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Academic
Programs: Institutes
Albion’s Institutes integrate theoretical and practical learning in distinctive and challenging ways. Intended for students who desire preprofessional preparation and academic work focused in a specialty area, the Institutes each have a specific curriculum and may include an internship, a capstone experience and opportunities for independent research. Successful completion of an Institute’s program, which is noted on the student’s academic transcript, confers an advantage in gaining admission to graduate or professional school or in beginning a career.
The Institute for the Study of the Environment encourages students to understand the environment and the human place in it by combining the intellectual tradition of the liberal arts with the practical experiences gained in internships and research projects. The Institute’s concentrations in environmental sciences and environmental studies allow students to explore environmental questions through participatory learning and research in preparation for graduate studies and/or careers in regulation, remediation, policy formulation, education and the law. The Institute also sponsors internship opportunities, seminars and travel experiences designed to confirm the relationship between the liberal arts and environmental concerns. The Institute, through its member students and affiliated faculty, encourages all Albion students to develop an awareness of the physical makeup of the biosphere and an appreciation of the vulnerability of the ecosystem. It further encourages students to explore environmental issues from multidisciplinary perspectives and to recognize that their actions have environmental consequences. Through dynamic interaction between environmental theory and practice, locally based but recognizing that the environment knows no boundaries, the Institute enriches its immediate and extended communities. The Institute is headed by a director with assistance from a faculty/student advisory committee. Admission¾Students must apply for admission to the Institute and the concentrations that it sponsors. Normally this step is taken as part of the application process to the College, and most members are admitted as incoming students. Students may also apply during their first two years at the College. Interested students should contact Dr. Timothy Lincoln, interim director of the Institute. Environmental Sciences Concentration The environmental sciences concentration is intended for students who are majoring in one of the sciences offered at Albion and who are planning a career in the environmental field, either as a researcher or practitioner. The concentration provides both breadth and depth in sciences other than the major field of study, as well as practical experience through an internship. Students who complete this concentration will be well prepared for graduate work in this area, or for entry-level jobs working with environmental consulting firms, analytical laboratories, government agencies or advocacy groups. Requirements¾The concentration, comprised of seven units of course work plus an internship, has the following requirements. 1. A major in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, computational mathematics, mathematics/physics, or physics. 2. An environmental internship (.5 to 2 units). (See also p. 104.) 3. Experience in two sciences outside the student’s major by taking three units in one and two in another. At least three of these five courses must be above the introductory level, which means that these courses must have prerequisites. Courses are to be selected from the following list and in consultation with the concentration director and the student’s major department. It is possible to substitute other upper level science courses, depending on the interests of the student.
4. One unit in non-science courses chosen from:
5. One course in statistics from the Mathematics Department. 6. Juniors and seniors must attend a series of seminars each semester. In these, students who completed internships the previous semester will report on them, and other items of general interest, such as graduate schools and careers, will be discussed. Environmental Studies Concentration Students who complete this concentration might, for example, enter science journalism or work for environmental advocacy groups. Requirements¾The following are required for the concentration, which may be completed in conjunction with any major at the College: 1. An environmental internship (.5 to 2 units). (See also p. 104.) 2. ENVN 102, Introduction to the Environment. 3. Two skills courses selected from the following:
No more than one lab science course selected from the following (this option not available for science majors):
4. Two courses that deal explicitly with environmental issues, selected in consultation with the director. 5. Two courses in the student’s major that are given an environmental focus by completion of an environmental paper, project or activity within the existing structure of the course. Normally these will be at the 200-level or higher. This work will be done in consultation with the director and the course instructor. 6. Juniors and seniors must attend a series of seminars each semester. In these, students who completed internships the previous semester will report on them, and other items of general interest, such as graduate schools and careers, will be discussed. Internships Institute Activities Gerald R. Ford Institute for Public Policy and Service The Ford Institute assures qualified students a broad liberal arts education with concentrated study in the areas of government and public service. Special emphasis is given to problem-solving, decision-making and leadership. The program also requires students to complete a one-semester internship in public service. The Ford Institute concentration is open to students with a serious interest in public service, regardless of their major. Present membership includes students with majors as diverse as art, biology, economics and management, English, history, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. The program includes courses in ethics, public policy and communication, as well as a range of choices from courses in economics and management, English, foreign language, history and political science. A director and an associate director administer the program with assistance from a faculty advisory committee and a student council. An off-campus advisory committee is composed of individuals distinguished for their public service. Curriculum¾First-year students in the Ford Institute are expected to take PBSV 101, Introduction to Public Service. Upperclass students take courses in public policy, ethics, writing or speech communication, and select from courses including public administration, state and local government, international relations and American economics and social history. All seniors participate in the senior colloquium (IDY 397). Internships¾The one-semester internship allows Institute students to apply the concepts learned in the classroom. Internship opportunities are extremely diverse and have included placements in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, Michigan state and local government, and agencies in England, France, Germany, Israel and Australia. Traditionally taken during the junior year, internships are coordinated through the Ford Institute and include a system of student reporting and evaluation. Institute Activities¾Students also have an opportunity to work on the arrangements for visitors to the campus. Past visitors have included United States senators, ambassadors, governors, and members of Congress and state legislators. Each year, the Ford Institute sponsors lectures and other programs by distinguished public speakers. Student involvement includes the selection of speakers and visitors, making all the arrangements for the visits, and meeting and talking with the visitor while on campus. Admission¾Students are admitted to the Ford Institute only after being admitted to Albion College. Admission to the Ford Institute is selective. Participants are selected based on their proven leadership, interest in public service, academic ability and previous involvement in political, community and school activities. All students are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance once admitted, to continue their involvement in campus and community affairs and to become involved in Institute activities. An application may be obtained by contacting the director of the Ford Institute. Carl A. Gerstacker Liberal Arts Institute for Professional Management The Carl A. Gerstacker Liberal Arts Institute for Professional Management combines the traditional strengths of the liberal arts with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary for entry into leadership and management positions in today’s global environment. Since 1973, the Gerstacker Institute has earned an excellent reputation for preparing corporate executives, entrepreneurs, accountants, non-profit managers, attorneys and family business owners. In addition, a high percentage of Institute graduates have attended top-tier business and law schools. Two academic programs are possible within the Institute. One is the Gerstacker Academic Program which is for students who major in economics and management. The other is the Gerstacker Concentration Program for students who do not have a major in economics and management. Gerstacker Academic Program--Students complete degree requirements for a major in economics and management. A variety of management elective courses are also available in the Department of Economics and Management, including accounting, finance, international business, marketing, human resources and international trade. Students also select related courses in communications, English, ethics, mathematics (at least through Calculus I), foreign languages, psychology, sociology, computer science, political science and other areas. Finally, all Gerstacker Academic Program students complete two internships or other approved off-campus experiences (as described later in this section). Gerstacker Concentration Program--The Gerstacker Concentration Program is a limited sequence of courses in economics, accounting and management. It also includes skill courses such as expository writing, public speaking or statistics; focus courses such as biomedical ethics, public policy analysis or social psychology; and specialized economics and management courses such as health economics, international finance, financial management or human resource management. The concentration is individually designed for students who seek the core elements of the Gerstacker Institute, but are majoring in a discipline other than economics and management. Students in the Concentration Program complete one internship in a management setting. Internships and Study Abroad Opportunities--Key features of the Gerstacker Institute are the opportunities for students to participate in off-campus internships and study abroad opportunities. Three possible alternatives exist within the Gerstacker Academic Program. 1. The first is to do two full-time internships at businesses throughout the U.S. The vast majority of these internships are paid and consist of three or four months of employment in an organization chosen by the student in consultation with the director. 2. A second alternative is to do one internship as described above and one study abroad semester. The overseas experience could be at a foreign university in the student's second language or in English. This foreign study program would be completed during a full-time academic semester. 3. The third alternative is to do a full-time internship as in option 1 above and do an off-campus semester that includes both an academic component and an internship experience. For example, a student could take two or three courses and work 15-20 hours per week. Academic credit is given for internships on a credit/no credit basis based on successful job performance and completion of the academic requirements of the internship, registration through Albion College and payment for one unit of credit. Eligibility for the first internship begins with the second semester of the sophomore year. The ideal time for the study abroad experience is during the junior year. A sample sequence is shown below only for illustrative purposes. The actual sequence may vary to meet the individual needs of students. A summer session is offered after the sophomore year to make up for academic time missed during internships. Sample Sequence of Study/Internship
Special Features¾The Gerstacker Institute invites leading corporate executives and noted academicians to campus to participate in the Entrepreneurship and the International Lecture Series. In addition, these visiting executives and faculty hold informal sessions with students, Albion faculty and local business professionals. Institute students also are involved in numerous professional clubs and organizations including the Investment Club and the Accounting Society. Students also form consulting groups and help solve real-world problems at local businesses and non-profit agencies. Admission/Scholarships¾The Gerstacker Liberal Arts Institute for Professional Management admits only 40-45 students each year. Students considered for admission usually have a 3.5 or higher grade point average, show evidence of leadership and intellectual abilities, and express a strong interest in and awareness of the world around them. The application process includes completion of a Gerstacker Institute application form and a personal interview with the director. Students may apply for the Institute along with, or subsequent to, applying to the College. Students admitted to the Gerstacker Institute may be considered for scholarships which are separate from other aid awarded by Albion College. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of high school academic achievement, leadership experiences and college entrance examination scores. They may be renewable each year for up to four years, contingent on a continued high level of academic performance and significant participation in Institute activities. Gerstacker Institute application forms are available from the director or from the Albion College Admissions Office. Due to the limitations on space and the strong interest in the Institute, early application is advised. The Honors Institute is designed for students interested in challenges and opportunities that go beyond those offered by traditional lecture and laboratory courses. Through small discussion classes, field trips, retreats, guest lecturers, independent research and individualized faculty mentoring, the Institute provides a stimulating variety of academic experiences for talented students. All Honors Institute graduates culminate their academic experience with an extensive research or creative project. Participation in the Honors Institute may be combined with any major and with any of Albion’s career preparation programs in law, medicine, public service, environmental science, or business management. Academic Program¾Although they are not separated from the campus at large, Honors students at Albion do enroll in four unique Honors seminar courses in their first two years. Great Issues in Science, Humanities, Social Science and Fine Arts all explore topics of current interest through the use of classical and contemporary readings. See pp. 271-272 of this catalog for course descriptions. Through their small size, discussion format and emphasis on critical thinking and writing, these special courses encourage students to value ideas and to play active roles in their own intellectual development. They also fulfill the special core curriculum for Honors students which is outlined on p. 271. In addition to the Great Issues seminars, Honors students must graduate with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and produce an Honors thesis. The Honors thesis presents a unique opportunity for Honors students to develop their capacity for original and independent research or creative activity. It also provides excellent preparation for a variety of graduate programs and careers. Work on the thesis begins in a student’s junior year. For those who need help in selecting a thesis topic and finding an adviser, the Institute offers an optional Thesis Development Colloquy to guide them through the process. All research and writing of the thesis takes place with close supervision of a faculty thesis adviser and two other faculty readers of a student's choosing. The College’s library also provides assistance in research methods and interlibrary loans for this project. Special Features¾The Honors Institute Center is located in the historic Observatory building and contains a seminar room for Honors classes, the Honors coordinator’s office, as well as meeting, library, computing and study areas for Honors students and their guests. Finally, the Institute provides Honors students with opportunities to participate in museum and theatre excursions, the Student Honors Council, various campus symposia, the hosting of distinguished campus visitors and a variety of other social and intellectual activities. Admission—Albion’s Honors Institute accepts applications from students who show superior academic promise. Recognizing there is no one criterion by which academic potential is measured, the Honors Committee annually selects a group of applicants whose high school records, scores on national tests, essays and personal interviews indicate exceptional promise. Currently enrolled Albion College students, as well as high school seniors, may apply for admission to the Honors Institute. More information concerning the Honors Institute and application procedures may be obtained by contacting the Honors Institute director. Liberal Arts Institute for Pre-Medical and Health Care Studies Albion College’s pre-health professions program has had, for many decades, an excellent reputation for providing academic preparation for students wishing to enter the medical professions. The mission of the Liberal Arts Institute for Pre-Medical and Health Care Studies is to continue this fine tradition while expanding the scope of educational opportunities afforded these students and integrating into the standard pre-health professions curriculum analysis of issues such as advances in genetic technology, ethical decision-making in a biomedical context, health insurance limitations, and the influence of cultural values on health care decisions. This exploration is accomplished through seminars, guest lectures and joint programs with other college entities. Institute members are also expected to supplement their academic work with hands-on training (through research, volunteer work, and/or internships) in a variety of settings to gain a greater appreciation for the day-to-day issues that face health care providers. The Institute serves all students who are interested in a health-related career, including but not limited to those who plan to enter the practice of medicine. With an aging population and political pressure to guarantee access to health care for all Americans, it is vital that we train individuals not only to become competent medical practitioners but also to become caring professionals who are well-versed in the issues facing the medical field. Additionally, with the increased globalization of our society, it is important for students both to recognize the contribution of various cultures to our body of health care knowledge and to discuss ways in which the global disparity of access to quality medical care can be minimized. This Institute offers students their critical first steps toward becoming well-educated, compassionate medical professionals. Curriculum¾While the Institute does not offer its own courses, students are required to complete either a pre-medical/pre-dental concentration or a pre-health care studies concentration designed around the specific curricular requirements of the various health care professions. Concentration courses may include: anthropology, biology, calculus, chemistry, economics, English, ethics, physics, psychology and statistics. Specific course requirements and options for each concentration may be obtained from the Institute coordinator. Activities¾First-year students participate in a twice-monthly colloquium and a winter retreat, which focus on long-range career planning and provide an introduction to the breadth of career opportunities available in the health care field. Upper-level students participate in discussion groups, meet with campus speakers, complete an internship and/or research project, and present their internship/research results and experiences to other Institute students. Many students will also volunteer, or work, for one of the many local health care agencies. Admission¾Students must apply for admission to the Institute and the concentrations that it sponsors. This step is usually taken as part of the application process to the College, and most members are admitted as incoming students. However, students may also apply at the end of their first year of studies. Students are admitted based on their understanding of, and commitment to, a health-related career. Once admitted, students are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance, to continue exploring the health care field and to participate in all Institute activities. An application for admission may be obtained from the Institute coordinator or from the Institute Web site at: www.albion.edu/PreMed/institute. Fritz Shurmur Education Institute The Fritz Shurmur Education Institute advances the liberal arts tradition as the best foundation for teacher preparation. The Institute equips students seeking teacher certification and professional preparation with a distinctive and relevant undergraduate education that combines the following qualities: the depth of a major in a discipline; the breadth and interdisciplinary focus of an innovative core curriculum; an array of practical skills in classroom teaching; a thorough understanding of and engagement with broad issues impacting education; and the ethics of civic responsibility and affirming diversity. Our goal is that Shurmur Institute graduates will become superior teachers¾well-versed in their subject areas, highly skilled in sharing their knowledge with their students and dedicated to engaging their students in lifelong learning. Because of their own liberal arts perspective, they will help their students make connections among diverse fields and understand how their education relates to the world beyond the classroom. Additionally, through the Institute’s research and scholarship activities, Shurmur graduates will become knowledgeable about, and involved in, educational reform at the local, state and national levels. Requirements¾The program of study for the teacher certification program may be found in the Education Department listing on pp. 159-162. Elementary education students must complete a teaching major and the planned program of study leading to certification in a self-contained K-5 classroom, with an option for teaching a subject area in grades 6-8. Secondary and KÃ12 education students must complete both a major and a minor in addition to the planned program. The teaching majors and minors available at Albion College are listed in the Education Department description, and specific course requirements for each one are listed under the respective academic departments in the “Departments and Courses” section. Shurmur Institute students are expected to maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average, and 3.0 averages in their major, minor (if applicable), and in other course work required for the teacher certification program. Activities¾In addition to the teacher certification program, the Shurmur Institute offers other academic activities for its students. The Institute sponsors nationally known speakers, and follows up lectures or performances with public roundtable discussions focused on topics related to education and public policy. Field trips to different educational settings allow students to experience different models of educational practice in other regions of the country or the world. The Ferguson Center for Technology-Aided Teaching helps students thoughtfully integrate the use of technology into their teaching, and offers opportunities to develop pilot projects, symposia and other structured study of academic technology. Students are invited to partner with faculty in educational research based in, or in cooperation with, the local schools. They find encouragement and support in developing a research and scholarship agenda that addresses issues of public policy in education. Students also have the opportunity to travel to at least one professional educators' conference. Admission¾The Shurmur Institute will admit first-year students who demonstrate both a strong intellect and an ethic of caring in anticipation of entering the teaching profession. Similarly qualified students may also be admitted after the first year. In order to secure a place in the program, students are advised to apply to the Institute at the earliest possible opportunity. The Albion College teacher certification program has additional requirements for admission. For further information on the Shurmur Institute and the teacher certification program, contact the Education Department.
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Albion College ◦ Albion, Michigan
◦ 517/629-1000
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