Undergraduate Catalog
2001-2003

Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

Phi Kappa Phi is a national honor society that recognizes superior scholarship in all academic disciplines at the university.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi has as its primary objective the recognition and encouragement of superior scholarship. The University of Houston chapter, chartered in November 1949, is the only honor society on campus that is wholly university-wide and includes faculty members, administrators, and undergraduate and graduate students in every division of the university.

Each year Phi Kappa Phi elects to membership a limited number of juniors, seniors, and graduate or professional students who are of good character and have attained outstanding records of academic excellence at the university.

Programs Abroad

Students interested in foreign study have a wide variety of resources available to assist them with the study abroad experience. These programs may be one of four types:

1. Faculty-Led Programs, among which are programs in countries including China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and others, from different UH colleges
2. Affiliated Programs offered by the Texas International Education Consortium, the Council for International Education Exchange Programs and the University Study Abroad Consortium. These include third party provider programs such as American College in Thesalonikii, Schiller University, the School for International Training, and American University in Cairo, or CAPA
3. Exchange Programs such as UH/Chiba and UH/Chukyo in Japan, UH/Monterrey Tech in Mexico, UH/Cankaya University in Turkey, and programs with Saintes, the Universidad de Monterrrey, Leipzig, and Hong Kong
4. Programs provided by other universities in the U.S.

In addition to materials available in departments, centers, and college deans'offices, the Office of International Studies and Programs (Ezekiel W. Cullen 506) maintains resource libraries with information on programs and countries. All students going on overseas programs should make plans early in their college careers (i.e., freshman year or soon thereafter) and must register with the Office of International Studies and Programs. Students interested in UH faculty-led programs should also apply to the individual program at the different departments and colleges. For information on study abroad, contact www.uh.edu/academics/intlstu/

Study Abroad Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities are available for students studying abroad. International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS) competitions are held each fall (November 1) and spring (March 1) and are awarded for the following two terms, including summer terms. This initiative, which was begun by students to promote study abroad and to assist students in their efforts to incorporate international study into their academic experience, was subsequently approved by the Texas legislature for all Texas universities.

The scholarships are funded by the student body through a $1 per semester fee added to students' fee bill. IEFS applications may be obtained from:

• College Dean's Offices
• Dean of Students (252 University Center)\
• Student Information and Assistance Center (125 University Center)
• International Student and Scholar Services (306 Student services Center)
• International Studies and Programs offices (501F Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• Vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services (114 Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• Scholarships and Financial Aid Office (27 Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• International Admissions (125 Ezekiel W. Cullen)
• Undergraduate Studies (209 Ezekiel W. Cullen)

   For more information, visit www.uh.edu/academics/intlstu/

Language and Culture Center

The Language and Culture Center (LCC), housed in the Department of English, provides intensive, noncredit, compensatory English language instruction to undergraduate and graduate international students who have not yet been admitted to degree programs because they must improve their reading, writing, grammar, or spoken English skills to compete successfully in the university classroom.

International Graduate Teaching Assistants who score low on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK), or other nationally standardized tests may register for LCC 6034: English for International Teaching Assistants and Faculty, a noncredit course on English pronunciation and U.S. academic culture.

LCC courses do not count toward degrees, but do count toward full-time student status for immigration reporting purposes and for calculation of building use and student service fees.

For further information, contact:

Language and Culture Center
Department of English
University of Houston
116 Roy Cullen Building
Houston, Texas 77204-3014
1-713-743-3030
1-713-743-3029 (fax)
lcc@uh.edu (e-mail)
http://www.lcc.uh.edu

Cooperative Education Program

Cooperative Education is a program which enables college students to receive career training with pay as they work with professionals in their major fields of study. Work experience in government, business, industry, and human services enhances the students' academic training. This valuable experience is documented on their official transcripts.

Most employers use the co-op concept as a recruiting tool. They tend to fill their vacancies with graduates from their own co-op programs, whenever possible, since they already know the capabilities and work habits of those they have trained. Most co-op positions are offered on a full-time, alternating basis with two students filling each job. While one student works, the other attends school. They trade places each spring, summer, and fall term. There are a few positions that are on a part-time schedule throughout the year; these are known as parallel co-op jobs. Jobs are available in most majors.

For further information, contact:

Cullen College of Engineering
Director of Cooperative Education
University of Houston
E316 Engineering Building 2
Houston, Texas 77204-4009
713-743-4230

PROMES

The university and the Cullen College of Engineering seek to provide increased opportunities for minority students. To implement this policy, the college has established a special program called PROMES (pronounced "promise"), the Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies. This program provides support in the academic, social, and financial areas, with a strong emphasis on making students' first year in college a success. To that end, the incoming PROMES students enroll in special courses designed to replace more traditional summer bridge programs. A course in problem solving helps them gain greater proficiency in this area. They also enroll in an engineering guidance class, which provides a formal setting for the new students' interactions with PROMES. Academic monitoring, tutoring, general orientation, and where applicable, career and personal counseling are all part of the program.

Financial aid for PROMES students is available through normal scholarship and financial aid programs, grants, special scholarships for PROMES students, and after the freshman year the Cooperative Education Program. The program's annual Christmas party and spring awards banquet enhance the campus social life of PROMES students.

For information, call 713-743-4222.

American Humanics/Center for Youth Service Professionals

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in the social sciences, business, journalism, communications, kinesiology, or one of the many other related academic disciplines, may prepare for professional careers in not-for-profit youth and human service organizations. By participating in and completing academic and co-curricular requirements, students prepare for certification as non-profit professionals through American Humanics, Inc. (AH), a national non-profit organization founded in 1948. AH certification is recognized by 17 national youth and human service organizations as well as a growing number of Houston and Harris County affiliated agencies that provide internships and job placement both locally and nationally.

Students enroll in elective and other courses that fit within their chosen degree requirements. Competencies required for AH certification are in the areas of:

• child and human development
• speech and communication
• marketing and public relations
• financial management and budgeting for non-profits
• management and supervision
• human resources
• fund raising
• volunteer programs and management.

Co-curricular activities include volunteer oppor­tunities and community service; membership in the American Humanics Student Association (AHSA), a recognized campus organization; attendance at the AHSA annual retreat; and professional development seminars and workshops.

Academic advising and assistance in the certification process is provided by the project manager of the Center for Youth Service Professionals, a project of the Graduate School of Social Work serving undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students.

Financial assistance is available through American Humanics, Inc. for students who have actively participated in AHSA for six months.

For more information about AHSA and how to begin the certification process, call 713-743-8137.

Army Reserve Officers Training Corps

The objective of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program is to develop leadership and management skills. Upon completion of the degree and the ROTC program, students may be offered a regular or reserve commission in the United States Army. The university offers both a two- and four-year ROTC program.

The four-year program is taken in two phases. The basic course is taken in the freshman and sophomore years. It incurs no military obligation, but it may earn physical education credit. Courses include leadership and management with practical training in military skills and survival. Veterans may be granted credit for the basic course. In the second phase, leadership and management training are expanded. Students earn $200 per month and attend a paid six-week summer camp following their junior year.

The two-year program consists of attending a paid six-week basic ROTC camp in lieu of the basic course. Completion of this camp qualifies students for admission into the advanced course.

For further information, contact:

U.S. Army ROTC
Department of Military Science
University of Houston
3875 Holman Street Room 28
Houston, Texas 77204-6014

713-743-3875

Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps

Although the university does not have a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit, qualified students may participate in the NROTC program at Rice University. The cross-enrollment program is an arrangement between the University of Houston, Rice, and the U.S. Navy, represented by the Naval Science Department at Rice University.

There are three NROTC programs leading to a commission in the reserve components of the Navy or Marine Corps:

1. A four-year scholarship program leading to a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve. (This program provides all tuition, books, school fees, and uniforms plus $200 per month.)
2. A four-year college program that leads to a commission in the Naval or Marine Corps Reserve. Uniforms and naval science course books are provided.)
3. A two-year scholarship or college program for juniors and seniors.

Interested students should contact the NROTC Rice University.

Commanding Officer
NROTC Unit Houston Consortium
Rice University, MS 556
6100 S. Main
Houston, Texas 77001

713-348-4825
e-mail: navy@rice.edu

See the course schedule for registration ­information.

University Off-Campus Institutes

Responding to the educational needs of the rapidly growing Houston area, the University of Houston makes credit course offerings available at locations away from the main campus and to enrolled students at home.

The University of Houston offers face-to-face and live interactive classes at four locations in the greater Houston area.

• The North Houston Institute (330 North Sam Houston Parkway) serves the educational needs of the growing north Houston community.
• The UH System at Cinco Ranch (4242 S. Mason Road, Katy) serves the west Houston area.
• The southwest Houston area is served by the UH System at Fort Bend (550 Julie Rivers Drive, Sugar Land) and
• the far north side is served by The University Center (3232 College Park, The Woodlands).

Credit courses offered at these sites include junior, senior, and graduate-level courses from selected degree programs. New courses are added each semester, and proposed courses undergo the same rigorous design and review as those offered on the main campus. Credit courses are taught by University of Houston faculty members and have the same prerequisites, content, and requirements as on the main campus. The off-site facilities currently offer a broad range of courses that apply to undergraduate and graduate degrees including collaboratively delivered programs in cooperation with partner universities. In addition, courses in selected M.Ed. programs and in various certification and endorsement programs are offered each semester.

The North Houston Institute houses classrooms, instructional television classrooms, conference rooms, and administrative offices. The UH System at Cinco Ranch provides classrooms, conference rooms, faculty offices, computer labs, instructional television classrooms, a reading room, and administrative offices. The UH System at Fort Bend and The University Center include classrooms, computer labs, instructional television classrooms, and administrative offices. All sites can assist students in admission, registration, and fee payment procedures.

UH Distance Education coordinates the delivery of courses via Instructional Television and OnLine. Instructional Television (ITV) classes are broadcast live on a closed circuit network to the off-site locations and several corporate sites in the Houston area. Most ITV classes are also taped and then broadcast on KUHT or cable or made available by videotape for viewing at home or work. OnLine courses are delivered over the Internet.

For further information about credit courses offered by UH Distance Education, call the Distance Education InfoLine at 281-395-2810 or 1-800-OUR-UHTV. You may also call the the North Houston Institute (281-405-4500), the UH System at Cinco Ranch (281-395-2800), UH System at Fort Bend (281-275-3300), or The University Center (281-618-7140).

Noncredit Programs and Courses

The Division of Distance and Continuing Education provides a broad array of noncredit certificate programs, courses, and activities at the main campus and West Houston Institute. Focusing on career and professional development, personal development, and intellectual enrichment, these opportunities are designed to respond to the expressed needs of the community. Participants range from corporate executives to retired adults to high school students. For more information about offerings, call 713-743-1060.