UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2012-2013 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS CATALOG DISCLAIMER ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 OVERVIEW OF UTB AND TSC .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 ACCREDITATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................9 Individual Program Accreditations .......................................................................................................................9 AFFILIATIONS ..........................................................................................................................................................10 EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT ...............................................................................................11 UTB HISTORY ...........................................................................................................................................................11 MISSION STATEMENT .............................................................................................................................................12 PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT ......................................................................................................................................12 First-Year Experience Philosophy Statement ......................................................................................................12 University College and UNIV 1101 ......................................................................................................................14 ACADEMIC CALENDARS ................................................................................................................................................................... 15 PROGRAMS OF STUDY AND COURSE LISTINGS ............................................................................................................................... 16 GENERAL EDUCATION CORE CURRICULUM ............................................................................................................16 TSC PROGRAMS ......................................................................................................................................................16 UTB UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS ......................................................................................................................18 ONLINE LEARNING- INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (ITS) .......................................................................20 Online Programs .................................................................................................................................................21 MyUTBTSC Blackboard Portal.............................................................................................................................21 Emergency Academic Continuity Plan ................................................................................................................22 BECOMING A STUDENT ...........................................................................................................................................24 UT Brownsville Freshman Admission Requirements ...........................................................................................24 TSC Freshman Admission Requirements .............................................................................................................24 Steps for Undergraduate Admission: ..................................................................................................................25 STEP 1: APPLY FOR ADMISSION ..........................................................................................................................25 STEP 2: IMMUNIZATION .....................................................................................................................................25 STEP 3: TESTING .................................................................................................................................................25 STEP 4: FINANCIAL HELP .....................................................................................................................................25 STEP 5: ORIENTATION .........................................................................................................................................25 STEP 6: ADVISING ...............................................................................................................................................25 UT Brownsville-Admission Decision ....................................................................................................................26 Transfer Applicants (For more detail, see the “Transfer Student Relations” section of this catalog).................27 Fresh Start Applicants .........................................................................................................................................27 GED Applicants ...................................................................................................................................................28 Transient Student Applicants ..............................................................................................................................28 International Student Applicants ........................................................................................................................28 Concurrent Enrollment Applicants ......................................................................................................................29 Dual Enrollment Applicants ................................................................................................................................30 Family Members of Certain Deceased Public Servant Applicants .......................................................................30 STEP 2: Immunization Requirements ..................................................................................................................31 ENROLLMENT SERVICES ................................................................................................................................................................. 35 The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College 2 ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITING ..............................................................................................................................35 TRANSFER STUDENT RELATIONS AND OFF-CAMPUS TEACHING SITES ............................................................................................ 42 Transfer Application Step-by-Step Process .........................................................................................................42 Transfer Student Orientation ..............................................................................................................................42 Transfer Admission Requirements ......................................................................................................................42 Transient Students and Transfer of Credit ..........................................................................................................44 Non-Degree Seeking Transient Application Procedures .....................................................................................45 Transfer Student Outreach, Incentives and Transfer of Credit ...........................................................................45 Credit for Life Experience (EXPL) .........................................................................................................................45 Resolution of Transfer Disputes for Lower-Division Courses ..............................................................................45 Off-campus Teaching Site Students ....................................................................................................................46 Assessment of Student Programs and Services ..................................................................................................46 FINANCIAL AID ................................................................................................................................................................................ 47 Cost of Attendance .............................................................................................................................................47 Scholarships/Fellowships ....................................................................................................................................47 How Developmental Credits Affect Enrollment Status .......................................................................................48 Distribution of Financial Aid Fund ......................................................................................................................48 Enrollment Status: How it Affects Student Financial Aid ...................................................................................48 Repeated Coursework Restrictions on Title IV Aid ..............................................................................................49 Return of Title IV Student Financial Aid Funds When Students