Mathematics (3-4 Courses)

Students will be assigned their introductory math course based on prior coursework and placement exam scores administered by the WKU Math Department.

In addition to Math 371, students must also complete Math 227 and all prerequisite courses.  Coursework in Math beyond Calculus II is optional and is counted toward STEM electives.

Math 117 Trigonometry (3 Hours)
Math 126 Calculus I (4.5 Hours)
Math 227 Calculus II (4.5 Hours)
Math 371 Computational Problem Solving (3 Hours)

Core Sciences (5 Courses)

Students must complete a minimum of one course from each core science area and at least one two-course introductory sequence.

Biology 120/121 Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism, and Genetics/Lab (4 Hours)
Biology 122/123 Biological Concepts: Evolutions, Diversity, Ecology/Lab (4 Hours)
Chemistry 120/121 College Chemistry I/Lab (5 Hours)
Chemistry 222/223 College Chemistry II/Lab (5 Hours)
Computer Science 240/244 Computer Science I/Lab (4 Hours)
Computer Science 241 Computer Science II (3 Hours)
Physics 255/256 University Physics I/Lab (5 Hours)
Physics 265/266 University Physics II/Lab (5 Hours)

STEM Electives (3 Courses)

Students may complete their four required STEM electives and associated labs in the following areas: agriculture, architecture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, health sciences, manufacturing, mathematics, meteorology, and/or physics.

English (2 Courses)

Students who score a 29 on the English portion of the ACT or a 670 on the critical reading portion of the SAT receive three hours of credit for English 100 and begin with English 200.

English 100 Introduction to College Writing (3 Hours)
English 200 Introduction to Literature (3 Hours)
English 300 Writing in the Disciplines (3 Hours)

Seminar (4 Courses)

Academy of Math and Science 151 Seminar 1 (1 Hour)
Academy of Math and Science 152 Seminar 2 (1 Hour)
Academy of Math and Science 153 Seminar 3 (1 Hour)
Academy of Math and Science 154 Seminar 4 (1 Hour)

Pre-College Requirements (As Needed)

Students will complete additional pre-college requirements as mandated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and their sending institutions based on previous coursework in their freshman and sophomore years.

History 119 Western Civilization to 1649 (3 Hours)
History 120 Western Civilization Since 1649 (3 Hours)
History 241 United States History Since 1865 (3 Hours)
Political Science 110 American National Government (3 Hours)
Physical Education 100 Health and Wellness (3 Hours)
Art 100 Art Appreciation (3 Hours)
Music 120 Music Appreciation (3 Hours)
Foreign Languages (Chinese, French, German, Ancient Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish)

Electives

After the first semester, Gatton Academy students in good standing are able to take up to 18 credit hours free of charge, including optional electives. Students wishing to take more than 18 must seek the permission of the Coordinator: Academic Services.

Requirements for Graduation

The Gatton Academy maintains strict requirements for graduation.  At the heart of an Academy diploma is success in rigorous, university-level academic coursework that stands above traditional high school requirements.

In order to receive an Academy diploma, the student must

• Complete the required 12 core STEM courses with a grade of C or better during the two year period of study,

• Complete all additional courses with a grade of C or better,

• Maintain a cumulative Academy (WKU) GPA or 2.75 or better, and

• Meet all pre-college curriculum requirements.

Students who fail to meet the above mentioned criteria will be unable receive a Gatton Academy diploma until are requirements have been met.

Students who have incomplete requirements at the end of the fourth semester will have until the end of the following fall semester to correct any deficiencies.  The Academy Leadership Team will review any exceptions to this timeline.

Gatton Academy Honor Graduates Policy

Upon graduating from the Gatton Academy, the program recognizes Honors Graduates based upon two levels, Honors and Honors with Distinction.  Grade Point Average (GPA) eligibility will be determined at the end of seniors’ winter term.  The criteria for each level are listed below.

Honors:

• Maintains at least a 3.40 cumulative WKU GPA;

• Successfully completes a supervised research project and fulfills the requirements of the research policy;

• Participates in extended service project/s of 60 hours or more (with a minimum of 15 hours each semester); and

• Contributes positively to the culture of the Academy

Honors with Distinction:

• Maintains at least a 3.70 cumulative WKU GPA;

• Successfully completes a supervised research project and fulfills the requirements of the research policy;

• Produces a research outcome that takes the form of a presentation or poster presentation at an academic conference, a publication, or other approved display of the student’s research;

• Participates in extended service project/s of 60 hours or more (with a minimum of 15 hours each semester); and

• Contributes positively to the culture of the Academy

University Semester Recognition:

• Dean’s Scholars – Undergraduate students enrolled full-time whose grade point average for the preceding semester ranged between 3.40 – 3.79.

• President’s Scholars – Undergraduate students enrolled full-time whose grade point average for the preceding semester ranged between 3.80 – 4.00.

Program of Study

Below is a typical class schedule for the four semesters in residence. Exceptions to this schedule will be determined based on prior course completion and credit by exam policies.

Class Schedule

First Semester

• Math 117 – Trigonometry
• Computer Science 240/244 – Computer Science I/Lab
• Chemistry 116 – Introduction to College Chemistry;  Chemistry 120/121 – College Chemistry I/Lab;  Biology 120/121 – Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism and Genetics/Lab; or Biology 122/123 – Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, Ecology/Lab
• English 100 – Introduction to College Writing (English 200 – Introduction to Literature if ACT-exempt from 100);History 119 – Ancient Civilizations to 1648;History 120 – Ancient Civilizations since 1648; or History 241 – U.S. History since 1865
• Academy of Math and Science 151 — Seminar 1

Winter Term

• Elective; or Academy Study Abroad

Second Semester

• Math 126 – Calculus I
• Math 371 – Computational Problem Solving
• Chemistry 116 – Introduction to College Chemistry; Chemistry 120/121 – College Chemistry I/Lab; Biology 120/121 – Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism and Genetics/Lab; or Biology 122/123 – Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, Ecology/Lab
• English 100 – Introduction to College Writing (English 200 – Introduction to Literature if ACT-exempt from 100);  History 119 – Ancient Civilizations to 1648; History 120 – Ancient Civilizations since 1648; or History 241 – U.S. History since 1865
• Optional Elective for Students in Good Standing
• Academy of Math and Science 152 – Seminar 2

Third Semester

• Math 227 – Calculus II
• Physics 255/256 – Fundamentals of Physics
• STEM Elective
• English 200 – Introduction to Literature; or English 300 – Writing in the Disciplines
• Optional Elective for Students in Good Standing
• Academy of Math and Science 153 – Seminar 3

Winter Term

• Elective; or Academy Study Abroad

Fourth Semester

• Chemistry 222/223 -  College Chemistry II/Lab; Biology 120/121 – Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism and Genetics/Lab; Biology 122/123 – Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, Ecology/Lab;  Computer Science 241 – Computer Science II; or Physics 265/266 -  University Physics II/Lab
• STEM Elective
• STEM Elective
• Elective
• Academy of Math and Science 154 – Seminar 4