Skip to main content

loading...

loading…

Academic Policies

Academic standing

The Kahlert School of Computing requires students to maintain good academic standing in order to graduate.  Academic probation exists to help students achieve the expected standards through a system of advice and assistance making plans to be successful.

In rare circumstances, academic probation forces a student, who is unable to complete the degree requirements in a timely and satisfactory manner, to pursue a different degree program.  In general, a student has two semesters (excluding summer) to meet the requirements for returning to good standing.  A student failing to do so is removed from their degree program.

To remain in good standing, a student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in Kahlert School of Computing courses at the 2000 level and above, as well as an overall University GPA of 2.5 or higher.  A student with a GPA below 2.5 in either category is placed on academic probation and given conditions for returning to good standing.

Academic probation: First time warning

The first semester of academic probation does not affect a student’s ability to enroll in future Kahlert School of Computing courses.  Students on academic probation should consult an academic advisor before registering for classes and follow the advisor’s recommendations.

Suspension: Extended academic probation

In the second semester of academic probation, a student is allowed to register for Kahlert School of Computing courses; however, the student’s status is suspended after the class-add deadline.  The status change prevents the student from enrolling in future Kahlert School of Computing courses until satisfactory progress is made.

After grades are posted for the semester, a student on academic probation is informed of their status in a timely manner.  If a student’s continuing GPAs (both cumulative and technical) are 2.5 or higher, the student’s status is reinstated.  Alternatively, a student who has not met this requirement, but has substantially raised their GPA, is given an additional semester of extended academic probation.

Students previously on academic probation

A student who has previously been on academic probation and then removed from probation, but is once again placed on probation, is placed in the extended academic probation category by default and has only one semester to return to good standing.  Such students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies about the best path for returning to good standing.

Repeating courses

Any course may be taken at most twice, and any grade (including W, I, V) counts as an attempt.  See the Price College of Engineering guidelines for details.

For some cases in which a non-academic emergency has prevented a student from completing a course successfully in two attempts, a third attempt may be granted.  To petition for such an exception, the student should complete the Third Attempt Request Form and include a formal letter to the School Undergraduate Committee, ensuring that it meets these requirements:

    • The letter must contain a concrete and detailed plan for success in a third and final attempt, enumerating points of struggle from the previous attempts and what will be done differently to overcome them.  The committee looks favorably on a plan that is proactive and makes good use of teaching assistants, tutoring, and other campus resources for success.
    • The letter must also contain a draft of the student’s proposed schedule for each week, including all classes and all commitments outside of class.  The schedule should demonstrate adequate time is being spent attending class, as well as doing assignments and studying outside of class.  Complete and attach the Time Audit Worksheet.
    • The letter should contain the student’s name, University ID number, and the date.

Note: A student who is found to be enrolled in a course for a third attempt without approval will be removed after the start of classes or will find the course not considered toward degree status.

Petitions for Fall semester must be submitted before August 15.  Petitions for Spring semester must be submitted before Jan 1.

Minimum number of courses taken at the University of Utah

Students pursuing a degree in computing must complete a minimum of ten (3.0+ credit hour) Kahlert School of Computing courses numbered 2000 or above at the University of Utah.

Degree requirement modification

In limited cases, a student may request that degree requirements be modified.  In all cases, a student must meet the University of Utah graduation requirements.  Further, the student should plan to substitute an equal number of credit hours as the required course.

Petitioning for course equivalence

For courses taken at other institutions and transferred to the University of Utah, see the information for transfer credit.

Substituting a required computing course

A modification to a required course is considered only when a student already has an equivalent university-level course completed.  In such a case, a more advanced substitute course is required.

Substituting an elective computing course

The Kahlert School of Computing degree programs offer a wide breadth of electives.  In the rare case where an outside course addresses topics uncovered by offered electives and supports the learning outcomes of their degree program, a student can petition to have such a course accepted in lieu of an elective.

Substituting a required math/science course

In most cases, advanced math courses automatically satisfy this requirement.  If there is a course that does not have Calculus II as a co- or prerequisite, yet otherwise meets the math/science requirement, a student can petition to have the course substituted.

Petition criteria and process

Before petitioning for a degree modification, a student should review the learning outcomes of their degree program.  In order for a modification to be allowed, the substituted course must significantly support one or more of these outcomes.  Furthermore, the modification is considered in combination with the student’s overall degree plan, where in the view of the reviewing committee, the entire program substantially covers all learning outcomes.

The following criteria are used to evaluate degree modification requests:

    • Requests are reviewed based on a holistic overview of the student’s entire academic profile.  Variances are granted only when the committee determines that the change will:

        • improve the individual student’s career
        • maintain a degree that meets the expected rigor, depth, and breadth

    • Be sure to request permission for a variance before taking the proposed substitute course.
    • A student with a strong academic career, as demonstrated by a high GPA and a broad range of foundational courses in their major are much more likely to be considered for a variance.
    • Requests to substitute a class because of scheduling conflicts are very unlikely to be granted.
    • Courses which require strong computing-related technical skills are more likely to be accepted as substitutions.  This includes the use of computational methods to solve real world problems.
    • When a petition is granted based on a proposed program of study, the variance is contingent on the student completing the agreed-upon plan.  Any changes to the agreed-upon course plan results in a reevaluation of the variance with the possible revocation of the variance.

To petition for such a degree modification, a student should complete the Degree Modification Request Form and include a formal letter to the School Undergraduate Committee outlining the required information below.  Each section should be titled, and the letter should contain the student’s name, University ID number, and the date.

    • Variance Request (one paragraph) – Concisely define the variance that is being requested.   Also, declare the semester/year that you plan to graduate.
    • Justification (less than one page) – Describe how completing the proposed substitute course complements your education and supports the learning outcomes of your degree program.  Elaborate on why the material in the proposed substitute course is not available in a course that already satisfies the degree requirements.  Elaborate further on how the proposed variance, in combination with all of your other courses and experiences, forms a strong foundation in computing and meets your degree program’s learning outcomes.
    • Appendix: Program of Study (new page, one page) – In a table (ordered by department, then date), list all CS, DS, and/or math/science courses you have completed, or will have completed by graduation.  List the course number, course name, and semester/year taken.  When in doubt about future electives, indicate the probable course choices.  Include any other coursework or formal experiences that support your request.
    • Appendix: Course Syllabus (new page) – Attach a syllabus for the proposed substitute course.  If the syllabus does not include a list of specific assignments, request such a list from the instructor and attach it to the syllabus.

Requests for degree modifications to go in effect during the following Fall semester must be submitted before August 1.  Requests for degree modifications to go in effect during the following Spring semester must be submitted before October 1.

 

Student concerns and appeals

Any student pursuing a Kahlert School of Computing academic program or enrolled in a COMP, CS, or DS course may report a concern using the information at Student Concerns.

To appeal a grade and other academic actions, a student should follow the Price College of Engineering guidelines.