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Degree Programs
Core Curriculum
The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) requires that all students
complete a general education Core Curriculum of
42 semester credit hours that serves as a broad foundationfor the
undergraduate degree. These requirements must be met by every student
pursuing a baccalaureate degree at The University of Texas at Dallas,
regardless of his or her major. Specific approved courses must be
used to satisfy each core
requirement (see the Schedule of Classes). In
accordance with Texas Education Code Chapter
61, Subchapter S, a student who successfully completes the
entirety of a recognized Ccore Ccurriculum
at another Texas public institution of higher education may transfer
that block of courses to U.T. Dallas where it will be substituted for
the U.T. Dallas core curriculum.
Communication (Chart 010) 6
hours
he
goal of the communications component of the core curriculum is
to develop students' mastery in writing. Students must complete
one course that requires them to learn to communicate effectively
in clear and correct prose and to master several modes of writing,
including descriptive, expository, narrative and self-expressive.
Students must also complete a second writing-intensive course that
may require them to master specific forms of writing tailored to
the professional standards in their major field of study. All courses
require that students write, receive detailed feedback about, and
revise at least 15 double-spaced pages.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to write effectively using
appropriate organization, mechanics, and style.
- Students will be able to construct effective written
arguments.
- Students will be able to gather, incorporate,
and interpret source material in their writing.
- Students will be able to write in different ways
for different audiences.
Mathematics (Chart 020) 6
hours
The
goal of the mathematical compnent of the core curriculum is to
develop quantitatively literate citizens, capable of applying mathematical
tools in the solution of real world problems. Familiarity with
mathematical concepts and tools will enable persons to better cope
with the complex financial, business, investing, and daily living
problems encountered in the modern world. Students must master
the formal principles of a college-level math (algebra or calculus
at a level higher than high school algebra II) and one advanced
field of mathematics beyond college math (logical reasoning and
inference; the application of mathematical concepts; statistical
methods; or formal principles of calculus or advanced algebra).
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to apply basic mathematical
methods to modeling and solving real-world problems.
- Students will be able to formulate and interpret
basic mathematical information, numerically, graphically, and symbolically.
- Students will be able to identify and explain
the limits of mathematical models
Natural Science (Chart 030)
The goal of the natural
science component of the core curriculum is to develop an appreciation
of the intricacies of the natural world and to be able to describe
and explain some of the basic principles of how the natural world
functions. A more scientifically literate population will better
cope with understanding and acting on issues of a scientific nature
that affect their lives. Each student must complete 9 credit hours
of science courses, one of which must have a laboratory component.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to describe laws, theories
or findings basic to the science discipline.
- Students will be able to apply scientific laws
and principles of the discipline to arrive at problem solutions.
- Students will be able to explain how experiments
or observations validate or test scientific concepts.
Humanities (Chart 040) 3 hours
The goal of the humanities component of
the core curriculum is to examine a variety of literary, philosophical,
and/or historical works drawn from the humanities and presented
in an established context as examples of expressions of individual
and human values. Students will develop proficiency in research,
critical thinking, and writing through a series of assignments
in which they will demonstrate analytical processes of thought
as well as intellectual responses to designated materials. Students
must complete at least one course that is representative of literature,
philosophy, cultural studies, modern language, or classic language.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to examine and analyze a
variety of works from the humanities, particularly those connected
to literature and philosophy.
- Students will be able to analyze and critically
evaluate such works in the context of culture, society, and values
as well as be able to compare and contrast the works with each
other.
- Students will be able to apply considered analysis
and respond to works in the humanities as examples of human expression
and aesthetic and philosophical principles.
Fine Arts (Chart 050) 3 hours
The goal of the fine arts component of the
core curriculum is to expose and illuminate at least one and possibly
multiple forms of artistic expression, including but not exclusive
to the traditional areas of the performing and visual arts. Through
a series of discussions and examinations or reports and/or papers,
students will demonstrate their critical awareness of the fine
arts, a knowledge of the scope and variety of forms within specific
artistic expressions, and an appreciation for the aesthetic principles
that guide the creation and evaluation of art on both an individual
and cultural level. Students must complete at least one course
that is representative of one or more of the visual or performing
arts.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to examine and respond critically
to a variety of artistic forms in at least one and possibly multiple
forms of expression drawn from either the visual or performing
arts or come combination thereof.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation
for artistic expression and an ability to analyze specific works
of art within a cultural or social context.
- Students will be able to develop a critical approach
to a given form or forms of art and will be able to articulate
a response in an intelligent and informed manner.
American and Texas History (Chart 060) 6 hours
The goal of the American and Texas history
component of the core curriculum is to develop students' comprehension
of the scope of American and Texas historical development through
an examination of social, institutional, political, and cultural
evolution over specified periods of time in the history of the
United States and the State of Texas. Students must complete two
courses that address the history of the United States or the State
of Texas.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify, explain, and
give examples of significant developments in American and/or Texas
history over a defined span of time.
- Students will be able to examine and analyze historical
development through knowledge of institutional, social, cultural,
and political evolution and change over a defined span of time.
- Students will be able to interpret and evaluate
the acceptability of historical evidence.
Government (Chart 070) 6 hours
The objective is to increase students' comprehension
of the history and evolution of political institutions, and the interrelationship
between institutions such as executive and legislative; the role
that political institutions play in the lives of citizens, and to
demonstrate the relationship between citizens and political institutions
including activities such as voting and interest group activity that
provides awareness for citizen influence. This knowledge is designed
to equip students to be better informed citizens capable of making
important decisions in various political contexts. Students must
complete two courses that include consideration of the Constitution
of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special
emphasis on the Texas Constitution.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to provide examples of and
apply important theoretical and scholarly approaches to understanding
state and national institutional behavior, citizen involvement
and interaction between citizens and institutions of government.
- Students will be able to analyze and appreciate
historical trends in development of government institutions and
their constitutional foundations.
- Students will be able to identify, describe, and
analyze various mechanisms of citizen political involvement.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (Chart
080) 3 hours
The goal of the
social and behavioral science component of the core curriculum
is to increase students' knowledge of how social and behavioral
scientists describe, explain, and critically analyze the behaviors
and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, cultures,
events and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to
understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the
issues facing humanity. Students must complete at least one course
that is representative of the following social and behavioral sciences:
anthropology, economics, geography, psychology, sociology, or women's
studies.
Component Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to describe major theoretical
and scholarly approaches, empiraical findings, and historical trends
in the social/behavioral science discipline.
- Students will be able to describe and apply basic
research methods in the social/behavioral science discipline.
- Students will be able to apply modes of critical
thinking used in the social/behavioral science discipline
Electives
The degree requirements of every major include the opportunity for
elective courses, that is, courses exploring subjects not directly
related to a student’s
major. The minimum number of elective hours is 18. Specific exceptions
have been granted to Electrical Engineering and Accounting, where the
minimum number is 12. Six of the elective hours for all majors are
required to be selected from advanced electives, which are defined
as upper-division courses,
or lower-division courses that
have prerequisites, and that are outside the major. All students are
encouraged to use their electives to explore fields beyond their major.
FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
is a federal law enacted in 1974 to protect the privacy of student
education records. The law applies to those institutions that regularly
receive federal funding from the Department of Education and is enforced
by the Family Policy Compliance Office of the U.S. Department of Education.
FERPA forms for students can be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/student/registrar/forms/ (click on 'FERPA packet').
Complaints of alleged violations may be addressed to:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-5920
The UTD FERPA violation link is located at http://www.utdallas.edu/legal/ferpa/.
FERPA defines an eligible student as a student who
has reached 18 years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary
education.
Students have four primary rights under FERPA:
- To inspect and review their education records
- To seek to amend those education records they believe
to be inaccurate or misleading
- To have some control over the disclosure of information
from those education records
- To file a complaint concerning alleged failures
by an institution to comply with FERPA regulations within 180 days
More information regarding education records and the
procedure for amending records can be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/student/registrar/faq.html#FERPA.
Directory or public information is information that
is not generally considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released.
Directory information includes student's full name, address (local
and permanent), UTD email, phone numbers, date and place of birth,
major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees/awards received,
most recent previous school attended, enrollment status (classification,
under/grad, part/full time), participation in officially recognized
activities and sports, weight/height of members of athletic team, and
photograph.
Non-direcotry information is information that is not
considered to be directory information, such as enrollment records,
grades, schedules.
Students may choose to withhold release of directory
information. A student may do so by completing the "Request for
Confidentiality of Directory Information" form at http://www.utdallas.edu/student/registrar/forms/ (click on 'FERPA packet').
More information regarding FERPA can be found at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/.
Field of Study
If a student successfully complete a field of study curriculum approved
by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, that block of courses
may be transferred to The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and
substituted for appropriate lower division requirements of the appropriate
degree. Following receipt of credit for these courses, students may
be required to satisfy further requirements in the field of study curriculum
for that degree at UTD.
Honors Programs
Collegium V
The University offers a 4-year comprehensive
program of enrichment and recognition, known as Collegium V, for outstanding
students. Collegium V includes special seminar-style classes offered
by selected Uuniversity professors
as well as a program of extracurricular activities designed to encourage
and reward exceptional academic achievement. Benefits available to
participants in Collegium V include registration for Honors seminars,
honors advising, 24-hour access to the Collegium V lounge complex,
research and internship opportunities with professors, and an agenda
of cultural events such as concerts, exhibits, and plays.
Membership in Collegium V is limited. Interested students must apply
directly to the program at:
The Office of Undergraduate Education - MP16
ATTN: Collegium V
The University of Texas at Dallas
P. O. Box 830688
Richardson TX 75083-0688
(972) 883-4297
Honors in the Major
Each school offers qualified students the opportunity
to participate in an honors program within their discipline. Each program
provides two levels of recognition, Honors and Distinction. All students
must have completed a minimum of 30 graded semester credit hours to
qualify for major honors. The requirements for major honor's recognition
vary across schools. Students should review the descriptions within
the school section of the catalog.
Major and Related Areas of Study
Courses taken in satisfaction of requirements for the student’s
major field of study are major and related courses. Some of these
may be outside the courses with the major’s designation; such
courses are related to the major and required for its satisfaction.
Other requirements may be satisfied by courses from lists of guided
electives within the major and related courses. Finally, some requirements
may be courses preparatory to the major; they are not considered major-core
or major-related courses.
Minors
Some academic units designate a set of classes that constitute a minor
in that academic unit. The requirements of the minor are set by the
faculty of the academic unit offering the minor, not by the academic
unit of the student’s major field of study. When an academic
unit offers a minor in a field of study, it is open to all students
in the University regardless of
school of origin. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet
the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor. Minors consist
of a minimum of 18 credit hours, of which at least 12 must be upper-division
hours, although individual academic units may require more hours at
their sole discretion. Credit
hours may not be used to satisfy both the
major and minor requirements; however, free elective hours or major
preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. At least one-third
of the hours for a minor must be taken at The University of Texas at
Dallas (UTD). Students enrolled as of Fall,
1999, who are pursuing majors under prior catalogs may incorporate
minors in their degree plans. Students should consult with an advisor
in their major field of study as they select and plan minors. |
