School of Engineering and Applied Science: Academic Rules, Regulations, and Information

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Further guidance for undergraduates in the School of Engineering and Applied Science is available in the Undergraduate Handbook, available on-line at http://www.seas.virginia.edu/undergrad/handbook.php. 

Admission

Inquiries regarding admission to the School of Engineering and Applied Science should be addressed to the Dean of Admission, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400160, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4160 or by e-mail at undergrad-admission@virginia.edu.

Admission As a Special Student

In certain circumstances, individuals may be permitted to enroll in a maximum of two School of Engineering and Applied Science courses through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies as a part-time undergraduate.

International Student Admission

International students who apply to SEAS must meet the Language Requirements that UVA mandates for all international students. For this reason, applicants whose native language is not English and who have not already demonstrated sufficient English language proficiency through strong SAT or ACT scores or through evaluation of admission essays or recommendations must provide an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Testing System (IELTS) exam. A score may not be more than two years old. While the majority of admitted students attain a total score of at least 250 on the TOEFL, the scores of successful applicants generally range from 225 to 300. The University anticipates that applicants who provide a score on the new iBT TOEFL will likely earn a total score of at least 90 or IELTS a score of 7 is required.

All scores must be official; no self-reported scores will be accepted. Students without scores on the tests listed above will not be admitted to SEAS.

Advisory System

Faculty members and upper class students in the School of Engineering and Applied Science aid entering students in the transition to college life and in furthering their academic and career interests. Each first-year student consults with his or her faculty advisor about course and major selection, and other academic requirements.

Toward the end of the second semester, the student applies to a major in engineering and is then assigned an advisor in the department administering the degree program. The departmental advisor helps the student plan a curriculum and serves as a counselor for other academic matters and career interests.

Academic Probation 

All SEAS students who receive a semester grade point average below 2.000 are placed on academic probation. Students who fail a required course twice are placed on academic probation.

Academic Suspension

Students who have previously been on academic probation are suspended from the University following any semester in which both their current and cumulative GPA is below 2.000. Students who fail a required course they have failed at least twice before are suspended from the University.

Application for readmission from suspension must be made by letter addressed to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs by the deadline stated in the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook. In this letter the student should describe briefly his or her activities since suspension and his or her future academic goals. Academic credits taken elsewhere while on academic suspension are not accepted for transfer towards a UVa degree. Students must be readmitted to the School of their previous enrollment. That is, even if a student plans to transfer from SEAS to another undergraduate school at the University, the student must first be readmitted to SEAS.

The term of the first suspension is one year. A second suspension is final and the student is not allowed to return to the University.

Appeal of Academic Decisions 

Students should refer to the Student Academic Grievance Policy to appeal other academic decisions.

Appeal of Academic Sanctions

Students who are subject to academic sanctions according to the policies of the School of Engineering and Applied Science will be notified in writing, via email, by the appropriate Associate Dean.  Students have the right to appeal the sanction to the Committee on Academic Standards, a committee of faculty members representing the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The action by the committee on the appeal is final inasmuch as the committee acts for the full SEAS faculty in these matters.

The appeal must be signed and dated by the student and submitted to the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. The appeal must contain:

1. the appeal cover sheet
2. a narrative letter describing, in first person, the rationale for the appeal specifically addressing any mitigating circumstances (address this letter to the SEAS Committee on Academic Standards)
3. an academic plan, preferably endorsed by the student’s advisor, concerning enrollment in future semesters (please list specific classes during specific semesters), as well as plans to address previous academic challenges
4. a current, unofficial transcript

and it may include:

Supporting documentation from the advisor, instructors, medical care providers, or others with knowledge of the student’s situation (optional – submit only if relevant to the case)

The deadline for appeal will be clearly stated in the communication from the Associate Dean about the sanction.  The committee’s decision will be communicated to the student within 30 days of receiving the petition, and the committee’s decision is final; there is no further mechanism for appeal.

Appeal of Grading Decisions 

Students who wish to appeal a grade in a course offered by the School of Engineering and Applied Science must first attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course. Absent a satisfactory outcome, the student may appeal in writing to the Undergraduate Committee on Academic Standards.   

The appeal of a grade from a course offered during the fall term must be initiated by the student by March 1 of the following spring term; the appeal of a grade from a course offered during the spring or summer terms must be initiated by the student by October 1 of the following fall term. The appeal of a grade from a course offered during a student’s final term before graduation must be appealed before graduation.

A disagreement over the quality of the student’s work is not sufficient grounds for an appeal. The student should include all documentation that the student deems relevant to the appeal. The committee will provide a written response to the student’s appeal within thirty (30) calendar days.

If the above procedures are not followed, the student may submit a written appeal to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs with regard to the procedure only and not the grade appeal decision within five (5) calendar days. The Associate Dean will provide a written response to the student’s appeal within thirty (30) calendar days. The decision of the Associate Dean is final.

Students who have questions about the grade appeal process or who wish to discuss any classroom issue may contact the Undergraduate Program Office.

Annually, student who have exhibited service before self, integrity and excellence are nominated for the SEAS Outstanding Student Award.

The first year of study at the engineering school is spent garnering a solid background in the sciences and mathematics. Toward the end of the first year, students apply for admission to a major in one of ten programs in engineering or applied science. In the event a particular major is oversubscribed, admission may be limited. Admission to such programs is based on space availability, academic performance, and for some majors a personal essay. See the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook for a complete description of the major application process.

Throughout the curriculum, student takes courses in natural science (chemistry and physics), applied science (computer programming, applied mathematics, and various courses in engineering science), as well as social science (STS 4500 and Social Science Electives) and humanities courses (STS 4600 and Humanities Electives).

Specifically, the courses below comprise the general education requirements in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, taken throughout the undergraduate career.

4 credits - Single Variable Calculus II (APMA 1110)
4 credits – Multivariable Calculus III (APMA 2120)
4 credits - Gen Chemistry I & Lab (CHEM 1610/1611)
12 credits - Science, Technology, & Society Courses (STS 1500/2000 or 3000/4500/4600)
3 credits – Introduction to Programming (CS 1110, 1111, or 1112)
4 credits – General Physics I & Lab (PHYS 1425/1429)
9 credits – Humanities or Social Science Electives (see Elective Courses for more details)

The last three years are spent specializing in a chosen area and taking further courses in the general field of engineering. Successful graduates can expect a wide range of career opportunities in engineering, business, law, and medicine.

Elective Courses

The curricula include elective courses designed either as “humanities or social science (HSS) elective,” “technical elective,” or “unrestricted elective.”

1. HSS electives are selected from an approved list (available in A122 Thornton Hall or in the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook) of humanities and social science offerings. Communication courses in the student’s native or first language, regardless of their level, may not be used to satisfy this requirement. 
2. Technical electives are chosen from engineering or applied science, science, or mathematics courses not normally required in the student’s curriculum. Approved technical electives vary by program, and students should consult their program’s regulations regarding acceptable courses for technical elective credit.
3. Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses below MATH 1310, including STAT 1100 and 1120, and courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 2010, PHYS 2020, CS 1010, CS 1020, or any introductory programming course. Students in doubt as to what is acceptable to satisfy a degree requirement should obtain the approval of their advisor and the dean’s office, A122 Thornton Hall. APMA 1090 counts as a three-credit unrestricted elective.

Students are expected to consult with their advisor to arrive at an acceptable overall program of electives. All electives should be chosen to meet an objective rather than at random.

ROTC Programs

The regular curricula can be supplemented to include Air, Military, or Naval Science courses. Depending on the ROTC branch and degree program, such a curriculum may take more than eight semesters to complete. 

Special Requirements for Non-native English Speaking Students

Students who are still developing their skills in English as a second language will fulfill the first STS requirement with a two semester sequence of STS 1000 Introduction to Technical Communications for Non-native Speakers (Fall semester) and a special section of STS 1500 (Spring semester). Students required to fulfill the first STS requirement with the two semester sequence will be notified during the summer before matriculating so that they can plan accordingly.

Attendance

Regular attendance in classes is a vital part of the educational process. At the University of Virginia, each student is expected to attend all lectures, laboratories, quizzes, and practical exercises, subject to absence penalties specified by the instructor.

Absences traditionally excused are those that occur because of illness or death in a student’s family, important religious holidays, or authorized University activities, such as field trips or University sponsored events.

Students who anticipate absence for cause should obtain permission from the instructor in advance of the absence; unforeseen absences resulting from sickness or other circumstances considered to be emergencies may be excused by the instructor, and arrangements may be made with the instructor to complete the assignments missed.

SEAS students taking courses in the College or other schools of the University are governed by the attendance regulations of the instructor in that division; unexcused absences from such courses are subject to the penalties prescribed.

Completion of Prerequisite Courses

The sequences of required courses leading to various engineering degrees are carefully arranged to ensure that a student who enters any course may be expected to receive maximum benefit from the course. A student who failed a course may not normally enroll for any course that lists the failed course as a prerequisite before satisfactorily completing that course. Under unusual circumstances, exceptions may be made. Exceptions require written permission from the instructor of the failed course, all instructors of the subsequent course, and approval by the dean.

Course Enrollment

Except for students in extended programs or for special arrangements approved by the dean, each student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science must enroll for all courses required by the curriculum of the department in which he or she is enrolled. Substitutions of courses completed elsewhere by students entering with advanced standing must be approved by the Associate Dean (in consultation with the departmental faculty concerned when necessary).

Students making normal progress toward their degree may graduate under the curriculum in force at the time they entered the school. However, because curricula change to keep pace with evolving technologies and new disciplines, students may be required to substitute courses that the faculty designate as equivalent.

Each student is responsible for the selection of his or her own program, the fulfillment of prerequisites, and the scheduling of all courses required by his or her curriculum. The student’s academic advisor is always available with assistance, but the duty of enrolling in and completing the full degree requirements rests primarily with the student.

Course Load

Normal The normal undergraduate course load is 15-18 graded credits, unless the student is on probation, in which case a course load of 12 to 15 credits is recommended. Students should always consult with their academic advisor to determine the appropriate course selection for each semester.

Overload A proposed overload amounting to 20 or more credits must be approved by a faculty advisor and by the Office of the Dean. Demonstrated superior academic performance and clear career planning will be the major criteria for approval, including a grade point average of 3.600 or higher.

Dropping a Course

With the approval of the student’s advisor, a student may drop and void registration in a course any time up to the official drop date, unless such action reduces the number of graded credits for which the student is registered to fewer than 12.

Enforced Withdrawal From a Course

With the approval of the dean, faculty may impose enforced withdrawal with a notation of W on the transcript as a penalty for habitual delinquency in class, habitual idleness, or any other fault that prevents the student from fulfilling the purposes implied by registration in the University.

Extension of a Course

After the withdrawal date (two weeks before the end of the semester), a student can no longer withdraw from a course. If there are extenuating circumstances, and if it is feasible, a student may petition for a course extension. If approved, all work must be completed by the end of the next academic term and preferably before the start of the next term. Feasibility is determined after a review of the outstanding work, the availability of the instructor, the accessibility of laboratory facilities, and other practical considerations.

Graduate Courses

Undergraduates may be granted permission to take 6000-level series courses in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Qualifications include fourth-year standing and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.200. 5000-level courses are open to all fourth-year undergraduates.

Laboratory Courses

To register for or attend any laboratory course, a student must be registered or have credit for the associated lecture course. If the associated courses are taken concurrently and the lecture course is dropped, the laboratory course may be continued for credit only with permission of the laboratory instructor or the dean.

Repeating Courses

Students may be required to repeat courses they have passed with low grades, as determined by program-specific policies.  Students should consult their program’s undergraduate handbook and website for clear guidance about when a course must be repeated.  Both grades for a repeated course are used in the computation for the grade point average, and both grades appear on the student’s transcript.

Required Courses

Courses specified in each degree curriculum are required, and changes or substitution are not ordinarily permitted. Any student who either drops or fails a required course must register anew for that specific course (or for its successor in case the original is no longer offered) and repeat the content in its entirety.

Withdrawing from a Course

After the drop date, a student must petition the School to withdraw from a course. Students will be granted one withdrawal for personal reasons. Subsequent requests to withdraw will be granted only when there are extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control. A student who is permitted to withdraw from a particular course will receive a W for the course. Petitions must be approved by faculty advisor, and endorsed by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for a baccalaureate degree, a student must have received credit for all required and elective courses included in their program. In addition, the student must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000.

Regular programs leading to the various degrees are detailed under the departmental listings. The student should become familiar with the requirements of his or her chosen area of study. Students are expected to apply to a major area of study at the end of the second semester but may change majors at a later date.

Residence Requirements

A recipient of a degree in engineering or applied science must have been in residence for two academic years in this University, and registered in the School of Engineering and Applied Science during the semester in which he or she receives a degree.

Bachelor’s-Master’s Program

Outstanding students may be admitted to the combined Bachelor’s-Master’s Program at the end of their third year. After admission, students take a mixture of graduate and undergraduate courses and work on a sponsored research project in the summer and academic year. This program encourages the best and brightest students to enter into research in the various engineering and applied science fields.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate Degrees are offered in all of the school’s areas of specialization. For information on these programs and inquiries regarding admission, contact the Office of Graduate Programs, School of Engineering and Applied Science, P.O. Box 400242, Charlottesville, VA 22904-0242.

Special students who wish to become degree candidates must apply through the University Office of Admission for undergraduate admission or through the School of Engineering and Applied Science for graduate admission.

Graduation

Only students whose official graduation date is May will be permitted to participate in SEAS diploma ceremonies. Students who, during their last spring semester, withdrawal from a course or fail a course that is required to fulfill any graduation requirement will not be permitted to participate in SEAS diploma ceremonies. Also, per University rule, no student with an IN on their record (from their last spring semester or earlier semesters) will be permitted to graduate until the IN is resolved and all degree requirements are satisfied. Students whose official graduation date is August or December will be invited to participate in Final Exercises the following May.

Absence From Examinations

Unexcused absence from an examination incurs an automatic failure in the course with a grade of F. Absence from a final examination for any course offered in the School of Engineering and Applied Science may be excused only by the dean, and then only when accompanied by evidence of arrangement with the instructor for a deferred examination, to be taken within ten days after the regular examination. An emergency that justifies extension of this period will be considered only when supported by satisfactory documentation submitted immediately after the period of emergency. After the ten day period, or its extension if granted by the dean, the temporary grade of IN (incomplete) will officially become a grade of F unless the deferred examination has been completed. Absences are excused only for sickness on the day of the examination or for other providential cause acceptable to the dean. An excused absence may be absolved by taking a special examination at a time mutually satisfactory to the instructor and the student concerned. Special examinations are not granted for reasons other than those stated above.

Credit/No Credit Grades

In some courses, students have the option of receiving the grades CR (credit) or NC (no credit) in place of the regular grades, A through F. This option may be selected when students register for the course, and the course instructor has the right to deny students permission to take the course on a CR/NC basis. The grading basis cannot be changed after the semester add deadline. Courses taken for CR/NC may not be used for any major or degree requirements. Only courses that are not part of the degree program may be taken CR/NC.

SEAS has one Intra-University (IUT) transfer application deadline per year in March. In order to be eligible for IUT, applicants must demonstrate a history of success in a technical curriculum, as described in the Engineering School transfer guidelines. Students without a demonstrated history of success will not be accepted for transfer. Transfer applications are evaluated on the basis of overall academic performance as well as performance in specific technical courses, including academic performance during the semester in which the transfer application is submitted. Applicants for transfer to the Engineering School also apply to a major within the School using the same transfer application. Entrance into some degree programs in the School is space-limited and therefore a competitive process.  For details and the application, visit SEAS Intra-University Transfer.

Leaving the University

The University withdrawal form is located on the SIS Student Self Service page in a box on the lower right titled eForms.  The form is titled Leaving the University (Leaves, Withdrawals, and Transfers).  

• Leave of Absence is an action students can take after the completion of a semester, indicating that the student plans to be away from the university for at least one semester. 
• Withdrawal is an action students can take during the semester.  All registered courses will show a W, indicating withdrawal.   If you withdraw during the last 10 class days immediately preceding the Final Examination period, you are not permitted to re-enter the succeeding semester.

Application for readmission from leave of absense or withdrawal must be made by letter addressed to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, requesting to return.  Students must be readmitted to the School of their previous enrollment. That is, even if a student plans to transfer from SEAS to another undergraduate school at the University, the student must first be readmitted to SEAS.  Students should refer to the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook for additional details and deadlines.

Readmission 

Students should consult “Returning to the University” in the University Regulations—Academic section of this Record for policies that govern their readmission to the University. Engineering students must submit a written request for readmission to the associate dean for undergraduate studies by July 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for January Term or the spring semester. No late applications will be accepted.

Reenrollment

Students should consult “Returning to the University” in the University Regulations—Academic section of this Record for policies that govern their reenrollment at the University. Engineering students must submit a written request to reenroll to the associate dean for undergraduate studies by July 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for January Term or the spring semester. No late applications will be accepted.

All students in SEAS have one primary major.  First-year students are classified as “undeclared”, and they transition to their undergraduate major at the end of their first year.  “Undeclared” is not a defree porogram and students cannot graduate from SEAS while undeclared.  Students can elect to pursue a second major in SEAS or elsewhere.  This is only recommended for students with strong academic records containing evidence of success during semesters with heavy course load.  Our general guidance on majors and minors: SEAS students can request approval of additional majors and minors in SEAS from the department that offers the majors and minors.  For additional majors in the College, see the College Undergraduate Record for full details of their policies on earning majors and minors. 

Students will receive one diploma indicating their primary major.  All other credienials (majors, minors, concentrations) appear on the academic transcript.

For SEAS specific study abroad resources, visit the SEAS Office of International Programs. 

Transfer credit eligiblity is based on an analysis of the content, level, and comparability of the courses taken, the applicability of the courses to the student’s intended major and degree program, and the quality of the student’s performance in the courses.  Students must submit a request for transfer of credit form prior to enrolling in courses for transfer. Grades do not transfer and do not affect the student’s cumulative grade point average at the University of Virginia.  For more information, see the Transfer Credit section of the University Regulations or contact the SEAS Undergraduate Office.