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Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Advising Handbook

Version 3/25/2013

Introduction – ME Department

The Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Advising Handbook is maintained by the ME Student Support Center and is a collection of information needed to guide undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students throughout their career at Stevens. It is meant to supplement information found in the university catalog, the ME and Stevens websites, and the Academic Policies and Procedures of the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

Students should consult regularly with their academic advisors to discuss achievements, challenges, academic concentrations, professional development, and career goals.

This handbook is also available online on the ME Student Support Center website (www.stevens.edu/ses/me/meac) and will be updated as needed.

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Table of Contents Click on any of the below listed topics and you will jump directly to that section.

Introduction – ME Department ............................................................................................................. 1

ABS Grade .............................................................................................................................................. 5

Academic Dismissal............................................................................................................................... 5

Absence From Class or Examination.................................................................................................. 5

Academic Probation ............................................................................................................................... 6

Academic Support Center ..................................................................................................................... 7

Adding a Course .................................................................................................................................... 7

Advanced Placement ............................................................................................................................. 7

Advisors ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Application for Candidacy ................................................................................................................... 11

Areas of Concentration in Mechanical Engineering ........................................................................ 11

Auditing Courses .................................................................................................................................. 13

CAD Laboratory (Fielding Lab) .......................................................................................................... 13

Change of Enrollment .......................................................................................................................... 14

Change of Grade .................................................................................................................................. 15

Changing Majors .................................................................................................................................. 15

Cooperative Education ........................................................................................................................ 15

Counseling ............................................................................................................................................ 17

Course by Application .......................................................................................................................... 18

Course by Examination ....................................................................................................................... 18

Course Selection/Registration ............................................................................................................ 18

Dean's List ............................................................................................................................................. 20

Degree with Honor & High Honor ...................................................................................................... 21

Degree with Thesis .............................................................................................................................. 21

Double Degree ...................................................................................................................................... 21

Dropping a Course ............................................................................................................................... 22

Electives ................................................................................................................................................ 22

English Language Proficiency Requirement .................................................................................... 23

Examinations......................................................................................................................................... 23

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Extra Courses - Overloads ................................................................................................................. 24

Financial Aid Eligibility - Academic Requirements .......................................................................... 24

Five (5) Year Master’s Program ......................................................................................................... 24

Full & Part-Time Status ....................................................................................................................... 25

Grade Appeals ...................................................................................................................................... 25

Grading .................................................................................................................................................. 26

Graduate Courses ................................................................................................................................ 27

Graduation Requirements ................................................................................................................... 27

Honor Board .......................................................................................................................................... 27

Humanities Requirements ................................................................................................................... 28

INC Grade ............................................................................................................................................. 30

Internships ............................................................................................................................................. 30

Leave of Absence/Withdrawal from Stevens ................................................................................... 30

Minors .................................................................................................................................................... 31

New York University Courses ............................................................................................................ 32

NYU/Stevens Dual Degree Program ................................................................................................. 32

What is this program? .......................................................................................................................... 32

What are the requirements at Stevens? ........................................................................................... 32

Non-Matriculated/General Credit Students ...................................................................................... 33

Office of Undergraduate Academics ................................................................................................. 33

On-Line Graduate Courses ................................................................................................................ 33

Pass/Fail ................................................................................................................................................ 33

Physical Education (P.E.) Requirements.......................................................................................... 34

Readmission ......................................................................................................................................... 34

Repeated Courses ............................................................................................................................... 34

Reduced Load Plan ............................................................................................................................. 35

Research Experience .......................................................................................................................... 35

ROTC ..................................................................................................................................................... 36

Satisfactory Academic Progress (Academic Financial Aid Eligibility) .......................................... 37

Scholars Program................................................................................................................................. 37

Senior Design ....................................................................................................................................... 37

Senior Option ........................................................................................................................................ 37

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Student Professional Organizations .................................................................................................. 38

Study Abroad ........................................................................................................................................ 39

Study Plans ........................................................................................................................................... 39

Time for Degree Completion .............................................................................................................. 40

Transfer Students ................................................................................................................................. 40

Transferring Courses to Stevens ....................................................................................................... 40

Tutoring Services/The Academic Support Center ........................................................................... 41

Withdrawing from a Course ................................................................................................................ 42

Withdrawing from Stevens .................................................................................................................. 42

Appendix – Forms

1. Application for Transfer Credit 2. Change of Enrollment 3. Pass/Fail Permission Form 4. Petition for INC Form 5. Request for a Course by Application 6. Request for a Course by Examination 7. Study Plans

a. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy – Students entering 2005-10 b. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy – Students entering 2011 c. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy – Students entering 2012 - d. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy - Minor

8. Undergraduate Application for Candidacy Instructions 9. Undergraduate Enrollment 10. Undergraduate Permission to Take Graduate Courses

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ABS Grade

What is an ABS grade?

The grade of ABS may be given only when a student has missed the final examination; it is not appropriate in any other case. In order to receive a grade of ABS in a course, you must file a Petition for ABS Form with the Registrar's Office. This form requires the approval of the instructor, the Department Head, and one of the deans from the Office of Undergraduate Academics, and the form should indicate a date for completion of the course, which must be within the first two weeks of the next full semester.

Academic Dismissal

What happens when a student is Required to Withdraw?

The Faculty committee on Undergraduate Promotions makes decisions on whether a student will be Required to Withdraw (RTW) for a semester. A student on Academic Probation who achieves less than a 2.0 GPA or earns fewer than 12 credits may be RTW.

Students who are RTW will be informed by email and by certified mail to their home address. Details about the appeal process are outlined in these communications.

If I am Required to Withdraw, how do I return to Stevens?

Students who are Required to Withdraw may return to Stevens after one or more semesters (either a Fall or a Spring semester, not a Summer semester) at another institution of higher learning where they have earned grades of A or B in their coursework.

Students who return to Stevens after having been Required to Withdraw will be admitted with academic conditions and will be permanently dismissed if these conditions are not met.

Absence From Class or Examination

What do I do if I miss a class or examination?

Isolated absences from class are negotiated between the student and the instructor. In cases in which a student must miss classes for an extended period due to a serious illness or other significant emergency, the student should contact the Office of Undergraduate Academics as soon as possible. One of the Deans will notify the student's instructors of the expected period of absence. Arrangements to make up missed work or examinations will be made between instructor and student.

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Academic Probation

What are the criteria for being placed on Academic Probation?

Students are placed on Academic Probation for a semester for any of the three following reasons:

• semester GPA for the previous semester below 2.0 • cumulative GPA below 2.0 • 11 or fewer earned credits in a regular, full-time semester regardless of GPA.

What are the consequences of being on Academic Probation?

Students on Academic Probation are permitted to enroll in only four major courses (3 credit or 4 credit courses) during the semester they are on academic probation. Students are required to participate in the Academic Support Program with the Office of Undergraduate Academics. They will be assigned an advisor in that office and will meet with their advisor several times during the semester. The meetings will be to discuss and monitor academic progress which will include soliciting faculty feedback in selected courses. Students may be required to attend one to four academic improvement workshops during the semester on topics including study skills and time management.

Students not in compliance with the requirements of the Academic Support Program will not be permitted to enroll in courses for the next semester until the Faculty Committee on Promotions reviews their academic performance for the current semester.

Students on Academic Probation are prohibited from participating in varsity intercollegiate athletics and leadership roles in campus organizations.

How do I get taken off Academic Probation?

Students earning a semester GPA greater than 2.0 and earning at least 12 credits while on Academic Probation will be taken off Academic Probation.

What if I don't achieve a 2.0 GPA or earn 12 credits during my semester on Academic Probation?

Students on Academic Probation who achieve less than a 2.0 GPA or earn fewer than 12 credits during their Academic Probation semester may be Required to Withdraw from Stevens for a semester by the Faculty Committee on Undergraduate Promotions.

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Academic Support Center

The Academic Support Center is part of the Office of Undergraduate Academics, and offers various free tutoring options and workshops on study skills and strategies for academic success. For more information and tutoring request forms and schedules, go to http://www.stevens.edu/provost/academics/undergraduate/asc/index.html Adding a Course See Change of Enrollment.

Advanced Placement

What Advanced Placement (AP) topics and scores are accepted by Stevens?

Stevens participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Entrance Examination Board. You may receive college credit toward your degree for the following examinations and corresponding scores based on the year you entered Stevens. See Dean Rosemary Dice of the Office of Undergraduate Academics to process your AP credit.

Students who entered Stevens FALL 2011 and LATER:

AP Examination Stevens Equivalent Credits Art History (4,5) HAR 190 3 Biology (4,5) CH 281 and CH 282 4 Chemistry (4,5) CH 115, 116, 117 and 118 8 Chinese Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Computer Science A (4,5) E 115 or CS 105 2 or 3

Economics-Macroeconomics (4,5) BT 243 3 Economics-Macroeconomics (4,5) BT 244 3 English-Language & Composition (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3 English-Literature & Composition (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3 Environmental Science (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

French Language (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

German Language (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3 Government & Politics-Comparative (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3 Government & Politics - U.S. (4.5) 100 Level Humanities 3 History - European (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3 History - U.S. (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3 History - World (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3

Italian Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

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Japanese Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Latin - Literature (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3

Latin: Vergil (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Mathematics - Calculus AB (4,5) MA 115 or MA 117 4 or 3 Mathematics - Calculus BC (4,5) MA 115 or MA 117 4 or 3 Physics C - Mechanics (4,5) PEP 111 3 Physics C - E & M (4,5) PEP 112 3 Psychology (4,5) HSS 176 3 Russian Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Spanish Language (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3 Spanish Literature (4,5) 100 Level Humanities 3

Students who entered Stevens PRIOR to FALL 2011:

AP Examination (Grade) Stevens Equivalent Credits

Art History (4,5) HAR 190 3

Biology (4,5) Ch 281 and Ch 282 4

Chemistry (4,5) Ch 115, 116, 117 and 118 8

Chinese Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students 3

Computer Science A (4,5) E 115 or CS 105 6 or 2 or 3

Computer Science AB (4,5) E 115 or CS 105 plus one General Elective. 9 or 5 or 6

Economics - Macroeconomics (4,5) Mgt 243 3

Economics - Microeconomics (4,5) Mgt 244 3

English - Language & Composition (4,5) Humanities course a 3

English - Literature & Composition (4,5) Humanities course a 3

Environmental Science (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

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French Language (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

French Literature (4,5) Humanities course a 3

German Language (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Government & Politics - Comparative (4,5) Humanities course b 3

Government & Politics - U.S. (4,5) Humanities course b 3

History - European (4,5) Humanities course b 3

History - U.S. (4,5) Humanities course b 3

History - World (4, 5) Humanities course b 3

Italian Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Japanese Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Latin - Literature (4, 5) Humanities course a 3

Latin: Vergil (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Mathematics - Calculus AB (4,5) Ma 115 or Ma 117 4

Mathematics - Calculus BC (4,5) Ma 115 or Ma 117 4

Physics C - Mechanics (4,5) PEP 111 3

Physics C - E & M (4,5) PEP 112 3

Psychology (4,5) HSS 175 3

Russian Language and Culture (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Spanish Language (4,5) General Elective (for engineering students) 3

Spanish Literature (4,5) Humanities course a 3

a - You may receive credit for a spring semester freshman- or sophomore-level humanities course in Group A: Literature/Philosophy as a result of a successful AP exam in English.

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b - You may receive credit for a spring semester freshman- or sophomore-level humanities course in Group B: History/Social Science as a result of a successful AP exam in government and politics, or history.

Advisors

Every undergraduate student at Stevens has a Faculty Academic Advisor/Mentor throughout his/her career at Stevens. The Faculty Advisor is available to counsel you with problems or questions, and to review and sign various administrative and academic forms.

When (and how) do I switch from my Freshman Faculty Mentor to my Concentration Advisor?

Each entering student is assigned a Freshman Faculty Mentor upon his or her arrival at Stevens. Your Freshman Faculty Mentor will be your faculty advisor until you formally enter your concentration (major) field of study. This occurs with the completion of a Study Plan with a Concentration Advisor. During the semester when you are required to submit a completed Study Plan (Term 3 for Engineering students, Term 5 for 5-Year Engineering Students; see the submission schedule under Study Plans), you select a concentration advisor from the list of Concentration Advisors and meet with the advisor to complete your Study Plan. This faculty member will be your Concentration Advisor for the remainder of your undergraduate career at Stevens. If you are enrolled in more than one degree program, you must submit a Study Plan for each degree (see Double Degree).

How are advisors handled for transfer students?

Students who are transferring into Stevens into the Engineering curriculum and are undecided about their Engineering concentration are also assigned a Freshman Faculty Mentor upon their arrival at Stevens. These students must complete a Study Plan with their concentration advisor during the semester prior to taking their first concentration elective. All other transfer students are assigned their concentration advisors upon arrival at Stevens, and must complete a Study Plan during their first semester.

Who is my advisor?

If you do not know who is your ME academic advisor, please check “Web for Students” in “MyStevens Pipeline” or go to the ME Department office (E312) or the ME Student Support Center (E121) to get this information. If you selected ME as your major as you entered Stevens you will meet your advisor during Freshman Orientation.

How can I change my advisor?

If you wish to change either your Freshman Faculty Mentor or Concentration Advisor, contact any of the Deans of Undergraduate Academics.

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What is the ME Advisors-on-Duty program?

The ME Advisors-on-Duty Program was implemented to provide ME students with an additional opportunity to seek advising on academic issues as well as any other topic related to their professional development. Two faculty members are available in the ME Student Support Center (EAS 120) every Wednesday from 3 – 5 pm for walk-in advising (no appointment needed). The schedule can be found at http://archive.stevens.edu/ses/me/meac/advisors.

What is ME Advising Week?

Each fall and spring semester, prior to the start of enrollment for the next semester, the department holds advising sessions for one week in the ME Student Support Center (EAS 120). This is to help students who need to complete a Study Plan or have questions about course enrollment. Advising Week begins with the Office of Undergraduate Academics Advising Fair, where ME academic advisors will be present, and continues the following week in the ME Student Support Center each day from 3 – 5 pm. For the current semester Advising Week schedule, see http://archive.stevens.edu/ses/me/meac/advisors.

Application for Candidacy

At the beginning of the senior year, each student meets with his/her academic advisor to complete the Application for Candidacy, which is a revised version of the Study Plan that contains a finalized listing of the entire set of courses taken by the student to qualify for the degree. For submission deadlines, check the Registrar website.

Areas of Concentration in Mechanical Engineering

What areas of concentration are available within the ME major, and what courses do I have to take?

Mechanical engineering students can select their elective courses among two technical electives and three general electives in various ways. Some of them may wish to cluster those electives in ways that would help them gain expertise in an area of specialization within mechanical engineering. The following groupings are possible specialty (concentration) areas that students can select from within the mechanical engineering program. Note that there are no formal requirements for any of the concentrations; the following are suggested groups of elective courses for those interested in a particular area. (see also “Electives”):

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Aerospace Engineering ME 545 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering and two courses from the following: ME 423 and ME 424 Senior Design Project ME 453 Advanced Fluid Mechanics ME 520 Analysis and Design of Composites ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery

Automotive Engineering ME 423 and ME 424 Senior Design Project ME 515 Automotive Engineering ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines

Biomedical Engineering ME 525 Biomechanics ME 526 Mechanics of Human Movement And one course from the following: ME 580 Medical Device Design and Technology BME 482 Engineering Physiology

Mechatronics ME 522 Mechatronics ME 523 Mechatronics II ME 573 Introduction to Micro-Elecromechanical Systems

Nuclear Power Engineering ME 513 Introduction to Nuclear Engineering ME 511 Nuclear Power Plant Design and Operations ME 512 Nuclear Reactor Reliability, Safety, and Waste Disposal

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing ME 530 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Manufacturing ME 535 Good Manufacturing Practice in Pharmaceutical Facilities Design ME 540 Validation and Regulatory Affairs in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Power Generation ME 510 Power Plant Engineering ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines and one course from the following: ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery ME 595 Heat Exchanger Design

Product Design and Manufacturing ME 554 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design ME 564 Principles of Optimum Design and Manufacture ME 566 Design for Manufacturability

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Product Engineering Architecture PAE 610 The Creative Form and the Digital Environment PAE 630 Introduction to Interactive Digital Media PAE 640 Performative Environments

Robotics and Automation ME 522 Mechatronics ME 551 Microprocessor Applications in Mechanical Engineering ME 598 Introduction to Robotics

Auditing Courses

What does it mean to audit a course?

To audit a course is to attend class sessions without receiving credit for the course.

How can I register to audit a course?

You may register to audit a course with the approval of the instructor and one of the Deans of Undergraduate Academics. This course will count as an enrolled course for purposes of computing overload charges, should any be required. In order to change from credit to audit status or audit to credit status for a particular course, you must file an add/drop form with the Student Service Center before the add/drop deadline established by the Registrar's Office.

CAD Laboratory (Fielding Lab)

The Alfred W. Fielding Computer-Aided Design Laboratory serves undergraduate and graduate students for both in-class and out-of-class instruction. The Fielding Lab also serves as the focus of departmental computer support. It is located on the 3rd floor of the EAS building. The laboratory’s facilities are used in several classes including ME 345 (Modeling and Simulation) and ME 554 (Introduction to Computer Aided Design). All ME students may use the computers and software as well as file-server storage space in this laboratory. For more information, see http://archive.stevens.edu/ses/me/research/fielding_computer_lab.html.

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Change of Enrollment Any change in technical elective courses must first appear on the student's study plan.

When can I add a course?

Courses can be added during the ADD/DROP period in the first two weeks of each semester (one week in summer semesters) either online or by submitting a Change of Enrollment Form to the Registrar's Office. Adding a course after that time requires the permission of your advisor, the instructor, and one of the deans from the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

When can I drop a course?

Courses can be dropped during the ADD/DROP period in the first two weeks of each semester (one week in summer sessions) either online or by submitting a Change of Enrollment Form to the Registrar's Office. When a course is dropped, it disappears from the records; it's as if you never enrolled in it.

When can I withdraw from a course?

You may withdraw from a course up to one week before the end of the semester.

What is a difference between a drop and a withdrawal? Does a withdrawal affect my GPA?

When a course is dropped, it disappears from the records. When a student withdraws from a course, a grade of W is recorded for that course. The grade of W does not affect the student's graduating GPA.

If I withdraw from a course, might my full-time status (and therefore my financial aid) be jeopardized? Withdrawing from a course does not jeopardize your academic status as a full-time student (at least 12 credits). Technically, you are still enrolled for the same number of credits. However, for international students, withdrawing from a course could have implications for your immigration status; please consult the ISSS Office before taking any withdrawal action. (See also

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Full & Part-Time Status)

Change of Grade

Under what circumstances may a final grade in a course be changed?

A final grade in a course may be changed only if either a) an error in grading or grade computation was made or b) an INC/ABS petition was filed before the end of the semester in which the course was taken (see INC Grade or ABS Grade).

What is the time limitation for a change of grade?

If one of the circumstances above applies, a grade may be changed within one regular (Spring or Fall) semester after the term in which the course was taken.

Changing Majors

How do I change my major?

During their academic careers here at Stevens, some students find that their interests and goals have changed. It is possible to change one's major at any time. Students wishing to do so should meet with one of the Deans in the Office of Undergraduate Academics to discuss the procedure most appropriate for their situation. The steps necessary to make a change will vary depending on the original major, the new choice of major, and the number of terms/courses the student has completed. If a Study Plan has already been filed for the original major (or should have been filed), a new Study Plan reflecting the new major will need to be submitted.

Cooperative Education

What is Cooperative Education?

In its simplest terms, "co-op" at Stevens is a five-year academic program in which you alternate semesters of full-time study and full-time professional work related to your major and career goals. The first year is spent at Stevens, completing the academic requirements of freshman year and preparing for the professional world of employment. During the following three years, you alternate semesters of increasingly responsible work in industry and study at Stevens. The fifth (senior) year is then spent at Stevens. Co-op employers range from giant international corporations to small consulting firms. While most assignments are in the New York metropolitan area, Stevens students can, and do, co-op outside the region.

Because approximately 40% of ME undergraduate students participate in the co-op program, all undergraduate core courses and some common elective courses are offered in the fall and spring terms to accommodate students with different co-op schedules. Some courses are also available during the summer terms.

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For more information about the co-op program, go to http://www.stevens.edu/sit/co-op.

When can students apply to join the Co-op program?

Students generally apply at the Co-op Office in their second semester to join the Cooperative Education program. After the freshman year, students in the Cooperative Education program begin a three-year process of alternating semesters (including summers) of full-time work and full-time study. In the fifth year, the students take their regular fourth year of course work. Students may join the program as late as the second semester of the sophomore year.

Are there special requirements to join the Co-op program?

You are eligible at the end of your freshman year, provided that you meet the following requirements:

• Complete all freshman year course requirements with a minimum 2.20 GPA and be in good academic standing;

• Regularly attend scheduled Co-op Preparation Meetings; and • Commit to follow a five-year alternating work/study plan

How do the work and study schedules work?

Year Semester Schedule A* Schedule B*

1st Year Fall Semester 1 Semester 1

Spring Semester 2 Semester 2

Summer Work Semester ++

2nd Year Fall Semester 3

Spring Semester 3

Summer Semester 4

3rd Year Fall Semester 4

Spring Semester 5

Summer Semester 5

4th Year Fall Semester 6

Spring Semester 6

Summer

5th Year Fall Semester 7 Semester 7

Spring Semester 8 Semester 8

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work term

++ open or possible work term

* Choice of major will determine Schedule A or B.

Can I do co-op and still graduate in 4 years?

Yes, students who wish to complete their degree in four years have the option of participating in the Professional Practice Program. After the completion of semesters 1-4, you may choose to enter the Professional Practice Program and interview on campus for your first professional assignment while taking semester 5 classes over the summer. You will begin your first assignment in the fall semester and return to the same employer the following summer. Semester 6 courses are taken in the spring. The Professional Practice Program provides students the opportunity to have 2 semesters worth of work experience while still graduating in 4 years.

Can transfer and New York University dual degree students participate in Co-op?

Transfer and NYU dual degree students are eligible to participate in the Co-op program. Their stay at Stevens is typically extended by one year.

Can reduced load Five-Year Plan students join Co-op?

Reduced load Five-Year Plan students can participate in the Co-op program, but their first work assignment is delayed until they have completed at least three semesters of study. Reduced load co-op students typically take six years to complete their degree.

How many students are in the Co-op program?

Currently about 35% of the undergraduate students are participating in the Co-op program.

Counseling

Where can I go for counseling?

Staff psychologists are available for student counseling. For more information, please contact Student Counseling Services at (201) 216-5177, email stevenscounseling@stevens.edu, or visit the Student Counseling Psychological and Disability Services website, http://www.stevens.edu/counseling/index.htm.

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Course by Application

What is Course by Application?

If a particular course is not offered through the regular schedule, the course may be taken by application with the approval of the instructor, the Department Director, and one of the deans from the Office of Undergraduate Academics on a Request for a Course by Application form. Regular enrollment is required, and arrangements are made for the student to study the material and be tested during the semester. A letter grade is issued at the end of the semester.

Course by Examination Can I get credit for a course by taking an examination?

This option is open to students with a GPA of 3.0 or better either in the previous semester or overall, and is limited to one per semester. Permission to take a course by examination must be obtained on an Request for a Course by Examination form from the student's advisor and from the department offering the course.

If the examination is successfully completed, the instructor who administered the examination issues a letter grade in the course. The examination must be taken prior to the start of a semester, and if the examination is not passed, the unsuccessful attempt is recorded as part of the student's permanent record, and the student must enroll in that course in the following semester.

A course that has already been attempted by a student cannot subsequently be taken as a Course by Examination.

Course Selection/Registration

What courses should I take?

The best way to determine what courses you should take next semester is to consult the Stevens catalog, http://www.stevens.edu/catalog/. Be sure to view the curriculum for your major for the specific year in which you entered Stevens. You should also feel free to discuss your course selection with any of the Deans of Undergraduate Academics.

For help with selecting technical electives within your major, you should consult your academic advisor. If you have not yet filed your Study Plan (done in term three for engineering students), please visit the Office of Undergraduate Academics for guidance.

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What courses should I register for each term?

Your Study Plan (see Study Plans) outlines the basic course sequence and requirements for graduation as a mechanical engineering major. Your actual sequence of courses may vary slightly from this template, due to AP or transfer credit, course overloads or reduced loads, etc. Following are some suggestions for choosing courses term by term.

Term 1

Term 1 courses are selected by the Office of Undergraduate Academics when you arrive on campus. 16 credits is the limit for students in their first term at Stevens. If you have AP or transfer credit for a Term 1 course, you have the option of either adding a replacement course (typically from the Term 2 list and based on the prerequisites for that course), or having a lighter load Term 1.

Term 2

For ME students, the Term 2 Science Elective can be satisfied by taking CH116 (Chemistry II) or CH281 (Biology and Biotechnology). Both courses have associated 1 credit labs (CH118 and CH282 respectively), which, while not required, are strongly recommended.

Term 3

It is important to complete the Technical Courses in Term 3 on schedule or as soon as possible in your sequence of courses. If for some reason you are behind schedule (which is not uncommon), you should delay the Humanities course to a later term and complete the Technical Courses instead.

Term 4

ME225 (Dynamics) and ME234 (Introduction to Thermodynamics) are the first two core Mechanical Engineering courses. Both are prerequisites for later courses in the ME curriculum, so it’s important to take them as soon as possible. If you are behind schedule, it is better to delay PEP201 (Physics III for Engineering Students) and/or the Term 4 Humanities course(s). If you are ahead in the Study Plan and want to take a Term 5 course earlier than normally scheduled, the best choices are E344 (Materials Processing), E243 (Probability and Statistics) or the Term 5 Humanities course.

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Term 5

E344 (Materials Processing) is a pre/corequisite course for E321 (Design V). Most students take them together, but if for some reason you are ahead/behind in the Study Plan, you can take E344 before E321. (Note – This does not work the other way around.) E243 (Probability and Statistics) and the Term 5 Humanities course can be delayed if necessary.

Term 6

Term 6 has the first General Elective choice. The General Elective and ME 345 (Modeling and Simulation) can provide flexibility if you are ahead/behind in the Study Plan.

Term 7

The Technogenesis Core requirement can be satisfied by taking either TG401 or TG421. Both courses are similar in the material covered; from experience, most Mechanical Engineering students choose the course that best fits their schedules. ME 423 (Design VII) is the first of the two-part Senior Design sequence that must be taken in consecutive Fall-Spring terms. The Technogenesis requirement is strongly recommended to be taken with ME 423. Note that ME 423 is only offered in the Fall semester. (Most core undergraduate Mechanical Engineering courses are offered multiple terms throughout the year.)

Term 8

ME424 (Design VIII) is the second of the two-part Senior Design sequence that must be taken in consecutive Fall-Spring terms. ME470 (ME Systems Laboratory) is generally taken with ME424 in the Spring. Note that ME424 and ME470 are only offered in the Spring semester. (Most core undergraduate Mechanical Engineering courses are offered multiple terms throughout the year.)

Dean's List

What do I need to do to be eligible for the Dean's List?

The Dean's List is prepared at the end of each academic term by the Registrar's Office. To be eligible for a given semester, you must be in good standing, earn at least 12 credits, and have a 3.0 term GPA with no failures and no more than one course withdrawal.

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Degree with Honor & High Honor

The undergraduate Degree with Honor is conferred if you achieve a grade point average of 3.2 for courses required for the degree; the Degree with High Honor is conferred if you achieve a grade point average of 3.6 or higher for courses required for the degree.

Degree with Thesis

What are the requirements for earning a Degree with Thesis?

A student wishing to graduate with a Degree With Thesis must submit a Recommendation for Degree with Thesis to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Academics (available from that office) no later than December 15 of the senior year. In April of the senior year, the student must submit an Application for Degree With Thesis after the approved thesis has been delivered to the Library. Some points of interest about the Thesis:

• the diploma reads "with thesis" • the thesis is not for credit and is over and above the other degree requirements • the thesis does not affect the GPA • the thesis is not treated as an overload for tuition calculation • the student may begin work on the thesis before the senior year

Double Degree

What are the requirements to earn two undergraduate degrees, or an undergraduate and a graduate degree at the same time?

There are three cases for two undergraduate degrees:

1. Two B.A.'s or B.A. plus either B.S. or B.E. -- The requirements for this program are detailed on the Bachelor of Arts Humanities Curriculum Double Degree Study Plan available on the Registrar's web site. Two Study Plans are required.

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2. Two B.S.'s or B.S. plus B.E. -- The requirements for this are as follows: a. satisfy all the requirements for both degrees, and b. have completed at least 24 credits beyond the higher of the two program

requirements. c. Two Study Plans are required.

3. Two B.E. degrees -- The requirements for this are as follows: a. satisfy all the requirements for both degrees (including two discipline-specific

design series), and b. have completed at least 24 credits beyond the higher of the two program

requirements. c. Two Study Plans are required.

Undergraduates with junior standing and a 3.0 or better GPA wishing to pursue a Master's Degree while still an undergraduate student must meet with a faculty advisor in the department of interest in order to have their qualifications evaluated and to file a Master's program Study Plan.

The Master's degree courses can then be taken as overloads in such a way as to satisfy all prerequisite requirements. It is generally required that undergraduate students have junior class standing and a minimum 3.0 GPA in order to enroll in graduate courses.

If you do not finish all the requirements for the Master's degree at the time of undergraduate graduation, the Master's courses are listed on the transcript as being for deferred graduate credit, and the Master's degree can be completed at a later time.

Dropping a Course

See Change of Enrollment.

Electives

In addition to the core engineering courses, the ME core courses, and required humanities courses, the ME undergraduate program curriculum contains elective courses that include 2 ME technical electives and 3 general electives.

How do I choose ME technical electives?

The ME technical electives can be selected from the list of upper-level (400 or 500 level) ME courses (other than core courses). They can be selected based on the student’s career interests and may be used to complete one of the ME areas of concentration (see also Areas of Concentration in Mechanical Engineering).

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How do I choose general electives?

General electives can be selected to satisfy any or a combination of the following: • A selected ME area of concentration • A minor in another field (e.g. – Engineering Management, Green Engineering,

Entrepreneurship, etc.) • Independent research • International study

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Who must satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement?

All students who entered the Institute before Fall 2011, except NYU dual degree students, must satisfy this requirement.

How can I satisfy the English Language Proficiency Requirement?

There are two ways to satisfy the English proficiency graduation requirement:

1. Pass the S.E.C.E. The Stevens English Competency Exam is a one-hour essay exam which is holistically graded by at least two English teachers. Continuing students have several opportunities during each academic year to take the exam, and are notified of exam schedules via email.

2. Submit a portfolio A portfolio may be submitted with essays, research papers, home works, exams or reports providing a record of English competence. A passing grade on the portfolio evaluation will result in passing the English proficiency requirement. Only original copies may be included in the portfolio. The outside of the envelope or folder containing the portfolio should have the student's name and email address as well as date submitted.

Examinations

For what courses are examinations required?

All students must take a written examination at the end of each term in all major-required core courses. Examinations in all technical, engineering, humanities, and management electives are at the option of the specific department(s).

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Extra Courses - Overloads Under what conditions may I take an overload?

Will I have to pay for the extra course(s)? With the advisor's permission and a GPA of 3.0 or better for the previous semester, you may enroll in an extra course at no charge (this is not for students on the Reduced Load Plan). Upperclassmen with a GPA of 3.3 or better in the preceding semester may, with the advisor's permission, take a second extra course at no charge. Juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.6 or better in the preceding semester may, with the advisor's permission, take a third extra course at no charge. The GPA requirements above can also be met by the student's cumulative GPA.

The baseline/definition for each student's regular course load is the maximum number of credits for their major in any of their semesters in the catalog for their entering year.

Students will be charged the per credit tuition rate for each credit over the allowed number of credits as described above.

Financial Aid Eligibility - Academic Requirements

See Satisfactory Academic Progress (Academic Financial Aid Eligibility)

Five (5) Year Master’s Program

The Five-Year Master’s Program allows selected students to complete all requirements and earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in just five years, while retaining their level of undergraduate financial aid. Students work closely with their advisors to craft a study plan that will, between course overloads and summer study, facilitate completion of the program.

Students are invited into the Five-Year Master’s Program at the point of acceptance to Stevens. Students wishing to join the program after the start of their Stevens career will have an opportunity to apply in their junior year.

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Full & Part-Time Status How many credits do I need to carry in order to be considered a full-time student? What are the implications of part-time status?

A student carrying at least 12 credits is considered a full-time student; a load of fewer than 12 credits results in part-time student status. Withdrawing from a course after the Add/Drop period does not jeopardize your academic status as a full-time student (at least 12 credits), since you are still enrolled for the same number of credits. For international students, withdrawing from a course could have implications for your immigration status; please consult the ISSS Office before taking any withdrawal action.

The impact on financial aid for a full-time student who becomes a part-time student can vary greatly depending on the type of financial aid. Students considering switching from full-time status to part-time status should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to learn of the impact in their particular case.

Only full-time students are eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition. The only exception to this is a part-time student in his/her final semester taking the courses required for graduation.

Full-time students or part-time students carrying six or more credits have their student loan repayments deferred. Students taking fewer than six credits will have to begin loan repayment immediately.

Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

ME students who plan to practice engineering after graduation are encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, preferably by the fall semester of their senior year. To help students prepare for the FE exam, the School of Engineering and Science offers review sessions during each fall semester. The FE exam is the first step in the process of obtaining a “Professional Engineer” (PE) license which is either highly recommended or even required for some engineering practices. For more information, go to http://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/.

Grade Appeals

A student wishing to appeal the final grade for a course must first attempt to resolve the issue by discussion with the instructor within one month of the end of the semester. This is the starting point for all grade appeals. In the event that the issue cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor, the student may appeal to the department director no later than two weeks after the instructor's decision. A student wishing to appeal the decision of the department director must do so to the dean of the school offering the course no later than one week after the department director's decision. The decision of the dean is final; no further appeal is possible.

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Grading

What grading scale does Stevens use?

Academic grades are listed below and quality points per credit are indicated in parentheses.

• A (4.00) Excellent • A- (3.67) • B+ (3.33) • B (3.00) Good • B- (2.67) • C+ (2.33) • C (2.00) Fair • C- (1.67) • D+ (1.33) • D (1.00) Poor • F (0.00) Failure • P (0.00) Indicates a successfully completed Pass/Fail course. • W If a student withdraws from a course up until one week before the last class meeting of the

semester, a grade of W is posted. • EXC If a student is excused by a physician from attending physical education class, the student

will receive an EXC and will receive credit for the class.

Regulations concerning the notations ABS for absent and INC for incomplete are found under ABS Grade and INC Grade.

What are the types of grade point averages and how are they calculated?

The Office of the Registrar calculates three different GPAs for each student: The semester GPA is determined from all courses taken at Stevens during a semester. The graduating GPA is calculated from all courses taken at Stevens that are part of the degree requirement. If a course is repeated, only the last grade is used, even if the last grade is lower than the previous grade(s). If the last grade is a withdrawal (W), the previous grade is included. If a course is repeated outside of Stevens, the grade is not included. The ranking GPA is calculated from all courses that are part of the degree requirement. In this case, all repeated courses are included and repeated courses taken outside of Stevens are calculated as a "C."

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Graduate Courses Can I take graduate courses as an undergraduate?

Students with at least junior standing and a 3.0 or higher GPA can enroll for 600-level graduate courses if they satisfy the prerequisite requirements and either: 1- have an approved Graduate Study Plan on file with the Graduate School or 2- complete an Undergraduate Permission Form To Take Graduate Courses. Students with at least junior standing can enroll for graduate courses at the 500-level, provided they satisfy the prerequisite requirements (Written permission is required for Management 500-level courses unless an approved Study Plan has been filed). Students are not allowed to enroll in more than two online classes in any semester. All these courses are counted as part of the student's regular credit load for computing charges for extra courses.

Can an undergraduate student begin studies towards a Master's degree?

See Double Degree.

Graduation Requirements

What do I need to do to be eligible for graduation?

To be eligible for graduation, you must have a "C" average (2.00 cumulative GPA) and pass all required courses for your major curriculum. In addition, a GPA of at least 1.75 is required for all courses taken during the senior year. Students can transfer in at most 50% of their required graduation credits; to get a Stevens degree, at least 50% of the required graduation credits must be taken at Stevens.

Honor Board

What is the Honor Board and what do they do?

The Honor Board is comprised of up to 20 student representatives who are responsible for interpreting the constitution of the Stevens Honor System, and for performing the functions of the System. The Board investigates reports of Honor System violations, conducts hearings, and recommends to the Dean of Undergraduate Academics penalties for students who have either confessed to or been convicted of an Honor System violation. The Honor Board strives to educate the Stevens community about the importance of academic integrity and the value that adherence to the Honor System brings to a Stevens degree. Detailed information about the Honor Board can be reviewed by visiting their web site at www.stevens.edu/honor.

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Humanities Requirements

All Students Entering Fall 2011 or Later:

All students entering Fall 2011 or later are required to complete CAL 103, Writing and Communications, and CAL 105, Knowledge, Nature, Culture. Following the completion of CAL 103 and CAL 105, students must meet the humanities requirements below:

• Engineering students: Four additional humanities classes. At least one must be at the 100 or 200 level, at least one must be at the 300 or 400 level, and courses must cover at least two different disciplines within CAL.

BT 243 – Microeconomics and BT 244 – Macroeconomics may be counted towards humanities credits.

No AP or transfer credit will be given for CAL 103 or CAL 105. AP credit will be applied to other humanities courses or general electives. Students may not receive transfer credit for more than 2 humanities courses. There is no transfer credit for online courses of any kind. No transfer credit is given for elementary foreign language courses; however, such language courses may be approved as general electives.

International students will be placed in CAL 101 during their first semester. After successful completion of CAL 101, international students must take CAL 103, followed by CAL 105. A diagnostic will be administered during the first week of CAL 101 and students who surpass the requirements of the diagnostic may transfer to CAL 103. CAL 101 may be used to satisfy a humanities requirement.

The only art and music classes that fulfill humanities requirements (CAL 100 level) are:

• HMU 192 Music Appreciation I • HMU 193 Music Appreciation II • HAR 190 History of Art: Prehistory to the Modern Era • HAR 191 Modern Art History and Theory • HMU 101 Music History I • HMU 102 Music History II • HMU/HAR 120 History of Technology and the Arts

Students may complete 6 semesters of HMU 490, Music Performance: Concert Band, OR 6 semesters of HMU 491, Music Performance: Jazz Ensemble, OR HMU 492 Music Appreciation: Stevens Choir as a general elective.

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Students Entering Prior to Fall 2011:

Engineering majors entering Stevens from Fall 2005 to Spring 2011 are required to complete six humanities courses as follows:

• four 100-level courses (see note below)* • two 300/400-level courses in the junior and senior years (note that MGT/BT 243,

Macroeconomics, and MGT/BT 244, Microeconomics, may be counted as upper-level humanities courses).

* Of the four required 100-level courses, two must be from the Literature/Philosophy group (Group A), and two must be from the History/Social Science group (Group B). See information below regarding art and music classes.

Students who take HUM 103 and/or HUM 104 may count those courses toward either Group A or Group B.

The only art and music classes that fulfill 100-level humanities requirements are:

Group A • HMU 192 Music Appreciation I • HMU 193 Music Appreciation II

Group B • HAR 190 History of Art: Prehistory to the Modern Era • HAR 191 Modern Art History and Theory • HMU 101 Music History I • HMU 102 Music History II • HMU/HAR 120 History of Technology and the Arts

Other art and music classes do not fulfill the upper-level humanities requirement EXCEPT that students may complete 6 semesters of HMU 490 Music Performance: Concert Band, OR 6 semesters of HMU 491 Music Performance: Jazz Ensemble, OR HMU 492 Music Appreciation: Stevens Choir.

For information about transferring humanities credits to Stevens from another institution, see Transferring Courses to Stevens. While at Stevens, students may transfer in no more than two humanities courses from other institutions.

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INC Grade

What is an INC grade?

The grade of INC (incomplete) may be given only when a student has failed to complete some of the required course work, not including the final examination, due to significant extenuating circumstances such as a serious illness or injury or a family emergency. In fairness to other students, this type of extension of time may not be granted due to reasons such as course overloads or not having enough time. In order to receive a grade of INC in the course, the student must file a Petition for INC Form with the Registrar's Office before the grades are due. This form requires the approval of the instructor, the Department Head, and the Dean of Undergraduate Academics. The form also should indicate a date for completion of the course, which must be before the end of the next full semester. If the required work is not complete within the next full semester, the INC grade will be changed to a failure.

Internships

An internship is a short-term paid position (usually during a summer) that provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on, real world practical experience while working in a company or government agency. Internship opportunities can be explored at the Office of Career Development, http://www.stevens.edu/sit/ocd/index.

May I complete an internship for credit?

Stevens encourages students to complete internships but academic credit is not granted.

Leave of Absence/Withdrawal from Stevens How do I get a leave of absence or withdraw from Stevens?

Students wishing to take a leave of absence or wishing to withdraw from Stevens should fill out the appropriate paperwork with one of the deans from the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

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Minors

Can I earn a minor at Stevens?

Entry to a minor program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Several departments offer a minor, which provides a coherent program of study in one area without the depth required for a major concentration. Each of these departments has a faculty member responsible for "minor advising;" students can get these names from the individual departments and contact them for help in completing a Minor Program Study Plan. A student can earn no more than 2 minors in engineering and science.

The minor program must be in a discipline other than the student’s major program of study. As such, minors are distinguished from options with the major discipline or concentrations within the chosen major.

The minor program will consist of a coherent sequence of at least 6 courses. A minimum of 2 courses (minimum 6 credits) must be in addition to those courses required to complete a student’s major degree program (which includes general elective courses). In order for a course to count towards a minor, a grade of C or above must be earned. At the discretion of the minor advisor, transfer credits may be applied to a minor, but these must constitute fewer than half of those applied to the minor program. To receive the minor at graduation, the student must complete a Minor Candidacy Form, signed by the minor advisor, after all minor requirements are completed.

The departments currently offering minors are listed in the Undergraduate Catalog. Each minor in Engineering or Science requires at least two courses over and above the requirements for the major degree.

What minors are available for ME majors?

• Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biomedical Engineering • Structural Engineering, Coastal Engineering, Water Resources, Environmental

Engineering • Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Systems, Game Development • Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering • Entrepreneurship, Green Engineering • History, Literature, Philosophy, Social Science, Art and Technology, Music and

Technology, Theater and Technology, Gender and Cultural Studies, Pre-Law and Public Policy, Science and Technology Studies, Science Writings, Turkish and Middle Eastern Studies

• Engineering Management • Marketing, Finance, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Economics,

Quantitative Finance • Mathematics • Physics

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New York University Courses Can I take courses at NYU for Stevens credit?

Stevens students may enroll for courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences at NYU. These courses are available without additional charge provided that:

• the student has enrolled for courses at Stevens in the semester in which he/she plans to take a course at NYU and that the total number of credits constitutes full-time enrollment for that semester

• the course is available that semester at NYU at a time which does not conflict with courses selected at Stevens, and

• the student has filed the required paperwork with the Registrar and obtained the advisor's signature that the course to be taken at NYU will be accepted towards the Stevens degree.

NYU/Stevens Dual Degree Program

What is this program?

NYU and Stevens have a 3+2 agreement whereby students can take a B.S. in science/math at NYU for the first 3 years, and then transfer to Stevens for years 4 and 5 to complete requirements for a B.E. in mechanical engineering.

What are the requirements at Stevens?

Students will complete Engineering Design I – IV at NYU in classes taught by Stevens professors. They will also complete Stevens courses E120 (Graphics), E126 (Mechanics of Solids), and E245 (Circuits and Systems) at NYU during the first 3 years. The NYU core program will also fulfill all of Stevens’ humanities requirements.

Students will need to ensure that they have completed the remainder of math, science and engineering requirements of the first 2 years of the Stevens’ ME program; this is often done by taking courses at Stevens during the summer sessions of their first 3 years at NYU.

When the students come to Stevens in the 4th year, they should complete the ME study plan for terms V-VIII. They will also need 3 general electives (if they do not have applicable AP or other transfer credit) and 4 semesters of PE. All NYU students should meet with the Office of Undergraduate Academics to confirm that their Study Plans meet all the necessary Stevens requirements for graduation.

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Non-Matriculated/General Credit Students

What are the requirements to take a course at Stevens as a non-matriculated student?

Students wishing to take a course at Stevens on a non-matriculated basis must obtain approval from the Office of Undergraduate Academics. A minimum 3.0 GPA at the student's current or previous college or university is required, in addition to completion of the equivalent of all pre-requisite courses for the desired Stevens course. Tuition is charged on a per-credit basis.

Office of Undergraduate Academics

The Office of Undergraduate Academics provides general academic advising and support to the entire undergraduate student body. The Academic Support Center is part of this office. For more information, see http://www.stevens.edu/provost/academics/undergraduate/index.php.

On-Line Graduate Courses See Graduate Courses.

Pass/Fail

Under what conditions can I take a course on a Pass/Fail basis?

An undergraduate with either a 3.0 GPA for the previous semester or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 may elect one course a semester to be taken under a pass/fail grading system, subject to the advisor's approval and the following conditions. The course must be an undergraduate course that is clearly designated on the Study Plan or the Application for Candidacy as an "extra" course not to be used to satisfy the requirements for the degree.

What is the mechanism by which I sign up for a Pass/Fail course?

Pass/Fail Permission Forms are available from the Registrar's Office, and must be approved and submitted to the Registrar's Office before the end of the drop/add period.

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Physical Education (P.E.) Requirements

All students who entered in or after the Fall 2008 semester must complete a minimum of four semesters of Physical Education (P.E.) in non-repeating courses. No credit or grades are awarded for P.E. classes. A large number of activities are offered in lifetime, team, and wellness areas. The 4 PE courses should be completed by the end of the 6th semester.

Students may enroll in more than the minimum required P.E. credits and are encouraged to do so.

Participation in varsity sports may be used to satisfy up to three credits of the P.E. requirement.

Participation in supervised, competitive club sports can be used to satisfy up to two credits of the P.E. requirement, with approval from the P.E. Coordinator.

Students who entered before the Fall 2008 semester should come to the Office of Undergraduate Academics to discuss their P.E. requirement.

Readmission

Students seeking readmission after a withdrawal or leave of absence should make an appointment to meet with one of the Deans of Undergraduate Academics. Depending on a student's academic standing at the close of the last term of enrollment, he or she may be readmitted in good standing or on academic probation. Readmitted students may be required to repeat courses which they passed with a grade of D or D+.

Students who have incurred a final dismissal are not eligible for readmission. For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

Repeated Courses

If I repeat a course, does the new grade replace the old grade in my GPA computation?

The new grade replaces the old grade for purposes of calculating the graduating GPA. However, the earlier attempt of the course remains on the transcript with the grade earned as well as a note indicating that the course was repeated. The ranking GPA is computed using both grades. Please note that if a course that has been passed previously is retaken, and a grade of F or W is recorded for the retaken course, then the course must be repeated.

When a student receives transfer credit for a course in which the student has received a grade at Stevens, a grade of C is used for that course in the student's GPA computation regardless of the actual grade received either at Stevens or at the other school.

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Is there a limit to the number of times a course can be repeated?

The faculty have adopted a "three-tries-and-out" rule for repeating courses at Stevens. The rule states that each course which is a part of a Bachelor's degree program must be passed in no more than three attempts. Grades of W or F constitute not passing. Students unable to meet this requirement must select a program for which the course in question is not a requirement or they must withdraw from Stevens.

Reduced Load Plan

What is the Sophomore Transitional Option? For Engineering Majors: One fewer technical course for third and fourth semesters which are made up tuition free during the summer immediately following the sophomore year. The deadline to sign up for this is the start of the fourth semester.

What is the Reduced Load Plan?

For Engineering Majors: Allows students to take one fewer course in each semester and to graduate in ten semesters of study rather than eight. There is no charge for the ninth and tenth semesters' tuition. The deadline to enroll is prior to the fourth semester of study. The reduced course load will not begin prior to the third semester for engineering students since the earlier semesters are already at a lighter load.

How do I find out more about this plan?

If you wish to sign up for or discuss either option in more detail, contact the Office of Undergraduate Academics.

Research Experience

There are some opportunities (some paid) for undergraduates to conduct research with faculty. Interested students should review the ME department research webpage and individual faculty web pages to identify the appropriate faculty working in their area of interest.

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ROTC

Stevens offers Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC through crosstown programs at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, NJ, and Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.

The Four-Year Program: The General Military Course (GMC) is the first half of the Four-Year Program and is generally taken during your freshman and sophomore years. This program allows you to "try out" Air Force ROTC for up to two years without incurring any obligation (unless on an Air Force scholarship). As you attend a one-credit-hour class each semester, you'll learn more about the Air Force and the historical development of airpower. The second half, called the Professional Officer Course (POC), is highly competitive. These junior and senior level 3-credit courses cover management and leadership skills, national defense policy and preparation for active duty. In keeping with the military’s demanding challenges, physical fitness is an extremely important part of the ROTC experience. All cadets participate in supervised physical training designed to gradually bring the individual to a high level of health and fitness.

The Two-Year Program: This program, also called the POC, is primarily available to junior college transfer students, sophomores, and veterans who have at least two years of college remaining (undergraduate, graduate, or combination of the two). It's especially for those who are majoring in selected scientific and technical areas, such as mathematics, physics, meteorology, engineering, and computer science. This program is highly competitive, so it is important to apply early in your sophomore year. The leadership, national defense policy, and active duty program courses are the same as those offered in the second half of the Four-Year Program.

The ROTC Program annually awards two-, three-, and four-year scholarships on a competitive basis to outstanding young people who are interested in receiving a commission in the United States Army. Scholarships currently provide up to $17,000 per year for tuition and fees, $600 as a textbook allowance, and a stipend of up to $400 per month, for up to 10 months each school year. Any citizen, including those who are cross-enrolled at nearby colleges and universities, may apply.

For more information, go to http://www.stevens.edu/sit/admissions/academics/rotc.cfm.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress (Academic Financial Aid Eligibility)

What are the academic requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the minimum standard that a student must meet in order to maintain academic eligibility for financial aid. There are two components to the attainment of SAP: the first is a requirement for the number of credits accumulated and the second is a Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement. For a description of the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), please see the Office of Financial Aid website. All students' status regarding SAP is routinely monitored at the end of each Spring semester.

Note that students who do not meet SAP may be placed on SAP probation for a MAXIMUM of one semester.

Scholars Program

The Stevens Scholars Program offers qualified students the opportunity to either participate in undergraduate research or pursue an accelerated program leading to a dual bachelor's or a bachelor's/master's degree in four years. Students are invited to the Program as incoming freshmen or after achieving a GPA greater than 3.80 in the first semester.

Students are required to maintain a GPA of at least 3.20 to remain in the Program and to graduate with the Stevens Scholar designation.

Senior Design

The ME capstone senior design project (ME 423 and ME 424) is intended to be the culmination of the undergraduate experience, where knowledge gained in the classroom is applied to a major design project. Projects involve teams, typically 2-6 students, working approximately one day per week over two academic semesters. Multi-disciplinary projects are encouraged. For more information, see http://archive.stevens.edu/ses/me/undergrad/design/.

Senior Option

Can a senior take a make-up final exam to improve a grade?

Seniors, with the permission of their instructor, may take make-up exams for any two examination courses in their senior year in which they received a D or an F. Seniors attempting to improve a grade for a fall semester course must complete the make-up exam within two weeks after the beginning of the spring semester. Seniors attempting to improve a grade for a spring semester course must complete the make-up exam by two days before Commencement. Please note that this is intended by the faculty to be a make-up of the final examination, not a make-up for the entire course.

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Student Professional Organizations

The ME department sponsors several student professional organizations which provide various opportunities for career development.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

ASME is the main professional society for mechanical engineers worldwide with over 125,000 members, including over 20,000 student members in more than 150 countries.

ASME student members are exposed to practical experience outside the classroom, networking with professional engineers in various areas of interest, and key resources (many online) that will open doors at the start of the professional career. The Stevens ASME student chapter also sponsors local meetings and workshops. For more information, see http://www.stevens.edu/asme/.

Formula SAE

The Formula SAE is comprised of students from a variety of majors, brought together by a common interest in designing, building and testing one-off, open-wheel racecars. Formula SAE is an annual international competition organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). For more information about the Stevens chapter, see http://www.stevens.edu/fsae/cgi-bin/.

Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) supports community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders. For more information, see https://sites.google.com/site/ewbsit/ewb-stevens.

Pi Tau Sigma National Mechanical Engineering Honor Society

Pi Tau Sigma was founded in order to establish a closer bond of fellowship resulting in mutual benefit to those men and women in the study and profession of mechanical engineering, who by their academic or practical achievements, manifest a real interest and marked ability in their chosen work.

The Stevens Phi Omicron chapter was founded in 1986. Students are eligible for membership if their scholastic ranking during the junior/senior year is in the top sixth (or 16.7%) of the class with a GPA of at least 3.65 or higher. There are initiation ceremonies during the fall and spring terms.

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The Stevens Phi Omicron chapter co-organizes several events each year with the ASME student chapter. It also assists the ME department by providing annual tutoring services. For more information, see http://www.stevens.edu/pts/index.html.

Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society

The Tau Beta Pi Association, national honor society, was founded in 1885 “to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their Alma Mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as undergraduates in engineering, or by their attainments as alumni in the field of engineering, and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges.” For more information, see http://www.stevens.edu/tbp/main.htm.

International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE)

The International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) is a professional organization for engineers working in the pharmaceutical and related industries. The Stevens student ISPE chapter sponsors several meetings a year, and offers guest speakers and industry tours. For more information, see http://www.ispessc.webs.com/.

Study Abroad

Are there opportunities to study abroad?

Yes. There are many opportunities for Stevens undergraduates to study abroad. Stevens has established exchange agreements with the following universities: Bogazici and Bahcesehir Universities in Istanbul, Turkey. In addition, Stevens has consortium agreements with the University of Sydney in Australia, Queen Mary University in London, England, St. Louis University in Madrid, Spain, the University of Limerick in Ireland, and University College Dublin. Study abroad opportunities are not limited to these universities, however. Students typically study abroad during the second half of the sophomore year or during the junior year. If you are interested in studying abroad, please visit the Study Abroad website.

Study Plans

When (and with whom) do I fill out a Study Plan?

Study Plans are due at the Registrar's Office two weeks before the end of the semester indicated in the table below, and may be submitted earlier if the student wishes. The Study Plan must be approved by a department academic advisor.

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Degree Program Semester Due

B.E. Engineering (Four-Year) 3

B.E. Engineering (Five-Year) 5

B.E. Engineering (Co-op) 3rd term of study

B.E. Transfer Students Check with Office of Undergraduate Academics

Copies of the various study plans are available in the appendix of this manual.

Time for Degree Completion

An undergraduate degree must be completed within 12 years of entrance to Stevens.

Transfer Students

How do I get an advisor? When should I fill out a Study Plan? What is the maximum number of credits that I can transfer in to Stevens towards my degree?

Students who are transferring into Stevens into the Engineering curriculum and are undecided about their Engineering concentration are assigned a Freshman Faculty Advisor upon their arrival at Stevens. These students must complete a Study Plan with their concentration advisor during the semester prior to taking their first concentration elective. The student selects a concentration advisor from the list published each semester by the Registrar's Office. All other transfer students are assigned their concentration advisors upon arrival at Stevens, and must complete a Study Plan during their first semester. Students can transfer in at most 50% of their required graduation credits; to get a Stevens degree, at least 50% of the required graduation credits must be taken at Stevens.

Transferring Courses to Stevens

Can I take a course at another school and get credit for a Stevens course?

A student wishing to get credit for a Stevens course by taking the course at another school should get an Application for Transfer Credit from the Registrar's Office and bring it, together with a course description for the course at the other school, to the appropriate academic department for approval by a faculty. The form then needs the signature of one of the deans from the Office of Undergraduate Academics, and is returned to the Registrar's Office. When the student completes the course at the other school, he/she should have an official transcript sent to Stevens. A grade of C or better is required for the course to be acceptable for transfer for an undergraduate degree. While at Stevens, students may transfer in no more than two humanities courses from

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U.S. colleges and upper level humanities can only be transferred from four year colleges. Students can transfer in at most 50% of their required graduation credits; to get a Stevens degree, at least 50% of the required graduation credits must be taken at Stevens.

Grades from a course taken at another school are not recorded or used in computing a student's GPA. The only exception to this occurs when a student receives transfer credit for a course the student has attempted at Stevens previously. In this case, a grade of C is used for that course in the student's GPA computation regardless of the actual grade received either at Stevens or at the other school.

Can I receive transfer credit for college-level courses I took during high school?

Students who have taken courses deemed "college level" by their high school, or for which they have received credit at a particular college may be considered for transfer credit under the policy outline below.

For college courses taken at a college campus:

1. the course cannot be used to meet high school graduation requirements (no double counting)

2. the course must be approved for transfer by the appropriate Stevens academic department via Application for Transfer Credit.

3. a grade of C or better must be achieved in the course

For courses taken at the high school for which a college is giving credit:

1. the course has to be taught by faculty from the college which is offering the course 2. the course cannot be used to meet high school graduation requirements (no double

counting) 3. the course must be approved for transfer by the appropriate Stevens academic

department via Application for Transfer Credit 4. a grade of A- or better in the course is required

Tutoring Services/The Academic Support Center

How can I get a tutor?

Tutorial help is available at no charge through the Academic Support Center. Students may request a tutor by completing an on-line request form Academic Support Center's web site. Options include free one-on-one peer tutoring, walk-in group tutoring, and semester-end review sessions.

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Withdrawing from a Course

See Change of Enrollment.

Check the current Academic Calendar for the last day to withdraw from a course; it is typically a week before the last day of classes. Withdrawals are not permitted for half-semester courses like MA 120, 121, 122, and 123.

Withdrawal during the last 4 weeks requires the signatures of the course instructor and a OUA dean. All courses must be passed within 3 attempts.

Withdrawing from Stevens

See Leave of Absence/Withdrawal from Stevens.

Appendix – Forms

11. Application for Transfer Credit 12. Change of Enrollment 13. Pass/Fail Permission Form 14. Petition for INC Form 15. Request for a Course by Application 16. Request for a Course by Examination 17. Study Plans

a. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy – Students entering 2005-10 b. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy – Students entering 2011 c. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy – Students entering 2012 - d. Study Plan/Application for Candidacy - Minor

18. Undergraduate Application for Candidacy Instructions 19. Undergraduate Enrollment 20. Undergraduate Permission to Take Graduate Courses