Academic Information - NSM - University of Houston (2024)

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Advanced Placement

Natural Sciences and Mathematics majors are strongly encouraged to take advanced placement and/or achievement tests. College level course work in several areas will be waived upon presentation of suitable scores. For further information, consult the department chair and refer to the Office of Admissions website.

Declaration of Major

Many entering students have a well-defined career objective and major course of study. These students are advised to declare their major upon entering the college and to seek academic advisem*nt from their major department. Prior to enrollment in the college with sophom*ore standing, students must petition for a change of major to one of the university degree programs.

Expected Background of Entering Freshmen

It is expected that, in addition to the minimum requirements for admission to the university’s undergraduate programs, each freshman entering the college will have completed in high school the following courses of study:

Adequate Progress

In order to ensure progress toward a degree, entering FTIC (First Time in College) NSM majors who do not have credit for college-level Calculus I are expected to successfully complete MATH 2413(Calculus I) by the end of their first two terms at UH (30 credit hours). Students who fail to meet this requirement cannot continue as NSM majors. Exceptions to this rule may be considered following appropriate academic counseling and approval of the Dean (or Dean’s designee).

Change of Major Requirements

Students currently enrolled at UH and seeking a change of major into or within the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics must have:

1. Established a minimum cumulative UH grade point average of at least 2.50.
2. A mathematics and science GPA of at least 2.50 based on all math and science courses taken at UH that are applicable to NSM degrees.
3. Students seeking majors in the departments of Biology & Biochemistry, Chemistry, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematical Biology, and Physics must have completed a minimum of 3 credit hours of mathematics (MATH 2413or equivalent or higher) and 3 credit hours of science.
4. Students seeking majors in the departments of Computer Science and Mathematics must have completed a minimum of six credit hours in mathematics (MATH 2413or equivalent or higher).

NSM Policies and Procedures

Technology Requirements;Dean’s List; Readmission from Academic Suspension; Grievance Procedures; Grade Changes; Transfer Credit; Petitions; Senior Thesis - Senior Research Project; Degree Plans; Filing to Graduate; Deadlines

Minimum Technology Requirements

In order to effectively participate in online components of NSM courses, all students in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics must have a computer that meets the minimum technology requirements which are listed at the following website:https://uh.edu/nsm/students/undergraduate/tech-req/​

Additionally, students must have

• Internet connection (speeds ≥24Mbps upload/download strongly recommended)
• Integrated or external webcam with microphone
• Ability to send scans of paper documents (i.e. using a smartphone with camera or scanner)

Dean’s List

To qualify for this recognition, undergraduate students must earn a 3.50 minimum grade point average (the grade of S is not counted) on 12 or more credit hours completed during the term. Students who earn a grade of I (incomplete), D, F, or U, during the term are excluded from consideration for the Dean’s List.

Readmission From Academic Suspension

All students returning from academic suspension, regardless of the amount of time since their last UH enrollment, must apply for readmission. For readmission to the University of Houston, also review the policy on Readmission for Former UH Students.

Any student suspended from the college for academic or disciplinary reasons is ineligible to return during the designated period of suspension. Readmission from Academic Suspension is neither automatic nor guaranteed. NSM majors on academic suspension must be readmitted to UH and through the NSMOffice of the Dean prior to enrolling in classes. While on suspension at UH, an NSM student may not enroll in classes as follows:

• First suspension: student must sit out the next long term, either the fall or the spring. (Summer is not considered a “long” term.)
  NSM students who have been placed on their first academic suspension are required to sit out for one long term (fall or spring) and have to reapply for admission to UH after completing their sit out term.
• Second suspension: student must sit out 1 calendar year (12 months). NSM majors receiving a second suspension should not expect to be readmitted through NSM.
• Third suspension: student will not be readmitted to UH.

NSM does not grant readmission during summer terms.

The readmission from suspension policy and associated application forms are available in the NSMOffice of the Dean and the NSM Undergraduate Advising Center. Readmission dates are set and posted for each term. Please contact the NSM Undergraduate Advising Center for specific dates and times.

• Students classified as Natural Sciences and Mathematics-Unspecified should not expect tobe readmitted from academic suspension through NSM.
• No student with a major outside of NSM will be readmitted from academic suspension through NSM.
• Students subject to suspension based upon course work 10 or more years old should consider the Academic Fresh Start Program.

A student readmitted from academic suspension enters the term on probation and must fulfill the following requirements to avoid further academic action.

1. Enroll in no more than 13 credit hours of approved courses during the term of re-entry.
2. Earn a minimum 2.50 grade point average during the term of re-entry.
3. Cannot earn a grade of “F”, “W”, “U”, or “I” during the term of re-entry.
4. Additional requirements may apply.

Failure to attend the university during the term of readmission cancels the readmission approval. Students may reapply in any subsequent term.

Grievance Procedures

A student with a justifiable grievance that can be substantiated should initiate academic grievance proceedings within 90 calendar days of the action in dispute. These proceedings begin when the student contacts the professor with an appropriate concern about the grade or evaluation. Because assigning a grade for evaluating a student’s work performance involves the faculty’s professional judgment and is an integral part of the faculty’s teaching responsibilities, disagreement with an instructor concerning a grade or evaluation is not a justifiable grievance to be considered under this policy unless a violation of university, college, or department academic policies or procedures can be shown to have affected that grade or evaluation.

A multilevel procedure of redress of grievance concerning academic matters is available to undergraduate students of the College.

1. Every effort shall be made by the student, faculty, and department chair (or designee) to resolve the grievance within the department structure. If an informal resolution is not possible, the student may submit a formal written grievance to the department chair (or designee) with the completion of the Department Academic Grievance/Grade Appeal form.
2. The department chair (or designee) may convene a small committee to review and advise on the grievance. If the grievance is not resolved at the department level the student may, within fifteen calendar days of the receipt of the departmental decision regarding the grievance, submit an appeal to the NSM Dean’s Office for a college review.
3. The request for a college review begins with the completion of the NSM Academic Grievance/Grade Appeal Form. If, after review of the NSM Academic Grievance/Grade Appeal form, the Dean (or designee) decides that the grievance, as submitted, does not contain relevant, detailed specifics with associated supporting evidence or does not contain information or arguments not already fully addressed at the department level, the Dean (or designee) can reject the request for an appeal.
4. If, in the judgment of the Dean (or designee), the grievance as submitted warrants further review, the Dean (or designee) will appoint an Academic Grievance Panel comprised of three faculty members and two NSM students. This panel will decide to hold a hearing or to hold a panel review.None of the panel members shall be from the home department of the instructor or the student.
5. If the panel chooses to hold a hearing, the Dean (or designee) will notify all parties of the hearing time, date and place. Three (3) business days prior to the hearing, all parties shall notify in writing the names of their witnesses. If either party intends to have legal counsel, the college must be notified in writing at least three (3) business days before the hearing. The hearing cannot be held with such counsel in attendance unless a representative from University of Houston legal counsel is also present. Witnesses would not attend the full hearing, but would enter when called upon. The hearing shall have an audio recording.
6. If the panel chooses to hold a panel review, the members of the panel will convene to review all information provided by the grievant and make a final decision.
7. The panel shall complete its work, either by hearing or by panel review, within thirty (30) calendar days of the request, unless extenuating circ*mstances make this deadline impossible to meet. The decision of the Academic Grievance Panel shall be forwarded to the Dean (or designee) for review and a final decision to be determined. This decision will be communicated to the grievant within ten (10) calendar days ofthe receipt of the panel’s report. The decision of the Dean (or designee) shall be binding on both the department and the student.
8. If the student does not find the college’s decision acceptable, the student may, within ten (10) calendar days of the receipt of the college decision, appeal their case to the senior vice president for academic affairs.

Grade Changes

Questions regarding grades in NSM courses must be resolved within 90 days following the posting of the grade. Grade changes are approved only for correction of errors in computing the grade.

Grades of I (Incomplete) must be resolved within one year of the posting of the grade or will be changed automatically to F. Incomplete grades must be resolved with the instructor awarding the grade. Incomplete grades cannot be resolved by re enrolling (re-registering) for the course in question.

Transfer Credit

Questions concerning transfer credit are resolved by the petition process. This process originates in the NSM Undergraduate Advising Center, and the petitions are routed to the relevant department and dean’s offices.

Independent Study

Students wishing to enroll in Independent Study courses (xx98) must seek approval in advance by the petition process. Credit for Independent Study courses is contingent upon approval of a general petition detailing the project and method of evaluation. Generally, Independent Study courses are limited to S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory) grading.

Senior Honors Thesis; Senior Research Project

Students wishing to complete either the Senior Honors Thesis (3399-4399) or Senior Research Project (3396-4396) must seek approval in advance by the petition process. Credit for these courses is contingent upon approval of a petition detailing the project and method of evaluation. Both courses must be completed to apply to a degree.

Degree Plans

A degree plan is a statement of the course of study requirements that a student must complete in order to be awarded a degree from the institution. The UH Degree Progress Report serves as the student’s degree plan and identifies the courses needed to earn a degree. The report is available within a student’s myUH account. Any discrepancies with the degree plan should be addressed to the NSM Undergraduate Advising Center.Students are responsible for all requirements of the catalog under which they are graduating.

Filing To Graduate

To be a degree candidate, students must submit an application for graduation by the stated deadline in the class listings. Candidates for graduation, previously disapproved, must reapply.

Degrees are not awarded automatically upon completion of the scholastic requirements. Successful graduation candidates can anticipate the posting of the degree approximately six weeks after the closing date of the term allowing for final audit procedures.

Deadlines

NSM strictly adheres to the University Calendar, e.g. admission and enrollment (registration) deadlines, drop dates, application for graduation, etc. Exceptions are considered only for documented, extenuating, nonacademic circ*mstances.

Special Programs

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics recognizes the value of developing students’ professional development as an integral part of their academic career. Students who select the Experience Track in their degree program and satisfy its requirements will receive recognition for internship/Curricular Practical Training (CPT) experience by a transcript notation. For more information, please refer to theCollege of Natural Sciences and Mathematics - Experience Tracksection of this catalog.