Nov 23, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
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2022-2023 Undergraduate 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, click here.

Academic Support Resources

William Madison Randall Library

The William Madison Randall Library provides information resources, delivers learner-centered instructional and research support, and cultivates a rich physical and virtual environment as the UNCW’s university library. Randall Library is named for William Madison Randall, Wilmington College president from 1958 to 1968. Its collections include more than 1.5 million items in various formats, including almost 400,000 print books, more than 500,000 eBooks, approximately 200,000 print and electronic journals, over 22,000 microform pieces, approximately 60,000 media items (e.g., DVDs, CDs), and 57,000 streaming videos. The library subscribes to 475 databases providing UNCW students, staff, and faculty access to journals, newspapers, statistics, primary source material, videos, and other online content. Library resources are searchable from the library’s 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.

Randall’s Center for Southeast North Carolina Archives and History offers students access to primary source materials that focus on the history, culture, economy, environment, and politics of southeastern NC and includes University Archives as well as 400 unique manuscript collections, almost 900 oral histories, and hundreds of books. Its collection also includes 245,688 state and federal government documents (print and electronic).

A knowledgeable and helpful faculty and staff, including 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, or in-depth assistance by appointment. The Library partners with other library service providers for 24/7 chat reference service. Subject guides and tutorials available on the Library’s website assist users in learning about the Library’s resources.  Additionally, library faculty offer assistance to all UNCW students and instructors in developing important research skills, including the following services:

  • Individual research consultations by appointment, at the Research Help Desk and through email, chat, phone or individual appointments.
  • Liaison Librarians who work with faculty and students in each academic department on their discipline specific research projects.
  • Course related instruction: library and information research methods tailored to the course topic.
  • Workshops on various aspects of information research and specific resources, digital creation and editing software, 3-D modeling and printing and other topics.
  • Online tutorials and subject guides on the Library’s website to assist in accessing and using resources for a particular discipline

During the academic year, the library is open 24 hours a day from 10 a.m. Sunday until 9 p.m. Friday, and from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday (137 hours/week). Randall Library provides over 1823 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 thel library’s website. The second floor of the library is dedicated to quiet study. Port City Java provides beverages and food. The Technology Assistance Center (TAC), operated by UNCW Information Technology Services, is also located in the library. In addition to offering technology assistance, TAC also provides Dell laptops and MacBooks to check out. There are 120 computers available in the library, many with dual monitors, several scanners, including a walk-up quick scanning station, four Bloomberg terminals and two GIS workstations. There are five computer workstations for use by community visitors. The Digital Makerspace provides access to technologies, such as virtual reality and 3D printing, to all UNCW students, staff and faculty in support of digital creation and literacy.

Twenty-four group study rooms are available on the first and second floors, including a larger space (RL 1045) with overhead projector and multimedia functionality. These rooms are equipped with large screen HDTV displays to use with laptops in order to assist student collaboration. The second floor also contains a graduate student lounge with computers and study space, a faculty commons space with technology for meetings large and small, and the Retreat at Randall, a wellness space. intended for quiet contemplation, reflection, meditation, mindfulness, prayer, stress relief, stretching, and yoga.

The library builiding also houses an 80-seat auditorium, the Honors College, Center for the Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CSURF), Center for Teaching Excellence, and a Distance Learning classroom.

In addition to its services and spaces, Randall offers a variety of programming throughout the year including readings, workshops, exhibits and study breaks.

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: 

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. 

Outreach

UNCW is engaged with Southeastern North Carolina through innovative programs of lifelong and professional learning, applied research, and service that result in measurable improvements in our region’s social and economic condition. We advocate for and support sustained, issue-specific partnerships between faculty, staff, and students and regional business, nonprofit, and government organizations, we support academically-based programs that enrich the lives of the youth and adults living in Southeastern North Carolina. Visit www.uncw.edu/outreach/

Opportunities for student participation exist in the following areas:

Conference and Event Management

Conference Services and Event Services provides comprehensive logistical and administrative services including on-campus facilities, lodging, food and registration for both internal and external organizations hosting conferences at UNCW.

Continuing Studies

Professional and Organizational Development offers working professionals an opportunity to further develop their skills and/or provides an opportunity for career exploration by delivering on-site and online training. Visit www.uncw.edu/professional-ed

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW (OLLI) refers to an individual’s ongoing commitment to education and includes non-credit activities for personal enrichment, including short courses related to academic studies, such as history, art and languages, as well as activities such as lunch and dinner speaker series, public forums, special issues presentations and international travel. Other lifelong learning opportunities include the Adult Scholars Leadership Program, which brings accomplished members of the 55+ community together to discuss regional issues. Each semester the divisional publication, Pathways, catalogues current lifelong learning opportunities at UNCW. Visit www.uncw.edu/olli to learn more.

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 Production 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/

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.

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.