Sep 09, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalogue 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate 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

UNCW Library

The UNCW Library, with its Randall Hall ed Discovery Hall, fosters and promotes student success, faculty scholarship, and community engagement, providing information reosurces, learner-and-scholar-centered services, and commmunity programming for the campus and greater Southeast North Carolina community in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Its collections include approximately 1.5 million items in various formats, including almost 400,000 print books, more than 600,000 eBooks, approximately 300,000 print and electronic journals, almost 60,000 media items (e.g., DVDs, CDs), and just under 70,000 streaming videos. The library subscribes to more than 550 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.

The library’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 state and federal government documents (print and electronic).

Knowledgeable and helpful library faculty, staff, 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 Library Help Desk, staff and faculty provide 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 Library Help Desk and through email, chat, phone or individual appointments.
  • Liaison Librarians who work with students in each academic department on their discipline specific research projects.
  • Course related instruction that teaches 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.

During the academic year, the Discovery Hall 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). Check the library’s website for up-to-date building and service hourrs. The library provides approximately 2700 seats in a variety of environments, fifty-seven group study rooms are available throughout both buildings.  These rooms are equipped with large screen HDTV displays to use with laptops in order to assist student collaboration and can be reserved online through the library’s website. There are 100 computers available in the library, many with dual monitors, several scanners including a walk-up quick scannning station, Bloomberg terminals, and GIS workstations.

The Maker Studio, located in the newly opened Discovery Hall, provides access to technologies such as virtual and argumented reality, 3D printing, modeling and laser cutting, and a state-of-the-art recording studio to all UNCW students, staff, and faculty in support of creation, prototyping, and digital literacy. Additionally, Discovery Hall is home to a Visualization & Analysis Lab (VAL) with a 30-foot video disaply wall and high-performance computing for classes, presentations, and collaborations to visualize and display large data sets, as well as an events space and exhibit gallery, daily lockers, and a Library Technology Desk to provide support for technology and loan equipment such as cameras and microphones. 

The second floor of Randall Hall also houses a sensory-friendly study space to support diverse student study needs, a “living room” gathering space for collaboration and study, and the Retreat at Randall, a wellness space intended for quiet contemplation, reflection, meditation, mindfulness, prayer, stress relief, stretching, and yoga.

Port City Java in Randall Hall provides beverages and food; a small food store in the Link offers grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and snacks. The Technology Assistance Center (TAC), operated by UNCW Information Technology Services,and the iPrint Business Center, are also located in Randall Hall. In addition to offering technology assistance, TAC also provides laptops to check out.

In addition to its services and spaces, the Library 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:

  • An official UNCW email address, to connect with the university community, their professors and each other.
  • mySeaport – the university online portal. 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 Percipio computer-based training courses and online materials.
  • The Technology Assistance Center (TAC) provides one-on-one support via chat, in-person in Randall Library, and by phone. Services provided by the TAC include, but are not limited to, assistance with: Windows and Macintosh support, wireless connectivity, password issues, Canvas support, and software questions. Students may access the myTAC portal to search and view the knowledge base, submit a service request, or they may CHAT with the Technology Assistance Center (TAC).
  • Student laptop checkout program located at the TAC Walk-in Center in Randall Library.
  • Access to the Office365 Suite of applications (ex. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Access to the Adobe Creative Cloud suite of applications.
  • Educational discounts on Apple and Dell computers.
  • Canvas Learning Management System for online, blended, and hybrid courses.
  • Horizon Software in the Cloud to access UNCW software whether you are on- or off-campus.
  • ITS offers both wireless and wired options for connecting devices to the campus network. Hawkwifi is our main wireless network and is used for computers, mobile devices, and tablets. Labnet is used for entertainment devices like TV’s, game consoles, and streaming devices. Students can self-register these devices at the MyDevices Portal.  Additional assistance with network services in the residence halls, including assistance with device registrations and connecting wired or wireless devices, can be obtained through the myTAC portal.
  • Classroom technology for lecture instruction and presentation.  General instructional spaces include a permanent PC or Mac, depending upon program needs, as well as laptop connections, room audio, and large format display(s) as appropriate for room size and viewing acuity needs.
  • Collaborative technology for Active Learning Classrooms, Conference Rooms, and Huddle Spaces.  Spaces include a display that the students can connect to, either wired or wirelessly.  Various locations also include cameras, microphones, and speakers for remote interaction as well as in-person via platforms such as Zoom and Echo360.
  • Dedicated Distance education classrooms, which include telepresence, video conferencing, live streaming and more. “Tier 3” classrooms are designed for Hyflex learning (class content is delivered both in-person and via synchronous streaming, with an equitable experience for both), and “Tier 4” spaces which include advanced capabilities such as multiple cameras, a control room, and in-person support technicians.

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.