Courses of Study 2012-2013 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
Courses of Study 2012-2013 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Enrollment


 

Students use Student Center to request classes for the upcoming semester during the pre-enrollment period and to add or drop classes for the current semester during the add/drop period.  More information about enrolling in classes is available at registrar.sas.cornell.edu.

Credit Hour Definition


Cornell interprets and adheres to New York State Education Department’s definition of a credit hour as follows:

A student will receive one credit by satisfactorily completing a course that requires at least fifteen (15) hours of instruction and at least thirty (30) hours of supplementary assignments. Hours are adjusted proportionately for other formats of study, e.g., laboratory, studio, research, problem-based learning, and independent study.

On average, there should be three (3) hours of work per week per credit. For students taking fifteen (15) credits per semester, this translates into an approximate work-week of forty-five (45) hours.

Pre-Enrollment


Students pre-enroll during the fall or spring semester for the next semester.  Dates are announced in advance and are posted on Student Center and on registrar.sas.cornell.edu.  Students are expected to meet with their faculty advisors before pre-enrolling to affirm that the courses they plan to take will ensure satisfactory progress toward a degree.  Advisors approach pre-enrollment and add/drop differently.  Student should be sure they know their advisor’s preferences.

New students and transfer students pre-enrolling over the summer should follow the guidelines sent by their college about choosing classes.  They will have an opportunity to meet with their advisors when they arrive on campus.

Course Add/Drop


Students may adjust their schedules during add/drop periods at the beginning of each semester. Courses may be added, dropped, or changed through Student Center.  Professional schools, the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, the Department of Physical Education and Athletics, and First-Year Writing Seminars may have different course enrollment and add/drop policies. Address questions about permission-only courses and adding or dropping a specific course to the registrar in the college offering the course.

Taking a Course More Than Once


Students wishing to pursue research opportunities may enroll in courses such as research, honors research, or independent study. Some students enroll in research-focused courses for more than one semester. While the course number may be the same, these courses represent a progression of research and scholarship and are not a repetition of the same material. Students are expected to demonstrate positive forward development in their knowledge and scholarship.

Some topics courses, colloquia, and seminars carry the same course number and title. These courses, from semester to semester, focus on a different topic or area of study. Although students may enroll in the same course more than once, the content of each offering varies.

Students wishing to take a course more than one time to improve a poor or failing grade should consult their college registrar prior to enrollment.

Auditing Courses


Graduate students and students taking classes through the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions may choose to audit classes. The classes and grades will appear on the students’ official transcript. Undergraduate and professional school students may not audit classes.