2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin

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Final approval of any pending proposals for fall implementation will be announced in this Bulletin Guide during the Fall 2018 semester.

Summary of some changes for 2018-2019 in this Bulletin:

  • New BA/MIA in Political Science/International Affairs
  • New BA/MIA in Public Administration and Policy/ International Affairs
  • New BS/MS Human Development/Educational Psychology and Methodology
  • New BS/MS Human Development/Special Education and Literacy II
  • New Global Distinction Milestone in Center for International Education and Global Strategy 
  • Requirements for Communication B.A.
  • Requirements for Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
  • Requirements for Environmental Science B.S.
  • Requirements for Human Biology B.S.
  • Requirements for Human Development B.S.
  • Requirements for Informatics B.S.
  • Requirements for Physics B.S.
  • Requirements for Political Science B.A.
  • Requirements for Public Administration and Policy B.A.
  • Requirements for Public Health B.S.
  • Requirements for Religious Studies B.A.
  • Requirements for Social Welfare B.S.
  • Requirements for Theatre B.A.
  • Requirements for minors in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity;  Film Studies; Informatics; Religious Studies
  • Department of Information Science merges with College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
  • Time limits for initiating University level consideration for grievances
  • Timeline for Exceptions for Course Withdrawal Deadline
  •  Timeline for Exceptions for Course S/U Deadline

Errata and Addenda

Any changes to the PDF version of the 2018-2019 Undergraduate Bulletin listed here are updated in the relevant section of this online version.

  • Art cognate in Informatics minor has updated choices
  • In Environmental Science's Climate Change Specialization, A ENV 404 is an elective, not a required core course
  • Political Science has 15 elective credits, 12 of which must be at or above 300 level or among 200 level courses requiring prerequisites
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity cognate in Informatics minor has additional electives as options
  • Criminal Justice cognate in Informatics has an additional elective as option
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity minor has additional electives as options
  • Cybersecurity concentration in B.S. in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity has additional electives as options
  • Public Health has an additional elective as option
  • Human Development has a new concentration in Higher Education and there are additions to choices for the Elective in Human Development category (9/2018)
  • Human Development no longer requires DASA training, and the Field Based Learning Experience includes E PSY 390 or E PSY 490 (9/2018)
  • The requirements for Digital Forensics have changed effective for all students matriculating in Fall 2018 (10/2018)
  • The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering Program becomes the Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (10/2018)

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Unless otherwise noted, the information provided in this bulletin should be utilized in the following manner:

Academic regulations are in effect for all students during 2018-2019.

The general degree requirements and requirements for majors and minors are effective for students who matriculate during 2018-2019.

The University at Albany does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or any other basis made unlawful by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 or any other applicable law, ordinance, or regulation. Inquiries concerning this policy should be directed to The Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The calendars, curricula, and fees described in this bulletin are subject to change at any time by official action of the University at Albany.

For questions about the Undergraduate Bulletin, please contact The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.

 

The Office of the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education

The mission of the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education is to provide pathways and guidance to develop students into informed and engaged scholars capable of achieving excellence in their academic, professional, and personal lives.

In addition to publishing the Undergraduate Bulletin each academic year, the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean 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 as well as actively promoting undergraduate opportunities in applied learning such as research and internships. The Vice Provost oversees the Office of Undergraduate Education, the Honors College, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (CURCE), the General Education Program, the Writing and Critical Inquiry Program, the Office of Transfer Student Services, the Student Engagement Initiative, the Center for Achievement, Retention, and Student Success (CARSS), and the Academic Support 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 New York State 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: 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 programs in the School of Education.

The School of Business offers programs in accounting, business administration, and digital forensics as well as a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a faculty-initiated 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 a B.S. in Human Development and minors in Leadership and in Educational Studies. It also offers courses for undergraduates who are interested in education-related careers. College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate majors may apply to teacher certification programs at the graduate level.

The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity, founded in May 2015, offers academic programs to give students the knowledge and skills to prepare for, protect against, respond to, and recover from a growing array of natural and man-made risks and threats in New York State and around the world. In June 2016, an undergraduate major in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity was registered. Depending on the concentration, the program leads to a B.A. or a B.S. and provides students with a broad overview of these three fields and develops critical thinking skills and subject area knowledge of public policy, management and risk analysis. The College also offers a minor in Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. Both a major and a minor in Informatics are also housed within the College.

The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences combines strong technical education and research with an application-oriented perspective. It is composed of the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Environmental and Sustainable Engineering. The College offers several majors and minor programs, including degrees in Computer Science as well a degree in Computer Engineering. 

The School of Public Health offers an undergraduate minor in Public Health and two Bachelor of Science degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies, one with a faculty-initiated concentration in Public Health and one with a faculty-initiated concentration in Bio-instrumentation. 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 Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & 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. Students have several concentrations to select from in both majors.

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.