Mar 19, 2024  
2013-2014 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Resources



Academic Advising

The University of North Texas at Dallas is committed to providing effective advising services to students as an essential component of their educational experience. Students are encouraged to seek academic advising regularly throughout their academic careers, preferably at least once a semester. Students are responsible for initiating advising contact and preparing for advising sessions.

UNT Dallas’s advising systems are available to all students to assist in and provide for the following:

  1. Goal setting. Help students set both short-term and long-term educational goals.
  2. Information. Inform students of the graduation requirements of their department, help with strategic course selections so as to minimize the number of semesters required for graduation, and inform students of career opportunities in their field of study.
  3. Transitions. Inform students how to change majors and provide information to explain the process students follow to enroll in their curriculum and to drop or add courses during the semester.
  4. Accessibility. Have reasonable hours and methods of availability for students. Students should be able to set up appointments for an adequate amount of time to make curricular selections.
  5. Referral to campus resources. Be able to refer students to various campus resources

Students are ultimately responsible for fulfilling all the requirements of the curriculum in which they are enrolled.

Students share responsibility for a successful university experience and are expected to contribute to effective advising sessions by:

  1. Participating in orientation programs, providing standardized test scores, and providing an academic history that aids in course selection decisions.
  2. Working with an advisor to develop and implement both short- and long-term educational and career goals.
  3. Knowing academic policies and procedures, academic calendar deadlines, and degree or program requirements.
  4. Consulting with an advisor when necessary and following through on recommendations.
  5. Scheduling and keeping appointments with an advisor. Coming prepared for appointments by bringing appropriate materials, identifying course choices from requirements of the preferred program or major, and identifying questions to address.
  6. Informing an academic advisor of any special needs, deficiencies, or barriers that might affect academic success.
  7. Remaining informed of progress in meeting academic requirements, carefully maintaining academic records, and seeking assistance to resolve any errors or questions.

Students must be pursuing a degree program that is currently being offered at UNT Dallas to get accurate academic advising. If a student chooses to transfer to another institution or complete courses towards a degree program that is not currently being offered by UNT Dallas, there may have additional course work to complete and UNT Dallas Advisors are not responsible for advising curriculum that UNT Dallas does not support.

Academic Support

 University College Academic Support Office provides services for:

  • Texas Success Initiative
  • Testing/Placement
  • Learning Center (labs and tutoring support)
  • Performance & Attendance Warning System (PAWS)
  • Academic Coaching

Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

TSI is a program which requires testing in reading, mathematics, and writing to ensure that all students attending public universities in Texas have the skills necessary to perform effectively in college-level coursework.  The Academic Support Office administers approved TSI exams.  A fee is charged to take a TSI approved exam.

Math Placement

Students interested in placing into College Algebra or higher math class should schedule with Academic Support to take the math placement exam.  The placement exam may be taken once per semester of enrollment at no cost.  The following are prerequisites for College Algebra:

  • Passed a UNT Dallas math course with a minimum grade of C, or
  • Passed a transfer course at the level of UNT Dallas’   (or above) with a minimum grade of C

The Learning Center

The Learning Center offers three labs for supplemental instruction.  The labs are open for extended hours during the weekdays and by appointment on weekends.  Students are also encouraged to use the labs for individual or group study.  All labs are equipped with computers and appropriate software.

Writing Center - The Writing Center is a free service for UNT Dallas students to help you with all your writing needs.  Students may use the computers and software in the lab during open hours.  Appointments are required for writing consultations.

Math Lab - The Math Lab provides free tutoring and homework assistance for students in UNT Dallas math related classes.  The Math Lab staff will answer specific question, help you get started on problems, check that you are approaching a problem correctly and encourage you through the process.  No appoinbtment is needed in the math lab.

Language Lab - The Language Lab offers software on computers for students to practice and improve their Spanish language speaking and listening skills.  Students are encouraged to do independent study or schedule an appointment.

Performance & Attendance Warning System (PAWS)

At UNT Dallas, emphasis is placed on academic excellence and student success for each and every student, and we will alert you for anything that puts your academic achievement at risk.  You will be expected to attend classes regularly and punctually, and complete all course requirements on a timely basis.  If you have unexcused absences from class that might affect your grade, your instructor will send an Attendance Alert to the University College, and we will contact you; similarly, if your course work shows a need for supplemental instruction, your instructor will send a Performance Alert, and we will work with you in planning the academic support needed for you to succeed.  The academic support may be offered in the Learning Center in the form of tutorial assistance, peer group help, or self-help sessions.

Academic Coaching & Learning Skill Assessment

Students can schedule individual appointments with a learning specialist to discuss goal setting, time management, study skills, & reading strategies, test-taking skills, and classroom note-taking. You can also make an appointment to take the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory to help identify your learning strengths and weaknesses and then devise an academic success plan built upon your stengths.

Learning Foundations

A course offered to assist students in understanding both the theoretical and practical applications of learning theory in order to increase motivation and develop strategies that relate to problem solving and persistence in college.  Students on academic alert and academic probation are encouraged to take this course.

Workshops

Students can attend a variety of academic success workshops throughout the semester. Topics include: Writing APA; Test-taking strategies; Brain Style; LASSI (Learning and Social Skills Inventory); Time Management & Goal Setting.

Check the activities calendar for scheduled workshops or contact the Office of Student Life and Success to set up an individual appointment.

Counseling Clinic

The UNT-UNT Dallas Counseling Clinic provides counseling services including: Play therapy; Individual counseling; Group counseling; Couples counseling; Family counseling. There is a nominal fee for each session.

Clinic hours vary per semester.

The counseling clinic is associated with the UNT Master’s Program in Counseling. Counselors-in-training provide counseling services under the supervision of counseling program faculty.

For more information, clinic hours, or to schedule an appointment, please contact: Jennifer Baggerly at 972-780-3646.

The Counseling Clinic maintains strict confidentiality of records and counseling relationships. No information disclosed in a counseling relationship is shared with anyone inside or outside the University unless provided by law.

Library Services

Our predominantly electronic (or virtual) library provides research and instructional services and support for students and faculty. The library has access to a large number of electronic databases, full-text books, and other materials available for use both on and off campus.

Through the library’s membership in TexShare, students and faculty may obtain a TexShare card and borrow materials at college, university and public libraries throughout the state of Texas. For materials not owned by UNT System libraries, Interlibrary Loan Services may borrow items from libraries throughout the world.

Students also have access to other UNT System libraries in Denton and Fort Worth.

Computer Services

Centralized computing services that support instruction, research and student learning are provided through the Information and Instructional Technology Department. These services include support for a wide range of computing platforms, student messaging, training, consulting and a university computing help desk (http://dallas.unt.edu/our-campus/facilities-and-services/it-services).

Computer networks are installed in all academic departments, providing Internet connectivity. Wireless networking (JagNet) is available in the campus buildings. Online elements of courses are offered with support from the Center for Learning, Enhancement, Assessment and Redesign using computing systems supported by the Computing and Information Technology Center through a shared services agreement.

Student Computing Services

Two general access microcomputer laboratories, housing approximately 70 computers, are available to all students for use of Windows personal computers. Laser printers are provided in all labs. Three computer classrooms serve students in particular courses.

UNT Dallas provides electronic mail to all students via EagleConnect, a web-based e-mail and calendar system. EagleConnect is used as an official communication medium between the university and students. Internet services available to students include personal web page publishing and online file storage.

Research Computing Support

Academic Computing Services and User Services (ACS/US) provides support for a variety of microcomputer-based software applications through a shared services agreement. Site licenses are maintained for microcomputer versions of SPSS, SAS, S-Plus, STATA, and Matlab, which provide statistical analysis capabilities.

Several statistical analysis packages, including SAS, SPSS and S-Plus, are provided in the general access labs.

ACS/US serves as a repository for a substantial body of machine-readable data including the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) data archives, Standard and Poor’s COMPUSTAT and the Center for Research in Security Prices’ (CRSP) data sets. The University Libraries also maintain a number of databases and other research materials that are accessible through the campus network.

Consulting, Training and Help Desk Services

Consulting and training are provided by Information and Instructional Technology to facilitate the use of research and instructional computing facilities by students. A series of short courses is offered each term/semester to allow students to gain the expertise necessary for effective use of campus computer systems and software. A number of computer-based training programs are accessible within student laboratories or via the web (http://dallas.unt.edu/our-campus/facilities-and-services/it-services). Experienced consultants are available to assist students with technical problems.

The Information and Instructional Technology (IIT) department operates a campus-wide help desk service to provide students with information and help on a variety of computing problems (http://dallas.unt.edu/our-campus/facilities-and-services/it-services).

JAG Wire, IIT’s newsletter, is published regularly and serves as an excellent resource for current information systems at UNT Dallas. Current and past issues are available via the department web site (http://dallas.unt.edu/our-campus/facilities-and-services/it-services).

Identification Card

The identification card is distributed during registration after all fees have been paid. The card entitles the bearer to student admission to campus programs, dances, movies, and general access computer laboratories. It provides identification at the libraries for checking out materials. As the student’s official university identification, it must be presented to any UNT Dallas official upon request.

Lost ID cards may be replaced for a $10 charge at Student Financial Services. Misplaced ID cards that have been turned in are held in Student Financial Services.
The card is void upon termination or interruption of enrollment. Students are asked to retain their ID cards, even though they may not be enrolled. The cards are reactivated upon subsequent enrollment.

Fraudulent use of the ID card subjects the user to a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year, or both (Class A Misdemeanor). Anyone who uses the ID card to give false information to a police officer is subject to a fine of not more than $500 (Class C Misdemeanor).