Rules and Procedures Engineering

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What are the criteria for good standing?
What are the rules about taking courses S/U?
How do you get set up with a double major?
How do you get set up with a dual major?
How do you transfer credit from another institution?
How do you transfer to another college at Cornell?

Students must meet the following criteria for good standing at the end of each semester:

An overall term average of at least 2.3.
A weighted term average for courses required in the
major program of at least 2.5 .
14 credits hours toward the degree.
No failing grades.
No grade below C- in:
- Any required CS course
- Any required Math course
- Any course to be used as: [a Math Elective*]; a
Technical Elective; or an elective in the
External Specialization. **
At least one meeting with the advisor during the semester.

Failure to meet any of these criteria could result in an academic warning or separation from the Major.

*Students who matriculated prior to 2009 can follow the non-vector requirements. The Math Elective is part of the non-vector requirements. View the pdf here. Students matriculating to Cornell in Fall 2009 or later must follow the vector requirements, and the Math Elective is not part of those requirements. View the pdf here. Note to current students (matriculated prior to Fall 2009): You may select to follow the new rules (vector) or the old rules (non-vector).

**Students in the major are required to retake any required CS or Math courses that result in a final grade below a C-. Elective courses that result in a final grade below a C- may not be used as Math, Technical, or Specialization electives, however, they may be used elsewhere if appropriate.

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The S/U Grade Option

Here are the rules about taking a course S/U when a letter grade is also an option:

Freshman are not allowed to do this.
At most one such course per term.
The option can only be used for liberal electives and approved electives.

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Double Major

Here are the steps to follow if you want to double major. (1) Affiliate with the first major in the usual fashion. (2) Before the end of the junior year, petition to affiliate with the second major. The petition should include a plan of study and must be approved by both majors and the Academic Standards, Petitions, and Credit Commitee. Visit Engineering Advising in 167 Olin Hall for more details.

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Dual Major

If you are a CS major in Engineering and want to obtain a second major in Arts and Sciences, start attending a Dual Degree Information Session (schedule available in 172 Goldwin Smith). Complete an academic plan and have it approved by (a) the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Computer Science, (2) a faculty member in the Engineering department that you have chosen to obtain a second major, the appropriate deans in Engineering (222 Carpenter Hall) and Arts and Sciences (174 Goldwin-Smith). You have at least a 2.7 GPA and that average must be maintained.

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Transferring Credit

Here are the steps to follow if you want to transfer credit earned at another institution:

Obtain a transfer credit form from Engineering Advising in 167 Olin Hall.
Complete the form and attach the course decription and syllabus. This involves getting approval from the department(s) in question except for courses that are to be counted as liberal electives. (Engineering advising approves such credit transfers.) Your advisor's approval is also required.
Return the completed form to Engineering advising and arrange to have the outside institution send a copy of your transcript to the Engineering registrar in 158 Olin Hall.

It is always a good idea to get departmental approvals before you take transfer credit courses elsewhere.

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Transferring to Another College at Cornell

First, visit the Internal Transfer Division in 220 Day Hall. If your record is strong enough, then you will be advised to visit the Engineering Registrar in 158 Olin hall to complete an Application to Transfer Form. If your record is not strong enough, then you have to work further with the Internal Transfer Division.