UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2012-13 Effective Fall Semester 2012 Notices Undergraduate Information Through the university governance and administrative processes, General Information: 815-753-1000 after publication of this catalog changes may occur in the academic calendar, admission and graduation requirements, World Wide Web site: www.niu.edu academic programs, course offerings, regulations, staff, and The World Wide Web site provides access to the sites of NIU tuition and fee charges. Such changes take precedence over academic colleges, departments/schools, and many of the catalog statements. While reasonable effort will be made to university’s offices, as well as an online version of this catalog. publicize such changes, a student is encouraged to seek current The online catalog can be found at http://catalog.niu.edu. information from appropriate offices, because responsibility for Beginning with the 2006-07 academic year, the online catalog complying with all applicable requirements ultimately rests with is the definitive version of program descriptions and of academic the student. policies and procedures. Although the university attempts to accommodate the course Below is information regarding NIU offices that prospective requests of students, course offerings may be limited by students might want to contact. E-mail addresses for other NIU financial, space, and staffing considerations or may otherwise be offices are available through the NIU World Wide Web site. unavailable. Nothing in this catalog may be construed to promise or guarantee registration in any course or course of study (whether required or elective) nor may anything be construed to Office of Admissions promise or guarantee the completion of an academic program Northern Illinois University within a specified length of time. DeKalb, IL 60115-2857 Other statements of a legal nature are printed in the “Legal 815-753-0446 Notices” section of this catalog. Academic policies and programs 800-892-3050 (toll-free for Illinois callers only) described in this catalog are in effect as of the beginning of the E-mail: [email protected] fall semester unless an exception is indicated. Educational Services and Programs Northern Illinois University Student Responsibility DeKalb, IL 60115-2854 It is the responsibility of students to know and observe all 815-753-0201 regulations and procedures relating to the program they are 800-892-3050 (toll-free for Illinois callers only) pursuing. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception granted because students plead ignorance of, or contend that they Office of Registration and Records were not informed of, the regulations or procedures. Questions Northern Illinois University on regulations, and their interpretation should be addressed to DeKalb, IL 60115-2871 the advising office of the college in which the student’s major 815-753-0681 department is located. For students with no college affiliation, E-mail: [email protected] questions on regulations and their interpretations should be Student Financial Aid Office addressed to the Academic Advising Center. Northern Illinois University Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment DeKalb, IL 60115-2872 with an academic adviser at least once each semester, preferably 815-753-1395 before registering for succeeding semester course work. 800-892-3050 (toll-free for Illinois callers only) E-mail: [email protected] University Academic Publications Housing and Dining The Undergraduate Catalog contains information on admission Northern Illinois University policies and procedures, graduation requirements, academic DeKalb, IL 60115-2877 regulations, expenses, housing, financial aid, and other student 815-753-1525 services, as well as detailed descriptions of academic majors, E-mail: [email protected] minors, and course offerings. Copies are available to current and Center for Access-Ability Resources prospective students from the university’s bookstore. The catalog Northern Illinois University is online at catalog.niu.edu. DeKalb, IL 60115-2879 The Graduate Catalog contains detailed statements of Graduate 815-753-1303 School policies and procedures, curricula, and expenses, and lists the graduate course offerings of the various departments. Health Services Copies are available from the Graduate School office. It is online Northern Illinois University at catalog.niu.edu. DeKalb, IL 60115-2879 815-753-1311 The College of Law Bulletin provides information regarding application procedures, academic requirements, course offerings, University Honors Program and tuition and fees. Copies may be obtained from the College of Northern Illinois University Law. It is online at law.niu.edu. DeKalb, IL 60115-2854 815-753-0694 E-mail: [email protected] 1 Undergraduate College of Business College of Education Catalog College of Engineering and Engineering 2012-13 Technology College of Health and Human Sciences College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Effective Fall Semester 2012 College of Visual and Performing Arts Recycled paper Northern Illinois University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital sta- tus, national origin, disability, status based on the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, in employment or in admission or access to, treatment in, or operation of its educational programs and activities. Such discrimination is prohibited by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Acts of 1974 and 1975, the Vietnam-Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Titles I-VI of the Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act, and other federal and state statutes and regulations. Inquiries concerning application of Title IX, Section 504, and other statutes and regulations may be referred to the Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources Center, 1515 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL 60115, telephone 815-753-1118, or to the director of the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20024. The Constitution and Bylaws of Northern Illinois University afford equal treatment regardless of political views or affiliation, sexual orientation, or other factors unre- lated to scholarly or professional performance (Constitution Article 9, Section 9.2; Bylaws Article 5, Section 5.211; Bylaws Article 7, Section 7.25 and Section 7.252; Bylaws Article 10; and Bylaws Article 18). Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. www.niu.edu 4/12 56428 3 Contents Academic Year Calendar 4 Philosophy 287 A Guide to Reading This Catalog 7 Physics 290 An Introduction to NIU 10 Political Science 295 Undergraduate Academic Programs 12 Psychology 303 Sociology 307 Admission 15 Limited Admissions and Limited Retention Requirements 22 College of Visual and Performing Arts 312 University Graduation Requirements 29 Art 313 Other Graduation Requirements 39 Music 323 Teacher Certification Requirements 41 Theatre and Dance 332 Academic Regulations 44 Inter-College Interdisciplinary Certificates and Programs 339 Expenses 54 Financial Aid and Scholarships 56 Inter-College and University-Wide Interdisciplinary Courses 346 University Services 64 Other Academic Units 348 College of Business 71 Center for Black Studies 348 Accountancy 74 Center for Burma Studies 348 Finance 77 Center for Latino and Latin American Studies 348 Management 80 Center for Southeast Asian Studies 348 Marketing 84 Regional History Center 349 Operations Management and Information Systems 88 International Programs 349 College of Law 351 College of Education 92 Graduate School 351 Counseling, Adult and Higher Education 95 University Libraries 355 Educational Technology, Research and Assessment 96 University Press 355 Kinesiology and Physical Education 98 Illinois Articulation Initiative Core Curriculum 356 Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations 108 Literacy Education 111 University Administration 358 Special and Early Education 114 Legal Notices 349 College of Engineering and Engineering Technology 120 Index 363 Electrical Engineering 123 Industrial and Systems Engineering 128 Mechanical Engineering 134 Technology 138 College of Health and Human Sciences 147 Allied Health and Communicative Disorders 151 Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences 158 Military Science 170 Nursing and Health Studies 173 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 184 Anthropology 199 Biological Sciences 204 Chemistry and Biochemistry 211 Communication 217 Computer Science 225 Economics 229 English 233 Environmental Studies 239 Foreign Languages and Literatures 244 Geography 255 Geology and Environmental Geosciences 262 History 269 Mathematical Sciences 276 Non-Governmental Organization Leadership and Development Center 285 4 Academic Year Calender Fall Semester 2012 October 22, Monday Beginning of second half of semester April-August October 28, Sunday New student and family orientation sessions Last day to add or drop a second-half-semester course via self- August 20-24, Tuesday-Friday service in MyNIU Department, college, and university faculty meetings October 29, Monday August 27, Monday Last day to add or drop a second-half-semester course with approval of major college Beginning of classes November 9, Friday September 2, Sunday Last day to change a second-half-semester course from credit Last day for undergraduates