Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2016-2017 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

The Campus



Campus Map

Click here to view the Campus Map.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is located in the southeastern part of the state on a 661-acre tract midway between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. The city of Wilmington is situated on the east bank of the Cape Fear River about 15 miles from Carolina Beach and 10 miles from Wrightsville Beach. The metropolitan statistical area, of which Wilmington is a part, now has a population in excess of 360,000. Several main highways lead into the city, and commercial air service provides easy access to other metropolitan areas north, south, and west.

Ocean breezes and the nearness of the Gulf Stream give Wilmington a delightful year-round climate, and the area’s proximity to the ocean provides unlimited recreational opportunities.

The spacious well-landscaped campus was first occupied by the university in 1961. The number of buildings has increased from three in 1961 to 162 today, dispersed across a coastal pine savannah habitat. The buildings on the campus are of modified Georgian architecture, including academic, administrative, student life, residence, dining, athletic, and support buildings, all of which are completely air-conditioned.  There are several athletic fields and intramural fields.

Buildings

For information on university buildings, see the university’s interactive map at http://www.uncw.edu/ba/campus_map/index.htm.

Institutional Diversity and Inclusion

(http://www.uncw.edu/diversity/)

In the pursuit of excellence, the University of North Carolina Wilmington actively fosters, encourages, and promotes inclusiveness, mutual respect, acceptance, and open-mindedness among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. Diversity is an educational benefit that enhances the academic experience and fosters a free exchange of ideas from multiple perspectives. The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion is currently comprised of four areas: the Upperman African American Cultural Center, Centro Hispano, the Women’s Studies and Resource Center, and the LGBTQIA Resources Office. These areas are engaged in coordinating the university’s diversity initiative by helping foster an educational climate that promotes intellectual interactions across campus and between the campus community and surrounding areas. The office provides avenues for inclusion for minority and non-minority faculty, staff, students, and community members and facilitates collaborative efforts to provide relevant programs and services throughout the year. The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion primarily focuses on the coordination of multicultural community outreach and faculty involvement; the academic success of students; providing assistance in the development of merit-based scholarships; partnering with academic deans to review diversity plans and accomplishments; and an annual review with vice chancellors on diversity initiatives. In an effort to diversify the campus community and facilitate a climate that encourages and supports diversity, programs offer dialogue on social justice issues, appearances by national and international performers in art, film, and music, and presentations by speakers on topics such as civil rights, journalism, literature, and politics.

Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance

The Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. All members of the UNCW community are expected to engage in conduct that contributes to its culture of integrity and honor that we always strive to maintain. The university prohibits its faculty, staff and students from engaging in any form of discrimination, protected-status harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual violence, and retaliation and expects these individuals to refrain from committing acts of discrimination, bias, or sexual violence. In compliance with federal and state law and university policy, the university maintains processes to provide redress and remediation to individuals or groups who believe they have been victims of these offenses. If you have any questions or need assistance, please stop by the Office of Title IX and Clery Compliance in DePaolo Hall Room 1040 or call 910-962-2937, email: titleix@uncw.edu . You may also visit: http://www.uncw.edu/noharm/ for more information and links to the relevant policies

 

William Madison Randall Library

The William Madison Randall Library serves as a dynamic instructional and research resource for the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). Randall Library is named for William Madison Randall, Wilmington College president from 1958 to 1968. Its collections include more than two million items in various formats, including over one million books, more than 74,000 eBooks, 62,000 bound journal volumes, and over 425,000 print government documents; over 62,000 print and electronic journals, over 450,000 microform pieces, and more than 45,000 media items (e.g., DVDs, CDs). In addition, the Library provides access to approximately 300 online databases and extensive full text resources. Databases, e-journals and eBooks are available to UNCW students, faculty and staff with Internet access anywhere, anytime. The gateway to the Library’s resources is its website: http://library.uncw.edu. The Library’s Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery service provides access to information resources held by other libraries around the world free of charge to UNCW students, faculty and staff. Requests are submitted online through the Library’s website.

The Library provides a reserve reading service to aid students and instructors in accessing required and supplemental materials for courses that cannot be made available through Blackboard, UNCW’s course management system. Books and videos for short loan reserve reading/viewing are held at the Circulation Desk. The Library’s specialized collections include the Rare Book Collection, the Southeastern North Carolina Collection (devoted to publications by or about residents of the Lower Cape Fear region of North Carolina), Manuscript Collections (diaries, correspondence and other papers), and UNCW and Wilmington College Archives. Special Collections also provides a unique collection of oral history interviews. In addition, the Library is a selective depository for United States government publications and a full depository for North Carolina documents. The Curriculum Materials Center (CMC), located in the Education Building, is a specialized facility designed to support the teacher education program of the Watson College of Education, providing textbooks and other teaching support materials for pre-K-12 grades. The CMC, in cooperation with the Education Lab, provides equipment for creating teaching materials.

A knowledgeable and helpful staff, including librarians and student assistants, provides comprehensive information access and research assistance. The Library is dedicated to the goal of educating users, especially students, in the identification, use and evaluation of information in all formats. In addition to providing immediate assistance at the Research Help Desk and Circulation Desk, the Library provides research assistance by chat, e-mail, phone, text, or in-depth assistance by appointment. The Library participates in NCKnows, a 24/7 chat reference service. Information literacy instruction is provided through course-related sessions, credit courses on library and information research skills, and workshops on various topics. Research guides and tutorials available on the Library’s website assist users in learning about the Library’s resources.

During the academic year, the Library is open 24 hours a day from noon Sunday until 6 p.m. Friday, and from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday (132 hours/week). Randall Library provides nearly 1200 seats in a variety of environments, including individual study carrels and collaboration tables, as well as group study rooms which can be reserved online through the Library’s website. The second floor of the Library is dedicated to quiet study. Port City Java, the premier coffee shop in the Carolinas, provides beverages and food. The Technology Assistance Center (TAC), operated by UNCW Information Technology Services, is also located in the Library. There are 120 computers available in the Learning Commons on the first floor, twenty-four with dual monitors and eight with 32” HDTV displays for use with student laptops, six scanners, an 80” Interactive Smart Board and two Bloomberg terminals. Sixty-seven Dell laptops and 55 MacBooks are also available for checkout by students, or students can use wireless Internet access with their personal laptops. There are six computer work-stations for use by community visitors.

Adjacent to the Learning Commons is the Technology-Enhanced Collaboration Space (TECS). This presentation/practice room is at the very front edge of UNCW’s classrooms; a space for students, student-groups, and more. It includes a High-Definition LCD projector with 8” wide projection screen, amplifier and ceiling speakers, presentation command center and multimedia hub (including touchscreen control system, wireless keyboard and mouse, DVD/VCR and Blu-ray player, iPod and mobile device inputs, laptop connection, and HD widescreen monitor), and desktop computers with dual widescreen HD monitors. This space can be reserved online through the Library’s website.

Additionally, the Library has 14 computers in a graduate computer lab on the second floor. Twenty study rooms are available on the first and second floors. These rooms are equipped with large screen HDTV displays to use with laptops in order to assist student collaboration.

The Library also houses an 80-seat auditorium, the Honors College, Center for Teaching Excellence, Center for Faculty Leadership, and a Distance Learning classroom.

Athletics

The university holds membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Colonial Athletic Association, and Eastern College Athletic Conference. Varsity intercollegiate teams are fielded for men in basketball, cross country, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis, swimming and diving, and indoor/outdoor track and field. Varsity intercollegiate teams for women are fielded in basketball, cross country, softball, golf, soccer, tennis, swimming and diving, volleyball, and indoor/outdoor track and field.

Mission Statement

Consistent with UNCW’s mission and values, the Department of Athletics provides student-athletes with opportunities for success in NCAA Division I athletics while supporting their personal growth as students, citizens, and leaders.  As a highly visible University resource, Athletics serves to develop, sustain, and advance community relations and the University’s mission of outreach and regional engagement.

Core Values

“Principles and concepts we will never compromise even if it puts us at a competitive disadvantage”

INTEGRITY: We are committed to and intentional about operating with the highest standards of sportsmanship, honesty, trust and respect.

STUDENT-ATHLETE WELLBEING: We are committed to and intentional in our support of the holistic growth, development and overall success of each student-athlete by providing optimal support for their intellectual, physical, and personal growth.

STEWARDSHIP: We are committed to and intentional about responsible use of resources, people, and ideas…valuing relationships and acknowledging support while fostering trust, accountability, and respect.

DIVERSITY & EQUITY: We are committed to and intentional about creating and maintaining an environment that is fair, embracing, and caring, open and accessible to all people.

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act report is available online at www.uncwsports.com by clicking on the Inside Athletics tab and then on the EADA Report.

Priorities 

Priority I:                      Resource Development

Priority II:                     Sound Business, Operations, and Management Practices

Priority III:                    Equity and Diversity

Priority IV:                   Competitive Success

Priority V:                    Student-Athlete Well-Being

Priority VI:                   Stewardship

Priority VII:                  Compliance  

Vision Statement

UNCW Athletics will be nationally recognized as a model program and as a source of campus and community pride.

To achieve this vision we are committed to developing our reputation through the creation of an environment and culture characterized by:

  •   Competitive success: Winning championships and participating in post season competition.
  •   High academic performance: High graduation rates (GSR) and Academic Progress Rates (APR), and academic honors among student-athletes.
  •   A culture of integrity: Compliance with Institutional, CAA, and NCAA regulations.
  •   High ideals of sportsmanship: Among student-athletes, coaches, and fans.
  •   An exceptional community in which to live and work: A preferred destination where student-athletes, coaches and staff can achieve their full potential.
  •   Quality coaches and staff: Exceptional teachers & mentors.

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) is an innovative organization committed to providing a technologically progressive environment for students, faculty and staff. As part of Business Affairs, ITS is dedicated to leading, collaborating and supporting with cost effective services that promote the mission of the university. ITS is also committed to promoting and sustaining a powerful learning experience by responding to students’ needs through student feedback, student engagement and collaboration with constituent groups across campus.

ITS provides an array of services to students, some of which include: 

  • Technology Assistance Center (TAC) in Randall Library – UNCW’s help desk (www.uncw.edu/tac)
  • ITS Request System for reporting technology issues and requesting services online (https://itsrequest.uncw.edu)
  • AskTAC self-service knowledge base (https://asktac.uncw.edu
  • Technology products and supplies at B1NAR1ES Tech Store, conveniently located in the Fisher University Union (www.uncw.edu/binaries)
  • Educational discounts on Apple and Dell computers (www.uncw.edu/computers)
  • Blackboard Learn learning management system for online and blended courses
  • mySeaport campus portal (https://myseaport.uncw.edu
  • TealWare software in the Teal Cloud (www.uncw.edu/tealware
  • General access computers in Randall Library’s Learning Commons 
  • Student laptop checkout program (Apple and Dell) in the Technology Assistance Center (TAC)
  • Wireless access across campus (www.uncw.edu/wireless)
  • Smart classrooms, which include a computer station, media player, audio, laptop connections, projector and projection screen
  • Distance education classrooms, which include telepresence, video conferencing, live streaming and more
  • Residential Networking services, including wired and wireless Internet, cable TV and phone/E911 
  • Support of the Graduate Student Computer Labs in Randall Library 

For any computing or technology questions or problems, students may use the ITS Request System to report issues online, or they may contact the TAC. The TAC provides support via phone, email and in person in Randall Library. Services provided by the TAC include, but are not limited to, assistance with: PC and Mac support, wireless connectivity, password issues, Blackboard Learn support, software questions and scanning assistance. Further information on the TAC and its hours can be obtained at www.uncw.edu/tac.

ITS offers UNCW email to all students to keep them connected with the university community, their professors and each other. ITS also provides students with their one-stop campus portal—mySeaport. Through mySeaport, students have access to their UNCW email, calendar, class information, online registration, billing information, campus news and additional student resources and services. Furthermore, students may access various educational tools—such as SkillPort computer based training courses and podcasts—through this UNCW portal.

For more information on ITS and their services go to www.uncw.edu/its

Scholarly Community Engagement

Scholarly Community Engagement facilitates interdisciplinary teams composed of faculty/ student researchers and community organizations, conducting meaningful long-term applied research projects addressing local issues. Engaging the community in scholarly research, faculty and students affect the quality of life of individuals and communities in our region. Students participate in community-based research through internships, directed independent study and faculty-led research projects.

Media Production

Media Production, formerly UNCW-TV, highlights the intellectual diversity of the University by creating educational programming derived from the academic departments of UNCW and delivered by UNCW – TV, through a variety of media. Also, Media Productions serves the University through its Creative Services television production, such as broadcasting events like UNCW Commencement, a variety of award ceremonies, candidates forums, community based television programming and award winning documentaries.

Youth Programs

Begin your journey to higher education by participating in one of UNCW’s outstanding programs for youth of all ages. We offer summer academic enrichment opportunities, school year standards-based programs, and community outreach events that engage youth in experiential education, service learning and leadership development. Visit www.uncw.edu/youth/

UNCW Long-Term Ecosystem Reserve

This 750 acre parcel of undisturbed bottomland hardwood forest, tidal creeks, and wetland marshes bordered by the Northeast Cape Fear River, Cowpen Road, and NC Highway 421 supports non-destructive teaching and research activities.  The property is uniquely situated within the upper tidal region of the Cape Fear estuary.  Although most of the property consists of tidal freshwater creeks and adjacent marsh, detectable salinity can occasionally be measured during drought periods.  Because of this location, this area/habitat is expected to be among the early regions to be significantly affected by sea level rise over the next several decades, making it ideal for research into the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems and ecosystem dynamics.

Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve

The Herbert Bluethenthal Memorial Wildflower Preserve is a 10-acre memorial botanical garden located on the UNCW campus. Established in 1972, its purpose is to provide a place where the university community and the public can learn about and enjoy our native plants and their habitats. Many of the plants are labeled, and maps and trail guides are available at the entrance.

Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve

Ev-Henwood is UNCW’s coastal forest research and teaching station located in Brunswick County. It is only a short 30-minute drive from the university campus and is available for nature study and appreciation, student and faculty research, and class field trips. Included in its 110 acres are oak/hickory woods, pine forests, and low woods along the bordering Town Creek and its branches. Additional habitats such as ponds and fields are available nearby.

Center for Teaching Excellence

(http://www.uncw.edu/cte)

The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) provides workshops on a variety of teaching issues, encourages innovations in teaching through awarding stipends for course development, and supports continued education in the scholarship of teaching by subsidizing travel to teaching conferences. Its mission is to foster a campus-wide climate where teaching is highly valued, as well as provide leadership in the application of scholarship to teaching. CTE encourages efforts to achieve excellence in teaching by running programs for course development and improvement, implementing new instructional technologies, and providing support services. CTE will also conduct orientations for new faculty and work to integrate them into the university community.

The UNCW Alumni Association and The Office of Alumni Relations

The UNCW Alumni Association strives to be the lead supporter in the University’s strategic vision. It is our purpose to connect and involve alumni, students, and friends in the promotion and advancement of the University. The UNCW Alumni Association promotes, encourages and supports unity and involvement among out 48,000 alumni, students, the University and friends.

The Alumni Relations Office is located in the Wise Alumni House at 1713 Market Street.

The Alumni Association sponsors two graduate student awards, applications are available at www.uncw.edu/alumni.