Philosophy requirements.

Academic Requirements


Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall.

Program Honors and Program Distinction


A student in the Philosophy major is eligible for Program Distinction or Program Honors upon degree conferral if the criteria are met.  Criteria are found under Academic Honors in the Academic Policy and Procedure section of this Catalog. Students who successfully complete the honors program and meet the criteria will have the appropriate notation on their official transcript. Program Distinction is also noted on the official transcript.

Curricular Plan


A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

First Year Fall


Total Credits: 15 or 16


First Year Spring


Total Credits: 15 or 16


Second Year Fall


  • Math & Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
  • Scientific Literacy 1 Credits: 3
  • Logic PHI course Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16


Second Year Spring


  • Scientific Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  • Scientific Literacy Lab Credits: 1
  • History of Philosophy course Credits: 3
  • Pathway Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 16


Third Year Fall


  • History of Philosophy course Credits: 3
  • Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
  • Metaphysics/Epistemology PHI course Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Third Year Spring


Total Credits: 16


Fourth Year Fall


  • PHI 300+ Level Elective Credits: 3
  • PHI 300+ Level Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 2

Total Credits: 14


Fourth Year Spring


  • PHI 300+ Level Elective Credits: 3
  • PHI 300+ Level Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3

Total Credits: 12


Total Credits Required: 120


Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

  • A broad general understanding of the work of major figures in the history of philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, Descartes and Kant.
  • Students have the capacity to explain the core debates in the most important topics in a range of areas which are typically regarded as lying at the center of contemporary philosophical thought, including metaphysics, theory of knowledge, philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of language.
  • Ability to use the framework of core moral theories to assess the normative status of particular situations, behaviors, and characters.
  • Familiarity with formal logic, including both the ability to understand the logical symbolism used in many contemporary philosophical texts, and to carry out logical proofs and derivations within a formal system.
  • The general capacity to think analytically and creatively about philosophical texts and issues.
  • The general capacity to express philosophical ideas and defend them effectively in argument, both in writing and orally.

 

(HEGIS: 15.09 PHILOSOPHY, CIP38.0101 Philosophy)