SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Page Contents:

University Honors Program

Departmental Honors Program

Learning Communities

International Studies

ROTC Programs

Experiential Learning Programs

Preparation for Professional Schools

Open to talented and highly motivated students of all majors, the University Honors Program is designed to challenge and broaden the intellectual growth of UNC Charlotte’s most gifted students. Through a series of interdisciplinary core courses, cultural enrichment opportunities, a strong commitment to citizenship and service, and an individually designed senior project, honors students have a unique opportunity to customize their honors curriculum to meet their own specific goals. To stimulate discussion and faculty-student interaction, all University Honors Program classes are restricted to a small class size with program permission required for enrollment.

To graduate with University Honors Distinction, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Complete two courses selected from the following designated honors sections of the General Education Curriculum (6 hours):

2. Complete two additional honors designated three-hour courses approved by the University Honors Program Director (6 hours).

Admission. Any student accepted into the university may apply to The University Honors Program. Acceptance will be based upon criteria which include: a 2-3 page application essay stressing personal successes and goals, high school rank indicative of exceptional performance, and acceptable SAT scores. Recommendations by teachers and/or transcripts may also be required.

3. Satisfy the University Honors Community Service Requirement by completing either LBST 2215 Citizenship, or HONR 2750 Community Service Practicum.

4. Satisfy the University Honors Enrichment Requirement by completing either LBST 1105 (H0x) The Arts & Society or HONR 2701 Enrichment Seminar.

5. Complete HONR 3790 Honors Senior Project, or an approved discipline-based honors thesis/project, with a grade of A.

6. Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.2 grade point average in University Honors designated courses.

Honors sections for ENGL 1103 (Accelerated College Writing and Rhetoric) are offered during the fall semester to orient entering freshmen to the philosophy and rigors of the University Honors Program. In addition, courses across a wide variety of disciplines, including Business, Architecture, Biology, Criminal Justice, History, Literature, Philosophy, and Political Science are offered to University Honors students on a demand basis and may be used to satisfy the University Honors Program course requirements. In every case, University Honors Program courses include strong humanities components with special emphasis on historical perspectives and creative literary and artistic works.

University Honors Program students are encouraged to live in the Honors Residence, located on the third floor of Witherspoon Hall, which provides an environment especially conducive to study and cooperative learning. The commons area of this floor contains a well-equipped computer laboratory for use by honors students, and a study/classroom area where many honors courses meet.

The Honors Program, in cooperation with the Education Abroad Program, also promotes a comprehensive study abroad program, emphasizing diversity, choice, and flexibility. Opportunities vary from 10-day trips abroad, to a full academic year abroad, with all experiences designed to provide international education opportunities and perspectives. Some study abroad opportunities are interwoven with specially designed honors classes, while others are combined with the community service aspect of the program. Although study abroad is not required, it is strongly encouraged.

Entering freshman and continuing students seeking admission to the University Honors Program should obtain an application form from the University Honors Program Office in 101 Macy Hall, call 704-687-4824, or complete an application on-line at http://www.uhonors.uncc.edu/. Admission to the University Honors Program is highly competitive, requiring evidence of a strong record of academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to community service.

Students with majors in certain departments may graduate with departmental honors. All departmental honors programs require research and thesis or some form of senior project. Some also require additional coursework or activity. Specific requirements for departmental honors programs are described under the academic department sections of this catalog. Students who choose to graduate with both University Honors and Departmental Honors distinction should check with their academic department and the University Honors Program to coordinate their honors curriculum.

Students in a learning community typically share a common interest in an area of study and complete selected courses with other students in that community. Students in a learning community have the opportunity to work and study together, thus creating an immediate academic support group. Each learning community has an assigned academic advisor to ensure that students in the community have access to important information about the University as well as a clear point of contact to help them address issues related to their course of study.

During the 2003-2004 academic year, entering freshmen have the opportunity to participate in one of four residential learning communities including a learning community for students entering the University as “undeclared majors,” a community for students entering the University as Engineering majors, a community for students entering the University as teacher education majors, and a community selected from students enrolled in the Summer UTOP program.

During 2004-2005, the University will also offer residential learning communities for students entering the University in Information Technology, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Social Work, or Pre-Health Fitness, a hybrid residential/non-residential option for students entering the University as English majors or minors, and a non-residential community for students interested in community service.

International Studies is an interdisciplinary program offering both a major and a minor within the College of Arts and Sciences. It draws upon the faculty and courses of a number of departments and is structured to give students skills and knowledge to understand and analyze societies outside the United States in the context of the rapidly changing and increasingly interdependent world. By integrating courses on area studies and world affairs from a variety of departments, the program allows students interested in studying other cultures and societies to focus attention across traditional disciplinary boundaries. International Studies is of particular value to those with career objectives in government, law, journalism, teaching, business, trade or military service. It also serves those who will seek employment with international organizations such as the United Nations or with non-governmental agencies with an international or cross-cultural focus. For information, see the International Studies section under the College of Arts and Sciences in this Catalog.

The Office of International Programs offers academic and cultural programs to enhance the learning environment of the University community.

UNC Charlotte encourages its students to study or have an educational work experience in a foreign country as a part of their undergraduate careers. The Office of Education Abroad offers opportunities to study or work abroad for a year, a semester or a summer. Programs are available in countries virtually all over the world. A semester or year abroad need not cost much more than a semester or year at UNC Charlotte. Students may receive academic credit for all courses taken while overseas and intern or co-op credit for educational work experiences abroad. No time need be lost toward graduating on schedule. Knowledge of a foreign language is not required to study or work abroad. UNC Charlotte has sent students in architecture, education, business, arts and sciences, engineering, education, and nursing on its education abroad programs.

Students are encouraged to begin planning for study or work abroad while they are freshmen or sophomores. The study abroad experience may take place during the sophomore, junior, or senior year. Regular UNC Charlotte financial aid is often applicable to study abroad and scholarships are available.

The Office of Education Abroad assists students in choosing and applying for the education abroad program. It also provides cross-cultural orientation and re-entry (to the United States) assistance.

UNC Charlotte is one of approximately 200 U.S. institutions of higher education which are members of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). This program allows the UNC Charlotte student to exchange with students from Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. The students pay their regular tuition, fees, room and board at UNC Charlotte and exchange places for the year with students from institutions outside the United States who have similarly covered their costs. The student is registered at the foreign institution, taking the same courses, having the same assignments and participating in the same activities as all other students at that institution. This program permits the student to be exposed daily to a different set of cultural values, to new ideas and new world views. ISEP exchanges are small in scale, with only a few students going to each foreign institution.

Further information about the Education Abroad or International Student Exchange programs may be obtained from the Office of Education Abroad.

The English Language Training Institute (ELTI) provides intensive English as a Second Language instruction for international students planning to attend American universities or colleges in the United States. ELTI holds three sessions per year--fall, spring, and summer--and offers seven language proficiency levels. Average class size is 12 and students attend classes 20-24 hours per week. Exceptional students in Levels 6 and 7 are eligible to take University courses in addition to their English classes. ELTI also offers a communications course for international teaching assistants and consulting for international faculty at UNC Charlotte. For more information about the ELTI, contact the Program Director in the Office of International Programs.

To prepare themselves to serve as commissioned officers in the Air Force or Army, students may participate in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) offered by the Department of Aerospace Studies or in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) offered by the Department of Military Science.

The majority of UNC Charlotte students are expected to and do participate in University-sanctioned experiential learning programs (over 60%). Opportunities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students to receive course credit or other recognition for supervised experiences in public and private agencies within the community, nationally, and internationally. These opportunities are offered through experiential learning programs including over 330 courses involving clinicals, cooperative education, internships, and practica. The University Career Center coordinates most experiential learning opportunities for the campus and can provide information about the following options:

Cooperative Education: This career related professional program is available to students in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Information Technology, and Engineering. Participants must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and complete course requirements specified by their department. Transfer students must complete 12 hours at UNC Charlotte before applying to the program. Co-op students work two to three semesters either part-time or full-time (depending on college requirements) with an employer in a paid work experience. Although the experience does not offer academic credit, participants are classified as full-time students. Approximately 10 percent more co-op students obtain employment before graduation, as compared to those who do not have co-op participation.

Internships: Internship programs provide an introduction to career options in a professionally related work experience. This experience is usually unpaid and may offer academic credit if there is appropriate faculty supervision. Students work 8 to 12 hours a week while also taking classes.

The 49ership Program: The University Career Center sponsors a non-credit internship called a 49ership. Program participation is especially valuable for students who want career experience and do not have an internship option through their academic major. Students may apply for the program after their freshman year provided they have a GPA of 2.0 or better; graduate students must complete 9 credit hours in their graduate program before making application. (Transfer students must successfully complete 12 credit hours at UNC Charlotte before making application.) Participating employers have included Carolinas Medical Center, the District Attorney’s Office, General Electric, Walt Disney World, Duke Energy, Vanguard, Transamerica, and US Airways. Seventy percent (70%) of the positions in this program are compensated.

The Career Prospector Program: This program involves “shadowing” professionals in various career fields. Students are able to explore career options and academic interests by conducting informational interviews and observing professionals in the career fields of their choice. The shadowing experiences can last for one day or longer, depending on the schedules of the students and sponsors. Over 200 sponsors in various career fields participate in this program coordinated through the University Career Center.

Students may begin preparation at UNC Charlotte for a number of professional careers. Depending upon the professional school's requirements, the student may wish to take a degree at UNC Charlotte or to transfer after one, two or three years.

Preparation for the following programs is offered: chemical engineering, dentistry, forest resources, law, medical technology, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.

The student who plans to enter a professional school is advised to plan his/her program so that general requirements for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree are met in addition to the requirements for the professional program being considered. The student planning to attend a professional school should inform his/her advisor of his/her plans. The student should become familiar with the requirements of the school that he/she plans to attend.

Chemical Engineering. Students seeking a program in chemical engineering should consult the Department of Chemistry for advice concerning available options. However, those students desiring to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree may do so by transferring to North Carolina State University after spending two years at UNC Charlotte. To be eligible for such transfer, the student must meet the admissions requirements for transfer at North Carolina State University. After transfer, an additional two years normally will be required for the degree.

The following courses are ones that most closely resemble courses suggested for chemical engineering students at North Carolina State University.

*A one‑semester course in each of the following areas is required before graduation from North Carolina State University: economics, English literature, history, or philosophy of science.

Dentistry and Medicine. The composite requirements for entrance to most medical and dental schools in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia are as follows:

Please note that these are the published minimum requirements to apply. Most students will need additional coursework and other activities to be competitive for admission. It is essential that students intending to apply to medical or dental schools consult a premed/predent advisor very early in their programs.

Pre‑Medical, Preprofessional Committee. The UNC Charlotte Preprofessional Committee consists of faculty members from throughout the University and serves as the main advisory and recommending body for UNC Charlotte students seeking entrance to health professional careers. In order to obtain a recommendation to medical school or dental school from the committee, the student must register with the committee in the Biology office by September of the year in which applications are being made.

Contact the Office of Academic Affairs for the name of the committee chairperson. Students working toward entrance to health professional schools are advised to work closely with the Premedical Advisors in the Biology and Chemistry Departments throughout their study at UNC Charlotte.

Allied Health Club. Students interested in health related careers are encouraged to join the Allied Health Club. The organization sponsors speakers, volunteer opportunities in local hospitals, and trips to see admissions officers and teaching programs in schools throughout the region.

Law. The University suggests that the student planning to enter law school consider courses in such areas as accounting, business administration, business law, communications, criminal justice, debating, drama, economics, English literature and composition, finance, history, logic and ethics, mathematics, modern languages, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Preparation should include comprehension of and expression in words, the development of a critical understanding of human institutions and values, the generation of a creative power in thinking, and a working knowledge of the use of the computer in modern society. Thus, any of a number of majors, with wisely selected electives, might provide the broad educational background needed.

Law Society. The UNC Charlotte Law Society is a student pre-law organization. The Society carries on a large number of activities designed to help its members decide whether they wish to attend law school: providing sessions with pre-law advisors and attorneys; taking field trips to pre-law conferences, law schools, law offices and courts; having a guest speaker program on legal and judicial topics; and working on preparations for the LSAT. Membership in the Society is open to all UNC Charlotte students, regardless of major or year at the University. For more information, contact the Department of Political Science.

Medical Technology. The University, through affiliation with several schools of medical technology, offers programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in biology and chemistry, with training in medical technology. Students interested in this four‑year program are advised to check the more detailed listing under the individual departments and to consult with the appropriate advisor in the Department of Biology or Chemistry.

Optometry. There are no schools of optometry in North Carolina. Each year, however, the State of North Carolina contracts 24 spaces in out‑of‑state schools of optometry and partially subsidizes the tuition costs for the students that it selects to attend these schools. Information

on these contract programs in Optometry may be obtained from the Office of the President of The University of North Carolina.

For admission, the contract schools require programs similar to the one given here, consisting of at least 90 semester hours of coursework. Science courses should include appropriate laboratories:

Advising for students interested in pre-optometry preparation is available in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Pharmacy. Students planning to seek a Pharmacy degree may spend either one or two years at UNC Charlotte. One year is recommended for students transferring to a four-year pharmacy school; two years are recommended for students transferring to a three-year pharmacy school such as The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The following courses are equivalent to those required for transfer into the pharmacy school at UNC-Chapel Hill:

Students who will not receive a bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte must select one course from each of the following groups for a total of four courses:

Physical Education: Two semesters of physical education activities are required.

Veterinary Medicine. The following UNC Charlotte courses meet the requirements for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University.

Students should consult with a Pre-Vet Advisor in the Biology or Chemistry Department.

All but two of these courses must be completed by the end of the Fall semester in which a student applies for admission to the School of Veterinary Medicine.

*Nonbiology majors should consult a Pre-Vet Advisor in the Biology Department for information on the introductory biology courses required.

**UNC Charlotte has no courses that satisfy the Animal Science/Nutrition requirement. Students should contact the Veterinary School Admissions Office at NC State University for information on summer or correspondence courses.