1 2004-2005 PALO ALTO COLLEGE BULLETIN CATALOG OF COURSES Palo Alto College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097: Telephone number (404) 679-4501) to award associate degrees and by the Committee on Animal Technician Activities and Training of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Its programs are approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the American Society of Transportation and Logistics. Palo Alto College is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the Texas Community Colleges Teachers Association, and the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations. This catalog contains policies, regulations, procedures, and course content effective at the beginning of the Fall Semester 2004. Palo Alto College reserves the right to make changes at any time to reflect current Board policies, administrative regulations and procedures, and applicable State and Federal regulations. The provisions of this bulletin are subject to change without notice and do not constitute a contract between any student and the college. The online version of this catalog on the College’s web site contains updated information and changes. Palo Alto College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Alamo Community College District, including its affiliated colleges, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs, or services. Inquiries or complaints concerning these matters should be brought to the attention of: Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator, (210) 208- 8051. Address: Human Resources Department, 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. AA, San Antonio, Texas 78204. For special accommodations or an alternate format, contact Palo Alto disABILITY Services at (210) 921-5287. Volume 19, No. 1, May 2004 The Palo Alto College Bulletin (USPS 018367) is published quarterly in March, May, July, and October by Palo Alto College, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78224-2499. Periodicals Postage Paid at San Antonio, Texas POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PALO ALTO COLLEGE 1400 W. Villaret Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78224-2499. Telephone (210) 921-5000 www.accd.edu/pac 2 PALO ALTO COLLEGE 2004-2005 BULLETIN A Message from the President As you decide to continue your educa- tion, we are excited that you are consider- ing Palo Alto as your prospective college choice. Spurred by a desire to provide higher education to Southside residents in San An- tonio, community leaders decided to create a place where everyone would have access to creating their part of the American Dream. You are a recipient of that legacy, and Photo by Ray Perez the faculty and staff at Palo Alto have dedi- cated themselves to your success. You will find a Welcome/Advising Center to guide you through admissions, financial aid and registration processes and a new user- friendly on-line Advising/Degree Audit System to track your degree plan. As you start your college career, you will find faculty who have rich expertise in their field and possess a strong love of learning and an unwavering commitment to students. The average class size is 24, so our faculty are able to provide you with more individualized attention. As Palo Alto enters its 20th year, our College is positioned to offer you a variety of programs, including technical programs you will not find anywhere else. You will have access to a world-class natatorium, a child care facility, and a state-of-the-art library. I invite you to visit our beautiful, mission-style campus to find out why we’ve been called “the heart of the community” and are becoming an “economic engine” for growth and vitality on the Southside. Welcome! Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzmán President 3 Table of Contents 1. Academic Calendar ............................................................................. 4 2. About Palo Alto ................................................................................... 8 3. General Information .......................................................................... 15 4. Admissions and Registration ............................................................ 21 5. Financial Services and Assistance .................................................... 29 6. Student Support Services and Activities ........................................... 40 7. Academic Regulations and Policies .................................................. 51 8. Graduation......................................................................................... 58 9. Continuing Education & Customized Training ................................. 65 10. Special Programs .............................................................................. 83 11. Curricular Offerings .......................................................................... 85 12. Course Descriptions ........................................................................ 184 13. The People ...................................................................................... 283 14. Index ............................................................................................... 309 15. Campus Map ................................................................................... 318 16. Helpful Telephone Numbers ........................................................... 320 NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE PALO ALTO COLLEGE ALAMO ST. PHILIP'S COLLEGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE Palo Alto College is a college of the Alamo Community College District 4 PALO ALTO COLLEGE 2004-2005 BULLETIN 1 Academic Calendar 2004-2005 Consult class schedule for registration/advisement First Summer Session — Day 2004 (six weeks) June 1 Tuesday. Classes begin. June 3 Thursday. Census date. June 23 Wednesday. Last day to withdraw. July 1 Thursday. Last day of classes. July 5 Monday. Independence Day Holiday. College closed. July 6-7 Tuesday-Wednesday. Final Examinations. The last day for incomplete (I) grades to be completed is 120 calendar days after the close of the semester Second Summer Session — Day 2004 (six weeks) July 12 Monday. Classes begin. July 15 Thursday. Census date. Aug. 4 Wednesday. Last day to withdraw. Aug. 10 Tuesday. Last day of classes. Aug. 11-12 Wednesday-Thursday. Final Examinations. The last day for incomplete (I) grades to be completed is 120 calendar days after the close of the semester Summer Session — Evening 2004 On Campus & Off-Campus/ Daytime Off-Campus (eight weeks) June 1 Tuesday. Classes begin. June 8 Tuesday. Census date. July 5 Monday. Independence Day. College closed. July 7 Wednesday. Last day to withdraw. July 20 Tuesday. Last evening of classes. July 21 Wednesday. Final Examinations for Monday-Wednesday classes. July 22 Thursday. Final Examinations for Tuesday-Thursday classes. The last day for incomplete (I) grades to be completed is 120 calendar days after the close of the semester CHAPTER 1: Academic Calendar 5 Fall 2004 Regular Semester Aug. 16 Monday. Faculty Convocations. Aug. 23 Monday. Classes begin. Aug. 28 Saturday. Weekend classes begin. Sept. 3 Friday. Census date. Sept. 4-6 Saturday-Monday. Labor Day Holiday. Weekend classes will not meet. Oct. 11 Monday. Employee Development Day. College closed during day. Evening classes will meet after 5 p.m. Nov. 12 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Nov. 25-28 Thursday-Sunday. Thanksgiving Holiday. Weekend classes will not meet. Dec. 5 Sunday. Last day of classes. Dec. 6-12 Monday-Sunday. Final Examinations. Dec. 12 Sunday. End of Fall Semester. Dec. 18-Jan. 2 Saturday-Sunday. Christmas/New Year Holiday. College closed. The last day for incomplete (I) grades to be completed is 120 calendar days after the close of the semester Fall Flex Session I 2004 (first eight weeks) Aug. 23 Monday. Classes begin. Aug. 28 Saturday. Census date. Sept. 4-6 Saturday-Monday. Labor Day Holiday. College closed. Oct. 1 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Oct. 11 Monday. Employee Development Day. College closed during day. Evening classes will meet after 5 p.m. Oct. 12 Tuesday. Last day of classes. Oct. 13-14 Wednesday- Thursday. Final Examinations. Oct. 14 Thursday. End of Fall Flex Session I. The last day for incomplete (I) grades to be completed is 120 calendar days after the close of the semester Fall Flex Session II 2004 (second eight weeks) Oct. 18 Monday. Classes begin. Oct. 23 Saturday. Census date. Nov. 19 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Nov. 25-28 Thursday-Sunday. Thanksgiving Holiday. Weekend classes will not meet. Dec. 5 Sunday. Last day of classes. Dec. 6-12 Monday-Sunday. Final Examinations. Dec. 12 Sunday. End of Fall Flex Session II. Dec. 18-Jan. 2 Saturday-Sunday. Christmas/New Year Holiday. College closed. The last day for incomplete (I) grades to be completed is 120 calendar days after the close of the semester 6 PALO ALTO COLLEGE 2004-2005 BULLETIN Spring 2005 Regular Semester Jan. 3 Monday. College re-opens. Jan. 10 Monday. Classes begin. Jan. 15 Saturday. Weekend Classes begin. Jan. 17 Monday. Martin Luther King Holiday. College closed. Jan. 26 Wednesday. Census date. March 14-20 Monday-Sunday. Spring Break. College closed. All administrative offices will be closed Thursday-Sunday. March 25-27 Friday-Sunday. Easter Holiday. College closed. April 8 Friday. Last day withdraw. April 22 Friday. Fiesta Holiday.