2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog

1 2016 - 2017 . Undergraduate Catalog The provisions of this Catalog are not an irrevocable contract between the student and the University of Houston Downtown. The University of Houston Downtown reserves the right to change any provision or requirement of this Catalog at any time, including but not limited to degree requirements, course offerings, fees and listings in the calendar as necessitated by university or legislative action. All universities establish academic requirements for granting degrees. Advisors, program coordinators and other university officials are available to assist students in planning how to satisfy these requirements, but students themselves are responsible for fulfilling them. Students should also be aware of the university's guidelines for conduct and disciplinary procedures.

2 Information on students' rights and responsibilities including specific rules on academic honesty and prohibited conduct is available in the Student Handbook. In accordance with the amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, known as the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, information regarding graduation rates may be found in Student Services and Enrollment Management (Room 380-South, 713-221-8100), and information on crime statistics may be found in the University Police Office (Suite 118-North, 713-221-8065). The university seeks to provide equal educational opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status in compliance with Title IX regulations and all other federal and state regulations.

3 The information contained in this Catalog is correct at the time of publication and is subject to change without notice. Contents WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT .. 4. ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2016 - 2017 .. 5. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN: HOUSTON'S DOWNTOWN UNIVERSITY .. 6. RESOURCES AND 9. Academic Resources .. 9. Library .. 9. Advising and Mentoring .. 10. Academic Advising Center .. 10. Academic Support Center .. 10. Other Resources .. 11. Academic Computing Services .. 11. myUHD & Student e-Services .. 11. GatorMail .. 12. International and Study Abroad Programs .. 13. Student Affairs .. 13. Office of Student Affairs .. 13. Office of Undergraduate Admissions .. 14. Office of Graduate and International Admissions .. 14. Registrar .. 14. Scholarships and Financial Aid.

4 14. Career Development Center .. 14. Center for Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion .. 15. Office of Disability Services .. 15. Student Health 16. Student Counseling Services .. 16. Student Activities .. 16. Student Publications .. 17. Sports and Fitness .. 17. Testing Services .. 18. Veterans Services .. 18. Off Campus and Distance Education .. 20. UHD Northwest at Lone Star College University Park .. 20. UHD at Lone Star College CyFair .. 22. UHD at Lone Star College 22. Online Programs at UHD .. 23. Continuing Education and Professional Development .. 24. Applied Business and Technology Center .. 24. English Language Institute .. 24. Other Services .. 25. Student Parking .. 25. Dining Facilities .. 25. Bookstore .. 25. O'Kane Gallery .. 25. O'Kane Theatre.

5 26. Undergraduate POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .. 27. Admissions .. 27. New Student Admission .. 27. Freshman Admission .. 28. Transfer Student Admission .. 30. Transient Student Admission .. 31. Post-Baccalaureate Admission .. 31. Return of Former Students .. 31. Articulation Agreements .. 31. International Student Admission .. 31. Required Testing .. 32. Tuition and Fees .. 33. Scholarships and Financial Aid .. 39. Academic Policies .. 44. Undergraduate ACADEMIC PROGRAMS .. 59. General Education .. 59. Undergraduate PROGRAMS .. 61. University College .. 61. College of Business .. 69. Department of Finance, Accounting and Enterprise Information Systems .. 69. Department of Management, Marketing and Business Administration .. 70. College of Humanities and Social 94.

6 Department of Arts and Humanities .. 101. Bachelor of Arts .. 102. Department of English .. 120. Department of Social Sciences .. 131. College of Public Service .. 151. Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work .. 153. Department of Urban Education .. 162. College of Sciences and Technology .. 170. Department of Mathematics and Statistics .. 173. Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology .. 184. Department of Natural Sciences .. 193. TEXAS COMMON COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM .. 212. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS .. 213. ADMINISTRATION .. 359. FACULTY .. 363. Welcome from the President Dear student: Welcome to the University of Houston-Downtown. We are happy you have made the choice to enroll and pursue your education with us. You are in the company of a dedicated and diverse group of students who, like you, wish to further their education and make a positive difference in their community.

7 We take our commitment to students seriously, and we believe you will find that UHD offers an exceptional education. For more than 40 years, UHD has been changing lives and building futures. UHD is Houston's urban university, the second-largest four-year higher- education institution in the fourth-largest city in the United States. Our student body reflects Houston's wealth of cultures, languages and nationalities. We invite you to experience all that we have to offer students. You will find that UHD is dedicated to serving the needs of the diverse population of Houston and the surrounding area. Whether you are enrolling in college for the first time or transferring from another institution, whether you are an Undergraduate student or a graduate student, UHD has the tools and resources to support you in reaching your educational goals.

8 At UHD, we are committed to offering programs of the highest quality and a supportive environment that will enable you to succeed academically and gain lifelong learning skills. Our more than 41,000 graduates enjoy successful careers in business, education, the sciences, the arts, humanities and social sciences. Some of our students go on to earn medical and other professional degrees and graduate degrees. We are proud to offer small classes to provide a faculty-to-student ratio of 20 to 1 and to offer a supportive atmosphere where Undergraduate students have the opportunity to work directly with faculty on research projects. Our tuition and fees are among the lowest of Texas colleges and universities. Our mission to provide access and opportunity began more than four decades ago, and today we continue to embrace this.

9 I encourage you to take advantage of the resources that are available for you and to enjoy the benefits of attending an institution that gives students the preparation they need to succeed. Best wishes for a memorable and productive academic year. Sincerely, Michael A. Olivas Interim President University of Houston-Downtown 4. Academic Calendar 2016 - 2017 . The following dates were correct at the time of publication, but some are subject to change. Check for current dates and for information regarding Part of Term sessions. Fall Term, 2016 . Classes begin .. August 22. Labor Day holiday .. September 5. Thanksgiving holidays ..November 23-26. Last day of class .. December 3. Final exams ..December 7-14. Winter Term, 2016 . Classes begin .. December 19. Final exams.

10 January 6. Spring Term, 2017 . Classes begin ..January 17. Spring break .. March 13-18. Last day of class .. May 1. Final exams .. May 4-11. May Term, 2017 . Classes begin .. May 15. Final exams .. June 2. Summer Term I, 2017 . Classes begin .. June 5. Last day of class .. July 6. Final exams .. July 6. Summer Term II, 2017 . Classes begin .. June 5. Last day of class .. July 27. Final exams .. July 27. Summer Term III, 2017 . Classes begin .. July 10. Last day of class .. August 10. Final exams .. August 10. 5. University of Houston-Downtown: Houston's Downtown University Mission Statement The University of Houston-Downtown is a comprehensive four-year university offering bachelor's and selected master's degree programs and providing strong academic and career preparation as well as lifelong learning opportunities.