Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions. Don't see your question here? Then please e-mail it to us at ucounsel@ics.uci.edu.
- When and where do I obtain the Dean's signature?
- When is the last day to add, drop or change my grade option?
- Which courses may I take P/NP?
- How many units may I take P/NP?
- How does a "W" (Withdrawal) affect my GPA?
- How do I declare a minor?
- May I take classes at a community college?
- What is the UCI residence requirement?
- Where do I petition for an exception to policy?
- What is a degree check and how do I request one?
- How and when do I apply to graduate?
- Where do I find information on graduate schools?
- What courses satisfy the upper division Math requirement?
- What puts me on academic probation?
- How do I get into the Bren School of ICS Honors Program?
- What if I want to change my major to another one within ICS?
- How do I become a major in ICS from a different School at UCI?
- What if I want to change into a major in another School at UCI?
- How do I get help with my academic planning, classes or major?
- What is the readmission policy?
- How can I take more than 20 units?
- How do I get a degree audit?
- What are the deadlines for graduation?
- How can I double major?
- How do I apply for part-time status?
When and where do I obtain the Dean's signature?
Always start with the Bren School Student Affairs Office.
Bren School Academic Counselors provide Dean’s signature in all instances involving add/drop/change cards and on other student-related forms issued by Administration.
In situations where an exception is being sought, the Bren School Academic Counselors will provide you information about the petition process, and your case will be considered by the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.
Please note: students who attempt to go to the Dean’s Office for Dean’s signature will be redirected to the Bren School Student Affairs Office
When is the last day to add, drop or change my grade option?
The Bren School deadline for any of its majors to add a Bren School course is the end of 6th week with instructor's approval.
Any add request initiated AFTER week 6 requires BOTH the instructor's and Dean's* signatures. The SAO reviews carefully a course add request received after week 6 before providing the Dean's signature.
BREN SCHOOL DROP POLICY AND DEADLINE
The Bren School deadline for any of its majors to drop a Bren School course is the end of the 2nd week of classes with instructor's approval and signature.Be sure to read carefully the course syllabus and website since instructors may impose an earlier deadline.
Instructors will review carefully any course drop requests received during weeks 3 - 6 before providing an approval signature (again, instructors do not have to consider these requests if they have announced or posted an earlier deadline.)
Any course drop request initiated AFTER week 6 requires BOTH the instructor's and Dean's* signature.
Permission to drop AFTER the sixth week will be granted only to students who are not failing the course, not subject to disqualification, or for whom dropping would represent an 'educational benefit' as assessed by the instructor.
The SAO does not provide the Dean's signature for drop requests initiated after week 6 unless the student can provide verifiable documentation of a medical condition or financial hardship.
BREN SCHOOL CHANGE OF GRADE OPTION POLICY AND DEADLINE
The Bren School deadline for any of its majors to change their grade option is the end of 2nd week with instructor's approval and signature.During weeks 3 - 6, instructors are asked to sign grade change cards only after examining the situation thoroughly.
The Dean's* signature (available at the SAO) is also required for grade change requests initiated weeks 3 - 6.
The Bren School SAO will not allow a change of grade option for any course after 6th week, unless the student can provide verifiable documentation of a medical condition or financial hardship.
Bren School majors may take only the following courses for a P/NP grade option: ICS 54, ICS 80, ICS 93, ICS 139W (except CS majors), ICS 180 (as long as the 180 will not apply toward degree requirements), and ICS H197.
Bren School and Informatics minors may take up to two courses with a P/NP grade option.
*If you need the Dean's signature, please proceed to the Bren School Student Affairs Office (SAO) after getting your instructor's signature.
Academic counselors are authorized to review and provide Dean's signature as necessary for student add, drop and change of grade option requests.
Students who go to the Bren School Dean's Office for 'Dean's signature' will be re-directed to the SAO. SAO hours to the public are posted at: http://www.ics.uci.edu/ugrad/sao/
Which courses may I take P/NP?
Major requirements — Bren School science, upper-division writing and math courses (depending on your major)–must be taken for a letter grade.
Breadth requirements and electives not applicable to your degree may be taken P/NP.
The following majors must take these courses for a letter grade:
Computer Science: ICS, Math, Science and ICS 139W
Computer Science/Engineering: CSE, Math and Physics 7 series
Information and Computer Science: ICS and Math
Informatics: ICS, Informatics, Philosophy and Math
How many units may I take P/NP?
You may take an average of 4 units P/NP per quarter and no more than 12 units TOTAL as P/NP during your undergraduate career.
The P/NP grading option may be used only for courses that count for the unit requirement for the bachelor’s degree and toward the breadth requirement.
Unless designated as 'P/NP Only,' courses taken to complete Bren School or major requirements must be taken for a letter grade.
No more than two courses may be taken P/NP and applied to any minor on campus.
How does a "W" (Withdrawal) affect my GPA?
The "W" notation is placed on a student’s transcript when a course is dropped after the end of the sixth week.
It is not computed in the GPA. Please note that a withdrawal is not commonly allowed by the Bren School.
How do I declare a minor?
If you are interested in adding a Bren School minor, see your Academic Counselor and be sure to have your Academic Counselor post the minor to your online Degree Audit located on your Student Access page.
If you are interested in adding a minor outside of the Bren School , check with the School that is offering the minor.
Most academic units do not require you to declare a minor. However, you may be asked to fill out an "Intent to Pursue the Minor" form which in no way obligates you to finish the minor but rather allows the academic unit to plan for course offerings for non-majors.
Note that some schools, such as the Graduate School of Management (management and accounting minors), and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (digital arts minor), limit the number of students that are accepted into the minor, or require periodic updates regarding progress in the minor.
May I take classes at a community college?
Yes, but there are restrictions.
Once you have matriculated at UCI, you may not fulfill the writing, math or Bren School requirements (for any major) at another college or university.
However, you may take elective units or breadth courses off campus. You must consult www.assist.org to find courses that are UC transferable.
Keep in mind that the UCI residence requirement limits when you can take courses off-campus: at least 36 of the last 45 units immediately preceding graduation must be taken at UC Irvine.
It is extremely important to consult with a Bren School Academic Counselor prior to taking off-campus courses, and especially if you are near or in your last year prior to graduation to ensure that what you intend to take will be both transferable and applicable to your degree, AND meet the residency requirement.
What is the UCI residence requirement?
All students whose catalogue year is 2004-05 or later are required to complete at least 36 of the final 45 units preceding graduation while in residence at UCI.
Exceptions may be allowed for students who participate in certain programs, such as EAP.
For the 2003-04 catalogue year or earlier, the residence requirement states that your last 36 units must be completed at UCI.
Where do I petition for an exception to policy?
The Bren School Student Affairs Office has a form entitled "Undergraduate Student Petition."
You must use this form to petition for a course substitution or waiver, to seek credit for major or breadth courses taken at a college for which there is no articulation agreement, to waive the residence requirement, or when asking for an exception to an administrative decision, policy or deadline.
Student Affairs staff can provide information about the type of information that is necessary to include in a Petition.
What is a degree check and how do I request one?
A degree check is an evaluation of your progress towards your degree – what requirements you have fulfilled and which you still have yet to do.
It includes an evaluation of all of your records – AP credits, UCI work, courses taken at other colleges and universities.
All students should schedule a degree check at least once per year. Seniors must meet with a Bren School Academic Counselor to get a degree check at least 2 quarters before they intend to graduate.
To schedule a degree check either stop by the Bren School Student Affairs Office during office hours or call the Student Affairs Office at (949) 824-5156 to set up an appointment (please do not e-mail the Bren School Academic Counselors), or see a Peer Advisor during drop-in hours.
How and when do I apply to graduate?
You apply to graduate by submitting an online Application for Graduation via Student Access no later than the published deadline for the intended quarter.
Bren School ’ deadline is week 10 of the quarter prior to your intended quarter of graduation, i.e. the last quarter in which you will be completing your remaining courses.
Applications for the spring quarter of any year must be turned in by the end of week 10 of winter quarter to ensure considerations for honors at graduation and inclusion in the commencement program.
Included on the Application are spaces to indicate minors, concentrations and specializations that you may be completing.
After submitting the online Application, only a Bren School Academic Counselor may make any changes to it. Therefore, please ensure that your diploma notification address and telephone number are correct.
Where do I find information on graduate schools?
The Career and Life Planning Center offers workshops and maintains a resource library that helps students research graduate programs of study.
The UCI Main Library also maintains catalogues on graduate programs and reference materials.
An on-line resource is Peterson’s Guide To Graduate Programs, www.petersons.com.
You also may talk to one of the SAO Graduate Counselors to get information about the Bren School’s Masters and Ph.D. programs, or referrals to useful resources.
What courses satisfy the upper division Math requirement?
There are different upper division math requirements for each of the four majors in the Bren School of ICS.
A list of courses may be found in the UCI General Catalogue, on a handout available in the Student Affairs Office.
What puts me on academic probation?
You are subject to probation any time your quarterly or cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.
The Student Affairs Office will notify you of your probation status by email and U.S. mail, and will specify conditions that you must meet to re-attain good academic standing.
Failure to meet the conditions set forth in your probation letter may result in academic disqualification, which means dismissal from your major as well as the Bren School.
Contact your Bren School Academic Counselor soon after your probation notification to ensure that your academic plan is reasonable and to learn about campus resources and success strategies that may be helpful.
How do I get into the Bren School of ICS Honors Program?
The Bren School Honors Program provides an opportunity for selected students majoring in one of the four Bren School majors to pursue advanced work in one of the research areas in the School.
Admission to the program is based on a formal application submitted to the School in the spring. Applications are available each year beginning May 1 and should be submitted by June 1 to ensure consideration. Students are notified during August and September since spring and summer (if applicable) grades are considered.
Course and GPA requirements for ICS, CS, CSE and Informatics majors are listed at the Bren School Honors Program page.
In selecting students for the honors program, the School also considers evidence of ability and interest in research.
Students admitted to the program participate in the Bren School Honors Seminar (ICS H197), which provides an introduction to research areas in the School, followed by a minimum of two quarters of independent supervised research (ICS H198).
Passing these two H198s counts for one of the project courses required for the major, provided that one other project course is taken in a different area.
In order for the student to be considered to have successfully completed the honors program, the work must be written up as a final report and certified to be of honors quality by the student’s advisor and by the program advisor.
What if I want to change my major to another one within ICS?
We encourage you to visit with a Bren School Academic Counselor if you are interested in changing majors within the School to ensure a smooth transition to your intended major.
Change of Major guidelines for ICS, CS and Informatics are available online.
Currently, the Computer Science and Engineering major (CSE) is not accepting any change of major applications.
How do I become a major in ICS from a different School at UCI?
The Bren School of ICS major's change of major policy is available online.
We encourage you to meet with an ICS Academic Counselor as soon as possible.
They will help you formulate a quick and efficient plan to changing majors.
Once you have successfully met the Bren School of ICS change of major requirements for your intended major, please do the following:
a. Submit Change of Major form: you must submit a Change of Major form (available in the ICS Student Affairs Office lobby, your major's Student Affairs Office, and the Registrar's office) to the front desk of the ICS Student Affairs Office.
b. In addition to the form, we require verification from your current Academic Counselor of your academic honesty record and a copy of all of your transcripts (UC and non-UCI; unofficial transcripts are ok).
c. If you have over 120 units, please submit an academic plan detailing the courses remaining and your intended quarter and year of graduation.
d. Please note that our Double Major policy is entirely different from our Change of Major policy. Please see an ICS Academic Counselor immediately if you are interested in adding a second or third major.
What if I want to change into a major in another School at UCI?
All campus change of major policies are located online at www.due.uci.edu/Change_of_Major.html.
You should meet with an Academic Counselor from the School of your intended major as soon as possible.
S/he will help you formulate a quick and efficient plan to changing majors.
How do I get help with my academic planning, classes or major?
There are several ways to get help. You may email your question(s) to ucounsel@uci.edu, and an ICS Academic Counselor will respond as soon as possible.
You may call the SAO (949-824-5156) or drop by during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) for a drop-in appointment.
What is the readmission policy?
Readmission to UCI and the Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences is NOT automatic, and is subject to the Associate Dean’s approval and campus deadlines.
Please visit this link for more information about fees, procedures and deadlines: http://www.reg.uci.edu/registrar/soc/read.html.
Readmission Application Form available at Registrar's Office or the Bren School Student Affairs Office.
Bren School Student Affairs Office requires additional documentation for consideration of readmission.
All materials required for readmission petition must be submitted to the Bren School Student Affairs Office as a complete package. An academic counselor will attach a summary of previous course work and/or contract conditions for the Associate Dean’s consideration.
Only UC-transferable courses (www.assist.org) will be considered when determining a student’s eligibility for readmission to one of the Bren School majors.
The Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education will consider the applicant’s number of completed units while at UCI, number of units remaining for completion of breadth and degree requirements, grades for coursework taken at other institutions or through UCI ACCESS, and demonstrated readiness for the academic challenge of UCI coursework.
In general, students applying for readmission will need to demonstrate that they can finish remaining coursework (breadth, major) within a timeframe that does not violate university policies regarding excessive units (see Catalogue, “UCI Policy on Excessive Units” for more information).
A readmitted student who has not been enrolled at UCI for three or more consecutive quarters must adhere to the graduation requirements: (a) in effect for the quarter in which the student is readmitted; or (b) those subsequently established.
Readmission to the Bren School after voluntary withdrawal from UCI while in good standing:
Readmission will be automatic if the student re-enrolls within one year and will otherwise be considered on a case by case basis.A readmission petition can be submitted at the same time as a withdrawal form is filed.
If known, students should indicate their intended quarter of re-entry at the time of withdrawal.
Readmission to the Bren School after voluntary withdrawal from UCI while student is on Academic Probation:
In certain situations, the Bren School may approve a student’s time-limited withdrawal if it becomes evident that doing so will prevent further damage to the student’s academic record.Conditions for readmission in this case would be discussed at the time of withdrawal; any academic contract conditions in place at the time of withdrawal would remain in effect upon the student’s return.
The UCI readmission application must be accompanied by:
1) A written statement no longer than 2 pages that details the reason(s) for leaving, the reason(s) for returning (including new or renewed interest/focus on Bren School major), and ways that previous or existing obstacles to academic progress have been addressed and will be addressed in the future.2) An official transcript showing completion of at least 1 full-time quarter or semester of transferable courses in Computer Science or mathematics with a GPA satisfying the conditions specified in the student’s academic contract.
Readmission to the Bren School after academic disqualification:
The Associate Dean will consider the number of units remaining towards breadth and major degree requirements.In general, a student applying for readmission will need to demonstrate that he/she can finish remaining coursework within a timeframe that does not violate university policies regarding excessive units (see Catalogue, “UCI Policy on Excessive Units” for more information).
A student readmitted after academic disqualification will be held to the conditions of a two quarter contract specifying a course plan, unit maximum per quarter, GPA expectations, and mandatory advising sessions.
Failure to meet the contract conditions for any of two quarters may lead to automatic disqualification.
The UCI readmission application must be accompanied by:
1) A written statement no longer than 2 pages that details the reason(s) for leaving, the reason(s) for returning (including new or renewed interest/focus on Bren School major), and ways that previous or existing obstacles to academic progress have been addressed and will be addressed in the future.
2) An official transcript showing completion of a minimum of one full-time academic year of courses taken through UCI Extension (ACCESS), a community college or another comparable institution.
At least six of these courses must meet major requirements (includes math courses).
The overall GPA for this year of work must be at least a 2.5. In some cases the requirement that a full year of coursework be completed elsewhere can be waived, if there is considerable evidence that the student is fully prepared to return to UCI full time.
3) If the student intends to petition for a Change of Major into or out of the Bren School upon readmission, he/she must submit a completed Change of Major form.
4) Students considering applying for readmission after academic disqualification are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic counselor well in advance of preparing their application.
How can I take more than 20 units?
Freshman entering their first quarter at UCI and the Bren School cannot enroll in more than 20 units.
After the first quarter, any student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may enroll in more than 20 units.
Students must visit the ICS Student Affairs Office to get cleared to enroll in more than 20 units.
How do I get a degree audit?
Go to www.uci.edu > student access > degree audit > sign in
To make changes, please meet with an academic counselor or peer advisor in ICS 352. E-mail or phone requests to change your degree audit cannot be accommodated and must be done in person.
What are the deadlines for graduation?
Spring 2008: Friday, February 8, 2008
Summer 2008: Friday, March 14, 2008Applying for graduation can be done online, go to
www.uci.edu > student access> application for graduation > sign in > fill out form.To make changes, please meet with an academic counselor or peer advisor in ICS 352. E-mail or phone requests to change your application for graduation cannot be accommodated and must be done in person.
How can I double major?
The major or minor in Information and Computer Science (ICS) cannot be combined with the majors in Computer Science (CS), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), or Informatics.
The major in Computer Science (CS) cannot be combined with the major in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE).
The major in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) cannot be combined with the major in Computer Engineering (offered by The Henry Samueli School of Engineering).
Bren School of ICS majors may not minor in Informatics.
For additional information about double majoring, please consult the individual degree information pages.
How do I apply for part-time status?
You are eligible for part-time status if:
You are working 30 or more hours a week (requires documentation), or have health problems, or family responsibilities.
In order to apply, please come into the ICS Student Affairs Office to fill out a part-time status form.
Signed part-time petitions must be processed by the Registrar's Office no later than Friday of the 3rd week of classes- there are no exceptions to this policy.
