Policies & forms
Success as a student depends in part on understanding the academic policies that affect you. This website is designed to address some of the frequently asked questions our students have about U of M and college policies.
In many cases, students who feel that they are eligible for an exception to policy must submit a petition to the CBS Scholastics Committee. Exceptions to policy include situations such as substituting one course for another in your major, or canceling a course after the deadline.
University policies outline important information for students such as required credit load, course cancellation or withdrawal, grading policy, holds, and more. For detailed information about any University policies, see the U’s policy website.
policies & forms inside
- CBS Policy on IDL Biochemistry, Genetics and Cell Biology
- Registration and tuition
- Request for reduced credit load (13-credit exemption)
- Getting into a waitlisted class
- Course time conflict
- Tuition refund appeal
- CBS residency and graduation requirements
- Satisfactory academic progress appeal
- Taking a leave of absence from school
- Coming back to school
- One-time-only late drop
- Receiving an incomplete grade
- CBS dated credit policy
- Permission to change registration
- Special circumstances
CBS Policy on IDL Biochemistry, Genetics and Cell Biology
CBS students who wish to enroll in BioC 3021 Biochemistry, Biol 4003 Genetics, or Biol 4004 Cell Biology as an Independent and Distance Learning (IDL) course need special permission to register. Access to these core classes in the curriculum is restricted to students who can demonstrate a solid academic foundation for success in an independent course and have a compelling academic reason to engage in off-campus learning. The goals of this policy are to ensure that students gain proficiency in these subjects, earn passing grades, and make timely progress toward graduation.
To request permission to enroll, please fill out the IDL request form and submit it along with a Petition for Students in Undergraduate and Professional Programs (PDF) to the front desk in CBS Student Services (229 Snyder Hall). The CBS Scholastics Committee meets every 1-2 weeks to review petitions. A response to your request will be sent to your U of M email address.
Registration and tuition
All U of M students are required to take 13 credits each semester in order to make good progress toward graduation. A four-year graduation plan requires an average of 15 credits per semester. Students who feel that they qualify for a temporary or permanent reduced credit load must submit a formal request to take fewer than 13 credits. Without an approved reduced credit load, students will be charged for 13 credits and receive second-stage registration priority in the queue.
Request for reduced credit load (13-credit exemption)
To apply for a reduced credit load, students must submit a request by the end of the fourth week of the semester and explain why they are unable to register full-time. Please note students should request a temporary reduced credit load in most cases, unless ongoing circumstances prevent them from ever registering full-time. Requests for reduced credit loads for CBS students are automatically forwarded to the CBS Scholastics Committee, and students are sent decisions regarding requests through U of M email. Approved requests tend to fall in the following categories:
- Graduating seniors with less than 26 credits to complete until graduation
- Students who have completed liberal education requirements and only have major courses to complete until graduation
- Documented medical conditions or disabilities
- Significant family or financial reponsibilities
Online Form for Reduced Credit Load
Getting into a waitlisted class
Most CBS courses are controlled by electronic waitlists. Students can add themselves to waitlists by attempting to register for one or more sections of a class during enrollment. Seniors who need a CBS course in their final year for graduation purposes should email the appropriate CBS department to notify them of their graduation plans and need for the course. Priority on the waitlist is determined by multiple factors.
Course time conflict
Students may not register online for courses that overlap in time or abut by 1 minute. In order to override course time conflicts, students must receive permission from both instructors of conflicting courses and be enrolled by the Office of the Registrar.
Course Time Conflict Approval Form
Tuition refund appeal
Tuition refund appeals are granted by the University under some circumstances, and only if requests are submitted before the deadline (August 31 of the year the course was taken). Students must withdraw *from the course(s)* in question before refunds will be considered. Students must receive permission from CBS for late withdrawal after the deadline if applicable. Please see permission to change registration for more information on requesting permission for late withdrawal or withdrawing courses.
Tuition Refund Appeal (OneStop)
CBS residency and graduation requirements
U of M policy requires that students must complete at least 30 credits at the UMTC campus for degree eligibility. In addition, 15 of the last 30 credits must be completed on campus or through a residency program abroad. To be eligible for a CBS degree, students must complete 15 upper division credits in the major at the UMTC campus.
Satisfactory academic progress appeal
CBS advisers may support a student’s appeal for suspension from financial aid under two circumstances. First, students who have exceeded the maximum timeframe for their degree but who are nearing graduation may receive written confirmation of their remaining requirements for graduation. Second, students who have failed to meet progress standards due to academic performance may request written support that their current courseload is appropriate, and that measures will be taken to ensure student success.
Students seeking SAP appeal support from an academic adviser should bring their appeal form to their appointment.
Taking a leave of absence from school
If students plan to take one or more semesters off, they should submit a Leave of Absence.
Coming back to school
CBS students who have taken time off from school are required to apply for readmission. Students may be unable to register due to one of the following circumstances:
- Enrollment discontinuation for taking one or more semesters off without approved Leave of Absence
- Enrollment discontinuation due to academic suspension
- Enrollment discontinuation due to approved Leave of Absence
Students who are unable to register for taking time off with or without an approved Leave of Absence from CBS must submit a completed Readmission form to 229 Snyder Hall. Suspended students may request reinstatement after the period of one academic year without U of M enrollment.
Application
for Readmission (PDF)
Petition for Reinstatement
Form (PDF)
Receiving an incomplete grade
If unusual circumstances prevent students from completing a class by the semester deadline, they may seek permission for an Incomplete grade from their instructor. Students who receive an Incomplete should NOT enroll for the class again at a later date.
Agreement for Completion of Incomplete Work (DOC)
CBS dated credit policy
Each department in the College of Biological Sciences has an established policy for evaluation of dated credits, defined as upper division courses in the major that were completed 6 or more years prior to the current academic year (depending upon major, see policies below). Students who take departmental majors may need to retake dated courses or take other courses to bring their education up-to-date. All courses required for CBS majors must be taken for a letter grade and the student must receive a C- or better in those courses.
See the full Dated Credit Policy
Permission to change registration
If the deadline for changing course registration has passed, students must request permission from the CBS Scholastics Committee to make changes to their registration. Students must submit a petition and appropriate documentation to 229 Snyder Hall for the following types of requests:
Petition for Students in Undergraduate and Professional Programs (PDF)
| Type of Request | Required documentation |
|---|---|
| Withdrawing from a class or classes | Written proof of extenuating circumstances such as doctor’s/counselors note, family obituary, letter from employer, etc. |
| Adding a class or classes | Signature and brief note from instructor that permission is given for late add. |
| Switching sections of a class | Signature and brief note from instructor that permission is given for late add. |
| Changing credits earned for directed research | Signature and brief note from instructor that change in credits earned and hours completed differ from the approved research contract. |
| Changing grade basis | None - granted only when student mistakenly registered for a class in the major S/N versus A/F, or is switching majors. |
| One-Time-Only late drop | None - student is required to meet with a CBS academic adviser during Drop-in advising hours before the last day of classes. Student must not take final exam for the class. |
| Language retrocredits | Satisfactory grade must be posted for third- or fourth-semester language class on U of M transcript. Maximum 10-12 credits possible. |
| Request to exceed maximum credit load per semester (20 for fall, spring) | Student must be in good academic standing and have a strong academic record demonstrating potential success with a maximum courseload. |
| Substituting courses in a CBS major | Student must have written approval on petition form from the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the major. |
| Other exceptions to major requirements | Student must have written approval on petition form from the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the major. |
Special circumstances
Students should be aware that help is available when unexpected situations arise. Many students face extenuating circumstances at some point in their undergraduate careers, which can make it more challenging to keep a healthy balance between academics, personal life, and work. CBS advisers are committed to helping students find ways to successfully overcome these challenges and make whatever changes are needed for maintaining personal well-being and academic achievement. In some cases, it may be necessary for students to limit their course load, seek Incomplete grades in courses, take a temporary Leave of Absence, or gain assistance from one of the following resources: