INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

This section of the catalog summarizes many of the academic policies and procedures which will apply to the student during his or her undergraduate years at UND. Particularly important are the passages beginning on page 27 describing the University's general graduation requirements. Since institutional policies may change between catalog publication dates, students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor whenever appropriate. Students with questions also should request information from their academic department, the dean's office of their college, and the various administrative offices on campus.

Before utilizing the information found in this catalog, it may be useful to review the following basic patterns of undergraduate education at the University of North Dakota.

The Student's Place in the University organization. New students are admitted, according to the major they wish to pursue, to one of UND's undergraduate degree granting colleges (e.g., Arts and Sciences). All students who have an "undecided" major will receive assistance from the Office of Student Academic Services. Once a student declares a major they will be enrolled in one of the undergraduate degree granting colleges. Each college is made up of a group of academic departments and/or program areas (e.g., history). Courses in the student's major will normally be taken in a specific department, although UND offers many interdisciplinary majors as well. It should be noted that course work in one's major field normally makes up only a fraction of the total credits required for graduation (typically about one-fourth). Thus, throughout their undergraduate days, students have the opportunity to take courses in many departments outside their home college. Indeed, this diversity is one of the advantages of attending a multipurpose university such as UND.

University, college and departmental requirements. Undergraduate students must meet three sets of requirements to be graduated from the University of North Dakota: (1) University graduation requirements, which are summarized on pages 27-31; (2) requirements of the UND college or school granting the student's degree, which are summarized on pages 35-55; and (3) the requirements of the student's major department or program area, which are summarized on pages 58-155.

Which catalog to use. The graduation requirements of the University and its colleges, schools, and departments, as published in the catalog in effect at the beginning of the first semester the student is enrolled at the University, are those which must be met for completion of an undergraduate degree program. Subsequent changes in requirements, as published in the catalog or amended by the University Senate and the Board of Higher Education, may be substituted at the option of the students. The faculty reserves the right to make changes in curricula at any time when in its judgment such changes are for the best interests of the students. Courses listed in this catalog are subject to change through normal academic channels. New courses and changes in existing course work are initiated by the responsible departments or programs and are approved by the appropriate dean and college or school curriculum committee, the University Curriculum Committee, the University Senate, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Board of Higher Education.

Advisement. The University encourages continuing communication between faculty and students to enhance the advisement process. The student has final responsibility to meet the stated requirements for the degree sought, as listed in the appropriate catalog or bulletin. Every student is held accountable for complying with the information contained in this catalog and the Time Schedule of Classes for each term. Registration is the student's personal responsibility.