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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 the foundation
offor the
undergraduate degreeeducation program
of the university. 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. A
sSpecific approved courses maymust be
used to satisfy only one each core
requirement (see the Schedule of Classes).
Individual academic programs may require courses
contained in parts of The University Core Curriculum to satisfy particular
degree requirements. Students may be required to take extra courses
if they fail to select these courses. 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.
Students are expected to master the techniques
of English composition and rhetoric and complete a requirement in
advanced writing. Students will be offered an exposure to the foundations
of mathematical reasoning, an orientation to the natural sciences,
an exploration of the methods of inquiry and the ways of knowing and
expression in the arts and humanities, and an introduction to the
history, government, and politics of the United States and Texas.
The core curriculum also provides students the opportunity to choose
an elective from a range of courses offered by the School of Behavioral
and Brain Sciences.
A. Communication (Chart 010) (6 hours)
English Rhetoric and Composition (6 hours): At
least one course that requires students to learn to communicate
effectively in clear and correct prose and to master several modes
of writing, including descriptive, expository, narrative and self-expressive.
Other courses may require students to master more specific forms
of writing tailored to the professional standards in their major
field of study. Upper-division writing classes have RHET 1302
as a prerequisite. All courses require that students write, received
detailed feedback about, and revise at least 15 double-spaced
pages. The 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.
B. Mathematics (Chart 020) and
Quantitative Methods (6
hours)
College Math (3 hours): Requires students to master the formal
principles of algebra or calculus at a level higher than high school
algebra II.
Quantitative Methods (3 hours): Requires students
to master logical reasoning and inference; the application of
mathematical concepts; statistical methods; or formal principles
of algebra, calculus, or advanced mathematics beyond the College
Math requirement.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.
C. Natural Science (Chart 030) (9
hours)
Science (9 hours): Introductory or foundations-level
treatment of fields of inquiry in the natural sciences.
Laboratory Science: At least one course must have
a substantial laboratory component. 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.
D. Humanities and Fine Arts (Chart 040) (93 hours)
Visual and Performing Arts (3 hours): Introductory or foundations-level
treatment of one or more of the visual or performing arts.
Humanities (3 hours): Introductory or foundations-level
treatment of literature, philosophy, cultural studies, modern
language, or classic language. 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.
E. Social and Behavioral Sciences (Chart
080) (153 hours)
U.S. and Texas History (6 hours): Courses in United States and
Texas history that satisfy Texas state law.
U.S. and Texas Government and Politics (6 hours): Courses that
satisfy Texas state law requiring 6 semester hours or the equivalent
in government or political science that include consideration of
the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the
states, with special emphasis on the Texas Constitution.
Social and Behavioral Science (3 hours): Introductory
or foundation-level treatments of any one or combination of topic
areas dealing with the scientific inquiry of human behavior and
social systems at the level of individuals, groups, societies,
political systems, economic systems, management systems, or cultures.
Approaches topics from a scientific perspective rather than a
historical, philosophical, or applications perspective. 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 thea 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-leveldivision courses,
or lower-leveldivision 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, the students
may be required to satisfy further requirements in the field of study
curriculum for that degree at U.T. DallasUTD.
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 Uuuniversity 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
Uuniversity 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.
No cCredit 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. |
