Undergraduate Administration

Quality Point Average Calculation

The Overall Cumulative Quality Point Average (QPA) is calculated using the total credits and quality points on the transcript for all courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh, except as described in the following paragraph. The overall cumulative QPA must be at least 2.00 to graduate.

Students are permitted to repeat any course resulting in a grade of C- (C minus) or lower. The grade earned by repeating the course will then replace the previous grade earned (in calculating the QPA), although the original grade will not be erased from the transcript. No sequence course may be repeated for credit after a higher-numbered sequence course has been passed with a C or higher. No course may be repeated more than twice. For the purposes of this rule, grades of W, N, or R do not count as repeats.

The Electrical Engineering Quality Point Average (EEQPA) is calculated using only the highest grade received for every EE required and EE elective course taken by the student. The EEQPA must be at least 2.00 to graduate.

Cross Registration

The purpose of cross registration through the Pittsburgh Council of Higher Education (PCHE) is to provide opportunities for enriched educational programs by permitting undergraduate full-time students at any of the 10 participating colleges and universities to take courses at any other PCHE institution. The PCHE Institutions include Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham College, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, LaRoche College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Point Park College, Robert Morris College, and the University of Pittsburgh. Although this is a University-wide program, School of Engineering policy does not permit engineering students to register for courses at any community college.

A student may normally enroll in only one course off campus and in only one institution in a given term. Enrollment is, of course, constrained by the space and prerequisite limitations of the host institution. Students who cross register pay the University of Pittsburgh tuition for the given term. They are, however, responsible for paying any course or laboratory fee(s) to the host institution.

Students should refer to the University Time Schedule and discuss the issue with their academic advisor before cross registering. The University Time Schedule lists the guidelines for cross registration.

Students who wishes to cross register at any institution other than those listed above should discuss this registration with their advisor. The transfer of such courses will follow the guidelines for transfer credits given elsewhere in this document.

Grade Options

S/N Option (School of Arts and Sciences)

School of Engineering students are not permitted to take School of Arts and Sciences courses under the satisfactory / audit (S/N) option.

H/S/U Grades

Electrical engineering undergraduate courses, required or elective, may not be taken using the H/S/U Honors/ Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory Option. Any other course used to fulfill the requirements of the degree may be taken using the H/S/U grade option provided that such course is offered with this option.

Audit Option

Undergraduate electrical engineering students may not audit any course that is to be used to fulfill requirements for the EE degree.

Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from any course up to the last day for Monitored Withdrawal (a published date for each term). After that date, the student must receive the approval of the associate dean for academic affairs.

Advanced Standing Exams

The Advanced Standing Exam is a procedure that allows a student to take a comprehensive examination on the material associated with a particular course. If the student successfully passes the exam, the student is given advanced standing credit, but no grade, for the course. Electrical engineering students are not permitted to use this examination procedure for an electrical engineering course, required or elective, where the student has already received a failing grade in the course.

Academic Warning, Probation and Dismissal

Academic Warning

Each engineering student record is reviewed at the end of each term. A student who has a term quality point average of less than 2.00 is notified that their progress for the term is not satisfactory. If the student's cumulative quality point average is above 2.00, the student will receive warning letter.

Probation

A student who has a cumulative quality point average of less than 2.00 is considered to be NOT in satisfactory standing and is placed on probation.

Suspension or Dismissal

Students are subject to suspension or dismissal if the cumulative quality point average is below 2.00 for two consecutive terms. Students who are suspended from the program may be allowed to return after a period of one year or more. Dismissed students will not be re-admitted.

Academic Integrity

The faculty of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering expects all students to conduct their academic work with the high ethical standards of the engineering profession. Students must submit only their own work for credit. Students must neither give nor receive assistance on examinations. Violations of these Standards of Academic Integrity will result in appropriate disciplinary action such as a failing grade on an assignment, failure in the course, or probation, suspension, or dismissal from the University.

Academic Misconduct

The following procedure is to be used in those cases where a student is suspected of a violation of the Standards of Academic Integrity.

The instructor has a conference with the suspected student to discuss the issue.
If the student admits academic misconduct and accepts the disciplinary action, the instructor will complete the Summary of Disciplinary Action form and forward it to the chair. Either the instructor or the undergraduate coordinator implements the disciplinary action.
If the student does not admit academic misconduct and/or does not accept the recommended disciplinary action, the instructor must bring the incident to the attention of the undergraduate coordinator. A conference will then be held between the student, the instructor, and the undergraduate coordinator. If the case is resolved, the Summary of Disciplinary Action form is forwarded to the chair. If the case cannot be resolved, the matter is referred to the chair.