Undergraduate Academic Requirements and Policies

Program Areas

The Polytechnic Institute of New York University addresses the world of technology and its unique interactions with society. To fulfill its mission, NYU-Poly offers degree programs in five general academic areas:

• Computer Science and Engineering
• Engineering
• Sciences and Mathematics
• Science and Technology Studies
• Technology Management

Computer Science and Engineering

Computer science and engineering is an important and expanding field as today’s society advances further into the Information Age. Computer science and engineering includes designing systems (computer hardware and software) and developing principles for applying computers to new uses. The field requires high levels of theory and practice and often involves developing or integrating complex software.

Computer science and engineering is a major element in modern information technology, allowing information to be used to analyze and solve problems in diverse fields, including telemedicine, heath care, finance, entertainment, manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation and biomedicine. Because of the breadth of its potential applications, computer science and engineering at NYU-Poly has a multidisciplinary focus.

The curriculum integrates basic science, computer science, mathematics, humanities and social sciences. Students take electives in technical and non-technical subjects, a mix that allows for flexibility and breadth in their studies at NYU-Poly.

The current faculty works in state-of-the art fields such as high-speed imaging, classification, software virus protection, high-speed graphics, text and data mining, fault-tolerant computing, database-management systems, software engineering, data compression, data security, parallel and distributed computation, scheduling theory, computer vision and Internet and Web technologies. This faculty experience, combined with a strong curriculum that integrates theory and practice, positions NYU-Poly graduates well for the 21^st century.

Engineering

Engineering is the creation of devices and implements that can control or manipulate nature to produce a desired effect, applying science to build the infrastructure and tools society needs to improve the quality of life and the environment.

The modern engineer must have a firm background in the sciences and mathematics. Science reveals fundamental knowledge about the natural world. Mathematics comprises the language and tool used most often by engineers to analyze and manipulate that world. Additionally, a background in the liberal arts provides a fundamental understanding of society, its structures, needs and desires. No one can hope to improve society without such understanding. Engineers also must deeply appreciate the role they play in society, particularly in terms of their professional ethics and responsibilities. Finally, engineers must have excellent written and oral communication skills to work effectively with other engineers, professionals, decision-makers and the public.

NYU-Poly’s engineering programs build on a firm foundation of mathematics and science to develop the analytic and conceptual skills required of a practicing professional. Laboratory classes introduce students to devices and systems currently used in their fields and help develop their skills in using computer-aided design packages. Undergraduate programs prepare students equally for entry into the profession and for continued education at the graduate level.

NYU-Poly, by giving students a comprehensive education in scientific and engineering principles and by developing creative skills required for engineering design and analysis, provides its graduates with the ability to continue to learn and grow in rapidly developing technological fields throughout their careers.

Current NYU-Poly faculty and alumni are advancing varied fields such as telecommunications, microwaves, imaging sciences, quantum electronics, pulsed power, smart materials, aerospace, robotics, geotechnology, biomedical engineering, financial and risk engineering, cyber security, gaming, software engineering and sensors and sensor networks. Through the NYU-Poly engineering curriculum, students are equipped to advance this tradition forward to the next generation of technological breakthroughs.

The Sciences and Mathematics

Science and mathematics underpin modern technology. As scientists and mathematicians discover and describe secrets of the natural world, engineers look to apply them to developing new technology. Without the physical sciences and mathematics, engineers would have no tools with which to invent the technology of tomorrow.

NYU-Poly’s undergraduate science and mathematics programs give students unique opportunities to study basic theory while interacting with design disciplines. The undergraduate program structure in these areas encourages students to select concentrations of elective courses in technology areas.

Students use modern laboratories and interact with faculty who are world-class researchers. Many upper-level classes are small, allowing students to develop one-on-one relationships with faculty and to work with them in their research areas.

The future of technology depends on the ability to develop a better and more accurate understanding of nature and its opportunities and constraints. For technology to advance, scientists must continue to unlock the secrets of the universe, and mathematicians must continue to develop the analytical and logical processes through which they can extend and apply what they investigate and discover. NYU-Poly programs prepare scientists and mathematicians for this vital role, enabling them to lead society to a better future.

Science and Technology Studies

Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary field in which methods of analysis from a wide range of fields in the humanities and social sciences are used to study the relations among science, technology and society. Such methods include historical, philosophical, sociological, psychological, scientific, literary, journalistic and cultural and media-studies approaches. STS creates technology-savvy, ethical and socially responsible users, developers and critics of science and technology. It contributes a key element to developing well-rounded engineers and scientists. Such professionals are capable not only of technical expertise and its dissemination, but also of innovative and creative ways to reason and communicate with fellow citizens. STS graduates have the best of both worlds: broad training in the liberal arts coupled with expertise in science and technology. This combination makes them stand out and gives them an advantage over graduates of more narrowly focused programs.

Technology Management

NYU-Poly’s Department of Technology Management is the leading learning, research and development hub in the New York City/tri-state region, devoted explicitly to the critical arenas of innovation, information and technology management.

The department has achieved this distinguished position with a continuous stream of high-quality and relevant research, development and pace-setting learning programs. Its faculty contributes to theory and practice in an increasingly knowledge-intensive age.

The research and development conducted within the Department of Technology Management is varied, including scholarly books and articles in respected journals and timely case studies. Some of this material forms part of the content in educational programs, helping to keep programs up-to-date and distinctive. The department is also committed to integrating technology into all educational programs to enhance learning. Because all managers must understand how technology and innovation are essential for delivering value to organizations and to the market, the department offers a portfolio of educational programs dealing with the broad spectrum of innovation, information and technology management in the modern economy.

In addition to its academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, the Department of Technology Management offers short-term nondegree courses and workshops, including those tailored to the needs of specific firms and industries on contemporary topics in technology management.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

This section details general institutional degree requirements applicable to all NYU-Poly undergraduate degrees. Academic departments may place additional requirements on individual degrees. Such additional requirements are explained in the program sections of this catalog. In no case may a department specify requirements less stringent than those indicated here.

Outcomes Assessment

NYU-Poly conducts outcomes assessments to monitor students’ academic achievement, effective teaching methods, institutional improvements, and to ensure compliance with accreditation standards. To obtain periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth, undergraduate students are asked to participate in surveys, focus groups, interviews or related activities. While individual input is collected, the data from these assessments are published in aggregate form. Undergraduate students must complete online course surveys for all courses in which they are registered each semester (except guided studies and courses in which the enrollment is fewer than six students). Graduating seniors must complete exit surveys online. Any additions to or exceptions to this requirement are disseminated to the campus community each semester by the Office of Assessment and Institutional Research. Compliance with outcomes-assessment activities is traditionally a precondition for receipt of semester grade reports, transcripts, and degrees.

Basic Degree Requirements and Definition of Credits

Programs for the degree Bachelor of Science require 120 to 128 credits, depending upon the major as described in the program’s section of this catalog. Undergraduate semester credits are based on the number of 50-minute periods scheduled each week during one semester. Traditionally, one credit signifies a minimum of one 50-minute period of class work, or three 50-minute periods of undergraduate laboratory, over a period of 14 weeks, in addition to a final exam period. On occasion, more time per credit is given. The final examination period is an integral part of the semester.

Students may attend the Institute part-time or full-time. All undergraduate degrees can be completed in four years of full-time study. To earn the degree Bachelor of Science from NYU-Poly, students must satisfy Institute residency requirements. The majority of undergraduate courses are held during the day. A selection of evening undergraduate courses is available, but it is not possible to complete any undergraduate degree by taking courses entirely in the evening.

To earn a bachelor’s degree, students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all courses at NYU-Poly; additional details can be found in the section regarding academic standing and probation. Certain programs have additional grade requirements in specified courses or groups of courses. Most undergraduate engineering curricula require students to participate in team projects, including participation in team-based design projects. Students must participate in outcomes assessment, as described below.

Selection of a Major

Undergraduate students admitted to NYU-Poly are encouraged to declare their major upon admission, although incoming first-year students may initially enter as “undeclared” students. First-year students wishing to consider several program options are encouraged to use their first semester to explore major fields in consultation with departmental advisers. While NYU-Poly’s first year curriculum is nearly uniform for all engineering majors and very similar for other majors, students who choose to delay selecting their major until the end of the freshman year must select courses in consultation with their academic advisers.

Students are free to change their major at any time, given that their academic standing is acceptable to the program into which they wish to transfer. However, changes in major may involve loss of credit. Students entering NYU-Poly with an undeclared major must declare any currently offered undergraduate major by the end of their first year.

Selection of a Minor

A minor is an approved concentration of academic study within a single discipline. In specified programs, undergraduate students may select a minor in a field distinct from, or related to, their major, with approval of advisers in both the major and minor fields. The name of the minor appears on students’ transcripts if the approved 14-15 credits in the minor field have been completed with at least a 2.0 GPA. With the consent of a student’s major department, some courses used to satisfy the minor requirements also may satisfy the required or electives course requirements in the student’s major program. The names and associated requirements for minors are listed in the sections of this catalog devoted to related major programs.

NYU Cross-School Minors

Visit the NYU Cross-School Minors page. NYU-Poly students have the opportunity to minor at other schools of NYU. An undergraduate student may minor in a discipline not typically offered at NYU-Poly. If a similar minor, in name and content, is offered at NYU-Poly, students must receive permission from the NYU-Poly academic department offering the minor in order to enroll in such a minor at NYU.  With the consent of a student’s major department, some courses used to satisfy the minor requirements may also satisfy the required or electives course requirements in the student’s major program.  Minors will be noted on the student’s transcript as “Minor in XXX at NYU”.  Students will follow all policies, procedures and academic time lines of the respective NYU school.

Students must consult their major academic adviser to determine the applicability of courses towards their NYU-Poly degree. Students will need additional credits than the minimum required to satisfy their degree requirements if courses taken for a minor at NYU do not meet the requirements specified by a student’s program of study.  When declaring a minor, students will indicate the courses they plan on completing for the minor.  For each course taken, students must obtain approval from their NYU-Poly academic adviser as well as the corresponding academic department at NYU-Poly by completing the “Permission to Take Courses at NYU (Washington Square Campus)” form available on the Registrar’s website.

Below is a list of cross-school minors offered at the Washington Square Campus.  Note that declaration of a minor does not constitute guaranteed enrollment in all classes; registration timelines and deadline need to be strictly followed:

• College of Arts And Science (CAS) - All cross-school minors offered are available to NYU-Poly students.
• Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development - Music
• Stern School of Business (in collaboration with CAS and NYU-Poly) - Business Studies
• Tisch School of the Arts - Game Design

Course Placement Evaluation

NYU-Poly requires incoming first-year students to complete placement and diagnostic examinations in writing and mathematics. All transfer students are required to take the Expository Writing Placement Exam and Mathematics Diagnostics Exam.

NYU-Poly’s placement and diagnostic evaluations are intended to ensure that each student receives the most pertinent instruction in areas necessary to successfully complete their degree program. Placement evaluations may supersede the results of Advanced Placement examinations and/or acceptable transfer credits from another institution of higher education as determined by the designated adviser and the department offering the course.

Mathematics Diagnostic Examination

The Mathematics Diagnostic Examination is an extensive test to profile students’ knowledge and skills in basic and advanced mathematics. The Mathematics Department uses the scores on various components of the exam to place students in relevant mathematics courses. Incoming first-year students (excluding those with AP credit) are placed into MA 902 /MA 912 , MA 914 , 

Writing Placement Examination

Both employers and accrediting organizations increasingly emphasize the need for students to have well-developed written and oral communications skills. No engineer or scientist can be an effective professional without the ability to communicate, not only with those in his or her own field, but also with professionals in other technical and non-technical fields, with private and public decision makers and with the general public. As such, NYU-Poly’s degree programs involve frequent writing and speaking assignments across all areas of the curriculum. It is essential that all students have necessary background skills before enrolling in upper-division courses related to their professional studies.

To ensure that students are placed into the proper writing course, some admitted undergraduate students will be required to take the Institute’s writing-placement exam. This essay exam is used to evaluate each student’s writing ability and to ensure that he or she is placed into the appropriate writing course. On the basis of this test, students are placed into the standard first-year course,

If an incoming undergraduate student is not required to take the English placement exam, the student is placed in

Students who successfully complete

Occasionally, however, a student who has completed EXPOS-UA 21 may have the choice to enroll in

Writing and Speaking Across the Curriculum

NYU-Poly has adopted a Writing and Speaking Across the Curriculum program to ensure graduates develop satisfactory communications skills. This program ensures that significant writing and speaking assignments are included in designated coursework throughout students’ undergraduate program and that course grades are influenced by the quality of presentation in addition to mastery of content.

To support this program, the Polytechnic Tutoring Center (PTC) houses the Writing Center for students; the Center is staffed by instructors, professional writers and qualified tutors. Students are encouraged to make an appointment to improve their writing and speaking skills.

Core courses such as EXPOS-UA 1 , EXPOS-UA 2 , EG 1003 , select humanities and social sciences electives, and all senior design projects are writing and speaking intensive. Each disciplinary curriculum identifies additional courses that fit into this category.

In addition to the required first-year writing curriculum, NYU-Poly students are required to complete 18 credits within the humanities and social sciences. One of these courses must be Writing-Intensive (designed with a “W”), and one must be at the 3000 or 4000 level. For more information about this requirement, and to see a list of courses, please refer to the Department of Technology, Culture and Society  overview.

Core Curriculum

NYU-Poly’s core curriculum is designed to provide all students with a solid education in the liberal arts, mathematics, basic sciences, and their major area of study. The goals of the core curriculum are to build students’ critical, analytical, and communication skills; to build a strong foundation of knowledge; to introduce students to their major field of study; to expose students to other fields; and to prepare students for lives as responsible and engaged citizens. The core curriculum includes three areas of inquiry: (1) text, communication and social thought; (2) quantitative and scientific reasoning; and (3) innovation and problem solving.

ENGINEERING MAJORS: Areas of Inquiry

Area 1: Texts, Communication and Social Thought (24 credits)

• EXPOS-UA 1 Writing the Essay
    and
  EXPOS-UA 2 The Advanced College Essay
   
• Humanities and social science electives

Area 2: Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning (minimum of 30 credits)

• Mathematics: Every engineering student must complete a minimum of 16 credits of study in mathematics.
• Physics, Chemistry: The basic science core consists of minimum of 14 credits of study in the critical areas of chemistry and physics.

Area 3: Innovation and Problem Solving (9-10 credits)

• EG 1001 Engineering and Technology Forum
   
• EG 1003 Introduction to Engineering and Design
   
• CS 1133 Engineering Problem Solving and Programming
    or
  CS 1114 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
   
• Introduction to Major

NON-ENGINEERING MAJORS: Areas of Inquiry

Area 1: Texts, Communication and Social Thought (24 credits)

• EXPOS-UA 1 Writing the Essay
    and
  EXPOS-UA 2 The Advanced College Essay
   
• Humanities and social science electives

Area 2: Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning (requirement varies)

• Mathematics
• Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or other natural science course

Area 3: Innovation and Problem Solving (requirement varies)

• CS 1133 Engineering Problem Solving and Programming
    or
  CS 1114 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
   
• EG 1001 Engineering and Technology Forum
   
• EG 1003 Introduction to Engineering and Design
   
• Introduction to Major

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires undergraduate students to complete a minimum of 60 credits in liberal arts and sciences for the Bachelor of Science degree. These liberal arts and sciences courses constitute a foundation or “general education” in the humanities, natural sciences and mathematics, and social sciences. These courses are intended to provide a basis of knowledge outside of specified occupational or professional objectives; these courses are not intended to emphasize the development of skills in areas such as technology or computer programming. All undergraduate majors at NYU-Poly fulfill the NYSED 60 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement through courses in expository writing, humanities and social sciences, mathematics, and science (areas 2 and 3, above).

Engineering Competencies

All NYU-Poly undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET identifies the following core competencies that every engineering program should address: (a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering; (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret data; (c) an ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs; (d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams; (e) an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems; (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; (g) an ability to communicate effectively; (h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context; (i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, lifelong learning; (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues; (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Select course descriptions note the ABET competencies they address.

Modifications to Curricula

Course Substitutions

On occasion, the curricula changes to reflect the latest knowledge and methods within a subject area, especially in the science, engineering and technology areas taught at NYU-Poly. Students are informed of these changes by their major department.

NYU-Poly responds to changes in curricula and course content by addressing special situations and circumstances. To that end, the Institute occasionally needs to substitute one course for another specified in the curriculum for students to meet degree requirements. A student documents such substitutions on an Adjustment of Degree Requirements form available from the Office of the Registrar’s website. Each substitution must be documented  and approved by the student’s major adviser and the Office of Undergraduate Academics. If a graduation checklist has been issued at the time of the substitution, the change should be formally entered on the checklist and approved by the major adviser and the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

Interruption of Study

NYU-Poly graduates must fulfill degree requirements using courses that meet current standards in the field. Accordingly, students have up to eight years to complete the degree requirements in effect when they first enrolled in an NYU-Poly undergraduate degree program. This time limit is irrespective of any leave of absence granted during the eight-year period. As courses continuously evolve, the Institute may replace courses in the original degree requirements with comparable courses with updated content. Should the Institute establish a new set of degree requirements for new students, continuing students may choose to satisfy those requirements. In such cases, NYU-Poly decides which portion of the new requirements may be satisfied by the courses students have completed and also rules on modification, if any, of the original eight year time limit.

If a student has exceeded or is about to exceed the eight-year limit and has not yet finished their degree requirements, they need to appeal for an extension in order to finish the remaining courses.

To appeal, the student must consult with their academic adviser and fill out the “Extension of Time Limit to Complete Degree” form. All courses remaining in order to complete their degree must be listed and the time frame in which they will be completed.

The form should then be signed by their academic adviser and the Associate Provost of Undergraduate Academics before it is submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

BS/MS Program

Undergraduates with strong academic records in certain programs may apply for admission to the BS/MS Program, which leads to the simultaneous award of a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, sometimes in less time than it takes to complete both separately. This program allows students to make accelerated progress towards completing two degrees through a combination of AP credits, summer coursework and additional credits completed each semester. Additionally, undergraduate students enrolled in this program are permitted to complete graduate level coursework before the completion of their bachelor’s degree. Qualified students are considered for admission into the program toward the end of their sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year; however, students interested in pursuing this option should speak with their undergraduate adviser as soon as possible. Some of the possible combinations of BS and MS majors available are described in the programs section of this catalog. Students accepted to the BS/MS program are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4 for the duration of the program; some departments may have higher GPA requirements. Additional information can be acquired from departmental advisers, including the specific sequence of courses necessary to complete two degrees simultaneously. International Students in F-1 or J-1 status must obtain permission and the necessary I-20/DS-2019 from the Office of International Students and Scholars before enrollment in the combined BS/MS program.

Dual Undergraduate Degrees

It is possible for students to earn two BS degrees in distinct disciplines. Special requirements for each degree are determined by the department’s undergraduate academic adviser pr department head, in accordance with the following rules:

• The set of courses includes all of the required courses for each degree. Some elective credits for one curriculum may be fulfilled with required credits from the other, given that sufficient senior/ graduate level electives are completed to provide depth in each discipline.
• The total credits required for both degrees must exceed those required for one of the degrees by at least one full year of credit. Courses satisfying requirements in both degrees may be counted only once for this purpose. Total credits required for the two degrees are, therefore, calculated using the following formula:
  Total Credits = Credits (Degree 1) + Credits (Degree 2) / 4

This formula defines the minimum number of credits required. Some degree combinations may require additional credits. When the two majors are closely related, such as electrical engineering and computer science, applied physics and electrical engineering, etc., five years of study generally proves sufficient to earn both degrees. When the two degrees are less closely related, such as civil engineering and chemistry, electrical engineering and humanities, mechanical engineering and applied physics, etc., additional credits and more than five years is often required.

• Students working towards two degrees must (1) register in a “home” department that is responsible for the student’s primary (first) degree, and notify the department of the intent to pursue a second degree, (2) apply for and receive admission to the second department in the same manner as a student wishing to change degrees, (3) obtain approval from both departmental faculty advisers when registering or withdrawing from coursework, (4) maintain good academic standing in the Institute and in both academic departments and (5) complete all courses specified in the graduation checklist provided by each department with satisfactory grades.
• Both degrees may be simultaneously earned, or the primary degree may be earned first. Graduating with the honors distinction is separately determined for each degree. To graduate in the minimum amount of time with two degrees, students should select this option as early as possible. The courses of the two degree programs can then be interwoven to provide academic continuity and to satisfy prerequisites in a timely fashion. Please note that many students prefer to earn a single bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree in a different, but related, discipline. Students interested in pursuing a dual degree should speak with their undergraduate advisers, as not all degree combinations can be conveniently packaged in this manner.

Honors Distinctions

Honor Societies

Students with superior academic records and co-curricular achievements may be selected to join one of NYU-Poly’s chapters of a national honors society in their junior or senior year. Closely allied to the professional and technical societies, these honors societies encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and leadership.

Participating Societies at NYU-Poly:

Chi Epsilon - Civil Engineering
Eta Kappa Nu - Electrical Engineering
Omega Chi Epsilon - Chemical Engineering
Pi Mu Epsilon - Mathematics
Pi Tau Sigma - Mechanical Engineering
Sigma Xi - Research
Tau Beta Pi - Engineering
Upsilon Pi Epsilon - Computing Sciences

Degrees with Honors

Degrees with honors are awarded to undergraduate students who have achieved the highest scholastic rank and unanimous recommendation of the faculty. Honors are based upon the following breakdown of cumulative GPAs:

BS Cum Laude: 3.40 - 3.59
BS Magna Cum Laude: 3.60 - 3.69
BS Summa Cum Laude: 3.70 or greater

After completing a minimum of 64 credits at NYU-Poly, transfer students are eligible to graduate with honors or be selected as valedictorian.

Undergraduate Credits

Residency

To satisfy residency requirements for the BS degree, NYU-Poly students must complete a minimum of 64 credits at the Institute in approved coursework. Departmental advisers will assist students in selecting courses required for degree completion. In addition, students must complete their final 32 credits at the Institute. In regards to minors, one-half of the coursework must be completed at NYU-Poly. All transfer credits are subject to NYU-Poly’s transfer credit policy and process.

Transfer Credits from other Undergraduate Institutions

Students who have completed undergraduate coursework at other universities prior to beginning their studies at NYU-Poly are encouraged to transfer credits. NYU-Poly awards transfer credit for relevant courses completed satisfactorily at other accredited institutions. Students transferring into NYU-Poly must have all outside transcripts examined by the Undergraduate Admissions Office and an adviser from their major department to determine the acceptability of individual substitutions and general acceptance of credits from their former institution(s). Much of this can be accomplished during the application process if the student’s record is complete. All evaluations of transfer credits must be completed by the end of the student’s first semester of registration at NYU-Poly. Some programs may choose to delay approval of transfer credits until students demonstrate satisfactory progress at NYU-Poly.

Undergraduate transfer credit is not given for any course in which a grade less than C has been earned. In addition, students completing a course at NYU-Poly for which transfer credit already has been given automatically forfeit the transfer credit for that course.

The contents and standards of courses vary from university to university. Thus, some transfer students find after a semester’s work at NYU-Poly that they are better prepared for advanced courses if they re-enroll in a course at NYU-Poly for which they have been given transfer credit. Students may be required to enroll in such a NYU-Poly course after consulting with their academic adviser. In some instances, course requirements may be waived for students who demonstrate sufficient knowledge of specific course content through either written or oral examination given by the academic department offering such course. In such cases, no credit is awarded, but students are allowed to submit a more advanced course to satisfy degree requirements. This approach differs from “credit by examination,” described later in this section.

Grades of courses for which transfer credit is given are omitted in computing a student’s cumulative or current semester GPAs.

Articulation Agreements

To provide students with alternative pathways to a BS degree from NYU-Poly and to facilitate the transfer process, NYU-Poly has developed cooperative programs with other institutions. Students completing approved programs at these institutions with sound academic achievement are guaranteed admission to the Institute. Students interested in learning more about the cooperative programs should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Currently, NYU-Poly offers two articulation agreements: one with the College of Arts and Science at NYU and one with Brooklyn College.

Articulation with NYU’s College of Arts and Science: The 3+2 Program

General Information

NYU’s College of Arts and Science offers a dual-degree program in science and engineering with the Polytechnic Institute of NYU. This program affords highly qualified and motivated students who are technically oriented the opportunity to pursue both a liberal arts program with a major in science and a traditional engineering program. The program is ideal for students interested in science and engineering who are also eager for a liberal arts experience before entering an undergraduate engineering environment. Upon completion of this five-year program, students receive the Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Arts and Science at New York University and the Bachelor of Science degree from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU.

The available dual-degree combinations are as follows:

• BS in Biology/BS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• BS in Chemistry/BS in Chemical and Biomolecular engineering
• BS in Computer Science/ BS in Computer Engineering
• BS in Computer Science/ BS in Electrical Engineering
• BS in Mathematics/ BS in Civil Engineering
• BS in Mathematics/ BS in Computer Engineering
• BS in Mathematics/ BS in Electrical Engineering
• BS in Mathematics/ BS in Mechanical Engineering
• BS in Physics/BS in Civil Engineering
• BS in Physics/BS in Computer Engineering
• BS in Physics/BS in Electrical Engineering
• BS in Physics/BS in Mechanical Engineering

Detailed programs of study for each of the curricula are available from the NYU’s College Advising Center, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 905.

Students who are interested in this program apply directly to NYU’s College of Arts and Science, indicating their interest in this program on their application. Application materials for this dual-degree program may be requested from New York University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 665 Broadway, 11^th Floor, New York, NY 10012-2339.

The Academic Program

Students accepted into the program spend their first three years of study in the College of Arts and Science (CAS) at New York University. In the first year at the College, the different curricula call for many of the same courses. This gives students time to consult with faculty at both schools before committing themselves to a particular science/engineering major.

During Freshman Orientation, if they have not already done so, students select a major area for their study at CAS from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics. In their first year, students will have the opportunity to change this major and to reflect on their choice of engineering major. In the spring of the third year, an orientation program helps students prepare for the transition to NYU-Poly in the fourth year.

In the first three years of the program, students satisfy their core liberal arts requirements and also take some of the NYU-Poly courses required for their choice of engineering major. Students may elect to withdraw from the dual-degree program in engineering and complete only the College of Arts and Science general and major requirements at New York University. The final two years of study are undertaken at NYU-Poly’s campus.

At NYU-Poly, students complete the remaining technical courses required for their engineering major in their final two years.

Articulation with Brooklyn College

The present articulation between Brooklyn College and NYU-Poly is for the first two years in the fields of Civil, Chemical, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Further information may be obtained from Brooklyn College or the NYU-Poly Office of Undergraduate Academics.

Transfer Credits while in Residence

Undergraduates at NYU-Poly are expected to complete all coursework at the Institute. Exceptions are rare and only made in cases where NYU-Poly does not offer courses integral to the attainment of students’ academic goals.

To obtain credit for courses taken elsewhere while enrolled at NYU-Poly, students must obtain written permission from the major academic adviser, the department head of the course for which transfer credit is requested and the Office of Undergraduate Academics. This must be done before registering for the course at another institution. Forms for such permission are available on the Registrar’s website.

The following requirements apply to all courses taken outside NYU-Poly:

• The outside institution must be accredited.
• Grades earned must be C or better for undergraduate courses.
• Pass/fail courses are not acceptable under any conditions.
• Only credits are granted; grades are omitted in computing cumulative or current semester GPAs.

Credits for Courses Taken at Other Schools of NYU

Students will receive letter grades to be included in their term and cumulative GPA calculations for courses taken at other schools of New York University. Traditionally, courses taken at NYU are not offered at NYU-Poly and may count toward degree requirements with the permission of the student’s academic adviser. Foreign language courses completed at NYU will count as free elective credits, regardless of the student’s academic program. Students must obtain permission to take courses at other schools of NYU prior to enrollment by completing the “Permission to take a course at NYU (Washington Square Campus)” form available on the Registrar’s website.

Undergraduate Validation Credits

When it is unclear whether a course taken outside NYU-Poly is suitable for transfer credit, students may qualify for transfer credit by passing a validation examination. Permission to take such an examination must be recorded in advance on the student’s transfer evaluation form at the time of application to NYU-Poly. The format of the examination is at the discretion of the department giving the course. Scheduling of the examination is by mutual agreement, but in no event more than one calendar year after the student begins study at NYU-Poly. A grade of C or better is required to validate course credits for undergraduate students. An examination may not be taken more than once. Students who register for or attend the course at NYU-Poly forfeit the right to take a validation examination.

Advanced Placement Credits

NYU-Poly grants students credit for approved Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school, given acceptable performance on AP examinations. Students must request evaluation of AP credits by no later than the end of their first semester of matriculation. Credit also may be granted for college preview courses at NYU-Poly or other universities while a high-school student if these courses are relevant to the student’s degree program and acceptable grades were achieved. Grades for advanced placement or college preview courses are omitted in computing the cumulative or current semester GPAs.

Credit by Examination

Undergraduate students with an outstanding record or with specialized competence may establish a maximum of 16 credits toward the baccalaureate degree by passing comprehensive examinations. Each department determines the courses in which such an examination is available and the examination format. Students must obtain the approval of the department giving the course, the department of major study and the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

A grade of B+ or better is required to achieve credit by examination. Students registering for or attending a course at NYU-Poly may not subsequently take the examination for credit for the course or for a course with similar content. The examination may be taken only once.

Students pay a fee to the Office of Student Accounts before each examination and will receive the form to take the exam after making the payment. The course and credits are posted on student’s permanent record without a grade and do not count toward the minimum-residence requirement for the bachelor’s degree or toward the GPA.

Undergraduate Thesis

The undergraduate thesis allows students to apply knowledge gained in their major field of interest and use it to plan, conduct and report original research. The thesis may be a discourse upon a subject included in students’ courses of study, an account of an original investigation or research, or a report on a project or an original design accompanied by an explanatory statement.

The undergraduate thesis is optional except for students in the Honors Program, who are required to complete an undergraduate thesis. All undergraduate students who plan to undertake a thesis should report to the head of their major department with their choice of a thesis topic at least one year before graduation. Department heads approve requests and appoint a thesis adviser. Students should contact their thesis adviser immediately and register for the thesis during the next registration period. Thereafter, the student must register for the thesis every fall and spring semester until it is completed and accepted and the final grade is entered into the student’s permanent record. A student must take a minimum of 3 credits of thesis work for an undergraduate thesis.

Students must submit a bound BS thesis to the Office of Undergraduate Academics as outlined in the document entitled “Regulations on Format, Duplication and Publication of Reports, Theses and Dissertations,” available in the Office of Undergraduate Academics. All theses and results obtained become the property of the Institute.

Graduation

Graduation Checklist

Academic advisers of undergraduate students nearing completion of their degree requirements receive a graduation checklist that lists courses in progress and courses remaining to be completed for the degree. After the list is approved by the major academic department, the student receives an e-mail notifying them of their graduation status.

Application Process for the Bachelor of Science

Students must file a formal application to be awarded the degree Bachelor of Science from NYU-Poly. Application deadline dates for each semester are e-mailed to the students approximately two to three months before the date. Students who do not file by the published deadline date become candidates for the next graduating class.

Applications for BS degrees are available on PeopleSoft Self-Service. Degrees are certified and diplomas issued twice a year, typically at the end of January and middle of May. Commencement is held once a year, usually in mid-May. All work for the degree must be completed and submitted before the graduation date.

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed to the student about eight weeks after the degree conferral date. Diplomas are issued only once, subject to rare exceptions made on a case-by-case basis. All replacement diplomas are printed with the Institution name at the time of the student’s graduation and are subject to a replacement diploma fee. Further information can be found on the Registrar’s website.

Transcripts

The issuance of transcripts and generally the release of any information about a student are subject to the provisions of Public Law 93- 380, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. Unless NYU-Poly’s disclosure policy permits otherwise, official transcripts of the scholastic record are issued only upon the submission of a written request or upon the submission of a signed release from the student.

Unofficial transcripts are available to students through the Student Self-Service system. Those students without access to the Student Self-Service system may submit a written request for an unofficial transcript. A fee is charged for each unofficial or official transcript issued.

NYU-Poly reserves the right to withhold a transcript if a student fails to meet financial indebtedness to NYU-Poly.

Upon graduation, students should review their transcripts carefully and report any errors to the Office of the Registrar before the record is sealed.

Class Standing for Undergraduates

Students are classified at the end of each semester by the Office of the Registrar on the basis of earned and/or approved transfer credits beginning September 1, as follows:

Academic Year Full Time

Undergraduate students registered for 12 or more credits per semester are categorized as full time. The normal course load for full-time undergraduate students is 14-18 credits.

For certain types of attendance and enrollment certifications, some students who are registered for less than 12 (undergraduate) credits may be certified as full time-specifically undergraduates pursuing Institute-authorized full-time, full-semester co-op work assignments. A form to establish full-time equivalency is available from the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Academic Year Part Time

Students registered for less than 12 credits per semester (except summer) are categorized as part time. Part-time students pay tuition at the prevailing per-credit rate and are ineligible for most financial assistance and scholarship programs.

Summer and Intersession

Students may register for up to 8 credits during each six-week summer term and for no more than 16 credits for the combined 12-week summer term. Six credits for a given summer term is considered full-time status.

Undergraduate International Students

Full-Time Status, Program and Degree Changes, Employment

To maintain non-immigrant student status, international students must enroll full time, taking at least 12 credits on the undergraduate level for each fall and spring semester. Moreover, they may only register for one online course per semester. Students wishing to take more than one online course per semester must obtain prior approval from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). Students may take less than a full course of study if fewer credits are needed during the last semester to graduate or for valid academic and medical reasons. All reasons for exceptions must be approved in writing by OISS before the last day of late registration each semester so that courses can be added to students’ schedules if necessary.

Students in F-1 and J-1 status must obtain written permission from OISS to withdraw from classes, if the withdrawal will result in less than a full-time course load, or to take a leave of absence. They must also obtain written permission and a pertinent I-20/DS-2019 form from OISS before enrolling in a new degree program. The process of withdrawing from a course, changing degree level or taking a leave of absence through the Office of the Registrar keeps a non-immigrant student in good standing only with the Institute, but not with the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS). In addition, students who plan to work as part of their coursework or as part of an internship placement are required to obtain prior approval from OISS for any such employment.

Failure to comply with the immigration requirements for full-time status, course withdrawals, degree changes and/or leave of absence and employment violates the nonimmigrant student status and makes a student ineligible for any benefit of that status. According to the USCIS, lack of compliance may also result in deportation.

Policies on Undergraduate Grading and Grades

Computing the Grade-Point Average (GPA)

The Office of the Registrar determines the GPA of undergraduate students according to the following numerical values assigned to letter grades:

In computing GPAs, NYU-Poly does not consider or count courses graded W, I, S or U toward the total credits passed or earned. GPAs are computed by multiplying the numerical grade in each course by the number of credits for each course, adding these products for the courses taken and then dividing this sum by total number of credits represented by courses considered.

The W and I grades are described in greater detail in subsequent sections. Grades S or U are used to indicate progress in multi-semester research projects or theses, or for non credit-bearing remedial or other courses. Undergraduates enrolled in graduate courses may not receive grades of D or AUD.

Course Withdrawal: The W Grade

Students may withdraw from a course or courses without academic penalty until the published withdrawal deadline of the normal fall or spring semester. Students should process their own withdrawals online via Student Self-Service. No approvals are required, but students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisers as withdrawing from certain courses may delay their planned graduation date. When the course duration varies from the norm, such as in six-, nine- or 12-week courses, withdrawal must be completed before two-thirds of the sessions are completed. Withdrawals must be processed online by 11:59 p.m. on the withdrawal deadline indicated on the published Academic Calendar. Withdrawn courses remain on the student’s transcript with a grade of W and are not calculated into the GPA. Once entered on the student’s record, a W cannot be changed to any other grade. An F grade is recorded for any student who ceases to attend a course without formally withdrawing in the required fashion by the required deadline. Students are also encouraged to consult with Financial Aid before withdrawing from a course, as it may affect their status and eligibility for aid.

Auditing Classes

Undergraduate students may be allowed to audit certain classes in order to fill the gap which may exist in their prior course work. Approval of the academic department is required prior to auditing a class. The credits for the course do not count as a part of the student’s semester credit load. Students auditing a course will not receive a grade for the course and the course will be annotated by AUD without counting towards student’s GPA calculations. Students who decide to audit a class must do so during their initial registration for the class by filling out the form available from the Office of the Registrar; this option cannot be changed once selected.

Incomplete Grades

If a student cannot complete coursework at the requested time due to a valid reason, such as an illness or other critical emergency, the instructor may give a grade of Incomplete/I. In such cases, the instructor and the student must develop a detailed plan for completion which includes a specific completion date. Ordinarily, this date should not extend beyond the intersession, in fairness to students who finish course requirements on time and to ensure that students complete prerequisites for advanced courses. An I grade lapses into an F if the student fails to complete the work within the specified completion time line, or at most by 180 days after the end of the semester in which the I was given. All I grades must be converted before graduation.

The grade of Incomplete/I is used sparingly and only in cases with valid reasons, not merely because students have planned poorly or overloaded themselves. An I grade should not be issued if a student is unable to complete the course requirements without attending or participating in the course a second time. If the student re-registers for a course in which an I grade was given, the I grade lapses to an F. If successful resolution of an I grade would require the repetition of any course or portion of a course, the student should consider formally withdrawing from the course.

Change of Grade

Grades on file with the Registrar at the end of the semester, with the exception of incomplete (I) and temporary grades (S or U), are considered final unless an error in calculating or recording the grade is discovered.  No correctly reported final grade may be changed based upon re-taking an examination or completion of additional work.  Incomplete (I) grades are handled according to the policies described under Incomplete Grades. Temporary grades (S or U), used for continuing projects, thesis or dissertation, will be converted to standard letter grades upon completion of the project, thesis or dissertation.  Once recorded with the Registrar, these grades are treated as all other final grades.  If an error in calculating or reporting a grade is discovered, the instructor will submit the change of grade request to the Department Head.  Upon approval of the Department Head, the request will be submitted to the appropriate Associate Provost for approval.  Any incorrectly assigned grade must be corrected within one semester.

Repeating Courses

If an undergraduate student takes a course two or more times, only the second and subsequent grades will count toward their GPA. This policy holds regardless of the first and second grades earned, even when the second grade is lower than the first. The repeated course must be taken within one year of the first course, or at the first time it is offered, where a course is unavailable to repeat within one year. If the student first repeats the course more than one year after taking it initially, and the course has been offered, all grades earned in the course will be counted in the student’s GPA. If a student earns a passing grade and subsequently fails the course, the passing grade can be used to satisfy degree requirements.

No undergraduate course may be repeated more than twice, for a total of three attempts. If a student earns an F grade in each of their three attempts in a prerequisite course or a degree requirement, the student is then academically disqualified.

Undergraduate Academic Standing and Probation

Dean’s List

Undergraduate students who achieve a semester GPA of 3.4 or higher, with no grades of F, I or U for the semester, and are otherwise in good academic standing, are commended by the Department of Academic Success and placed on the Dean’s List. This list is posted following the fall and spring semesters for full-time students and following the spring semester for part-time students. Only those who complete 12 or more credits during the fall or spring semester (or fall and spring semesters combined for part-time students) are eligible. Students who include project courses in their 12 or more credit programs are also eligible, provided that these courses represent no more than one-half of the credit load for a given period and all of the aforementioned requirements are met. Non-degree credit courses, such as EN 1090, may count toward the 12-credit requirement. The Dean’s List notation appears on the student’s permanent record. Students who receive a grade of F and then repeat the course in a subsequent semester, thereby excluding the first grade from the GPA calculation, are not eligible for the Dean’s List. However, students who convert a grade of I to a regular letter grade or receive a change of grade after a given semester that would then qualify them for the Dean’s List may retroactively receive Dean’s List honors by bringing the change to the attention of the Department of Academic Success.

Any change of grade should be finalized within one semester to be considered for the Dean’s list.

General Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing, undergraduate students must maintain term and cumulative GPAs of 2.0 or greater. In addition, students must successfully complete a minimum number of credits for each semester of full-time study, excluding summers and mini-sessions. In the case of part-time students, a semester indicates the point at which 12 or more credits are undertaken. Thus, the first semester of study ends when 12 credits are accumulated; the second semester is calculated from that time onward until 24 credits are accumulated. According to these semester equivalents, grade-point requirements for part-time students follow those for full-time students.

The minimum number of cumulative credits to be achieved by the close of each semester of full-time study appears in the following table.

Minimum Credits and Minimum GPA Required by Semester of Full-Time Study

* Any time a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 1.5 they are placed on Final Probation regardless of how many credits they have completed.

In calculating the number of successfully completed credits:

1. Courses for which a student received an F grade do not count toward the minimum credits earned.
2. If a student receives an F grade in a course which they repeat within one academic year, their GPA will be recalculated using the second grade earned and the first grade of F will be removed from the GPA calculation.
3. Credits with an I grade will be counted toward enrollment for one year. Thereafter, any I grade that has not been changed by the instructor on record will automatically become an F grade.
4. Credits assigned a W grade do not appear in the calculation of credits undertaken, earned or successfully completed.
5. Transfer students will enter this table from the point at which their transfer credits place them.

A second requisite for enrollment is the maintenance of a 2.0 GPA or better or performance approaching 2.0 in a steady and realistic fashion. The table above contains the absolute minimum cumulative GPA to be achieved by the close of each semester of full-time or full-time equivalent enrollment.

The Department of Academic Success regularly monitors all undergraduate students, reviews their academic records after each semester, and informs students’ academic adviser or other representatives from the their major department of the results of that review. Students identified as being in academic difficulty may not register for more than 12 credits per semester unless otherwise approved by their adviser. Students in academic difficulty are placed on academic probation following the steps and actions described below.

Academic Warning

Students whose midterm grades show they are in danger of failing a course receive e-mails of academic warning. The e-mails provide guidance for the student and invite them to meet with their academic adviser to discuss their academic performance and what steps to take to complete their course(s) successfully.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on academic probation when (1) their semester and/or cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0, but remain above the minimum standards as outlined above or (2) their number of successfully completed credits falls below the minimum standards as outlined above. Students falling into these categories are notified and directed to meet with their advisers.  Students placed on academic probation are limited to a maximum of 18 credits per semester while on probation, unless otherwise approved by their adviser and the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

All first-year, first-time probationary students must enroll in SL 1020, the Academic Skills Seminar. The seminar consists of eight one-hour sessions, meeting weekly and taken on a pass/fail basis. SL 1020 helps students develop and enhance an awareness of their individual learning styles, study skills and time management techniques so they may be more successful students and return to good academic standing. Topics include establishing a mind-set for success, discussing career opportunities, setting goals, managing time, overcoming procrastination, learning study and test-taking skills and self assessing. SL 1020 is offered in small, interactive group sessions to support students as they develop strategies for academic success.

Final Probation

Students whose academic record indicates an unacceptable level of academic progress may be placed on final probation. Notified of their standing, these students must meet with their adviser to determine a study program and are limited to a maximum of 12 credits while on final probation to improve their academic performance. Should a final probation student need additional credits to satisfy the full-time requirement, he or she may be allowed to register for another course with the approval their adviser and the Office of Undergraduate Academics, but will be limited to a maximum of 14 credits.  Academic Disqualification results from failure to improve performance and to meet the minimum progress requirements as outlined in the minimum-progress table above.

Disqualification

The Academic Standing Committee, comprised of members of the Department of Academic Success, faculty and a representative of the student’s major department, shall jointly disqualify from the Institute any student whose cumulative GPA or number of credits successfully completed falls below the approved minimum shown in the above table for two consecutive semesters. Additionally, a major department may disqualify a student at or above the minimum listed if it is indicated that continuation will not lead to a successful completion of degree requirements. If a student is disqualified, they will be notified via e-mail.

Extenuating circumstances, such as serious medical problems (physical or psychological), must be documented by the Office of Student Affairs and can lead to a one-semester waiver of these criteria. Performance in the subsequent semester must meet minimum standards. Such arrangements must be made with the head of the major department and the Office of Student Affairs.

Disqualification Appeal

Students who would like to appeal their academic disqualification may begin the appeal process immediately. Students must begin the disqualification appeal process a minimum of three weeks before the first day of classes of the semester immediately following their disqualification. If students do not begin the appeal process by this deadline they must wait one academic year before they can reapply for readmission to the Institute and initiate the appeal process.

Leave of Absence and Withdrawal from the Institute

Leave of Absence

Undergraduates taking a leave of absence must obtain permission from the Academic Advisement Center (first-year students) or the Office of Academic Affairs (sophomore-senior students). Leaves of absence, if approved, are granted for a maximum of one year except in extreme cases. If the student does not return to the Institute after their official leave of absence is over, they will be required to reapply to NYU-Poly.

The policy includes an exception for veterans who leave the degree program for military service.

Leave of Absence and Readmission for Veterans

Undergraduate veteran students taking a leave of absence for military services will be readmitted with the same academic status and into the same degree program they had when they last attended the institution. The length of absence cannot exceed five academic years. If the period of absence exceeds five academic years, veteran students must obtain permission from the Dean of Undergraduate Academics. Such requests, when approved by the Dean’s office, will constitute assurance of readmission to the degree program from which the leave was taken. If the period of absence exceeds the approved leave from the Dean’s office, students must apply for readmission.

The policy includes exceptions for veterans receiving a dishonorable or a bad conduct discharge, or who are court-martialed.

Withdrawal

Total Withdrawal

Undergraduate students must notify the Office of Academic Affairs if they elect to withdraw from the Institute prior to the published deadline and during a semester in which they are registered. No total withdrawal is official unless the online form, which is available in PeopleSoft Self Service, is submitted and approved by the Office of the Registrar. Mere absence from courses does not constitute official withdrawal, but will lead to F grades recorded for courses not completed. To receive W grades for the semester, the withdrawal must be completed by the withdrawal deadline indicated on the academic calendar.

Involuntary Withdrawal

NYU-Poly is concerned about the health, safety and well-being of its students. Students judged to be a threat to themselves or to others may be withdrawn involuntarily from NYU-Poly. The Institute seeks, whenever possible, to allow such students to continue as active students if they agree to undergo professional care. Full details on this policy are available from the Office of Student Development.

Automatic Withdrawal

Undergraduates who do not file a formal leave of absence and who are not continuously enrolled are automatically withdrawn from the Institute. Students in this category must apply for readmission. If readmission is granted, students will be governed by the catalog and rules in effect at the time of readmission.

Readmission

Students applying for readmission must apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applications for readmission will be sent to the student’s academic department for evaluation. The academic department in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs and Associate Provost of Undergraduate Academics will determine whether the student is eligible to continue his/her studies at NYU-Poly.