Quick Links -
On This Page:

What is Engineering?

Understanding Your Curriculum        

In understanding your curriculum, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the requirements for your degree. These requirements are available in the undergraduate or graduate catalogs.

Visit the Undergraduate Studies site to select your catalog year and degree program.

Engineering Academic Policies       

Grading Policies

1. S/U Grading Policy
   
   Students pursuing College of Engineering degree programs are expected to take their courses on a graded basis. Please refer to the grading system in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. S/U grading option must be requested during the first week of classes. Courses taken on an S/U basis are not applicable to the College’s degree programs. Exceptions require written approval of the department advisor prior to registration.
   
   
2. I Grade Policy
   
   The criteria for requesting and time limit for completing a grade of “I” (incomplete) are detailed in the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures portion of this Catalog. A written agreement detailing the specific requirements and time limit for completion is required in some departments and recommended in all others.
   
   Full tuition must be paid and an audit form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the first week of classes if a student wishes to attend the course again to review the material. If a student registers for the course but does not request to audit the course, a grade will be submitted for the subsequent registration and the I grade will be converted to an IF. In this case, the student may choose to apply grade forgiveness.
   
   
3. Minimum Acceptable Grade in Required Courses
   
   Unless otherwise stated, the minimum acceptable grade in math and science prerequisites is a C (C- is insufficient). Minimum acceptable grades for engineering, math and science courses, as they pertain to specific degree programs, are determined by the academic departments. Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with departmental guidelines.

1. Minimum GPA Requirements
   
   To meet graduation and continuation requirements all undergraduate students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in the following categories:
   
   • Overall Undergraduate GPA
   • USF GPA
   • GPA* in Math and Science courses required for the curriculum
   • Engineering Courses
   • Specialization Courses
     
   
   *Note: The Math Science GPA is based upon the best attempt. Other categories include all attempts, unless grade forgiveness has been applied. In no case will the minimum GPA for a category be less than 2.0.
   
   Students who do not maintain the required minimums of the program pursued in each category are ineligible for further registration in the College unless individually designed continuation programs are recommended by the student’s academic advisor and approved by the department undergraduate coordinator or the Director of Admissions & Advising.
   
   Under University of South Florida policy, students who have been academically dismissed may petition the Academic Regulations Committee for readmission. The College may lend support to such a petition after the first dismissal from the University if extenuating circumstances existed and if the deficiency can be corrected within two semesters. However, should a second dismissal occur, the College will not support readmission to the College of Engineering.
   
   Students who are academically dismissed from the University of South Florida may choose to attend another institution of higher learning and reapply to USF after thus improving their overall GPA. These returning students will be considered for readmission to the College if they meet the program entrance requirements for their intended major as published in the University of South Florida Undergraduate Catalog in effect during the term of return.
   
   
2. English Requirement
   
   Students evidencing an English deficiency will be required to initiate the necessary corrective programs with the assistance of their advisors. It is recognized that such deficiencies can exist even though a student has met the University’s minimum English requirements. Correction of any deficiency must commence the term after a student has been notified and must be completed prior to recommendation of the student for graduation by the faculty of the College.
   
   
3. Mathematics Requirement
   
   Students evidencing a lack of the ability to apply mathematics will be required to take remedial coursework beyond their regular degree requirements. Faculty of the College who encounter students who are deficient in their mathematical ability will refer such cases to the Advising Office.
   
   
4. Residency Requirement
   
   Transfer students must complete a minimum number of specialization courses in the USF degree granting department. The minimum number of USF specialization credit hours required is established by the respective academic department. In no case will this be less than 18 hours. The University residency requirement of 30 USF hours must also be met. General engineering courses are not considered specialization courses.
   
   
5. Satisfactory Progress and Years to Degree
   
   Students who register for a course three times without receiving the required grade(i.e., receive a grade below that required for the intended major or W (withdrawn)) will be denied further enrollment in the College of Engineering unless written permission is obtained from the Department Chairperson and the College Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or his designee.
   
   The College of Engineering requires that a student complete the baccalaureate degree within five years after beginning engineering specialization courses. Specialization courses taken more than five years prior to graduation will not be counted toward the degree. Exceptions may be granted by the Academic Department.
   
   
6. Academic Dishonesty/Disruption of Academic Process
   
   The College of Engineering will maintain an environment that encourages all to study and conduct engineering research free from undue disruption. Disruption of the Academic Process is a matter the College is obliged to report to Student Judicial Services. Academic dishonesty, in any form, is taken very seriously by the College of Engineering and will result in sanctions. The most serious penalty is dismissal from the University. (See University policies regarding academic dishonesty.)
   
   
7. Grievance Procedure
   
   Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the University’s Grievance Procedures. The processes for conflict resolution are clearly defined. Documentation is required and must be filed within a specified period of time. (See the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the current USF Undergraduate Catalog.)
   


8. University, College and Program Requirements
   
   The College requirements described in the section above are in addition to requirements set forth in the University policy and procedures section and the departmental sections in the Undergraduate catalog. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all university, college, program and c urricular requirements prior to graduation.
   
   
9. Graduation Application Procedures and Deadlines
   
   Each engineering student is required to complete an application for graduation and check list. Students should schedule an appointment with the Department Undergraduate Coordinator to review graduation qualifications and obtain departmental signatures well in advance of the College graduation application deadline. Approved applications must be submitted to the College of Engineering Advising Office the term prior to the semester in which graduation is sought. Graduation applications are due on the dates indicated below.

   August 1st for Fall Graduation
   November 1st for Spring Graduation
   April 1st for Summer Graduation

   Note: Taking the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam prior to graduation is a requirement in some departments and strongly encouraged in others. (See the Office of Engineering Student Services for information and applications.)

What is a S.A.S.S.        

Your degree audit or, S.A.S.S. (Student Academic Support System), matches your academic record against the requirements of your degree program. It is a great advising tool that will let you know approximately where you stand in your program and how many requirements you have left to complete.

Please visit the Student Academic Support System web site at
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/sass/sass.htm, to find out more about SASS reports - especially how to read a report!

How do I get a S.A.S.S. report?        

1. Visit your academic advisor.


2. Visit the OASIS web page and go to either the OASIS login or click on the link for SASS Undergraduate Degree Audit.


3. View and print your SASS from the FACTS web page at http://www.facts.org.