FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

2009 – 2010
University Catalog

This online 2009-2010 University Catalog enumerates policies, requirements, and other essential details regarding both undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Florida Atlantic University. The Navigation bar directs readers to specific areas of the University including specific text concerning each of nine FAU’s colleges. The colleges are arranged alphabetically in the Navigation bar as are the departments within the colleges. Comments may be directed to the catalog editor.

Florida Atlantic University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral degrees. Florida Atlantic University is a member of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.

Policy of Nondiscrimination
Florida Atlantic University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination. It is against the policy of the University to discriminate against, or exclude from participation in benefits or activities, either on the staff or in the student body, any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, or mental or physical disablement, provided such disablement, with reasonable accommodation, does not prevent satisfactory work performance. This nondiscrimination policy also relates to the University’s actions concerning choice of contractors and suppliers of goods and services and to the use of University facilities.

Catalog Publication Policy
The University Catalog, published annually by the Office of the Registrar, serves as an informational publication for the University community and the public. It contains descriptions of the current curricula, educational plans, offerings, fees, requirements for degrees, and academic and nonacademic policies. This catalog does not constitute an offer for contracts and should not be used for verifying the equivalency of courses to transfer courses or for recording credit on transcripts.

The University reserves the right to amend, adopt, or make effective any provision, offering, requirement, or policy at any time without notice within the student’s period of study at FAU to carry out its purposes and objectives. When incorporating changes, the University will make every reasonable effort to honor the curriculum requirements appropriate to each student’s catalog year. However, some courses and programs may be discontinued and requirements may change as a result of curricular review or actions by accrediting associations or other agencies.

This catalog incorporates by reference and is subject to all applicable state and federal laws and rules and the rules and policies of the Florida Board of Education and Florida Atlantic University, which are subject to change at any time.

Ombudsman
The Office of the University Ombudsman was established by the University president. The ombudsman acts as an impartial and confidential agent in assisting members of the University community who have encountered problems that existing processes and procedures seem incapable of, or are causing an inordinate delay in, resolving. An appointment with the ombudsman can be made by calling 561-297-3693 or visiting www.fau.edu/ombudsman.

Academics - FAU's Chief Priority
Welcome to the academic world of Florida Atlantic University. Here you will find a wide choice of majors, a top-notch faculty, small classes, and personal attention, offered on seven campuses where 28,000 students are receiving the preparation they need to face the future with confidence.

The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral degrees. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is the recognized educational accrediting authority in the southern United States. In 1993, FAU was elected to membership in the prestigious National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, the country’s oldest higher education association. FAU is also a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States.

With more than 1,500 students from other states and countries, FAU is culturally and ethnically diverse. The student-to-faculty ratio is just 18:1, an advantage normally offered by small, private colleges. Similarly, classes are taught primarily by the University’s more than 800 full-time faculty rather than by graduate students or part-time instructors.

The faculty includes 17 Eminent Scholars, widely acclaimed authorities in their fields who bring special excitement to the classroom and new ideas to research programs.

The University’s extensive library holdings include more than 1 million volumes, 2.1 million microforms, and subscriptions to over 1,400 print and 15,200 electronic journals.

The opportunities and challenges are almost limitless. Now it’s up to you.

Facts and Figures

Enrollment

Student Statistics

* Bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral degrees awarded.

Florida Atlantic University publishes an annual Fact Book containing in-depth student data as well as details on productivity, personnel, and finance.

Faculty
The University’s full- and part-time faculty totals 1,071, with 89 percent having a doctorate or terminal degree in their fields.

Library (http://www.fau.edu/library/)
The University’s extensive holdings include more than 1 million volumes, 2.1 million microforms, and subscriptions to over 1,400 print and 15,200 electronic journals.

Tuition
Tuition fees are charged for each credit scheduled based on the course level and the residency status of the student. Tuition fees per credit appear in the link below. Tuition fees are subject to change by the Florida Board of Governors at any time. The most current tuition fees can be found at www.fau.edu/controller/student_information/tuition_breakdown.php.

Academic Calendar (http://www.fau.edu/registrar/acadcal.php)

University Profile
Florida Atlantic University is in subtropical South Florida with locations in Palm Beach, Broward, and St. Lucie counties. The climate is idyllic, with average temperatures year-round of 75 degrees and natural treasures ranging from the beaches to the Everglades. The six-county (Broward, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie) region, with a population of more than five million people, offers all of the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan setting.

The University’s 10 colleges are spread across seven campuses, with most colleges offering programs at several different sites. The University’s original campus is in Boca Raton, a suburban residential community midway between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. FAU Boca Raton is the administrative home of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, the College of Business, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. It is a residential campus, with programs at lower-division, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral levels in many fields.

FAU Fort Lauderdale is the administrative home of the College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs. This College, the College of Business, and the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters offer programs at the Fort Lauderdale campus. FAU Davie houses programs for the College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs, the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College of Education, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. In Fort Lauderdale and Davie, FAU is co-located with Broward College. Also in Broward County, FAU Dania Beach provides outstanding facilities for ocean engineering and hosts the SeaTech Research Institute.

In 1999 FAU’s northern Palm Beach site moved to the John D. MacArthur campus in Jupiter. FAU Jupiter houses FAU’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College as well as expanded offerings in upper-division and graduate programs in education, humanities, and social sciences.

Farther north FAU Treasure Coast in Port St. Lucie offers programs in education, nursing, business, humanities, and social sciences. The campus, shared with Indian River State College, provides Treasure Coast residents with the opportunity to complete their baccalaureate or graduate degrees closer to home. FAU Harbor Branch in Fort Pierce is the University’s newest facility on the Treasure Coast. It houses the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and provides an ideal setting for marine science research and teaching.

Research
Research plays a vital role in fulfilling the mission of Florida Atlantic University. The Division of Research provides the oversight, expertise, and guidance for all of the various research activities throughout the University.

The Division of Research includes the Office of the Vice President, Office of Sponsored Research (pre-award), Office of Contracts and Grants (post-award), and Office of Technology Transfer. This division is also linked to the Graduate College as well as to the Florida Atlantic University Research Corporation and Florida Atlantic Research and Development Park. All students involved in research should confer with the Office of the Vice President for Research to ensure that their research protocols comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

FAU maintains ongoing research collaborations with the Scripps Research Institute, the Max Planck Society, the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Research Institute, and the Smithsonian Marine Station.

Oversight
The Florida Board of Governors and FAU’s Board of Trustees provide guidance and governance to the University.

Temperature
Average daily high and low temperatures (in Fahrenheit):

January 74 61
February 75 61
March 76 64
April 80 66
May 84 71
June 86 74
July 88 76
August 88 76
September 87 75
October 87 75
November 78 66
December 76 62

Distances
Distance (in miles) from Boca Raton to major Florida cities and attractions:

Cape Canaveral 150
Daytona Beach 220
Fort Lauderdale 17
Fort Myers 140
Gainesville 250
Jacksonville 300
Key West 160
Miami 45
Orlando/Disney World 190
Palm Beach 25
Pensacola 610
St. Augustine 265
Tallahassee 425
Tampa 220

Distance (in miles) from FAU Boca Raton to nearby airports:

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International 25
Miami International 50
Palm Beach International 25

Distance (in miles) from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport:

FAU Fort Lauderdale 5
FAU Davie 9
FAU Dania Beach (SeaTech) 5

Distance (in miles) from Palm Beach International Airport:

FAU Jupiter 17
FAU Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie) 57

Academic Programs

* Teacher education programs are available in specific subjects at the secondary school level. These are marked with an asterisk (*). Students must enroll in the degree program in the subject they wish to teach.

** See Honors College section for a detailed list of concentrations for Honors College students.

Maps
Interactive map of the Boca Raton campus can be found here. Maps to other campuses - Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Branch, Jupiter, and Treasure Coast - are here.

National and State Testing Information
Information bulletins for the following state and national tests are available in the Office of Testing and Evaluation in SU 210 on the Boca Raton campus. Bulletins also may be obtained at FAU partner campuses.

Specific test dates, deadlines, fee information, and direct links to specific testing programs may be found by accessing the Office of Testing and Evaluation at www.fau.edu/testing or by calling 561-297-3160.

FAU’s Open University and Continuing Education (OUCE) offers test preparation courses in CLAS, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and SAT. For more information, please call 1-800-228-5845 or visit the OUCE website at: www.fau.edu/conted.

ACT Assessment
Paper and pencil format
www.act.org
Phone: 319-337-1270

Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE)
All tests are offered in paper-and-pencil format.
Obtain a registration bulletin to complete form.

Many tests are computer-based. Register online at www.fl.nesinc.com

General information available at www.fldoe.org
Phone: 800-445-6739

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
GMAT is computer-based testing only, by appointment.
www.mba.com/mba
Phone: 1-800-717-GMAT

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE General Test is computer-based only; phone for an appointment. The GRE Subject Test is paper and pencil, offered several times a year. Registration is available online.
www.gre.org
Phone: 1-866-473-4373

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Registration is available online.
www.lsac.org
Phone: 215-968-1001

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
www.aamc.org
Phone: 202-828-0690

Scholastic Assessment Tests
(SAT-I and SAT-II)
www.collegeboard.com
Phone: 866-756-7346

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Computer-based testing. Paper and pencil format available in some locations. Phone registration is available. www.ets.org/toefl
Phone: 877-863-3546