FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

2012 - 2013 University Catalog

Catalog Navigation and Publication Policy

Academics—FAU's Chief Priority

Academic Calendar

Academic Programs

University Profile

Facts and Figures

Maps

National and State Testing Information

University Catalog Navigation and Publication Policy
The 2012-2013 online University Catalog enumerates policies, requirements and other essential details regarding both undergraduate and graduate degree programs at Florida Atlantic University. Published annually by the Office of the Registrar, the catalog serves as an informational publication for the University community and the public. 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 navigation bar in the catalog's opening page directs readers to Academic Programs listed within the FAU colleges in which the programs are offered. Under the Academic Programs link, the colleges are listed in alphabetical order. The second link in the navigation bar, Course Descriptions, directs readers to FAU's individual course offerings. The courses also are listed under the colleges in which they are offered. The third link, General Information, leads to specific areas or services of the University. Academic policies, degree requirements, admissions information, students activities and financial assistance programs are among the resources found under the General Information link. The catalog search option at the top of all catalog pages is also a helpful tool for finding specific information within the catalog. Comments related to the catalog may be directed to the catalog editor.

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.

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 and sites where more than 29,000 students are receiving the preparation they need to face the future with confidence.

Florida Atlantic University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida Atlantic University. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to the institution and not to the Commission’s Office. 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.

With 46 percent of its student body classified as minority or international students, FAU ranks as the most racially, ethnically and culturally diverse institution in Florida’s State University System. The student-to-faculty ratio is just 20:1, an advantage normally offered by small, private colleges. Similarly, classes are taught primarily by the University’s full-time faculty rather than by graduate students or part-time instructors.

Faculty
The University’s full- and part-time faculty totals 1,077, with 90 percent having a doctorate or terminal degree in their fields. 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.

Library
The University Libraries house approximately 3.6 million items, including books, periodicals, government documents, microforms, maps, media and other materials. www.fau.edu/library

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 clicking here.

Policy of Non-Discrimination
Florida Atlantic University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination. 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 non-discrimination 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.

Academic Calendar (Click here to see the latest and future Academic Calendars.)

Academic Programs

* Bachelor's degrees in teacher education programs are available in these specific subjects at the secondary school level. Students must enroll in the degree program in the subject they wish to teach.

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

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 76 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 and sites, with most colleges offering programs at several different locations. 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 College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, 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.

The College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Business and the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters offer programs at the FAU Fort Lauderdale campus. FAU Davie houses programs for the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, 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 research facilities, hosting SeaTech, FAU's Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering.

FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter offers upper-division and graduate courses from the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. The campus is home to the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, a four-year residential liberal arts and science college for high-achieving undergraduates. The Center for Environmental Studies has its headquarters here. A thriving Lifelong Learning Society provides non-credit liberal arts courses for adults of all ages. The campus is also the site of Scripps Florida and the Max Planck Society’s first institute in the United States.

Farther north, the Treasure Coast campus in Port St. Lucie is shared with Indian River State College and serves a four-county region, from Indian River County through St. Lucie County south to Martin County and west to Okeechobee County. Conveniently located just off I-95 in St. Lucie West, the campus offers coursework and degrees in education, engineering and nursing.  

Located on the Indian River Lagoon in northern St. Lucie County, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University is a research organization dedicated to exploration, innovation, conservation and education related to the oceans. Harbor Branch has 30 research faculty and 120 support staff and is currently undergoing significant renovations and program enhancements.

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, Sponsored Programs (pre-award), Research Accounting (post-award), Technology Transfer, Research Integrity (IACUC/IRB) and Veterinary Services. This division is also linked to the Florida Atlantic University Research Corporation and Florida Atlantic Research and Development Park. All students involved in research should confer with Research Integrity 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.

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 here.

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.

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

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

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

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

Distance (in miles) from Palm Beach International Airport:

Maps
An interactive map of the Boca Raton campus can be found here. Maps to other campuses and sites—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 website or by calling 561-297-3160.

Testing and Evaluation also offers test preparation courses in GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT and SAT. For more information, call 561-297-1260 or visit the Test Prep website.

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

Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE)
Most tests are offered in paper-and-pencil format. Obtain a registration bulletin to complete form. Some tests are computer-based.
Register online at www.fl.nesinc.com
General information available through the Florida Department of Education website.
Phone: 866-613-3281

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