Virginia Tech offers four-year degree programs leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science. Also offered are five-year bachelor of architecture, bachelor of fine arts, and bachelor of landscape architecture programs. Virginia Tech also offers graduate work in 63 fields of study leading to master's degrees and in 51 fields leading to the doctorate (see Graduate Catalog). The professional doctor of veterinary medicine is offered through the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, located at Virginia Tech.
Undergraduate courses of study leading to bachelor's degrees at Virginia Tech are listed below. In addition, many options and specialties pertaining to each academic college are described in the individual college chapters in this catalog.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Agricultural and Applied Economics
Animal and Poultry Sciences
Biochemistry
Biological Systems Engineering
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
Dairy Science
Environmental Science
Food Science and Technology
Horticulture
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Architecture
Building Construction
Industrial Design
Landscape Architecture
Public Administration
Urban Affairs
College of Arts and Sciences
Art and Art History
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Communication Studies
Computer Science
Economics
English
Foreign Languages: French, German, Spanish
Geography
Geological Sciences
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
International Studies
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology
Statistics
Theatre Arts
Pamplin College of Business
Accounting
Business Information Technology
Accounting and Information Systems
Economics
Finance
Management
Marketing Management
College of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Biological Systems Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Science and Mechanics
Industrial Systems Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mining Engineering
Ocean Engineering
College of Human Resources and Education
Agricultural Education
Business Education
Clothing and Textiles
Family and Child Development
Home Economics Education
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Housing, Interior Design, and Resource Management
Human Development
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Marketing Education
Physical Education
Technology Education
Vocational Industrial Education
College of Natural Resources
Fisheries and Wildlife
Forestry
Wood Science and Forest Products
Note: Students seeking teaching licensure in English, history and social sciences (geography, political science, and economics), mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, theatre arts, music, foreign languages, and English as a second language should contact the Center for Teacher Education. For elementary education, see interdisciplinary studies, human development, or contact the Center for Teacher Education.
Students are responsible for keeping and being familiar with their own records and for the accuracy of these records.
Students receive copies of all official documents relating to their academic progress, including grade reports, approvals for Independent Study/Undergraduate Research (IS/UR), substitutions, progress toward the degree, exam deferrals, etc. These documents are sent electronically via e-mail or are mailed to the local address of the student which is on file in the University Registrar's Office. A student's failure to keep his/her address updated does not absolve the student of responsibility for matters which require notification by the university. Changes to your local address, permanent address, or parent/guardian address should be promptly updated by accessing Hokie SPA. Correct dorm addresses are established through the Student Housing Office in Eggleston Hall. If you are not sure what addresses are on file, you may check Hokie SPA for verification.
It is the student's responsibility to check his/her current schedule of classes by accessing Hokie SPA. Errors must be corrected by the established deadline stated in the Timetable of Classes.
Students are responsible for seeing their advisors at registration time.
Note: Due to the laws covering confidentiality, it is illegal for anyone to release information (grades, course enrollment, class schedule, standing) about any student to anyone (including parents) without written permission from the student. Students who wish to grant such permission should contact the University Registrar's Office about completing and submitting a written waiver of their rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as the Buckley Amendment).
Buckley Amendment
To comply with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (as amended), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University will not release education records or personally identifiable information contained therein, other than directory information, without the student's written consent.
Directory information at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University includes:
Directory information will be withheld upon the written request of the student. Such prohibition against release generally does not extend to record requests from other school officials at this institution, State and Federal education authorities, courts or accrediting organizations. Questions concerning this policy may be referred to the Office of the University Registrar.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include the following:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
600 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act indicates that students and former students should be granted the opportunity to change their names on education records upon the production of evidence showing that the name has changed. The following procedure applies to requests for changes to the name appearing on a student's education record:
Please note that all documentation used in support of this request should reflect the name for which you are requesting the change.
The Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S. Public Law 93-579, Sect. 7) requires that the university notify students that disclosure of a Social Security Number is voluntary. However, students should be aware that the university uses the Social Security Number as the student identification number and student records are retained using this number for identification purposes. Students who do not wish to disclose their Social Security Number can apply for a special student identification number through the following procedure:
Students who change to a special student identification number should be aware that this change may impact their financial aid or student employment and should contact an official in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid or an official in the Office of Personnel Services.
It is the student's responsibility to satisfy all course requirements as established by the faculty teaching the courses in which s/he is enrolled. It is also the student's responsibility to be aware of all major, degree, college, and graduation requirements necessary to complete his or her program of study. Students are also responsible for satisfying all university, college, and departmental requirements for progress towards degree. (See this chapter for university requirements; consult the departmental listings in this catalog for major requirements.)
The bachelor's degree will be awarded to a student who has satisfactorily completed three years of undergraduate work in an appropriate curriculum and the first year of work in an accredited medical, dental, veterinary, or law school, or medical technology program (biology majors only), or physical therapy program (biology majors only), provided the student fulfills the requirements for the three-year program as follows:
Virginia Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur GA 30033-4097: telephone: 404/679-4501) to award doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and associate's degrees.
Program accreditation within the various colleges of the university as follows:
American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation Association of Marriage and Family Therapist
Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
American Chemical Society
American Council for Construction Education
American Dietetics Association
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (all undergraduate programs)
American Psychological Association (Clinical Psychology or Ph.D. program level only)
American Society of Landscape Architects (B.LArch. only)
American Society of Planners
American Veterinary Medical Associations Council on Education
Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research
National Association of Schools of Theatre (B.A. and M.F.A. degree programs)
National Architectural Accrediting Board
National Council for Accreditation of Colleges of Teacher Education
National Institute of Food Technologists lists the Department of Food Science and Technology as one of 40 departments in the U.S. and Canada offering this program of study
Society of American Foresters
Society of Wood Science and Technology
Virginia State Department of Education
The teacher education programs at Virginia Tech are based on INTASC standards and standards set forth by national professional organizations and/or state standards. They are accredited by those same organizations. The education unit is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. There are 26 teacher education programs: 14 with both undergraduate and graduate options; 12 are graduate only. In the five-year elementary program, students are accepted into teacher education in their freshman year. In the undergraduate programs, students are accepted into professional education as juniors. Students in the graduate programs apply from Virginia Tech as well as other universities. In the 2000-2001 academic year, 143 students completed licensure programs; 609 students were enrolled in licensure programs.
All programs have field experiences prior to student teaching in varying configurations, from school placements each year of the five-year elementary program to all-day experiences similar to student teaching in the graduate programs. All programs have a minimum of 150 hours of supervised student teaching as a requirement, although most students exceed the minimum. Nineteen full-time faculty, two part-time faculty, and 19 graduate assistants supervise field experiences for a supervision ratio of 3:6. All field experiences are supervised by both faculty and doctoral students who are content specialists in the area being supervised.
In 2000-2001, Praxis I was required for placement into student teaching. Praxis II was not required to exit from programs. The passing rates for Praxis I and Praxis II follow:
| Test | # Taking | # Passing | Institutional Pass Rate | Statewide Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Praxis I Basic Skills: | ||||
| PPST Reading | 29 | 29 | 100% | 94% |
| CBT Reading | 113 | 113 | 100% | 98% |
| PPST Writing | 27 | 27 | 100% | 91% |
| CBT Writing | 115 | 110 | 96% | 92% |
| PPST Mathematics | 31 | 31 | 100% | 91% |
| CBT Mathematics | 111 | 110 | 99% | 94% |
| Aggregate: | ||||
| Basic Skills | 142 | 141 | 99% | 94% |
| Praxis II Content Areas: | ||||
| Mathematics -- Content Knowledge | 21 | 12 | 57% | 69% |
| Aggregate: | ||||
| Academic Content Areas | 62 | 50 | 81% | 91% |
The Virginia Tech Honor Code is the university policy that defines the expected standards of conduct in academic affairs. The Honor System is the university student body charged with disseminating information about the Honor Code to the university community and enforcing the Honor Code.
Violations of the Honor Code in academic affairs include, but are not limited to, the following:
A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any graded assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Any student accused of an alleged violation of the Honor Code is guaranteed certain basic rights, including being considered innocent until proven guilty. The complete "Constitution of the Honor System" is available from the Honor System Office (333 Squires Student Center) and is posted on the Virginia Tech home page at http://www.vt.edu.
To meet the needs of the 21st Century, both continuity and change are required in higher education. On the one hand, we must continue to foster vital links with our common cultural heritage and to inculcate crucial intellectual skills. On the other hand, the contemporary world presents a number of critical issues with which every society must grapple. Educated citizens in the years ahead must be able to react creatively to cultural, racial, and gender-based diversity, and to cope effectively with problems and potentialities stemming from such developments as technological advances and environmental crises. As the rate of change accelerates, our graduates need a curriculum of liberal education that gives them both a sense of rootage in the hard-won values of the past and a feeling of competence in dealing with newly-arising challenges.
To address these aims, any successful educational program must combine breadth and depthan exposure to a variety of approaches and subject matters and a further concentration in one area of study. While the major may be expected to provide in-depth study in one discipline, the core curriculum is designed to introduce the student to a range of traditions, modes of thinking and inquiry, and issues of central human importance now and for the future.
The core requirements are designed as an integrated program of studies which enable the student to:
In March 1992, the university adopted a number of changes in the core curriculum for implementation over a period of several years. Additional information can be found in the University Core Curriculum Guide and on the World Wide Web at http://www.uaac.vt.edu.
Area 1: Writing and Discourse
6 credit hours (2 courses) selected from first-year writing courses. Students entering in fall 1999 and thereafter must complete two (2) Writing Intensive courses. Students should consult with their advisor.
The university's writing program reflects the centrality of discourse in the larger intellectual community. Our freshman writing courses introduce students to the interrelated and shared modes of verbal communication that are distinctive to college lifeargument, interpretation, analysis, and metaphorand whose various usages substantially delineate what it means to become broadly educated. But these beginning courses should be thought of as the springboard for further writing and discourse throughout the undergraduate curriculum, especially in the disciplinary concentration.
In order to enable students to meet the aims both of liberal education and of professional preparation, we include writing in many courses throughout the university, even if it may not be the main intellectual skill emphasized in the course.
Students are encouraged to seek out courses that offer frequent opportunities for writing and related forms of discourse, both for the enhanced learning these courses can offer and for also their benefit to the student in terms of professional preparation. Many courses in the core curriculum build upon the writing and verbal skills that are the direct goal of Area 1 by including a significant writing component and by encouraging the achievement of skill in communicating ideas and knowledge.
Students may meet the first year writing requirement in one of three ways:
Other information: Virginia Tech accepts ETS Advanced Placement credit for the freshman writing sequence.
Writing intensive courses are designed to pay special attention to the particular approaches to verbal communication that are used regularly in the disciplines, professions, and businesses which students are preparing to enter.
Writing intensive courses will be offered throughout the undergraduate curriculum (major, electives, other core courses, and labs). See the University Core Curriculum Guide for a listing of approved courses.
Area 2: Ideas, Cultural Traditions, and Values
6 credit hours (2 courses) selected from approved core courses
Every student should be introduced to some of the ideas, cultural traditions, and values that have shaped the human world we now inhabit. An educated person sees the present in connection with the past, and understands that presently prevailing values and meanings derive from the creative thought and action of men and women who have preceded us. A study of influential texts, ideas, representative works of art and technology, and the development of cultural traditions begins to free the student from the superficial fads of the moment and from narrow provincialisms. By examining some of the competing ideas about human nature and human achievement both past and present, the individual gains a greater degree of self-knowledge and is better able to formulate worthwhile aims and commitments.
Courses in this curricular area take the human condition and human values as their main focus, while dealing with a range of subject matters: philosophy, literature and communication, history, religion, the arts, and technology. Most of these courses deal with some aspect of Western cultural experience in its numerous varieties. Neglected dimensions of this experience such as the experience of women and minorities will be acknowledged and dealt with, both as an integrated aspect of many existing courses and in separate courses which focus directly upon these dimensions. The foreign language courses approved for Area 2 study the literatures of other countries in their cultural contexts. Moreover, since we are living increasingly in a global cultural context, courses are included that introduce the student to formative non-Western ideas, arts, and traditions as well.
See the University Core Curriculum Guide for listing of approved courses.
Area 3: Society and Human Behavior
6 credit hours (2 courses) selected from approved core courses
Human beings are not only participants in the world of human culture; we are also observers of it. The cultivation of the scientific approach to the study of humanity is one of the great achievements of the human intellect. Every student should therefore be introduced to the sciences of society and human behavior, a goal that can be accomplished through several avenues: through the study of psychology; through the study of social structures such as government, family, community, or economy; or through more wide-ranging examination of social patterns and processes. Such studies may examine past as well as present, non-Western as well as Western societies.
Courses in this curricular area are best characterized by their methods of study and theoretical frameworks. They look for regularities in human behavior rather than giving primary attention to the unique or non-repeatable aspects of life. If not quantitative, they tend at least to be descriptive. When varied human values and allegiances nevertheless make their appearance within these disciplines, they do so more as objects to be investigated than as commitments to be honored.
See the University Core Curriculum Guide for listing of approved courses.
Area 4: Scientific Reasoning and Discovery
6 credit hours of lecture, 2 credit hours of related laboratory (2 courses, 2 labs) selected from approved core courses
For many students at Virginia Tech, acquiring detailed knowledge of one or more of the natural sciences is essential. But for all students a liberal education involves the study of what science is, of how it can be conducted, of what it can and cannot tell us about the world. Without scientific study and the experience offered by a laboratory, students perceive only vaguely how and why science functions as a crucial standard for rational knowledge and inquiry in modern life. The study of a science engages the student in analysis and deduction as well as empirical experimentationthat is, in scientific reasoning and discovery.
The impact of the natural sciences and technology on our globally interdependent world is one of the most important realities we face as we enter the 21st century. The science courses in the core curriculum have a special role in educating students about the critical relevance of scientific knowledge to the potentialities and dilemmas of our natural and social environments.
See the University Core Curriculum Guide for listing of approved courses.
Area 5: Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning
6 credit hours (2 courses) selected from approved core courses
Like writing, mathematics is essential to intellectual inquiry in many areas. It is a basic language of the natural and social sciences and has become a useful tool for research in the humanities. The technological uses of mathematics and related forms of symbolic analysis are of tremendous significance to human society. Furthermore, the history of quantitative and symbolic reasoning as an intellectual discipline is linked with philosophy, the arts, and other aspects of human culture. Thus, a broad education must include these forms of reasoning, both as skills and as central modes of human thought. Mathematics, statistics, and certain areas of computer science and philosophy can all contribute to broadening a student's knowledge of quantitative and symbolic reasoning.
A diagnostic formula and testing procedure has been derived to predict readiness for Engineering/Science Calculus at Virginia Tech. A precalculus course, Math 1504, has been developed for those students who need further preparation. You can obtain information about the math diagnostic test from your advisor.
Approved course combinations: Many departments throughout the university have specific math sequence requirements. Be sure to check with your advisor about the requirements for your program.
See the University Core Curriculum Guide for listing of approved courses.
Area 6: Creativity and Aesthetic Experience
1-credit-hour course. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences must take one 3-credit-hour course.
The arts contribute significantly both to the experience and to the interpretation of human life. Creativity and aesthetic response criss-cross the boundaries between intellectual ideas, the imagination, and actual design. Moreover, the arts are always intimately linked with the material culture of a societyits modes of production and designas well as with its values and ideas. Thus, the arts can be studied and experienced in a variety of ways: not only as "high culture" for an elite, but also as a means of tracing the history and ideas of particular societies; or as an active process of creative design and expression in many different physical forms. The metaphorical and intuitive thought processes that are essential to making and experiencing works of art are woven into many other human cultural and creative activities. Thus, the arts have an important role to play in broadening the sensibilities. Most artistic mediums include a highly public dimensionconcerts, exhibitions, performances, publications, public installations, and the built environmentin which the creative works of artists, designers, and their collaborators are accepted or contested as meaningful elements of the larger social fabric. A guided exposure to the public dimension of the arts can provide a valuable framework for continued participation in the arts beyond college.
See the University Core Curriculum Guide for listing of approved courses.
Area 7: Critical Issues in a Global Context
Global interdependence is a powerful fact of life as we enter the 21st century. The dilemmas and possibilities humankind faces cannot be effectively addressed by any single culture or group of people acting alone. An awareness of critical issues of the day is thus an essential extension of liberal education and prepares students to respond thoughtfully to the complex world in which they will live. As a state institution of higher education, Virginia Tech has a responsibility to prepare students to react creatively and constructively to the social, international and intercultural, and environmental challenges that confront the commonwealth and the world.
The university requires that undergraduates take at least one course that deals in a substantial way with major issues of critical importance for the larger society. Courses that satisfy this requirement can be taken in any area of the curriculum, including the major, the core curriculum courses, or electives. Students may select from a wide range of courses that focus on major international and intercultural issues in contemporary world affairs, including such areas as politics, the management of conflict, the roles of economic competition and cooperation, demographic issues, and the emerging world order. Many science courses in Area 7 will examine global issues associated with environmental decline and restoration. Some engineering courses will study the role of technology as a major force in shaping the cultural and economic conditions of human societies. Alternatively, some courses will include comparative or cross-disciplinary examinations of cultures, societies, and belief systems, including those of developing countries. Other courses will examine the social and personal implications of cultural, racial, and gender-based differences. But regardless of the topical focus of the course, all Area 7 courses will utilize interdisciplinary approaches in which a number of relevant factorshistorical, ethical, technological, cultural, and/or scientific are brought to bear on the issues under discussion.
See the University Core Curriculum Guide for listing of approved courses.
There are some differences among the colleges in how Core Curriculum courses are to be used. Please consult your advisor and the University Core Curriculum Guide. The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs, Office of the Provost, may also be contacted with questions concerning the University Core Curriculum.
The regular academic year at Virginia Tech is divided into two semesters, fall and spring. Virginia Tech also offers two summer sessions. Most courses of study require eight (8) terms (i.e., semesters and/or summer sessions) for completion of the bachelor's degree requirements. Completion of the degree requirements for those students who enroll in the Cooperative Education Program, Bachelor of Architecture Program, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Program requires five years.
Elective courses are chosen through consultation with the student's advisor. The dean of the college in which a student is registered has authority in such matters as substitution of courses, dropping and adding courses after deadlines, or permission to take an overload.
Students have the assistance of faculty guidance, introductory courses, and special counseling to help them choose wisely which course of study they should take. Every effort is made to assure that all courses listed under the various department of instruction will be offered. Virginia Tech reserves the right, however, to withdraw any course for which an adequate number of students do not enroll.
Undergraduate students must be enrolled in their major(s) [and minor(s)] of choice prior to the beginning of their senior year, or by the time they have 30 semester hours to complete before their graduation. Students seeking double majors must be accepted into the second major by the academic department before the university can award the second major.
Changes from one degree program to another (i.e., changes in major) or the addition of a second major or a minor usually can be accomplished at any time prior to the senior year, simply by working with one's academic advisor and informing the head(s) of the department(s) and the dean(s) of the college(s) in question. A major (or second major) cannot be selected after the beginning of the senior year. (See section above on Selecting a Major.)
Minors are offered in many degree programs. Refer to the section on Graduation Requirements and Degrees and to the appropriate academic department in the college chapters of this catalog to review the requirements for a minor.
Students should be aware that changes in their program of study, such as changing or adding majors or minors, sometimes imply extra course work, which can delay graduation.
If fewer than 25 percent of the student's total hours are taken at Virginia Tech, the major or minor change or addition must be approved by the department head and dean of the college offering the selected major or minor.
Students should submit their applications for changing majors or adding minors two weeks prior to the start of each semester's registration period. This will allow students adequate time to assess their situations before deciding to transfer and registering for the following term.
The procedure for changing majors or adding a minor is as follows:
Students should be aware that there are some academic majors and programs within the university that have strict entrance requirements or are in such high demand that they cannot accommodate all who wish to enter them. Administrators of these restricted programs must be selective in allowing students to transfer in from other majors within the university and in permitting second majors or minors. Students seeking entrance into such restricted programs should consult the appropriate department.
Restricted programs for internal transfers are as follows:
College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Architecture
Industrial DesignCollege of Arts and Sciences
Art & Art History -- Graphic Design
Communication Studies
Computer Science
MusicCollege of Business
Accounting and Information Systems
Business Information Technology
Finance
Marketing
ManagementCollege of Engineering
All majorsCollege of Human Resources and Education
All majors
Note: For additional information, please visit the Office of the University Registrar's web site at http://www.registrar.vt.edu.
Certain majors at Virginia Tech are included in the Academic Common Market (ACM) inventory. Students from participating states who are enrolled in an ACM major may be eligible for the in-state tuition rate, provided the student has applied for, and received, certification through his/her state Academic Common Market coordinator. Students should be aware that eligibility to participate in the ACM program is contingent on continued full-time enrollment and progress toward their approved ACM program. Students who do not maintain full-time enrollment and are not making progress toward their approved ACM program will not receive the in-state tuition rate and may be subject to retroactive charges. For additional information on ACM majors and eligibility, students may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of the University Registrar, or visit the http://www.registrar.vt.edu web site.
The university maintains an office for Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advising, located in Hillcrest Hall. The office functions within the Honors Program, but enrollment in the Honors Program is not a prerequisite for consultation with Pre-Medical/Dental advising services.
It should be noted that although the majority of pre-medical and pre-dental students major in a science, any major is acceptable to medical and dental schools so long as certain specific admission requirements are satisfied. Thus pre-medicine is an interest rather than a degree program. Medical schools encourage students interested in medicine to pursue broad undergraduate study in the humanities and social sciences as well as biology and the natural sciences. The national standardized Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) emphasizes facility with scientific problem-solving, critical-thinking and writing skills as well as mastery of basic biology, chemistry and physics concepts. Additional requirements include significant participation in volunteer health care activities, letters of evaluation, and an interview at the medical school. Successful candidates exhibit high levels of scholastic achievement and intellectual potential as well as motivation and humanistic concern.
The Pre-Medical/Dental Advising office provides direct counseling and assistance to students about careers in medicine or dentistry, preparing for application to medical or dental school, and the admission process. A course, "Careers in Medicine," is available to students at the sophomore and higher level. After gaining individual volunteer experience, a limited number of students may be placed with local physicians for a one-semester two-credit preceptorship. Upon request, this office will also provide interviews and letters of evaluation.
Core course requirements vary somewhat among the 125 accredited United States medical schools, but most require 2 semesters each of mathematics, English, biology (with lab), general chemistry (with lab), organic chemistry (with lab), and general physics (with lab). The MCAT is also required at most medical schools. Specific entrance requirements are listed in the book Medical School Admission Requirements: United States and Canada.
The general requirements for most dental schools are the same as those listed above for medical school. The standardized Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required by most dental schools.
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech now accepts 50 Virginia and 30 Maryland residents, and up to 10 highly qualified non-resident applicants. Specific admission requirements are discussed in this catalog, in the chapter entitled "Veterinary Medicine." Counseling sessions are available by appointment only. Please call 540/231-4699 for scheduled times. For information about other veterinary medicine schools' admission requirements, students should consult the latest edition of Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada.
Law students and lawyers come from many undergraduate backgrounds, and the skills necessary to succeed in law school and as an attorney can be developed in a variety of courses across a range of disciplines. Law schools do not treat any specific course or major as a prerequisite for admission, nor do they look with special favor on applicants who have graduated from a formal "pre-law" program. Accordingly, Virginia Tech does not offer a formal pre-law major. The university does offer a top-quality education in a large number of fields, as well as counseling about law as a career, preparing for application to law school, and the law school admission process. Students are encouraged to maintain contact throughout their Virginia Tech career with the pre-law advisors on campus. For further information, contact the pre-law advisors in the Department of Political Science, or consult the pre-law Web site at http://ccserver.phil.vt.edu/www/polysci/prelaw/prelawfront.html.
In keeping with the university's commitment to provide educational opportunities consistent with the ability of the individual student, Virginia Tech invites a select group of students to enroll in the Honors Program. This program consists of a combination of special sections of regular courses, honors seminars, and independent study. Honors courses enable superior students to be challenged to their full intellectual capacity. The honors faculty includes Alumni Distinguished Professors, University Distinguished Professors, and members of the university's Academy of Teaching Excellence. The Honors Program represents a combination of study within departments and course work cutting across departmental lines. The program is designed both to broaden and deepen the student's intellectual powers.
Lower division honors students may participate in honors colloquia and honors sections of regular courses. Course selection is not necessarily tied to the student's major field of study. Incoming freshmen are invited to participate on the basis of their standardized test scores and high school records. Transfer students and continuing Virginia Tech students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or greater are invited to participate. Students remain in the program on the basis of their continued high academic performance and the pursuit of one of four honors degrees. Normally, honors sections of regular academic courses are offered in biology, political science, history, economics, chemistry, English, mathematics, and psychology. Occasionally, honors sections are offered in other subject areas as well.
Following the freshman year, students may choose to pursue one of four honors diplomas. At this time, a student's work focuses on major interests, and part of the work is in independent study, tutorials, and undergraduate research. A student meeting the specified requirements can earn a degree as a Commonwealth Scholar, a Scholar in Health Studies, an Honors Scholar (in Honors), or an Honors Baccalaureate. Students wishing to pursue these degree options must contact the Honors Office as early in their studies as possible.
For additional information, contact the director of the University Honors Program, 540/231-4591.
University Honors Colloquia are designed to draw together the university's finest students with the most distinguished faculty on special topics of mutual interest. All students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible to enroll in any colloquium. Classes meet once a week for two hours (3 credits).
Virginia Tech offers several types of courses that can be tailored to the needs of individual students or specific groups of students. Students develop a plan of work to reach particular objectives, obtain approval of both the department and a faculty member who will supervise the work, and work with them to arrange hours and credits.
By allowing students to pursue topics in which formal courses are not available, these programs provide greater academic flexibility for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. They also provide students an opportunity to assume a greater share of the responsibility for their own education, outside the traditional classroom environment.
Students must submit an official approval form prior to registration. In most cases, the student's first contact for an independent study, field study, or undergraduate research course is the department offering the course. Registration is through the student's dean's office. Special study courses are set up by the department, and the student registers through web course request. Some colleges and departments have restrictions on eligibility to register for these courses, and limit the number of hours that can be used toward graduation.
Field Study (X964) courses are work experiences approved by some departments and are selected to augment traditional classroom activities. The student is evaluated on the knowledge and skills acquired as a result of the experience. Emphasis is placed on the academic and practical value of the work.
Independent Study (X974) courses generally involve extensive reading and tutorial sessions with the faculty supervisor and also may involve written papers. The subject of Independent Study usually is a continuation in greater depth of a topic covered in a regular course, allowing students to study topics of particular individual interest.
Special Study (X984) courses are designed for a group of students, rather than for a single individual. This type of course may be used to study a timely topic, one in which there is current, but not necessarily lasting, interest. It also may be used to launch an experimental course before the course is incorporated into the regular curriculum.
Undergraduate Research (X994) courses are individual research projects carried out by students under faculty supervision. The student defines the research topic, proposes a methodology, carries out the research, and writes a report.
The Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence (CAEE) provides academic support for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. Tutorial assistance and/or referrals are available through the OAEP Tutoring Program. Assistance in study skills is available through seminars in conjunction with the University Counseling Center, or throughout the semester in the College Success Strategies Course. Other programs are also provided to assist select student populations including the Athletic Advising Program, the Society of African American Scholars, Project Success (for third and fourth year students with GPAs less than 2.0), and the Support Program for junior, senior, and transfer students. For information about CAEE academic assistance, contact the Office of Academic Enrichment Programs at 540/231-4133.
Virginia Tech sponsors a wide diversity of study abroad programs to provide opportunities for the intercultural experience that is becoming important in all disciplines.
The university's Center for European Studies and Architecture, in Switzerland, provides a unique place for undergraduate students to see and experience what they study. The facility offers a broad program in core curriculum courses and specialized programs in architecture and in business. Students study for one semester in the university's center in the small town of Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, and make field trips to other European sites to complement their classroom studies.
Other semester/academic year programs are conducted through Tech's academic departments and other study abroad providers with over 100 universities in 40 different countries. Some of the more popular locations are Australia, France, Finland, Germany, Malta, and the United Kingdom, to name a few. In addition, the College of Engineering participates in the European Engineering Exchange (GE-3) with engineering institutions in France, Germany and Austria.
Virginia Tech's summer study abroad programs enroll the greatest number of students. Tech has summer options in more than 25 countries, ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe, and lasting 2-6 weeks. A Virginia Tech faculty member runs each program, and students will be enrolled in Tech courses.
Students who plan to study abroad should discuss the transfer of credits earned with their academic dean prior to leaving the Virginia Tech campus. All credits to be transferred to this university for use toward degree completion should be approved before they are taken. This is particularly true of courses completed in foreign universities for which there is no Virginia Tech equivalent.
Most forms of financial aid may also be applied to study abroad programs, and there are several scholarships and grants available. We encourage students to contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid as soon as they consider studying abroad.
For more information about study abroad opportunities, contact the Assistant Director for Education Abroad in 134 Burruss Hall (540-231-5888), or visit the University Office of International Programs website at www.international.vt.edu
The National Student Exchange Program (NSE) provides an opportunity for Virginia Tech students to attend one of 148 other colleges and universities in the United States and three territories. By participating in this program, students are able to take classes not offered at Virginia Tech, explore other institutions for future graduate work, live in a different geographical location, and experience another culture.
Students who take part in NSE pay tuition and fees at Virginia Tech and attend a "host" college or university for a semester or a year. Besides Virginia Tech tuition and fees, expenses will include transportation to and from the "host" school. While on exchange, students will incur normal living expenses.
To assure that all credits will transfer, NSE participants should meet with their course advisors prior to their exchange. Also, all course work should be approved before it is taken to ensure that credits meet degree completion requirements.
Students who have an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher are eligible to qualify for the National Student Exchange program.
For more information about NSE, contact the National Student Exchange program office in 201 Burruss Hall at 540/231-9335.
Virginia Tech uses the credit-hour as its unit of credit. To earn one (1) credit-hour in a term, the student is expected to spend three hours each week in the classroom or laboratory, or in preparation and study for a course meeting. Thus, a one-credit lab course generally requires three hours of lab time per week and only a small amount of preparation (or none at all) outside the lab. But, in general, a three-credit course requires three hours in the classroom and about six hours of study and preparation weekly. Course descriptions under the departments of instruction (in the chapters on the various colleges) indicate the number of hours required in formal class and laboratory meetings per week and the number of credits received per term.
The academic achievement of a student in a specific course is rated as follows:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points for each hour |
|---|---|
| A (Excellent) | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B (Good) | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C (Fair) | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- (Barely Passing) | 0.7 |
| F (Failure) | 0.0 |
| I (Incomplete) | --- |
| NG (No Grade) | --- |
| NR (Not Reported) | --- |
| P (Passing) | --- |
| RP (Repeated Course) | --- |
| S (Satisfactory/credits only) | --- |
| W (Course Withdrawn) | --- |
| X (Continuing Course) | --- |
To remove an "I" grade, lecture course requirements must be satisfied during the student's first subsequent term of enrollment, and laboratory course requirements must be satisfied prior to the end of the first term during which the course is offered and the student is enrolled. Incomplete and "X" grades are automatically converted to "F" if requirements are not fully satisfied during the period of time allowed.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total number of quality credits earned by the total number of hours attempted at Virginia Tech, except courses passed on a Pass/Fail basis and courses with an "X" (Continuing Course). "NG" grades are computed as "F" grades in determining GPA. The GPA is unaffected by the "I" grade, unless or until the "I" is converted to an "F" for failure to complete the course requirements within the allotted time.
A student may not repeat courses in order to improve his or her grade average where a grade of "C" or higher has been earned. An assigned grade of "A-D" will be changed to "P" whenever a graduation analysis (DARS report) detects a repeated course previously passed with a "C" or better.
A limited pass/fail (P/F) grading system is available to encourage students to enrich their academic programs and explore more challenging courses outside their majors, without the pressures and demands of the regular grading system. The P/F grading option is available to all undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at Virginia Tech and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above. These restrictions do not apply to courses that are only offered P/F. No required course or course used for the university core curriculum may be taken on a "P/F" basis.
A student is permitted to take up to 10 percent of the requirements for graduation completed at Virginia Tech under the P/F grading system option. This includes elective courses and also any course that may be required by a department and offered only on a P/F basis. No more than two courses per term may be taken P/F, excluding physical education activity courses and required courses offered on a P/F basis only.
Under the P/F grading system, a "P" is granted for earning a "D" or better in the course; otherwise, an "F" is given. A "D-" is a failing grade under the P/F option. The "P" or "F" is recorded on the student's transcript and credit is given if the course is passed. If the course is failed, the "F" is considered equivalent to an "F" received under the "A-F" grading system and is included in calculation of the GPA. Once credit is received for a course taken under the P/F system, the course cannot be repeated under the "A-F" grading system.
Any course to be taken under the P/F option should be designated as such upon request for the course. The student may change grading options to P/F until the drop deadline and to A-F until the deadline for resigning without penalty.
Undergraduate students who attempt at least 12 credit hours graded on the A-F option and who earn a 3.4 GPA for either spring or fall semester will be included on the Dean's List for that term. The Deans' Lists are not compiled for summer sessions. Any notifications or certificates indicating inclusion on the Dean's List for a particular term are issued by the student's academic dean.
Midterm grades are produced for freshmen and transfer students whose first term of enrollment is fall semester. Beginning Fall 1996, students whose first term of enrollment is summer will also receive a midterm grade report during fall semester. "Satisfactory" is given for work earning a grade of C or better and "unsatisfactory" is given for work earning a grade of C- or below. The midterm grade is not part of the student's permanent academic record and is only intended to be an early indication of the student's progress.
The Course Withdrawal Policy is intended to assist students who find themselves enrolled in courses for which they are insufficiently prepared, or for those who initially enroll in majors that they subsequently change. Presidential Policy 196 allows currently enrolled students to designate a course status of "Course Withdrawn." A maximum of six (6) hours may be dropped beyond the normal six-week drop deadline date during a student's academic career at Virginia Tech subject to the following stipulations:
To exercise this option, interested students should see their academic advisor to obtain a course withdrawal form and submit it to their designated departmental representative and academic dean for approval.
University policy states that the assignment of a grade is the sole prerogative of the instructor of the class. It is incumbent on the instructor to establish the criteria for grading in the syllabus that is distributed at the beginning of the term. All grades are to be based on established grading criteria and not on personal conduct or opinions unrelated to academic standards. A student may not do extra work to raise his/her grade. If a student feels that a grade has been calculated incorrectly or has been assigned in a prejudiced or capricious manner, the student should discuss the matter with the instructor. If discussion between the instructor and the student cannot resolve the issue, the student should appeal to the department/division head. In the unusual circumstance that resolution does not occur at the departmental/divisional level, the student may appeal to the college dean who will attempt to reconcile the matter by whatever mechanism seems most appropriate for that college and for that case. A grade appeal must be made by the student as soon as possible but no later than the end of the student's subsequent term of enrollment after the grade in question has been assigned.
Study week refers to the last three calendar days of classes for each semester. All written work, with the exceptions noted below, should be assigned so that it can be graded and returned during a regularly scheduled class meeting of the term. In-class hour-long examinations or other major in-class written assignments or tests shall not be given during study week. The exceptions for undergraduate courses are:
Graduate courses also have specific exceptions which may differ from those for undergraduate courses. Contact the Graduate School for details.
Final examinations are held at the close of each term according to a schedule established by the university. An instructor may not change the date or time of a final exam without the approval of the dean of the college. Students may request permission from their college dean to reschedule a final exam if they have conflicting exams or if they have three final exams in 24 hours. Otherwise, permission to reschedule a final exam is granted by the dean only in very unusual circumstances. Deferred final exams may be authorized only by the student's academic dean or by the Office of Student Health Services.
After a term is over, a re-examination in one course in which the final grade earned is C- or below may be authorized if the student was enrolled in the course during the final term of his or her senior year and if a satisfactory re-examination in the course will qualify the student for graduation. The student must make the re-examination request to the dean and must complete the exam as soon as possible after the first examination.
For the student to be granted a re-examination, approval is required by the instructor, the student's department head, and the student's academic dean. In determining the validity of the student's request, consideration is given to class performance and completion of assigned work.
The "total credits" figure on the grade report is not necessarily the same as the total hours passed which are effective toward graduation requirements. The latter must be assumed not to exceed the "total credits" figure.
Listed below are a few examples of typical situations yielding "pass" hours which must be subtracted to determine the total credits useful toward graduation requirements:
Enrolled students in good standing at Virginia Tech must receive pre-approval from their academic dean's office to transfer credit to Virginia Tech. Students who have been placed on academic suspension by the University are not eligible to transfer credit for terms of enrollment that coincide with their suspension term(s).
The rules below govern the transfer of credit on a university level. Some colleges at Virginia Tech have additional policies and procedures regarding transfer credit. Students are responsible for consulting with the academic dean's office in the appropriate college to discuss their plans to transfer credit, and to request information on the college's specific policies and procedures regarding transfer.
Credit, not to exceed 12 semester hours, may be allowed by special examination where exceptional command of a subject can be demonstrated in lieu of formal course work. This privilege is not available to a student who has previously audited or enrolled in the course, or has previously attempted credit by examination in the course. If credit by examination is deemed appropriate, the offering department shall have full responsibility for determining the type of examination to be given and what constitutes a passing grade.
Credit established by examination may not be used to satisfy the in-residence requirements for graduation, and no grades or quality credits will be assigned.
There is a per-credit fee for the examination. The current fee is $10.00 per credit hour and is subject to change at the beginning of an academic year. Only currently enrolled undergraduate students are eligible for special examinations allowing university credit. Official approval must be obtained from the head of the department offering the course.
In some majors, not all ROTC courses may be applied toward a bachelor's degree. Students should consult their approved major checksheet for specific information on which courses will count toward their degree.
Under the "Obsolete Academic Records Policy," former Virginia Tech students returning to the university after an absence of at least five years may request in writing to have their academic records evaluated by the appropriate academic dean. Such transcripts will be evaluated in the same manner that transfer student transcripts are considered; credits will be allowed only for those courses appropriate for the degree and with a grade of "C" or better. The grades for these allowable courses will not be factored into the student's GPA, but all courses will remain part of the student's permanent record.
A student must have received credit for at least 30 hours to be classified as a sophomore, at least 60 hours to be classified as a junior, and at least 90 hours to be classified as a senior.
Minimum full-time enrollment for undergraduate students is 12 hours per semester in regular A-F option or P/F option. For each summer session, the minimum is 5 hours. Audit hours are not used in establishing minimum full-time enrollments.
Full-time enrollment for graduate students is 9 hours or more in regular A-F option, P/F option, or equivalent credit. For each summer term, the minimum is 3 hours. Neither the payment of full fees nor compliance with maximums established as a condition of employment or appointment is a basis for deviation from the definition above.
Students are permitted to take courses without having the specified prerequisites only upon obtaining the consent of the instructor. Students who enroll in a course for which they clearly have not satisfied the prerequisites or equivalent or obtained the appropriate permission may be dropped from the course. Deliberately false statements testifying to the satisfaction of prerequisites constitute a violation of the honor code. Students have the right to appeal a decision about prerequisites to the head of the department offering a course. Students should recognize that 3000 and 4000 level courses assume a certain level of academic maturity and general background regardless of the stated prerequisites. The course instructor can be consulted regarding the implications of this expectation for a specific course. The pass/fail option provides students an opportunity, with the instructors' permission, to enroll in courses for which they may not have the prerequisites.
A student may enroll as an auditor in any class other than laboratory classes and studio courses, with the permission of both their academic advisor and the class instructor. The lecture portion of laboratory-linked courses and courses with computation periods may be designated as eligible for audit at the request of the academic department head (of the course in question) and on the approval of the student's academic dean. Auditors may not add or drop an audit option after the last day to enter classes. Students will not be allowed to register for credit in any course previously audited.
Undergraduate students may enroll in graduate-level course work in the senior year, provided they have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above and the written approval of the department head and the Graduate School. To enroll in graduate-level course work, the undergraduate student must apply to the Graduate School as a dual registrant. Each term that a student is dually enrolled, he or she must fill out a form in the University Registrar's Office to indicate which courses are being counted for undergraduate credit and which for graduate credit. If graduate courses are used to satisfy undergraduate degree requirements, they cannot be used to satisfy any advanced degree requirements at Virginia Tech.
Graduate courses may not be taken without prior written approval from the Graduate School.
University policy requires that all students meet the following minimum criteria to be certified as making satisfactory progress toward a degree.
Colleges and departments may impose additional requirements. It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the requirements of his or her college.
Continued enrollment at Virginia Tech is a privilege that is granted as long as the student is making satisfactory progress toward a degree.
Beginning in summer 1997, the minimum standard for academic good standing is a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Academic probation is imposed when the cumulative GPA is less than 2.00; academic probation is lifted when cumulative GPA is at least 2.00. Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each regular semester (fall and spring).
A student on probation:
First suspension will be imposed whenever one of the following occurs:
First Suspension (Fall): A student who is placed on first academic suspension at the end of fall semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following spring semester. Note: Students placed on first academic suspension at the end of fall semester are eligible to return the subsequent first summer, second summer, or fall semester.
First Suspension (Spring): A student who is placed on first academic suspension at the end of spring semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following fall semester. Note: students placed on first academic suspension at the end of spring semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session.
A student must earn a minimum 2.00 semester GPA the first semester back and raise the cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 by the end of the second semester back or earn a 2.50 GPA for every semester following the suspension until cumulative GPA is 2.00 or greater. A student will be placed on second academic suspension for failure to meet returning performance requirements.
Second Suspension (Fall): A student who is placed on second academic suspension at the end of fall semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following fall semester. Note: students placed on second academic suspension at the end of fall semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session.
Second Suspension (Spring): A student who is placed on second academic suspension at the end of spring semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following spring semester. note: students placed on second academic suspension at the end of spring semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session. The same returning performance requirements apply for second suspension as for first suspension.
Final Suspension: A student will be permanently dismissed for failure to meet returning performance requirements after a second academic suspension.
A student may not receive credit for course work taken at another college or university during any period in which the student has been placed on suspension by Virginia Tech for academic or disciplinary reasons.
Under extenuating circumstances, the student's academic dean may present appeals for re-admission and other exceptions to academic policies to the Virginia Tech Academic Appeals Committee on behalf of the student. Students presenting appeals based on medical reasons must request recommendations from the Student Health Evaluation Committee.
A student may resign without academic penalty by completing an official Virginia Tech resignation form on or before the last day of the eighth calendar week of a fall or spring semester, or equivalent time for summer sessions or special terms for intensive courses. The student can request this resignation form from either the University Registrar's Office or the Dean's Office. The student's grade report and permanent record will show that he/she was enrolled for the term and that he/she resigned on the specific effective date.
A student who resigns after the stated deadline without written authorization for resignation-without-penalty by the respective academic dean will receive automatic "F" grades in all courses in which the student is enrolled. The transcript will carry the notation, "Suspended by committee action for unauthorized resignation," and the hours for which "F" grades were received will be included in the cumulative GPA for both academic eligibility and graduation requirements.
In the case of authorized resignations after the deadline, grades will not be assigned, and the academic dean will determine the student's academic status (whether or not he/she is eligible to return) based on the student's previous record.
Formerly enrolled students who have greater than the 2.0 GPA may seek readmission through the University Registrar via web course request form if they are eligible to return. During fall semester, students returning from academic suspension should consult their academic dean's office for readmission procedures. (These procedures vary from college to college within the university.)
A student who resigns from the fall semester and who wishes to re-enroll in the immediately following spring semester may be readmitted automatically, upon approval from the academic dean of the college during the process of completing the official resignation form.
During the spring semester, all students with less than a 2.0 GPA who wish to be readmitted must seek dean's approval.
Formerly enrolled students in good academic standing who resign for personal reasons, do not continue enrollment at Virginia Tech, and later complete course work at another college or university are required to submit their transfer transcripts to their academic dean prior to or during their first term of re-enrollment.
A student must complete all courses with at least a minimum 2.0 GPA for all hours attempted. In addition, a student must present an equally satisfactory record in courses attempted in the major and minor. The number of credit hours required varies from one curriculum to another. Virginia Tech reserves the right to modify requirements in the student's program if necessary. The approved requirements in effect for a student's graduation in a given calendar year apply. Said requirements must be approved two years prior to their effective graduation date. All students earning degrees from Virginia Tech must have earned a minimum of one-fourth of the credit for their respective degrees from this institution. The senior year, with a minimum of 27 hours, must be completed in residence, or 27 of the last 45 hours must be completed in residence, provided that only approved courses taken in absentia are transferred to complete requirements.
Since 1992, all graduating students must meet a language study requirement. The minimum language study requirement may be met by one of the following:
or
Note: Students who have not completed two (2) or more units of a single foreign language in high school must complete a full year (6 credits) of foreign language/culture study, which do not count toward graduation.
or
Effective with the Fall 2001 freshman class, students enrolled at Virginia Tech (including transfer students and students who entered Summer Sessions I and II, 2001) must meet a new graduation requirement of proficiency in U.S. history. Students may meet this requirement before enrolling through one of the following options:
None of the above are required for admission to Virginia Tech. They are options to give you an early start on meeting Tech's graduation requirements. Virginia Tech offers a number of courses to satisfy the requirement if one of the above options is not met.
Not more than 6 credit hours earned from extension courses, radio courses, television courses, and intensive courses (e.g. taken while in active military service, etc.) will be accepted for undergraduate degree credit. Thirty-eight hours of advanced placement credit may be accepted towards the undergraduate degree. Please consult your academic dean for further information and/or refer to Commission on Undergraduate Studies report, "Undergraduate Credit at Virginia Tech," (February 1989), which is available from the University Registrar. (See section on "Hours Passed" for other limitations with regard to counting credits for graduation.)
Undergraduate students who satisfy graduation requirements for two curricula concurrently may request recognition of the second major on their transcripts; however, only the primary major will appear on the diploma.
Students may earn a second bachelor's degree (and diploma) by earning a minimum of 30 additional credit hours in residence with a minimum 2.0 GPA on all work attempted. All specific requirements must be met for each degree program, including attainment of the 2.0 GPA for all courses in the major.
During the first semester of their junior year, all students should submit a written application for their degree to the Office of the University Registrar. Submitting this degree application elicits a degree audit (DARS report) from the University Registrar's Office, so that the student will be fully aware of all degree requirements which remain to be completed.
Traditionally, degrees are conferred upon candidates who are present in person to receive them at the Commencement ceremony in May. Candidates may have their degrees conferred in absentia if they cannot be present at Commencement for good reason. To arrange for this, a candidate must request permission, in writing, from the University Registrar to be excused from the Commencement ceremony.
In addition to the traditional Commencement, other "Degree Conferral Dates" have been established for each May to May year. These dates (fall, first summer, or second summer) appear on the diplomas of qualified graduates. The degree conferral dates fall on the last day of final examinations (last day of term) for first summer session, second summer session and fall semester.
No commencement ceremonies are conducted at the end of the summer sessions, but graduates may attend the fall ceremony after completion of degree requirements. They may also request permission from the department to "walk through" the spring Commencement ceremony.
Completion of degree requirements is determined after the final grade reports are available. Degrees are regarded as having been conferred retroactively on the appropriate conferral date upon determination by the University Registrar that degree requirements have been met. All course enrollments and attendance obligations must have been completed on or before the degree conferral date.
With the exception of spring, diplomas for the "Degree Conferral Dates" are ordered after course work completions are established. Diplomas are distributed either by mail or in person to graduates who appear in the Office of the Registrar, or at the next Commencement ceremony, if available.
A student who has completed at least 60 credit hours at Virginia Tech may be graduated with distinction under the following conditions:
In computing eligibility for graduation with distinction, only work attempted at Virginia Tech will be used. The notation of distinction on the diploma and on the transcript is independent of the notation of a degree in honors, if applicable. (See the section on "The Honors Program," earlier in this chapter, for information about graduating in honors.)
Caution: The course offerings and requirements of Virginia Tech are under examination and revision continually. This catalog presents the offerings and requirements in effect at time of publication, but in no way guarantees that they will not be changed or revoked.
The regulations and policies may change to meet new needs or as legislation is approved. Such changes are published in the President's Policy Memoranda.
The policies and regulations that appear in this catalog are not meant to form a contract or to constitute an offer of one. Current information may be obtained from the following:
Undergraduate Admission Requirements: Director of Admissions.
Course Offerings:Academic departments offering the course(s) in question.
Degree Requirements: Office of the University Registrar, head of major department, or dean of the college.
Fees and Tuition:Office of the University Bursar.
Miscellaneous abbreviations used only in the course descriptions include:
| C-credits | I-Fall semester |
| Co-corequisite | II-Spring semester |
| H-hours in classroom | III-First summer session |
| L-hours in laboratory | IV-Second summer session |
| Pre-prerequisite |
The Roman numeral designations for the terms in which courses are offered are intended only as general guides and do not indicate binding agreement to offer in those terms.
The following departmental or curricular abbreviations are used in the tables and course descriptions in this catalog.
AAEc — Agricultural and Applied Economics
ACCT — Accounting
ACIS — Accounting and Information Systems
AE — Aerospace Engineering
AINS — American Indian Studies
ALS — Agriculture and Life Sciences
AnSc — Animal Science
APSc — Animal and Poultry Sciences
AOE — Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Arch — Architecture
Art — Art and Art History
AS — Aerospace Studies (AFROTC)
BC — Building Construction
Bchm — Biochemistry, Agriculture
Biol — Biology
BlSt — Black Studies
BIT — Business Information Technology
BSE — Biological Systems Engineering
CE — Civil Engineering
CEE — Civil and Environmental Engineering
ChE — Chemical Engineering
Chem — Chemistry
Chn — Chinese
Cla — Classics
Comm — Communication Studies
CS — Computer Science
CSES — Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
CT — Clothing and Textiles
DaSc — Dairy Science
ECpE — Electrical and Computer Engineering
Econ — Economics
EdAE — Administrative and Educational Services
EdCC — Community College (Education)
EdCI — Curriculum and Instruction
EDCO — Counseling
EDP — Environmental Design and Planning
EdHL — Health Education
EdPE — Health, Physical Education, Recreation
EdRE — Research & Evaluation
EdVT — Vocational-Technical Education
EF — Engineering Fundamentals
Engl — English
ENGR — General Engineering
EnSc — Environmental Science
Ent — Entomology
ESEn — Environmental Sciences and Engineering
ESM — Engineering Science and Mechanics
FA — Fine Arts
Fin — Finance, Insurance, Business Law
FiW — Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
For — Forestry
FL — Foreign Languages
Fr — French
FST — Food Science and Technology
Geog — Geography
Geol — Geological Sciences
Gen — Genetics
Ger — German
Gr — Greek
HEB — Hebrew
HD — Human Development
Hist — History
HNFE — Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise
Hort — Horticulture
HTM — Hospitality and Tourism Management
Hum — Humanities
IDS — Industrial Design
ISE — Industrial and Systems Engineering
IdSt — Interdisciplinary Studies
IS — International Studies
Ital — Italian
Jpn — Japanese
JUD — Judaic Studies
LAr — Landscape Architecture
LASc — Liberal Arts and Sciences
Lat — Latin
Math — Mathematics
MaSc — Mathematical Sciences
ME — Mechanical Engineering
MESc — Materials Engineering Science
Mgt — Management
MinE — Mining Engineering
Mktg — Marketing
MN — Military Navy (NROTC)
MS — Military Science (AROTC)
MSE — Materials Science and Engineering
Mus — Music
NE — Near Environments
NEID — Near Environments/Interior Design
NEHS — Near Environments/Housing
NECT — Near Environments/Clothing and Textiles
NERM — Near Environments/Resource Management
OE — Ocean Engineering
Phil — Philosophy
Phys — Physics
PPWS — Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science
Port — Portuguese
PSci — Political Science
Psyc — Psychology
Rel — Religion
Rus — Russian
Soc — Sociology
Span — Spanish
SPIA — School of Public and International Affairs
Stat — Statistics
TA — Theatre Arts
UH — University Honors
UA — Urban Affairs
UAAC — University Academic Advising Center
UAP — Urban Affairs and Planning
UD — Urban Design
URPl — Urban and Regional Planning
VMS — Veterinary Science
VM — Veterinary Medicine
Wood — Wood Science and Forest Products
WS — Women's Studies
The first digit in course number designations denotes the year in which the course ordinarily is found in the curricular outlines or "checksheets," which are available from the major department or academic advisor. The second and third digits make the course number unique within a department. The fourth digit is 4 if the course is a one-term terminal course, 5 if the course is the first term in a sequence, and 6 if the second term in a sequence. As a general rule, courses with 0 as the first digit do not carry university credit. Agricultural Technology courses, however, are an exception.
Students are permitted to take courses without having the specified prerequisites only upon obtaining the consent of the instructor. Students who enroll in a course for which they have not clearly satisfied the prerequisites or equivalent, or obtained the appropriate permission, may be dropped from the course. Deliberately false statements testifying to the satisfaction of prerequisites constitute a violation of the honor code. Students have the right to appeal a decision about prerequisites to the head of the department offering a course. Students should recognize that 3000 and 4000 level courses assume a certain level of academic maturity and general background regardless of the stated prerequisites. The course instructor can be consulted regarding the implications of this expectation for a specific course. Students must consult with the instructor if they wish to use the Pass/Fail option in a course for which they do not have the prerequisites.
Students should note prerequisite and corequisite requirements as stated in the course descriptions. Courses in a series may be taken independently where the series of course numbers is separated by commas (e.g., 3135, 3136), in the catalog listing. Where the series of course numbers is connected by hyphens (e.g., 4135-4136), the first course is prerequisite for the next one.
Courses that are cross listed between departments may not be counted twice toward meeting graduation requirements. No credit will be allowed for a course taken that duplicates subject matter in a course for which credit already has been received. Cross listed courses are indicated in the title line of course descriptions; for instance, Rel 3454 is listed as follows:
3454 (PHIL 3454): PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
The first number is the Religion course number, while the number in parentheses indicates that the course is cross listed with Philosophy.
The numbers on the right hand side of tables listed under certain departments denote the number of hours the class meets each week during the term and, in parentheses, the number of credits allowed for the course. A listing such as 3(3) means that the course meets three hours each week and three credits are earned.
Information regarding graduate courses (5000 and above) may be found in the Graduate Catalog or on the Virginia Tech Home Page at http://www.vt.edu.
Virginia Tech -- Undergraduate Catalog, 2002-2004
Last update: August 2002
URL: http://www.vt.edu/academics/ugcat/ucaAcademicInfo.html