Academic Environment

The academic environment extends beyond the four walls of a university classroom. Serious students seek enrichment in the library, at university forums and lectures, and through research. Some students may choose to become involved in the Honors Program or live in one of the "quiet halls" on campus—and everyone benefits from drawing on the resources available at college advisement centers.

Harold B. Lee Library

The Harold B. Lee Library's collection numbers over three million volumes including books, periodicals, government documents, microfilm, and other nonprint items. BYLINE, the library's Web-based computer system, includes the online catalog, many full-text databases, and numerous electronic indexes to other sources. The library is a depository for United States and Canadian government documents and regularly receives publications of state and local governments. The Utah Valley Regional Family History Center (UVRFHC) supports family history research through an extensive collection of microfilm and microfiche. The L. Tom Perry Special Collections department houses non-circulating books and manuscripts related to Mormonism, western Americana, incunabula, Victorian and Edwardian literature, historical manuscripts and photographs, motion pictures, and many other areas. The Learning Resource Center provides an optimal learning environment for out-of-class instructional activities involving audio, visual, and digital media.

The general collection is housed on five levels. An Information Desk and General Reference Desk are located on the ground floor (Level 3). Professional librarians and support staff provide research assistance at eight additional subject reference desks. Instruction in library and information literacy is available. The general library facilities are open to students, faculty, alumni, and other community patrons. Regularly enrolled students present their identification cards to borrow books and have full access to all resources on BYLINE (www.lib.byu.edu). Non-BYU patrons have access only to the online catalog and selected electronic indexes.

The library is open during fall and winter semesters Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to midnight and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to midnight; during spring and summer terms, the library closes at 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. BYU students and faculty may also use the facilities of other Utah college and university libraries and other major research libraries in the United States. These cooperative agreements were instituted by the Utah Academic Library Consortium (UALC) and the Research Libraries Group (RLG). The BYU Library is a participating member of both organizations. Libraries operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are also available to Brigham Young University students, including the library of the Church Historical Department located in Salt Lake City.

University Forums

University forums are held on selected Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. and are designed to enrich the general education experience. Speakers are noted authorities chosen for their ability to inspire, communicate, and for their contributions to their field in the arts, sciences, humanities, media, or government. Participation in these assemblies and the associated question-and-answer sessions prompts inquiry into significant intellectual, cultural, and social issues and helps lay the foundation for lifelong learning.

New Student Orientation

The overall purpose of New Student Orientation is to assist new and transfer students in familiarizing themselves with the challenges and opportunities of Brigham Young University. Similarly, Orientation provides new students several learning opportunities to become acquainted with the resources available to them on campus.

New students begin their orientation experience at BYU by attending New Student Commencement, which introduces them to the university and the purpose of higher education. In this assembly students also learn about BYU's unique mission of blending spiritual growth with intellectual development. In smaller meetings and seminars, new students are informed of academic disciplines and university resources such as the library, academic advising, scholarships, financial aid, and honors education.

New Student Orientation also promotes the interaction of new students with peers, upperclassmen, and faculty. Y-Groups, led by upperclassmen, provide more individualized attention for new students and introduce them to the university environment. One of the many Y-Group activities involves a tour of campus to acquaint new students with university facilities and traditions. As part of the Orientation program, select faculty visit with students at different locations around campus. Mingling with faculty gives new students insight to the teaching-learning experiences of a BYU education.

Orientation at BYU attempts to balance the various needs of students by carefully combining appropriate resources, activities, and personnel. It is designed to acquaint the new student with the myriad of opportunities available at BYU.

Advisement Support

Academic advising is an essential component of a BYU education. The university is committed to providing the assistance that students need at every step.

Students will be successful if they

• Prepare for and keep appointments with their CAC academic advisor, preferably at least once a calendar year.


• Establish and follow an academic plan for graduation.


• Use university resources such as Major Academic Plans (MAPs), Academic Information Management (AIM), and GE and major progress advisement by computer (ABC Report).


• Read the undergraduate catalog and become familiar with their basic academic program and requirements.


• Review personal academic progress each semester.

Advisors are responsible to

• Stay abreast of major and general education requirements, including the current class schedule, catalogs, and other advisement resources.


• Assist students by making appropriate recommendations for registration.


• Help students clarify their values and goals to get a clear picture of their academic career.


• Aid students in planning an educational program consistent with their academic progress.


• Offer friendly, attentive, informative service, listening to the students's situation before offering a solution.

There are five key components to advisement:

1. CACs (College Advisement Centers)
   
   
2. ABC Report (Advisement by Computer Report)
   
   
3. AIM (available on Route Y through the BYU home page, your Net ID, and your PIN number)
   
   
4. MAP (available on the Web through the BYU home page)
   
   
5. Faculty advisement

College Advisement Centers. CACs exist in every academic college. At these centers students receive personal assistance in meeting their educational goals as quickly as possible. Students should contact their advisement centers at least once a calendar year.

ABC Reports. To function hand in hand with CAC and faculty advising, BYU has pioneered a computer system that provides students with accurate academic progress information. Offering immediate access to curriculum degree requirements and personal academic records, ABC Reports can be accessed from home, from computer kiosks across campus, and at the CACs through Route Y. Students should carefully review the ABC Report to monitor their own academic progress.

AIM provides students easy access to up-to-date information on their academic progress and other vital information. At AIM terminals students can change their addresses and phone numbers, access their class schedules, determine course availabilities and instructor schedules, monitor their ABC Reports, look at their grades and BYU credit, make PIN changes, check on transfer and AP credit, and conduct personal registration procedures.

MAP. This supplement to the BYU Undergraduate Catalog is also a valuable academic resource for students as they plan and prepare their academic schedules. The MAP includes information regarding general education and major requirements, semester-by-semester recommendations for course selection, and course availability.

Academic Support Office

2500 WSC, (801) 422-2723 | E-mail: academic_support@byu.edu

All students admitted to the university have the potential to succeed academically; however, some students have difficulty achieving the level of success required to remain in good academic standing. The mission of the Academic Support Office is to assist students in maintaining that level of academic success. The combined resources of the university help students resolve most academic problems through the Counseling and Career Center, the BYU Student Service Association, and the Academic Support Office.

Students with academic problems often have difficulties in one or more of the following areas: (1) Personal concerns outside the academic realm including adjustment problems, illness, or relationship problems that distract from academic goals. Such problems may be addressed by helping students refocus on their goals. (2) Inadequate academic preparation to meet the rigors of a university experience. Study-skills training helps students identify strategies appropriate to the university experience. (3) Learning styles that worked in high school but are not productive at the university. A learning-style assessment and counseling may help identify and use academic strengths more successfully. (4) Ambiguous career goals that cause students to flounder within the university. With career guidance they can move toward a more timely graduation.

Counselors are trained to assist students with time management, study skills, learning style, career choice, and other academic concerns. Students who experience academic difficulties are encouraged to contact the Academic Support Office.

Career Placement Services

2410 WSC, (801) 378-3000 | Fax: (801) 378-3444

Career Placement Services assists BYU students and alumni from all colleges, departments, majors, and class years with their job and internship preparation and searches.

Students who register gain access to many valuable services including individual and group advisement, on-campus student interviews with employer representatives, and information about specific job and internship opportunities submitted by employers from business, industry, education, and government. An excellent online database system, eRecruiting.com, allows students to register, set up profiles, prepare and send documents to employers, research employers, and check interview schedules. Career Placement Services maintains a collection of books, periodicals, brochures, and videotapes related to employment organizations. Also available are materials and workshops that show how to write letters of application, prepare resumés, and conduct oneself in personal interviews.

To maximize the number of employment contacts available to all graduating students, Career Placement Services works closely with each academic department. Ongoing communication is also maintained with college advisement centers.

Visit their Web site at http://ccc.byu.edu//placement/.

Internships

130A B-34, (801) 422-3337 | Web site: http://webpub.byu.edu/internships-byu/

Internships formally integrate university-level academic study with work experience in cooperating organizations. The combined study-work experiences are offered by academic departments as an extension of regular day school programs. They are designed to complement and strengthen the student's major field of study. In addition to internships within the United States, internships in international settings are also available for students who are pursuing majors that focus on international curricula.

Most departments offer internship opportunities that give full-time students a combination of academic learning with a work practicum. Students desiring to register for academic internships must receive prior departmental approval and complete registration before beginning an internship.

Course offerings vary according to student needs and may include registration in 199R, 299R, 399R, 496R, or 599R courses, depending on department and student objectives. Credit varies according to academic expectations and may range from 1 to 9 semester hours. Course enrollment base pass/fail or letter grades on both academic and work performance.

Most colleges and departments have internship coordinators. However, for further information concerning the opportunities and benefits of this academic area, you may contact the director of the Internship Office.

Jacobsen Center for Service and Learning

2010 WSC, (801) 422-1277 | 2330 WSC, (801) 422-8686

The Jacobsen Center for Service and Learning supports reflective and applied learning by fostering meaningful service opportunities on campus, in the local community, and around the world. The variety of opportunities supported by the center include volunteer service programs, course-related service assignments or curricula, service internships, and international service programs. Such service is mutually beneficial by meeting real community needs and providing a rich context for experiential learning and personal development.

The Jacobsen Center coordinates with other departments and offices on campus to develop and promote various service and learning initiatives on and off campus. The main collaborators are the Office of Academic Internships, the David M. Kennedy Center's international study programs, the Faculty Center's initiatives in development of service-learning course components, BYUSA's community service programs, and LDS wards and stakes. The center assists with service activities through a wide variety of community agencies, service organizations, and local schools.

The Center is also home to Tutoring Services, a peer-tutoring program available to all BYU students. Tutoring Services matches over 500 students with tutors each semester.

There are two locations for the Jacobsen Center in the Wilkinson Student Center. The main office (2010 WSC) houses the co-directors of the center and BYUSA community service programs. The Service Involvement Office (2330 WSC) houses Tutoring Services and provides resource listings for a variety of service needs and opportunities.

Graduate Studies

To the student seeking advanced study, Brigham Young University offers a variety of graduate degree opportunities. Excellent graduate programs can be found in each of the colleges and schools, and successful completion of one results in the awarding of a master's or doctoral degree.

The master's degree requires advanced coursework, demonstrated mastery in vital aspects of a discipline, skill in research methodology and theory, and preparation for future creative work. In certain disciplines, graduate programs blend scholarly insight with technical knowledge and skill. Integrative examinations, a major culminating piece of written work or performance, and an accompanying oral defense of that work are required.

The doctoral degree requires the student to demonstrate an impressive scholarly competence, which includes the ability to conduct and report research in a highly effective manner. Advanced systematic study in a discipline is also essential and is followed by comprehensive examinations that require students to integrate and understand the collective knowledge of their disciplines. A dissertation resulting from independent research is defended in a concluding oral examination. Students who are interested in pursuing advanced degrees are encouraged to become involved in research and creative activities during their undergraduate experience.

Research and Creative Activities at BYU

One of the most exciting and valuable learning experiences available to both undergraduate and graduate students at BYU is the opportunity to participate in original research and creative activities. BYU has accomplished faculty members in all areas, many of whom enjoy international reputations for the quality of their creative endeavors. Many professors enlist the help of undergraduate students, who work side by side with faculty mentors and graduate students in a laboratory or studio setting. Some departments offer class credit for participation in these projects, and in other situations, it is possible to receive remuneration.

A wide variety of research experiences are available in many departments across campus. For example, the student might be involved in the synthesis of a new medicinal drug in the chemistry laboratory or participate in the discovery of a new species of dinosaur on a Colorado mesa. Other examples of programs involving student participation include the study of robotics systems, computer architecture, battery technology, high-energy physics, international business methods, child psychology, drug-induced birth defects, educational methodology, molecular genetics, social implications of drug use, stability and satisfaction in marriage, Church history, and a host of other topics. Students who are interested in participating in research programs are encouraged to contact their major department chair or speak directly with individual professors.

The university offers both recognition and support for undergraduate resarch or creative activities. An annual competition for special research and creative activities scholarships is held each fall semester.

Student Development Coursework

The Counseling and Career Center offers courses under the title Student Development. These courses are designed to help with the personal challenges and tasks facing college students. Some of the relevant student-centered topics are college study skills, life planning, time management, decision making, and test taking strategies. Several courses are also designed to help students decide on a college major and a career and to make the transition from college to the world of work. Each class has material to help students identify their values, develop character, and make progress with their personal goals for life. The BYU Undergraduate Catalog and the current class schedule list these courses under Student Development. For further information, contact the Counseling and Career Center at 2510 WSC or (801) 422-4007.