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Each student is expected to be familiar with the academic regulations of the university and the particular requirements for his or her educational program. The student has sole responsibility for complying with regulations and meeting degree requirements as set forth in this catalog and as amended from time to time. |
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Exceptions may be granted to the undergraduate academic regulations when circumstances suggest this to be in the best interest of the student’s educational objectives. Such requests are handled individually, and students should first consult with their faculty advisers about the correct procedure. The Advising & Learning Assistance Center approves exceptions for undergraduates. In only the most compelling circumstances will exceptions be made to the graduate academic regulations. After consulting with their academic adviser, graduate students can seek exceptions at the Office of Graduate Education. Before the end of each semester, all students enroll for courses for the next semester. With the help of a program adviser or by using a plan of study, specific required and elective courses are selected, and this information is submitted to the registrar. Registration procedures are in the Class Hour Schedule, which is available from the Registrar’s Office. Courses with insufficient registration will be canceled. Students affected will be notified so that they can select another course. The university reserves the right to cancel or not offer any course listed in the Rensselaer Catalog. School Ombudspersons: Architecture Times for Registration All full-time continuing students must register during the period specified each semester by the registrar. New, part-time, or readmitted students must register before the first day of classes. An undergraduate may not register for a semester after the tenth class day of the term. Graduate students may not register after the tenth class day of the term. Late Registration Fees Full-time continuing students who miss registration must pay $50 and register before the first day of classes each term. All students who fail to register before the start of classes will be charged $25 to cover additional processing costs. For full-time continuing students, this charge is added to the $50 fee. Students must pay late registration fees prior to registering. Cross-Registration at Consortium Colleges It is possible to register for courses, at no additional tuition charge, at 20 other colleges and universities in the Capital Region, all members of the Hudson Mohawk Association of Colleges and Universities: Adirondack Community College Courses taken at one of the consortium colleges are entered on the student’s record in the same manner as courses taken at Rensselaer and thus carry term and cumulative hours and quality points. No more than half of a student’s academic credits may be taken at a consortium college in any semester. Students can not cross register for courses offered at Rensselaer. Williams and Harvey Mudd Exchanges The Williams and Harvey Mudd Exchanges, available only to undergraduates, will be entered on the student’s record in the same manner as those taken at Rensselaer or at a consortium college. These courses, therefore, carry term and cumulative hours and quality points. Those students who successfully apply to the dean of undergraduate education for either exchange program will spend an entire semester on the Williams or Harvey Mudd campus. Auditing Auditing is attending a course without credit. Participation in recitations or discussions (or the requirement of such participation) is at the discretion of the instructor. Auditors must register after classes begin, but before the end of the second week of classes, and may not register for credit in the audited course later in the term. They may, however, register in a later term for this course on a credit hour basis. A permanent record will be maintained for the audit. The only grade given for the audited course is “AU” (Audit). Full-time matriculating Rensselaer students can audit up to three courses per semester on a nonfee basis with the permission of their adviser and the course instructor. During the summer, Rensselaer students must be full-time for the summer in order to be eligible to audit on a nonfee basis. The spouse of a full-time teaching assistant, research assistant, or fellowship recipient may audit one course per semester at no cost. All other persons, if granted auditing privileges, will be charged the regular credit hour fees for the course. Program Adjustments (Drop/Add) All Students Specific regulations are given below for undergraduate and graduate students. The following apply to all students. Undergraduate Students The following additional regulations apply to program adjustments:
Only the Academic Standing Committee via the director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center can make exceptions to the drop/add rules. Students wishing exceptions must petition with supporting documents from parties involved, such as instructors, adviser, or medical director. Graduate Students The following additional regulations apply to program adjustments:
Only the Office of Graduate Education can make exceptions to the drop/add rules. Students wishing exceptions must petition with supporting documents from parties involved, such as instructors, adviser, or medical director. Academic Load Undergraduate The normal academic load for undergraduates is 14 to 18 credit hours. An undergraduate whose program exceeds 21 credit hours must secure the written permission of his or her adviser. An undergraduate whose program is less than 12 credit hours must secure the written permission of his or her adviser and the director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center. Graduate The full-time load for a graduate student normally is 12 to 15 credit hours each term. A student who wishes to register for more than 15 credit hours must have the permission of his or her department and the approval of the Office of Graduate Education. A full-time student may register for as many as 12 credit hours during the summer, at the rate of six credit hours for each of two summer terms, with the permission of the adviser and the chairperson of the department. Summer tuition is charged at $1,100 per credit hour for full-time students. Graduate Teaching Assistants Graduate teaching assistants are not required to take more than 9 credits per semester. However, at their own discretion and with Department Chairperson and Office of Graduate Education approval, graduate assistants may take up to fifteen credits per semester for the following reasons:
Rensselaer Staff The maximum study load for a full-time member of the Rensselaer staff is eight credit hours per term. This includes all courses taken for credit, whether undergraduate or graduate. Requests from staff members to register for graduate research beyond the maximum study load are decided by the student’s department and the Office of Graduate Education. Advisers A faculty adviser is assigned to each student to assist in academic program planning toward a sound plan of study. Accordingly, the adviser’s signature is usually required on Pass/No Credit forms, thesis registration forms, and related forms. Students should contact their advisers on any matters pertaining to their educational programs. The Advising and Learning Assistance Center, the academic department, and the Office of Graduate Education are also available for consultation. Undergraduate Curricula and Courses of Instruction To ensure that all plans of study are educationally coherent and satisfy degree requirements, a curriculum has been constructed for each field in which the baccalaureate degree is offered. These curricula consist of required courses, recommended courses, course options, and electives. These curricula are outlined in the section of this catalog describing individual schools and departments. Course Listing Course descriptions can be seen in the Course Description section. Courses offered for undergraduate academic credit are those at the 1000-4000 levels. Higher level numbers indicate courses designed primarily for graduate students. Substitutions for Required Courses Substitutions for required courses are permitted only with the approval of the heads of the departments concerned and the dean of the school, or a designated representative. Where substitutions are granted, written notice must be filed with the registrar. Undergraduates Taking Graduate Courses Undergraduates may not ordinarily take graduate courses, unless they have already been accepted for graduate study by either the Professional School or the Office of Graduate Education. Exceptions will be considered on an individual basis. An undergraduate wishing to take a graduate course must submit to the Office of Graduate Education a Request to Take a Graduate Course form (available online and at the Office of Graduate Education) that has been signed by his/her adviser and the instructor in charge of the course. Normally the Office of Graduate Education will not approve such a request unless the student meets the requirements for graduate admission. Generally this means that the student should be a senior with a grade point average of at least 3.0. The Office of Graduate Education reserves the right to cancel the registration of an undergraduate in a graduate course if the student has not received approval to take the course. A student with senior status and a grade point average of 3.0 does not need permission from the Office of Graduate Education to take a graduate-level course. No tuition refund will be given. Courses taken at the 6000 level must be taken on a letter grade basis; they may not be taken under the Pass/No Credit option. Curriculum Changes Because life and growth are synonymous with change, the university continuously reevaluates its educational programs and procedures. This means that no curriculum is static, and the listings in this catalog are subject to modification. The entering student, therefore, is advised to keep abreast of his or her curriculum requirements. The bachelor’s degree is awarded to students who have pursued successfully, as evaluated by the faculty, a plan of study that encompasses several disciplines. Each plan of study has at least two objectives: first, to reach a preprofessional standing or fundamental mastery in a selected discipline; second, to develop some grounding in knowledge found in liberally educated persons, an appreciation of technology and science, and an openness to ongoing learning. The requirements of each baccalaureate program are outlined as follows:
The Institute requires a degree candidate to earn the last 30 credits in courses completed on this campus or through a program formally recognized by the Institute. Transfer courses are limited to two courses or eight credits counting toward the student’s last 30 credits and require approval of the director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center. Baccalaureate candidates must have passed all of the prescribed academic work and satisfied the fee requirements. Candidates must also be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Undergraduate students on probation at the time of completion of course work may be required to meet certain stipulations for removal from probation. However, such requirements may be waived for those students whose cumulative QPAs satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirements. In general, a term’s work with grades of not less than C will be required in programs arranged by the Committee on Academic Standing. The director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center will state requirements to the students in writing. Degree candidates must be registered during the semester in which they intend to graduate and must file a degree application with the registrar by the dates specified in the academic calendar. Students who previously applied for graduation but did not complete all their requirements on time must submit a new application specifying the new date of graduation. Double Degrees A student may become a candidate for a second baccalaureate degree when he or she has completed: (1) the equivalent of at least two terms (30 credit hours) of additional work beyond the requirements of a single degree, and (2) the courses in the department in which the student is registered and such other courses as are required for the second degree. Dual Majors Undergraduate students who fulfill all the degree requirements for two curricula and who have met the conditions below will have completed a dual major. They will receive one diploma noting both majors. (1) The student must designate a first-named and second-named major in writing at least one semester prior to graduation, and have the appropriate department(s) approve this designation prior to filing the dual major form with the registrar. (2) Each student will be assigned an adviser in each department who will monitor progress towards degrees in that department. (3) The degree clearance officer in the department will certify that the student has met the degree requirements in that department. (4) The 24 credit hour mathematics/science requirement and the 24 credit hour humanities and social sciences requirement will satisfy the Institute requirements for both majors. Minors Within the distributional requirements described, the student may elect any courses that meet his or her personal or professional needs. Courses can be chosen to form a minor—that is, a set of courses with a coherence based on subject, methodology, or other factors. Many departments offer one or more such minors; several of the minors are interdisciplinary. A student wishing to complete a minor should consult with the adviser for that minor before completing the second course in it (departmental secretaries have this information). Minors vary in their requirements from 15 to 21 credit hours. Courses for the minor may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis. Graduate Curricula and Courses of Instruction Individual curricula are given under the heading of departments in which they are offered. Course requirements and credit hours usually are tabulated term by term, with specific courses listed by number and title. Curriculum Changes Because life and growth are synonymous with change, the university continuously reevaluates its educational programs and procedures. This means that no curriculum is static, and the listings in this catalog are subject to modification. The entering student, therefore, is advised to keep abreast of his or her curricular requirements. Announcements of changes, if any, are available from the departmental offices. A graduate student who wishes to change from one curriculum or department to another must file a Graduate Change of Status form, available at the Registrar’s Office. This change requires approval of the chairpersons involved and of the Graduate School. When further information is needed before a change can be approved, the student may be requested to follow graduate admission application procedures. Courses and Grade Requirements Courses offered for graduate credit bear the suffix numbers 4000-9990. However, those designated by 4000-4990 are open for credit to both graduates and advanced undergraduates, and there are limitations on the number of such courses that may be applied to a graduate degree. Undergraduate courses below the 4000 level may not be used for credit toward graduate degrees. Also, graduate students are not permitted to take courses on a Pass/No Credit basis. The minimum average of all grades used for credit toward an advanced degree must be B. If a student’s grades fall below a B average, the Graduate School may request that the department conduct a formal review to determine whether continuation is warranted. The student’s adviser, committee, or department may recommend to the Graduate School that the student whose performance is unsatisfactory be dropped from the graduate program. A student who has accumulated two failing grades will be dropped from the graduate program. Satisfactory Performance Continuation in the graduate program requires satisfactory performance on the part of the student. Satisfactory performance is not limited to the academic record, but includes other appraisals of the student’s record and ability. Substitutions for Required Courses Substitutions for required courses are permitted only with the approval of the heads of the departments concerned and the Graduate School. Where substitutions are granted, written notice must be filed with the registrar. Plan of Study The graduate program is flexible and affords each student an opportunity to plan a course of study suited to his or her own objectives. To assure a coherent program in accord with the student’s maturing capacities and aims, each student is to maintain, with the adviser’s assistance, a Plan of Study for the degree for which he or she is studying. The Plan of Study should be submitted during the student’s second full-time semester. To be considered valid, the Plan of Study requires the approval of the adviser and the designated departmental person. The Plan of Study is to be prepared on the forms provided by the Graduate School. Upon approval by the adviser and the designated departmental person, the department will transmit the original to the registrar, with copies going to the Graduate School, the student, the adviser, and keep a copy for himself or herself. Each student who has filed a Plan of Study should register in the usual manner and in accordance with the plan. If there are any significant changes, a revised Plan of Study must be submitted promptly following the same procedure outlined above. A student is admitted to study for the master’s degree when the student’s record indicates ability to do advanced work in that field. When a student decides to do graduate work in a different field from the undergraduate degree, however, the department may require him or her to establish additional background by taking certain undergraduate courses. The Master of Science degree is under the auspices of the Office of Graduate Education. The Professional School in the School of Engineering provides the Master of Engineering degree. The professional Master of Architecture degree is provided by of the School of Architecture and the Master of Business Administration degree is provided by the Lally School of Management and Technology. The School of Humanities and Social Sciences provides the Master of Fine Arts. Office of Graduate Education Requirements A candidate for a master’s degree must:
Degree candidates who at any point in their tenure at Rensselaer are, or become, full-time students must maintain continuous full-time registration throughout their Rensselaer academic career to be eligible to graduate. These students must be registered full-time during the semester in which they intend to graduate, and:
A student pursuing more than one master’s degree at Rensselaer must meet the above requirements for each degree sought. Residence and Time Limit A student working for a master’s degree is required to be registered for at least two terms and to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of resident instruction for each master’s degree sought. Department residency must be met in addition to the Office of Graduate Education requirements. Residency requirements for the Troy campus may also be met within programs offered at certain off-campus sites (branch campuses). Thesis, Projects, and Professional Projects Certain departments may specify presentation of a thesis or completion of a master’s project as a requirement for a master’s degree. Usually six, and no more than nine, credit hours are allowed for a master’s thesis or multiple semester master’s project. Professional projects are completed in one semester and are limited to four credit hours for each project. Rensselaer awards the doctor’s degree in recognition of high achievement in scholarship and independent investigation. The Doctor of Philosophy degree, under the auspices of the Office of Graduate Education, is awarded when the dissertation is directed toward making an original contribution to fundamental knowledge in a particular field or in an interdisciplinary field. A dissertation that is scholarly, creative, original, and publishable may deal also with the relation of a discipline to educational problems and objectives within the field. The Doctor of Engineering degree, under the auspices of the Professional School of the School of Engineering, is awarded when the student proposes an engineering problem of substance and develops a solution to it in a creative and distinguished manner. Office of Graduate Education Requirements A candidate for the doctor’s degree must:
To be eligible to graduate, degree candidates must have either: maintained continuous full-time registration; maintained continuous full-time registration following a change of status from part-time to full-time; or been, at all times, a part-time student. Under no circumstances will a full-time student be allowed to transfer to part-time status and maintain eligibility for graduation. Residence and Time Limit A student working for the doctor’s degree is required to take at least 45 credit hours of course and/or thesis work at the Troy campus. Residency requirements for the Troy campus may also be met within programs at certain off-campus sites (branch campuses). Doctoral Committee The chair of the student’s department assigns a temporary adviser to guide the student until a doctoral committee can be appointed. As soon as the student has chosen a dissertation area, he or she must arrange to conduct the dissertation work with a dissertation adviser who is a full-time tenure-track member of the faculty. The dissertation adviser then consults with the chair of the student’s department regarding the nomination of a doctoral committee of at least four members. The department chair sends the nominations to the Office of Graduate Education, which approves the doctoral committee. Plan of Doctoral Study A prospective candidate for the doctorate ordinarily follows a Plan of Study of a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including any appropriate work completed toward a master’s degree. Candidacy A student may apply for the candidacy examination, given by the doctoral committee, when:
This examination determines if the student has made satisfactory progress. Certain departments require their graduate students to pass preliminary examinations before the candidacy examination is taken. Dissertation and Final Examination The doctoral dissertation demonstrates the candidate’s capacity for independent work. It embodies the results of an original investigation in the candidate’s principal field of study on a subject approved by the student’s doctoral committee. Only work meeting the highest standards of integrity will be accepted for degree requirements at Rensselaer. Academic integrity is a requirement of continued good academic standing and for the awarding of a graduate degree. The field of the dissertation should be chosen as soon as possible after entry upon doctoral study. A manual, Thesis Writing, containing required format specifications, is available from the department, the Office of Graduate Education, or on the Web on the Office of Graduate Education’s home page at http://www.rpi.edu/dept/grad/gradschool.html. Dissertation Defense/Final Examination When the dissertation is completed, the candidate must defend it in a public examination conducted by his or her doctoral committee, which passes on its acceptability. The final examination is to be held by the date listed in the academic calendar for the year. The committee transmits a record of its decision on the dissertation examination to the Office of Graduate Education. Dissertation Submission After passing the final examination and no later than two weeks before the end of the term in which the degree is expected to be awarded, the candidate must deposit at the Office of Graduate Education office two original copies of the dissertation in its final form including the required format specifications. A copy of the abstract, no longer than 350 words or 2,450 characters, with an abstract title page also must be included. The dissertation should be placed in a manila envelope with a copy of the title page on the front side. The original copy of the abstract with an abstract title page also must be included. The abstract title page should be the same as the dissertation title page except for the words “An Abstract of a Dissertation” etc. added. The title page for the dissertation must have the original signatures of the members of the doctoral committee. A Thesis/Project Examination Form, approving both content and format, signed by the chair of the doctoral committee must accompany these. The Office of Graduate Education must certify that the approved dissertation has been deposited before the degree can be awarded. Publication of Dissertation Before the candidate is certified for graduation, he or she must pay a dissertation fee to cover the costs of microfilming, publication of the abstract, and binding two original copies for preservation and use in the general library. A copy of the microfilm is deposited in the Library of Congress, and the abstract is published in the monthly journal, Dissertation Abstracts. Copies of the dissertation on microfilm and the journal then are available from University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The forms to be filled out for this purpose are available in the Office of Graduate Education and may be completed either prior to or at the time the dissertation is submitted. Units of Credit Academic credit is assigned in terms of credit hours. For formal course work, one credit hour represents one lecture or recitation hour or one laboratory period per week for one term. Approximately three hours of endeavor per week, both in and out of class, are associated with each credit hour. Contact hours are the number of class hours per week. When the number of contact hours differs from the credit hours for a course, the course description so indicates. Students Entering Rensselaer as Freshmen Incoming freshmen may be eligible for advanced placement or advanced standing. Advanced Placement The student should request the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send Advanced Placement (AP) scores to the Registrar’s Office at Rensselaer. The scores are evaluated and notice of the decision is sent to the student. Credit is granted, but there is no grade assigned and the credit is not included in calculating the grade point average (GPA). Advanced Standing Credit may be granted for college-level work taken while in high school. Transfer credit will not be given for any college courses taken while in high school if these courses are used in obtaining the high school diploma. One exception is the matriculated student who attends college full time and transfers back credits to complete the high school diploma. This rule does not exclude the possibility of placement in a higher level of a subject area without being given academic credit for the placement. “Placement” in this case does not refer to the Educational Testing Service Advanced Placement Tests, which are accepted at the Institute depending on the level of score. After admission, the student should have an official copy of a transcript from the college sent to the Registrar’s Office at Rensselaer along with a copy of the course description for each course. The material is evaluated by the appropriate academic department. If acceptable, it is posted on the student’s record and a copy of that record is sent to the student. No grade is given and it is not included in calculating the GPA. Undergraduate Students Entering Rensselaer from Another College Students entering Rensselaer from another college must apply to the Office of Transfer Admissions. The Office of Transfer Admissions notifies the student of the results of preliminary evaluation and requests the student to send a final transcript at the end of the current semester to the Office of Transfer Admissions. After the final course evaluation is made, the credit hours will be posted on the student’s permanent record. No grade is given for accepted courses, nor are these courses included in calculating the GPA. Undergraduate Transfer Credit Subject to specific approval, academic credit for courses taken at another college or university may be transferred to Rensselaer. For information on additional requirements for transferring Humanities and Social Sciences credits or Science credits, refer to the individual school’s section of this catalog. Rensselaer students taking courses at other institutions should follow the following procedures. Credit by Validation Exam Academic credit for college-level proficiency may, in special cases, be established for formal study done in other than an accredited institution by validation exam. Only full-time students are eligible. A written statement submitted to the registrar detailing the basis of their experience is required. A student must obtain approval from the registrar and the adviser or department head in the area concerned. Validation examinations are not permitted for courses previously failed or audited. A fee is charged for each examination taken. Students should check with the Registrar’s Office for procedures and appropriate forms. Graduate Credit by Transfer and Examination Credit for graduate work completed at other accredited institutions prior to matriculation at Renssalaer may be offered in partial fulfillment of the requirements, other than residence, for a degree at Rensselaer when the work is appropriate to the student’s program. Since the residence requirement for the master’s degree is 24 credit hours, not more than six credit hours may be transferred toward the 30-credit master’s degree. Also, not more than six credit hours used for a master’s degree in one area can be applied to a second master’s degree of 30 credits. In no case can the result of transfer or waived credits reduce this general degree requirement below 24 earned credit hours in a master’s program at Rensselaer. Class Attendance and Examinations Attendance Requirements The academic department concerned generally determines requirements for class attendance. Each instructor must make these requirements clear at the beginning of the course, and the student has to abide by them. If the instructor does not inform the class of the attendance policy, the class should ask for a statement of the policy. Final Examinations The examinations given at the end of each semester take place at the times announced on the examination schedule, published prior to the examination period. No student is allowed more than one final examination in a course. (See Senior ‘F’ Examination Rule.) Senior “F” Examination Rule Senior students who have no outstanding failures on record that would prevent graduation and who fail only one course taken during the first semester of their senior year, and who are candidates for a degree at the end of the second semester, may be eligible to take a re-examination in the course that was failed. These students must not have outstanding “I” or “NE” grades, either in prior semesters or in the current semester that would prohibit them from graduating. A senior who fails a course in the second semester may take a re-examination providing the course failed is the only course preventing his or her graduation. Study-Review Period No classes or exams will be held during the study-review period at the end of the semester. This day or these days will be the study period for final examinations. Letter Grades The letter grades and their meanings are: A = Excellent “D” Grade The letter grade “D” does not apply to graduate students. Thus, when a graduate student takes a course that is also open to undergraduates and performs at a level equivalent to a “D” grade, this grade cannot be recorded. Such grades are automatically converted to “F.” “FA” Grade This letter grade is assigned by the registrar to students who withdraw from a course but do not submit a Drop/Add form or an official notice of withdrawal from the university. “I” Grade The grade “I” (incomplete course work) is given, when, due to illness or other extenuating circumstances such as a personal emergency beyond the student’s control, a student has been unable to complete the required course work. The “I” grade is given only after the contract form, Authorization for Grade of Incomplete, has been completed and signed by both the instructor and the student and received by the registrar. The “I” grade is given only in instances of incomplete course work, such as laboratory exercises, course projects, term papers, etc. Under no circumstances may the “I” be given for the following situations:
The “I” grade must be completed within one semester. If facilities (i.e., laboratory) are required to complete the outstanding work but are not available during the next semester, then one year is the maximum time limit, subject to approval by the instructor. If the agreements made in the “I” grade contract are not observed, or if the “I” grade is not cleared in the time specified in the contract, the grade automatically becomes the grade noted on the “I” contract at the time the “I” contract is signed. If no grade is noted on the contract the “I” grade automatically becomes a “WI.” Once the “I” grade is changed to “WI,” no other grade change will be accepted. The “WI” grade will be calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. The grade of “I” is considered a penalty grade in the calculation of the term GPA. The grade of “I,” until it is changed, is calculated as if it were the grade of “F.” “WI” Grade This letter grade is assigned by the registrar to students who received an Incomplete (“I”) and failed to meet the criteria or the deadline specified in the “I” contract. It is calculated as an “F” in the student’s GPA. “IP” Grade The “IP” (In Progress) grade is given at the end of preliminary semesters of multiple-term courses such as Thesis, Project, or Research. “NE” Grade The “NE” grade is given only by the dean of students or the Office of Graduate Education to students who have been excused from taking a final exam at its scheduled time. In each case, the course instructor is to be informed. (See “Final Examinations” rules listed previously.) If the examination is not taken by the date specified, the grade automatically becomes an “F.” Once the “NE” grade is changed to an “F,” no other grade change will be accepted. “P” and “NC” Grades (Pass/No Credit Option) Subject to the limitations listed below, undergraduate students may elect to take courses on a pass or no credit basis, for which the grade is either “P” (Pass) or “NC” (Fail). Quality points will not be assigned for these courses and the “P” or “NC” will not be reflected in the grade point average. “NC” is a failing grade and can be cause for academic action. Courses taken on a Pass/No Credit option can count toward credit-hour and distribution requirements if the grade “P” is received. This option allows a student to take courses outside his or her normal curriculum or minor program that, because of grade considerations, the student otherwise might not consider. A student may take no more than 12 credit hours of courses designated as Pass/No Credit courses. No more than 6 credits of these may be humanities and social sciences courses used to satisfy the requirements of the undergraduate courses in these fields. A Pass/No Credit course may not be used in the H&SS depth requirement. Courses graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only are not included in the above restrictions. For the five-year B. Arch. curriculum, the Pass/No Credit option is extended, giving a maximum of 16 Pass/No Credit credits. No course previously failed or specifically required by name or required to be chosen from a list of named courses in the student’s curriculum or minor may be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis. Courses at the 6000 level may not be taken on a Pass/No Credit basis. A student exercising the Pass/No Credit option must file a form with the registrar before the last Friday of courses for that semester. Having elected to take a course on this basis, a student may drop the Pass/No Credit designation by notifying the registrar in writing by the last Friday of last full week of classes for the semester. This option is not available to graduate students or nonmatriculated students. “S” and “U” Grades These grades can only be assigned in courses specifically approved for such grading by the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee. Examples of such courses are seminar, thesis, or certain general electives, such as Tour of the Solar System, and others. “W” Grade The grade of “W” is assigned when a student is permitted to withdraw from a course after the deadline to drop a course. Only the Office of Graduate Education or the Academic Standing Committee can permit a student to drop a course after the deadline. If permission is granted, the registrar will assign a grade of “W.” “Z” Grade The registrar assigns the grade of “Z” if the instructor does not submit the course grade in time to print the semester grade reports. The student should see his or her instructor for a grade. Grade Point Average A student’s grade point average is determined on the basis of the following numbers assigned to the letter grades: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0, I=0, FA=0, WI=0. The grades P, U, S, IP, NE, NC, W, and Z are not considered in computing averages. The grade point average is computed by multiplying the number corresponding to the grade in each course by the number of credit hours for the course, totaling these products for the courses taken, and then dividing the sum by the total number of credit hours for the courses considered. Undergraduate Repeating a Course If an undergraduate repeats a course, both grades are entered on the record. However, course credit will count only once and, although both grades appear on the transcript, the grade received in the repeated course is always the one used in computing the GPA. Senior “F” examination rules remain the same. The grade for a repeated course taken on a Pass/No Credit basis or for which the student receives a grade of “W” or taken at another institution cannot be used in place of the original course grade in calculating the GPA. Students in a premedical or preprofessional program may want to consult with their advisers before repeating a course. Graduate Repeating a Course If a graduate student repeats a course, both grades are entered on the record and the grade points and credit hours corresponding to each are considered in computing the average. Scholastic Reports Grades are reported to the registrar at the end of each semester. When the grades have been compiled, a report of each student’s standing is sent to the student. Students are responsible for knowledge of their deficiencies and failures and may obtain a copy of their grades from the Registrar’s Office or may view their grades online. Only final semester grades are part of the student’s permanent record. Class rankings for undergraduates are calculated only once a semester, at the time grade reports are printed. Final semester grades and transcripts may be withheld from the student because of an outstanding bill to the Institute or because of pending disciplinary action. Curriculum Advising and Program Planning A Curriculum Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) report is available online for undergraduate students. This report shows what degree requirements have been met and identifies those requirements that are outstanding. Undergraduate Academic Honors A student who in any semester attains a grade point average of 3.00 or better and has no grade below C is placed on the Dean’s List for the following semester. Grades below “C” include “I,” “D,” “F,” “FA,” “U,” and “NC.” No student will be placed on the Dean’s List who takes less than the normal load of 12 credit hours. Thus, a student must have completed at least 12 credit hours with the grades of A, B, or C. Undergraduate Graduation Honors Undergraduate students with cumulative grade point averages of 3.50 or higher will receive special recognition with the following inscriptions on their diplomas: “Cum Laude” (3.50-3.69), “Magna Cum Laude” (3.70-3.89), and “Summa Cum Laude” (3.90-4.0). A student is considered in good academic standing if the student is making satisfactory progress toward his or her educational goals. Students not making satisfactory progress will be suspended or dismissed from the university. The university serves students from diverse educational backgrounds and interests and recognizes the individual differences in educational goals between matriculating and nonmatriculated students, between full-time and part-time students, and between graduate and undergraduate students. Undergraduate Academic Probation Students are placed on academic probation as a warning that they are in jeopardy of losing their good academic standing. Students are informed of their probationary status by a letter from the director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center at the end of the semester. Academic and extracurricular restrictions may be placed on them so that they can concentrate on their academic programs. Undergraduate Academic Suspension and Dismissal The Committee on Academic Standing reviews the records of students subject to suspension or dismissal. The committee is authorized to suspend or dismiss any student who:
Undergraduate Disciplinary Suspension or Expulsion A student whose behavior is in violation of university regulations is subject to disciplinary action. This may result in disciplinary suspension or expulsion from Rensselaer. These disciplinary actions may become a permanent part of the student’s record. A student who is expelled for disciplinary reasons cannot apply for readmission. Graduate Academic Suspension and Dismissal The Office of Graduate Education will review the records of students recommended for suspension or dismissal by the department chair. The student will be notified in writing by the Office of Graduate Education of any decision to suspend or dismiss. A student who is dismissed from a graduate program is not eligible for readmission or for a change of curriculum except under conditions stated in the letter of dismissal. Nonmatriculating Undergraduate Student Eligibility The Advising and Learning Assistance Center reviews the records of nonmatriculated undergraduates each semester to determine if the student is performing satisfactorily. A student whose academic performance is not satisfactory as determined by the director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center and the Committee on Academic Standing will not be permitted to continue at Rensselaer. Also, nonmatriculated students are permitted access to courses on a space available basis. Nonmatriculating Graduate Student Eligibility The records of nonmatriculated graduate students will be reviewed each semester to determine if the student is performing satisfactorily. If it appears that the student is not performing satisfactorily, the academic department will be consulted, if appropriate, and it may be determined that the student not be permitted to continue at Rensselaer. Also, nonmatriculated students are permitted access to courses on a space-available basis. Activities Eligibility Requirements In order to participate in activities sponsored by the Rensselaer Union, the student must pay an activities fee. Certain activities such as intercollegiate athletics may have special requirements such as minimum credit hour registration, graduate or undergraduate status, etc. Withdrawal from Rensselaer To leave the Institute in good standing, an undergraduate must submit a letter to the dean of students and a graduate student must submit a letter to the Office of Graduate Education stating the reasons for withdrawal and the student’s last day of residence on campus. Leave of Absence Students who wish to spend a period of time away from Rensselaer may request a leave of absence. In order to be considered for a leave, undergraduate students must submit a letter to the dean of students, graduate students to the Office of Graduate Education, stating his or her reasons for the request and the length of leave desired. Undergraduate leaves are normally given for up to one year. Undergraduate Readmission of Students Dismissed for Academic Reasons Students who have been dismissed from the Institute for academic reasons may apply for readmission after one full academic term (not including summer school) has elapsed. The Committee on Academic Standing makes all readmission decisions concerning academically dismissed undergraduate students. Requests for readmission should be on file at least two months prior to the term in which readmission is desired. Transcripts and course descriptions of work taken elsewhere must be submitted as part of the readmission process. Applications for readmission should be received from and returned to the Advising and Learning Assistance Center. Undergraduate Readmission of Students Suspended for Disciplinary Reasons Students suspended from the Institute for disciplinary reasons may reapply one month prior to the end of their suspension. Approval for readmission may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Students. Undergraduate Readmission of Students in Good Standing Students who have been permitted to withdraw in good standing or who have been granted a leave of absence will ordinarily be readmitted upon request of the director of the Advising and Learning Assistance Center. Graduate Readmission Graduate students desiring readmission must have the approval of the Office of Graduate Education. The student must fill out a Graduate Change of Status form, which is available in the Registrar’s Office. A student requesting readmission, who is not returning from an approved leave of absence, will be required to have departmental approval. Departments may require reapplication. Medical Determinations The medical director will make final decisions regarding readmission or continuance in the university when medical factors are a consideration.
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 110 8th St., Troy, NY 12180. (518) 276-6000 Please direct questions regarding this site to catalog@rpi.edu. |