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Prospective Incoming Students

Why Choose UTC?

  • History - UTC was originally founded as a private university in 1886 and merged with The University of Tennessee in1969. 

 

  • Diversity - UTC's approximately 8,600 students represent about 45 states and 53 foreign countries.
  • Facilities - UTC has excellent educational, recreational, and residential facilities including:
    • UTC Fine Arts Center
    • DeSales Harrison Racquet Center
    • McKenzie Arena: a 12,000-seat arena
    • A newly renovated student center
    • A new engineering/mathematics/computer science building ("A $28.8 million structure that houses office space, computational laboratory facilities, with some of them being on-line labs operational on the Internet, state of the art classrooms, and auditoriums...  Advanced teaching resources and research facilities were included in the design... New technology, developed at UTC, will allow students the option of doing their work on campus or at home through a continuous Internet connection.")
    • Several new dormitory complexes
  • Notable UTC Programs, Initiatives, and Facts include:
    • Majors, Faculty, & Class Size- UTC offers more than 70 undergraduate degree programs. Classes are kept relatively small and are taught by faculty (not graduate students) and over 80% of the faculty has completed a terminal degree.
    • Top Programs- UTC is particularly strong in chemistry, pre-medical studies, creative writing, fine arts as well as both graduate and undergraduate programs in UTC's School of Business.  
    • Southeast Center for Education in the Arts - (Recipient of one of the 2003 TN Governor's Awards in the Arts)
    • Center of Excellence for Computer Applications
    • Challenger Space Center

    UTC's Jones Observatory- The first large public observatory and telescope in the south.

    • Computational Simulation and Design- (a computational research center) 
    • UTC Begins Doctoral Programs- UTC has three doctoral programs: physical therapy, educational leadership, and computational engineering.
    • Community Accolades- UTC was named Corporate Business of the Year by the 2002 Minority Enterprise Development Week Award Committee.
    • High Speed Internet Connection- As a result of a partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UTC has a high speed network connection "that will link it with Oak Ridge National Laboratory 200,000 times faster than the average Internet dialup...It places UT Chattanooga among an elite few higher education institutions with computational power necessary to perform 21st century high tech research.  Two ways it will be used: enhanced research opportunities for a new UTC computational engineering and design team, and by the UTC College of Business Administration to analyze the stock market."
    • Global Campus Initiatives-"UTC Chancellor Roger Brown has proclaimed globalization of the UTC campus to be among his primary initiatives. He hopes undergraduate and graduate students from around the world will apply to UTC in increasing numbers, and he is encouraging UTC students, faculty, and staff to look for opportunities to study and research abroad. “Our world is getting smaller, and we must prepare our students to succeed in a global marketplace of commerce and ideas,” said Brown. “Not only will our graduates be working side-by-side with colleagues from around the world, but with today’s technology, they will develop professional and personal relationships with individuals who are living on the other side of the planet. Understanding and appreciation of the cultures and customs of others must be part of the college experience.”
    • Campus Fuel Cell Project Unveiled-"In the quest to position The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a national leader in technology, Chancellor Roger Brown joined Congressman Zach Wamp in the public unveiling and demonstration of a campus fuel cell project that could meet the goals of energy independence outlined by President Bush... Through the federally funded research project, the UT SimCenter at Chattanooga will independently test the fuel cell performance in terms of compliance with Department of Energy standards and long-term usage."
    • High Tech Incubator Opens at UTC-"The new Hamilton County High-Tech Incubator-Accelerator focuses on the creation and development of high-tech companies, operates under the auspices of the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, a Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce program."

 

  • Some Notable Honors/Facts about UTC Academic Departments and Majors:
    • Biological and Environmental Sciences- "In addition to classroom and office space, the department has research and teaching laboratories, a scanning electron microscope, a GIS computer laboratory, animal quarters, greenhouse, and an aquatic field station on the Tennessee River. The department is affiliated with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, which provides facilities and equipment for studies in marine biology and oceanography and Highlands Biological Station in North Carolina which is a regional field station for biological research and education in the southern Appalachian Mountains." Professors in the department are leading programs and research including: re-instituting the American Chestnut tree and cataloging the fish population in the streams that flow into the Tennessee River.  Also, it has an excellent track record of placing UTC graduates in professional and graduate schools. 
    • Business (College of Business):
      • Accounting programs earn distinction with AACSB accreditation - "UTC's accounting programs have received AACSB accreditation, a distinction representing the highest standard of achievement for business schools and accounting programs... AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education. One in six business schools worldwide have earned this prestigious accreditation; one in seventeen accounting programs have earned this distinction. These accredited institutions are able to attract excellent faculty and provide students with the highest quality education."
      • The College of Business partnered with the US Dept of Commerce and International Trade Center to offer seminars on international trade in April 2005.
      • The UTC School of Business has several executives-in-residence.  These are accomplished business persons who volunteer their time to share expertise and talents with faculty and students.
      • The UTC School of Business has several chairs of excellence.  The purpose of the J. Burton Frierson Chair of Excellence in Business Leadership "is to conduct and sponsor cutting-edge research on leadership and management, and to spread that knowledge throughout the local community, the nation, and the world."  The position is held by Dr. Mark Mendenhall, a professor who is an "internationally recognized scholar in the field of international human resource management, his area of expertise being the cross-cultural adjustment of expatriate managers."  The Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Business Administration "was established to give students and faculty the opportunity to study and work with an individual who is experienced in education and/or business."  Currently, Dr. Richard Becherer occupies this position.  " He has had extensive experience both as an academic Marketing Professor and as an entrepreneur. He co-founded one of the first for-profit Health Maintenance Organizations in the United States, and has also been involved in several other business start-ups, including a marine business and a plastic injection molding business."
    • Chemistry Department- Ranked #2 in the U.S. for the Percentage of Undergraduate Female Chemists Produced; listed among the top 100 schools in the country in the number of male and female chemistry graduates.  The department has an excellent track record of placing UTC graduates in professional and graduate schools. 
    • Criminal Justice Department- The department partners with the Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) in Knoxville and the Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (TCADSV). In conjunction with LEIC, it provides specialized training and educational programs to senior, command level police officers in leadership positions. The department also provides an annual victim training academy to train and educate victim advocates in the state of Tennessee.
    • Engineering Program- "The reviewer for the UTC Engineering Graduate program praised the program's highly qualified faculty, noting that more than 95% are Registered Professional Engineers.  The reviewer was also impressed with the SIM Center, applauding its emphasis on funded research and collaborative projects as well as its potential to attract new students to the program.  The reviewer found that UTC's graduate program in engineering has a strong infrastructure, noting as an example that the new Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science Building has contributed significantly to the program's academic environment."
    • English Department- The department has both an undergraduate and graduate program.  It coordinates special programs including Works in Progress lectures by faculty, the Take Five public lecture series, visiting lecturers, the Meacham Writers Workshop, the Southern Writers Conference, and various publications by students.  For information about upcoming and recent events as well as faculty honors, refer to the UTC English Department's web site.
    • Health and Human Performance- The head of the department was named to Tennessee Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health- Dr. Gregory Heath is one of the only twenty members that make up this important council.  Heath, DHSc, MPH, also serves as Co-Director of Research at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga Unit. Heath was the former lead health scientist in the Physical Activity and Health Branch, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.  Among Heath's numerous awards and honors is the Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service for his 1997 contributions to the Surgeon General's report on Physical Activity and Health.
    • History Department-"An external reviewer recently rated the UTC History Department 100% on Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s assessment standards, commending the department for its extraordinary accomplishments. The review was part of the department’s academic program review process, with exemplary faculty cited as the major strength of the History Department.  The reviewer noted that the faculty deserves recognition for maintaining high standards by continuing to require rigorous essay examinations and research papers despite heavy teaching loads...The reviewer also applauded the addition of courses in African American History, a development which has broadened and diversified the curriculum and provided additional opportunities for community outreach...Through the coordination of the history department, a number of students engage in internships at museums and other history-related sites. Students also benefit from opportunities to work closely with faculty in research projects.  Current students and alumni enthusiastically support these observations, having provided comments about the generally positive atmosphere in the History Department."
    • Industrial Engineering Students earn gold from IIE-The Industrial Engineering Student Chapter has garnered national recognition for the second consecutive year with the Gold Award from the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), honoring student achievement during the 2004-2005 academic year.
    • Interior Design Program- "The Interior Design Program in the Department of Human Ecology is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the National Kitchen and Bath Association. It is the only Interior Design Program of its kind that is endorsed in Tennessee... An active external advisory council provides suggestions for improvement to the curriculum, and members serve as jurors and guest lecturers for classes...Study trips are offered annually to give students historical perspective and these trips are open to non-majors and community citizens... Students are active in community associations and volunteer to help with such activities as the Chattanooga Opera Symphony ShowHouse, the Goodwill ShowHouse, Downtown Chattanooga Partnership Tour of Downtown Living, The Junior League’s Tour du Jour and the March of Dimes Gala. The program also hosts the James Avery Design Conference, where students and professionals participate in seminars and design charrettes."
    • Mathematics Department-"The Mathematics Department and classrooms are located in a brand-new state-of-the-art facility that most other Mathematics departments only dream of. The modern mathematics labs are equipped with the latest computers and software such as Maple and Matlab. All classrooms are wired for internet connections."  The department also provides tutoring as well as a regular math colloquiums.
    • Music Department: "As one of the largest departments in the College of Arts and Sciences, it boasts a low student-teacher ratio, assuring individualized instruction of the highest quality.  The Department of Music offers undergraduate degrees in performance, music education, sacred music, and theory and composition, as well as graduate degrees in performance and music education. Affiliations with the Cadek Conservatory of Music and the Southeast Center for Education in the Arts provide numerous additional educational opportunities for faculty and students."
    • Physics and Geology Departments- "Both the Physics and Geology programs received perfect scores on Tennessee Higher Education Commission's (THEC’s) assessment standards and were lauded for their impressive accomplishments.  The reviewer for the Physics program was particularly impressed with the exceptional dedication of the faculty to educating students, noting their extraordinary efforts to maintain current offerings, especially of upper level courses, while shouldering heavy teaching loads...The reviewer also praised UTC's extensive public astronomy program, which is operated by the Physics program...The Geology program faculty's commitment to providing students with research opportunities and field experiences was also noted by the reviewer. The program's annual trip to Costa Rica and its new NSF-funded analytical x-ray lab were cited as evidence of this commitment."
    • Psychology Department- "Psychology is one of the largest majors at UTC... The Department of Psychology offers two graduate programs designed to develop the research and professional skills necessary to function as applied or basic scientists in psychology.  Concentrations include industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology and research psychology...The Psychology Department is also home to Modern Psychological Studies, a publication devoted to undergraduate research.
    • Social Work Program- A new social work program will open at UTC in Fall 2006.
    • Sociology, Anthropology, and Geography Department- "Majors consistently do very well on comprehensive exams given to UTC's graduating seniors, and they have achieved an outstanding record of success in applying to graduate programs in sociology and anthropology."
    • Women Studies Program- "UTC established a women's studies minor in 1989. The minor is interdisciplinary in nature, and the curriculum includes courses from many different departments and schools. The program is coordinated through the department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Arts and Sciences."
       

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Why Choose Chattanooga?

Location of Chattanooga, TN- Home of UTC

Chattanooga is located in the Southeastern U.S. and in the far southeastern corner of Tennessee. It is within a short drive to the following locations:

 

Chattanooga Map and Driving Directions

Description of Chattanooga,TN

"One of the best cities in the world." - U.S. News and World Report

"A Top Ten Dream Town!"- Outside Magazine

"One of Six Cities That Work"- U.S. News and World Report

"The Reborn American City"- Parade Magazine

"Top Ten Family-Friendly Cities" - Family Fun Magazine

"Called the Scenic City, Chattanooga sits in a bend of the Tennessee River between Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain. The area's breathtaking natural beauty combines with opportunities for outdoor fun and distinct business advantages to make Chattanooga one of the nation's most livable cities. Through a remarkable sense of community spirit and a process of public-private partnership, Chattanoogans have made their home a hub for successful business enterprise, a regional tourism center, and a gracious place to live. In the process, Chattanooga has received recognition in scores of national publications.

Chattanooga is a mid-sized city (312,000 in Hamilton County) that combines the best of large and small. Area residents enjoy the friendly atmosphere, moderate housing costs, and easy commuting typically associated with smaller communities, but Chattanooga's cultural and recreational opportunities rival those in much larger metropolitan areas."

                                                                       -Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce

 

UTC is located only a few blocks from the heart of downtown Chattanooga, TN.  Students can easily access downtown by foot or by free public transportation. (The downtown electric shuttle bus is free for everyone while the rest of the Chattanooga bus routes are free to all UTC students, including its exchange students.)

Also, UTC is one block away from the 20 mile Tennessee Riverwalk/Riverpark System that is not only perfect for jogging, walking, biking, and rollerblading but also connects the campus to downtown as well as to the park, shops, and restaurants on the other side of the river.

Why go on an exchange to Chattanooga?

Because Chattanooga has something to offer everyone:

Nature/Attractions/History
With the Tennessee River flowing through it and the mountains surrounding it, Chattanooga possesses great beauty and in fact is referred to as the "Scenic City."  The area has 300 kinds of trees and 900 varieties of wildflowers- more than anywhere except central China.  

Chattanooga offers not only places to rock climb, spelunk, canoe, hang glide, hike, whitewater raft, and golf, but it also has a revitalized downtown and art district for shopping, dining, walking, and site seeing.  The downtown theatres also provide opportunities to enjoy traveling Broadway shows, community theatre and dance productions, the local symphony, the latest movies, as well as IMAX 3D showings.

Chattanooga is home to the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, the first Coca Cola bottling plant, the longest pedestrian bridge, the world's largest freshwater aquarium, the largest mall in Tennessee and the steepest single passenger rail car. Also, Chattanooga has a rich historical heritage and as a result possesses important Civil War (The Campaign for Chattanooga was a pivotal battle)  and Native American sites (the start of the Cherokee Nation's Trail of Tears was here).

Business/Economics
Chattanooga is a growing city, and nationally recognized businesses have placed their headquarters in the metropolitan area. According to the Chattanooga Chamber of Commercer, these businesses include:

  • Brach's Confections (candy maker)
  • BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee ("Tennessee's leader in healthcare financing with 35% of the market share")
  • Chattem Drugs ("maker of Flexall, Aspercreme, Bull Frog, Gold Bond, Selsen Blue, Pamprin, Dexatrim, and other well-known products")
  • Covenant Transport (one of ten largest U.S. truckload carriers)
  • CBL & Associates Properties (one of largest U.S. shopping center developers)
  • Chattanooga Bakeries (maker of Moon Pies)
  • Covista ("a facilities-based, long distance telecommunications Internet and data services provider")
  • Double Cola
  • Gold Bond ("maker of advertising specialty pens, pencils, rulers and other products")
  • Krystal Corporation (fast food restaurant)
  • McKee Foods (maker of Little Debbie snack cakes)
  • Miller Industries Towing Equipment, Inc. ("world's largest integrated provider of vehicle towing and recovery equipment, systems, and services")
  • Olan Mills ("worldwide leader in portrait photography")
  • S.I. Corporation ("second largest provider of backings for the carpet industry")
  • Siskin Steel & Supply Company (steel and aluminum product processer and distributor)
  • Top Flight, Inc. (paper office product maker)
  • U.S. Xpress Enterprises("fifth-largest publically owned truckload carried in the United States")
  • Unum Provident Corporation ("world's largest underwriter of disability insurance")

In addition, Chattanooga is in the midst of the Tennessee Technology Corridor and is at the northern terminus of a developing economic corridor that extends southward to Atlanta.

Weather
The weather is mild yet Chattanooga experiences all four seasons: crisp falls with colorful foliage, mild winters with a touch of snow; warm springs with blossoming plants and trees; and sunny summers with luscious vegetation.  For more information about average number of days of rain and snow as well as temperature variations, visit the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce's Chattanooga climate web page.

Chattanooga Links

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does UTC offer Plan A and Plan B tuition plans?

Yes and when possible UTC's NSE Office will accept students on their preferred tuition plan.

Are any UTC academic classes and programs closed or limited to NSE students?

UTC's physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing programs are closed to NSE students.  All education majors above sophomore level must meet UTC's Teacher Preparation Academy standards for admission to education courses.

Does UTC offer full academic year and single semester exchanges to NSE students?

Yes, UTC accepts single semester exchanges but gives first preference to students requesting full academic year exchanges.

Does UTC offer summer exchanges to NSE students?

Yes, NSE students can attend UTC in the summer on Plan A but only if they combine the summer semester with a full term enrollment (e.g. the preceding spring semester or following fall semester).

Can international students go to UTC through the NSE Program?

Yes, international students may apply on either Plan A or Plan B.

Does UTC accept linked exchanges?

Yes, UTC will consider students who want to go on exchange with a friend.  UTC's NSE Office has accepted linked students from the same school as well as linked students from two different NSE universities.

Does UTC require NSE participants to live on campus?

No, NSE students may live off campus but are strongly encouraged to live on campus.  It is easier for exchange students to learn about the university and meet UTC students if they live on the UTC campus.

Is family housing available?

Yes, family housing is available in UTC Place Apartments.  Refer to UTC Housing's web site for more information.

Is off campus housing available?

Yes, upon request, UTC's NSE office will provide students with information about rentals close to the UTC campus.

Are NSE students required to purchase a UTC meal plan?

Yes,  all NSE students who live in UTC housing are required to purchase a $525 meal plan (referred to as Club Funds) per semester.  This plan can be used at any of the dining facilities on campus.  In addition, expanded meal plan options are available for interested students.

Can NSE students bring a car to UTC?  Is it necessary to have a car in Chattanooga?

Yes, UTC has enough parking for all students to bring their cars.  However, there are very few free parking spaces on or near campus so students who plan to park on campus will need to purchase a parking decal for either a reserved or general lot.  Although all residence halls and classrooms are within walking distance of one another, UTC has a campus shuttle for students who want to ride from one part of campus to another.

Many exchange students come to UTC without a car and manage to get around by walking, riding the city bus, and getting rides with friends.  Students don't need a car to get around the UTC campus or to access the vibrant downtown and northshore areas (sites of Tennessee Aquarium, history and art museums, an art district, the Tennessee Riverwalk, clubs, numerous restaurants, convenience stores, Coolidge Park, the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge, a movie theatre, a community performing arts theatre, auditoriums, specialty shops, and many churches).  To get to large shopping malls, a Wal Mart, or to large grocery stores, students will need transportation.  Most students make friends with UTC students or fellow exchange students who have cars and join them to visit these stores.  Others take advantage of the free Chattanooga bus pass that all UTC students receive when they enroll at the University.  There are several bus stops around the UTC campus that students can easily access.

Can NSE students get involved in student organizations and/or athletics at UTC?

Yes, there are many student organizations and sports opportunities open to NSE students.  After you are accepted on an exchange to UTC, feel free to contact UTC's NSE Office to find out if and how you can get involved with a particular campus organization or team.  If you want to explore how you might become involved, check out the Helpful UTC Links section below.

What modes of public transportation can a student use to get to and from Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has an airport and a Greyhound bus station as well as frequent airport van shuttles to the Nashville, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia airports.

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Helpful UTC Links

 

The following includes UTC information and office links which may be helpful as you consider and/or plan for an exchange:

UTC Home Page
Academic Calendar
Campus Map
Event Calendar
Fact Book
Student Handbook
Student Newspaper "The Echo"
Student Organizations
Virtual Campus Tour

 

UTC Offices:
UTC Athletics
UTC Honors Program
UTC Housing
UTC Office for Students with Disabilities/College Access Program
UTC Student Development
UTC Food Service
UTC Campus Recreation

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Student Testimonials/Pictures (from students who have gone on exchange to UTC)

      •  "Being in Tennessee put me in the center of the universe I want to create.  It was a wonderful way to see another party of the country while pursuing my major in communications.  I became self-sufficient in ways I never had to before and gained a new glorious sense of confidence... I got a sense of the history...Also, visiting (Tennessee) put me in the direct contact with the birth of blues and the rockabilly sound that I enjoy so much." - Angela, Mesa State College (Pictured above: Angela and Loooie, the mascot of the Chattanooga Lookouts, during an exchange student outing.)
       

      • "I absolutely loved it (UTC).  The faculty was helpful, the school and campus is beautiful." - Jessica, Murray State University



       
      • Exchange students from The University of Arizona, & Illinois State University rafting on the nearby Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympic kayaking/canoeing events, during an exchange outing.

      • Exchange students from The University of Arizona and The University of Louisville (with the UTC NSE Coordinator, Hugh Prevost, and a UTC student back on exchanges from The University of Hawaii at Hilo and The College of Charleston) at a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game.

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Special Exchange Opportunities

Resident Assistant Exchange Program

UTC encourages resident assistants (RAs) from NSE member schools to apply for an RA exchange to UTC.  For more information about eligibility requirements and application information, refer to the RA Exchange section of the main NSE web site. Be aware that the RA exchange has a December deadline and requires students to go on exchange and act as an RA for a full academic year.

For more information about the UTC RA amenities and payment as well as the UTC Housing contact information, refer to UTC's listing on the RA Exchange section of the main NSE web site.

Honors Program

UTC opens its University Honors Program (UHON) to qualified NSE students.  To participate exchange students must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.5.  For more information about UTC's UHON Program as well as the amenities and special courses it makes available to exchange students, refer to UTC's entry in the Honors Exchange section of the main NSE web site.

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