• Academic Probation
• Administrative Academic Probation
• Catalog Choice
• Course Number
• Course Section
• CPReg
• CR/NC Grading
• CSU (California State University) System
• Dean's List
• Earned Hours
• Electives
• ELM (Entry Level Mathematics Exam)
• EPT (English Placement Test)
• General Education Courses
• GPA
• GWR (Graduation Writing Requirement)
• Major Courses
• MAPE (Mathematics Placement Exam)
• PASS (Plan A Student Schedule)
• President's List
• Quality Hours
• Quality Points
• Repeating a Course
• Support Courses
• USCP (United States Cultural Pluralism) Requirement
• Withdrawal

Academic Probation
If your GPA falls below a 2.0, you are subject to academic probation. Your faculty academic advisor can help you get back on track. Stop by for help as soon as you start experiencing difficulty. Two or more quarters on academic probation may result in disqualification from the university.

Administrative Academic Probation
If you are not following your major, you may be placed on administrative academic probation. Visit your advisor or dept. head to discuss your plans regarding your major choice.

Catalog Choice
You may choose to follow any catalog that is in effect from the time you enter the university until you graduate, provided you have been in continuous attendance. Transfer students may be eligible to graduate under the catalog in effect at the time they started their higher education career provided they have not broken enrollment.

Course Number
You may choose to follow any catalog that is in effect from the time you enter the university until you graduate, provided you have been in continuous attendance. Transfer students may be eligible to graduate under the catalog in effect at the time they started their higher education career provided they have not broken enrollment.

Course Section
Each individual class (lab, lecture, act, sem) is assigned a section number. Example: CHEM 127-03, MATH 116-01, etc

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CR/NC Grading:
Some courses, as indicated in their catalog descriptions, are offered on a Credit/No Credit grading basis only. The following conditions apply when a student elects to take for CR/NC those courses that are NOT DESIGNATED BY THE University as being graded on an exclusive CR/NC basis.

1. Students will be given a grade of CR for accomplishment equivalent to a grade of C- or better. No Credit (NC) will be given for D+ or lower grades.
2. Students may elect a maximum of 16 units of CR/NC grading. Up to 4 units of CR/NC grading is allowed in major or support courses (subject to the approval of the student’s major dept.), and up to 4 units of CR/NC grading is allowed in General Education courses.
3. Please consult the catalog for further important details on CR/NC grading.

NONE of the departments in the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences allow students to take major or support courses for CR/NC grading, with the exception of the following: Agricultural Business, which allows up to four units in major courses.

CSU (California State University) System
This system includes 23 universities and is governed by the Chancellor's Office located in Long Beach.

Dean's List
You are eligible for the Dean's List if you receive a GPA of 3.5 or better and are taking at least 12 units during that quarter.

Earned Hours
All units attempted, whether taken as non-baccalaureate, CR/NC, or for a letter grade.

Electives
Courses that students can choose simply to pursue their own interests.

ELM (Entry Level Mathematics Exam)
The ELM must be taken by all non-exempt undergraduates prior to matriculation at Cal Poly. Exemptions include: a score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement calculus examination; a score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the SAT; a score of 23 or above on the ACT. Call the ELM office (756-2268) for more information.

EPT (English Placement Test)
The EPT must be taken by all non-exempt undergraduates prior to matriculation at Cal Poly. Call the Writing Skills Office (756-2067) for information.

General Education Courses
These courses provide the breadth of knowledge needed for a well-rounded education.

GPA
Grade Point Average. When looking at your quarterly grade reports, you'll find three categories of GPA (current, CP cumulative, higher education). The current GPA is that quarter's GPA; the CPSLO cumulative is your cumulative GPA during your enrollment at Cal Poly; the higher education GPA includes all of your undergraduate course work (from Cal Poly and other colleges). You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 in all categories to graduate. Also, a 2.0 is required in your major courses for graduation. You can calculate any one of your GPAs by dividing the quality points by the quality hours.

GWR (Graduation Writing Requirement)
All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. This can be done in two ways: 1. Pass the Writing Proficiency Exam; 2. Pass an approved 300-level composition or literature course with a grade of C or better and receive certification from the instructor. You must be at least a junior (90 units) before you can attempt either of these ways. Call the Writing Skills Office (756-2067) for more information.

Major Courses
Designed to provide competence in the professional field in which a degree is earned.

MAPE (Mathematics Placement Exam)
The MAPE is a series of diagnostic exams given by the Mathematics Department to place students who have satisfied the ELM requirement in the appropriate math class. Call the MAPE office (756-2268) for information.

PASS (Plan A Student Schedule)
The online planning module for developing a student schedule of classes.  It's available through my.calpoly.edu. The "PASS" link is available on the "Enrollment Planning" channel which is located on the "Registration & Enrollment" tab.

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President's List
You are eligible for this list if you are on the Dean's List for at least 3 quarters of the academic year.

Quality Hours
All units attempted for a letter grade.

Quality Points
Quality hours multiplied by the grade values earned in those hours.

Repeating a Course
A student may repeat up to 16 units of coursework in which he/she received a grade of D+ or lower. If the second grade is equal to or higher than the first, then the grade earned by repeating the course will replace the quality points, quality hours, and earned hours which were previously earned.  NOTE: Repeat units can only be used once on any single course.

Support Courses
Provide background needed for major courses.

USCP (United States Cultural Pluralism) Requirement
All students are required to complete one USCP course. See catalog / class schedule for currently approved courses. Some of these courses also fulfill General Education requirements.

Withdrawal
A student may withdraw from a course after the regular add/drop period but before the end of the 7th week provided there is a serious reason and with the approval of both the instructor and the department chair. The petition is available from the Office of Academic Records.