Undergraduate Catalog
2003-2005

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Table of Contents

• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Socieity
• Programs Abroad
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention,
  Academic Affairs (UADR)
• Scholars' Community
• Language and Culture Center
• Cooperative Education Program (COOP)
• PROMES
• Am.Humanics/Nonprofit Certificate Program
• Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Army Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
• University Off-Campus Institutes
• Non-Credit Programs and Courses

Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

Phi Kappa Phi is a national honor society that recognizes superior scholarship in all academic disciplines at the university.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi has as its primary objective the recognition and encouragement of superior scholarship. The University of Houston chapter, chartered in November 1949, is the only honor society on campus that is wholly university-wide and includes faculty members, administrators, and undergraduate and graduate students in every division of the university.

Each year Phi Kappa Phi elects to membership a limited number of juniors, seniors, and graduate or professional students who are of good character and have attained outstanding records of academic excellence at the university.

Programs Abroad

Students interested in foreign study have a wide variety of resources available to assist them with the study abroad experience. These programs may be one of four types:

1. Faculty-Led Programs, among which are programs in countries including China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and others, from different UH colleges;
2. Affiliated Programs offered by the Texas International Education Consortium, the Council for International Education Exchange Programs and the University Study Abroad Consortium. These include third party provider programs such as American College in Thesalonikii, Schiller University, the School for International Training, and American University in Cairo, or CAPA;
3. Exchange Programs such as UH/Chiba and UH/Chukyo in Japan, UH/Monterrey Tech in Mexico, UH/Selçuk University in Turkey, and programs with Saintes, the Universidad de Monterrrey, Leipzig, and Hong Kong;
4. and programs provided by other universities in the U.S.

In addition to materials available in departments, centers, and college deans' offices, the Office of International Studies and Programs (Ezekiel W. Cullen 501) maintains a resource library with information on programs and countries and provides advising. All students going on overseas programs should make plans early in their college careers (i.e., freshman year or soon thereafter) and must register with the Office of International Studies and Programs. Students interested in UH faculty-led programs should also apply to the individual program at the different departments and colleges.

For information on study abroad, contact www.uh.edu/academics/intlstu/

Study Abroad Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities are available for students studying abroad. International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS) competitions are held each fall (November 1) and spring (March 1) and are awarded for the following two terms, including summer terms. This initiative, which was begun by students to promote study abroad and to assist students in their efforts to incorporate international study into their academic experience, was subsequently approved by the Texas legislature for all Texas universities.

The scholarships are funded by the student body through a semester fee added to students' fee bill. IEFS applications may be obtained from:

• College Dean's Offices
• Dean of Students (252 University Center)
• Student Information and Assistance Center (125 University Center)
• International Student and Scholar Services (306 Student Services Center)
• International Studies and Programs Office (501F Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services (114 Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• Scholarships and Financial Aid Office (27 Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• International Admissions (125 Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• Undergraduate Studies (209 Ezekiel W. Cullen)

For more information, visit www.uh.edu/academics/intlstu/

Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention, Academic Affairs (UADR)

Division Office: 713-743-9005
Fax: 713-743-8985
Internet: www.uh.edu/uadr/homepicnav1.htm
Director: Diana Velez, Ph.D., Princeton University

The Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention (UADR), which reports to the Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Studies, Academic Affairs, is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of academic administrative and programmatic strategies in support of undergraduate academic development.

To this end, UADR works closely with the University of Houston colleges and professional schools, providing the academic units information and assistance for initiatives that develop, enhance, and promote excellence in undergraduate education at UH. Thus, UADR provides UH faculty and academic program directors information, workshops, and professional support services for the promotion of innovations in undergraduate teaching and learning at UH.

UADR also has oversight of the academic support services which manage and develop projects as well as programs in the areas of student academic advisement, retention, remediation, and assessment; the University Studies Division (USD); the Scholar's Community; the UADR sections on Developmental Education and Retention Studies; and Internship Resources.

In this area, UADR offers a number of professional development programs for academic advisors that includes a campus-wide Academic Advisement Certification Program as well as training workshops and on-line advising support for students, faculty, and professional academic advisors.

Finally, UADR, through its divisions and the colleges, acts as an academic resource center for faculty, academic advisors, and students, as well as the Houston community at large through outreach activities for the pre-collegiate school system, community colleges, and families. Such services include the OnLine Parental Guide to Academic Resources and a similar program for pre-collegiate academic advisors.

Scholars' Community

"Success Starts Here"

Division Office: 713-743-0720
Fax: 713-743-0729
Internet: www.scholars.uh.edu
Program Director: William Kellar, Ph.D., University of Houston

At most large universities, students often feel lost, like they are "just another number" and not part of the traditional college experience. The University of Houston has a specially designed learning community program, the Scholars' Community, to help bring freshmen, transfer, and international students into the mainstream of college life.

The program is a division of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Development and Retention, Academic Affairs (UADR). Like the University of Houston, the mission of the Scholars' Community is to help students succeed. If you are serious about getting your college degree and are willing to make a commitment to your eduction, we encourage you to become a member of the Scholars' Community. Students who join the Scholars' Community consistently earn higher grade point averages (GPA) and are less likely to drop out of school than non-members.

The Scholars' Community consists of students who have made the decision to join an academic community that is designed to help them navigate through the required core curriculum and to feel more a part of the University of Houston. The objectives of the Scholar's Community are to assist our students during the difficult transition from their high schools or other institutions of learning; to extend a support system within a large, urban campus; and to provide a smoother and more efficient path toward their degree.

Here are some of the things that make that happen:

• A home base on campus that includes a lounge, study areas, personal lockers, staff offices, faculty, telephones, advisors, tutors, classrooms, and counseling-a convenient, one-stop location where members can take care of much of their personal and university business
• State-of-the-art computer laboratory for classes and personal use
• Scholars' Prep College Orientation and Survival Skills programs
• Specially designed class schedules that include required core courses
• Academic Support Network including academic advising, peer tutoring, and required Mentor Meeting conferences (M&Ms) with assigned peer mentors
• Small-group advisement and registration
• Course registration before the rest of the student body
• A virtual community on the Internet
• Opportunities to get to know other students
• ScholarsPlus program for second-year or sophomore students
• Activities and workshops to help plan your entire "college package" including Internships, Study Abroad, Choosing a Career, and College Majors and Minors

Admission to the Scholars' Community is open to all new full-time freshmen, international and transfer students. Students can join only before the beginning of fall semester by completing the on-line application at our website or by applying during the UH Summer Orientation sessions.

Language and Culture Center

The Language and Culture Center (LCC), housed in the Department of English, provides intensive, noncredit, compensatory English language instruction to undergraduate and graduate international students who have not yet been admitted to degree programs because they must improve their reading, writing, grammar, or spoken English skills to compete successfully in the university classroom.

International Graduate Teaching Assistants who score low on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK), or other nationally standardized tests may register for LCC 6034: English for International Teaching Assistants and Faculty, a noncredit course on English pronunciation and U.S. academic culture.

LCC courses do not count toward degrees, but do count toward full-time student status for immigration reporting purposes and for calculation of building use and student service fees.

For further information, contact:

University of Houston
Department of English
Language and Culture Center
116 Roy Cullen Building
Houston, TX 77204-3014
1-713-743-3030
1-713-743-3029 (fax)
lcc@uh.edu (e-mail)
http://www.lcc.uh.edu

Cooperative Education Program (COOP)

Cooperative Education is a program which enables college students to receive career training with pay as they work with professionals in their major fields of study. Work experience in government, business, industry, and human services enhances the students' academic training. This valuable experience is documented on their official transcripts.

Most employers use the co-op concept as a recruiting tool. They tend to fill their vacancies with graduates from their own co-op programs, whenever possible, since they already know the capabilities and work habits of those they have trained. Most co-op positions are offered on a full-time, alternating basis with two students filling each job. While one student works, the other attends school. They trade places each spring, summer, and fall term. There are a few positions that are on a part-time schedule throughout the year; these are known as parallel co-op jobs. Jobs are available in most majors.

For further information, contact:

University of Houston
Cullen College of Engineering
Director of Cooperative Education
E316 Engineering Bldg 2
Houston, TX 77204-4009
713-743-4230

PROMES

The university and the Cullen College of Engineering seek to provide increased opportunities for minority students. To implement this policy, the college has established a special program called PROMES (pronounced "promise"), the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies. This program provides support in the academic, social, and financial areas, with a strong emphasis on making students' first year in college a success. To that end, the incoming PROMES students enroll in special courses and workshops. A course in problem solving and engineering guidance helps them gain greater proficiency in the former, orients them to engineering, and at the same time provides a formal setting for the new students' interactions with PROMES. Academic monitoring, tutoring, general orientation, and where applicable, career and personal counseling are all part of the program.

Financial aid for PROMES students is available through normal scholarship and financial aid programs, grants, special scholarships for PROMES students, and after the freshman year the Cooperative Education Program. The program's annual Christmas party and spring awards banquet enhance the campus social life of PROMES students.

For information, call 713-743-4222.

American Humanics/Nonprofit Certificate Program

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in the social sciences, business, journalism, communications, kinesiology, or one of the many other related academic disciplines, may prepare for professional careers in not-for-profit youth and human service organizations.

By participating in and completing academic and co-curricular requirements, students prepare for certification as nonprofit professionals through American Humanics, Inc. (AH), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1948. AH certification is recognized by 17 national youth and human service organizations as well as a growing number of Houston and Harris County affiliated agencies that provide internships and job placement both locally and nationally.

Students enroll in elective and other courses that fit within their chosen degree requirements. Competencies required for AH certification are in the areas of:

• child and adult development;
• marketing and public relations;
• financial management and budgeting for non-profits;
• management of nonprofit organizations;
• fund raising;
• historical and philosophical foundations.

Co-curricular activities include volunteer opportunities and community service; membership in the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA), a recognized campus organization; attendance at the AHSA annual retreat; and professional development seminars and workshops.

Academic advising and assistance in the certification process is provided by the American Humanics Program Director, a project of the Graduate School of Social Work, serving undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.

Limited financial assistance is available through American Humanics, Inc. for students who have actively participated in AH for six months.

For more information about AH and how to begin the certification process, call 713-743-8137.

Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps

The Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) program emphasizes the leadership and management skills that prepare cadets to assume a regular commission in the active United States Air Force. Courses and activities teach military customs and courtesies, core values, leadership and ethics, and policy formation.

Air Force ROTC offers a pathway from college to many exciting career possibilities as an Air Force officer: flying, engineering, intelligence, computer systems, aircraft maintenance, management, etc. Scholarships are available, vary in size and length, and cover tuition, books, and fees. The maximum age for commissioning is 35. The university offers both a two- and a four-year ROTC program.

The first two years of the Air Force ROTC four-year program, the General Military Course, consist of one hour of classroom work and two hours of leadership laboratory each week. Upon completion of the General Military Course requirements, cadets who wish to compete for entry into the last two years of the program, the Professional Officer Course, must do so under the requirements of the Professional Officer Course selection system. This system uses qualitative factors, such as grade-point average, unit commander evaluation, aptitude test scores and physical fitness test scores to determine a student's officer potential. After selection, students must successfully complete a summer four-week field training encampment at an assigned Air Force base before entering the Professional Officer Course. Cadets enrolled in the Professional Officer Course attend class three hours a week and participate in a weekly leadership laboratory lasting from one to two hours.

In the Professional Officer Course, cadets apply what they have learned in the General Military Course and at field training encampments. Professional Officer Course cadets conduct the leadership laboratories and manage the unit's cadet corps. Each unit has a cadet corps based on the Air Force organizational pattern of flight, squadron, group, and wing. Professional Officer Course classes are small. Emphasis is on group discussions and cadet presentations. Classroom topics included leadership, communication skills, and the national defense policy.

Once enrolled in the Professional Officer Course, all cadets are enlisted in the Air Force Reserve and assigned to the Obligated Reserve Section. This entitles them to a monthly nontaxable subsistence allowance during the academic year.

The Air Force ROTC two-year program and the last two years of the the four-year program are the same at the Professional Officer Course level. However, the entry procedure differs. Entrance into the Professional Officer Course is highly competitive and two-year applicants must be selected through the selection system described above. Two-year applicants must successfully complete a five-week field training encampment. The additional week of field training for the two-year applicants prepares them for entry into the Professional Officer Course. Two-year applicants are not committed to the Air Force until they return to school in the fall and make a decision to enroll in Air Force ROTC.

For further information, contact Colonel David Mintz at 713-743-4932 or visit the website at www.uh.edu/afrotc.

Army Reserve Officers Training Corps

The objective of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program is to develop leadership and management skills. Upon completion of the degree and the ROTC program, students may be offered a regular or reserve commission in the United States Army. The university offers both a two- and four-year ROTC program.

The four-year program is taken in two phases. The basic course is taken in the freshman and sophomore years. It incurs no military obligation, but it may earn physical education credit. Courses include leadership and management with practical training in military skills and survival. Veterans may be granted credit for the basic course. In the second phase, leadership and management training are expanded. Students earn $200 per month and attend a paid six-week summer camp following their junior year.

The two-year program consists of attending a paid six-week basic ROTC camp in lieu of the basic course. Completion of this camp qualifies students
for admission into the advanced course.

For further information, contact:

U.S. Army ROTC
Department of Military Science
University of Houston
3875 Holman St Rm 28
Houston, TX 77204-6014
713-743-3875

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

Although the university does not have a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit, qualified students may participate in the NROTC program at Rice University. The cross-enrollment program is an arrangement between the University of Houston, Rice, and the U.S. Navy, represented by the Naval Science Department at Rice University.

There are three NROTC programs leading to a commission in the reserve components of the Navy or Marine Corps:

1. A two-, three-, or four-year scholarship program leading to a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve. (This program provides all tuition, books, school fees, and uniforms plus $200 per month.)
2. A two-, three- or four-year college program that leads to a commission in the Naval or Marine Corps Reserve. (Uniforms and naval science course books are provided.)
3. A two-year scholarship or college program for juniors and seniors (apply spring semester sophomore year).

Interested students should contact the NROTC Rice University.

Commanding Officer
NROTC Unit Houston Consortium
Rice University, MS 556
6100 S. Main
Houston, Texas 77001
713-348-4825
e-mail: navy@rice.edu

See the course schedule for registration information.

University Off-Campus Institutes

Responding to the educational needs of the rapidly growing Houston area, the University of Houston makes credit course offerings available at locations away from the main campus and to enrolled students at home.

The University of Houston offers face-to-face and live interactive classes at four locations in the greater Houston area.

• The North Houston Institute (330 North Sam Houston Parkway) serves the educational needs of the growing north Houston community.
• The UH System at Cinco Ranch (4242 S. Mason Road, Katy) serves the west Houston area.
• The southwest Houston area is served by the UH System at Fort Bend (14000 University Boulevard, Sugar Land)
• and the far north side is served by The University Center (3232 College Park, The Woodlands).

Credit courses offered at these sites include junior, senior, and graduate-level courses from selected degree programs. New courses are added each semester, and proposed courses undergo the same rigorous design and review as those offered on the main campus. Credit courses are taught by University of Houston faculty members and have the same prerequisites, content, and requirements as on the main campus. The off-site facilities currently offer a broad range of courses that apply to undergraduate and graduate degrees including collaboratively delivered programs in cooperation with partner universities. In addition, courses in selected M.Ed. programs and in various certification and endorsement programs are offered each semester.

The North Houston Institute houses classrooms, instructional television classrooms, a computer lab, conference rooms, and administrative offices. The UH System at Cinco Ranch provides classrooms, conference rooms, faculty offices, computer labs, instructional television classrooms, a reading room, and administrative offices. The UH System at Fort Bend and The University Center include classrooms, computer labs, instructional television classrooms, and administrative offices. All sites can assist students in admission, registration, and fee payment procedures.

UH Distance Education coordinates the delivery of courses via Instructional Television and OnLine. Instructional Television (ITV) classes are broadcast live on a closed circuit network to the off-site locations and several corporate sites in the Houston area. Most ITV classes are also taped and then broadcast on KUHT or cable or made available by videotape for viewing at home or work. OnLine courses are delivered over the Internet.

For further information about credit courses offered by UH Distance Education, visit www.uh.edu/uhdistance or call 713-743-3327. You may also call

• the North Houston Institute (281-405-4500),
• the UH System at Cinco Ranch (281-395-2800),
• UH System at Fort Bend (281-275-3300),
• or The University Center (281-618-7140).

Noncredit Programs and Courses

The Division of Continuing Education and Extension provides a broad array of noncredit certificate programs, courses, and activities at the main campus, at other UH System locations, and on-site for corporate clients. Focusing on career and professional development, these opportunities are designed to respond to the expressed needs of Houston's business community.

For more information about offerings, call 713-743-1060, or visit or website at www.uh.edu/continuingeducation.