University Courses
University courses provide opportunities for dialogue across disciplinary and departmental boundaries. They are an experiment in curriculum development, directed toward students interested in interdisciplinary subjects beyond their elected major.
Dean of Undergraduates
Bridget K. Gorman
Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Seiichi P.T. Matsuda
For Rice University degree-granting programs:
To view the list of official course offerings, please see Rice’s Course Catalog.
To view the most recent semester’s course schedule, please see Rice's Course Schedule.
University Courses (UNIV)
UNIV 105 - SCHOLARLY APPROACHES TO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Short Title: SCHOLARLY APPROACHES TO S&E
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Intensive Learning Experience
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: A six-week, academically intensive, pre-college program for pre-matriculating students who intend to major in science or engineering. The program includes coursework in Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics, with a focus on the most challenging topics from the freshman curricula; daily homework and group-work; and complementary seminars on design, bioscience research, and discrete math. Department Permission Required.
UNIV 106 - RISE
Short Title: RISE
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 0
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Designed for incoming students with expressed interests in the Humanities, Social Sciences, this course uses scholarship on Houston to explore particular issues of race, place, and power in the city, and the relationship between university life and urban life.
UNIV 110 - FOUNDATIONS FOR SELF-DISCOVERY AND LIFELONG LEARNING
Short Title: FIRST YEAR FOUNDATIONS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: This course is designed to provide new students with the knowledge and tools to succeed at Rice. Combining classroom discussion, information from campus departments, self-assessments and reflections, and other interactive activities, this class will focus on key issues new students will encounter when transitioning to college. This course is limited to first-year students only.
UNIV 180 - INTRODUCTION TO RICE FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Short Title: INTRO TO RICE - INTERNATIONALS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hour: 1
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Survey course of themes geared for new undergraduate international students to the USA and Rice. Adjustment and acculturation topics include Rice culture, US culture and academic success.
UNIV 181 - ACADEMIC ENGLISH SKILLS FOR VISITING STUDENTS
Short Title: ENGLISH FOR VISITING STUDENTS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: This course reviews the written and oral English skills needed by visiting international students to succeed in upper-division courses at Rice. Students will learn to express ideas effectively in individual and group conversations; to give academic presentations; to critique, report, and interpret research findings in writing; and to become better self-editors of their writing. Instructor Permission Required.
UNIV 194 - CTIS WORKSHOP
Short Title: CTIS WORKSHOP
Department: Dean of Undergraduates
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hours: 0
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: CTIS Workshop will draw from a public health model of violence prevention to teach Freshman and transfer students the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence, consent and bystander intervention. Students will understand the impacts of healthy relationships and consent, as well as successful models shown to increase gender equality, healthy sexual communication and empathy. This course is only available to first time matriculants.
UNIV 195 - CRITICAL DIALOGUES ON DIVERSITY
Short Title: CDOD WORKSHOP
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 0
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: The university’s remarkable diversity enlivens and enriches all of its core missions. Such gains, though, are not all to be gotten passively. This five-week, discussion-based orientation course explores critical approaches to culture, identity, and dialogue fundamental to living and working at the university, and essential for taking full advantage of a Rice education.
UNIV 201 - RESEARCH READINESS: INTRODUCTION TO UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Short Title: RESEARCH READINESS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: This course is designed for students who have not been exposed to research and would like to learn about how to explore research at the university and beyond. Learn about academic research in all disciplines, prepare for research opportunities, and improve your eligibility for undergraduate research awards. This course is a prerequisite for two Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry programs for students from under-resourced backgrounds without prior research experience: Sustaining Excellence in Research (SER) Scholars and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF).
UNIV 212 - PROFESSIONOWL PROGRAM - CAREER AND LIFE OPTIONS
Short Title: PROFESSIONOWL PROGRAM
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: The ProfessionOwlProgram (POP) is designed to help you learn more about yourself, careers, professional communication skills and more. This class is intended for students who are exploring careers and academic majors. Students will learn about career options that match their interests, personality, and values; become more familiar with the world of work and various career options; understand the connections between careers and major choice; learn about services that will enhance their marketability and academic experiences (internships, study abroad programs, scholarships/grants); and develop an action plan to reach their goals. This course welcomes students who aren’t sure what they want to do after graduation, as well as students who have already identified potential career interests. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for UNIV 212 if student has credit for HUMA 212. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for UNIV 212 if student has credit for HUMA 212.
UNIV 220 - PEER ACADEMIC ADVISING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Short Title: PAA PROF DEVELOPMENT
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Designed for members of the Peer Academic Advising (PAA) program. Students in this course will learn about best practices in advising and see that being a peer advisor is more than just recommending classes to fellow students. The course is meant to help PAAs think differently and more critically about their roles as peer advisors, as well as to discuss the power PAAs have in helping create positive change on campus and in the experiences of individual students. Instructor Permission Required.
UNIV 235 - APPLIED LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Short Title: APPLIED LEADERSHIP
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Designed with an emphasis on critical thinking, this class will assist O-Week Coordinators in the critique, design, development and execution of a comprehensive orientation and new student transition program for freshmen and transfer students. Due to Rice’s unique orientation structure, special attention will be placed on the importance of providing leadership to teams, as well as working successfully in a team environment to allow students to best function in their role as O-Week Coordinator this semester. Instructor Permission Required. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for UNIV 235 if student has credit for COLL 199.
UNIV 238 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar, Independent Study
Credit Hours: 1-4
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact department for current semester’s topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 250 - RICE HEALTH ADVISORS
Short Title: RICE HEALTH ADVISORS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the principles of peer health education. Students will assess their own personal health status as well as major health risks among their peers. They will learn effective strategies for reducing these risks and promoting healthy lifestyles to college students. Enrollment is restricted, students must be in good academic and judicial standing and complete an application. This course is a pre-requisite to becoming a Rice Health Advisor. Instructor Permission Required.
UNIV 295 - EXPLORING CAREERS THROUGH AN INTERNSHIP
Short Title: CAREERS THRU INTERNSHIP
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Designed for currently enrolled undergraduate students from all areas of study to gain experience in a work place setting, earn course credit, and further develop professional skills. Students meet individually with a CCD team member to process their experience and complete an action plan to market their qualifications to potential employers and graduate schools. Students arrange internship and receive approval from the course instructor(s). Instructor Permission Required. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for UNIV 295 if student has credit for HUMA 295. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 299 - SCIENTIA: LECTURES IN SCIENCE AND CULTURE
Short Title: SCIENTIA SCIENCE & CULTURE
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Lecture
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Lower-Level
Description: Annual lecture series, panel discussions and discussion talks on topics bridging science, culture and art. 4 lectures plus 2 discussion talks. Lectures are on specified dates, usually Tuesdays. Discussion talks scheduled at semester beginning. Topics vary year to year. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 301 - UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Short Title: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Research
Credit Hours: 0
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This zero credit course enables students to have supervised research experience on and off campus recorded on their transcript. Students must register the name and contact of their PI in the UNIV 301 OWL-Space site by the end of the second week of classes or drop the class. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 304 - RESEARCH ETHICS IN THE COMMUNITY
Short Title: RESEARCH ETHICS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This class introduces students to a range of ethical issues that arise in community-based participatory research. Drawing on literature review and case studies, the class brings together students who will carry out CBR projects abroad on a Loewenstern Fellowship. We will also focus on cultural communication and how the international landscape influences the role of the researcher.
UNIV 310 - RICE LEGAL LAB
Short Title: RICE LEGAL LAB
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This course provides hands-on exposure to the practical legal environment, including legal research, legal writing, and Texas court processes, with optional work placing the Texas legal environment into an international comparative context. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 311 - JUDICIAL INTERNSHIP - RICE LEGAL LAB
Short Title: RICE LEGAL LAB
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Students will serve judicial internships with Texas state or federal judges; required travel component over spring break, with associated costs and lab fee. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 313 - INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH ABROAD
Short Title: INTRO TO RESEARCH ABROAD
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This course is designed to help undergraduate students develop skills to design, refine, and carry out an individual research project in an international context. This is a preparatory course for students who plan to apply for international scholarships such as Fulbright, Thinkswiss, Wagoner, DAAD or for students who will design an international research project as part of their study abroad program or their honors thesis.
UNIV 320 - ADVANCED ACADEMIC ADVISING PRACTICUM
Short Title: ADVANCED ADVISING PRACTICUM
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Designed for current members of the PAA program. This course will focus on individually designed and faculty guided action plans. Students will design plans that enhance the role, effectiveness, and/or educational breadth and depth of academic advising at the individual, college, or university level. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 321 - ADVANCED ACADEMIC FELLOWS/MENTORS PRACTICUM
Short Title: ADV FELLOWS/MENTORS PRACTICUM
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Designed for current members of the Academic Fellows/Mentors program. This course will focus on individually designed and faculty guided action plans. Students will design plans that enhance the role and effectiveness of the academic support provided by Fellow/Mentors at the individual, college, or university level. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 330 - MEDICAL EXPLORATION AND OBSERVERSHIP
Short Title: MEDICAL EXPLORATION
Department: Dean of Undergraduates
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Do not add UNIV 330 Medical Exploration to your course schedule unless you have gone through the application process and have been approved to register by the course administrators. Registration in this course prior to being approved does not guarantee placement into this course. The UNIV 330 course is designed for currently enrolled undergraduate students to gain exposure to the medical setting and develop professional skills, while earning course credit. The purpose is to allow you to explore careers in the health professions through exposure to medical shadowing and the healthcare industry. To be considered for UNIV 330, fill out the UNIV 330 application and register for UNIV 003 by 11:59pm on Friday April 12th. Course Application: https://forms.gle/hMoCd16BzTZDbkZm8 Instructor Permission Required.
Course URL: forms.gle/hMoCd16BzTZDbkZm8
UNIV 395 - RICE SCHOLARS ABROAD PREDEPARTURE
Short Title: RICE SCHOLARS ABROAD PREDEPART
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This class is for students completing a Rice Scholars Abroad research project. It requires acceptance into that program and permission of the instructor. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 399 - RICE SCHOLARS ABROAD DIRECTED RESEARCH
Short Title: RICE SCHLARS ABROAD DIR RES
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Research
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This class is for students participating in the Rice Scholars Abroad program and is to be completed before the student goes abroad. Acceptance into that program and permission of the instructor are required. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 400 - STUDENT AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP
Short Title: STUDENT AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum
Credit Hours: 1-6
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 401 - INDEPENDENT STUDY: INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SURVEY
Short Title: IND STUDY: INTERNATIONAL ED
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Independent Study
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: The independent study is intended for upper classmen who are considering working in the field of international education. Individualized meetings with the instructor and personalized coursework investigate ways to bridge current theoretical research in the field of international education with real-life practicalities in international education offices. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 420 - PRE-DEPARTURE STUDY ABROAD SEMINAR
Short Title: PRE-DEPARTURE STUDY ABR SEM
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: This seminar provides a cultural introduction to study abroad students to help them maximize their international experience and engagement with host cultures. Students will acquire an introductory understanding of the prominent concepts in global citizenship, ethics, and responsibilities while abroad. The course will also introduce students to international research opportunities. Students may additional times outside the original posted time listed during the 2nd Half of Full Semester.
UNIV 477 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory, Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar, Independent Study
Credit Hours: 1-4
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional or Visiting Undergraduate level students.
Course Level: Undergraduate Upper-Level
Description: Topics and credit hours may vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 500 - PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE COLLEGE TEACHING
Short Title: PRINCIPLES EFFECTIVE TEACHING
Department: Center for Teaching Excellence
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: This course provides an overview of essential, research-based methods used by college instructors to enhance the quality of student learning. Topics will include course and syllabus design, student engagement, classroom management, and more. This course will culminate with the development of a syllabus and a statement of teaching philosophy.
UNIV 501 - RESEARCH ON TEACHING AND LEARNING
Short Title: RESEARCH TEACHING & LEARNING
Department: Center for Teaching Excellence
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Research
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: This course explores scholarship on teaching and learning in detail with special attention to the breadth of approaches and methodologies. The culminating project will be a literature review in an area of interest.
UNIV 502 - PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING
Short Title: PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING
Department: Center for Teaching Excellence
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum
Credit Hours: 3
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Prerequisite(s): UNIV 500 and UNIV 501
Description: This practicum allows students to design and deliver teaching demonstrations and to receive feedback on their work. The course will also focus on the place of teaching in the broader landscapes of higher education and the academic job market. Because of the highly practical and interactive nature of the course, students will be asked attend all classes. In order to develop a schedule of teaching demonstrations, we ask that students register for UNIV 502 two weeks before the start of the semester.
UNIV 555 - INTER-INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFER COURSE
Short Title: INTER-INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFER
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Transfer Courses
Course Type: Transfer
Credit Hours: 1-6
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: This course is used when a Rice student transfers coursework taken through the inter-institutional program at UH, BCM, UTHSC, TAMHSC, UTMB-Galveston. The transfer course will carry the title of the course at the respective university. Department Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.
UNIV 594 - RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
Short Title: RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT - RESEARCH
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Course Type: Seminar
Credit Hour: 1
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: Responsible conduct of research (RCR) is defined as the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research. (Formerly BIOC/BIOE 594)
UNIV 599 - TEACHING PORTFOLIO
Short Title: TEACHING PORTFOLIO
Department: Center for Teaching Excellence
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Independent Study
Credit Hours: 2
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Prerequisite(s): UNIV 500 and UNIV 501 and UNIV 502 (may be taken concurrently)
Description: This independent study serves as a capstone to the UNIV sequence on teaching and learning. Students will meet individually with the instructor to plan and complete a teaching portfolio.
UNIV 677 - SPECIAL TOPICS
Short Title: SPECIAL TOPICS
Department: University Courses
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Course Type: Internship/Practicum, Laboratory, Lecture, Seminar, Independent Study
Credit Hours: 1-4
Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Visiting Graduate level students.
Course Level: Graduate
Description: Topics and credit hours vary each semester. Contact department for current semester's topic(s). Repeatable for Credit.