Academic Register 2013/2014 On the cover: After the rain, a view of campus from West Beach. (photo by Matt Milless) 2 Contents Contents 3 Contents 180 Latin American and Caribbean Studies 183 Law and Humanities 4 Calendar 184 Law and Public Policy 5 Union College Mission Statement 185 Leadership in Medicine/Health Care Management Program 6 General Information 187 Managerial Economics 8 About Union College 187 Master of Arts in Teaching 12 Admissions 190 Master of Business Administration, and Master of Business 17 Costs Administration in Health Care Management 19 Financial Aid 192 Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Master of 25 Student Life Science in Mechanical Engineering, 28 Student Services Master of Science in Energy Studies 31 The Academic Program 193 Mathematics 34 Academic Policies 197 Mechanical Engineering 43 Academic Support and Services 202 Modern Languages and Literatures 47 Special Curricular Opportunities 225 Music 51 Courses of Instruction 230 Nanotechnology 53 Common Curriculum (General Education) 231 Neuroscience 56 Africana Studies 233 Organizing Theme 58 American Studies 234 Philosophy 66 Anthropology 241 Physics and Astronomy 75 Asian Studies 247 Political Science 77 Biochemistry 258 Psychology 78 Bioengineering 263 Religious Studies 82 Biological Sciences 266 Russia and Eastern European Studies 89 Chemistry 266 Science, Medicine and Technology in Culture 94 Classics 270 Sociology 101 Computational Methods 275 Theater and Dance 102 Computer Engineering 283 Visual Arts: Art History and Studio Fine Arts 104 Computer Science 296 Women’s and Gender Studies 109 Digital Media 298 Prizes, Honors and Scholarships 110 Economics 328 Officers of the College 116 Electrical Engineering 330 The Faculty 121 Energy Studies 341 Endowed Professorships 122 Engineering 342 The Administration 123 English 351 Faculty and Administration Emeriti 139 Entrepreneurship 355 Degrees Offered 141 Environmental Science, Policy and Engineering 356 For Further Information 146 Ethics Across the Curriculum 357 Index The information in thisAcademic Register was prepared as of July 1, 2013. Provisions of this publication are not to be regarded 147 Film Studies as an irrevocable contract between the student and Union College. The College reserves the right to make changes in its course 149 Geology offerings, degree requirements, regulations and procedures, and fees and expenses as educational and financial considerations 154 History require. Updates to the academic sections of this publication are maintained at www.union.edu/Academics/areas-of-study. 173 Interdepartmental/Interdisciplinary Courses Union College does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. The College’s policy of nondiscrimination extends to all areas of college operations, including but not limited 173 International Programs to admissions, student aid, athletics, employment, and educational programs. All the rights, privileges, programs, and activities 179 Jewish Studies generally accorded to all full-time matriculated students of the College are accorded on a nondiscriminatory basis. 4 Calendar Calendar 5 The 2013-14 Calendar February 2014 7 Spring term prescheduling materials available online August 2013 10-27 Academic advising for spring term courses; students must consult with faculty advisors 28 Last day to drop a course with a “W” 9 Fall tuition due 28-Mar 6 Spring term prescheduling appointments September 2013 March 2014 8 Residence halls open for First Year and new transfer students only 14 Last day of winter term classes 8-10 First-year and transfer student orientation 17-20 Winter term final exam period 10 First-year and transfer student advising and schedule adjustments 21 Residence halls and houses close 10 Residence halls open for returning upper class students 24 Winter term grades due 11 Fall term classes begin; add/drop starts 28 Spring tuition due 11-13 Off-campus and commuter student registration data verification 30 Residence halls and houses open 17 Last day to add an open course without instructor’s written approval; last day 31 Spring term classes begin; add/drop starts to add/drop without a late fee 31-Apr 1 Off campus and commuter student registration data verification 24 Last day to drop a course without a “W” and to finalize fall term class schedule April 2014 October 2013 4 Last day to add an open course without instructor’s written approval; last day 1 Last day to declare a course “Pass-Fail” to add/drop without a late fee 11 Winter term course prescheduling materials available online 11 Last day to drop a course without a “W” and to finalize spring class schedule 11-13 Homecoming and Family Weekend 18 Last day to declare a course “Pass-Fail” 14-31 Academic advising for winter term courses; students must consult with faculty advisors May 2014 November 2013 2 Fall term prescheduling materials online 1 Graduation application due for Class of 2014 5-23 Academic advising for fall term courses; students must consult faculty advisors 1-7 Winter term prescheduling appointments 9-10 Steinmetz Symposium and Prize Day 5 Last day to drop a course with a “W” 12 Registration for summer classes begins 19 Fall term classes end 23 Last day to drop a course with a “W” 20 Reading period 26-29 Fall term prescheduling appointments 21-26 Fall term final exam period 30-June 1 Alumni Weekend – ReUnion 2014 27 Residence halls and houses close June 2014 December 2013 6 Last day of spring term classes 4 Fall term grades due 9-12 Spring term final exam period 6 Winter tuition due 13 Residence halls and houses close at 3 p.m. for students not involved in Commencement 15 Commencement January 2014 15 Residence halls and houses close at 6 p.m. 16 Registration for summer classes ends 5 Residence halls and houses open 18 Spring term grades due 6 Winter term classes begin; add/drop starts 23 Summer classes begin 6-7 Off-campus and commuter student registration data verification 10 Last day to add an open course without instructor’s written approval; last day to add/drop without a late fee 17 Last day to drop a course without a “W” and to finalize winter class schedule 24 Last day to declare a course “Pass-Fail” 6 Mission Statement General Information 7 Union College Mission Statement General Information Union College, founded in 1795, is a scholarly community dedicated to shaping the future and to un- Union’s Faculty: The student-faculty ratio at Union is 10:1. Ninety-eight percent of the derstanding the past. Faculty, staff, and administrators welcome diverse and talented students into our com- teaching faculty holds the doctorate or terminal degree (excluding library staff, some of whom hold munity, work closely with them to provide a broad and deep education, and guide them in finding and faculty rank). cultivating their passions. We do this with a wide range of disciplines and interdisciplinary programs in the liberal arts and engineering, as well as academic, athletic, cultural, and social activities, including opportuni- Union’s Students: About 5,000 apply for placement in the first-year class. Exact statistics vary from year to year, but approximately 58 percent of the applicants are in the top decile of their ties to study abroad and to participate in undergraduate research and community service. We develop in our secondary school class. The majority of the College’s students are from the Northeast, with about students the analytic and reflective abilities needed to become engaged, innovative, and ethical contributors 76 percent from New York and New England; 37 states and territories and 37 other countries also to an increasingly diverse, global, and technologically complex society. are represented. More than half receive financial aid from the College. About 85 percent of each class completes the degree requirements within five years. About 30 percent of each graduating class Adopted by the Faculty on May 23, 2008. continues directly to graduate or professional school. Approved by the Board of Trustees on May 31, 2008. Enrollment: Union College enrolls approximately 2,200 full-time undergraduates. Accreditation: Union College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The programs in chemistry are certified by the American Chemical Society. The computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Board of Trustees: The governing body of the College is the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees holds title to the property, is responsible for the administration of the College and its funds, and determines the policies under which programs are offered. The chief executive officer is the president, who also serves as chancellor of Union University, comprising Union College, Albany Medical College (1839), Albany Law School (1851), Dudley Observatory (1852), Albany College of Pharmacy (1881), and Union Graduate College (2003). Each institution has its own governing board and is responsible for its own programs. The Board of Governors of the University serves both to advise and to expand the areas of voluntary cooperation. Alumni: The College’s 30,000 alumni are represented by the Alumni Council, which is incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. The council has at least two representatives from each class, possibly more depending on the size of the class. It helps operate the alumni program through a group of standing committees and an executive committee, in conjunction with the Alumni Office. Alumni are welcome on campus every day of the year, with special emphasis on Homecoming and Family Weekend in the fall and ReUnion Weekend in late spring.