2008–2009 - Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Tech, a course may not be taken at another institution in
these two counties if the equivalent course is offered at Florida
Tech in the same or an overlapping term. A course that includes
a significant writing or speaking component must be taught
entirely in English to be eligible for transfer. No credit will be
awarded for a course taken elsewhere if the student was ineligible
to take the equivalent course at Florida Tech for any reason.
The student must request an official transcript mailed by the
other institution directly to the Florida Tech registrar’s office.
This catalog does not list the complete policy for studying at
another institution. The complete policy on study at other institutions
can be obtained from the registrar’s office or online at
www.fit.edu/registrar/transfercredit/request.html.
Change of Major
During their studies, students receive exposure to a number of
different academic subjects, and some are attracted to programs
different from their initial choices. A change of major is possible
if the student submits a Change of Major/Minor, Change of
Site or Dual Degree form that is approved by the new academic
unit head. After a change of major, courses unrelated to the new
program will not be used in computing the student’s cumulative
grade point average. However, all earned grades and credits
remain on the transcript.
Following a change of major, the degree requirements in the new
major may be based on either the student’s original catalog, or the
catalog in effect at the time of the change of major, or on a catalog
between those two, subject to the approval of the academic
unit head, as indicated on the submitted change of major form.
Undeclared Major
A new student may be uncertain about the specific academic
program he or she wishes to pursue. The undeclared major gives
a new student the opportunity to explore the general area of
interest more broadly for a limited time before choosing a
specific major.
Three freshman-year undeclared major programs are available:
General Engineering, General Science and General Studies. The
general studies program is for those who may wish to pursue a
major in business administration, communication, humanities or
psychology. More information on these programs may be found in
the Nondegree Programs section of this catalog.
Probation and Dismissal
An undergraduate student is placed on academic probation at
the end of any semester completed with a cumulative grade
point average (GPA) less than 2.0, and while on probation is
not permitted to register for more than 15 credit hours without
the approval of the cognizant dean. At the end of the probationary
semester, the student’s academic performance is reviewed,
and if the cumulative GPA has increased to 2.0 or greater, the
probationary status is removed. If not, the probationary status is
continued if the cumulative GPA exceeds the applicable minimum
level defined as follows, where the number of credit hours
includes transfer credits, credits by examination and all Florida
Tech credits earned:
0 to 59 credit hours ...................................................................at least 1.50
60 to 89 credit hours .................................................................at least 1.70
90 or more credit hours.............................................................at least 1.90
A student is academically dismissed at the end of any probationary
semester in which the cumulative GPA does not reach the
level defined in the preceding paragraph, with the exception of a
student who has been reinstated and is meeting all reinstatement
conditions.
A student who is registered for summer classes before the
start of the term will not be dismissed for failure to meet these
standards but will be reviewed again before the beginning of
the fall semester. The summer “grace period” is not available to
Melbourne campus students who are not registered by the Friday
of spring semester’s final examination week, students who fail to
meet previous reinstatement conditions or to students enrolled in
eight-week online terms.
Dismissal may result from cheating or plagiarism when acted
on by the University Disciplinary Committee and approved by a
committee consisting of the student’s college dean, the associate
provost for student affairs and dean of students, and members of
the faculty and student body.
Notification/Right of Appeal
The registrar will send notification of academic dismissal from
the university to the student.
An academically dismissed student may be reinstated for educationally
sound reasons by special action of the Academic
Standing Committee of the college or school in which the
student is enrolled. A letter requesting reinstatement should be
submitted to the committee through the registrar. A student who
has been away from the university for four or more consecutive
semesters and was dismissed after the last term of enrollment
must submit a letter of appeal for reinstatement. The letter is sent
to the undergraduate admission office along with the application
for readmission.
Students reinstated by the Academic Standing Committee may
be subject to special requirements as determined by the committee.
Failure to meet the conditions specified at the time of
reinstatement will result in a second dismissal, with the student
retaining the right to request another reinstatement, although
such requests are normally granted only in extraordinary cases.
Disciplinary Dismissal
The university reserves the right to dismiss any student at any
time if there is just cause and such action is consistent with the
policies outlined in the Student Handbook.
Any student dismissed for disciplinary reasons will not be
entitled to receive any refunds, will forfeit all fees and deposits,
and will receive failing grades for all courses scheduled during
the semester unless recommended otherwise by the University
Disciplinary Committee or designated hearing officer and
approved by the dean of students.
Students are expected to be familiar with the “Code of Conduct
and University Discipline System” detailed in the Student
Handbook.
Academic Overview 33