Declaring a Major
Determining a major can be a difficult decision. Our office recommends taking a 1 or 2 credit introductory course offered either by the university (ENED101 or UNIV100 “The Student and the University” is an example and there are sections available for engineers) or the Clark School of Engineering.
Each department offers extremely resourceful and informative websites; searching for information on these sites can help your student narrow down their interests.
Viewing what the engineering departments have to offer (in terms of coursework and research/elective opportunities) can provide insight into special topics within each major.
Meetings can also be scheduled with academic advisors in the departments or EAS to help students make a final decision to declare a specific major within engineering.
Mid-Term Grades
Mid-term grades are progress reports provided to undergraduate students enrolled in their first year (fewer than 30 credits earned at the University of Maryland), undergraduate students in all 0xx, 1xx, and 2xx level courses, and student athletes in undergraduate courses.
These are progress reports are sent out about a month and a half into the semester to all students. Those students with a ‘D,’ ‘F,’ or ‘U’ as a mid-term grade, are notified by EAS recommending that they speak with an academic advisor in the office.
Mandatory Academic Advising
All engineering students must meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for courses for the coming semester (for their first semester as a University of Maryland student, Orientation fulfills this requirement).
Students who are general within the field of engineering meet with academic advisors from Engineering Academic Services (EAS).
Students who have declared a specific major within engineering will meet with a departmental academic advisor.
If a student does not meet with their advisor, they will be UNABLE to register for courses.
Any questions regarding a student’s academic advisor can be directed to EAS.
Graduation Plan (University of Maryland Student Academic Success Policy): Students should complete a plan of coursework for their four years as an undergraduate.
This plan is to be used as a guide for what the student could take in the coming semesters. The plan can change based on meetings with the student’s departmental advisor or EAS advisors and student academic performance.
A student should bring this plan to any advising appointment where semester registration will be discussed.
NOTE: Suggestions are available for students on how to create a 4-year plan.
Graduation Plan (University of Maryland Student Academic Success Policy)
Students should complete a Graduation plan as a guide for their undergraduate studies. This plan helps outline courses the student may take in upcoming semesters.
The graduation plan may change based on meetings with a departmental advisor or Engineering Academic Services (EAS) advisors, as well as academic performance.
Students should bring this plan to any advising appointment where semester registration will be discussed.
Note: Suggestions are available to help students create a Graduation plan.
Academic Dismissal
Students who have earned 60 or more total credits will be dismissed if their cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters (excluding winter and summer terms).
Students who attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in the preceding winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will notify students in writing when they are dismissed.
The notices will include a statement that registration for the next semester (excluding winter or summer terms) will be canceled.
Normally, a student dismissed for academic reasons must wait one semester (fall or spring) before reinstatement.
Exceptions will be determined by the Faculty Petition Board.
Academic Probation
Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.
Normally, the student is expected to attain a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of a probationary semester.
Students who fail to achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of their probationary semester may be academically dismissed, depending on their credit level.
Fundamental English
All students must take ENGL101 “Introduction to Writing.” A student must attempt the course within their first 30 total earned credit hours and complete the course within their first 60 total earned credit hours.
NOTE: All Clark School of Engineering students must take ENGL393, (Professional Writing Requirement) “Technical Writing”, no matter what grade they achieve in ENGL101.
Policy Violation
A review of pertinent Academic Policies is available online. Students who have extenuating circumstances may ask for permission for an exception to policy.
Permission should be requested through a formal Petition for an Exception to Policy Form found under Forms (online form) which should include all documentation of the extenuating circumstances as well as a personal statement by the student to the Petitions Committee.
NOTE: Approval of petitions is not guaranteed.
Preparing for the 45 Credit Benchmark Review
This review typically occurs after a student’s third semester.
To pass the review, students must meet the following requirements:
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0
- Earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in Math 141, Chem 135, Phys 161, and ENES100
- Complete ENGL101
- Complete one Distributive Studies course
- You may repeat only one of the listed courses once in order to achieve a grade of 2.0 or higher
A grade of “W” counts as an attempt. Therefore, a second attempt is considered a repeat of the course.
Engineering Academic Services does not recommend taking all four of these courses in the same semester.
Repeat Policy
Any University of Maryland student may attempt any course twice or repeat a course once for up to a total of 18 total credit hours (please note that most MATH courses are 4 credit hours).
If a student withdraws from a course they will earn a “W,” which will count as an attempt at the course.
NOTE: Both attempts at a course are calculated into the students’ Grade Point Average (GPA) unless the course was originally taken during the first semester (for transfer students) or within the first 24 credit hours (for first-time students) taken at the University of Maryland.
For those courses, the new grade will replace the old grade in the student’s cumulative GPA but the original grade WILL NOT be deleted from the transcript.
Withdrawal/Drop Policy
No more than 4 credit hours may be dropped during any one semester after the last day of schedule adjustment.
A grade of a “W” (withdrawal) will be present on the student transcript for that course.
Please see the Academic Calendar for specific dates per semester.
Withdrawal from a Semester
If your student suffers a serious ongoing illness or other long-term issue and needs to leave the university for the entire term, they can withdraw from all of their courses.
The repeat policy will not apply to courses taken during the academic semester from which the student officially withdrew.
Students must submit written notice of withdrawal to the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day of classes.
A student's return to the University is contingent upon the conditions outlined in the online catalog.
NOTE: Students who have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, with no previous withdrawal or leave of absence, may return to the University the following semester through Re-Enrollment.
However, students who withdraw when they are not in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better), must go through the reinstatement process and are not guaranteed entrance back into the Clark School of Engineering.
Courses Outside University of Maryland
Students who wish to take a course during the summer at an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park must obtain permission before enrolling. To request permission, submit a Permission to Enroll Form, available on the Forms page.
Fundamental English Requirement
All students must complete ENGL101: Introduction to Writing.
- Students must attempt ENGL101 within their first 30 earned credit hours.
- Students must complete ENGL101 within their first 60 earned credit hours.
Clark School Professional Writing Requirement
All Clark School of Engineering students must complete ENGL393: Technical Writing to satisfy the Professional Writing Requirement, regardless of the grade earned in ENGL101.
Registration Blocks
Students may have a registration block on their academic record that prevents them from registering for courses.
The following information describes common registration blocks and the steps required to have them removed.
Administrative block
- The student has not met a general registration requirement.
- How to resolve: Contact the Registrar’s Office to determine why the block was placed. Then contact the office or department that issued the block.
By Permission Only block
- The student must obtain permission from the department offering the course before enrolling.
- Most engineering courses have this block during the fall and spring semesters.
- How to resolve: Contact the department offering the course.
Financially Ineligible
- The student has an outstanding financial obligation to the university.
- How to resolve: Contact Financial Aid.
Fundamental Studies
- The student has not completed ENGL101.
- How to resolve: Contact the Registrar’s Office.
Immunization block
- The student has not submitted required immunization documentation.
- How to resolve: Contact the Health Center.
Mandatory Advising block
- The student must meet with an academic advisor before registering for courses.
- How to resolve: Schedule and attend an advising appointment.
The Clark School of Engineering and the University of Maryland offer many opportunities for students to engage in campus life and community activities.
Students may participate in multiple organizations or activities at different times, but participation is not required.
We recommend that first-year students be mindful of their course and activity load as they adjust to college life.
Beyond that, students are encouraged to explore opportunities that match their interests.
Engineering Student Societies
This page provides a list of student organizations within the Clark School. Students who wish to become involved in their major or academic area of interest are encouraged to explore these groups.
Engineering Student Council (ESC)
The Engineering Student Council (ESC) is a nonprofit educational service organization that works to enhance the student engineering experience at the University of Maryland.
The ESC website includes:
- A list of student organizations within the Clark School of Engineering
- Information on departmental honors programs
- Information on major-specific honor societies
First Look Fair
The First Look Fair is a two-day event where University of Maryland student organizations, community groups, offices, and services gather on the Mall to share information with students.
Students can visit tables to learn more about:
- SECU credit union
- Health Center services
- Greek organizations
- Other campus groups and resources
The fair is typically held in September and is publicized by the STAMP Student Union.
International Engineering Opportunities
Students are encouraged to explore the many international opportunities available to engineering students, including:
- Studying abroad for a semester, academic year, summer, or winter term
- Interning abroad
- Conducting research abroad
- Participating in community service programs such as Engineers Without Borders
- Completing a Minor in International Engineering
Planning early can help students complete an international experience while staying on track to graduate in four years.
