Academic Catalog

2026-2027

Resources & Programs Supporting the Academic Mission

Academic Resource Center

Academic Support

The central mission of the Academic Resource Center (ARC) is to enrich and enhance the educational experience of all Denison students and support faculty/student interaction. The office coordinates a unique combination of programs and services designed to help students improve their overall academic performance and ultimately assist them in realizing academic accomplishment and excellence. The Academic Resource Center is located on the lower level (020) of Higley Hall.

The mission of the ARC Tutoring Program is to help all students become independent learners by promoting active learning, critical thinking, and access to other campus resources. The ARC Tutoring Program is designed for students to meet one-on-one with their tutors on a regular, consistent basis. Tutoring does not replace the importance of working with faculty, and it is strongly recommended that students meet with their faculty members before making the decision to request tutors.

Tutors are available in the majority of academic subjects on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge to students. The ARC Tutoring Training Program is recognized by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) as having met the requirements for level-1 International Peer Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) for its commitment to high standards for tutor selection, training, service, and evaluation. Tutors are recommended by faculty, hired and trained by ARC, and involved in ongoing professional development through observations and training sessions.  Tutor requests can be made beginning the second week of classes, and are on a first come-first served basis.

Students may seek additional support by exploring drop-in tutoring if offered by the individual academic departments.

Educational workshops, academic plans, and individual consultations with the staff are regularly available upon request or by faculty referral. Standard topics include time management/organization, annotating texts, note taking, test preparation, communicating with faculty, plus other skill-building strategies for attaining academic success at the university level. The Center offers a specific advising program called “Back on Track” and other outreach efforts designed to support students who are struggling academically.

Accessibility & Accommodation

Denison University is committed to providing equal access and reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities as defined under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.

The Student Accessibility and Accommodation (SAA) office works closely with students and faculty providing services and reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Students seeking reasonable accommodations or auxiliary services should register as a person with a disability using the Accommodate intake form and upload a copy of their most recent medical report or evaluation documenting the existence of a specific disability. 

Documentation should be recent, preferably within the last three to five years, and should have been compiled by an appropriate licensed professional. Specific reasonable accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis by Student Accessibility and Accommodation and based upon an interactive process evaluating the student's self-reported information and supporting documentation. Upon the student's request, SAA will notify individual faculty members of a student's eligibility for reasonable accommodations.

Student Responsibilities for Academic Accommodations

  • Students must review and renew their accommodations at the start of each semester in their Accommodate portal. Log in and submit your request for letters of accommodation to be sent to your professors. 

  • Students are expected to discuss their accommodations with professors once notification letters have been emailed to both you and your instructors.

  • If a student would like to take their exam in the Testing Center they must schedule their exam at least 72 hours in advance. For complete information about testing in the ARC please see the linked Exam Accommodation Policy.

Faculty and students seeking additional information regarding Denison's accommodation appeal process should refer to the Student Handbook or contact SAA via email at disabilityservices@denison.edu. 

In an effort to encourage students to disclose their disability and/or need for reasonable accommodations in a timely manner, teaching faculty members at Denison are encouraged to incorporate an accessibility & disability services syllabi statement for each course. Please see a sample syllabi statement below:

It is the student's responsibility to contact Student Accessibility and Accommodation via email at disabilityservices@denison.edu, at their earliest convenience if they anticipate needing accommodations in this class due to a disability. This proactive communication is essential for the timely arrangement of necessary support services.

This statement on the syllabus creates an invitation to discuss both the student's and instructor's needs in advance and provides the opportunity to discuss the course material in greater detail. It is equally important that students make an official request for accommodations through Student Accessibility and Accommodation. Even when a faculty member is aware that a student has received accommodations in the past, it is important to create a record of such accommodations to cover the institution's legal obligations. Faculty should avoid determining disability-related accommodations on their own without approval from SAA.

Faculty Resources to Support Accommodation Implementation

Accommodate: Denison has implemented a new accommodation management platform called Accommodate. A faculty member's Accommodate portal houses important information about your students’ accommodations. For information about Accommodate please review the linked Accommodate Faculty User Instructions. If a faculty member encounters any issues with Accommodate please reach out to arc@denison.edu for support. 

Student Accessibility and Accommodation is committed to supporting faculty in the implementation of any student’s accommodations in your classroom. Faculty play a key role in the interactive process. Please do not hesitate to contact SAA with any questions or concerns. 

Austin E. Knowlton Center for Career Exploration

Denison's commitment to the liberal arts, the strength of our pre-professional advising, and the success of our graduates have made Denison well-known by professional schools ranging from medicine and business to law and engineering. Pre-professional career coaching is provided by the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, which, along with faculty, provides a strong and knowledgeable advising system. Denison has earned the respect of deans of professional and graduate schools who recognize the value of the liberal arts education received at Denison.  Whether a student earns a bachelor's degree at Denison and then goes on to a professional school or combines three years of study here with time at another university, a Denison education will contribute significantly to the attainment of professional goals. Please note that Denison financial aid can be applied only during the student's time at Denison. Interested students should discuss other financial aid opportunities with partnering institutions.

Denison Internship Program

The Denison Internship Program, managed by the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, helps students explore career paths, apply what they have learned in the classroom, and build the skills employers value most. Through the program, students receive support before, during, and after their internship so they can prepare intentionally, gain meaningful experience, and clearly articulate what they learned. The program includes both curated internship opportunities developed by the Knowlton Center and internships students secure independently. Regardless of pathway, all participating students complete the same online Canvas module. This shared structure ensures every internship is intentional, supported, and connected to long-term career readiness. Students will earn academic transcript notation for their internship experience once all requirements, including completion of INTD 030-032, are met successfully and approved by the Knowlton Center and the Office of the Provost. Students must be in good academic standing to participate in the Denison Internship Program.

Center for Learning and Teaching

The Center’s primary goals are to support and collaborate with faculty at all career stages to develop and enhance teaching skills, explore and refine pedagogical perspectives, and promote student learning in all facets of a liberal arts education.

The Center is committed to:

1. Promoting the active participation of early career faculty in communities that advance their goals as teacher-scholars, including the Denison Teaching Seminar and Visiting Faculty Seminar.

2. Producing, curating, and sharing a variety of evidence-based teaching and learning resources for faculty.

3. Showcasing pedagogical strategies and initiatives from Denison faculty and promoting connections to professional resources and organizations beyond Denison.

4. Increasing dialogue around teaching and learning across campus.

5. Creating opportunities for the faculty to work together to learn from each other, including bi-monthly Teaching Matters discussions, opportunities for peer classroom visits, and one-on-one consultations with the center director.

6. Responding to emergent needs of the faculty in an ever-changing educational landscape.

The Center is located on the atrium level of the Library.  Karen Spierling (Professor, Department of History) is the Center's director. Additional information can be found at the Center's website.

Curricular and Co-Curricular Service-Learning

Curricular Service-learning

Faculty who incorporate curricular service-learning in their courses each semester use community-situated service and regular opportunity for structured reflection as an additional ‘text’ for their courses; this pedagogy deepens student engagement and provides students with experience in applying concepts and skills in "real world" settings. The activities undertaken during service-learning courses allow students to work collaboratively with community partners, in a reciprocal and respectful dialogue.

Faculty Members:  A wide range of support is available for faculty. This includes access to one-on-one training and periodic faculty development workshops around course design, opportunities for mini grants each semester, support to help faculty work out placements that will fit the course and the faculty member’s learning objectives for it, logistical support, and assistance in identifying and maintaining the community placement.  For more information, contact the Alford Coordinator for Curricular Service Learning.

Co-Curricular Service-learning

The Alford Community Leadership & Involvement Center (CLIC) team recognizes the importance of co-curricular activities as a key part of the college experience. Students who become involved in co-curricular activities in college benefit personally, socially, as well as academically. CLIC promotes and supports co-curricular service-learning by engaging the Denison community in three areas: Denison Community Association, America Reads, & Denison Service Orientation. In addition, CLIC sponsors leadership programming, campus activities, student organizations, and fraternity and sorority life.  For more information, contact the Alford Community Leadership and Involvement Center.

Denison Libraries

Denison Libraries are committed to connecting people with ideas, and to creating an intellectual and cultural commons where students, faculty and staff can experience the power of sharing information. Two dozen librarians and staff members help our community find and assess resources in all formats, offer circulation and reference services, meet one-on-one, and teach classroom sessions on library research. Liaison librarians from the Fine Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences are available as research partners, and we encourage students to reach out to them for any research questions they may have. Via our University Archives and Special Collections and our digital programs, students can use primary source materials for their own original research. 

Throughout our seven floors, the library has a variety of spaces that support quiet study as well as collaborative work. During a typical semester, we are open over 100 hours a week. We employ dozens of students each semester through the college’s work-study program, and student employees learn hands-on skills they can add to their professional portfolios.

The library is there for our patrons virtually through our online search platform, Primo. While we hold over half a million volumes in our building, we also have strong consortial partnerships that allow ready access to a network of 120 higher education members of OhioLINK, proffering 46 million resources. We offer access from wherever you are to over 500 databases and 26 million electronic articles, making our reach greater than that of many larger schools. Open our online doors anytime.

Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) provides a wide range of technology services to students, faculty, and staff to enhance the learning experience.

Services include:

  • Campus-wide WiFi;
  • Up-to-date learning technology in classrooms & labs with more than 650 public computers available for student use;
  • Cloud or network file storage and network-based printing with a generous print allowance for students;
  • Microsoft Office and select academic software for installation on student-owned computers at no charge;
  • Online and in-person training;
  • Access to 3-D printing and laser cutting; and
  • Technology equipment for checkout at the Circulation Desk in the Library (like Chromebooks, digital still & video cameras, and audio recorders).

Online services include:

  • MyDenison (a password-protected intranet for students, faculty, and staff);
  • Denison Apps (email, calendaring, online file storage and document sharing, powered by Google Workspace for Education);
  • Google Meet and Zoom for Education for video conferencing;
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (in labs), Adobe Express with Firefly AI (personal device); and
  • Canvas (Denison’s learning management system).

Approximately 98% of students bring a notebook computer to school. Apple, Dell, and HP provide academic discounts to Denison students. See the Incoming Student Technology Guide for more information. 

The ITS Service Desk, staffed by full-time technicians and student assistants, is available to assist students with technology questions and problems, including problems with personally-owned computers.

For more information about technology services, please visit Information Technology Services here or on MyDenison on the Campus Resources tab.  

Denison Museum

The Denison Museum is a teaching museum located in Burke Hall. Each semester, Denison Museum staff works with faculty, students, and other campus organizations to provide integrative learning opportunities through changing exhibitions and the more than 9,000 objects in the permanent collection. Every year, the Denison Museum also hires 8-10 year-long interns and 2-6 summer interns from all four liberal arts divisions through the MyDenison portal or Handshake. Student interns gain extensive transferable skills by participating in exhibition preparation and research, creating promotional materials using "InDesign" and other technologies, creating videos and podcasts of Museum events, careful handling of objects, research, and documentation, and assisting in the creation of educational materials for class and community visits. Denison Museum interns are frequently successful in securing professional internships or advancing careers in related fields or admission to graduate programs in museum studies and professional writing based on work at the Museum. More information on the Denison Museum is available.  

The Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement

The mission of the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement is to support research and scholarship, to foster intellectual community and academic enrichment among all Denisonians, and to provide an interdisciplinary space for the open exchange of ideas, perspectives, and arguments.

Fellowships Advising

The Lisska Center staff assists students and recent alumni in applying for nationally and internationally competitive fellowships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Fellowships fund summer programs, study abroad programs, service projects, and postgraduate study and research both in the U.S. and abroad. The Lisska Center provides intensive one-on-one support to those applying for any fellowship or grant opportunity, helping applicants identify appropriate opportunities, prepare their application materials, and write their application essays. The Lisska Center also coaches fellowship competition finalists preparing for interviews.

Examples of prestigious fellowships include the Rhodes Scholarship, the Marshall Scholarship, Fulbright awards, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship in Science and Mathematics, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, National Science Foundation Fellowships, the Boren Scholarship for International Study, DAAD (German Academic Exchange) grants, and many others. Denison is proud of the many students and alumni who have won such awards over the years.

While some fellowship applications require an institutional endorsement and/or have a minimum GPA requirement, many do not. All interested students are encouraged to schedule an individual appointment and/or attend group information sessions. Comprehensive listings of national and international fellowships can be found on the Lisska Center's MyDenison page.

Summer Scholars Program

The Lisska Center coordinates Denison’s Lisska Summer Scholars Program. Each year, more than 120 students across all disciplines receive funding to support independent research under the close supervision of a faculty member, or full-time collaborative work with faculty members, during the summer. The program gives students a unique undergraduate venue in which to experiment with ideas and artistic expression, pursue an intellectual passion, and focus intently on the resolution of a question over a sustained period of time.

Summer Scholars projects do not confer credit hours and are not graded. All students must produce a scholarly project (e.g., final poster, paper, performance, or equivalent) and present their summer’s work at a fall Summer Scholars symposium at Denison.

Lisska Scholars work under the close guidance of a Denison faculty member between mid-May and the end of July. Lisska Scholars may be awarded funding for projects on campus (10-week or 5-week option) in fine arts, humanities, or social sciences. Applications for Lisska Scholars awards are evaluated by the Student Research Grants Committee (SRGC), an elected committee of four faculty members (one from each college division), overseen by the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement. Lisska Summer Scholars receive a stipend and free campus housing, and are eligible to apply for supplemental research funds.

Faculty mentors are expected to work closely with students as they develop their project proposals and must submit a detailed endorsement supporting each student’s application for a Lisska Scholars award. Faculty mentors are expected to be on campus (except for short absences) and should meet at least twice weekly with each student for the duration of the project. Faculty members may not supervise more than three students total each summer, regardless of the type or duration of the project (individual or joint projects; 10 or 5 weeks). Faculty advisors also receive a stipend per student supervised. Complete program guidelines can be found on the Lisska Center MyDenison page.

Decisions on faculty eligibility to supervise, or share in the supervision, of student summer research, are made on a case-by-case basis by the Provost. In most cases, tenure track and non-tenure-track faculty who teach at least 75% of a full-time load, and who have a contract to teach at Denison in the fall semester following the summer research, are eligible to supervise summer research.

Qualified students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in all disciplines are eligible to apply for Summer Scholars awards. A qualified student is one who meets one of the following criteria:

  • will be returning to Denison in the fall and has registered for classes;

  • will be on an approved off-campus study program in the fall;

  • is on an approved academic leave;

  • is on an approved leave of absence and does not have to reapply to return.

Any student who does not fall into one of the above categories is not eligible. Projects do not necessarily need to be in the discipline of the student’s major. Interdisciplinary projects may be proposed.

The Anderson Summer Science Program provides summer research assistantships in the sciences. Current information is maintained on the Anderson Summer Science Program MyDenison page.

Ashbrook Summer Scholars awards are intended to “foster and promote research and educational cooperation between faculty and students in exploring ways to improve the political and economic betterment of the underprivileged Licking County person.” The Ashbrook Scholarship is open to any student who has engaged in community service (broadly defined as including, but not limited to, DCA involvement, work with America Reads or as a Community Service intern, and service learning coursework). Scholars work under the guidance of a Denison faculty member as they carry out research and engage in service with an organization that provides some kind of assistance to the community. For complete guidelines, see the Lisska Center MyDenison page.

Battelle Memorial Institute awards support Denison students participating in science research projects throughout the world. Some awards for entire summer support may be given, whereas other awards may be for a student’s short stay at a remote location to carry out data collection. For complete guidelines, see the Lisska Center’s MyDenison page.

The Lisska Center will host a Summer Scholars information session for interested students in late October when the proposal guidelines become available. Applications are typically due in late January, with faculty endorsements due in early February.

Scholar-Leader Program

The Scholar-Leader First-Year Advising Experience is a community of first-year students who have an identifiable interest in leadership, academic enrichment, and selective fellowship opportunities. These courses provide a foundation of skills and experiences in preparation for leadership, scholarship, and service. In the first semester, students develop personal and professional skills that support a healthy transition to college. Students reflect on their values and goals to shape their career exploration and identify areas of potential academic scholarship and leadership impact. In the second semester, students focus on developing leadership and networking skills and exploring competitive fellowships, internships, and research opportunities. The Scholar-Leader First-Year Advising Experience includes the Connect to Columbus Day trip called Exordium (The Beginning) before fall classes. 

After the first year, students will be invited to a series of workshops designed for sophomores and juniors interested in creating an academic profile that supports academic enrichment, leadership, civic engagement, and scholarship skills and emphasizes creating community impact through collaborative problem-solving. 

Academic Funding

The Lisska Center serves as a hub for funding student research and academic enhancement travel. In addition, faculty can apply for funds to enhance their courses. Specifically:

  • The Student Academic Travel Fund provides up to $750 per student for travel to academic conferences to present papers or posters. For Fine Arts students and Creative Writers this would be the equivalent of participating in a performance or workshop.

  • Student Research Funding provides up to $500 per student for conducting senior research or other research during the academic year. The SRGC reviews and approves all awards.

  • The Academic Enhancement Fund supports individuals or small groups of students wishing to travel for an academic purpose not associated with a regular semester course or study abroad programs. Examples include conducting research or attending a conference or workshop (where they are not presenting or performing). The Lisska Center will make grants of up to $750 per experience.

  • The Faculty Course Enhancement Fund provides small grants of up to $500 to faculty members wishing to take a class on a field trip or other class activity.

The Lisska Center also administers a number of other Denison scholarships and awards, including the A. Blair Knapp Award, the Kenneth Joseph Hines Memorial Award, the Reverend John and Arlena Hasel Endowed Award, the Dr. David Baker Endowed Fund for Experiential Learning, and the Provost's Academic Excellence Award.

Intellectual Programming

The Lisska Center sponsors an array of programs and events designed to promote a culture of intellectual life on campus.

Minds Wide Open Series

This series offers lively conversations with local and global faculty, scholars, and authors about timely topics. The Lisska Center hosts a couple of these events per semester. For past event recordings, as well as more information about these programs and topics, please log on to the Lisska Center’s MyDenison page.

Faculty Lunch and Lecture

Denison faculty are continually producing cutting-edge research and scholarship in their fields. These lunches give Denison community members the chance to hear professors discuss recent publications and scholarly endeavors.

Lisska Book Club

The Lisska Center hosts a book club for students, faculty, and staff, where participants engage in casual conversations over a meal about books of interest. Book selections and meeting frequency are determined at the beginning of the semester. 

Research Tables

The purpose of Denison’s Research Tables is threefold: (1) to bring together faculty members from across the college and other institutions to explore various aspects of the liberal arts, using practices that sustain a strong academic community; (2) to create a forum for faculty members from different disciplines to learn from one another; and (3) to deepen the intellectual tone on campus by increasing opportunities for different disciplinary perspectives to intersect and new pathways among faculty and students to form.

Research Tables should focus on multidisciplinary issues of interest to participants who are committed to sustained intellectual exploration within the liberal arts. Research Tables may vary in scope, ranging from limited undertakings similar to reading groups (e.g., locally-based members, one-year time frame) to more ambitious projects (e.g., one or more outside faculty members, travel component, up to a three-year time frame). 

Students in good academic standing may be invited by faculty sponsors to participate in a Research Table. Calls for new Research Tables are put out in April and up to three Research Tables are typically funded in a given year. 

Pre-Professional Pathways

  • Pre-Med: Health and Medicine Careers

A well-rounded undergraduate experience and rigorous lab-based learning are integral to the pursuit of careers in health and medicine, including dentistry, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychiatry, medicine, and veterinary medicine. The Knowlton Center’s Healthcare, Clinical Research and Wellness Career Community aids students pursuing pre-health careers as they prepare medical and graduate school applications, identify and apply for internships, and craft personal statements. While at Denison, students work closely with their Pre-Health advisor, and many undertake internships, externships, health-related volunteer work in hospital and clinical settings, or conduct scientific research as Anderson Summer Scholars. Students at Denison interested in health and medicine regularly take courses across majors in Biology, Chemistry, Global Health, Psychology, and Health, Exercise, and Sports Studies.  

  • Pre-Law: Legal Careers

While at Denison, students pursuing careers in law are able to hone their analytical skills through a comprehensive liberal arts curriculum. Denison graduates are typically successful in gaining admission to law schools across the country, with law school admission rates consistently above the national average. While at Denison, students can participate in the Denison Pre-Law practicum which engages a range of careers across the legal system, work closely with their Pre-Law advisor, and draw upon significant LSAT preparation resources. Students interested in law school may also work with the Knowlton Center’s Social Impact, Education and Government Career Community. Students interested in careers involving the law regularly take courses within Denison’s Legal Studies program and across the full breadth of liberal arts programs at Denison.

  • Business Careers

A comprehensive undergraduate program in the liberal arts is excellent preparation for work in the broad field of business. Many Denison graduates enter the business workforce directly upon graduation and many will pursue an MBA within a decade of graduation. The Knowlton Center offers career communities geared toward students pursuing careers in business, including Financial Services, Consulting, and Business, and Marketing, Sales, and Communication. These career communities help students explore career paths, meet with specialized career coaches, prepare for graduate school applications, and find professional experiences in their fields of interest. Additionally, Denison’s Red Frame Lab offers regular opportunities to work with business consultants and real-world clients on consulting projects. Red Frame’s Executive-in-Residence Program enables students to connect with industry leaders who may share career guidance, professional insights, and mentorship. Students at Denison pursuing careers in business regularly take courses across majors in Global Commerce, Economics, Finance, Communication, Psychology, and Data Analytics. Denison’s Organizational Studies program also supports an off-campus summer experience available to students interested in business and consulting.

  • Engineering

With a long-standing tradition of strength in science and pre-engineering, Denison offers two plans to prepare for an engineering career. In the first, students receive a bachelor's degree after four years at Denison with a major in natural sciences or mathematics, followed by two years of graduate work at another institution leading to a master's degree in engineering. Denison students are regularly accepted to graduate engineering programs at leading universities.

The second plan is a dual degree program in which students study three or four years at Denison, and an additional two or three years at an affiliated engineering school, resulting in a bachelor's degree from Denison, and a bachelor's, or bachelor's and master's degree in engineering from the engineering school. Denison is affiliated in such dual-degree programs with Washington University (St. Louis), Columbia University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Students interested in these plans should contact the Pre-Engineering Director, Steven Doty, at their earliest opportunity. The required math and science courses typically include:

PHYS 125Physics I: Quarks to Cosmos
PHYS 126Physics II: Mechanics, Fluids, and Heat
PHYS 127Physics III: Electricity, Magnetism, Waves, and Optics
PHYS 200Modern Physics
MATH 135Single Variable Calculus
MATH 145Multivariable Calculus
MATH 213Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
CHEM 131Atoms and Molecules: Structure and Dynamics
CS 173Intermediate Computer Science

Additional courses may be required, depending on the chosen field of engineering.