The University Of Alabama At Birmingham - Catalogs

904 Pages·2012·2.36 MB·English

Accreditation
UAB is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees
at the baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels. Many academic programs have additional accreditation from
organizations appropriate to the academic discipline.
Questions related to the accreditation of UAB should be directed to the Commission on Colleges at:
Commission on Colleges
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
If you have questions related to issues such as admission requirements, educational programs, and financial aid that are not
answered in this publication, please contact UAB at:
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Office of the Registrar
250 Hill University Center
1400 University Boulevard
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1150
[phone]
[phone] fax
Email: [email protected]
Catalog Disclaimer
Although this catalog intends to reflect currently any policies or rules of the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
referred to or incorporated herein, students are cautioned that changes or additions to such policies or rules may have
become effective since the publication of this material. In the event of such a conflict, the current statements of the Board
policy contained in the official minutes and manual of rules, bylaws, and guidelines shall prevail. Thus, the provisions of this
catalog are not to be regarded as a contract between the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, the University
of Alabama at Birmingham (or any of its schools) and the student. The University reserves the right to make changes as
required in course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other rules and regulations affecting students, these changes
to be effective when determined by the appropriate authority within the University. These changes will govern current and
formerly enrolled students. Registration of all students is accepted subject to these conditions.
Produced through the Office of the Registrar.
Table of Contents
General Information ......................................................................................................... 7
Trustees and Administration ........................................................................................ 12
Academic and Student Resources .............................................................................. 15
Admission ....................................................................................................................... 16
New Student Orientation ............................................................................................... 24
Student Life Activities and Organizations .................................................................. 25
Student Services and Facilities .................................................................................... 33
Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 45
Progress Toward a Degree ........................................................................................... 75
Completion of a Degree ................................................................................................ 89
The UAB Undergraduate Academic Experience ......................................................... 92
Student Academic Engagement ................................................................................. 100
ROTC ............................................................................................................................. 109
College of Arts and Sciences ..................................................................................... 113
Interdisciplinary Programs .................................................................................................. 114
African American Studies ............................................................................................................. 115
American Studies ........................................................................................................................... 117
Environmental Science ................................................................................................................. 118
Film .................................................................................................................................................. 119
Gerontology .................................................................................................................................... 120
International Studies ..................................................................................................................... 121
Media Studies ................................................................................................................................. 129
Natural Science .............................................................................................................................. 130
Neuroscience .................................................................................................................................. 130
Peace, Justice and Ecology ......................................................................................................... 132
Women's and Gender Studies ...................................................................................................... 133
Anthropology ........................................................................................................................ 134
Art and Art History .............................................................................................................. 138
Biology .................................................................................................................................. 166
Chemistry .............................................................................................................................. 176
Communication Studies ...................................................................................................... 190
Computer and Information Sciences ................................................................................. 197
English .................................................................................................................................. 203
Foreign Languages and Literatures ................................................................................... 229
Government .......................................................................................................................... 238
History ................................................................................................................................... 242
Justice Sciences .................................................................................................................. 246
Mathematics .......................................................................................................................... 252
Music ..................................................................................................................................... 261
Philosophy ............................................................................................................................ 292
Physics .................................................................................................................................. 299
Psychology ........................................................................................................................... 306
Social Work .......................................................................................................................... 311
Sociology .............................................................................................................................. 313
Theatre .................................................................................................................................. 320
Honors College ............................................................................................................ 329
EMSAP ................................................................................................................................... 329
Experiential Learning Scholars .......................................................................................... 329
Science and Technology Honors ....................................................................................... 333
University Honors Program ................................................................................................ 337
School of Education .................................................................................................... 342
Curriculum and Instruction ................................................................................................. 348
Human Studies ..................................................................................................................... 374
School of Business ..................................................................................................... 386
Accounting and Finance ..................................................................................................... 398
Management, Information Systems, and Quantitative Methods ...................................... 406
Marketing, Industrial Distribution and Economics ........................................................... 414
School of Engineering ................................................................................................ 423
Biomedical ............................................................................................................................ 433
Civil, Construction, and Environmental ............................................................................. 438
Electrical and Computer ..................................................................................................... 445
Materials Science and Engineering ................................................................................... 448
Mechanical ............................................................................................................................ 453
School of Health Professions ..................................................................................... 457
Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences ....................................................................................... 459
Medical Technology ....................................................................................................................... 459
Nuclear Medicine Technology ...................................................................................................... 462
Respiratory Therapy ...................................................................................................................... 466
Health Services Administration .......................................................................................... 469
Health Care Management .............................................................................................................. 469
Health Information Management .................................................................................................. 473
School of Nursing ........................................................................................................ 477
Core Curriculum .......................................................................................................... 488
Course Descriptions .................................................................................................... 491
Faculty Listing ............................................................................................................. 851
Index .............................................................................................................................. 902
The University of Alabama at Birmingham 7
General Information
Role Statement
UAB’s undergraduate instructional programs are broad-based and designed to serve the needs of a diverse student body
without sacrificing a strong general education foundation. Programs range from the liberal arts and sciences to professionally
oriented studies, including business, education, engineering, and the health disciplines. UAB’s baccalaureate offerings
are shaped by its location in the state’s largest metropolitan area, by its mandate to serve a large and heterogeneous
constituency, by its responsibility to contribute to the economic and professional development of Birmingham and the state,
and by its role of providing support to a nationally recognized academic health sciences center.
At the graduate level, programs serve the career needs of educators and business leaders, as well as those involved
in advancing the frontiers of the health sciences. Training for health professionals is available through programs at the
baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree levels.
UAB also has the primary responsibility for meeting the state’s health professional needs. It offers a comprehensive range of
programs which encompass both basic preparation and sophisticated graduate and specialty training in medicine, dentistry,
optometry, nursing, the health professions, and public health.
As one of the nation’s leading research institutions, UAB emphasizes both basic and applied research. Although the majority
of the university’s research effort is in the biomedical sciences and related areas, all instructional programs are expected
to participate in research activities. UAB’s urban setting necessitates the development of research programs that are
responsive to the city’s economic, social, and cultural needs. Much of the research conducted at UAB is interdisciplinary
in nature and is organized through centers that bring together experts in a number of related fields to concentrate on a
particular problem or issue. UAB attracted more than $450 million in external research funding in 2011 and currently ranks
20th in funding from the National Institutes of Health. UAB also ranks in the Carnegie Foundation’s highest tier for research
activity and in the "community engagement" classification, the only university in the state to hold both designations.
As the senior public doctoral-level institution in the state’s major urban area, UAB is also committed to providing
comprehensive programs in continuing education consistent with the quality and diversity of its other offerings. The
university’s faculty, staff, and students also serve as resources to the area through activities related to professional,
economic, and cultural growth and development.
Cultural Opportunities
UAB’s urban location offers students unique cultural opportunities. Located within walking distance of the campus is the Five
Points South district, where ethnic-style restaurants, shops, art galleries, and music clubs are located. Not far from campus
are the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Civil Rights Institute, the historic Alabama Theater, and the Birmingham-Jefferson
Convention Complex. Other nearby sites include Sloss Furnace, a post-Civil War iron foundry which has been converted
into a museum and informal music hall, and Oak Mountain Amphitheater, an outdoor facility that features music-industry
headliners during the spring and summer concert season.
UAB also has a flourishing arts program. As many as 30 major music events are produced each season at UAB, in addition
to numerous theater productions and student and professional art exhibitions. The Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts
Center is a state-of-the-art facility which now houses a 1,400-seat concert hall, a 350-seat theater, and a 150-seat recital
hall, and eventually will house a fine arts computer center, a band room, electronic music laboratories, practice rooms, and
rehearsal hall. The Center regularly schedules nationally and internationally known artists and orchestras and features
faculty and student productions and concerts.
Student Life
UAB offers a rich variety of student life activities through its many academic organizations, honor clubs, fraternities and
sororities, and volunteer groups. The university houses more than 200 campus organizations, including 30 national honorary
societies, more than 100 professional clubs and interest groups, cheerleaders, the Golden Girls dance team, intramural
and recreational sports, and an established student government organization. Interested students can also participate in
producing any of three student publications: Kaleidoscope, Phoenix, and Aura.
Students meet to enjoy recreational activities, lectures, and films at the Hill University Center. The center also provides
meeting space for organizations and a cafeteria. Hill University Center houses the Student Life offices, the Undergraduate
Admissions Office, the Office of Registration and Academic Records, the Graduate School, the Financial Aid office, Student
Accounting, College of Arts and Sciences Advising, Office for Student Academic Success, Barnes and Noble at UAB, and
the student publications office.
UAB’s athletic program is a Division I member of the NCAA and a founding member of Conference USA. UAB athletes
participate in 17 intercollegiate sports and have earned championships in baseball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, women’s
8 General Information
basketball, and men’s golf. In 1996, the UAB Blazers football team became a NCAA Division I-A team and was accepted into
Conference USA. In addition, UAB offers a wide selection of both men’s and women’s intramural sports.
The University of Alabama System
The University of Alabama was foreseen in the Constitutional Convention in Huntsville, Alabama Territory, on July 5, 1819.
At the second session of the General Assembly, December 18, 1819, an act was passed establishing a seminary of learning
“to be denominated the University of Alabama.” The university opened for admission of students on April 18, 1831, in
Tuscaloosa. All public buildings except the observatory were burned by federal cavalrymen on April 4, 1865. Erection of new
buildings began in January 1867 and classroom instruction resumed in April 1869.
During the first half of the twentieth century and in addition to its regular educational programs at the Tuscaloosa campus,
the university began to offer additional educational opportunities to residents in urban communities throughout Alabama.
Extension centers, offering both day and evening classes, were established in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery,
Mobile, Dothan, and Gadsden. The Birmingham and Huntsville centers evolved into new university campuses, which were
established in addition to the Tuscaloosa campus.
In September 1966, all university operations in Birmingham were designated as the University of Alabama in Birmingham
(UAB) by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. This action established the University of Alabama in Birmingham as
one of the three major campuses of the university. The University of Alabama in Huntsville had been initiated as a four-year
school in 1964.
In June 1969, the campuses were given autonomy within the framework of the University of Alabama System, each having
its own administrative structure with a president as the chief executive officer. A chancellor was appointed in June 1976 as
chief administrative officer of the system. In 1984, the name of the University of Alabama in Birmingham was changed to the
University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Schools, Degrees, and Majors
This catalog contains information about programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of
Education, School of Engineering, School of Health Professions and School of Nursing. Information on the Graduate School
and the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Health Professions and Public Health is available from the
specific school’s catalog.
Most UAB students are working toward a degree; however, some have other educational goals. Degrees are usually
characterized by the level (baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral) and the principal subject area (known as the “major”) in
which the student specializes.
Students pursuing undergraduate degrees with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and
Engineering will find complete information in this catalog.
College of Arts & Sciences
Bachelor of Arts
African American Studies, Anthropology, Art, Communication Studies, English, Foreign Languages, History, International
Studies, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Theatre
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Art
Bachelor of Science
Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Criminal Justice, Mathematics, Natural Science, Neuroscience,
Physics, Psychology, Social Work
Master of Arts
English, Anthropology5, Art History1, Communication Management, History, Sociology, Psychology
The University of Alabama at Birmingham 9
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science
Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Computer Forensics and Security Management, Criminal Justice,
Forensic Science, Mathematics,Physics
Doctor of Philosophy
Applied Mathematics2, Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Sciences, Medical Sociology, Physics, Psychology
School of Education
Bachelor of Science
Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Health Education, High School Education, Physical Education
Master of Arts in Education
Arts Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Elementary Education, English as a Second Language,
Health Education, High School Education, Physical Education, Reading, Special Education
Master of Arts
Counseling
Educational Specialist
Educational Leadership, Education
Doctor of Education
Educational Leadership1
Doctor of Philosophy
Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership1, Health Education Promotion1
School of Business
Bachelor of Science
Accounting, Economics, Finance, Industrial Distribution, Information Systems, Management, Marketing
Master of Accounting
Master of Business Administration
Doctor of Philosophy
Administration/Health Services
School of Engineering
Bachelor of Science
Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
10 General Information
Master of Science
Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy
Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering3, Computer Engineering4, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Materials Engineering1,
Materials Science2
Nursing and Health Professions
Students working toward baccalaureate degrees with majors in the Schools of Nursing or Health Professions will find
information on at least the first one or two years of their programs in this catalog. For information on completion of the
degree programs, see the catalog of the specific school.
About the Honors College at UAB
The Honors College at UAB offers multiple challenging and engaging programs for UAB students. Each of the Honors
College programs are university-wide, meaning they are open to students from a wide variety of majors, and interdisciplinary,
which means they blend ideas from multiple academic disciplines. UAB’s Honors College is particularly unique for the
small size of its programs (about 50 incoming freshmen in each program, for a total of about 200 incoming first-year honors
students), and for the diversity of programs offered.
The individual programs within the UAB Honors College are as follows:
• The Early Medical Professional School Acceptance Program
• The Experiential Learning Scholars Program
• The Global and Community Leadership Honors Program
• The Science and Technology Honors Program
• The University Honors Program
The Early Medical Professional School Acceptance Program (EMPSAP):
EMPSAP is an elite and nationally recognized program that offers highly qualified incoming freshmen guaranteed
admission to the university’s School of Medicine, Dentistry, or Optometry once they successfully complete the program
requirements and their undergraduate program at UAB. Students get an opportunity to work with UAB’s top medical
professional and researchers – shadowing, studying, researching, caring for patients, and volunteering. Overall,
students will receive an excellent undergraduate experience, and when done, have a top-notch professional education
to look forward to.
The Experiential Learning Scholars Program:
UAB’s Experiential Learning Scholars Program believes that eeducation is more than just a set of courses taken in
a classroom setting. Real-life experiences that supplement regular class work can provide a dynamically enhanced
educational experience for today’s scholars and leaders. UAB’s Experiential Learning Scholars Program is designed
for students who are searching for ways to intentionally enhance their academic course work with applicable, real-
life experiences – making hands-on experience an integral part of a thorough and enlightened education. Students
have the opportunity to construct an individualized learning plan suited to their unique academic, personal and career
aspirations. They are then empowered to live it out – in the classroom and in the world.
The Global and Community Leadership Honors Program:
UAB isn’t just a place to collect a degree – it’s a place to explore a student’s passions and decide what kind of mark
they want to leave on the world. The Global and Community Leadership Honors Program offers challenging courses
and engaging academic experiences to explore social, economic, cultural, and political issues at home and abroad.
Students work with other dedicated, inspired students under the leadership of world-renowned faculty to gain a deeper
understanding of global and community issues, relate them to their own values and goals, and prepare for the kind of
leadership role that can enable students to change the world.