Undergraduate Catalogue - UPRM

Traditional long-term objectives of the education at the University
of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez have been to raise the general standard
of education and to promote educational equality in Puerto Rico.
Efforts have been made to provide every student from the different
regions of Puerto Rico with equal educational opportunities.
Increasing a general flexibility in the programs and opportunities for
individual preference are also considered vital. Internationalization
and ethics have also emerged as fundamental goals as well.
Particular consideration is being paid to the core of education and
the methods of teaching as well as to educational principles and
justice.
The University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez is committed to improve
education and to ensure that all our students reach high academic
standards. In order to achieve this commitment, each department
in the UPRM plans strategically to make the necessary changes to
achieve this goal. By initiating, supporting, and sustaining
coordinated university reform planning and implementation, UPRM
focuses on improving efforts for high expectations and achievement
results of all students, an effort known as Continuous Improvement
Educational Initiative. This initiative drives the institutional changes toward improved teaching and
learning and high student performance by connecting fragmented systems.
Students learn best when their teachers, administrators, the community and themselves share clear and
common expectations for education. Everyone in the institution needs to agree on demanding substance
and performance standards which characterize what students should know and be capable of doing.
Student success improves in educational cultures which sustain scholarship to high levels. The academic
structure must support the realization of those prospects. University development efforts calls for broad
community participation, university organization, coordinated resources--including educational technology,
teacher preparation and professional development, curriculum and instruction, and assessments--all aligned
to agree with standards.
Student accomplishment stems from focusing on outcomes. Learning systems must be planned to center
and account for improvement in meeting the established standards. A Continuous Improvement
Educational Initiative needs to be outcome-based oriented through dependable and united means that
respond to the significant end result question: to what degree are students and departments meeting the
standards? Continuous improvement demands carefully developed accountability systems to interpret and
respond to results which will sustain superior student performance for all students. We welcome this
occasion to extend our appreciation and gratitude to our UPRM academic community for participating in
this strategic effort to implement a Continuous Improvement Educational Initiative in our Campus.
As we initiate the 2004-2005 academic year, we welcome all those who have accepted the challenge to start
undergraduate studies at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. We restate our pledge to support you
in facilitating a learning process that strengthens the concept of “the university as a priceless way of life.”
Welcome!
Sincerely,
Jorge Iván Vélez Arocho
Chancellor