Changes to printed publication are marked in magenta ink. Changes to printed publication are marked in magenta ink. 2005 – 2007 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 2005. 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 cat- alog 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 pro- grams, or services. Inquiries or complaints concerning these matters should be brought to the atten- tion 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 accom- modations or an alternate format, contact Palo Alto Disability Support Services at (210) 921-5287. Volume 20, No. 1, May 2005 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 Message from the President z e r e P y a R y b o t o h P As you decide to continue your education, we are excited that you are considering Palo Alto as your prospective college choice. Spurred by a desire to provide higher education to Southside residents in San Antonio, community leaders decided to create a place where every- one would have access to creating their part of the American Dream. You are a recipient of that legacy, and the faculty and staff at Palo Alto have dedicated themselves to your success. You will find a Welcome/Advising Center to guide you through admis- sions, 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 unwa- vering commitment to students. The average class size is 24, so our fac- ulty are able to provide you with more individualized attention. As Palo Alto celebrates 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 “eco- nomic engine” for growth and vitality on the Southside. Welcome! Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzmán President Cover photos by Ginger Hall Carnes, Mario Ramirez and Steve Sosa. Cover Design by Laura Olson. 2 Table of Contents Section1. Academic Calendar . .4 Section 2. About Palo Alto . .11 Section 3. General Information . .21 Section 4. Admissions and Registration . .29 Section 5. Financial Information . .39 Section 6. Student Support Services and Activities . .53 Section 7. Academic Regulations and Policies . .67 Section 8. Graduation . .77 Section 9. Continuing Education & Customized Training . .87 Section 10. Special Programs . .109 Section 11. Degree & Certificate Plans . .113 Section 12.Course Descriptions . .233 Section 13.Faculty & Professional Staff . .331 Section 14.Index . .357 Section 15.Campus Map . .366 Section 16.Helpful Telephone Numbers . .368 Palo Alto College is a college of the Alamo Community College District 3 r a d n e Section 1 l a C Academic Calendar c i m e 2005 - 2007 d a c A This calendar is subject to change. Consult class schedule and the Palo Alto College 1 website at www.accd.edu/pac for registration/advisement and for the latest changes. First Summer Session — Day 2005 (six weeks) May 30 Monday. Memorial Day Holiday. College closed. May 31 Tuesday. Classes begin. June 6 Monday. Census Date. June 22 Wednesday. Last day to withdraw. July 4 Monday. Independence Day Holiday. College closed. July 5 Tuesday. Last day of classes. July 6-7 Wednesday-Thursday. Final Examinations. Nov. 1 Last day to complete First Summer Day Session incomplete (I) grades. Second Summer Session — Day 2005 (six weeks) July 11 Monday. Classes begin. July 14 Thursday. Census Date. Aug. 3 Wednesday. Last day to withdraw. Aug. 9 Tuesday. Last day of classes. Aug. 10-11 Wednesday-Thursday. Final Examinations. Dec. 8 Last day to complete Second Summer Day Session incomplete (I) grades. Summer Session — Evening 2005 (eight weeks) May 30 Monday. Memorial Day Holiday. College closed. May 31 Tuesday. Classes begin. June 8 Wednesday. Census Date. July 4 Monday. Independence Day Holiday. College closed. July 6 Wednesday. Last day to withdraw. July 19 Tuesday. Last evening of classes. July 20-21 Wednesday-Thursday. Final Examinations. Nov. 21 Last day to complete Summer Session Evening incomplete (I) grades. 4 PALO ALTO COLLEGE 2005-2007 BULLETIN Fall 2005 Regular Semester Aug. 15 Monday. Faculty Convocation. Semester begins. Aug. 22 Monday. Classes begin. Aug. 27 Saturday. Weekend classes begin. Sept. 3-5 Saturday-Monday. Labor Day Holiday. Weekend classes will not meet. Sept. 7 Wednesday. Census Date. Oct. 10 Monday. Employee Development Day. College closed during day. Evening classes will meet after 5 p.m. Nov. 11 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Nov. 24-27 Thursday-Sunday. Thanksgiving Holiday. Weekend classes will not meet. Dec. 4 Sunday. Last day of classes. Dec. 5-11 Monday-Sunday. Final Examinations. Dec. 11 Sunday. End of Fall Semester. Dec. 17-Jan. 1 Saturday-Sunday. Christmas/New Year Holiday. College closed. April 10, 2006 Last day to complete Fall 2005 incomplete (I) grades. Fall Flex Session I 2005 (first eight weeks) Aug. 22 Monday. Classes begin. Aug. 29 Monday. Census Date. Sept. 3-5 Saturday-Monday. Labor Day Holiday. College closed. Sept. 30 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Oct. 10 Monday. Employee Development Day. College closed during day. Evening classes will meet after 5 p.m. Oct. 11 Tuesday. Last day of classes. Oct. 12-13 Wednesday- Thursday. Final Examinations. Oct. 13 Thursday. End of Fall Flex Session I. Feb. 10, 2006 Last day to complete Fall 2005 Flex Session I incomplete (I) grades. Fall Flex Session II 2005 (second eight weeks) Oct. 17 Monday. Classes begin. Oct. 24 Monday. Census Date. Nov. 18 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Nov. 24-27 Thursday-Sunday. Thanksgiving Holiday. Weekend classes will not meet. Dec. 4 Sunday. Last day of classes. Dec. 5-11 Monday-Sunday. Final Examinations. Dec. 11 Sunday. End of Fall Flex Session II. Dec. 17-Jan. 1 Saturday-Sunday. Christmas/New Year Holiday. College closed. April 10, 2006 Last day to complete Fall 2005 Flex Session II incomplete (I) grades. SECTION 1 Academic Calendar 2005 - 2007 5 r a Spring 2006 Regular Semester d Jan. 2 Monday. College re-opens. Faculty return. n e l Jan. 9 Monday. Classes begin. a Jan. 14 Saturday. Weekend Classes begin. C c i Jan. 16 Monday. Martin Luther King Holiday. College closed. m e Jan. 25 Wednesday. Census Date. d a March 13-19 Monday-Sunday. Spring Break. College closed. All administrative c offices will be closed Thursday-Sunday. A April 7 Friday. Last day withdraw. 1 April 14-16 Friday-Sunday. Easter Holiday. College closed. April 28 Friday. Fiesta Holiday. College closed. Weekend classes will meet. April 30 Sunday. Last day of classes. May 1-7 Monday-Sunday. Final Examinations. May 7 Sunday. End of semester May 30 Monday. Memorial Day Holiday. College closed. Sept. 5, 2006 Last day to complete Spring 2006 incomplete (I) grades. Spring Flex Session I 2006 (first eight weeks) Jan. 9 Monday. Classes begin. Jan. 16 Monday. Martin Luther King Holiday. College closed. Jan. 17 Tuesday. Census Date. Feb. 10 Friday. Last day to withdraw. Feb. 28 Tuesday. Last day of classes. March 1-2 Wednesday-Thursday. Final Examinations. March 2 Thursday. End of Spring Flex Session I. June 30, 2006 Last day to complete Spring Flex I Session incomplete (I) grades. Spring Flex Session II 2006 (second eight weeks) March 6 Monday. Classes begin. March 13-19 Monday-Sunday. Spring Break. College closed. All administrative offices will be closed Thursday-Sunday. March 20 Monday. Census Date. April 14-16 Friday-Sunday. Easter Holiday. College closed. April 17 Monday. Last day to withdraw. April 28 Friday. Fiesta Holiday. College closed.