Policies and Procedures

In the College of Engineering .

Undergraduate Academic Procedures and Policies

Advanced Placement Credit

The College of Engineering awards a significant amount of advanced placement (AP) credit to entering first-year students who demonstrate proficiency in the subject areas of introductory courses. Students can earn AP credit by receiving qualifying scores on any of the following:

1. Advanced placement examinations given and scored by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB);
2. General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced (“A”) Level Examinations;
3. International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examinations; or
4. Cornell Advanced Standing Examinations (CASE), given during orientation week before the beginning of fall-semester classes.

Advanced placement credit is intended to permit students to develop more challenging and stimulating programs of study. Students who receive AP credit for an introductory course may use it in three different ways. They may:

1. enroll in a more advanced course in the same subject right away.
2. substitute an elective course from a different area.
3. enroll in fewer courses, using the AP credit to fulfill basic requirements.

Acceptable Subjects and Scores for CEEB or CASE AP Exams

The most common subjects for which AP credit is awarded in the College of Engineering, and the scores needed on qualifying tests, are listed below. AP credit is awarded only for courses that meet engineering curriculum requirements.

Mathematics: MATH 1910, MATH 1920 are required.

First-semester math (MATH 1910). AP credit may be earned by:

• a score of 4 or 5 on the CEEB BC exam, or
• a passing score on the CASE exam for MATH 1910.

First-year math (MATH 1920). AP credit may be earned by:

• a passing score on the CASE exam for MATH 1920.

Physics: PHYS 1112 and PHYS 2213 are required.

PHYS 1112. AP credit may be earned by:

• a score of 5 on the Mechanics portion of the CEEB AP C exam, or
• a passing score on the CASE for PHYS 1112.

PHYS 2213. AP credit may be earned by:

• a score of 5 on the Electricity & Magnetism portion of the CEEB AP C exam, or
• a pasing score on the CASE for PHYS 2213.

PHYS 1116, PHYS 2217, and PHYS 2218 (honors sequence). This sequence is designed for students with strong experience in physics and calculus, e.g., a 5 on one or both Physics C AP tests and the equivalent of at least one semester of university calculus. Students interested in PHYS 2217 or PHYS 2218 are strongly advised to start with PHYS 1116. Even for a student with a 5 on both Physics C AP tests, PHYS 1116 will not be boring. Students may not simultaneously receive credit for PHYS 1116 and AP credit for PHYS 1112, or credit for PHYS 2217 and AP credit for PHYS 2213. For advice or more information, contact the departmental representative at (607) 255-6016.

Chemistry: CHEM 2090 is required.

CHEM 2090. AP credits may be earned by:

• a score of 5 on the CEEB AP exam, or
• a passing score on the CASE for chemistry.

Note: Students who obtain AP credit for CHEM 2090 and who are considering a major in chemical engineering should consider enrolling in CHEM 2150. Those who obtain AP credit for CHEM 2090 and then successfully complete CHEM 2150 will earn 8 credits of Chemistry for CHEM 2090-CHEM 2080 sequence. Students are encouraged to discuss this option with their faculty advisor.

Computing: CS 1110 or CS 1112 or CS 1114 are required. AP credit may be earned for CS 1110 by:

• a score of 5 on the CEEB A exam, or
• a passing score on the CASE for CS 1110.

Biology: Biology is not required as part of the core curriculum, although it is required for several majors and is a popular elective, especially for students who intend to pursue health-related careers. AP credit may be earned as follows:

• 8 credits will be offered to students who receive a 5 on the CEEB AP exam;
• 4 credits will be offered to students who receive a 4 on the CEEB AP.

Note: Advanced placement (AP, IB, GCE credit) cannot be used to satisfy the Biology requirement for the BME Major. 

Those who want to study more biology should contact the Office of Undergraduate Biology, 200 Stimson Hall, to discuss proper placement.

First-year writing seminar: Two first-year writing seminars are required.

• AP credit for one first-year writing seminar may be earned by a score of 5 on either of the CEEB AP English exams.

Students who earn a score of 4 on the AP English Literature and Composition exam or the AP English Language and Composition exam*,  will be offered 3 credits, which may be applied toward the Literature and Arts (LA) category of the Liberal Studies distribution requirement.

Liberal studies distribution: Six courses beyond two first-year writing seminars are required. Students may earn AP credit toward the liberal studies distribution by taking CEEB AP tests. AP credit earned in the liberal studies distribution cannot be used to fulfill the “upper-level” liberal studies requirements.

Languages: Students may earn AP credit for competence in a foreign language by taking the CEEB AP test or by taking the CASE. Those who score 4 or 5 on the CEEB AP test in Spanish, French, German, and Italian are entitled to 3 credits. To qualify for the CASE exam (in any language), the student must score at least 65 on a college placement test (taken either in high school or at Cornell during Orientation Week). A passing score on the CASE entitles the student to 3 credits. Language credit, earned via AP or CASE, may be used to satisfy part of the liberal studies distribution in the foreign language category, or may meet an approved elective requirement, contingent on discussions with the faculty advisor.

Advanced Placement and Credit for International Credentials

Students who have successfully completed either a General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced (“A”) Level Examination or an International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination may be eligible for advanced placement credit in the College of Engineering as follows:

General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination (GCE “A”)

Hong Kong Advanced Level examinations and the joint examination for the Higher School Certificate and Advanced Level Certificate of Education in Malaysia and Singapore—principal passes only—are considered equivalent in standard to GCE “A” Levels. For Cambridge Pre-University Examination credit awards see the main university Advanced Placement section. 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Examination

Mathematics: No credit is given for the IB exam; students are encouraged to take the Engineering Mathematics CASE exam during orientation.

Note: Advanced placement credit based on GCE or IB results may also be awarded for courses that satisfy the liberal studies requirement in the College of Engineering. In such cases, the College of Engineering follows the AP guidelines found earlier in this publication under “Advanced Placement.”

General Policies for Advanced Placement

The general policies in the College of Engineering governing awards of AP credit are as follows:

1. AP credit will not be offered in any subject area without a documented examination.
2. All AP examinations are normally taken and scored before fall-semester classes begin. Students who take CEEB AP tests in high school should have an official report of their scores sent directly to Cornell as soon as possible. Students who have completed either GCE “A” Level or IB Higher Level Examinations must present the original or a certified copy of their examination certificate to the Engineering Registrar’s Office, 158 Olin Hall. Those who wish to take CASE examinations should do so during Orientation Week.

For more information on the college’s policies regarding advanced placement credit and its use in developing undergraduate programs refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

General Policies for Transfer Credit

Undergraduate students who have completed courses at recognized regionally accredited, degree-granting colleges may, under certain conditions, have credits for such courses transferred to Cornell. Such courses must represent academic work in excess of that required for the secondary school diploma and must be documented as such in writing by the secondary institution. Courses deemed acceptable for transfer credit must be equivalent in scope and rigor to courses at Cornell. Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses taken during a semester in which the student is enrolled at Cornell.  Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) are not eligible for transfer credit.

• To apply for transfer credit, submit a transfer credit form (one form for each request), accompanied by a course description. (Forms are available from Engineering Advising or the Registrar’s office and should be submitted before enrollment in the course to be transferred.) An official transcript from the offering institution (bearing the institutional seal and Registrar’s signature) must be sent to the Engineering Registrar’s office before official transfer credit will be awarded.
• Applications for transfer credit to satisfy requirements in math, science, engineering courses, or first-year writing seminars require approval from the department offering an equivalent course at Cornell. The department may require course materials, textbooks used, etc., in addition to the course description before approving the course.
• Departmental approval is not required for transfer credit that satisfies liberal studies distribution requirements. The course will be reviewed for approval by a representative of the Committee on Academic Standards, Petitions, and Credit (CASPAC) in Engineering Advising.
• Cornell does not award credit for courses in which a student has earned a grade less than C; schools and departments may stipulate a higher minimum grade.
• Grades for courses taken at other institutions do not appear on the official Cornell transcript and are not included in the Cornell cumulative GPA.
• Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses taken during a fall or spring semester in which a student is enrolled at Cornell in a degree program.
• College courses completed under the auspices of cooperative college and high school programs will be considered for advanced placement credit only if students demonstrate academic proficiency by taking the appropriate AP or Cornell Advanced Standing Examination (CASE), as described in the “Advanced Credit” section.
• Following matriculation, students may apply up to 18 credits of transfer credit toward B.S. degree requirements.
• At most 72 total transfer credits (taken both before and after matriculation) may be used to meet graduation requirements.
• Summer and winter session courses taken at Cornell are not considered transfer credit.

For more information on the college’s policies regarding transfer credit and its use in developing undergraduate programs refer to the https://www.engineering.cornell.edu/students/undergraduate-students/curriculum/engineering-undergraduate-handbook.

Transfer Credit for Transfer Students

Transfer students may transfer up to 36 credits for each year spent in full-time study at another institution, up to a total of 72 credits, provided that the courses are acceptable for meeting graduation requirements. Transfer credit awards are determined by the majors/departments. Students must complete the transfer credit award process by the end of their first semester at Cornell, or their registration will be blocked for the next semester until the process is completed.

Research Credit and Pay

Students who conduct research in the college may have the opportunity to receive academic credit or pay for their efforts.  Students should consult with their faculty advisor and research mentor to decide which option is available to them and best for their educational goals and for the project.  If receiving academic credit, students should contact the department’s undergraduate coordinator for additional information.  Those who receive credit for research may not receive pay for the same work effort on the project.

Academic Standing

Full-time students are expected to remain in good academic standing. The criteria for good standing change somewhat as a student progresses through the four years of the engineering curriculum. At all times, the student must be making adequate progress toward a degree, but what this means depends on the major.

Engineering students not yet affiliated with a major must meet the following standards at the end of each semester to be considered in good academic standing. Failure to meet these standards will result in a review by the Committee on Academic Standards, Petitions, and Credit (CASPAC), and the actions of alert, warning, required leave of absence, or withdrawal from the College of Engineering may be taken.

1. At least 12 credits passed (phys. ed. courses and courses below the 1100 level—except ENGRG 1050 and Academic Excellence Workshops—do not count). Military Science courses do not count, with the exception of those approved as liberal studies or approved electives. (Please contact Engineering Advising, 167 Olin Hall, for details.)
2. At least a C- in required mathematics courses. Students are expected to continue the sequence of core engineering math courses each semester until completed.
3. At least two courses (≥ 3 credits each) completed in required common curricular mathematics, science and engineering (project teams, research, independent study, ENGRG and ENGRC courses not included)
4. At least one ENGRD course completed by the end of the third semester with a grade of at least a C-
5. No more than one grade below a C each semester in required mathematics, science and engineering courses
6. Semester GPA ≥ 2.0
7. Cumulative GPA ≥ 2.0
8. No F, U, UX, or INC grades

Academic Progress

The total number of credits required for graduation vary depending on the major. An average semester credit load ranges from 15 to 17 credits.

Because math is pivotal to the study and practice of engineering, students must earn at least C– in their four required math courses. If at least C– is not attained, the course must be repeated immediately. Failure to achieve at least C– the second time will result in withdrawal from the College of Engineering. Physics and advanced math courses often have math prerequisites, and having to repeat the prerequisite course may delay progress in the physics and math curricula.

Time to Degree

Time limit for completion of Bachelor of Science Degree requirements from the College of Engineering: students matriculating in summer 2016 and later must complete all graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Engineering within eight calendar years of a student’s initial matriculation in the undergraduate program.  Failure to complete requirements within this time period will be deemed unsatisfactory performance and will result in withdrawal from the College of Engineering.  In addition, requirements for graduation may be updated if the degree is not completed within five calendar years.

For all students on leave, responsibility for maintaining eligibility to return rests with the student.   A student who has been withdrawn may reapply through the College’s admissions process; if re-admitted, majors (or the College if unaffiliated) will determine which credits previously taken will count toward degree requirements.

Dean’s List

Dean’s List citations are presented each semester to engineering students who have exemplary academic records. The dean of the college determines the criteria for this honor. For 2018–2019, the requirement is a semester GPA ≥ 3.5 (without rounding); no failing, unsatisfactory, missing, or incomplete grades (even in physical education); and at least 12 letter-grade credits (not S/U). Students may earn Dean’s List status retroactively if they meet these criteria after making up incomplete grades. For students earning Dean’s List, the honor will appear on their official transcript for the corresponding term.

Class Rank

The College of Engineering does not compute class rank.

Graduating with Distinction and Honors

Graduating with Distinction

Meritorious students graduating with a B.S. degree from the College of Engineering may also be designated cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude.

• Cum laude will be awarded to engineering students with a GPA ≥ 3.5. Cum laude will also be awarded to engineering students who received a semester GPA ≥ 3.5 in each of the last four semesters at Cornell; in each of these semesters, at least 12 letter-graded credits must be taken with no failing, unsatisfactory, missing, or incomplete grades. If the student is an engineering co-op student, then the engineering co-op summer term will count as one of the last four. Students who were approved for prorated tuition in their final semester will be awarded cum laude if they received a semester GPA ≥ 3.5 in their last semester and meet the conditions above in the prior four semesters.
• Magna cum laude will be awarded to engineering students with a GPA ≥ 3.75 (based on all credits taken at Cornell).
• Summa cum laude will be awarded to engineering students with a GPA ≥ 4.0 (based on all credits taken at Cornell).

Note: All GPA calculations are minimums and are not rounded.

Major Honors Program

To be eligible to enter a major honors program, a student must be on track to graduate with distinction. A student must be in the program for at least two semesters before graduation. If the student’s major has an approved honors program and the requirements for (1) distinction, (2) Bachelor of Science degree, and (3) major honors program are fulfilled, the faculty of the major may recommend that the student graduate with the additional diploma and transcript notation of “With Honors.”

Grades

Grades are granted under the authority of each course instructor. Please refer to the Cornell University Faculty Handbook for additional information.

S/U Grades: Many courses may be taken either for a letter grade or for an S/U (satisfactory or unsatisfactory) grade designation. Under the S/U option, students earning the letter grade equivalent of at least C– in a course will receive a grade of S; those earning less than C– receive U. A course in which a U grade is received does not count toward graduation requirements.

Engineering students may choose to receive an S/U grade option under the following conditions:

• The course in question must be offered with an S/U option.
• The student must previously have completed at least one full semester of study at Cornell.
• The proposed S/U course must count as either a liberal studies distribution or an advisor approved elective in the engineering Common Curriculum.
• No more than 15 S/U optional credits will count toward a student’s degree requirements. However, a student may take more than one S/U course in any one semester.  If a course is offered only S/U, it will not count toward the 15-credit limit.

The choice of grading option for any course is made initially during the pre-enrollment period and may be changed until the end of the 57th calendar day of the term. After this deadline, the grading option may not be changed, nor will a student be permitted to add a course in which he or she was were previously enrolled (in the current semester) under a different grade option. (Grading options may be changed online for most courses. A properly completed add/drop form must be used to change a grade option for a permission-only course.)

Incomplete Grades: Incomplete grades are granted entirely at the discretion of the course instructor. If a student believes an incomplete is appropriate they must discuss it with the instructor and make specific arrangements under which the missing work is to be completed within a defined time frame. Generally deadlines are one-year, but instructors may require shorter deadlines, and may, at their own discretion extend the deadline.  However, once an engineering student has graduated any remaining incompletes are permanently frozen on the transcript and no additional coursework can be completed.

To receive an incomplete, students must:

• Have an extenuating reason that prevents them from completing the course in the time allotted
• Have passing equity in the course at the time of the request. (This is generally defined as completion of at least half the course work at a passing level.)

Evidence of an incomplete remains permanently on the transcript. When the course has been completed, a grade is entered with an asterisk, indicating that it was not completed during the regular semester.

Grade Changes: Each semester’s work is an entity, and grades are assigned for work completed during the official semester period. Grade changes after the end of the final exam period may be made only in the event of a calculation error on the part of the instructor. Grades changes based on additional work submitted by a student will not be accepted.  Upon graduation all courses and grades on a student’s transcript are frozen and cannot be altered.

Residency Requirement

Candidates for an undergraduate degree in engineering must spend at least four semesters or an equivalent period of instruction as full-time students at Cornell, including at least three semesters affiliated with an engineering major.

Students on a voluntary leave of absence may register for courses extramurally only with the approval of their major (or the college, for unaffiliated students). No more than 18 credits earned through transfer credit after matriculation may be used to satisfy the requirements for the B.S. degree in engineering. Students may not complete their last semester extramurally.

Degree candidates may spend periods of time studying away from the Cornell campus with appropriate authorization. Information on programs sponsored by other universities and on procedures for direct enrollment in foreign universities is available at the Cornell Abroad office. Programs should be planned in consultation with the staff of Engineering Advising, who can provide information on credit-evaluation policies and assist in the petitioning process.

Transferring within Cornell

It is not uncommon for students to change their academic or career goals after matriculation in one college and decide that their needs would be better met in another college at Cornell. While transfer between colleges is not guaranteed, efforts are made to assist students in this situation.

The Office of Internal Transfer and Concurrent Degrees (200 CCC Building) is responsible for assisting students with the transfer process. Students who wish to transfer out of the College of Engineering to another college at Cornell should consult initially with Engineering Advising.

Students who wish to transfer into the College of Engineering should apply online at internaltransfer.cornell.edu. It is preferred that students apply in the semester in which they are completing affiliation criteria for the desired major. Transfer students who would enter the college must be accepted by a major as part of the admission process.

Students who wish to transfer into engineering should take courses in math, chemistry, computer science, physics, and engineering that conform to the requirements of the Common Curriculum. Students should discuss their eligibility with an advisor in Engineering Advising, 167 Olin Hall.

Leaves of Absence

There are three types of leaves of absence for students in the College of Engineering: voluntary leave of absence, health leave of absence, and required leave of absence. 

Students on any type of leave of absence are not permitted to enroll in courses at Cornell during their leave.  Students may take courses at other institutions while on a leave.  In order to satisfy Cornell degree requirements, courses taken at another institution must be approved in advance. Credit for courses completed at foreign institutions during a leave of absence will not be accepted for transfer credit unless students are returning to their countries of permanent residence during their leave of absence. A maximum of 18 transfer credits may be used to meet degree requirements after matriculation.

Students who are considering taking a voluntary or health leave, as well as those who are placed on a required leave of absence, should check with the Bursar’s Office, Office of Financial Aid, Housing and Dining, and Student Employment to find out about financial implications. It is particularly important for students who have educational loans to contact the Office of Financial Aid. Eligibility for medical or auto insurance may also be affected during a student’s leave of absence.

Students who are granted a voluntary or health leave of absence during a semester are responsible for any outstanding tuition or other university charges owed through the date of the leave of absence. On-campus housing and dining charges may accrue until the student no longer utilizes the services, regardless of the official leave date.

Voluntary Leave of Absence (VLOA)

Students who desire to suspend their studies for a period of time may request a voluntary leave.  Leaves are granted for no less than one full semester and no greater than two years. During the semester, a student may request to take a voluntary leave of absence up through the last day of classes. Students who are in good standing in the college at the conclusion of a semester may request to take a voluntary leave of absence to suspend their studies prior to the start of the upcoming semester.  Leaves requested for an upcoming term will be effective on the day after the end of the last term attended.

Unaffiliated students request a voluntary leave through Engineering Advising. Affiliated students request a voluntary leave of absence through their major department.  A voluntary leave of absence granted during the course of a semester will be effective on the date the written request is received by the Engineering Advising Office or the Major Undergraduate Office.

A voluntary leave of absence that is granted prior to the semester start, or by the university drop deadline, will result in the upcoming or current semester’s courses being expunged. Leaves granted after the 57th day of a semester and by the last day of classes will result in W’s on a student’s transcript for the enrolled courses.

Health Leave of Absence (HLOA)

Students sometimes benefit from taking a leave of absence to address physical or mental health issues.  Health leaves are granted for no less than six months and no greater than two years. During the semester, a student may apply to take health leave of absence up until the last day of classes.  The health leave of absence process is initiated by a student with Cornell Health. Clinicians assess the student and if deemed appropriate will recommend a health leave of absence to the college. The college may include academic conditions for the leave, in addition to any conditions set forth by Cornell Health. The college evaluates the recommendation from Cornell Health and grants the health leave of absence.  A health leave of absence will be effective on the date stated in the letter from Cornell Health.

A health leave of absence that is granted between the first day of class and the last day of class in a particular semester will result the current semester being expunged (courses will be removed from the student’s record with no impact on their GPA).

Required Leave of Absence (RLOA)

At the end of each semester, the academic records of all students are reviewed.  Unaffiliated students’ grades are reviewed by the faculty Committee on Academic Standards, Petitions, and Credit (CASPAC) and affiliated students’ grades are reviewed by their major department.  Students who do not meet the requirements for good standing may be issued a required leave of absence. Required leaves are issued for no less than one semester and no more than one year and take precedence over voluntary leaves and health leaves unless appealed through CASPAC. A required leave of absence will be effective on the day after the end of the last term attended.

Rejoining the College

Students who wish to rejoin the college after either a voluntary or required leave of absence should contact the college at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which they wish to return. Unaffiliated students should contact Engineering Advising and affiliated students should contact their major department. Students will be asked to complete and submit a “Request to Rejoin” form. If no conditions were imposed at the time of the leave, permission to rejoin will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the “Request to Rejoin” form. Students who were given conditions to meet while on leave will be granted permission to rejoin once evidence has been presented that all conditions have been met.  Students who are rejoined will receive written confirmation and be reactivated on the university student system.

Students who wish to rejoin the college after a health leave of absence must first contact Cornell Health.  Once Cornell Health recommends to the college that a student be rejoined, the student will be asked to complete and submit a “Request to Rejoin” form. If no academic conditions were imposed at the time of the health leave, permission to rejoin will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the “Request to Rejoin” form. Students who were given academic conditions to meet while on the health leave will be granted permission to rejoin once evidence has been presented that all conditions have been met.  Students who are rejoined will receive written confirmation and be reactivated on the university student system.

Affiliated students should apply to their major for permission to rejoin the college. Majors must accept students in good standing who have successfully completed all appropriate portions of the Common Curriculum, including prerequisites for the major, and who have met the requirements for affiliation. They are not required, however, to accept rejoining second-year students who are not in good standing or have not made adequate academic progress.

Ordinarily, students who take a leave of absence after affiliating with a particular major return to that same major. However, an affiliated student on leave of absence who wishes to transfer to a different major at the time of rejoining must apply to the new major. This process may take a few weeks, so notification of intent to rejoin with a change in major must be received early. Majors are not required to accept a student who began the third year in another major and later requested transfer. A student who is not accepted into the new major must be rejoined to the original Major.

Withdrawal from the College

A withdrawal from the College of Engineering may be voluntary or required. Following is a description of each:

Voluntary withdrawal: Students who voluntarily withdraw from the college sever all connection with the college. Unaffiliated students who wish to withdraw should do so through Engineering Advising. Affiliated students should contact their major office. If a withdrawal is requested during the semester, courses in which the student is enrolled must be dropped in accordance with applicable regulations.

A student who fails to register in the first three weeks of the semester, without benefit of a leave of absence or permission for study in absentia, will be deemed to have withdrawn.

Students who withdraw from the College of Engineering are eligible to apply for admission to one of the other six colleges at Cornell and should follow their respective procedures for applying.

A withdrawal that is granted during a semester goes into effect on the day it is requested. If a withdrawal is requested after the 57th day of a semester and by the last day of classes, the courses in which the student was registered at the time of the request are treated as having been withdrawn (i.e., a “W” will appear on the transcript for each course). Students are responsible for any outstanding tuition or other university charges owed through that date.  On-campus housing and dining charges may accrue until the student no longer utilizes the services.

A student who has withdrawn and subsequently wishes to return must make a formal application for readmission. This is rarely granted. It is subject to a review of the student’s academic background and depends on available space in the college and in the student’s major.

Required withdrawal: Students are required to withdraw from the college only when their overall record indicates that they are either incapable of completing the program or not sufficiently motivated to do so. This action withdraws them only from the College of Engineering and does not, in and of itself, adversely affect their ability to apply and complete a degree in one of the other colleges in the university. Required withdrawals take precedence over voluntary withdrawals.