by UH-Hilo

Applications are currently being accepted and registration is now in progress for the University of Hawai`i at Hilo’s 2013 Summer Session. Classes will be conducted over two sessions: May 20-June 14, and June 17-July 26. Students will be able to take advantage of the tuition schedule introduced in 2011, which rolled undergraduate resident rates back to 2009 levels.

Tuition costs range from $248 per credit hour for resident students to $357 for non-residents, and $483 for graduate students. There is also a special $302.50 rate for Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and Pacific Islander students.

“Many of today’s students are trying to balance their studies with a full- or part-time job and/or raising a family,” said Dr. Matthew Platz, vice chancellor for academic affairs. “So it’s important for us to provide our students with both educational value and more opportunities to meet their needs.”

This year, students will have more selections to choose from with a total of 171 courses, or 8% more than the 159 provided last summer. Over 40% of those courses are being offered online.

Organizers have adjusted their curriculum to address newly revised General Education requirements and to support the goals of the UH System’s “15 to Finish Campaign” that seeks to increase the number of students graduating in four years by emphasizing courses that fulfill the students needs in those areas.

“We fully support ‘15 to Finish,’ but recognize the challenges some students face making that commitment to go all in,” Platz said. “Summer Session can be a valuable planning resource that allows them to spread out that commitment yet still achieve the goal of graduating in four years.”

This summer’s course offerings highlight UH Hilo’s familiar role as a living, learning laboratory with classes and programs emphasizing the island’s cultural and academic resources including field courses in biology, geography and marine science.

Back by popular demand is QUEST (Quantitative Underwater Ecological Surveying Techniques), the intensive marine science field course conducted each year on the west side of the island. The two-week course trains undergraduates in underwater ecological surveying methodologies including design, implementation and analysis of a research project, and incorporates instruction in identifying the common seaweeds, corals, invertebrates and fishes of Hawaiian reefs.

A number of unique or novelty courses are also being offered, including an Island Ecology Field School taught by Dr. Allan Arndt from the University of Fraser Valley (UFV) near Vancouver, British Columbia, and UH Hilo’s Dr. Cam Muir. The course will combine students from both universities who will register with their respective home institutions.

For a tentative course listing and information, visit http://hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/summer/, email ccecs@hawaii.edu, or call (808) 974-7664. Students who haven’t registered for a UH Hilo credit course within the last six months can apply at http://hilo.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/admissions/Apply.php. International students will need to submit additional forms.