S O U T H E R N M E T H O D I S T U NIVERSITY G E N E R A L I NFORMATION U NDERGRADUATE C ATALOG 2 0 1 1 – 2 0 1 2 NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION Southern Methodist University will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The director of Institutional Access and Equity has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies. BULLETIN OF SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY VOL. XCV 2011–2012 Southern Methodist University publishes a complete bulletin every two years. The undergraduate catalog and the Cox, Dedman Law, Hart eCenter and Simmons graduate catalogs are updated annually. The Dedman College, Lyle, Meadows and Perkins graduate catalogs are updated biennially. The following catalogs constitute the General Bulletin of the University: Undergraduate Catalog Dedman School of Law Graduate Catalog Perkins School of Theology Graduate Catalog Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Graduate Catalog Cox School of Business Graduate Catalog Meadows School of the Arts Graduate Catalog Simmons School of Education and Human Development Graduate Catalog Lyle School of Engineering Graduate Catalog Hart eCenter Graduate Catalog In addition, certain academic programs provide their own schedules: Continuing Education SMU-in-Plano J Term SMU-in-Taos (Fort Burgwin) SMU Abroad Summer Studies Every effort has been made to include in this catalog information that, at the time of preparation for printing, most accurately represents Southern Methodist University. The provisions of the publication are not, however, to be regarded as an irrevocable contract between the student and Southern Methodist University. The University reserves the right to change, at any time and without prior notice, any provision or requirement, including, but not limited to, policies, procedures, charges, financial aid programs, refund policies and academic programs. Catalog addenda are published online at smu.edu/catalogs. An addendum includes graduation, degree and transfer requirements that do not appear in a specific print or online catalog but apply in that academic year. Additional information can be obtained by writing to the Undergraduate Office of Admission or to the appropriate school (listed above) at the following address: Southern Methodist University Dallas TX 75275 Information also is available at www.smu.edu. Produced by the Office of the Provost Southern Methodist University Dallas TX 75275-0221 2011 C ONTENT S Notice of Nondiscrimination .......................................................................... 2 Bulletin of Southern Methodist University ..................................................... 3 Official University Calendar .......................................................................... 9 Course Abbreviations .................................................................................. 14 Description of the University ...................................................................... 15 Admission to the University ........................................................................ 18 Financial Information ................................................................................. 31 Student Financial Aid .................................................................................. 33 Residence Accommodations ........................................................................ 35 Academic Records, General and Enrollment Standards ............................... 38 General Policies ................................................................................................................ 38 Confidentiality of Education Records .......................................................................... 38 Student File Number .................................................................................................... 38 Name Change ............................................................................................................... 38 Mailing Addresses, Telephone, Email Address and Emergency Contact .................... 38 Cell Phones ................................................................................................................... 39 Transcript Service ........................................................................................................ 39 Final Examinations ...................................................................................................... 40 Academic Grievance and Appeals Procedures for Students With Disabilities ............ 40 Classification of Students ............................................................................................. 40 Term Hour Loads ......................................................................................................... 40 Stop Enrollment/Administrative Withdrawal ............................................................. 42 Academic Forgiveness .................................................................................................. 42 Transfer Courses From Other Institutions .................................................................. 42 Enrollment Policies .......................................................................................................... 43 Course Scheduling and Enrollment Cycles .................................................................. 43 Schedule Changes ........................................................................................................ 43 Withdrawal From the University ................................................................................. 44 Audit Enrollment (Course Visitor) .............................................................................. 44 No-Credit Enrollment .................................................................................................. 45 Class Attendance .......................................................................................................... 45 Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities ....................................... 46 Absence Due to Illness ................................................................................................. 46 Interpretation of Course Numbers .............................................................................. 46 Grade Policies ................................................................................................................... 47 Grade Scale ................................................................................................................... 47 Grade of Incomplete .................................................................................................... 47 Grade Options for Courses Taken on SMU Abroad Programs .................................... 48 Grade Point Average .................................................................................................... 48 Grade Changes ............................................................................................................. 48 Grades for Repeated Courses ....................................................................................... 49 Pass/Fail Option .......................................................................................................... 50 Grade Appeals .............................................................................................................. 50 Grade Forgiveness ......................................................................................................... 51 Academic Advising and Satisfactory Progress Policies ..................................................... 51 Academic Advising ........................................................................................................ 51 Mandatory Declaration of Major .................................................................................. 51 Change of Academic Program ....................................................................................... 51 Concurrent Degree Programs ...................................................................................... 52 Leave of Absence .......................................................................................................... 52 Academic Progress ....................................................................................................... 53 Academic Petitions and Waivers ................................................................................. 58 SMU Credit Requirement ............................................................................................ 58 Transfer Coursework .................................................................................................... 59 Graduation Policies .......................................................................................................... 59 General Education Curriculum .................................................................... 61 Educational Facilities .................................................................................. 92 Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center ........................................................................ 92 SMU Libraries .................................................................................................................. 93 6 Undergraduate Catalog Laboratories