What does it take to graduate from Sewanee?
On the web at
www2.sewanee.edu/academics/catalog or in the 2007-2008 College Catalog.
To earn a bachelor’s degree, a student must complete 32 full academic courses (128 semester hours); earn two physical education credits; complete an academic major; and attain a grade point average of at least 2.0 in the major and on all academic work. Degree candidates must spend at least four semesters in residence as a full-time student, including the final year. Each graduate must complete at least 19 full academic courses (76 semester hours) outside the major field and, during the senior year, pass a comprehensive examination in the major field.
To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must complete prescribed courses in English and foreign literature; mathematics and natural science; history and other social sciences; philosophy or religion; fine arts, music, or theatre arts; and physical education. For details, see the College Catalog.
To earn a Bachelor of Science degree, a student must satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition, a candidate for this degree must be a major in the department of biology, chemistry, forestry and geology, mathematics and computer science, physics, or psychology. Majors in the interdisciplinary areas of biochemistry, environmental studies (chemistry), environmental studies (natural resources), and environmental studies (ecology and biodiversity) may also be candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science. A total of four courses must be presented outside the major field from biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, computer science, physics or those courses in psychology and forestry. Of four courses at least two must be laboratory courses in biology, chemistry, forestry, geology, physics, or psychology. The four courses must be taken at Sewanee and cannot be taken on a pass/fail basis.
During the second semester of the second year, each student should select a major field of study. To be accepted as a major in a particular field, the student must have maintained at least a C (2.0) average in the courses taken in that field. Each candidate for a degree must pass a comprehensive examination in the major field. To be eligible for this examination, the student must have maintained at least a C (2.0) average in the courses taken in the major field.
What is the grading system at Sewanee?
On the web at
www2.sewanee.edu/academic_life/degree_requirements
The work of students in college courses is graded according to the following system: the grade A means excellent; B, good; C, satisfactory; D, passing; F, failing; I, incomplete.
Of course, individual circumstances vary. In general, however, it can be challenging to make A’s, B’s, and C’s are common. F’s are rare and may rightly be a cause for concern.
The grade I is given only when a student fails to complete the work of a course for legitimate and unavoidable reasons. This grade must be removed within one week after examinations, subject to the right of the Office of the Dean of the College to grant dispensation but only when extenuating circumstances are clearly evident.
A course may be added during the first ten class days of a semester. In exceptional circumstances, students may add courses after the tenth class day with the approval of the Associate Dean of the College; in addition, students are assessed a late add fee of $20 per course for each week commencing after the tenth day of class.
A course dropped during the first four weeks of classes is not entered on the student’s record. A course dropped after the fourth week of classes, but before the Tuesday following the first Monday in November (for the Advent semester) or the Tuesday following the first Monday in April (for the Easter semester) is recorded on the student’s record with a grade of W, which does not count in the grade point average. After mid-semester, when changes of this kind are generally not advisable, the signature of the Associate Dean of the College is also required.
A course dropped later than the first Monday in November (for the Advent semester) or the first Monday in April (for the Easter semester) is recorded on the student’s record with the grade of WF, which is counted as a grade of F. Exceptions may be made (with the approval of the Associate Dean of the College and/or the College Faculty Committee on Degrees) only when there is clear evidence of such compelling circumstances as serious personal illness or death in the family.
The pass-fail grading system is intended to encourage students to take different and challenging courses without undue risk to their academic records. Juniors and seniors with a grade point average of at least 2.0 may take one graded course each semester on a pass-fail basis “as long as they declare the course pass-fail before the published deadline (mid-semester). Courses available in this fashion are designated in the schedule of classes, but the permission of the instructor must be obtained in advance. No required course may be taken pass-fail. Of the 32 full academic courses (128 semester hours) presented to satisfy the graduation requirement, no more than 4 courses (16 semester hours) may be taken pass-fail.
A senior with a grade point average of at least 2.0 may take all courses on a pass-fail basis during the semester in which the comprehensive examination is scheduled, subject to the provisions that no course required for graduation may be taken pass-fail and that the allowable number of hours taken pass-fail not be exceeded.
A student may shift from the normal grading system to pass-fail prior to mid-semester. With the permission of the instructor, a student may change from pass-fail to normal grading up to two weeks after mid-semester.
A few courses in the college are offered on a pass-fail basis only. Juniors and seniors may elect to take four other courses in pass-fail mode. The grade Pass does not affect the grade point average, but the grade Fail counts as a grade of F.
Averages are computed in grade points. Each graded semester hour of credit carries with it a corresponding number of grade points as follows:
A+ 4.33 B+ 3.33 C+ 2.33 D+ 1.33 F 0.00
A 4.00 B 3.00 C 2.00 D 1.00
A- 3.67 B- 2.67 C- 1.67 D- 0.67
Class standing and eligibility for graduation are determined by the number of semester hours and the grade point average a student has earned.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must have a semester average of 3.625 or more after completing a semester with credit for at least three and one-half academic courses, at least three of which were taken for a grade. This list is published each semester by the Associate Dean of the College.
