How do I compute my cumulative GPA?
The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of semester hours for which a grade other than 'X', 'NC', or 'CR' is received. Only grades earned at U.T. Dallas are used in calculating the GPA.
Grade points are computed by multiplying the points for each grade by the number of credit hours; for example, 4 (A) x 3 (hours) =12 grade points.
Grading Scale
How do I graduate with honors?
Students who show particular distinction in scholarship at the university are afforded the opportunity of graduating with one of three degrees of honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. Only grades earned at U.T. Dallas are used in determining graduation with honors, and a minimum of 45 U.T. Dallas credit hours are required. In order to graduate with honors, a student should indicate this interest on the Application for Graduation form in the college master's office.
Each honors level requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) to be attained over all course work taken at U.T. Dallas. That same minimum GPA applies to upper-level course work in the major and related courses.
In the case of a student with a double major who wishes to graduate with honors, a single honors designation will be awarded. If a higher level of honors is attained in one major and a lower in the other, the lower level of honors will be awarded.
All students must meet the Latin Honors benchmarks listed in the catalog that governs their graduation requirements. See your academic advisor for more information. For 2006-2007, the Faculty Senate has altered Latin Honors requirements, dropping the requirement of a thesis or senior design project and defining specific grade point averages for each level of honors that are computed separately by school. As a result, some students whose graduation requirements were governed by previous catalogs are choosing to move up to the 2006-2008 catalog.
For those students graduating under the 2006-2007 Undergraduate Catalog and meeting the degree requirements stated therein, Latin Honors are awarded when all the following requirements are met:
- Met all degree requirement stated in 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog;
- Graduate under the 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog;
- Change of Catalog requests are made with the student's Academic Advisor
- Last date for Change of Catalog request for:
- Fall 2006 graduation - on, or before September 13, 2006
- Spring 2007 graduation - on, or before January 16, 2007 (NOTE: 01/16/007 is also the day all graduation applications are due to the Registrar for spring 2007 graduation
- Met the residency requirement of a minimum of 45 graded hours at UTD
- Met GPA benchmark for the student's school*:
A&H BBS ECS GS MGT NS&M SS AVERAGE *The benchmarks were computed using the 5-10-15% standards. The benchmarks will change in accordance with the gpas of graduating seniors for three prior years.
Current benchmarks (2007-2008) are based on the graduating GPA’s of 4,887 undergraduate students in the two long semesters of academic years 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007.
What should I do if I am unable to take an exam?
Students are expected to take exams as scheduled. If illness or an emergency precludes a student from taking an exam, the student should discuss the situation with the professor prior to the exam to make alternative arrangements. Students who will miss class for an extended period of time due to illness should discuss the absence with each of their professors as well as the Disability Services Coordinator, 972-883-2070. The Disability Services Coordinator will officially notify the student's professors and assist in obtaining assignments. Students who will miss class for an extended period of time due an emergency should discuss the absence with each of their professors as well as the Dean of Students, 972-883-6391. The Dean of Students will officially notify the student's professors.
If a student is required to take more that one final exam at the same time, or when a student is scheduled for more than three final exams in the same day, the student should discuss arranging an alternate time with the professor. If the professor and the student cannot agree on an arranged time for the exam, the registrar will assist in scheduling the test.
How can I place out of some of my classes?
Lower-Division
Credit for admission may be established through testing programs such as the Advanced Placement Program (AP), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and the International Baccalaureate (IB). Guidelines for credit by CLEP and AP examinations are available from the Office of Enrollment Services (CN1.126, 972-883-2270), or the Admissions and Records Office (MC1.304, 972-883-2270). Credit for CLEP will only be given for scores of at least 55. Credit for AP tests will be given only for grades of 3, 4, or 5.The University of Texas at Dallas will award six semester credit hours (to a maximum of 30 semester credit hours) for each individual International Baccalaureate Higher Level examination passed with a score of 6 or higher. However, if the applicant completes the full International Baccalaureate curriculum and presents the IB Diploma, the credit noted above will be awarded for Higher Level examinations passed with scores of 5 or higher. No credit will be awarded for subsidiary courses.
There is no general limit to the number of lower-division credit hours transferable by examination. Information on the applicability of such credit toward satisfying specific degree requirements may be found in the Office of Admissions and Records. For purposes of admission, entering freshmen earning a score of at least 610 on the SAT-II: Writing Test will receive 3 semester hour credits for RHET 1301 Rhetoric. Similarly, scores of at least 710 and 630 on the Mathematics Tests Level I and II, respectively, will earn 3 semester hour credits for MATH 2312 Precalculus.
Documentation of any lower-division credit established by examination through such programs as the AP (Advanced Placement Program) or the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) which the student wishes to apply toward credit for admission must also be submitted with the application for admission. Test scores not on official transcripts must be submitted directly from the testing agency.
Upper-Division
Not more than six semester hours of extension, credit by examination, or correspondence credit may be applied toward upper-division requirements. This credit must be upper-division credit earned at an appropriate accredited institution or through acceptable scores on approved tests. The university does not offer correspondence courses.
I have a disability, where can I get help?
Disability Services provides for the special needs of students with disabilities. Students are urged to make their needs known to Disability Services as soon as they are admitted to the university. The Office of Disability Services is located in SU1.601, 972-883-2070, http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/hcsvc.html.
How do I qualify for the Dean's List?
The top ten percent of all students in each school who complete 12 or more SCH during the fall and spring semesters will be recognized as members of the Dean's List of their respective schools. Students without a declared major are eligible for the Dean's List of the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
What degrees are offered at UTD?
School of Arts and Humanities
- Art and Performance (B.A.)*
- Arts and Humanities (B.A.)*
- Arts and Technology (B.A.)
- Historical Studies (B.A.)*
- Literary Studies (B.A.)*
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
- Child Learning and Development (B.S.)
- Cognitive Science (B.S.)*
- Neuroscience (B.S.)*
- Psychology (B.A.)*
- Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (B.S.)*
School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences
- Criminology (B.A.)
- Economics (B.S., B.A.)*
- Geography (B.A.)*
- International Political Economy (B.A., B.S.)
- Political Science (B.A.)*
- Public Affaris (B.S.)*
- Sociology (B.A.)*
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
- Computer Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)*
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.)*
- Software Engineering (B.S.)
- Telecommunications Engineering (B.S.T.E.)
School of General Studies
- American Studies (B.A.)
- Gender Studies (B.A.)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (B.S., B.A.)
School of Management
- Accounting and Information (B.S.)*
- Business Administration (B.S.)*
- Finance (B.S.)
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
- Biochemistry (B.S.)
- Biology (B.S., B.A.)*
- Biology and Business Administration (Double Major) (B.S.)
- Biology and Crime and Justice Studies (B.S., B.A.)
- Chemistry (B.S., B.A.)*
- Geosciences (B.S., B.A.)
- Mathematical Sciences (B.S.)* with majors in
- Applied Mathematics
- Statistics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Molecular Biology (B.S.)
- Molecular Biology and Business Administration (B.S.)
- Molecular Biology and Crime and Justice Studies (B.S.)
- Physics (B.S., B.A.)*
Teacher Education Certification Program for Secondary School Teaching
* A Degree program followed by an asterisk can be used in an accelerated baccalaureate/master's degree.
Specific degree requirements can be accessed through http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/ugraddean/mags.htm.
How do I find out what is required for my degree?
Specific degree requirements can be accessed through http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/ugraddean/mags.htm.
Complete a change of major request form in the records Office, MC1.304, and make an appointment to meet with an advisor in the school housing your major. During the meeting students will review the degree requirements and complete a degree plan. Students are you will then be responsible for meeting all program requirements and course prerequisites of the catalog in effect at the time of the change. Students who select a major and enter their major code on the application for admission are not required to complete any additional paperwork.
Some academic units designate a set of classes that constitute a minor in that academic unit. The requirements for the minor are set by the faculty of the academic unit offering the minor, not by the academic unit of the student's major field of study. When an academic unit offers a minor in a field of study, it is open to all students in the university regardless of school of origin. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor. Minors consist of a minimum of 18 credit hours, of which at least 12 must be upper-division hours, although individual academic units may require more hours at their sole discretion. No credit hours may be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective hours may be used to satisfy the minor. Students enrolled as of Fall, 1999 who are pursuing majors under prior catalogs may incorporate minors in their degree plans. For a list of minors see http://www.utdallas.edu/dept/ugraddean/ : Minors at a Glance. Students interested in declaring a minor should meet with their academic advisor. See How do I find out who my advisor is?
Students may complete a double major by satisfying all requirements set by each program, and with the approval of the college master, or masters. This shall include not fewer than 12 semester hours at the university in each major field. To declare a double major a student should meet with their academic advisor, complete a Request for Double Major form, and review the degree requirements.
If the two majors lead to a B.A. and a B.S., the student may choose which baccalaureate will appear on the degree. Double majors including American Studies or Interdisciplinary Studies are not available. For honors information see How do I graduate with honors?
