BioEngineering

BS BIOE Continuation Policy

These policies apply to students admitted for or after Autumn Quarter 2002.

The Department of Bioengineering wants every student we admit to be successful in our program. At the same time, we are responsible for upholding academic standards and making good use of limited resources. The continuation policy specifies the rules students must follow to make satisfactory progress in the major. In addition, we encourage our students to be proactive about seeking advice from the academic counselor or from faculty for problems affecting performance or participation in college.

All students are subject to general University policies regarding grades and credits. The University requires students to keep a 2.0 cumulative GPA; if a course is repeated, both grades are counted in the GPA. No course required for the degree may be taken S/NS. The Department of Bioengineering specifies the following additional requirements:

Satisfactory Progress

  1. The BS BIOE is meant to be taken on a full-time basis. Full-time students are expected to complete 12 or more credits applicable to the degree each academic quarter.
  2. In exceptional circumstances, students may petition the Department for permission to take fewer than 12 credits. A request for part-time status should be made to the academic counselor prior to the first day of the quarter. Students who receive permission to attend part-time must complete at least one course applicable towards their degree each quarter.
  3. Each entering class of bioengineering majors begins the core courses with BIOEN 301. Students are required to move through their remaining core courses with their cohort (the group they entered with in Spring).
  4. The Department recognizes that exceptional circumstances (death in the family, major illness) may delay degree progress. In addition, educational opportunities such as study abroad or engineering co-op may warrant the extension of a student's program. Students should bring such situations to the academic counselor at the first opportunity. Exceptions to criteria 1-3 require advance permission by way of petition.
  5. Once a student begins BIOEN 482, Bioengineering Capstone Project, remaining BIOEN 482 credits should be completed in 2-3 successive quarters. Exceptions must be approved by the faculty supervisor and documented in the student file.
  6. A student who withdraws from the University or from a required bioengineering course or whose quarter schedule is cancelled for non-payment of fees must obtain permission from the Department before registering for subsequent bioengineering courses. Petitions should be made through the academic counselor.
  7. Bioengineering majors must earn a 2.0 or better in each Bioengineering course used for degree requirements. A course may be taken twice to satisfy this requirement. The Bioengineering major GPA must be a 2.0 or better at graduation.

Review of Progress

Student records are reviewed quarterly. If a student fails to meet the standards outlined above, the student will be placed on probation for the following quarter and will be notified in writing of the probationary status and what must be done to remove it. Students who fail to meet the criteria for two consecutive quarters will be dropped from the program. In addition, a student who accumulates three probationary quarters will be dropped from the program.

Appeals

A student who is placed on probation or dismissed and who believes that his or her record has been misunderstood should appeal to the Bioengineering Student Affairs Committee in writing, explaining extenuating circumstances and including any supporting information. The appeal must be given to the academic counselor within 30 days of notification of probation or dismissal. The faculty committee will respond to the appeal within 30 days (but normally within 2 weeks).

Academic Counseling

All Bioengineering majors are encouraged to seek academic counseling as often as they wish but are encouraged to see the counselor at least once a year. Required counseling appointments are as follows:

  1. Upon entry to the department, to obtain a signature to change majors. Usually this is done in a group orientation session.
  2. During any probation quarter, no later than the end of the first week of the quarter.
  3. Three quarters prior to graduation, to file graduation paperwork (this gives the student Graduating Senior Priority for the final two quarters of registration).
  4. The quarter of graduation, for database update and exit interview.
  5. Upon request by the academic counselor or a faculty member. The Department wants to help our students do well in the program. Therefore, we may request an appointment to discuss performance, progress, or satisfaction in the major if our review of student records indicates a possible problem.

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