Advising Newsletter, Fall 2008

Advising and Course Enrollment, Fall 2008

Course enrollment is accomplished through ISIS Online. Instructions for using ISIS Online are available on the University Registrar's Web site.

For detailed information on fall 2008 advising and course enrollment, click here.

DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Key Contacts
Academic Deans for the College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Major Advisors
Foreign Language Coordinators

Academic Deadlines

All deadlines are listed on the College's academic calendar.

Web Advising System

All faculty advising undergraduate students need to use the College's online advising system. DUPs should visit the Online Program Director's Page. If you have problems signing in e-mail . Your login is your U.Va. e-mail ID, and your password is your e-mail password.

Features

With the system, students and advisors can schedule advising meetings during each semester's two-week advising period; advisors can view data about and send e-mails to each or all of their advisees; DUPs can send e-mails to each or all of the department majors; and both advisors and DUPs can generate lists of and release ISIS access codes via e-mail to all advisees for whom they are responsible.

Policies and Procedures

The Enforcement of Deadlines

When students inquire about the possibility of exiting from a course once the Drop and Withdrawal deadlines have passed, tell them their choices are to rally immediately or rally later, in both cases seeking assistance from the instructor as warranted. Instructors may extend the opportunity of an Incomplete, but only upon completion of the Request for Extension form, available in Garrett Hall. The form must include a signature from the instructor, and then be summitted back to Garrett Hall. Absent major and documented trauma or hardship, there is no exit from a course, all rumors about magical and mystical colored forms to the contrary.

Missed Classes, Labs, Homework, etc.

Contrary to expectations of some colleagues and students, Garrett Hall does not “validate” students’ requests for make-up quizzes, missed homework or classes, labs, and the like. It is the responsibility of each instructor to set the criteria of participation for the course and then to honor exceptions and accommodations as circumstances and the instructor’s judgment suggest. Only in the event of unusually serious circumstances that transcend the course involved, such as hospitalizations or other emergencies, when students cannot consult with each instructor, do the Association Deans write to instructors with the requests that students be permitted to make up missed work.

Some instructors have found the following a workable solution:

Every class should have a syllabus on which are listed the guidelines for participation in the course. A statement such as this can help: “Students are expected to clear any absences with the instructor ahead of time. Otherwise, and in the event of illness, emergency, and the like, a written statement, accompanied by the Honor Pledge attesting to its veracity, is required before the possibility of make-up work will be considered.”

Legal Liability of Advisors

During Faculty Advisor Orientation, one Faculty Advisor inquired whether or not he or anyone else involved in the advising of students could be held liable for “faulty advice.” Given the popularity of litigation at present, others voiced concern and requested some statement on liability. One of the Association Deans received the following response form Richard C. Kast, Associate General Counsel.

Generally, a faculty advisor who was sued for any reason would be entitled to representation, and would be insured in the event of a finding of liability, for acts undertaken in the scope of his or her employment. “Faulty advice” is probably not going to be a very compelling legal theory for a finding of liability, but of course anyone can file a suit, even if it is frivolous or silly.

Richard C. Kast, Associate General Counsel
Madison Hall, University of Virginia
P.O. Box 9015
Charlottesville, VA 22906-9015
phone: (804) 924-3586 | fax: (804) 982-3070 | e-mail:

Department Announcements

American Sign Language
American Studies
AMELC
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Classics
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Economics
English
Environmental Sciences
French
German
Philosophy
Philosophy, Politic & Law
Physical Education
Physics
Psychology
Public Health Services
Sociology
Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
Statistics

American Sign Language

If you have questions, please consult the program website or contact Christopher Krentz, 110 Bryan Hall, .

American Studies

Visit our web site for detailed information on the program. E-mail if you are considering applying to the major.

If you have any further questions, please write or contact Maurie McInnis, Department of Art,

Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

As of July 1, 2007, the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures will fold and two new departments will emerge in its place: Department of East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (DEAL-LC) and the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures (MESA-LC).

This change in departmental structure entails a change in the majors. Students who are already registered as majors before March 27, 2007 fall under the old requirements. All students signing up after March 27 fall under the new requirements.

MESA-LC

The Major in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies
The Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies major is an interdisciplinary concentration featuring a core of language work and additional coursework in the Middle East or South Asia. Not all concentration courses must be from within MESA-LC. For instance, a course on Islam in Religious Studies would count towards a concentration in either the Middle East or South Asia regions. Current lists of possible concentration courses are on the MESA-LC website. Students are also encouraged to take MESA-LC and related courses outside their geographical region of concentration. The Middle Eastern languages taught in MESA-LC are Arabic, modern Hebrew (with Biblical Hebrew taught in Religious Studies), and Persian. The South Asian languages taught are Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu.

The Major in Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures
The Department offers a major in Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures for students wanting to achieve proficiency in a major Middle Eastern or South Asian language and a deeper understanding of its literature and culture. The core of this major is a high level of competency in the language and a more focused set of regional concentration courses.
Students should check with their advisor concerning the current availability of this major in the language or languages of their interest. Those advisors are:
Arabic - Abdulkareem Said Ramadan
Hebrew - Hedda Harari-Spencer
Persian - Zjaleh Hajibashi
Hindi - Griffith Chaussée
Sanskrit - Robert A. Hueckstedt
Urdu - Griffith Chaussée

The Distinguished Majors Program
MESA-LC offers a Distinguished Majors Program for qualified majors in order to provide the opportunity to pursue in-depth analysis of issues and topics related to the major.

East Asian Studies

The East Asian Studies major is an interdisciplinary major featuring a language core in DEAL-LC and additional coursework in both DEAL-LC and other departments. Not all concentration courses must be from within DEAL-LC. For instance, a course on Buddhism in Religious Studies would count towards the major. Current lists of possible concentration courses are available on the DEAL-LC website. Students are also encouraged to consider taking DEAL-LC and East Asia-related courses outside their country concentration.

Astronomy (course listings)

The Astronomy Department offers B.A. degrees in Astronomy-Physics and Astronomy. The Astronomy-Physics degree is for students planning on graduate school in Astronomy or Physics in preparation for a research career. The Astronomy B.A., which is less rigorous and not intended as preparation for graduate school, is frequently used as a second major by students in fields as diverse as Education, Economics, and Philosophy. The Department also offers a Minor in Astronomy. Contact Michael Skrutskie (mfs4n) if you are considering a major in Astronomy or Astronomy-Physics. Contact Alex Constandache (aac5x) if you wish to declare a Minor in Astronomy.

Those students even remotely considering a Major in Astronomy should consider taking the pre-majors seminar, ASTR 174 - Introduction to Astronomical Research, offered this spring. Each week this group meets with a Department faculty member for an hour to discuss his or her research. Through its discussion of forefront research by the researchers themselves this seminar provides a broad perspective on "real-life" Astronomy and is an ideal vehicle for becoming involved in a research project within the Department. In addition to the classroom meetings students will visit the local McCormick and Fan Mountain Observatories and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia.

Further information is available on the Astronomy Department's website, Astronomy Major's and Minor's web page, and on the Fall 2007 Astronomy course offerings.

Biology

The Biology Department offers B.A. and B.S. degrees. Students interested in majoring in Biology should visit the Undergraduate page of the Biology Department website to find out more about the programs. We have recently developed some planning guides to help students thinking about majoring in Biology to plan the course of study. The planning guides can be found at these web sites: B.A. and B.S.

Students who received AP credit for Biology 201 and BIOL 202 may not need to take the introductory labs if they had a lab associated with their AP class that is equivalent to BIOL 203 and 204. Consult this web site to evaluate whether AP lab experience is equivalent. Students who have taken BIOL 203, 204 or had equivalent experience may be interested in participating in our Peer Teaching Program.

Students that have taken introductory biology (BIOL 201/202) or those with AP credit may enroll in any 300-level class. Some classes may have additional prerequisites (e.g. CHEM 141, 142); these will be noted in the COD.

Changes to the Biology Major

The Biology Department has changed the course requirements for the B.A. degree in Biology. Biology B.A. majors who submitted their major declaration after March 5 must take three Core courses, instead of two. The Core course requirements for the B.S. degree remain unchanged. However, the content of the three Core courses required for the B.S. will change and, consequently, the specific course combinations that meet the three Core course requirement is slightly different. These changes were made to address concerns of both faculty and students that important topics in the progressing fields of genetics, cell and molecular biology, ecology, and evolution could not be covered in sufficient depth within the scope of the “old” Core classes. The new Core courses will be offered once a year starting Fall 2006 (Fall: 301; Spring: 300, 302) and may be taken in any order. Changes to course requirements for the B.A. degree went into effect March 6, 2006. The changes to the major and which Core courses fulfill the B.A. and B.S. degree in the transition period are detailed in this website. If you have questions about your specific situation, please ask your Biology major advisor.  

Descriptions of all undergraduate courses can be found at this we site: Biology Course Descriptions. This includes new offerings not yet in the COD and the new Core courses. 

The Biology Department is now offering a 5-year BA/MA (BS/MA) program in Environmental and Biological Conservation. Information about the undergraduate specialization and the graduate program can be found at this website: Conservation website. Contact Laura Galloway () or Deborah Roach () for more information.

Finally, students interested in Independent Research are encouraged to check the Independent Research Web Site for suggestions about how to find a mentor and a project!

For more information about the degree programs offered, becoming a Biology major, or any other questions, check the undergraduate section of the Biology department website or contact Rita Webb at or, for majors, your Biology advisor.

Chemistry

The Chemistry Department has a number of different specializations that allow students to tailor a program to individual needs. Specializations include Biochemistry, Chemical Physics, Materials, Environmental Chemistry, and Chemical Education.

We maintain an extensive web page outlining the different programs. We also have FAQs, information on study abroad, and extensive undergraduate research opportunities. Interested students should consult our web page.

Because of the variety of programs, we strongly recommend that anyone interested in majoring in chemistry see one of our advisers as early as possible.

Students who earn an A in CHEM 141 can substitute CHEM 222 for CHEM 142L in the spring semester. This is an attractive alternative for chemistry majors since CHEM 222 is required for most of our programs.

CHEMISTRY WARNING: Students switching between the 40 and 80 series chemistry course must check with a chemistry advisor. Failure to do so can result in them taking a duplicate course for which they cannot get credit and which will not satisfy the premedical requirements.

Classics - New Course

Classics 355: Classical Antiquity and America's Founders
Prof. Hunter R. Rawlings III, Visiting University Professor
TTh 11:00-12:15

This seminar will focus principally upon Jefferson, Madison, Adams and Hamilton. The point of the seminar is to study several related questions: how deep was the Founders' knowledge of the Classics (i.e., did it go beyond Plutarch and Livy)? How well did they know Latin and Greek? To what extent did these men actually use Greek and Roman texts in developing their political theories and ultimately the U.S. Constitution? How conscious were they of classical influences upon their thought? To what extent did they model their political aspirations and behavior upon the lives of leading Greeks and Romans? Why did they so often use classical pseudonyms to publish anonymous political pamphlets? How did their views of actual Athenian democracy and the Roman Republic influence their political thinking?

The format will be seminar discussion of (mostly primary) reading. This will be a seminar limited to 20 students maximum. Students will write one shorter paper on the reading, and a longer research paper on a major topic such as religious freedom, the structure of government, democratic vs. republican ideals, classical origins of federalism, etc. Grades will be determined heavily by class participation as well as by the two papers.

Comparative Literature - New Major

Comparative Literature is now a standard major and a distinguished major. The program welcomes students with a background in at least one foreign language who are interested in the study of literature, but do not wish to be constrained by the limits of a single national or linguistic tradition. Students interested in Comparative Literature should begin by taking the prerequisite survey of European Literature, CPLT 201-202.

Comparative Literature majors take a minimum of two upper division courses in each of two different literature departments. At least two of these courses must include readings in an original language other than English. The remaining literature courses must include at least one seminar at 400-level or above and a course in literary theory (CPLT 351, ENCR 300, or approved equivalent). Students must consult with an advisor in the comparative literature program to determine the suitability of their elective courses. The total number of credits required for the major, beyond the pre-requisites, is 27.

For more information, please contact Rita Felski ().

Computer Science - NEW Major in the College

A new interdisciplinary major in Computer Science has been approved for Arts & Sciences students. The Computer Science major concentrates on developing the deep understanding of computing and critical thinking skills that will enable graduates to pursue a wide variety of possible fields and to become academic, cultural, and industrial leaders in areas that integrate the arts and sciences with computing. It is designed to provide students entering the University without previous background in computing with an opportunity to major in Computer Science, while taking courses in arts, humanities, and sciences to develop broad understanding of other areas and their connections to computing. Computing connects closely with a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to, the visual arts, music, life sciences including biology and cognitive science, the physical sciences, linguistics, mathematics, and the social sciences. The core curriculum focuses on developing methods and tools for describing, implementing, and analyzing information processes and for managing complexity including abstraction, specification, and recursion.

Students interested in the Computer Science major should take the gateway C S 150 course in the spring semester.

The first group of 25 students were accepted into the major in Spring 2006. To declare the major, students should first submit a major application form. See the degree website details. For more information, contact David Evans ().

CS Minor
The Computer Science minor consists of six courses: C S 101 or C S 150; C S 201 or C S 205; C S 202; C S 216; and two 300-level or higher C S electives. For more information on the Computer Science minor, contact James Cohoon ().

New Courses
Two new courses are offered as the gateway courses for the new interdisciplinary major in Computer Science.

C S 150: Computing from Ada and Euclid to Quantum Computing the World Wide Web (offered Spring semesters)
Introduction to computer science for students with no previous background. Focuses on describing and reasoning about information processes using language and logic. Uses motivating examples from liberal arts and sciences areas such as art, biology, economics, narrative, physics, and sociology.

C S 205: Engineering Software (offered Fall semester)
Prerequisite: C S 150
Covers tools and techniques used to manage complexity needed to build, analyze, and test complex software systems including abstraction, analysis, and specification.

Economics

Here’s some information about what to expect when the COD goes on-line for pre-registration.

1. We have a full lineup of econometrics, with both 372 and 472.  For more on these courses, see FAQ 7 at http://www.virginia.edu/economics/ugradfaq.htm.
2. Managerial economics (Econ 410) will be taught for the first time in many years.
3. Many electives deal in one way or another with industrial organization (how firms within an industry interact with each other): Econ 401 (two sections), 402, 418 and 419 (two sections).
4. Experimental Economics with Charlie Holt (Econ 443) is a wonderful experience for the lucky 20 who get in.
5. For students interested in development and the world economy, three courses deal with international trade -- 421 (two sections) and 422. And IMF policy guru Mark Plant, whose course was well received last year, will again teach Economic Development (Econ 451).
6. For those who want to figure out and work within the financial system, we’ll offer two big sections of money and banking (Econ 303), and Prof. Ed Burton's relatively behavioral finance course (Econ 407).

The Economics Department has a pre-econ advisement e-mail list, to reach out to first- and second-years who might intend to declare an economics major. Such students are urged to go to the Economics homepage and subscribe to that list, in order to get appropriate advisement.

The Economics Department has introduced a new concentration in public policy. The first group of students earning the concentration graduated in May of 2005. The concentration requires students to do the 5 core courses plus econometrics (ECON 372/472), economics of the public sector (ECON 431), a senior policy seminar (ECON 488), and 2 economic policy electives.

The Record entry for the new concentration is as follows:
Concentration in Public Policy: Economics majors may declare a concentration in public policy no later than October 1 of their seventh semester. To declare it, students must have already completed ECON 301 or 311 with a grade of B or better, passed ECON 372/472 or, if declaring in their seventh semester, be enrolled in it, and passed ECON 431 or, if declaring in their seventh semester, be enrolled in it. In addition to the 5 core courses required for the major, students with this concentration must pass ECON 372 and ECON 431 by the end of their seventh semester. In addition, by graduation they must complete ECON 488 and at least two courses from the list below:

ECON 304, ECON 305, ECON 331, ECON 333, ECON 408, ECON 415, ECON 416, ECON 418, ECON 420, ECON 421, ECON 422, ECON 423, ECON 433, ECON 442, ECON 443, ECON 451.

Students who concentrate in public policy are encouraged to take courses in the Department of Politics. Some of these courses deal with important aspects of policy development that are not covered in economics courses. PLAP 266, 338, 424, 471, and 513, PLCP 413 and 525, and PLPT 480 are especially relevant.

Rules to Declare a Major in Economics
1. Prospective majors must have completed at least two economics courses at the University and have achieved a grade point average of at least 2.3 in all economics courses completed at the University at the time of declaration. For purposes of this requirement, an approved statistics course counts as an economics course. The approved statistics courses are ECON 371, MATH 312, APMA 312, STAT 212, and ECON 372/472. (APMA 311 may be substituted by engineering students.) Note: in the fall of 2005 the Statistics Department will offer a new regression course, STAT 222, which has a basic course in statistics as a prerequisite. STAT 222 may be used to satisfy the statistics requirement with permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

2. Prospective majors must have received a minimum grade of C+ in either ECON 201 or ECON 301.

3. Prospective majors declaring after January 1, 2006 must have completed an approved statistics course. An exception will be made for students who have received permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies to complete the Math/APMA 310-312 sequence in their third year.

4. All prospective majors must have received credit for at least one semester of calculus at the Math 121 level or higher with a minimum grade of C. This requirement may be satisfied with transfer or AP credit but not with a course taken on a pass/fail basis.

Deadline for Completing Key Courses Required for the Major

Majors must have completed ECON 301 (or 311) and an approved statistics course by the end of their sixth semester or be dropped from the major.

New Requirement for Graduation with a Degree in Economics

Students graduating after May 2006 must have completed at least 6 hours of economics elective credit at the 400 level.

See the Undergraduate Program section of the Department’s web page for a full description of requirements to complete the major in economics.

For Students with Strong Quantitative Skills

MATH 312 (or APMA 312) can be substituted for ECON 371. (This is particularly attractive to students majoring or minoring in mathematics.) ECON 311 is a mathematical version of ECON 301. ECON 311 is usually offered in the Spring semester. The Finance Concentration is quantitatively demanding and is intended for students with a good mathematics background. Those interested in the Concentration are encouraged to do the MATH 131 and MATH 132 calculus sequence.

Other Useful Information

Information on new courses may be found here.

Economics majors who plan to study abroad should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies about their plans at least a semester in advance.

Visit the Economics Department homepage for more information.

English

Change in Major Requirements

Beginning fall 2007, the pre-requisite to the English major will be ANY ENLT 200-level course. There will be no M-courses. Students who have already taken ENLT2xx-M may still use it as their pre-requisite to the English major.

Students considering an English major should be aware that the pre-requisite to the major, any ENLT 200-level course, must be taken at U. Va. AP credit given for ENLT classes will not fulfill the pre-requisite. Special arrangements may be made for transfer students only.

Beginning Fall 2007, CPLT 201-202 will NOT be cross-listed as an English course.

• A student majoring in English may count one course, 200 or above, taken in a foreign literature department (literature in the original or in translation), toward the major, with the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
• CPLT courses fall into this category so a student may choose to use either CPLT 201 or CPLT 202 for this one foreign literature opportunity.
• CPLT 201 will no longer fulfill the pre-1800 distribution requirement for the major.

From Jon D'Errico, ENWR Associate Director

Students may meet the first writing requirement in one of five ways:

1. By successfully completing the two-semester Introduction to Academic Argument (ENWR 105 + 106).
2. By successfully completing the two-semester ESL version of Introduction to Academic Argument (ENWR 105 + 107 in the fall, followed by spring ENWR 108).Note that this path is for students who are still developing their skills in English as a second language; students required to fulfill the first writing requirement in the ESL path will be identified by the Admissions Office, the Summer Transition Program, or the Professional and Academic Writing Program.
3. By successfully completing Accelerated Introduction to Academic Argument (ENWR 110).
4. By successfully completing Advanced Academic Argument (ENWR 210).
5. By exemption.

Although instructors (especially in ENWR 105/106 and 105/107/108) will offer guidance on questions of mechanical correctness where needed, students are assumed to be competent in the basics of English grammar before entering U.Va. Instead of offering grammar drills, these courses help students identify and frame academic questions, support and extend conceptual arguments, and develop a range of prose styles.

Students must meet the first writing requirement during their first year at U.Va.

A note for transfer students: The goals of first-year writing courses at other universities vary widely. Therefore, although transfer course credit may be granted, exemption from UVa's first writing requirement is not automatically given to students who have completed a writing or composition course elsewhere.

Transfer students whose test scores do not exempt them from U.Va.’s first writing requirement are typically advised to meet the requirement in ENWR 210. If you feel you should be exempt and Dean Papovich's office does not grant you an exemption from the first writing requirement, you may submit a portfolio to the writing program for review. Please note that the deadline for review of 2007-08 placement portfolios is August 1, 2007. If you miss that deadline, portfolios will next be read in August 2008.

I. Students may earn exemption in three ways:

1. Single-measure exemption. You are automatically exempt from the first writing requirement if at least one of the following statements is true:

• You are an Echols scholar.
• You scored 720 or above on the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam.
• You scored a 5 on the AP English language subject test.

2. Composite exemption. You are automatically exempt from the first writing requirement if at least one of the following three statements is true:

• You scored 680 or above on either the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam, AND you scored a 5 or above on the IB (higher A 1) exam.
• You scored 680 or above on either the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam, AND you scored a 4 (or above) on the AP English language subject test.
• You scored 700 or above on either the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam, AND you scored a 4 or above on the AP English literature subject test.

3. Portfolio exemption. If you are not automatically exempt, you may be able to earn an exemption from the first writing requirement through portfolio review. You are a good candidate for portfolio review if any of the following is true of you:

• You have experience writing argument papers at the college level.
• You scored 670 or above on the SAT II Writing test.
• You scored a 4 or 5 on the AP English literature subject test.
• You scored a 4 on the AP English language subject test.
• You scored a 5 or above on the IB (higher A1) exam.
• You have successfully completed courses in academic argument at another university.

If you are exempt from the first writing requirement but wish to take a course in academic argument during your first year, consider registering for ENWR 210 (Advanced Academic Writing).

Note: Portfolios for either fall 2006 or spring 2007 exemption must be received by the Writing Program no later than August 2nd, 2006. Portfolios missing that deadline will be read by the review committee that convenes in August 2007.

II. If you are not exempt:

A. You should take ENWR 210 (Advanced Academic Writing) if you scored 670-710 on the SAT II Subject Test in Writing or on the writing portion of the new SAT. Non-exempt transfer students should also register for ENWR 210.
(Register for ENWR 210 for the fall semester if you play on a varsity team that travels primarily in the spring OR if you are a transfer student who has not received an exemption OR if you are repeating the course OR if your social security number ends in a zero or an even digit. Otherwise, take ENWR 210 in the spring semester.)

B. You should take ENWR 110 (Accelerated Intro to Academic Writing) if you scored 490-660 on the SAT II Subject Test in Writing or on the writing portion of the new SAT.
(Register for ENWR 110 for the fall semester if you play on a varsity team that travels primarily in the spring OR if you are repeating the course OR if your social security number ends in a zero or an even digit. Otherwise, take ENWR 110 in the spring semester.)

C. You should take ENWR 105/107/108 if the Admissions Office or the Writing Program requires that you complete the first writing requirement in this sequence which augments the usual first writing requirement curriculum with ESL instruction and support.
(Regardless of ID number or athletic status, register for ENWR 105 and ENWR 107 in your first fall semester at UVa. Register for ENWR 108 in the spring semester after you successfully complete ENWR 105 and 107. You need to complete ENWR 105, 107, and 108 to complete the first writing requirement.)

D. You should take ENWR 105/106: Intro to Academic Writing otherwise.
(Regardless of ID number or athletic status, register for ENWR 105 in your first semester at UVa. Register for ENWR 106 in the semester after you successfully complete ENWR 105. You need to complete both ENWR 105 and 106 to complete the first writing requirement.)

III. How do I submit a portfolio of argument essays for review?
If you feel that your test scores do not fairly represent your ability to write academic arguments, you may ask the Associate Director of the Academic Writing program to review a portfolio of your work. To do so, please send a short letter requesting a portfolio placement review and indicating what placement you consider appropriate to your ability level (i.e., ENWR 105/106, 110, or exempt). The letter should indicate your test scores, briefly describe your experience with writing academic arguments, and provide an e-mail address at which you can be contacted. For record keeping purposes, please also include your UVa ID number (typically the same as your SSN.)

Along with this letter, include copies of three of your strongest academic argument essays. (Note: rather than simply presenting a narrative or factual summary, each of these essays should present a focused claim, evaluate counter-claims and relevant contrary evidence, and develop a well-supported argument.)

Send your portfolio to Jon D'Errico, U.Va. Dept. of English, 219 Bryan Hall, Box 400121, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4121. Portfolios cannot be returned, so please send only copies of your essays--not the originals. Also, portfolios sent as e-mail or e-mail attachments cannot be accepted because of the number of submissions we recieve, the portfolio committee's need to have printed copies to evaluate, and the risk of computer viruses.

You will be notified of the results of the portfolio review by e-mail as soon as possible after the reading. Note: Portfolios for either fall 2007 or spring 2008 exemption must be received by the Writing Program no later than August 1, 2007. As we anticipate that the review committee will meet on August 2, this is not a flexible deadline. Results from the August 2007 reading will be e-mailed no sooner than August 7th and no later than August 11th.

If you have further questions regarding first writing requirement placement, please e-mail the writing program administrators.

Fast Facts

If you complete college composition courses before matriculating into U.Va., you will receive transfer credit for these courses but they will NOT fulfill your first or second writing requirement.

Similarly, dual enrollment courses satisfy neither the first nor the second writing requirement.

If your exemption does not appear on your VISTAA form, please see the College Registrar in 102 Garrett Hall. You may need to provide proof of your test scores if they are not on file.

Although it is not advised, you may take a course that meets the second writing requirement before or during the semester that you complete the first writing requirement. However, completing the second writing requirement neither exempts you from nor fulfills the first writing requirement.

If you have problems with ENWR 105/106, 110, 210, 220, or 380 registration or placement, contact the Associate Director of the Writing Program at or go to Bryan Hall 322.

Environmental Sciences - New Degree Program

The Department of Environmental Sciences is now recruiting students for it's new Bachelor of Sciences degree program. (Note that the current BA program will continue unchanged.) This major is ideally suited for students who are looking for post-graduation employment in the private sector, such as with a consulting firm, or in a technical position with a regulatory agency. Additionally, it can provide a strong basic science education for individuals destined for graduate school in one or more of the environmental sciences. The requirements for the degree are substantially more intensive than those of the BA offered by the Department, and they are summarized as follows:

Related Sciences
One semester each of the three basic sciences with their associated labs, viz., BIOL 201 and 203, CHEM 141 and 141L, and PHYS 151 (or 231) and the laboratory, PHYS 203, along with one year of Calculus (MATH 131 and 132). Additionally, two more semesters of related sciences or math are required (e.g. BIOL 202 and 204, CHEM 142 and 142L, PHYS 152 (or 232) and the laboratory, Physics 204, MATH 231 or equivalent courses).

Major Requirements
Each of the core courses EVSC 280, 320, 340 and 350 and their associated laboratories EVSC 280L, 320L, 340L and 350L for a total of 16 core credits. An additional 24 hours of EVSC courses are required. Three of these credit hours may be taken below the 300-level (i.e. 100 or 200 level), if they are completed as a first or second-year student. The remainder must be taken at or above the 300-level, and at least one must be a laboratory course. For detailed information see an Environmental Sciences faculty member or contact Mr. Jim Galloway ().

Be sure to visit our Undergraduate Program Web Page. Check out the Environmental Sciences Organization.

Mr. Jim Galloway is the Department's Director of Undergraduate Programs. He can be reached at and 924-1303.

French

Students normally take 232 straight from high school or after 202. As always, by request and with departmental permission, those eager to declare a French major or minor may take 232 after 201. Course descriptions for FREN 232 and FREN 202 are as follows:

• FREN 232: Intensive Intermediate French (3)
  Pre-requisite: Appropriate placement score or departmental permission (see the Language Program Director).
  This in-depth, intermediate-level course is recommended for students who nearly place out of French 202, and for any students who wish to refine and expand their mastery of French grammar before taking 300-level courses. Students who have completed French 202 may take 232 as an elective to fine-tune their language skills.
• FREN 202 section 8 is an experiment in a content-based approach to language learning. Students will use the same textbook and take nearly the same tests as those in the other sections of 202. What is different about this section is that students will learn about the history of French cinema as they study French language. The instructor's permission is required so that only students truly interested in studying French film, Media Studies, or film as an art form, sign up for the course. Studies should not select this course just for the time slot.
• FREN 202: Intermediate French II
  Pre-requisite: French 201 or appropriate placement score.
  Section 8: Special Topic Section Ms. Krueger
  This special topic section of French 202 provides an introduction to Film Studies in French. While building a basic vocabulary and reviewing essential grammar, students read articles on film criticism (in French and in English) as well as view and discuss French film classics from various periods and genres. Grades will be based on preparation/participation, homework, quizzes, essays, in-class oral presentations, a final exam, and a group video-project. Required viewing of a film, outside of class, approximately every two weeks.

See the French Department Home Page for information on placement and instructor permission, and to access the French Department's on-line waiting list.

French Foreign Language Placement

The French department posts placement information and an online waiting list request form (along with an explanation of why there are waiting lists) on the departmental home page under "Quick Links".

For placement information, or to take the placement test, click here.

Placement scores for the SAT II and the UVA-administered placement exam are binding only when used to qualify the student for exemption from the language requirement.

Standardized tests provide only a partial measure of students' proficiency and achievement in French. Students who do not test out of the requirement are encouraged to take the highest level of French possible, even if their placement score is a little low.

Students with over two years of High School French may not take French 101. French 105 is designed specifically for students who have had more than two years of High School French, but need to start from the beginning for various reasons, the most common being a lapse of several years since the last French course taken.

French 232 is designed specifically for High School students who don't quite fit into 201 or 202. Students who earn As or Bs in 202 should not take French 232. They should go directly to French 331.

For more information on French courses, placement, and departmental policies see Cheryl Krueger's site.

German

Please see our websites for more information:

http://www.virginia.edu/german/Spring%202007%20GETR.htm or
http://www.virginia.edu/german/Spring%202007%20GERM.htm

New Major in GERMAN STUDIES

Prerequisites for declaration of the German Studies major are completion of or exemption from GERM 202 and completion of GETR 233, Introduction to German Studies.

Requirements: students must complete 3 credits (usually 10 courses) beyond GERM 202 and GETR 233; 5 courses must have German as the language of instruction, three of which must be: GERM 300 (Intensive Grammar), GERM 301 (Introduction to Literature), either GERM 311 or 312 (Surveys of German Literature) or an approved substitution in German literature. Additionally, German Studies majors will devise in consultation with their German Department advisor and, where necessary, an advisor from outside the German Department an individualized program that includes two relevant courses in a specific area of concentration (e.g. history, philosophy, politics, or art history) and three additional courses from departmental offerings (GETR or GERM) or from approved courses offered by the Departments of History, Media Studies, Drama, Art History, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, Music, Religious Studies, Anthropology, and the School of Architecture. Additionally, it is strongly recommended that all students take at least one course in modern German history.

Philosophy

PHIL 100
First-year students wishing to add into this class should add themselves to the wait list and identify themselves as new students.

New Course

PHIL 258: Ancient Political Thought
The course will cover political ideas and theories from early Greek poetry down to the Stoics and Epicureans, with particular emphasis on Plato and Aristotle.

(Service) Physical Education

Costs Associated with Courses

• Equestrian: $700.00
  If you wish to enroll in an equestrian class you should contact Claiborne Bishop at 293-6568 (or e-mail ) for specific course information (these classes are always listed as "TBA"). It is the student's responsibility to contact the stable to arrange riding lessons.
• Golf:
  Beginning/Intermediate: ~$145.00
  Advanced: ~$300.00
• Ice Skating: $100.00
• Skiing and Snowboarding:
  $105.00 (for those who own their own equipment)
  $155.00 (for those who need to rent equipment)
• SCUBA Diving: $225.00

For more information on any of the P.E. courses call Sandra Perry at 924-3167.

Physics

New: The course numbers of PHYS 201L and PHYS 202L, Basic Physics Laboratory I and II, have been changed to PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 respectively.

For information about physics courses, programs, degrees, etc. please click here.

For help selecting courses and advice about physics major programs, please contact an undergraduate physics advisor through this page.

Psychology

New Requirement

At least two courses (minimum six credits) must be completed at the 300-level or higher (one of which must be a 400- or 500-level course), excluding Directed Readings in Psychology, Research in Psychology, Internship and Advanced Psychobiology Lab.

Class Restrictions

Most 300- and 400-level class will be restricted to psychology and cognitive science majors and minors until after 4th-year students have registered in order to help them satisfy graduation requirements.

Public Heath Sciences, Department of

The Department of PHS is located in Hospital West, on the third floor, suite 3181. Enter the suite and find the PHS classroom through the first door on the right. RSVP is appreciated but not required. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator Kathy Nixon at 924-8646 or at

Sociology

Prospective Majors

Be sure to take Introductory Sociology (SOC 101) before declaring a major in sociology. Courses on specific topics in sociology do not provide adequate information on the variety of activities sociology majors will need to pursue. The department also strongly recommends that prospective majors take either Social Statistics (SOC 311) or Social Theory (SOC 302) before investing extensive credit hours in sociology. The two courses draw on intellectual abilities that students normally consider to be opposites.

Enhancements to The Distinguished Majors Program in Sociology

The department of sociology has expanded its Distinguished Majors' Program to include special discussion and laboratory sections during the third year that provide improved preparation for the Distinguished Major Thesis. The program also offers a Distinguished Majors Seminar, special events, and 400-level seminars that are open to all sociology majors but designated for Distinguished Majors. They incorporate more extensive readings, course work, and engagement with key issues in sociology than do other 400-level courses. Successful completion of a Distinguished Majors Program makes one eligible for graduation with distinction.

Students must enroll in the program before the end of their fifth semester and maintain their GPA at or above 3.4.

Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

101-202 level Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

• The Italian placement exam is offered only once a semester. This spring 2008 it will take place on Monday, January 14 at 9:00am. Students with prior experience in Italian must take the placement exam to enroll in an Italian course. Please RSVP by e-mailing Professor Scida at .
• Students enrolling in SPAN 102-202 must present proof of placement during the first week of the semester. Proof of placement includes: a UVA Spanish placement exam score, an SAT II exam score, successful completion of the prior course in the sequence, or permission of the department. For lost UVA Spanish placement exam score, please contact: .
• Students are not permitted to enroll in a 101-202 course that is different from their placement without permission from the department.

Online Waiting Lists – All levels

• The Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese works exclusively with waiting lists – no course action forms will be accepted. When a course is restricted to an online waiting list, a student must be on that list to be eligible for a space in that course.
• Students should not try to contact an instructor about courses restricted to an online waiting list.
• Students should include comments on their preparation in the comment space on waiting lists.
• Online wait lists will be closed after the fourth class meeting in SPAN 102-202 and ITAL 102 and 202, and students will not be invited to add into those courses after that time (roughly Jan. 25).

Registration Restrictions, SPAN 300+

• With the exception of SPAN 311, Spanish 300-400-level courses will be restricted to Spanish, Latin American Studies and Comparative Literature majors and minors during the first week of registration.
• On November 12th, these restrictions will be lifted and anyone satisfying the course prerequisites may register in any available spaces.
• Students should not be advised to declare their major during the first week of registration.

Other Reminders, SPAN 300+

• SPAN 311 must be taken before taking any other SPAN course with a number higher than 311. This requirement is waived for those who have scored a 5 on the AP Spanish Language Exam.
• Native speakers cannot take conversation
• Students cannot take both 313 and 413, or 311 after 411.
• SPAN 491 Women Writers is an intensive writing course.
• SPAN 495, Creative Writing Workshop, requires a high degree of Spanish-language competency.

Study Abroad

• Students who wish to receive credit for study abroad from the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese should contact the department as early as possible in their planning.
• Students who want credit from the Spanish section should consult the department’s study abroad policy before doing so. It is available at: http://www.virginia.edu/span-ital-port/StudyAbroadPolicy.htm

For more information consult the department web site.

Statistics

Students may NOT earn credit for both STAT 110 and STAT 112.

U.Va. School Announcements

McIntire School of Commerce

From Rebecca Locke Leonard, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs:

March 2007 Headline News - BusinessWeek Ranks McIntire No. 2 among Nation’s Best Undergraduate Business Programs

The McIntire School is offering the following courses for students enrolled in schools outside the Commerce School.  

Spring 2008

COMM 180 - Making Business Work
COMM 201 - Introduction to Financial Accounting
COMM 202 -Introduction to Management Accounting
COMM 260/SOC 260 – Leadership Across Disciplines (2nd year students)
COMM 273 - Personal Finance (4th and 5th year students)
COMM 381 – Business Ethics
COMM 384N -International Business

May 2008

McIntire faculty will offer the following Study Abroad courses through the University’s May term.

COMM 459 - Marketing Strategy in Global Markets - in Shanghai & Beijing - for information contact Prof. Trey Maxham –

COMM 465 - Business, Politics & Culture in the European Union -  in Bath, Brussels & Paris - for information contact Prof. Bill Wilkerson –

COMM 474 - International Finance - in London - for information contact Prof. Patrick Dennis –

Undergraduate Admission

Applications for students enrolled at the University of Virginia will be available online on November 19th and are due the end of January 28th.

Rebecca Leonard, Assistant Dean for Student Services and Admission, holds open office hours each week during the academic year. These change weekly and are posted on the door of Monroe 136 and on the web at
http://www.commerce.virginia.edu/student/undergraduate/student_services.html

Also, please visit our calendar of events at http://www.commerce.virginia.edu/calendars.htm to learn about upcoming events and programs. Be sure to visit often as events are continually being added.

Other Announcements

University Career Services

UCS is located in Bryant Hall at the Stadium. There is plenty of short term parking available and UTS stops at the front door. Please visit!

University Career Services provides a range of career-related services and resources for all UVa students. Feel free to refer students as needed for issues such as:

• how choice of major may tie in to other interests and possible career direction
• career fields that could incorporate interests, skills, values
• externship and internship opportunities to explore possible fields or build experience base
• graduate or professional school planning
• job search strategies

Daily walkins and appointments with UCS career counselors provide students the chance to discuss and discover!  Then a multitude of career-related workshops and panels afford students information and insight about majors, careers, and themselves.

If you know students who want to pursue a public service internship for Summer 2008 but can’t afford to intern without getting paid, you’ll be glad to know that University Career Services offers public service internship grants of $2500 for 2nd and 3rd Year students in all majors. These grants are made possible by the generous sponsorship of the U.Va. Parents Committee.  Students who have secured internships in civic engagement and public policy; non-profits; economic and business development; K-12 education and lifelong learning; planned or natural environments; or health care, research and policy are eligible to apply. The deadline is noon on Monday, March 31, 2008.  Learn more about these grants and read journal entries from the 2007 grant recipients at: www.career.virginia.edu/students/programs/internship/parentsprogram.php.The Larry Simpson Scholarship is a $1500 need based internship award designed provide financial assistance to help a rising 4th Year in the College complete an internship. The deadline is noon, April 7, 2008. Visit <http://www.career.virginia.edu/students/programs/internship/larrysimpson.php.

UCS offers internship (and externship) small-group workshops weekly as well as daily walkins as well as appointments for help with identifying internship opportunities and preparing application materials.

The annual Spring Job & Internship Fair offered by UCS brings recruiters from over 120 corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to U.Va. to meet students from all majors seeking full-time employment or internship positions. Students can meet employers in person and discover great organizations and opportunities for jobs and internships!  Two days—January 30 and 31, 2008.

If you are working with students who are considering applying to law or any of the health professional schools (medicine, dentistry, veterinary, physician assistant, optometry) in the future, please encourage them to augment their regular academic advising with a visit with one of the UCS Preprofessional Services team. Throughout the year the staff is available to meet with students individually to clarify the academic and clinical preparation requirements.  In addition, several presentations are offered each semester to expand students’ awareness of health and law professions and application process.  In particular, for students will begin application to the health profession schools during spring 2008 for 2009 matriculation. A key element of a student’s medical/dental/ veterinary et al application includes an individual interview and corresponding advisor letter. This year that process will begin the first week of February 2008 with interviews conducted by UCS Preprofessional staff Beth Bailey and Eileen Oswald.  UCS will conduct a mandatory “application year part II” meeting on January 18, 2008 at 3pm OR January 22, 2008 at 5pm for students who plan to submit their applications in the summer of 2008 (for 2009 matriculation).

In addition to the programs mentioned above UCS sponsors numerous programs each semester including a small, interactive career exploration group; internship workshops; specialized career panel presentations about majors, careers, and the connection between the two; presentations on job search strategies, and programs about graduate school planning. Our UCS webpages and calendar of events provides more details at www.career.virginia.edu   Individual appointments can be scheduled by calling 924-8900.

International Studies Office

The College of Arts and Sciences, through the International Studies Office, encourages students to consider studying overseas for a summer, semester, or academic year during their undergraduate career. Overseas study offers an exceptional way for students to enhance their U.Va. academic experience.

Students should begin to investigate overseas study opportunities as early as their first year by attending a group General Advising Session. This session will enable them to carefully lay the foundation for study abroad during their undergraduate tenure. The sessions are offered Monday through Thrusday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm in Minor Hall. All students wishing to study abroad are required to attend. Students who cannot attend any of the scheduled sessions, should contact Stacey Hansen () to arrange for an alternative meeting.

Upon attending a General Information Session, students should make an appointment with one of the following study abroad advisors, based on the country or region of their proposed study abroad:

Mary Jo Bateman
     Africa, Canada, France, Scandinavia, Scotland, Switzerland
Stacey Hansen
    Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, The
    Netherlands
Chris Payne
     Asia, Eastern Europe, Ireland, the United Kingdom
Tim Wojoski
     Middle East, Latin America, Portugal, Spain, South Asia

To make an appointment with a study abroad advisor, students should visit the ISO website www.studyabroad.virginia.edu, select “meet our staff” and then select the appropriate advisor.

Study Abroad Resource Library (216 Minor Hall)
The library contains reference materials for approved, accredited U.Va. and non-U.Va. study abroad programs. The library is staffed by Study Abroad Peer Advisors on Mondays through Fridays.

Learning Needs and Evaluation Center

The Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (LNEC) is the office on grounds responsible for determining eligibility and implementing academic accommodations for students with disabilities. The Center also provides initial screening evaluations for any student experiencing academic difficulty. Please visit the LNEC website for full details about policies and services available.

Contact Information

The LNEC is located in the Department of Student Health at 400 Brandon Avenue. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during semester breaks and the summer sessions. For detailed information about services and policies, including guidelines and forms for documentation, see the LNEC web site. To contact LNEC, call (434) 243-5181 (voice), 243-5189 (TTY), or fax at (434) 243-5188. The LNEC is located at the Elson Student Health Center, 400 Brandon Avenue, P.O. Box 800760, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0760.

Information for Faculty

The faculty is a vital part of the accommodations process. Faculty members who have concerns about a requested accommodation are encouraged to contact the Director of LNEC, Dr. Allison Anderson, at (434) 243-5181. In addition, useful information may be found online in the LNEC faculty information section. The sample syllabus statement may be particularly useful as a tool for reducing last minute or unclear accommodation requests.

The Faculty Guide for Accommodating Students with Disabilities has been updated! Please visit the Faculty and Staff section of the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center website: http://www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/lnec/infofaculty.html and click on the first link for the Faculty Guide. The new guide contains both general information about the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as specific advice and tips about how this civil rights act should be implemented at U.Va.

Information for Students

Students with Disabilities (243-5180/Voice or 243-5189/TTY, Fax: 243-5188, http://www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/lnec.html). Students who have physical, learning or psychiatric disabilities that may require reasonable accommodation at the University should contact the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (LNEC) in the Department of Student Health. The LNEC coordinates disability accommodations such as alternate text formats for course material, peer note-taking, extended time for tests, sign language and other interpreting, and housing arrangements. Preliminary evaluation of academic difficulties as well as other services are also available. Students with disabilities must submit appropriate documentation in support of a request for accommodations. All accommodation requests should be submitted in a timely manner, preferably before the semester begins, or not later than three weeks into the semester. Specific deadlines for certain types of accommodation requests are posted on the LNEC Web site each term; however, every request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For requests involving on-Grounds housing, appropriate deadlines within the Housing office also should be met. For more specific information about services and policies, including guidelines and forms for documentation, see the LNEC Web site at www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/lnec.html