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

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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.

International Student Admission

For the 2021-22 and 2022-23 application years, UVA has adopted a Test Optional admission policy that includes international students. Students whose first language is not English or who have attended an English-speaking school for fewer than two years are encouraged to provide evidence of their English proficiency by submitting the results of the TOEFL or the IELTS.  

We strongly encourage all applicants whose first language is not English to participate in an English language assessment, regardless of their secondary school education. Please contact InitialView or Vericant to schedule your evaluation. This evaluation is an opportunity to display your communication skills, reasoning abilities, and your enthusiasm for becoming a successful student at the University of Virginia. No other interviews are offered. 

Advisory System

Collaboration and personal attention mark the relations between engineering faculty members and students. All new incoming first year students are assigned a Faculty Advisor who typically serves as one of their instructors in the first semester.  These faculty members 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 their faculty advisor about course and major selection, and other academic requirements. 

Transfer students and first years who declare a major in their second semester are assigned an advisor in the department administering the degree program. The departmental advisor helps the student create a plan to successfully complete the curriculum and serves as a resource for other academic matters and career interests.

Students are expected to meet with their advisor once in the fall and once in the spring to plan their course of study.  Advisors typically remove the advising hold in the Student Information System only after they have met with a student. Students are also encouraged to contact their advisors for other matters related to academics, career planning, professional service, or to discuss any other matters.  The School of Engineering and Applied Science Undergraduate Program Office provides assistance and serves as another source of information and academic guidance. Students are ultimately responsible for their academic schedule and degree requirements and should run their Academic Requirement report regularly.

Academic Probation 

UVA Engineering believes in the importance of learning from academic setbacks and failure.  We use grade point averages at the end of the fall and spring semesters or two failing* grades in a required** course to identify students in need of support.  Therefore, following any fall or spring semester where a student receives a semester grade point average below 2.000, we put the student on Academic Probation and expect the student to engage in reflection through an Academic Success Plan and empower the student to form an Academic Success Team.

Academic Suspension

Students who were on academic probation Fall 2021 and after are suspended from the University following any semester in which both their current and cumulative GPA is below 2.000. We also use three failing* grades in a required** course to identify students for suspension.

The term of the first suspension is one semester.

We extend students previously on probation the option of avoiding academic suspension through completing an Academic Recovery Plan and form an Academic Success Team.  To avoid suspension, we require students to create this plan the month following notification of suspension to stay enrolled in courses the next semester.   

*An NC earned under the COVID-19 Grading Policy does not count as failed. 

**A “required” course is one that is specified by their program of study or by the general education requirements of the School of Engineering as being required of all students to earn a degree. 

A student can apply for reenrollment from suspension through the Return to University form in SIS (bottom left) and follow the deadlines under Reenrollment . The student should briefly describe their activities since suspension and future academic goals. Students can request to transfer 3-4 academic credits taken elsewhere while on academic suspension. Students must be readmitted to the School of their previous enrollment. That is, even if a student plans to transfer from UVA Engineering to another undergraduate school at the University, the student must first be readmitted to UVA Engineering.

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 UVA Engineering 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 Affairs. The appeal must contain:

1. the appeal cover sheet
2. a narrative letter describing, in your own words, the rationale for the appeal specifically addressing any mitigating circumstances (address this letter to the UVA Engineering Committee on Academic Standards)
3. a current, unofficial transcript

and it may include:

Medical documentation and/or supporting documentation from your advisor, instructors, or others with knowledge of your situation (optional – submit only if relevant to your 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 thirty (30) calendar 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 Affairs 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.

Dean’s List

Full-time students who demonstrate academic excellence while taking a minimum of 15 credits of graded course work are eligible for the Dean’s List of at the end of each semester.  Courses taken on a CR/NC basis are not counted toward the 15-credit minimum.  A current minimum grade point average of 3.400 is necessary to be eligible for the Dean’s List.  Any student receiving an F, NC, or NG during the semester is not eligible to be on the Dean’s List.  Students who qualify will receive the notation of “Dean’s List” on their transcript within several weeks after the conclusion of the semester. 

Graduation Honors

Degrees are conferred “with distinction” for students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.400, “with high distinction” for a cumulative GPA of at least 3.600, or “with highest distinction” for a cumulative GPA of at least 3.800.

UVA Engineering Outstanding Student Award

Students that have demonstrated excellent academic performance, leadership, and service are nominated annually to receive the UVA Engineering Outstanding Student Award. The award is one of UVA Engineering’s highest student honors.

The first year of study at the School of Engineering and Applied Science is spent garnering a solid background in the sciences and mathematics. Toward the end of the first year, students declare a major in one of ten programs in engineering or applied science. In February of your first year, look for an email explaining how you declare your major.

Throughout the curriculum, students take 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, fulfilled throughout the undergraduate career through course transfer, placement, or course completion.

• 4 credits – Introduction to Engineering (ENGR 1624)
• 4 credits - Single Variable Calculus II (APMA 1110)
• 4 credits – Multi-variable Calculus III (APMA 2120)
• 4 credits - Gen Chemistry I & Lab (CHEM 1410/1411)
• 12 credits - Science, Technology, & Society Courses (STS 1500/2000 or 3000/4500/4600)
• 3 credits – Introduction to Programming (CS 1110, 1111, CS 1112, and CS 1113)
• 4 credits – General Physics I & Lab (PHYS 1425/1429)
• 9 credits – Humanities or Social Science Electives (see Elective Courses for more details)

All incoming first-year students are required to complete a math placement exam.  Students who place into Single Variable Calculus I (APMA 1090) are strongly encouraged to complete this course, but it is not required.

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 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 the following:  (1) mathematics courses below MATH 1310, (2) STAT 1100 and 1120, and (3) courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 2010, PHYS 2020, CS 1010, and CS 1020.  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.

Exceptions to the general education curriculum for individual students must be approved by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs. Exceptions to the curriculum requirements of individual degree programs must be approved by the Undergraduate Director of that program. Students should complete an Engineering Curriculum Modification Request form in either case. 

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. 

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, or personal illness.

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.

UVA Engineering 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 Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs.

Course Enrollment

Except for students in extended programs or for special arrangements approved by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, each student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science must enroll for all courses required by the curriculum of the program department in which the student 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 enforced 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 their own program, the fulfillment of prerequisites, and the scheduling of all courses required by their program 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

Full Time A full-time undergraduate course load is 12 credits. An average of 16 graded credits per semester is recommended for a student to graduate within 8 semesters of study. This is because many degree programs in Engineering require 128 graded credits in total. Students should check the requirements of their degree program and should always consult 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 Undergraduate Programs. Demonstrated superior academic performance and clear career planning will be the major criteria for approval.  Students in their first semester will not be permitted to enroll in more than 19 credits.  

Reduced Load and Part Time It is sometimes beneficial to students to take less than a full-time course load (defined above). Reduced load is defined as greater than 6 credits and less than 12 credits, while part-time is defined as 6 credits or less and no more than 2 classes. Reduced-load enrollment still bears full-time tuition and fees, while part-time enrollment is paid by the credit hour. Enrolling at either reduced load or part-time requires permission from the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs unless the student is in their final semester of study and needs fewer than full-time credits in order to complete their degree requirements. In that instance, students make their request directly to the Undergraduate Registrar in Engineering. Students seeking reduced-load or part-time enrollment are strongly encouraged to first speak with their academic advisor to ensure timely graduation, and with Student Financial Services to ensure that they understand impacts to their financial aid packages. 

Dropping a Course

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.  Students who wish to drop below 12 credits must appeal to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Affairs prior to the official drop date of the term.

Enforced Withdrawal from a Course

With the approval of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, 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 official withdrawal date, 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. Feasibility is determined after a review of the outstanding work, the availability of the instructor, the accessibility of laboratory facilities, and other practical considerations.  If approved, all work must be completed within 30 days from the grading deadline of the term.  Extensions past 30 days must be approved by the instructor and communicated to the Undergraduate Programs Office. 

Graduate Courses

Undergraduates may seek permission to take 6000-level series courses in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Undergraduates must be approved by their advisor and the instructor of the course in order to be permitted to enroll in a 6000-level graduate course.  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.

Repeating Courses

Students may be required to repeat courses they have failed or passed with low grades, as determined by program-specific policies.  Students should consult with their academic advisor 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 deadline, a student can submit a course withdrawal request in SIS prior to the course withdrawal deadline. Drop and course withdrawal deadlines can be found under the Academic Calendar on the University Registrar’s website. A student who is permitted to withdraw from a particular course will receive a W for the course. Requests to withdraw below 12 credits must be approved by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs prior to the course withdrawal deadline.  In the event of emergency and/or exigent circumstances, students may petition to to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs to withdraw from a course after the course withdrawal deadline has passed (Request for Late Course Withdrawal). Poor performance unrelated to emergency and/or exigent circumstances is not sufficient to request a late course withdrawal. No course withdrawal requests will be approved after final grades have been submitted.

Degree Requirements

To qualify for a baccalaureate degree, a student must have satisfied 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 declare their 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 they receive a degree.  Fifty percent of the course requirements for a student’s primary academic degree program must be satisfied in residence at the University of Virginia.  

Graduation

A student will graduate when credit for all required and elective courses for their primary academic degree program is satisfied, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.000.  Students must apply for graduation in the Student Information System (SIS) by the add deadline in their final term.  Students may not delay their graduation in order to complete a second major and/or minor.  Students may not continue to enroll in classes after their degree is conferred unless they have been accepted to another degree program at the University, or apply as a visiting non-degree student. 

Only students whose official graduation date is May will be permitted to participate in UVA Engineering diploma ceremonies. Students who, during their last spring semester, withdraw from a course or fail a course that is required to fulfill any graduation requirement will not be permitted to participate in UVA Engineering 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.

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.

Grading Basis Changes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Spring 2020. To review the grading basis change information please Click Here .

UVA Engineering will have two transfer application deadlines per year, in December and June. In order to be eligible for intra-University transfer (IUT,) applicants must demonstrate a history of success in a technical curriculum. Students without a demonstrated history of success and progress toward an engineering degree will not be accepted for transfer. Students will declare their major on their transfer application. There are no “caps” on majors and no separate process to apply into a major.  All students accepted for transfer are placed into their major of choice. For details and the application, visit UVA Engineering Intra-University Transfer.

Leaving the University

Students should consult “Leaving and Returning to the University” in the University Regulations—Academic section of this Record for policies that govern their absence from the university.  The University withdrawal form is located on the SIS Student Self Service page menu under 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 a student withdraws within 8 weeks prior to the starting day of the next semester, the student may not attend the University during that semester. For example, withdrawing during the fall term in December precludes a student from enrolling in J-term and spring semesters, and the student may apply to reenroll (see below) for the summer and/or fall term.  

Application for reenrollment from a leave of absence or withdrawal must be made using the Returning to the University form on the SIS Student Self Service page menu under eForms. Refer to the Reenrollment section below for additional information.  

Reenrollment

Students should consult “Leaving and 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 the Returning to the University form by April 1 for the summer semester, July 1 for the fall semester, and December 1 for the January Term or the spring semester. Late applications will not be accepted.  The Returning to the University form is located on the SIS Student Self Service page menu under eForms.

Students wishing to return from an absence of 24 continuous months or longer will need additional approval from the Provost’s Committee on Student Readmission.  The Undergraduate Programs Office will submit the appeal to return on the student’s behalf.  No additional steps are required by the student.

All students in UVA Engineering 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 degree program and students cannot graduate from UVA Engineering while undeclared.  Students can elect to pursue a second major in UVA Engineering 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: UVA Engineering students can request approval of additional majors and minors in UVA Engineering 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 in UVA Engineering cannot double major in the McIntire School of Commerce.  However, students can apply to transfer to the McIntire School of Commerce and potentially add a second major in engineering.  

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

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure 

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement, the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)).

Upon completion graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).

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

External Transfer Credit for New Students in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Spring 2020. To review the criteria that will be used to evaluate external transfer credits earned during Spring 2020 please Click Here .

Transfer credit eligibility 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.  The transfer credit rules and equivalency list for the School of Engineering & Applied Science can be found here.  For more information, please see the Transfer Credit section under the University Regulations or contact the Undergraduate Registrar for the School of Engineering and Applied Science.