Special Studies and Courses

Seminars

Seminar work is characterized by integrating the analysis of ideas and major issues of one or more disciplines. This provides students the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge they have acquired during their studies.

Seminars are governed by the following guidelines:

1. Admission to seminars requires the approval of the Director of the Department and the professor. Bachelor Degree students must have completed at least 30 credits. Associate Degree students must have completed at least 12 credits in programs composed of 60 credits or more and nine credits in programs composed of less than 60 credits.
2. The number of students in seminar courses is limited to 15.
3. Seminars are offered on the basis of from 1 to 6 credits per course. The course must have the authorization of the Director of the Department and the Division Dean or Dean of Academic Affairs.
4. Only six credits in seminar courses will be credited towards graduation in Bachelor Degree programs and three in Associate Degree programs.
5. Seminar courses are identified by combination 297 or 497 in the first three digits, (297 Associate Degrees; 497 Bachelor’s Degrees).

Special Topics

Special Topic courses permit the offering of courses that enrich student academic development. These offerings may be made when special circumstances or rare events occur or when an outstanding specialist in the field is available for teaching the course.

Special Topics are governed by the following norms:

1. Special topics may be offered for a value of from 1 to 6 credits per course.
2. The course must be authorized by the Department Chairperson and Division Dean or the Dean of Academic Affairs.
3. The titles of the special topic courses will appear on student transcripts.
4. Special topics in all disciplines are identified by the combination 197 or 397 in the first three digits (197 Associate Degrees; 397 Bachelors’ Degrees).
5. Regular courses described in this Catalog may not be taken as Special Topics.
6. A maximum of six credits will be accredited toward a degree at the University.

Cooperative Education

The courses of this modality are designated to provide regular students with practical experience, which will develop their skills that will help their productivity once they enter the work environment.

This kind of study provides the formal integration of academic studies and work experience outside the University Campus.

Students desiring to enroll in Cooperative Education courses must meet the following requirements:

1. Have approved a minimum of 60 credits with a general academic index (GPA) of 2.50.
2. Have approved at least twelve (12) credits in the major with a general academic index (GPA) of 3.00.
3. Possess authorization from the chair of the department and the organization that will employ the student in the COED modality.

The student may take up to a maximum of thirteen (13) credits in Cooperative Education courses towards the Bachelor’s degree and a maximum of seven (7) credits towards the Associate Degree. Cooperative Education courses are subject to the availability of practice scenarios.

Experimental Courses

Designating courses as “Experimental” permits the temporary offering of new courses not appearing on the official course lists of the University thus making it possible for these courses to be offered experimentally while being evaluated. Experimental courses may be offered in accord with the following norms:

1. Experimental courses may be offered with a value of from 1 to 6 credits per course.
2. Experimental courses must be authorized by the director of the department, dean of faculty, if applicable, and by the dean of academic affairs.
3. After an experimental course has been offered for two academic years, it must be evaluated by the department, the dean of faculty, if applicable, and by the dean of academic affairs, in order to determine if it becomes a regular course. If the recommendation is favorable, the resolution of the new course will be sent to the Academic Senate.

Individual Research

Courses of Individual Research offer students the opportunity to undertake a definite project of formal research. Students will work under the guidance of a full-time faculty member with the minimum rank of Assistant Professor.

This type of study is characterized by increased individual responsibility and research initiative required of the student.

Student desiring to take a course through individual research and who meet the requirements presented below, must draw up with the professor the official contract in which the nature of the project and the activities the students propose to carry out are clearly defined.

The contract must be approved by the Department Chairperson and the Division Dean or the Dean of Academic Affairs. To undertake Individual Research, students must abide by the following:

1. Only students who have completed 90 or more credits towards their Bachelor’s Degree (or 75% of the required credits towards their Associate Degree) with a minimum overall grade point index of 3.00 may opt for individual research courses.
2. Bachelor Degree students are limited to a maximum of six credit hours and Associate Degree students are limited to a maximum of three credit hours of Individual Research to be applied toward their degree at the University.
3. Regular courses in this Catalog may not be taken as Individual Research courses.
4. Individual Research courses will be identified with a special code.
5. Each Individual Research course must be completed during the term in which the student is enrolled.