UAH BackgroundThe University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is a doctoral-granting, research-intensive university established in 1950 as part of the University of Alabama System. The university became an autonomous campus in 1969. Approximately half of the university's graduates earn a degree in engineering or science, making UAH one of the leading producers of engineers and physical scientists in Alabama.Student body Total enrollment is about 7,200, including about 1,500 graduate students; 49 percent women, 51 percent men. UAH incoming freshmen score an average of 24 on the ACT examinations, among the best Alabama's public universities. Academics UAH offers 59 degree-granting programs, including 29 bachelor’s degree programs, 18 master’s degree programs and 12 Ph.D. programs through five colleges: business, liberal arts, engineering, nursing and science. UAH has more than 300 full-time faculty members and 90 percent have terminal degrees. The student/faculty ratio is 16:1. Academic recognition UAH is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the 150 best national doctoral universities — a distinction shared by only 7 percent of the 2,000 four-year colleges in America. UAH is the only public university in Alabama ranked as “very competitive” in Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges, and is rated among “Top Colleges for Top Students” in Peterson’s Competitive Colleges. UAH was cited as the 15th best value for public colleges and universities in the United States by Consumers Digest magazine. UAH has been named as one of “America’s 100 Best College Busy” for twelve consecutive years. Research Activities are conducted within UAH’s five academic colleges, or through 18 independent research centers, laboratories and institutes. Major interdisciplinary research thrusts include: applied optics, propulsion, space plasma and aeronomics, space physics and astrophysics, earth system science, information technology, management of science and technology, microgravity and materials, rotorcraft engineering, biotechnology, modeling and simulation, and nanotechnology and microdevices. Location UAH has a 360-acre campus in Huntsville, Alabama, in the North Central portion of the state. Huntsville is a national center of research and development. It is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command and the Army’s Aviation and Missile Command. The university is the anchor tenant for Cummings Research Park, the second largest research park in the United States. Cummings Research Park has 220 companies employing 24,500 employees. Administration The university is governed by President David Williams. The president is assisted by the provost and vice president for academic affairs; the vice president for research; the vicepresident for finance and administration; the vice president for university advancement and the vice president for student affairs. The vice presidents, together with the president, the executive assistant to the president and the university counsel function as the university's executive committee. Accreditation UAH is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. At least eight departments or programs also hold accreditation from professional associations, including the American Chemical Society, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, the National League of Nursing and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Library The M. Louis Salmon Library has more than 412,000 books, along with collections of U.S. government documents, sound recordings, microform and microfiche. There are also subscriptions to 2,766 periodicals. Academic calendar UAH is on the semester system, offering a full program of undergraduate and graduate day and night classes throughout the year, including the summer. |
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