Academic Programs

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Library

333 Salmon Library
Telephone: (256) 824-6540
Email: library@email.uah.edu
Dean:  Wilson Luquire, Ph.D.
Professor Luquire; Lecturers Coleman, Hullett, Moore, Olson, Ong, Vaughan.

Library research provides students with the skills necessary to complete their academic studies and to prepare for successful professional lives. The methods and materials covered in class will support students in a lifetime of research and learning. A Library research course is offered as an elective.

Bibliography (BIB)

BIB 100 - Introduction to Library Research     

M. Louis Salmon Library

The M. Louis Salmon Library is housed in a 105,000 square feet facility which includes a state-of-the-art high-tech wing with an Information Arcade, five computer labs, including a math tutorial lab, a liberal arts lab, a nursing lab, and a Library/distance learning lab. Over 250 workstations are supported in the facility.

The Library supports the academic and research programs of the University. It has a collection of over 350,000 print volumes, a selective collection of over 500,000 United States government publications, and over 600,000 materials in microform, and manuscript collections. In addition to books and microform materials, the Library offers a broad selection of books, journals, newspapers and other serials in electronic form. Over 100,000 electronic periodicals, over 60,000 electronic books and over 250 databases can be accessed both on and off campus via the Library website at http://www.uah.edu/library. In addition, the University Archives/Special Collections offer a number of unique collections, including the papers of former Congressman Robert Jones, the personal Library of Willy Ley, the architectural research collection of Harvie P. Jones, and several space related collections involving such projects as the Saturn V rocket, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz.

For students in science and engineering and technology, research at UAHuntsville is supported by the Redstone Scientific Information Center (RSIC), located five miles from campus. RSIC was developed to support the wide-ranging research interests of NASA and the United States Army Missile Command and is one of the finest technical libraries in the Southeast. UAHuntsville subscribes to numerous full-text and bibliographical data bases each of which supports specific colleges, including Liberal Arts, Nursing, Administrative Science, Engineering, and Science.

The Library is privileged to provide access to many major online resources including the entire Elsevier online collection of over 1845 journal titles through Science Direct as well as the IEEE collection. Many materials from the Library are available without charge to UAHuntsville faculty members and graduate students by request through the Salmon Library. Reciprocal borrowing agreements are also in force with over 100 academic libraries and particularly with the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL). Also, the Library has a contract with the University of Illinois and its 10 million books and 100,000 serial titles. The Library is also a member of several consortia that provide access to research materials not owned by libraries in north Alabama. Its membership in the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) and the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) facilitates rapid document delivery/interlibrary loan service to faculty and students without charge.

Reference services are provided both through electronic reference and onsite supported by subject specialist librarians, who are available to assist students in finding information in person, by e–mail, phone or through the Library’s virtual reference service. Group Library instruction sessions are provided to teach students how to locate, manage, and evaluate the information they need for class projects and papers. Other Library services include group study rooms, computers for writing papers, a scanner workstation, a digital audio/video room, and support for distance education and special computer accommodations for users with disabilities. A new and user-friendly printing system is also available in the Library InfoArcade and labs.

For additional information, inquire at the Circulation Desk, (256)824-6530, the Reference Desk, (256)824-6529 or Interlibrary Loan, (256)824-6124. Library home page: http://lib.uah.edu.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program

Suzanne Norris, Director
117 Engineering Building
Telephone: (256) 824-6741
Email: coop@uah.edu
Web page: www.uah.edu/coop

The UAHuntsville Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) provides a unique, structured educational experience for qualified students. Co-op students gain practical, professional work experience while completing degree requirements. Through the integration of classroom theory and professional practices, students increase their educational understanding. They also develop a sense of responsibility, judgment and maturity.

The UAHuntsville Co-op Program offers alternating and concurrent parallel options. Alternating students alternate semesters of full-time study with semesters of full-time work in their majors. Some students may elect to complete continuous parallel (part-time work) assignments concurrently with a reduced class load. Co-op work experiences are progressive in responsibilities, monitored by the University, and directly related to the students’ academic and career goals

The UAHuntsville Co-op Program was established in 1979. Since then, more than 3,500 students have completed work assignments in business, industry, and government. These students have enriched their education and earned more than $52.5 million. This year, approximately 400 students will work in Co-op jobs and will earn an average of $9,000 per work term.

Co-op presents a variety of career options for UAHuntsville students. Most students complete assignments in the Huntsville area, though some choose to work with unique non-local companies.

Co-op students are better prepared to secure full-time employment than other students. A large percentage of Co-ops elect to accept offers with their Co-op employer after graduation.

UAHuntsville has a premier Co-op Program, and our students have been recognized at the university, state, and national levels for their outstanding academic and career achievements.

Co-op is open to all majors at UAHuntsville, and students in all undergraduate disciplines are potential candidates for Co-op positions. All UAHuntsville students – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or veteran status – are eligible to apply.

Honors Program

Dr. Harry S. Delugach
336 Morton Hall
Telephone: (256) 824-6450
Email: delugach@cs.uah.edu

The Honors Program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville provides academically talented undergraduate students with opportunities to develop their special talents and skills within an expanded and enriched version of the curriculum. Honors coursework parallels regular offerings. The courses include special interdisciplinary seminars and opportunities for independent study and research, including the opportunity to work closely with faculty on special student projects. Participating students also benefit from the interaction the Honors Program affords with other talented and highly motivated students.

Students who wish to complete the Honors Diploma must earn a minimum of 24 hours in honors course work by graduation, and they must submit an approved Honors Research Project. Research projects may be done either in H 499: Honors Research Project or in conjunction with capstone or independent study courses in the student’s major or minor. A maximum of 6 semester hours in courses in which the student produces the Honors Research Project may be included in the 24-hour minimum for the Honors Diploma. Honors courses typically serve in the students’ curricula as courses to satisfy the GER, major and minor requirements, and electives, so they do not constitute additional hours overall. Individual courses of study will vary depending on the student’s discipline. However, to fully complete the Honors Program of Study, all students need to complete three hours of Honors Forum (H100); two honors courses (6 hours) at the 300-level or above, including at least one Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar (H399); and an Honors Research Project. Students may count no more than four hours of H 100 toward the 24-hour requirement. All entering freshman honors students will enroll in EH 105: Honors English Seminar (3 hours). Students may complete additional hours by taking other designated honors courses in a wide variety of disciplines. Students may also contract for honors credit in other academic courses. With permission from the instructor, a student may elect to enter into a contract for honors credit for any regular academic course, including courses in his or her major and minor. The honors contract specifies that the course content will be appropriate to earn honors credit. Students who plan to complete the Honors Research Project through courses in their major or minor are encouraged to complete honors contracts in those classes so that they may count toward the Honors Diploma.

The Honors Program serves academically talented students in all the colleges. Entering freshmen are invited to participate based on an evaluation of their ACT or SAT scores and high school grades. Students are encouraged to join the Honors Program at the beginning of their freshman year to gain full advantage of the program’s benefits and enhanced curriculum. Interested UAHuntsville and transfer students who have maintained a grade-point average of 3.3 or higher and who have completed less than 29 hours of coursework can still complete all requirements of the Honors Program. Those who have more than 29 hours of credit may complete the Certificate for Completion of the Upper-level Requirements of the Honors Program. The Certificate requires 12 hours of honors course work, including 6 hours at the 300 level or above (including at least 3 hours of H 399: Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar), plus an approved Honors Research Project. Students are encouraged to contact the director to determine how they may best participate in the program.

To completely review the honors course offerings, students should check the catalog course listings for each department. Courses specifically developed for the Honors Program are listed below. University students who meet appropriate admissions standards for the Honors Program may enroll in honors courses.

H 100 - Honors Forum     

EH 105 - Honors English Seminar     

EH 250(H) - Honors World Literature I     

EH 251(H) - Honors World Literature II     

H 399 - Honors Interdisciplinary Seminar     

H 499 - Honors Research Project     

For more information concerning the Honors Program, please write the Director of the Honors Program, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899, or telephone 256-824-6450; email: delugach@cs.uah.edu.

Prelaw Program

To be admitted to an accredited law school, the student must have a bachelor’s degree, an acceptable score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), and, in most cases, an accumulative grade point average of B or better. The LSAT should be taken in June or October of the year before the student plans to enter law school. Applications to law school, together with test scores, transcripts, and recommendations, should be submitted to law schools no later than January 1 of the year the student plans to begin law school.

For specific admission requirements, the student should consult the catalog of the law school he or she wishes to attend. In pursuing a prelaw program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the student will find that the best preparation during the first two years is the completion of the general education requirements. The Statement on Prelegal Education of the Association of American Law Schools notes that “What law schools seek in their entering students is not accomplishment in mere memorization but accomplishment in understanding, the capacity to think for themselves, and the ability to express their thoughts with clarity and force.” The prelaw student therefore must develop perception and skill in the English language, insight into the institutions and values with which people are concerned, and the power to think clearly, carefully, and independently. Since these skills are fostered by the general education requirements, completion of them should be the primary concern of the beginning prelaw student.

No law school recommends a particular major or minor as preparation for admission. Students should therefore design their program of study with the aim of further development and promotion of the skills listed above. Care should be taken in choosing electives. Aside from the courses in the general education requirements, the prelaw program often includes courses in political science, economics, philosophy (especially logic), American history, English, statistics, and computer science. One course in accounting is recommended. Since admission to law school is highly competitive, completion of recommended programs and requirements will not necessarily insure admission.

All prelaw students should seek academic counseling from the prelaw advisor, Professor Andrew Cling, in the Philosophy Department (MH 325, 824-2334). The official Prelaw Handbook may be consulted in his office or ordered from the Law School Admissions Services, Box 2000, Newtown PA 18940.

Preprofessional Health Advisement of Programs

Preprofessional health advisement is offered through the UAHuntsville Preprofessional Advisory Committee. Preprofessional health programs of study could include premedical, predental, preoptometry, preveterinary medicine, preosteopathic medicine, prepharmacy, prephysical therapy, and many other related disciplines. UAHuntsville offers academic preparatory options, which are flexible and provide a broad enough background to satisfy a wide variety of career objectives, including the diverse fields in the health professions. For some professional schools, acceptance might be dependent on good grades (i.e. above average), positive recommendations (e.g. employers, faculty), health related experiences (e.g. volunteering, shadowing, internships), quality interview skills and acceptable admissions test scores (e.g. Medical College Admission Test, Dental Admission Test, Optometry Admission Test).

Many students entering professional schools (e.g. medical, dental, optometry) do so after earning an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. No particular academic major or minor is preferred. However, it is very important to consult with the desired professional school to determine specific admission requirements. Competition for admission to professional schools is very intense and students should realize that completion of only the minimum admission requirements does not insure acceptance.

Typical of the requirements for admission to medical colleges are those which follow for the University of Alabama School of Medicine:

1. English: composition and literature 12hrs
2. General chemistry/inorganic with laboratory 8 hrs
3. Organic chemistry with laboratory 8 hrs
4. General biology with laboratory 8 hrs  (Additional biology electives recommended: genetics,  zoology, cell biology, physiology)
5. General physics with laboratory 8 hrs
6. Two semesters of college mathematics. 6 hrs

Students are advised to choose programs of study according to individual interests and abilities so that they may fulfill their maximum academic potential.

Typical of the requirements for admission to dental schools are those which follow for the School of Dentistry of the University of Alabama in Birmingham:

1. Biological sciences (cell biology, zoology, physiology) 12 hrs
2. Inorganic chemistry (including qualitative analysis) 8 hrs
3. Organic chemistry with laboratory 8 hrs
4. Biochemistry is strongly recommended 4 hrs
5. Physics with laboratory 8 hrs
6. Calculus 6 hrs
7. Non-science courses (30 hrs) to include English (6 hrs.),  history, political science, economics, philosophy,  psychology, sociology, literature or foreign languages.  Courses to enhance manual dexterity (sculpture, painting, art, etc.) are encouraged. 30 hrs
8. The completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of  collegiate work with a maximum of 60 semester hours  earned at an accredited community college.

Students interested in preprofessional health programs are encouraged to contact the Chair of the UAHuntsville Preprofessional Advisory Committee, (Dr. Adriel D. Johnson, Sr., johnsona@uah.edu) early in their college career. You can also call the Office of the Dean, College of Science for assistance.

Undergraduate Colleges, Majors and Degrees

The undergraduate academic programs of the University of Alabama in Huntsville are administered by five colleges with the following approved major programs:

College of Administrative Science

Areas of study in which majors are currently offered are:

• Accounting
• Management Information Systems
• Finance
• Marketing-Management Track
• Management-Business Administration Track
• Management-Human Resources Track
• Marketing-e-Business Track

Courses are also offered in business law and management science.

College of Liberal Arts

Areas of study in which majors are currently offered are:

• Art & Art History
• Concentration in Foreign Languages and International Trade
• Communication Arts
• Elementary Education
• History
• English
• Music
• Foreign Language
• Philosophy
• French
• Political Science
• German
• Psychology
• Russian
• Sociology
• Spanish

Other areas with course offerings are computer-mediated communication, Japanese, Latin, linguistics, statistics, women’s studies, and physical education. Secondary Education is done in conjunction with the major area of study.

College of Engineering

Areas of study currently offered are:

• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Optical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering Option in Mechanical Engineering

College of Nursing

All majors receive instruction in the theory of nursing as well as laboratory practice in a variety of clinical settings to prepare them for beginning-level practice in professional nursing. Graduates of this first professional degree are qualified to apply for licensure as registered nurses.

College of Science

Areas of study in which majors are currently offered are:

• Biological Sciences
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Computer Science

Courses are also offered in atmospheric and environmental science, astronomy, optics, and statistics.

Degrees Offered

Programs are provided as indicated below for the undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Bachelor of Arts - Art and art history, biological sciences, communication arts, elementary education, English, foreign language, history, mathematics, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology.

Bachelor of Science - biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - accounting, finance, management, management information systems, marketing.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering - unified programs with professional specializations.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - unified professional curriculum.

Dual Degree/Second Bachelor’s Degree

A student may choose to have a double major and earn one degree. (See Double Major.) The following policy applies to those students who wish to earn two degrees simultaneously (see Dual Degree) or sequentially to a first degree (see Second Bachelor’s Degree). As early as possible, a student should meet with an assigned faculty advisor to indicate on the Program of Study form the intent to pursue a second degree. The Program of Study form must specify the requirements for each degree and contain the approval of the appropriate chairs and dean(s).

Dual Degree

If a student elects to earn a second degree simultaneously with a first degree (e.g., B.A. and B.S.), the student must: (1) satisfy all applicable requirements for each degree; (2) earn at least a C average in all UAHuntsville coursework; (3) complete a minimum of 128 hours in the combined degree program; and (4) complete majors and/or minors appropriate to the degrees (a major for one degree may count as a minor for the other degree).

Second Bachelor’s Degree

If a student elects to earn a second degree at UAHuntsville after having earned a first degree at UAHuntsville or another institution (e.g., B.A. after earning a B.S.B.A.), the student must: (1) satisfy all applicable requirements for each degree; (2) earn at least an average grade of C in all UAHuntsville coursework; (3) complete a minimum of 25% of the total degree requirements at UAHuntsville for the second degree; and (4) complete majors and/or minors appropriate to the degrees (a major for one degree may count as a minor for the other degree). A specific course required for both the first and second degree does not have to be repeated; however, only courses completed after the first degree will be applied to the minimum number of hours required for the second degree.

Graduation with honors recognition for the second bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework taken at UAHuntsville above the requirements for the first bachelor’s degree. Honors will be determined by the grade-point average for the last 60 semester hours of coursework taken at UAHuntsville above the requirements for the first bachelor’s degree or all coursework taken at UAHuntsville above the coursework for the first baccalaureate degree, whichever is higher. Honors calculation for the second bachelor’s degree follows the same procedures as graduation honors for the first baccalaureate degree.

Double Major

With approval of the two appropriate departments, a student who wishes to concentrate in two disciplines may pursue a program of study that leads to a B.A. or B.S. degree with a double major. The minor requirement is waived for students with double majors. General education requirements and all requirements stipulated for each of the two majors must be completed. The total requirements of some programs may exceed 128 semester hours.

Declaring a Major

When applying to enter UAHuntsville, prospective students may declare a major or program of study. Some students are not yet decided, and may declare “undecided”. The Colleges of Administrative Science, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Science and Nursing assign advisors. Undecided students will be advised by General College Student Advising (GCSA) in room 108, Madison Hall. When a student declares a major, the student will be assigned an advisor by the department chair. At that time the complete advising folder will be transferred from GCSA to the relevant department chair for permanent retention. Sophomores who have not declared a major will continue to have their registration forms signed in GCSA. For procedures in the Colleges of Administrative Science, Engineering, Liberal Arts, and Nursing, contact the advising office of the college.

Minors and Cognates

Most degree programs in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Science require either a minor or a cognate. Typically minors are offered in all major fields of study and require 18 to 21 hours of work, twelve of which are at the 300/400 level; students should consult their advisors and the appropriate subject area portions of the catalog. Students may also fashion a cognate in lieu of a minor. Cognates are drawn from two or more closely related disciplines and consist of a minimum of 21 hours. Advisors and deans must approve cognates.

Many degree programs that have extensive core requirements for majors do not have a minor or cognate component. Students, however, may opt to add a minor or cognate to their programs of study. Again, students should work closely with their advisors in constructing their programs of study to insure timely completion of their degrees.

Program of Study

The Program of Study form is a document prepared cooperatively by a student and a faculty advisor, with assistance of the Office of Student Records in preparing the evaluation of transfer credits and reviewing general education requirements. Academic departments and colleges must assume responsibility for ensuring that each of their students has an opportunity to develop a Program of Study before the end of the student’s sophomore year. Once the Program of Study form has been accurately completed and signed by the appropriate individuals, it becomes a contract between the student and the University with responsibilities bearing on both parties.

Change of College

Students who are pursuing a program of study in one college at UAHuntsville and desire to change to a program in another college may petition to do so by making application at the Office of Student Records. Academic advisement before changing programs may help students avoid losing credits. Application of previously earned credits toward the new program will be determined after the transfer has been approved.

Core Competencies for General Education Requirements

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is committed to four core competencies that serve as the foundation for undergraduate general education requirements. These four core competencies are:

1. Effective communication;
2. Ability to deal with questions of values, ethnics, and aesthetics as represented in literature, the humanities, and the arts;
3. Understanding of the scientific method and application of quantitative or inductive reasoning; and
4. Understanding of human behavior and economic, social, and political structures as represented in the disciplines of history and social and behavioral sciences.

These core competencies are consistent with those of a State of Alabama mandated articulation agreement under ACT 94-303, which ensures the transferability of credits from the State’s two-year institutions to its four-year institutions.

Army ROTC Program

Through the visiting student program, students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville may enroll in the ROTC Program in the Department of Military Science at Alabama A& M University. A prescribed course of study under the program prepares graduates for positions of officer leadership within the national defense structure. Depending upon qualifications students may enroll either in a basic or advanced course of study in the ROTC Program. Specific requirements and a description of the courses of study are provided in the current Alabama A&M catalog. Students interested in participating in this program should contact the Department of Military Science at Alabama A & M University and the Office of Student Records at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Introduction to University Life

Introduction to University Life (UNV 101) is a course designed to facilitate the successful transition of new students into the UAHuntsville community. This one credit hour elective course will assist students in the development of academic and personal skills that contribute to success in college, the workplace, and lifelong learning. The education strategy for the course includes cooperative learning, guided discovery activities, journal writing and various assessment measures.

Career Exploration

The Career Exploration (OCS 111) course is a one credit hour elective course designed to assist students in identifying their interests, abilities, values and personality traits, as they relate to the selection of both a major course of study and career opportunities. Students will also learn effective job search skills. Lab fee: $10.