Frequently Asked Questions for Advisors

1. What are the accepted courses in Humanity/Arts/Social Sciences?
2. What are the accepted courses in Natural Sciences?
3. What are the accepted courses in Mathematics?
4. Where can I find the degree checklist sheets for ABET-accredited programs?
5. What are the important dates for registration, course options, holidays?
6. How many and what kinds of credit can I apply toward a degree before I matriculate to Tufts?
7. What is the residency requirement and how can I advance my class standing?
8. How do I find out about Advanced Placement (AP) credits and when they may be used?
9. How do I transfer course credit from other institutions to Tufts?
10. How can I reserve courses towards grad school?
11. How do I apply for the Tufts combined B.S./M.S. degree program?
12. How do I obtain an official Tufts transcript?
13. How do I make the Dean's List?
14. How do I graduate with honors?
15. How do I study abroad?
16. How do I find out about undergraduate research opportunities?
17. How do I learn about internship opportunities?
18. How can I maintain good academic standing?
19. What is the Pass/Fail option for classes?

1) What are the accepted courses in Humanity/Arts/Social Sciences (HASS)?
Visit the Registrar's office page for accepted HASS courses.

Courses selected must include a minimum of one credit each in the areas of humanities and social sciences. In addition, at least two courses must be taken in the same department. Ex-college courses are excluded, including those approved for distribution credit by the College of Liberal Arts. The student has the option to satisfy these requirements through a special minor in foreign language and culture in the areas of Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Russian, or Spanish. Contact the Department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literatures, or the Department of Romance Languages for details.

2) What are the accepted courses in Natural Sciences?
Visit the Registrar's Office page for information on accepted courses in the Natural Sciences in Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics.

3) What are the accepted courses in Mathematics?
Visit the Registrar's Office page for information on accepted courses in Mathematics.

4) Where can I find the degree checklist sheets for ABET-accredited programs?

A PDF of the checklist for each degree offered by the School of Engineering can be found on our Degrees and Majors page.

Please contact Kim Knox, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, if you are unsure about the correct degree sheet.

5) What are the important dates for registration, course options, holidays?
Check out the Academic Calendar to find out information about important academic dates such as: last day for AS&E students (except first-year undergraduates) to drop courses without record of enrollment; last day for all undergraduates (including first-years) to select PASS/FAIL option; last day to make up incomplete dates; final exam periods; and major holidays.

6) How many and what kinds of pre-matriculation credits can I apply toward a degree before I matriculate to Tufts?

Pre-matriculation credits are defined as credits earned from certain scores on Advanced Placement and SAT II examinations, scores on examinations of certain international diplomas, as well as credits earned from college courses taken prior to matriculation at Tufts. Pre-matriculation credits are treated as regular course credits and accepted toward satisfaction of the degree requirements. If the credit received is equivalent to a Tufts course, the student may not take that course for additional credit toward the degree. Students are limited to eight pre-matriculation credits toward their degree. Credits earned prior to matriculation via Tufts summer session are not included in this limit.

Secondary school students who have taken college courses should consult the appropriate departments regarding their placement and the possible award of credits. Credit is generally awarded only for courses taken at a college with regularly enrolled college students. Some colleges offer their courses in nearby secondary schools for classes composed entirely of secondary school students; credit is not awarded for these courses.

Tufts does not grant credit automatically for the diploma as a whole; rather credit is awarded for each approved subject passed at an appropriate level. For possible credit from all other international diplomas, students must contact a professional academic equivalency service—such as the World Educational Service (WES)—to provide an official evaluation. Tufts accepts possible credit only for certain scores on standardized examinations and reserves the right to determine equivalencies toward the Tufts degree.

Please consult the latest Tufts Bulletin for detailed information about grades required and credit granted for the various types of pre-matriculation degrees, courses and diplomas.

7) What are the residency requirements and how can I advance my class standing?
Please be sure to consult the latest information in the Tufts Bulletin for up-to-date information.

Residence Requirement
The university requires eight semesters of full-time study for the baccalaureate degree, four of which must be completed at the Tufts University home campus or in Tufts University-sponsored programs abroad, with the further stipulation that no more than two semesters of full-time study after matriculation at Tufts may be spent at other approved institutions or on approved non-Tufts foreign study programs.

Students must be in full-time residence at Tufts for the final two semesters. Enrolled students may normally transfer courses only from accredited four-year colleges and universities. Candidates for combined degrees (bachelor's/master's degrees, liberal arts/engineering combined degrees) must complete their programs in no fewer than five years. Enrolled students may accelerate in the ways described below.

Students who transfer to Tufts must spend four full-time semesters at Tufts or on a Tufts study abroad program.

Exceptions to the policy are rarely granted. Petitions may be made on the basis of unanticipated personal, family, or financial emergencies. Truly extraordinary students for whom it would be less productive or even counterproductive to their intellectual development to remain an undergraduate after completing course requirements may also be exempted.

Advanced Standing
Undergraduate students may advanced their class standing by one or two semesters in the following ways. Pre-matriculation credits are credits received from certain scores on Advanced Placement exams, SAT II exams, exams from certain international diplomas and non-Tufts college courses taken before entering Tufts.

Engineering students are restricted to using 8 pre-matriculation credits toward the degree.

A total of 5 to 8.5 pre-matriculation credits and Tufts summer session credits = one full-time semester.

A total of 9 pre-matriculation credits and Tufts summer session credits = two full-time semesters.

Once students have completed two full years at Tufts, undergraduates may advance their class standing.

Students electing advanced standing must spend at least three academic years (six semesters) as full-time students. Ordinarily, two years or four semesters of the undergraduate's course of study must be taken at Tufts University's home campus. Up to one year or two semesters may be spent in a Tufts-related program, either foreign or domestic. Under exceptional circumstances, when the academic needs of a student cannot be satisfied with a Tufts program, a student electing advanced standing may participate for as much as one year in the accredited academic program of another institution with the prior approval of the appropriate academic dean.

8) How do I find out about AP credits and when they may be used?

Please consult the latest Advanced Placement Credit listing.

Examinations of the Advanced Placement Program administered by the College Entrance Examination Board, special placement examinations offered at Tufts University, or other evidence of preparation at the level of college work may be submitted for evaluation by the appropriate department. Such work may result in a student's being placed in an advanced course, but credit is awarded only for appropriate scores on standardized examinations. To determine course placement and credit, if any, based on advanced placement scores, consult the departmental listings below.

Acceleration credits are treated as regular course credits and are accepted as part of the degree requirement for the School of Engineering.

9) How do I transfer course credit from other institutions to Tufts?
In order to have academic credits transferred from another institution, the following two requirements must be fulfilled:

a. Secure departmental approval for course content
You should have secured prior departmental approval to receive credit for the course. If you did not do so, please login to WebCenter. All policies and procedures can be found at WebCenter or at this link: Transfer of Credit Policies and Procedures.

b. Secure Registrar's Office approval for appropriate course credit
Please contact Mary Bonaventura for more information

You must request that an official transcript be mailed directly to the Administrative Support, Dowling Hall from the school where you took the course. Credit will be transferred upon successful completion of the course with a grade of C- or better and when all of the paperwork has been submitted.

10) How can I reserve courses towards grad school?
Complete the form "Reserving Courses Towards Graduate Degree" by April 15th. This form is also available in the lobby of Dowling Hall. The form must be signed by your advisor and Associate Dean, Kim Knox. Courses reserved for graduate school may not be used towards your undergraduate degree.
If planning on continuing your graduate program at Tufts, then there are no limits on the number of appropriate courses reserved. If you plan on attending graduate school elsewhere, usually two credits may be transferred.

11) How do I apply for the Tufts combined B.S./M.S. degree program?
The School of Engineering offers exceptional engineering students the option of pursuing one of two combined degree programs: a bachelor of science and master of science degree (B.S.-M.S.) or a bachelor of science and master of engineering degree (B.S.-M.Eng.). Both bachelor's and master's degrees are awarded only on completion of the entire program; a student may not receive one degree earlier, even if the requirements for that degree have been met. Combined-degrees students must pay four years of undergraduate tuition and two semesters of graduate tuition (plus continuation fees as applicable).

Students seeking admission to the program must submit an application to the Office of Graduate Studies by November 15th of their junior year. Admission to the program requires (1) a minimum cumulative GPA (through the fall semester of the junior year) of 3.60 for the B.S.-M.S. program and 3.20 for the B.S.-M.Eng. program; and (2) acceptance by the department in which the student intends to complete the master's portion of the program. Applicants admitted to the combined-degree programs will be notified by January 15th of their junior year.

Combined-degrees students are expected to fulfill all the requirements of the bachelor's degree program (38 credits); of these, two graduate-level credits are allowed to count toward the master's degree requirements as long as they carry the designation of the department in which the master's portion of the combined degree program is to be completed.

Students admitted to the combined B.S.-M.S. program receive summer research support for the summers after junior and senior year. This summer research support provides salary at the level of research assistants set by the School of Engineering for three summer months. Students may petition to opt out of summer research provided they conduct master's thesis work approved by the student's advisor and department.

12) How do I obtain an official Tufts transcript?
Download a form here or order a transcript online by logging into SIS Online. Once logged in, go to Academic Records and then select Transcript Request. Please visit the Online Transcript Request Questions and Answers page if you have additional questions about ordering a transcript online through SIS Online.

13) How do I make the Dean's List?
Each semester, students who have been enrolled with a minimum of 4.0 credits, received letter grades in a minimum of three credits, completed every course in which they were enrolled with no work incomplete (with the exception of Y), and earned a grade point average of at least 3.20 in the School of Engineering will be placed on the Dean's List in recognition of their academic achievement. An indication of Dean's List status will be placed on their permanent record.

14) How do I graduate with honors?
Honorable mention (cum laude) is conferred at commencement on deserving students who earned an academic average of 3.20 or higher.
High distinction (magna cum laude) is conferred at commencement on deserving students who had an academic average of 3.50 or higher.

Highest distinction (summa cum laude) is conferred at commencement as follows. Each degree program may nominate deserving students who:

• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 or higher
• Have at least one A letter grade in each of the following subject areas:
  • Math or Natural Science
  • Humanity or Arts or Social Science (HASS)

These nominations are approved by a special vote of the faculty. With the consent of the faculty, students who graduate at a time other than May will be granted the honor summa cum laude if they meet the above criteria.

The above criteria may be replaced by special evaluation of the Tufts academic record if substantial transfer credit is submitted in fulfillment of the degree requirements, or if the degree program is of unusual duration. Students whose permanent record includes a serious disciplinary infraction will not normally be eligible for degrees with honors.

15) How do I study abroad?
Engineering students who wish to study abroad should begin planning early in their academic careers in order to meet the various language prerequisites and other requirements. Students in the School of Engineering who wish to study abroad must have a GPA of 3.3 at the time of application, and submit a "Petition to Study Abroad on a Tufts or a non-Tufts Program for Students in the School of Engineering" (available in the Programs Abroad office) by February 28 (for full-year or fall programs) or by October 1 (for spring programs). All applications must be approved by the study-abroad committee for engineering.

Please visit the Tufts Office of Programs Abroad for more information.
For Tufts programs abroad, please contact Sheila Bayne.
For Non-Tufts programs abroad, please contact Sally O'Leary.

16) How do I find out about undergraduate research opportunities?
Research is at the heart of the engineering program at Tufts. More than 60% of Tufts undergraduate engineering students participate in independent research. Whether it's through a research internship, a scholarship program, or a connection made with a faculty member on campus, the chances to make significant research contributions are around every corner.
Please visit the Undergraduate Research page for more information.

17) How do I learn about internship opportunities?
Internships are of vital importance to engineering students who prepare for careers in private industry, consulting, government and research. Internships bridge the gap between theory and practice, and provide students with practical, field-based, real-world experiences during their years of study at Tufts. Nearly 80% of Tufts engineering students participate in at least one internship as an undergraduate.
Please visit the Internship page.

Contact Robin Kahan for more information:

Robin Kahan, J'80
Associate Director, Engineering Career Services
Tufts University Career Services
Dowling Hall Suite 740
Medford, MA 02155
Phone: 617-627-3299
Fax: 617-627-3907

Visit the Career Services website.

18) How can I maintain good academic standing?

Understand that the following procedures are guidelines; the Committee on Academic Standing reserves the right to make decisions on an individual student based on its judgment of the student's academic progres.

Students are subject to action by the Committee on Academic Standing if they have accumulated one or more of the following during the semester:

• two Ds
• one F
• two incompletes
• fewer than three credits with C- or better
• a semester grade point average below 1.80
• a cumulative grade point average below 1.67

Normally, students are removed from Probation if, in the succeeding semester, they earn four credits with grades of C- or better and no failing grades. An incomplete, even with a default grade of C- or better, is not counted as a grade. Also, none of these courses may be taken pass/fail.

The committee also determines whether students are maintaining satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students are subject to action by the Committee on Academic Standing if they complete fewer than the following number of credits:

	Freshman	Sophomore	Junior	Senior
Fall	3 credits	12 credits	22 credits	32 (BS, 31)
Spring	7 credits	17 credits	27 credits	38 (BS, 36)

See the Guidelines for Determination of Academic Standing for Engineering Students for additional information.

19)What is the Pass/Fail option for classes?
Please note that these options will be updated for August 2008.

See the Academic Calendar for registration dates regarding the Pass/Fail option.

The spirit of the pass-fail option is to encourage academic exploration. Certain introductory courses must be taken for a grade (see Introductory Course Requirement). Not more than eight pass-fail credits may be counted toward the credits required for graduation. For the accredited programs, no departmental concentration course may be taken pass-fail and only one foundation credit may be taken pass-fail. Normally, no more than one course per semester may be taken pass-fail. No distinction is made between regular courses that students elect under the pass-fail grading and those courses in which grading is pass-fail. All decisions regarding the pass-fail option must be made within the first four weeks of any term. After four weeks, the only choices are to complete a course under the existing grading system or to withdraw for the remainder of the term.

Introductory Course Requirements
The introductory courses consist of eleven credits:
a. Mathematics 11, 12, 13, 38 (or 22 for computer science majors). Mathematics 17 and 18 may be substituted for Mathematics 11, 12, and 13.
b. Physics 11 with lab
c. Chemistry 1 or 11 or 16
d. Intro CAD (half-credit)
e. Intro to Computers (one credit)
f. One elective half-credit courses in introductory engineering
g. English 1 or 3
The above 9 credits may not be taken pass-fail, except for English 3.