2015-2016 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog
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2015-2016 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog This publication has been authorized by the Board of Trustees. The provisions of this publication are not to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and Western State Colorado University. The information presented is based on commonly accepted practices at Western State Colorado University, but the University reserves the right to change any provision or requirement at any time within the student’s term of attendance. For further information, phone or write: Office of Admissions Western State Colorado University Gunnison, CO 81231 (970) 943-2119 1-800-876-5309 Main Switchboard (970) 943-0120 www.western.edu • [email protected] May 2015 Published by Western State Colorado University, Gunnison, Colorado 81231 i Western State Colorado University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution and employer. We encourage applications for admission or employment and participation in other University programs and activities by all individuals. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, ADA, and Section 504 may be referred to the Affirmative Action Officer (970 943-3140) or to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80204. No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any academic research, occupational training, housing, health insurance, counseling, financial aid, physical education, athletics, recreation, transportation, other extracurricular or other post-secondary education program or activity to which this sub part applies (Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 706, Title 45, Section # [84.3.1]). Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities Western’s policies insuring equal access to its facilities and services can be reviewed in the Disability Services office. For further information, phone or write: Disability Services, Academic Resource Center, Western State Colorado University, Gunnison, CO 81231, (970) 943-7056. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Message 1 General Education. 25 General Information 2 Under-Graduate Academic Programs Institutional Mission 2 Accounting (ACC) 28 Institutional Accreditation 2 Anthropology (ANTH) 32 Governance 2 Art (ART) 34 History of Western 2 Biology (BIOL). 43 Leslie J. Savage Library 3 Business Administration (BUAD) 49 The Western State Colorado University Foundation 3 Chemistry (CHEM) 56 List of Degree Programs 4 Communication Arts (COM) 60 Student Bill of Rights 5 Computer Science (CS) 65 Assessment of Academic Programs and Services 5 Economics (ECON) 69 Academic Calendar for 2015-2016 5 Education (EDUC) 72 Admissions Policies & Procedures for Undergraduates 6 English (ENG) 78 Criteria for Admission of First-Time Freshmen 6 Environment and Sustainability (ENVS) 84 Criteria for Admission of Transfer Students 6 Environmental Science 88 Admission of International Students 6 Exercise and Sport Science (ESS) 89 Students Seeking an Additional Degree 7 Geography and Geospatial Analysis (GEOG) 96 Non-Degree Admission 7 Geology (GEOL) 98 Concurrent High School Student Enrollment 7 Headwaters Regional Studies (HWTR) 103 Deferral Policy for Offers of Admission 7 History (HIST) 104 Readmission of Former Students 7 Honors Program (HNRS) 108 Transfer Credit, AP Credit, CLEP, Other Credit 8 Latin American Studies (LAS) 111 Resolution of Transfer Disputes Among Colorado Institutions 9 Mathematics (MATH) 112 Undergraduate Tuition and Fees 10 Music (MUS) 117 Mandatory Fees 10 Philosophy (PHIL) 125 Room and Board Costs 10 Physics (PHYS). 127 Residence Life Requirement 10 Politics and Government (POLS) 129 Payment of Charges 10 Psychology (PSY) 134 Refund of Charges 11 Recreation and Outdoor Education (ROE) 138 Colorado Residency 11 Science (SCI) 142 Financial Assistance 12 Sociology (SOC) 143 Applying for Aid 12 Spanish (SPAN) 147 Programs Available 12 Graduate Studies 149 Student Programs and Services 13 General Information 150 Co-curricular Programs 13 Admission Policies 151 Education and Career-related Services 14 Program Costs 151 Recreational and Athletic Programs 15 Financial Aid 152 Special Services 15 Academic Policies 153 Student Handbook 15 Graduation Requirements 154 Undergraduate Academic Policies 16 Graduate Academic Programs Unit of Credit 16 Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing 157 Course Numbering System 16 Master of Arts in Creative Writing 160 Student Classification by Class Level 16 Publishing Certificate Program 165 Academic Load 16 Education 167 Registration 16 Professional Development Courses for Educators 174 Class Attendance and Participation 17 Environmental Management 175 Variable Credit Courses. 17 High Altitude Exercise Physiology 178 Internships 17 University Personnel 180 Withdrawal from Individual Courses 18 Withdrawal from University 18 Transfer Courses 18 Military and Emergency Personnel Deployment 19 Grades and Grade Point Average 19 Academic Standing 20 Graduation Requirements 22 Academic Integrity 23 Academic Due Process for Students 23 1 General Information PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE To our students: What an honor it is for me to introduce our growing catalog of courses to both Western State Colorado University students and those considering enrolling at our university. The Western academic experience continues to improve in both breadth and quality, as we continue to add academic programs and challenges to support your academic growth and prepare you for life after college. Our university has a century-long tradition of offering a high-quality, customized education at a value you won’t find anywhere else. With an outstanding faculty and staff and average classes of just 17 students, we offer a private-college experience for a public-university price. This publication describes Western’s courses and academic-degree programs. In addition, you’ll see it spells out requirements you must complete to earn your university degree. Please note these requirements as you plan your academic schedule and career. If you need help understanding our academic offerings or planning your future, please know our dedicated faculty and staff are here to help you grow academically and personally. Western’s culture of quality academics and close faculty-student mentorship reflects our commitment to your success. We want to ensure you get a phenomenal education here at Western. And we are here to help you chart a path for continued growth after graduation. While you study here at Western, we will push you to expand your horizons, broaden your sense of community, and explore and pursue both academic and practical skills excellence that will put you a step ahead of your peers. That’s why we call the Western experience Learning, Elevated. Best wishes for your academic success this year at Western. Greg Salsbury, PhD President, Western State Colorado University General Information 2 GENERAL INFORMATION Institutional Mission Western State Colorado University fulfills its statutory mission by promoting intellectual maturity and personal growth in its students and graduates citizens prepared to assume constructive roles in local, national, and global communities. Western helps its students to develop the skills and commitments needed to continue learning for the rest of their lives and strives to elucidate the connections unifying academic domains which have traditionally existed separately: the sciences, the liberal arts, and professional programs. The University provides students with a solid foundation of skills in written and spoken communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Our programs encourage a breadth and depth of knowledge, which will serve as a foundation for a professional career or graduate study, and an appreciation of values appropriate to a liberally educated individual. Western’s distinctive character emerges from its unity among academic and professional disciplines, its high standards of scholarship, and its unique environment in the mountains of western Colorado. Institutional Accreditation Indicators of the status of an university are the agencies from which it has sought and gained recognition. Western State Colorado University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604-1413 (312) 263-0456 (800) 621-7440 Individual academic programs have been accredited, approved, or recognized by discipline-specific professional or governmental agencies, including the following: Music: National Association of Schools of Music Teacher Education: Colorado Department of Education; Colorado Commission on Higher Education; Institutional accreditation may be reviewed in the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Governance The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) is a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Colorado State Senate that acts as a policy and coordinating board for all public institutions of higher education in Colorado. Colorado Commission on Higher Education 1560 Broadway, Suite 1600 Denver, CO 80202 (303) 866-2723 Western is governed