The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky will have a curriculum of university courses. Students must take certain science and mathematics courses, and humanities courses are also part of the Gatton Academy curriculum. Students must take biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Many WKU courses will be available to Gatton Academy students for elective credit. Gatton Academy students will take WKU courses taught by professors, and many will be open to other students on campus.

The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky also will offer research opportunities to students during the year and facilitate research opportunities for students during the summer.

Curriculum

Junior 1st Semester

• Math 117 – Trigonometry
• Math/Computer Information Systems 121 - Computational Problem Solving
• 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;
  History 240 – U.S. History to 1865; or
  History 241 – U.S. History since 1865
• Seminar
  

Junior 2nd Semester

• Math 126 – Calculus I
• 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
• Science Choice
• 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;
  History 240 – U.S. History to 1865; or
  History 241 – U.S. History since 1865
• Optional Elective
• Seminar
  

Senior 1st Semester

• Math 227 – Calculus II
• Physics 255/256 – Fundamentals of Physics
• Science Choice
• English 200 – Introduction to Literature; or
  English 300 – Writing in the Disciplines
• Optional Elective
• Senior Seminar

Senior 2nd Semester

• Math/Science Choice
• Science Choice
• Science Choice
• Elective
• Optional Elective
• Senior Seminar

There are 3 core sequences:

• Biology 120/121 – Biological Concepts: Cells, Metabolism and Genetics/Lab; and
  Biology 122/123 – Biological Concepts: Evolution, Diversity, Ecology/Lab
• Chemistry 120/121 – College Chemistry I/Lab;  and
  Chemistry 222/223 – College Chemistry II/Lab
• Physics 255/256 – Fundamentals of Physics/Lab; and
  Physics 260/261 – University Physics II/Lab

Each student will need to complete one course from each core area and at least one whole sequence. It is recommended that unless students have a significant reason to increase the science load in other areas, students should complete all three core sequences.

After the first semester, Gatton Academy students in good standing are able to take up to 18 credit hours free of charge. Students wishing to take more than 18 hours will be charged a per credit hour fee for any hours over the limit. The projected fee per credit hour for Fall 2007 is $260.

Students may make their other science choices from the following areas:
Agriculture
Architectural and Manufacturing
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Engineering
Geography and Geology
Health Sciences
Meteorology
Physics