American University of Armenia General Information Catalog Graduate Courses and Degrees 2011 ...

134 Pages·2011·1.15 MB·English

American University
of Armenia

General Information Catalog
Graduate Courses and Degrees

(cid:12544)(cid:13056)(cid:13056)
2011-2013

(cid:12544)(cid:13056)(cid:13056)

September 1, 2011
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION GUIDE 4
GENERAL INFORMATION 5
Message from the President..................................................................................................................................... 5
Academic Calendar ................................................................................................................................................. 6
2011 – 2012 ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Academic Calendar ................................................................................................................................................. 6
2012– 2013 ......................................................................................................................................................... 7
HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION 8
The AUA Mission ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
History of the University .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Founding Board of Directors .................................................................................................................................. 9
Current Organization ............................................................................................................................................ 10
AUAC Board of Trustees ....................................................................................................................................... 10
AUAF Board of Trustees ....................................................................................................................................... 12
University Officers ................................................................................................................................................. 12
Senior Administration ....................................................................................................................................... 12
Academic Administration ................................................................................................................................. 13
Accreditation ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
ADMISSIONS 14
Admission Policies and Application Procedures ................................................................................................... 14
Admission Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 14
English Language Proficiency Requirement ..................................................................................................... 14
Standardized Graduate Examination Requirements .......................................................................................... 15
Application Deadlines ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Special Admissions ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Notification of Admission Decisions ................................................................................................................ 16
Admission Status .............................................................................................................................................. 17
Checklist ........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Notice to All Applicants ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Non-Degree Student Status .................................................................................................................................... 18
Rolling Admissions ................................................................................................................................................ 19
Graduate Certificates ............................................................................................................................................ 19
ACADEMIC PROCEDURES 21
Registration ........................................................................................................................................................... 21
Definition of Credit Hour and Student Status ........................................................................................................ 21
Grades ................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Grade Appeals ................................................................................................................................................... 23
Continuous Enrollment .......................................................................................................................................... 24
Repetition of Courses ............................................................................................................................................. 24
Academic Standing ................................................................................................................................................ 24
Good Standing .................................................................................................................................................. 24
Probation and Dismissal ................................................................................................................................... 24
Course Work Issues ............................................................................................................................................... 25
Class Attendance ................................................................................................................................................... 25
Procedures on Adding and Dropping Courses ...................................................................................................... 26
Withdrawal and Readmission ................................................................................................................................ 26
Final Examinations................................................................................................................................................ 28
Return of Borrowed Material ................................................................................................................................ 28
Time Allowed to Complete Requirements .............................................................................................................. 28
Transfer of Credit .................................................................................................................................................. 28
Transfer from One AUA Program to Another ....................................................................................................... 29
Residency at AUA .................................................................................................................................................. 29
Graduation ............................................................................................................................................................ 29
Office of the Registrar ........................................................................................................................................... 30
Information and Academic Counseling Services .............................................................................................. 30
Student Records ................................................................................................................................................ 31
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 32
Tuition and Fees .................................................................................................................................................... 32
Withdrawal and Refund Policy .............................................................................................................................. 32
Tuition Assistance and Scholarships ..................................................................................................................... 32
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 35
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Academic Honesty ................................................................................................................................................. 35
Student Responsibilities ......................................................................................................................................... 35
Academic Dishonesty ............................................................................................................................................. 35
Sanctions................................................................................................................................................................ 36
STUDENT RESOURCES 37
Student Body .......................................................................................................................................................... 37
Library ................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Technology Resources ........................................................................................................................................... 37
Student Council ..................................................................................................................................................... 38
Alumni and Career Development Office ................................................................................................................ 38
Housing.................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Campus .................................................................................................................................................................. 39
About Armenia ....................................................................................................................................................... 39
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 40
College of Engineering .......................................................................................................................................... 41
Industrial Engineering and Systems Management ............................................................................................ 42
Computer and Information Science .................................................................................................................. 48
Department of English Programs .......................................................................................................................... 58
College of Health Sciences .................................................................................................................................... 72
Department of Law ................................................................................................................................................ 81
School of Business and Management..................................................................................................................... 96
School of Political Science and International Affairs .......................................................................................... 120
Acopian Center for the Environment ................................................................................................................... 129
AUA Extension for AUA Catalog......................................................................................................................... 134

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UNIVERSITY INFORMATION GUIDE

American University of Armenia (AUA)
40 Marshal Bagramian Boulevard
Yerevan, Armenia 0019

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
World Wide Web Address: http://www.aua.am

American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC)
300 Lakeside Drive, 12th Floor
Oakland, California 94612
U.S.A.

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
AUAC is a California Public Benefit Corporation organized exclusively for educational and
charitable purposes under the United States Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Its
principal office is in Oakland, California. Its specific purpose is to jointly operate AUA in
Armenia. AUAC is affiliated with the Regents of the University of California (UC). Under the
affiliation agreement, UC provides academic and administrative guidance. AUA is registered as
the American University of Armenia Fund by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia,
a non-profit organization, and is licensed as an institution of higher education by the Armenian
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia.

Catalog Effective Dates
This catalog is continuously updated on a bi-monthly basis. For further information about the
University, please contact the Office of Registrar at (374-10) 512-790 or the U.S. office at (510)
987-9452.
Changes in Policy, Tuition, and Fees
While every effort is made to incorporate available information on a continual basis, the
University reserves the right to make changes without prior written notice. It is advisable to
consult with the University offices for more current information. Updated information on the
policies of the University is available on the AUA website at www.aua.am.

Conversion from Quarter to Semester System
The AUA will be using a semester-based schedule starting in Fall 2012. There will be two 15-
week semesters instead of three 10-week quarters during the academic year. Credit values for
courses, graduation requirements, and other academic criteria and procedures will be updated
during the course of the 2011-2012 academic year to reflect this change.

Equal Opportunity: Any person may apply to study at AUA. AUA does not discriminate on
the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age,
medical condition (e.g. cancer), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or
military service status.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

AUA was founded with the mission of providing an American-style
institution of graduate education in Armenia. The University opened for
classes on September 21, 1991, the very day the Republic of Armenia
declared its independence.

Since its establishment, AUA has endeavored to combine Armenia's
longstanding tradition of excellence in higher education with the
American ideals of academic freedom, critical thinking skills, strong
faculty and student governance, emphasis on social responsibility and
public service, encouragement of interdisciplinary study, and embracing
of modern technologies. AUA students are thereby prepared for
productive careers that will benefit the country and the world.

In addition to providing Armenian students with the opportunity for graduate study according to
the American model, AUA gives students from the Armenian diaspora an American-accredited
venue at which to study in the Armenian homeland. Moreover, AUA accords non-Armenian
students an opportunity to live and learn in a fascinating and historically important center of
world civilization.

AUA offers seven master's degree programs in business and management, law, industrial
engineering and systems management, computer and information sciences, health sciences,
political science and international affairs, and English language programs. In addition, AUA has
research centers and programs wherein faculty and students conduct cutting-edge scholarship
and publish in a variety of fields. For example, the Engineering Research Center involves
students in original research in alternative energy research, cyber security and computer-aided
design, and our Center for Health Sciences research provides supervised training in field
research for students enrolled in our Master of Public Health program.

In many ways, Armenia itself is the ideal classroom for students who wish to understand the
dynamics of today's world and become agents for its improvement. It is at once ancient and
modern, industrial and developing, urban and rural, and devoted to its past traditions while
hopeful about its future potential. In this environment, AUA students have unique opportunities
to connect their education to real world issues of vital importance. Through internships and
involvement in research, they learn firsthand about the roles of governments, banks,
corporations and NGOs in the developing world. Through AUA's encouragement of "Active
Citizenship," they become part of the process of building a new social contract in Armenia, and
thereby participate in the development of a stronger, healthier society.
AUA's diverse faculty and student body represent over 17 countries of origin. Most find their
experience at AUA to be transformative. Students who complete a graduate degree at AUA
make lasting friendships and enter into the community of AUA alumni who are supported for
life by the university's career services organization.
The idea of an American graduate university in Armenia was developed at one of the bleakest
moments of the history of Armenia, following the 1988 earthquake that resulted in an
unprecedented level of destruction and casualties in recent memory. However, the founders of
this University turned a moment of adversity into positive achievement. The people who planned
AUA were agents of change who saw a historical opportunity to improve the lives of a large
number of people.
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ACADEMIC CALENDAR
2011 – 2012

Fall Quarter 2011
Armenian Independence Day** 21 September 2011
Classes begin 26 September 2011
Add/Drop Deadline (10 week courses) 07 October 2011
U.S. Thanksgiving** 24 November 2011
Classes end 02 December 2011
Final Examinations 03-09 December 2011
Administrative End of Quarter/Grades due 14 December 2011
Christmas ** 25 December 2011
New Year** 31 December - 05 January 2012
Armenian Christmas** 06 January 2013

Winter Quarter 2012
Classes begin 09 January 2012
End of Drop/Add Period (10 week courses) 20 January 2012
Army Day** 28 January 2012
International Women's Day** 03 March 2012
Classes end 16 March 2012
Final Examinations 17-22 March 2012
Administrative End of Winter Quarter/Grades Due 23 March 2012

Spring Quarter 2012
Classes begin 02 April 2012
Good Friday** 06 April 2012
Easter Sunday** 08 April 2012
End of Drop/Add Period (10 week courses) 18 April 2012
Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day** 24 April 2012
Labor Day** 01 May 2012
Victory and Peace Day** 09 May 2012
Republic Day** 28 May 2012
Last Day of Classes 08 June 2012
Final Examinations 09-15 June 2012
Administrative End of Spring Quarter 18 June 2012
Graduation 24 June 2012

Summer Session 2012
American Independence Day ** 04 July 2012
Armenian Constitution Day** 05 July 2012
First Day of Classes 09 July 2012
Last Day of Classes 07 September 2012
Administrative End of Spring Quarter/Grades due 12 September 2012

**The university will be closed on the dates indicated.

The dates on the Academic Calendar are subject to change
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ACADEMIC CALENDAR
2012– 2013

Fall Semester 2012
Fall Semester Begins 22 August 2012
First day of class 27 August 2012
End of Drop/Add 14 September 2012
Holy Cross Requiem 17 September 2012
Armenian Independence Day** 21 September 2012
Thanksgiving Holiday 22, 23 November 2012
Last Day of Class 12 December 2012
Final Examination Period 13, 14, 15 December 2012
Grades due 17 December 2012
Administrative End of Semester 21 December 2012
Christmas** 25 December 2012
Armenian Christmas** 1-7 January 2012 (to be confirmed by RA
Government)

Spring Semester 2013
Spring Semester Begins 14 January 2013
First day of class 16 January 2013
Army Day** 28 January 2013
End of Drop/Add 8 February 2013
International Women‘s Day** 8 March 2013
Spring Break (Easter, Good Friday, Requiem) 28 March – 7 April 2013
Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day** 24 April 2013
Labor Day** 1 May 2013
Victory and Peace Day** 9 May 2013
Last Day of Classes 17 May 2013
Final Examination Period 20-22, May 2013
Grades Due 23 May 2013
Republic Day** 28 May 2013
Administrative End of Semester 29 May 2013
Graduation 2 June 2013

Summer Term 2013
First day of classes 10 June 2013
End of Add/Drop Period 18 June 2013
US Independence** 4 July 2013
Armenian Constitution Day** 5 July 2013
Last day of classes 26 July 2013
Final Examination Period 29-31 July 2013
Grades Due 2 August 2013
Administrative End of Term 5 August 2013

**The university will be closed on the dates indicated.

The dates on the Academic Calendar are subject to change
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HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION

THE AUA MISSION

As an institution of higher learning, the American University of Armenia provides teaching,
research, and service programs that prepare students to address the needs of Armenia
and the surrounding region for sustainable development, in a setting that values and
develops academic excellence, free inquiry, scholarship, leadership, and service to society.

HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

On December 7, 1988, an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale rolled through the
former Soviet Republic of Armenia, killing 25,000 people and leaving another 500,000
homeless. The human tragedy and economic devastation shocked the world and opened the
Republic to unprecedented international humanitarian and technical assistance.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, many Western specialists in the field of earthquake
engineering visited Armenia and had the opportunity to interact with their Armenian
counterparts. It was during one such meeting, in 1989, that the idea of an American-style
technical university in Armenia was suggested by Yuri Sargsyan, then Rector of the Yerevan
Polytechnic Institute, to Armen Der Kiureghian, Professor of Civil Engineering of the University
of California at Berkeley, as a way to establish a new foundation for education and training in
Armenia.
The idea soon evolved into the specific goal of founding a graduate university based on the
American model. What followed was a period of steadfast effort led by two earthquake
engineering professors, Mihran Agbabian of the University of Southern California and Armen
Der Kiureghian of the University of California at Berkeley. The vision of an American graduate
university in Armenia soon became a goal to which other academics in America and Armenia
lent their support. The late Professor Stepan Karamardian, formerly Dean of the Graduate
School of Management at the University of California at Riverside, joined the Agbabian and Der
Kiureghian team early on. The team then approached the Armenian government and several
organizations seeking support for the achievement of the stated goal.
The American University of Armenia became a reality thanks to the steadfast support of the
Armenian government and two major institutions in the United States: the Armenian General
Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the University of California (UC). From the very beginning, the
government of Armenia  and specifically the Ministry of Higher Education and Sciences (now
the Ministry of Education and Science)  provided logistical and financial support for the
establishment of the University. Despite the significant political and economic changes
occurring in Armenia during the period from 1989 to 1991, the Ministry delivered its unwavering
assistance: facilitating steps and removing hurdles.
AGBU agreed early on to underwrite a major share of the operational funding necessary to
launch the University. From the outset, AUA also benefited from a vital working relationship
with the University of California. When approached for its technical assistance, David P.
Gardener, then President of the University of California, responded by appointing a task force,
chaired by then Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs, William R. Frazer, to explore the
feasibility of UC's participation in this undertaking. The task force visited Armenia in July 1990.
A year later, the Regents of the University of California unanimously agreed to an affiliation with
the University. Based on this affiliation, UC lends valuable technical support and educational
experience in the growth of the American University of Armenia.
On September 21, 1991, Armenia declared its independence. On the same day, AUA began
instruction with 101 students enrolled. In a phenomenally short time, the vision had become a
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reality. Today, the American University of Armenia operates as an independent, private, non-
profit institution of higher education in Armenia.
AUA offers graduate education in Business and Management, Industrial Engineering and
Systems Management, Computer and Information Science, Political Science and International
Affairs, Public Health, Law, and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. The emphasis on
graduate programs alone during the first two decades of the University was intended to
complement the State Universities and Institutes in Armenia, which provided undergraduate
education. With growing need for Western education in Armenia and its region, AUA has
decided to open undergraduate programs as well. Undergraduate programs, complementary to
existing programs in other universities, are planned to start in Fall 2013. Parallel to its academic
programs, AUA has established the Center for Business Research and Development, the
Engineering Research Center, the Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis, the Acopian Center
for the Environment, the Center for Health Services Research and Development, the Center for
Research in Applied Linguistics, and the Legal Resource Center, to promote research in
conjunction with graduate teaching. AUA faculty members are invited to promote learning and
knowledge by teaching and conducting research. The exchange between faculty members and
students is based on intellectual openness. Students are encouraged to formulate, critically
and creatively, their individual paths of understanding and to pursue diversity in knowledge. As
a public service to the community, AUA also provides courses through its Extension Program.
By providing teaching, research and public service, AUA seeks to serve Armenia and the region
and to provide a positive model in the transition to a market economy and democratic style of
government. The University aims to prepare graduates who will play a constructive role in the
social and economic development of Armenia and the region. The use of English as the
language of instruction is intended to facilitate communication between graduates of AUA and
their colleagues throughout the world and to attract an international faculty cadre and student
body.

FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mihran Agbabian, President Emeritus, American University of Armenia
Professor Emeritus, Earthquake Engineering and Former Chair, Department of Civil
Engineering, University of Southern California
Babken Ararktsyan, Former Chairman of the Parliament of the Republic of Armenia
William Frazer, Former Chairman, American University of Armenia Corporation, Senior Vice
President Emeritus, Academic Affairs, University of California, Professor Emeritus of Physics,
University of California, Berkeley
Vartkes Gnooni, Former Minister of Higher Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
(deceased)
Gagik Haroutunian, Chairman, Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia
Former Vice President, Republic of Armenia
Vilik Haroutunian, Former Minister of Higher Education and Science of the Republic of
Armenia (deceased)
Meredith Khachigian, Former Regent, University of California
John Marcum, Director, Education Abroad Program, University of California
Louise Simone, Chairperson and Former President, Armenian General Benevolent Union

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CURRENT ORGANIZATION

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, non-profit institution of higher education
registered in Armenia as the American University of Armenia Fund (under the Armenian Civil
Code) and in the United States as the American University of Armenia Corporation, a California
public benefit corporation [under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3)].
The Board of Trustees of the American University of Armenia Corporation (AUAC) is currently
comprised of 20 members, including representatives of the University of California and of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, and other distinguished individuals. The Board of
Trustees of the AUA Fund (AUAF) is comprised of seven members: two from each of the
founding organizations, the Republic of Armenia, the AGBU, and the University of California,
and one at-large member from the Board of Trustees of the AUAC. Together, these two Boards
provide general oversight of the University‘s operations.
AUAC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
C. Judson King, Ph.D
Chairman, Board of Trustees, AUAC
Professor of Chemical Engineering, Emeritus, University of California Berkeley,
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Emeritus, University of California
Director, Center for Studies in Higher Education, University of California Berkeley
Mihran S. Agbabian, Ph.D
AUA President Emeritus;
Professor Emeritus, Earthquake Engineering, University of Southern California
Haroutune K. Armenian, Ph.D.
President; Emeritus, AUA
Professor of Epidemiology, Emeritus, Johns Hopkins University,
Professor of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles
Carol Aslanian
Senior Vice President, Aslanian Market Research, Education Dynamics
Member of Central Board, Armenian General Benevolent Union
Edward Avedisian
Clarinetist, Boston Pops and Boston Ballet Orchestra
Bruce Boghosian, Ph.D.
President, AUA
William R. Frazer, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President Academic Affairs, Emeritus, University of California,
Professor Emeritus, Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley
Armen Der Kiureghian , Ph.D.
Taisei Professor of Civil Engineering, University of California Berkeley
John A. Marcum, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science, Emeritus, University of California, Santa Cruz
Former Director, Education Abroad Program, University of California
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