Courses of Study 2017-2018 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
Courses of Study 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Policies and Procedures


In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .


Registration


University registration is the official recognition of a student’s relationship with the university and is the basic authorization for a student’s access to campus resources. To become a registered student at Cornell University a student must adhere to the University Registration requirements. Students can check their registration status using Student Essentials.

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. Detailed information regarding course enrollment is available in the Course Enrollment and Credits  section of this catalog. Students plan a schedule of courses in consultation with their faculty advisor and will pre-enroll during their scheduled appointment time.

To enroll in courses that involve independent study, teaching assistantships, internships, or undergraduate research, a student can visit the Special Studies Information and complete the Special Studies request through Chatter.

Request to Exceed 22 Academic Credits

If a student wishes to enroll in more than 22 credits, up to a maximum of 25 credits, they must submit an online petition by the add deadline through DUST to the CALS Registrar if the following criteria has been met:

  • Two semesters of study completed at Cornell
  • Minimum GPA of 3.300 in their previous two semesters
  • In good standing with the university
  • No incompletes
  • Approval from academic advisor

Repeated Courses

Students who receive a grade of F, U and UX in a previous semester may retake the course for academic credit. It is the students’ responsibility to inform CALS Sudent Services and their faculty advisor that they are planning on repeating a course. Please note the following applies:

  • Both grades will be recorded and calculated as part of their cumulative GPA.
  • If a student retakes a course in which a passing grade was earned, both grades will be recorded and calculated accordingly as part of their cumulative GPA (grades of U and UX have no impact on a GPA).
  • Repeating a course increases the number of credits required for graduation by the number of credits in the course.

Forbidden Overlaps

With seven undergraduate colleges/schools at Cornell there are many courses that offer significant overlap the same material. These courses are referred to as Forbidden Overlaps. A list of these courses is available to all individuals with an active netID through Chatter–navigate to Course Enrollment Tools and Forbidden Overlaps.

Students may enroll for a course that is considered to be an overlap. It is the students’ responsibility to inform CALS Sudent Services and their faculty advisor that they are planning on enrolling in a forbidden overlap course. Please note the following applies:

  • Both grades will be recorded and calculated as part of their cumulative GPA.
  • Completing an overlapping course will increase the number of credits required for graduation by the number of credits in the course.

Enrollment Changes

A student is held responsible for and receives a grade for those courses in which he or she enrolls unless the student officially changes such enrollment.

All changes in courses or credit, grading options, or sections must be made by the student using the online add/drop through Student Center or the official course add/drop form at the CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall. Approval of the faculty advisor may be required to change course enrollment. Department or course instructor approval may be required for select courses.

Students may add courses and change credit hours where applicable during the first 15 days of the semester, and may drop courses and change grading options through the 57th calendar day of the semester.  Students wishing to withdraw from a course after thee end of the 57th calendar day of the semester must meet with a CALS Student Services advisor to determine if the reason to withdraw is petiitonable to the Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions.

Grades


A student is held responsible for and receives a grade for those courses in which he or she enrolls unless the student officially changes such enrollment. It is College of Agriculture and Life Science policy that a student’s completed academic record is final one year from the date the degree is conferred. After that time, no changes will be made to majors, minors, grades, honors, awards or any other aspect of a completed academic record.  

Each semester’s work is an entity and grades are to be assigned for work completed during the normal period of the semester. All faculty are responsible for providing earned grades at the end of each semester for students who are officially enrolled in their course. See Grading Guidelines .

Incompletes

Students should request Incompletes rarely if at all. It is far better to plan ahead and using advising and academic support resources to ensure finishing course work on time. While it is the student’s responsibility to initiate a request for a grade of incomplete, reasons for requesting one must be acceptable to the instructor. The instructor will establish specific make-up requirements and deadlines for completion.

For CALS students, they must not enroll again for a course in which they received an incomplete. Instead, work for that course should be completed without further enrollment.

An incomplete not made up by the end of two successive semesters reverts to a failure. In the case of a graduating senior, incompletes revert to failures at the time of graduation. When a grade is submitted, an asterisk appears on the official transcript next to the grade to indicate the initial incomplete grade.

For additional information, please refer to University guidelines on incompletes found under Grading Guidelines .

R Grades (Yearlong Courses)

R is recorded for satisfactory progress at the end of the first semester of a two-semester course. Students enroll in such courses both semesters. A course in which a student receives an R grade will count towards a student’s fulltime status for the semester. The grade recorded at the end of the second semester evaluates the student’s performance in the course for the entire year.

Grade Changes

Each semester’s work is an entity, and grades are assigned for work completed during the official semester period. Grade changes after the end of the final exam period may be made only in the event of a calculation error on the part of the instructor. Grade changes based on additional work submitted by a student will not be accepted. 

It is College of Agriculture and Life Science policy that a student’s completed academic record is final one year from the date the degree is conferred.  After that time, no changes will be made to majors, minors, grades, honors, awards or any other aspect of a completed academic record.  

Academic Integrity Policy


The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty, students, and administration support and abide by the university Code of Academic Integrity. Its principle is that absolute integrity is expected of every student in all academic undertakings: students must in no way misrepresent their work, fraudulently or unfairly advance their academic status, or be a party to another student’s failure to maintain academic integrity.

Cornell’s Code of Academic Integrity spells out how individuals who have allegedly violated Cornell standards for academic integrity are to be confronted and, if found to be in violation of those standards, sanctioned. The code provides informal resolution of most perceived violations through a primary hearing between the faculty member, the student involved, and an independent witness. If necessary, a hearing before a hearing board follows. The full code may be found here.

The Academic Integrity Hearing Board for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences consists of three elected faculty members, three elected student members, a chair appointed by the dean, and Lisa Ryan, who serves as secretary and record keeper. Professor Dawn Schrader is the current chair.

Individuals who observe or are aware of an alleged violation of the code should report the incident to the faculty member in charge of a course or to the chair of the hearing board. General information and details on procedures for suspected violations or hearings are available from the CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall or here.

Academic Honors


The college encourages high academic achievement and recognizes outstanding students in several ways:

  1. Dean’s List. Each semester, students are recognized for academic excellence by inclusion on the Dean’s List. Eligibility for the Dean’s List in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is determined by the following criteria:
    1. a minimum enrolled course load for the semester of 12 letter-graded credits;
    2. achievement of a semester GPA of at least 3.50; and
    3. achievement of an S grade, or a C- or better grade in each course (including physical education), with no incompletes or NGR grades.
    4. Dean’s List will be granted retroactively if students meet all the requirements after successful course completion of INC grades or NGR grades. It is the students’ responsibility to notify CALS Student Services that Dean’s List should be granted retroactive.
  2. Bachelor of Science with Honors
    1. Students receiving a cumulative Cornell GPA of 4.00 or greater will graduate “summa cum laude.”
    2. Students receiving a cumulative Cornell GPA of greater than or equal to 3.75 and less than 4.00 will graduate “magna cum laude.”
    3. Students receiving a cumulative Cornell GPA of greater than or equal to 3.50 and less than 3.75 will graduate “cum laude.”
  3. Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Research. Students will graduate with a bachelor of science degree with distinction in research when, in addition to having completed all the graduation requirements, they have satisfactorily completed the research honors program in their area of interest and have been recommended for the degree by the honors committee of that area. Special requirements are given in the section titled Research Honors Program.
  4. Ho-Nun-De-Kah (HNDK), founded in 1929, is the undergraduate honor society of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Members are recruited from the top 20 percent of the senior class and top 15 percent of the junior class. In keeping with the ideals of encouraging scholarship, leadership, and citizenship, members provide free tutoring and a variety of service activities to both the college and the community. Visit Ho-Nun-De-Kah’s website at cornellhndk.wordpress.com.

Class Rank


The college does not compute class rank.

Academic Standing


The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences expects all of its students to maintain good academic standing, which is defined as:

  • semester GPA of at least 2.00
  • cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
  • satisfactory completion of 12 or more credits per semester
  • reasonable progress toward completion of major and distribution requirements

At the end of each semester, the Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions reviews the records of those students who in any respect are failing to meet the academic requirements of the college or who persistently fail to attend classes. For students not making satisfactory progress, the committee takes appropriate action, including, but not limited to, issuing warnings, placing students on probation, granting students leaves of absence, advising students to withdraw, or suspending or expelling students.

In general terms, regular participation in course work with academic loads at a level sufficient to assure graduation within eight semesters and grades averaging C (2.00) or higher are prima facie evidence of satisfactory progress and good academic standing.

Petitions Procedures


Students in the College who believe that their circumstances might warrant an exemption from a College rule may submit a petition. They may do so by filling out a petition form online through Chatter or in person at the CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall. A petition is usually prepared with the assistance of a student’s faculty advisor. The advisor’s recommendation is helpful to the committee. The committee reviews the petition and determines whether the evidence would warrant an exemption or other action.

If the Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions does not believe that the case warrants review, the petition will be denied. Decisions are final. Students may appeal a decision only if they can present new information or documentation.

The Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions is a college committee of six faculty and two student members. On behalf of the faculty, the committee:

  • reviews CALS students’ progress toward meeting graduation requirements
  • reviews petitions submitted by students pertaining to exceptions from CALS academic regulations, requirements, policies and procedures
  • may reconsider action previously taken by the committee
  • reviews petitions for readmission from students previously terminated by the committee

Electronic petitions can be found on Chatter. For more information please review Information on Filing Petitions and contact the CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall.

Leave of Absence


A student who finds it necessary to leave the university should submit a petition for a leave of absence whether for the current semester or a future semester. Filing a petition serves as appropriate notification to university offices and assures that the leave is reflected appropriately on the student’s transcript.

An approved leave is considered a voluntary interruption in study and holds the student’s place in the college without requiring reapplication to the university. Students can pursue a Health Leave or a Voluntary Leave of Absence.  Voluntary leaves are issued in two ways:

  • Unrestricted for students in good academic standing (no restrictions placed on length of leave up to five years, or activities pursued)
  • Restricted (length of leave and activities pursued may be specified)

A leave exceeding five years results in a withdrawal from the University.

All grading/incomplete policies are in effect during a leave of absence.  If you have questions concerning make-up of incomplete grades, please meet with an academic advisor in the CALS Student Services Office.

A student returning from a leave of absence, unrestricted or restricted, must petition to return through Chatter. Returning from a restricted leave petitions are reviewed by the Committee on Academic Achievement and Petitions. Students who were approved for a health related leave through Cornell Health must file a petition to return through Chatter in addition to completing all forms/documentations required by Cornell Health.

Information and petition forms are available on Chatter or from the CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall.

Withdrawal


A student who wishes to leave the university permanently, for personal reasons or matriculation in another institution of higher learning, should file a petition for withdrawal from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University through Chatter. Such petitions are approved if the student is in good academic standing.

Non-Cornell (Transfer) Credit


The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Cornell University reserve the right to determine, in their sole discretion, whether course credit earned at other schools, either secondary or post-secondary, meet the College’s and the University’s academic standards and will therefore be eligible to be applied toward Cornell degree requirements.

Applicants and matriculated students should not assume that, because a particular course taken at another school is listed as a recommended course or a foundational course, it will necessarily be eligible for Cornell credit.

Non-Cornell credit is defined as:

  • advanced placement credits
  • credit earned at an accredited college or university (if the college or university is outside the United States, please contact CALS Student Services Office for pre-approval
  • credit earned through the Ithaca College and Wells College Exchange Programs
  • credit earned through Cornell Abroad. Study Abroad policies are detailed here.  *CALS Exchange credits are considered Cornell credits*
  • Non-Cornell credit is accepted by CALS when:
  • the credits are earned at an accredited institution
  • the credits do not duplicate course work already completed at Cornell
  • the credits have not been applied toward high school graduation requirments (Please note: A student earns credit in high school for successfully completing the AP class.  If the student receives a sufficient schore on their AP exam, the scoreon the AP exam will aware the student credit/exemption out of a course).
  • the course is equivalent in rigor to a Cornell course, as judged by:
  1. Course content and/or
  2. The use of a text book similar to that used inthe parallel Cornell course and/or
  3. The use of examiniations, writing assignments, projects, portfolios, or other submitted work that is substantially similar to those required in a similar Cornell course and/or
  4. Substantial similiartiy in meeting hours of the Cornell and non-Cornell course
  • the course is completed for a U.S. letter grade of “C” or better and
  • an official transcript is sent directly to Cornell University.

A student may apply a maximum of 60 non-Cornell credits towards their graduation requirements.

  • Students are limited to 30 advanced placement credits (this includes all non-Cornell credit earned before a student’s first semester in a college/university).
  • Cornell Abroad (not CALS exchange) credits are limited to 15 credits per semester, 30 per academic year.
  • If more than 60 non-Cornell credits have been completed, the CALS Student Services registrar staff will work with the student to determine which credits best fulfill CALS graduation requirements.

Non-Cornell credits are recorded and can be applied toward CALS credits, distribution requirements, and major requirements.

  • Non-Cornell courses that are similar to courses offered in CALS are recorded as CALS credits and count toward the minimum of 55 CALS credits required for graduation.
  • Non-Cornell courses that are equivalent to Cornell courses that fulfill distribution requirements are recorded under the appropriate distribution area.
  • Non-Cornell courses that are equivalent to endowed courses can be applied toward distribution requirements or general electives.
  • If a course has no comparable course at Cornell, the CALS Student Services registrar staff will determine how the credit should be applied.
  • Faculty advisors determine how non-Cornell credit will be applied toward major requirements; the CALS Student Services registrar staff determines how non-Cornell credit will be applied toward CALS graduation requirements.

Students who plan to take courses at another institution should complete a transfer credit pre-approval form located on Chatter or directly linked through transferequiv.cals.cornell.edu/. It is possible that the course a student would like to complete has already been approved and is in the database.

  • Students may concurrently enroll in courses at both Cornell and another institution. However, a student must maintain the 12 academic credit minimum at Cornell to remain in good academic standing.

College Credit Earned While in High School

Cornell University does not accept credit for courses sponsored by colleges or universities but taught in the high school to high school students, even if the college provides a transcript of such work. Collge of Agriculture and Life Sciences does not accept credit from College Now, Syracuse University Project Advance, University in High School, NOLS Wilderness Education program, and other comparable programs. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences does not accept credit for programs offered to students for completion of high school degree in a college setting such as, but not limited to, Bard Early College, Texas Academy of Mathematics & Science, etc.

Course work completed while in high school may be considered for credit if there is sufficient evidence that:

  1. The course was a standard course available to all students registered at the college/university
  2. The course instructor is a faculty member (includes adjunct) at the offering college
  3. The course was not used to fulfill high school requirements

Students must submit both an application for credit earned while in high school and a college verification form along with an official transcript to CALS Student Services Office, 140 Roberts Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853.

College Credit Earned by Homeschooled Students

If a student is enrolled in college or university courses during their homeschool experience non-Cornell credits may be awarded only after the CALS published Freshman Admissions Requirements fro Secondary -School Subjects criteria are met. Transfer credit cannot be awarded toward courses used to satisfy secondary school/General Education Diploma (GED) requirements. If a General Education Diploma is awarded, students may be able to apply a maximum of 30 non-cornell credits which includes credit earned while in high school.