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Policies and Procedures

This page summarizes academic policies and procedures for Social Ecology undergraduates at UCI. You are responsible for knowing and following all UCI policies. If you have questions, schedule an appointment with your academic counselor.

For full details, see the UCI General Catalogue and the UCI Registrar.

Grading Policies

Letter Grade Requirement for Major and School Courses

All courses applied toward your major and school requirements must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taken Pass/No Pass (P/NP) will not count toward major or school requirements.

  • Exception: courses offered P/NP only (e.g., SocEcol 195).

This includes all lower- and upper-division major and school courses listed on your DegreeWorks audit.

Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Policy

P/NP grading is permitted for elective units not being used toward major or school requirements.

  • A grade of "P" is awarded for work equivalent to a C- or better.
  • P/NP units do not affect your GPA but do count toward total units completed.
  • You may take up to 2 classes for a minor P/NP.
Important: If you are unsure whether a course can be taken P/NP, consult your academic counselor well before the deadline.
Repeat Policy

Students may repeat a course in which they received a grade of C- or below (or NP). If the course was originally taken for a letter grade, it must be repeated for a letter grade. If you originally received NP, it may be repeated P/NP or for a letter grade.

  • A maximum of 16 units may be repeated with grade replacement in the GPA. Both grades appear on the transcript.
  • Courses taken for a letter grade must be repeated for a letter grade.
  • Courses repeated beyond the 16-unit limit will have both grades calculated into the GPA.

Enrollment Policies

Enrollment Exceptions

Enrollment exceptions during the academic year require approval from your academic counselor. Common exceptions:

  • Late Add: Adding a course after the add deadline requires instructor and counselor approval.
  • Late Drop: Dropping a course after the drop deadline may result in a "W" on your transcript. Deadline: Friday of Week 10 at 4:59pm.
  • Grading mode: Requests to change grading mode (letter grade ↔ P/NP) must be made by Friday of Week 10 at 4:59pm. No changes after this deadline.
Social Ecology typically allows one late drop after Week 2 without special justification. Additional late drops require documentation. Students are responsible for any consequences (e.g., financial aid, housing, visa status).

Unit Load

Unit Overload (More than 20 Units)

Students can add up to 20 units per quarter once the 18-unit restriction lifts. To enroll in more than 20 units, you must:

  • Have at least a 2.0 GPA
  • Not be on any waitlists
  • Request no more than 28 units
  • Course you want to add is open

Request to Enroll in More than 20 Units

After Week 2, request additional courses via Enrollment Exception.

Minimum Unit Load

To maintain full-time status, undergraduates must enroll in at least 12 units per quarter. Falling below may affect:

  • Financial aid eligibility
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Visa status for international students
  • Time to degree

If you need to drop below 12 units, speak with your academic counselor before making changes.

Time to Degree

The School of Social Ecology enforces a time to degree policy:

  • Freshmen: Max 15 quarters and 216+ units (both must be met)
  • Transfers: Max 9 quarters and 216+ units (both must be met)

Students approaching these limits should meet with their counselor early to plan timely degree completion.

(Academic Senate Regulation 386)

Course Modality

In-Person, Online, and Hybrid Courses

UCI offers courses in multiple modalities. Review listings before enrolling:

  • In-Person: On-campus attendance required.
  • Hybrid: Mix of in-person and online.
  • Fully Online (Synchronous): Scheduled online meetings.
  • Fully Online (Asynchronous): No set meeting time; work at your own pace.

At least 50% of courses must be completed in person.

Modality changes after enrollment are rare and require approval. Do not assume your course's modality will change.
Courses Taken Outside of UCI

Courses taken elsewhere may transfer to UCI, but:

Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing

Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all three areas:

  • Overall UCI GPA
  • Upper Division Major GPA (all upper division courses in DegreeWorks)
  • School GPA (all Social Ecology school and major requirements)
Academic Warning, Notice, and Disqualification

Academic Warning: GPA below 2.0 in any area. You must raise all GPAs to 2.0+ and follow counselor guidance.

Academic Notice: GPA below 1.5 in any area. You must meet with your counselor, follow an academic agreement, and raise all GPAs to 2.0+ within the timeline set.

Subject to Disqualification: GPA below 1.5 for a second time or more. You must appeal, meet with your counselor, and follow an academic agreement. Failure to improve may result in disqualification.

Readmission

How do I return after leaving UCI?

If you have been away for at least one quarter, you must apply for readmission before earning your degree. You must show you can meet academic standing requirements.

See the Readmission page for details.

Questions? Schedule an appointment with an academic counselor or email SE.advising@uci.edu.