2013-2014 Undergraduate Bulletin

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

In addition to publishing the Undergraduate Bulletin each academic year, the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education is responsible for the coordination of the academic experience of undergraduate students at this University. The Vice Provost works closely with the deans and faculty of the individual schools and colleges and with the Undergraduate Academic Council in developing, coordinating, and implementing undergraduate academic policy and curricula. The Vice Provost oversees the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Honors College, the General Education Program, the Writing and Critical Inquiry Program, the Office of the Transfer Experience Coordinator, the Student Engagement Initiative, and the Advisement Services Center.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education also provides coordination of and advisement for: independent study; student-initiated interdisciplinary majors and minors; interdisciplinary courses; and the NYS Senate and Assembly Internship as well as other University-wide internships. The Office coordinates with the Office of Access and Academic Enrichment, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Registrar's Office, and other University offices to implement changes in academic policies and curricula.

The Office provides assistance and counseling to undergraduate students who are contemplating leaving the University, who are seeking to take a Leave for Approved Study at another college or university, or who wish to re-enter the University after having been away for a semester or more. It also coordinates the Degree in Absentia process.

Visit the Undergraduate Education website for details about programs and services and for copies of relevant forms as well as petitions for exceptions to academic policies: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduateeducation/.

The Vice Provost is eager to facilitate help for all students who wish to explore academic issues and concerns. Students may contact the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education by visiting Lecture Center 30, by calling (518) 442-3950, or by email to [email protected].

Schools and Colleges

Undergraduate study is offered through the faculties of each of the separate schools and colleges comprising the University.

The College of Arts and Sciences provides all undergraduates with study in most of the disciplines within the liberal arts and sciences. Those students wishing to explore many of these areas in depth may become majors within the college. Graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences may apply for graduate-level teacher certification preparation programs in the School of Education.

The School of Business offers programs in accounting and business administration, well as a Faculty-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major with a concentration in financial market regulation. Admission to these programs is competitive, open only to the best-qualified students and including specific courses outlined in the School of Business section of this bulletin.

The School of Criminal Justice offers a multi-disciplinary degree program, focusing on the study of criminal behavior and society’s response to it. Admission to this major is highly competitive, and students must complete specific requirements before applying for admission.

The School of Education offers courses for undergraduates who are interested in education-related careers. College of Arts and Science undergraduate majors may apply to teacher certification programs at the graduate level.

The College of Computing and Information combines strong technical education and research with an application-oriented perspective. It comprises the departments of Computer Science, Informatics, and Information Studies. The College offers General Education and advanced courses, and several major and minor programs, including degrees in Computer Science as well as a Faculty-Initiated Interdisciplinary Major with a Concentration in Information Science.

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering offers opportunities for undergraduate research in the college in addition to undergraduate degree programs in nanoscale science and in nanoscale engineering.

The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy offers undergraduate degree programs in political science and public policy and management. These programs focus on issues of politics, public policy, and management in the public service in the local, state, federal, and international arena. The program in public policy and management is a combined major and minor sequence, where students choose concentration areas.

The School of Public Health offers a major and minor in public health. The field of public health addresses issues such as bioterrorism, violence prevention, health disparities, and obesity; prevents epidemics and the spread of disease; protects against environmental hazards; prevents injuries, promotes and encourages healthy behaviors; responds to disasters and assists community recovery; and assures the quality and accessibility of health services.

The School of Social Welfare offers a combined major and minor sequence that prepares students for beginning social work. This program serves the liberal education needs for students interested in the social sciences and human services professions. Admission to this major is competitive, and students have to complete specific requirements before applying for admission.

The Interdisciplinary Studies Committee of the Undergraduate Academic Council works with the academic colleges and schools to develop and approve Interdisciplinary Studies majors with faculty-initiated concentrations and interdisciplinary minors. The approval of student-initiated Interdisciplinary Studies majors and interdisciplinary minors is also under the jurisdiction of this committee. In addition, the committee recommends and monitors University-wide independent study, internships, special projects, and interdisciplinary topics courses.