Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Where can I receive the Dean's signature if I am a Social Ecology major?
How do I add, drop, or change my grade option?
How many units may I take Pass/No Pass?
Where can I go to get an Athletic Planning Guide?
Can I drop a course after the sixth week of the quarter?
How do I determine my class level?
What is the Dean's Honor List?
What is a student record hold?
How can I receive part-time status?
What is the Withdrawal/Cancellation Form?
How can I get readmitted back to UC Irvine?
What is academic dishonesty?
What is SESA and what do its member do?
Where can I find information on graduate programs?
Graduation
What is a Degree Progress Check and how do I request one?
How and when do I apply to graduate?
How can I graduate from the School of Social Ecology with academic honors?
Where can I go to find commencement information?
What is a Degree Verification Letter and how do I request one?
Course Info.
If I have taken Statistics, can I waive SE13?
What is the difference between SE198 (Directed Studies) and SE199 (Special Studies)?
How many units of Directed/Special or Independent Study may I take per quarter?
Can I take classes at a community college?
How do I petition to waive a course?
How do I petition to take a course at a community college?
GPA and Grading Info.
What is my UC GPA?
How do I calculate my GPA?
What is academic standing?
What is academic probation?
What is an "Incomplete"?
What is "P/NP"?
What does "IP" stand for on my transcript?
What does "NR" stand for and what do I do if I receive this as a grade?
What does "UR" stand for on my transcript?
What is a "W" (Withdrawal) and how does it affect my GPA?
When can I repeat a course?
General Questions
Where can I receive the Dean's signature if I am a Social Ecology major?
The Dean's signature is required after the end of the second week of classes for a change in grade option, after the sixth week for adding and dropping classes and on any forms issued by Administration which require the Dean's signature. The instructor's signature is required before you request the Dean's signature. The counselors in the Student Services Office in Social Ecology (Room 102, Social Ecology I) are authorized to sign for the Dean. You may obtain the Dean's signature during regular office hours. NOTE: The Dean's signature is valid for only three working days.
How do I add, drop, or change my grade option?
Deadline for all changes in class enrollment are first determined by the instructor; the instructor's signature is required for all changes once the quarter begins. After the second week, there is a $3.00 fee for each add/drop/change card submitted, and the Dean's signature is required for changes in the grading option. After the sixth week, the Dean's approval is also required for add/drop cards, and any course dropped after the sixth week appears with a "W" notation on the student's transcript. Students are encouraged to make any necessary changes in enrollment early in the quarter, as late changes are not automatically approved by instructors or for the Dean's signature. NOTE: The instructor's signature is valid for only ten working days.
How many units may I take Pass/No Pass?
No more than an average of four units per quarter per the number of quarters in residence at UC Irvine. School and Major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
Where can I go to get an Athletic Planning Guide?
You may see the Counselor of the Day (drop-in Academic Counselor) or make an appointment to meet with an academic counselor.
Can I drop a course after the sixth week of the quarter?
Yes, however you must first receive the instructor's signature on the Add/Drop card. The Dean's signature is also required, which may be obtained from the School of Social Ecology's Student Services Office. After the sixth week, all students will receive a "W" in all classes dropped.
How do I determine my class level?
Your class level is determined by the number of units you have completed, as follows:
Freshmen = 0.0 - 44.9
Sophmore = 45.0 - 89.9
Junior = 90.0 - 134.9
Senior = 135.0+
What is the Dean's Honor List?
Notation on transcript for students who achieve a quarterly grade point average of 3.5 or better in a minimum of 12 graded units.
What is a student record hold?
This is a hold placed on a student's record by certain offices (e.g., academic counseling units). A "soft" hold will allow the student to enroll in classes via WebReg, and pay fees but will drop student out of classes if the hold is not removed by the registration deadline. A "hard" hold may prevent registration in the ensuing quarter. WebReg will inform the student which office has placed the hold. The unit must remove the hold before the student enrolls in classes.
How can I receive part-time status?
This is granted by the academic unit for reasons of occupation (>30 hrs/wk), health (illness), or family responsibility. Fees include full University Registration Fee and one-half the Education Fee. Enrollment is limited to ten units or less per quarter.
What is the Withdrawal/Cancellation form?
The Withdrawal/Cancellation (W/C) form is used when a student wishes to discontinue enrollment in a quarter for which they have already paid fees. You do NOT drop all of your courses with add/drop/change cards if you wish to discontinue enrollment after paying fees, you MUST file a W/C form. Likewise, do not stop payment on the check used to pay registration fees in lieu of filing the W/C form. By obtaining appropriate signatures, this form serves two purposes: 1) a refund of fees, if applicable; and 2) automatic withdrawal from classes.
How can I get readmitted back to UC Irvine?
Readmission to department is subject to academic unit approval and campus deadlines. A $60 non-refundable application fee and good academic standing (upon leaving) are required. Please refer to the University's General Catalogue for more information.
What is academic dishonesty?
Cheating, forgery, dishonest conduct, plagiarism, and collusion of dishonest activities. Please refer to UC Irvine's General Catalogue for more information.
What is SESA and what do its member do?
SESA is the Social Ecology Student Association. SESA is made up of Social Ecology students who benefit from being involved in social and philanthropic events. Please contact the School's Student Services Office for more information or via the Web at http://spirit.dos.uci.edu/sesa/.
Where can I find information on graduate programs?
The School of Social Ecology's Student Services Office has knowledge of some graduate programs or you may browse through the PETERSEN'S GUIDES TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS located in Social Ecology I, Room 102. The Career Center and the Jack Langson (Main) Library both maintain information that is also very useful for researching opportunities for graduate study. For students interested in graduate programs in psychology, the APA GUIDE TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN PSYCHOLOGY is also available in the Student Services Office. Also, there is graduate school information posted in the lobby of Social Ecology Building I.
Graduation
What is a Degree Progress Check and how do I request one?
A Degree Progress Check is an evaluation of all of your records for course work at community colleges, other four-year school(s), and at UC Irvine. This evaluation shows how all of the work you've done at the University and/or other schools will complete your Breadth (general education) and/or the Social Ecology major requirements. You may request a Degree Progress Check by submitting a form online. Normally, it takes two weeks to complete your Degree Progress Check. Please limit your request to one per academic year.
How and when do I apply to graduate?
You may apply to graduate by submitting an online Application for Graduation Form. The deadlines are posted on the School of Social Ecology's Student Services Web site, Schedule of Classes, and in the School's Student Services Office in Room 102, Social Ecology I. Be sure to print out the confirmation sheet after submitting your online application. Printed application forms will be available for your signature two weeks after your submission to the School's Student Services Office.
How can I graduate from the School of Social Ecology with academic honors?
Academic honors are determined by overall GPA at the University and are given to the top 12% of the year�s graduating class (which includes graduates from the previous summer and fall, those graduating winter, as well as those who have applied for spring quarter graduation). How well the graduating class has done will determine the GPA cut-off for honors. Latin honors is divided by percentage as follows: 1% summa cum laude, 3% magna cum laude, 8% cum laude. In the School of Social Ecology, no one with below a 3.5 GPA will be considered for honors. You must have graduated in either summer, fall, winter or spring of that academic year to receive honors. If you applied for spring quarter certification, received academic honors, and then failed to graduate, your academic honors will be revoked. Also, you MUST complete 72 units in residence at the University by the end of Winter quarter of the academic year in which you graduate (this applies mostly to transfer students).
Where can I go to find commencement information?
Cap and gown, senior portrait, and commencement ceremony information may be found at http://www.commencement.uci.edu or you may visit the Commencement Office in Room 426 of the Administration Building.
http://www.soceco.uci.edu/ugrad/applications
What is a Degree Verification Letter and how do I request one?
If you are applying for a job or graduate school and are required to provide proof of your degree completion before your degree has been posted to your transcripts, you may request a Degree Verification Letter for this purpose. Please go to http://www.soceco.uci.edu/ugrad/degreeverif.uci to fill out the request form.
Course Info.
If I have taken Statistics, can I waive SE13?
If you have completed introductory statistics courses at the University (Math 7, BIO SCI 7, SocEcol 166 A-B-C, or SOC SCI 9 A-B-C, etc.) or an approved introductory statistics course from a community college, you can waive Social Ecology 13. In these circumstances, you do not have to petition to waive SE13. If you have taken an introductory statistics course at another college or university, please see "HOW DO I PETITION TO WAIVE A COURSE?"
What is the difference between SE198 (Directed Studies) and SE199 (Special Studies)?
Directed Studies (SE198) is a course that may be taken for 1-4 units of elective credit. In the School of Social Ecology, SE198 is available for the P/NP grading option ONLY. Its primary purpose is to allow students to have some preliminary exposure to research either by assisting a faculty member or a graduate student. A student may interview subjects, do computer coding, or do library research.
Special Studies (SE199) can be taken for 1-4 units of elective credit; four units of graded SE199 may be petitioned to be used in lieu of one upper-division Social Ecology course. Generally, students taking a Special Studies course are more deeply involved in research methodologies and either assist a faculty member with his/her ongoing research project or have identified a specific area of interest that may have been only briefly covered in class. Students may also pursue an idea of their own with the assistance of a Social Ecology faculty member.
*Note: Students may take no more than five units of SE198 and/or SE199 per quarter.*
How many units of Directed/Special or Independent Study may I take per quarter?
Per Academic Senate Policy, in any one quarter, students may enroll in a maximum of five units of Independent Study classes (in any combination of SE198 and SE199 taken under any school or program).
Can I take classes at a community college?
Once you have begun work at UCI and declared a major, you may NOT return to the community college to complete your writing requirements or School/Major requirements. However, you may elect to take courses to fulfill some or all of your Breadth Requirements or elective units. Check out www.assist.org to find out what courses are transferable to the University and/or satisfy the University's Breadth requirements. *Note: See an academic counselor if you wish to take courses outside the University and if you are a senior.*
Some important things to remember if you are planning on taking courses at a community college: 1) There is a limit of 105 quarter units (70 semester units) that you may transfer from the community college. 2) Your GPA for courses taken at a community college does not transfer. 3) You are responsible for knowing if you have already taken a course either at UC Irvine or at another community college which is the same as the course you are planning on taking. You will not receive additional credit for the duplicate course.
How do I petition to waive a course?
If you believe that you may have fulfilled a course that is required for your Major or for Breadth Requirements, you may petition the course. The ONLINE GENERAL PETITION form is used for petitions or requests which are internal (occurring at UCI). The PETITION TO WAIVE A COURSE TAKEN AT ANOTHER COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY is for courses you have taken at a college or university which does not already have an articulated agreement with the University. You must download and print out this petition form and attach all relevant information (e.g., course syllabus, lecture notes, and exams). Please submit the completed form and materials to the School of Social Ecology's Student Services Office (SE I, Room 102). All petition processing takes approximately two weeks.
How do I petition to take a course at a community college?
If you plan to take courses at a community college in California, you may use Assist.org to identify which courses will be transferable to the University and can satisfy the University's Breadth Requirements. To learn how to use the ASSIST Web site, please click here. If the courses you are planning to take are listed on the ASSIST Web site, you do not have to petition them with our office. Simply send transcripts of the course(s) you took to the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools (OARS), where your work will be evaluated to determine the unit credit you will receive. OARS will then send a copy of your transcript to our office (if you are currently a major in the School of Social Ecology) to be kept in your file. When we review your records to complete Degree Progress Check Forms or Degree Certification, we will apply coursework taken at a community college to your outstanding requirements, where appropriate.
If you are planning to attend a community college which is not included on ASSIST, or another four-year university for summer session work, please consult with an academic counselor prior to your enrollment. Upon completion of the course(s), have your transcript sent to the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools. Also, refer to "How do I petition to waive a course?". Finally, remember to consult an academic counselor regarding residency waiver if you wish to take any of these courses in your last year at UC Irvine (e.g., last 36 units).
GPA and Grading Info.
What is my UC GPA?
GPA stands for grade point average and is based on all classes taken at UC Irvine. Your UC GPA also includes any grades earned at other UC campuses. Grades earned at other four-year universities or at a junior college are not included in your UC GPA.
How do I calculate my GPA?
1) Convert the grades that you received to grade points (see below). 2) In each class, multiply the number of units for the class by the grade points awarded (for example, a grade of 'B+' in a 4-unit class is equal to 3.3 x 4 for a total of 13.2 grade points). 3) Add up the total grade points you have received, and the total number of units attempted in your classes. 4) Divide the total number of grade points by the total number of units; this is your GPA. Your overall GPA is also calculated each quarter and posted on your transcript.
Grades and Grade Points:
Grades of Pass (P), No Pass (NP), Withdraw (W), Unauthorized Repeat (UR), Incomplete (I), and In Progress (IP) are not included in the computation of the grade point average which appears on the permanent record.
What is academic standing?
In assessing academic standing, the School of Social Ecology reviews student's GPA in three separate areas:
Overall GPA: the grade point average in all of the classes you have taken at UC Irvine and any other UC campus attended. Grades from other schools are not included.
Major GPA: the grade point average in the upper division requirements you have taken. This would include only the ten upper-division classes from your major.
School and Major GPA: the grade point average in all classes required for your major. This would include C7, E8, P9, SE10, SE13, and SE194W as well as upper-division classes you have taken in your major.
*In order to remain in good academic standing, your GPA must be at least a 2.0.*
What is academic probation?
If your overall, Major, or School and Major GPA falls below 2.0 after any one quarter, you will be sent an e-mail notifying you that you are being placed on academic probation until you raise the GPA(s) in delinquent standing to 2.0 or above. For each quarter that you are on academic probation, you will receive an e-mail notification. If you are on academic probation for any four quarters, you may be subject to dismissal from the University.
What is an "Incomplete"?
An "I" (Incomplete) may be assigned by an instructor in place of the grade for a course. This indicates that the student's work is of passing quality, but his coursework for the quarter is not complete at the time grades must be submitted. Any grade of Incomplete will remain indefinitely on the permanent record unless the work is completed and a grade is assigned.
NOTE: Incompletes are treated as F's only when students are to be certified for graduation: at that time an assessment of GPA is made based on all units attempted. If the student's overall GPA is at least 2.0 including the Incomplete grades computed as F's, then the student may graduate. If the Incomplete grades computed as F's decrease the student's GPA below 2.0, then the student may not graduate until enough Incomplete grades have been made up to bring the GPA to 2.0.
What is "P/NP"?
P/NP is a grading option in which letter grades are not assigned. Only the marks for Pass (equal to a grade of "C" or better) or Not Pass (equal to "C-" or below, no course or unit credit earned) are assigned. P/NP marks are not calculated into the student's GPA. Unless a course is designated as P/NP only, students may not take courses toward their School and Major requirements P/NP.
What does "IP" stand for on my transcript?
"IP" stands for In Progress, and its use is restricted to sequential courses. Use of this mark indicates that the grade for the course will be determined and assigned when the entire sequence of courses is complete.
What does "NR" stand for and what do I do if I receive this as a grade?
"NR" indicates that there was No Report of a grade from the instructor. A student who receives an NR for a course should contact the instructor of the course immediately to arrange to have the NR removed or replaced. An NR becomes an "F" one quarter after it has been assigned. A NR can only be changed by the instructor who assigns it.
What does "UR" stand for on my transcript?
UR is used to flag a course that the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools determine to be an Unauthorized Repeat of a course the student has already taken and passed at the University or at another college or university. No unit credit will be given for courses marked UR.
What is a "W" (Withdrawal) and how does it affect my GPA?
The "W" notation is assigned to a student's transcript when a course is dropped after the sixth week of the quarter. The "W" does not negatively impact the GPA, but is a marker used to indicate that the student was enrolled in the class beyond the sixth week. It does not indicate whether the student was passing or failing. It is not advisable to accumulate many "W's" on your transcript
When can I repeat a course?
Undergraduate students may choose to repeat classes when grades of C-, D+, D, D-, F, or NP were received. Degree credit for courses so repeated is given only once, but the grade assigned at each enrollment is permanently recorded. In calculating your GPA, only the most recent grade is used for the first 16 units repeated. If a student repeats more than 16 units, the GPA is based on all additional grades assigned. Classes originally taken for a letter grade CANNOT be repeated on a P/NP basis.
Where can I receive the Dean's signature if I am a Social Ecology major?
How do I add, drop, or change my grade option?
How many units may I take Pass/No Pass?
Where can I go to get an Athletic Planning Guide?
Can I drop a course after the sixth week of the quarter?
How do I determine my class level?
What is the Dean's Honor List?
What is a student record hold?
How can I receive part-time status?
What is the Withdrawal/Cancellation Form?
How can I get readmitted back to UC Irvine?
What is academic dishonesty?
What is SESA and what do its member do?
Where can I find information on graduate programs?
Graduation
What is a Degree Progress Check and how do I request one?
How and when do I apply to graduate?
How can I graduate from the School of Social Ecology with academic honors?
Where can I go to find commencement information?
What is a Degree Verification Letter and how do I request one?
Course Info.
If I have taken Statistics, can I waive SE13?
What is the difference between SE198 (Directed Studies) and SE199 (Special Studies)?
How many units of Directed/Special or Independent Study may I take per quarter?
Can I take classes at a community college?
How do I petition to waive a course?
How do I petition to take a course at a community college?
GPA and Grading Info.
What is my UC GPA?
How do I calculate my GPA?
What is academic standing?
What is academic probation?
What is an "Incomplete"?
What is "P/NP"?
What does "IP" stand for on my transcript?
What does "NR" stand for and what do I do if I receive this as a grade?
What does "UR" stand for on my transcript?
What is a "W" (Withdrawal) and how does it affect my GPA?
When can I repeat a course?
General Questions
Where can I receive the Dean's signature if I am a Social Ecology major?
The Dean's signature is required after the end of the second week of classes for a change in grade option, after the sixth week for adding and dropping classes and on any forms issued by Administration which require the Dean's signature. The instructor's signature is required before you request the Dean's signature. The counselors in the Student Services Office in Social Ecology (Room 102, Social Ecology I) are authorized to sign for the Dean. You may obtain the Dean's signature during regular office hours. NOTE: The Dean's signature is valid for only three working days.
How do I add, drop, or change my grade option?
Deadline for all changes in class enrollment are first determined by the instructor; the instructor's signature is required for all changes once the quarter begins. After the second week, there is a $3.00 fee for each add/drop/change card submitted, and the Dean's signature is required for changes in the grading option. After the sixth week, the Dean's approval is also required for add/drop cards, and any course dropped after the sixth week appears with a "W" notation on the student's transcript. Students are encouraged to make any necessary changes in enrollment early in the quarter, as late changes are not automatically approved by instructors or for the Dean's signature. NOTE: The instructor's signature is valid for only ten working days.
How many units may I take Pass/No Pass?
No more than an average of four units per quarter per the number of quarters in residence at UC Irvine. School and Major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
Where can I go to get an Athletic Planning Guide?
You may see the Counselor of the Day (drop-in Academic Counselor) or make an appointment to meet with an academic counselor.
Can I drop a course after the sixth week of the quarter?
Yes, however you must first receive the instructor's signature on the Add/Drop card. The Dean's signature is also required, which may be obtained from the School of Social Ecology's Student Services Office. After the sixth week, all students will receive a "W" in all classes dropped.
How do I determine my class level?
Your class level is determined by the number of units you have completed, as follows:
Freshmen = 0.0 - 44.9
Sophmore = 45.0 - 89.9
Junior = 90.0 - 134.9
Senior = 135.0+
What is the Dean's Honor List?
Notation on transcript for students who achieve a quarterly grade point average of 3.5 or better in a minimum of 12 graded units.
What is a student record hold?
This is a hold placed on a student's record by certain offices (e.g., academic counseling units). A "soft" hold will allow the student to enroll in classes via WebReg, and pay fees but will drop student out of classes if the hold is not removed by the registration deadline. A "hard" hold may prevent registration in the ensuing quarter. WebReg will inform the student which office has placed the hold. The unit must remove the hold before the student enrolls in classes.
How can I receive part-time status?
This is granted by the academic unit for reasons of occupation (>30 hrs/wk), health (illness), or family responsibility. Fees include full University Registration Fee and one-half the Education Fee. Enrollment is limited to ten units or less per quarter.
What is the Withdrawal/Cancellation form?
The Withdrawal/Cancellation (W/C) form is used when a student wishes to discontinue enrollment in a quarter for which they have already paid fees. You do NOT drop all of your courses with add/drop/change cards if you wish to discontinue enrollment after paying fees, you MUST file a W/C form. Likewise, do not stop payment on the check used to pay registration fees in lieu of filing the W/C form. By obtaining appropriate signatures, this form serves two purposes: 1) a refund of fees, if applicable; and 2) automatic withdrawal from classes.
How can I get readmitted back to UC Irvine?
Readmission to department is subject to academic unit approval and campus deadlines. A $60 non-refundable application fee and good academic standing (upon leaving) are required. Please refer to the University's General Catalogue for more information.
What is academic dishonesty?
Cheating, forgery, dishonest conduct, plagiarism, and collusion of dishonest activities. Please refer to UC Irvine's General Catalogue for more information.
What is SESA and what do its member do?
SESA is the Social Ecology Student Association. SESA is made up of Social Ecology students who benefit from being involved in social and philanthropic events. Please contact the School's Student Services Office for more information or via the Web at http://spirit.dos.uci.edu/sesa/.
Where can I find information on graduate programs?
The School of Social Ecology's Student Services Office has knowledge of some graduate programs or you may browse through the PETERSEN'S GUIDES TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS located in Social Ecology I, Room 102. The Career Center and the Jack Langson (Main) Library both maintain information that is also very useful for researching opportunities for graduate study. For students interested in graduate programs in psychology, the APA GUIDE TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN PSYCHOLOGY is also available in the Student Services Office. Also, there is graduate school information posted in the lobby of Social Ecology Building I.
Graduation
What is a Degree Progress Check and how do I request one?
A Degree Progress Check is an evaluation of all of your records for course work at community colleges, other four-year school(s), and at UC Irvine. This evaluation shows how all of the work you've done at the University and/or other schools will complete your Breadth (general education) and/or the Social Ecology major requirements. You may request a Degree Progress Check by submitting a form online. Normally, it takes two weeks to complete your Degree Progress Check. Please limit your request to one per academic year.
How and when do I apply to graduate?
You may apply to graduate by submitting an online Application for Graduation Form. The deadlines are posted on the School of Social Ecology's Student Services Web site, Schedule of Classes, and in the School's Student Services Office in Room 102, Social Ecology I. Be sure to print out the confirmation sheet after submitting your online application. Printed application forms will be available for your signature two weeks after your submission to the School's Student Services Office.
How can I graduate from the School of Social Ecology with academic honors?
Academic honors are determined by overall GPA at the University and are given to the top 12% of the year�s graduating class (which includes graduates from the previous summer and fall, those graduating winter, as well as those who have applied for spring quarter graduation). How well the graduating class has done will determine the GPA cut-off for honors. Latin honors is divided by percentage as follows: 1% summa cum laude, 3% magna cum laude, 8% cum laude. In the School of Social Ecology, no one with below a 3.5 GPA will be considered for honors. You must have graduated in either summer, fall, winter or spring of that academic year to receive honors. If you applied for spring quarter certification, received academic honors, and then failed to graduate, your academic honors will be revoked. Also, you MUST complete 72 units in residence at the University by the end of Winter quarter of the academic year in which you graduate (this applies mostly to transfer students).
Where can I go to find commencement information?
Cap and gown, senior portrait, and commencement ceremony information may be found at http://www.commencement.uci.edu or you may visit the Commencement Office in Room 426 of the Administration Building.
http://www.soceco.uci.edu/ugrad/applications
What is a Degree Verification Letter and how do I request one?
If you are applying for a job or graduate school and are required to provide proof of your degree completion before your degree has been posted to your transcripts, you may request a Degree Verification Letter for this purpose. Please go to http://www.soceco.uci.edu/ugrad/degreeverif.uci to fill out the request form.
Course Info.
If I have taken Statistics, can I waive SE13?
If you have completed introductory statistics courses at the University (Math 7, BIO SCI 7, SocEcol 166 A-B-C, or SOC SCI 9 A-B-C, etc.) or an approved introductory statistics course from a community college, you can waive Social Ecology 13. In these circumstances, you do not have to petition to waive SE13. If you have taken an introductory statistics course at another college or university, please see "HOW DO I PETITION TO WAIVE A COURSE?"
What is the difference between SE198 (Directed Studies) and SE199 (Special Studies)?
Directed Studies (SE198) is a course that may be taken for 1-4 units of elective credit. In the School of Social Ecology, SE198 is available for the P/NP grading option ONLY. Its primary purpose is to allow students to have some preliminary exposure to research either by assisting a faculty member or a graduate student. A student may interview subjects, do computer coding, or do library research.
Special Studies (SE199) can be taken for 1-4 units of elective credit; four units of graded SE199 may be petitioned to be used in lieu of one upper-division Social Ecology course. Generally, students taking a Special Studies course are more deeply involved in research methodologies and either assist a faculty member with his/her ongoing research project or have identified a specific area of interest that may have been only briefly covered in class. Students may also pursue an idea of their own with the assistance of a Social Ecology faculty member.
*Note: Students may take no more than five units of SE198 and/or SE199 per quarter.*
How many units of Directed/Special or Independent Study may I take per quarter?
Per Academic Senate Policy, in any one quarter, students may enroll in a maximum of five units of Independent Study classes (in any combination of SE198 and SE199 taken under any school or program).
Can I take classes at a community college?
Once you have begun work at UCI and declared a major, you may NOT return to the community college to complete your writing requirements or School/Major requirements. However, you may elect to take courses to fulfill some or all of your Breadth Requirements or elective units. Check out www.assist.org to find out what courses are transferable to the University and/or satisfy the University's Breadth requirements. *Note: See an academic counselor if you wish to take courses outside the University and if you are a senior.*
Some important things to remember if you are planning on taking courses at a community college: 1) There is a limit of 105 quarter units (70 semester units) that you may transfer from the community college. 2) Your GPA for courses taken at a community college does not transfer. 3) You are responsible for knowing if you have already taken a course either at UC Irvine or at another community college which is the same as the course you are planning on taking. You will not receive additional credit for the duplicate course.
How do I petition to waive a course?
If you believe that you may have fulfilled a course that is required for your Major or for Breadth Requirements, you may petition the course. The ONLINE GENERAL PETITION form is used for petitions or requests which are internal (occurring at UCI). The PETITION TO WAIVE A COURSE TAKEN AT ANOTHER COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY is for courses you have taken at a college or university which does not already have an articulated agreement with the University. You must download and print out this petition form and attach all relevant information (e.g., course syllabus, lecture notes, and exams). Please submit the completed form and materials to the School of Social Ecology's Student Services Office (SE I, Room 102). All petition processing takes approximately two weeks.
How do I petition to take a course at a community college?
If you plan to take courses at a community college in California, you may use Assist.org to identify which courses will be transferable to the University and can satisfy the University's Breadth Requirements. To learn how to use the ASSIST Web site, please click here. If the courses you are planning to take are listed on the ASSIST Web site, you do not have to petition them with our office. Simply send transcripts of the course(s) you took to the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools (OARS), where your work will be evaluated to determine the unit credit you will receive. OARS will then send a copy of your transcript to our office (if you are currently a major in the School of Social Ecology) to be kept in your file. When we review your records to complete Degree Progress Check Forms or Degree Certification, we will apply coursework taken at a community college to your outstanding requirements, where appropriate.
If you are planning to attend a community college which is not included on ASSIST, or another four-year university for summer session work, please consult with an academic counselor prior to your enrollment. Upon completion of the course(s), have your transcript sent to the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools. Also, refer to "How do I petition to waive a course?". Finally, remember to consult an academic counselor regarding residency waiver if you wish to take any of these courses in your last year at UC Irvine (e.g., last 36 units).
GPA and Grading Info.
What is my UC GPA?
GPA stands for grade point average and is based on all classes taken at UC Irvine. Your UC GPA also includes any grades earned at other UC campuses. Grades earned at other four-year universities or at a junior college are not included in your UC GPA.
How do I calculate my GPA?
1) Convert the grades that you received to grade points (see below). 2) In each class, multiply the number of units for the class by the grade points awarded (for example, a grade of 'B+' in a 4-unit class is equal to 3.3 x 4 for a total of 13.2 grade points). 3) Add up the total grade points you have received, and the total number of units attempted in your classes. 4) Divide the total number of grade points by the total number of units; this is your GPA. Your overall GPA is also calculated each quarter and posted on your transcript.
Grades and Grade Points:
| A+, A, A- | Excellent: | A+ = 4.0 A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 |
| B+, B, B- | Good: | B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7 |
| C+, C, C- | Average: | C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 |
| D+, D, D- | Lowest passing grade: | D+ = 1.3 D = 1.0 D- = 0.7 |
| F | Not passing: | F = 0.0 |
Grades of Pass (P), No Pass (NP), Withdraw (W), Unauthorized Repeat (UR), Incomplete (I), and In Progress (IP) are not included in the computation of the grade point average which appears on the permanent record.
What is academic standing?
In assessing academic standing, the School of Social Ecology reviews student's GPA in three separate areas:
Overall GPA: the grade point average in all of the classes you have taken at UC Irvine and any other UC campus attended. Grades from other schools are not included.
Major GPA: the grade point average in the upper division requirements you have taken. This would include only the ten upper-division classes from your major.
School and Major GPA: the grade point average in all classes required for your major. This would include C7, E8, P9, SE10, SE13, and SE194W as well as upper-division classes you have taken in your major.
*In order to remain in good academic standing, your GPA must be at least a 2.0.*
What is academic probation?
If your overall, Major, or School and Major GPA falls below 2.0 after any one quarter, you will be sent an e-mail notifying you that you are being placed on academic probation until you raise the GPA(s) in delinquent standing to 2.0 or above. For each quarter that you are on academic probation, you will receive an e-mail notification. If you are on academic probation for any four quarters, you may be subject to dismissal from the University.
What is an "Incomplete"?
An "I" (Incomplete) may be assigned by an instructor in place of the grade for a course. This indicates that the student's work is of passing quality, but his coursework for the quarter is not complete at the time grades must be submitted. Any grade of Incomplete will remain indefinitely on the permanent record unless the work is completed and a grade is assigned.
NOTE: Incompletes are treated as F's only when students are to be certified for graduation: at that time an assessment of GPA is made based on all units attempted. If the student's overall GPA is at least 2.0 including the Incomplete grades computed as F's, then the student may graduate. If the Incomplete grades computed as F's decrease the student's GPA below 2.0, then the student may not graduate until enough Incomplete grades have been made up to bring the GPA to 2.0.
What is "P/NP"?
P/NP is a grading option in which letter grades are not assigned. Only the marks for Pass (equal to a grade of "C" or better) or Not Pass (equal to "C-" or below, no course or unit credit earned) are assigned. P/NP marks are not calculated into the student's GPA. Unless a course is designated as P/NP only, students may not take courses toward their School and Major requirements P/NP.
What does "IP" stand for on my transcript?
"IP" stands for In Progress, and its use is restricted to sequential courses. Use of this mark indicates that the grade for the course will be determined and assigned when the entire sequence of courses is complete.
What does "NR" stand for and what do I do if I receive this as a grade?
"NR" indicates that there was No Report of a grade from the instructor. A student who receives an NR for a course should contact the instructor of the course immediately to arrange to have the NR removed or replaced. An NR becomes an "F" one quarter after it has been assigned. A NR can only be changed by the instructor who assigns it.
What does "UR" stand for on my transcript?
UR is used to flag a course that the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools determine to be an Unauthorized Repeat of a course the student has already taken and passed at the University or at another college or university. No unit credit will be given for courses marked UR.
What is a "W" (Withdrawal) and how does it affect my GPA?
The "W" notation is assigned to a student's transcript when a course is dropped after the sixth week of the quarter. The "W" does not negatively impact the GPA, but is a marker used to indicate that the student was enrolled in the class beyond the sixth week. It does not indicate whether the student was passing or failing. It is not advisable to accumulate many "W's" on your transcript
When can I repeat a course?
Undergraduate students may choose to repeat classes when grades of C-, D+, D, D-, F, or NP were received. Degree credit for courses so repeated is given only once, but the grade assigned at each enrollment is permanently recorded. In calculating your GPA, only the most recent grade is used for the first 16 units repeated. If a student repeats more than 16 units, the GPA is based on all additional grades assigned. Classes originally taken for a letter grade CANNOT be repeated on a P/NP basis.
