Declaring a Major
Determining a major can be a difficult decision. Our office recommends taking a 1- or 2-credit introductory course offered by the University of Maryland, such as UNIV100 “The Student and the University” (engineering sections are available), or through the Clark School of Engineering.
Each department provides detailed and informative websites that can help students explore their interests. Reviewing department offerings, including coursework, research, and elective opportunities, can help students learn more about each engineering major.
Students may also schedule meetings with academic advisors in the departments or with EAS to help them make a final decision about declaring a 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), students enrolled in 0xx-, 1xx-, and 2xx-level courses, and student-athletes in undergraduate courses.
These progress reports are sent approximately one and a half months into the semester.
Students who receive a mid-term grade of D, F, or U are notified by EAS and are encouraged to speak with an academic advisor.
Mandatory Academic Advising
All engineering students must meet with an academic advisor prior to registering for courses for the upcoming semester. For first-semester students at the University of Maryland, this requirement is satisfied through Orientation.
Students who are undecided within engineering meet with academic advisors in Engineering Academic Services (EAS). Students who have declared a specific engineering major meet with their departmental academic advisor.
Students who do not meet with an advisor will not be able to register for courses.
Questions about academic advising assignments may be directed to EAS.
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 Gradution 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 achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher during a winter or summer term will not be subject to dismissal.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will notify students in writing if they are dismissed. This notice will state that registration for the next semester (excluding winter and summer terms) will be canceled.
Students dismissed for academic reasons must normally wait one semester (fall or spring) before applying for reinstatement. Exceptions are determined by the Faculty Petition Board.
Academic Probation
Students will be placed on academic probation if their cumulative GPA falls below 2.0.
Students on academic probation are expected to raise their cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 by the end of the probationary semester.
Students who do not achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 by the end of the probationary semester may be academically dismissed, depending on their total earned credits.
Fundamental English
All students must take ENGL101 “Introduction to Writing.” Students must attempt the course within their first 30 earned credit hours and complete it within their first 60 earned credit hours.
Note: All Clark School of Engineering students must complete ENGL39X “Technical Writing” (Professional Writing Requirement), regardless of the grade earned in ENGL101.
Policy Violation
A review of relevant Academic Policies is available online. Students with extenuating circumstances may request an exception to policy.
Requests must be submitted through the Petition for an Exception to Policy Form, available under Forms (online). The petition must include supporting documentation of the extenuating circumstances and a personal statement addressed 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 a course twice or repeat a course once, for a total of up to 18 credit hours (most MATH courses are 4 credits).
If a student withdraws from a course, they will receive a grade of “W,” which counts as an attempt.
Both attempts are included in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
However, if the course was first taken during a student’s first semester (for transfer students) or within the first 24 credit hours (for first-time students), the new grade will replace the original grade in the GPA calculation. The original grade will remain on the transcript.
Withdrawal/Drop Policy
No more than 4 credit hours may be dropped in any one semester after the last day of schedule adjustment.
A grade of “W” (withdrawal) will appear on the student’s transcript for the course.
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for specific dates per semester.
Withdrawal from a Semester
If a student experiences a serious illness or other long-term issue and needs to leave the University for the entire term, they may withdraw from all courses.
The repeat policy does not apply to courses taken during the 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 subject to the conditions outlined in the online catalog.
Note: Students with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and no prior withdrawal or leave of absence may return to the University the following semester through Re-Enrollment.
Students who withdraw while not in good academic standing (cumulative GPA below 2.0) must go through the reinstatement process and are not guaranteed admission back into the Clark School of Engineering.
Courses Outside University of Maryland
Any student wishing to take a course over the summer at an institution other than the University of Maryland-College Park, must ask for permission to do so by submitting a Permission to Enroll Form found under Forms.
- 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.
Registration Blocks
Students may have a registration block on their academic account that prevents them from registering for courses. The following list describes the different types of blocks as well as directions for how your student can get the block lifted.
- Administrative block: Your student has not met a registration requirement that is general in nature. Your student should contact the Registrar’s Office to discover why the hold was placed and should contact the office or department requesting the hold to find out how to have it removed.
- By Permission Only block: Your student is not allowed to take a course without permission from the department that teaches the course. All engineering courses have this block during the Fall and Spring semesters. To find out if lifting the hold is possible, your student should contact the department offering the course.
- Financially Ineligible: your student, for whatever reason, may have money due to the university. To find out how to lift the hold, your student should contact Financial Aid.
- Fundamental Studies: Your student has not yet taken and completed ENGL101. To find out how to lift the hold, your student should contact the Registrar’s Office.
- Immunization block: Your student has not turned in their proof of vaccination. To find out how to lift the hold, your student should contact the Health Center.
- Mandatory Advising block: Your student cannot register for courses without speaking with their academic advisor. To have the hold lifted, your student needs to meet with their academic advisor to discuss their course schedule for that coming semester.
The Clark School of Engineering and the University of Maryland offer many, many opportunities for students to get involved with and in the campus community. Students can be involved with multiple types of groups at different times but do not have to become involved if they do not wish to be. We recommend that first-year students be careful with the amount of additional activities they take on as they learn more about being a college student. Other than that precaution, the options are limitless!
Engineering Student Societies: A complete list of student organizations within the Clark School. Students who wish to become involved in their specific major or area of academic interest can look into these groups.
Engineering Student Council: The Engineering Student Council (ESC) is a non-profit educational service organization intended to better the engineer's experience at the University of Maryland. The ESC website offers a listing of some of the student organizations within the Clark School of Engineering. The ESC website also includes information on departmental honors and major specific honors societies.
First Look Fair: University of Maryland student organizations and community groups, offices, and services all convene on the Mall for two days of information sharing. Students can visit tables and learn more about the local branch of SECU credit union, the Health Center’s services, Greek organizations and more! The fair is typically held in September and publicized by the STAMP student union.
International Engineering Opportunities: Encourage your student to explore the many international opportunities that are available for engineering students including: studying abroad for a semester, year, summer or winter term; interning abroad; conducting research abroad; participating in community service activities such as Engineers Without Borders; or earning the Minor in International Engineering. Planning early will allow a student to complete an international experience and stay on track for graduation in four years.
