Academic Regulations

Deficiencies

The curricula at Colorado School of Mines have been especially designed so that the course work flows naturally from course to course and year to year. Thus, it is important that deficiencies in lower numbered courses be scheduled in preference to more advanced work.

Prerequisites

It is the responsibility of each student to make certain that the proper prerequisites for all courses have been met. Registration in a course without the necessary prerequisite may result in dismissal from the class or a grade of F (Failed) in the course.

Remediation

The Colorado Department of Higher Education specifies a remedial programs policy in which any first-time freshmen admitted to public institutions of higher education in Colorado with ACT (or equivalent) scores of less than 18 in reading or English, or less than 19 in mathematics, are required to participate in remedial studies. At the Colorado School of Mines, these remedial studies will be conducted through required tutoring in Nature and Human Values for reading and writing, and Calculus for Scientists and Engineers I for mathematics, and the consequent achievement of a grade of C or better.

Transfer Credit

In all cases, requests for transfer credit are processed by the Registrar. Credits must be submitted on an official transcript from a regionally accredited institution or if the institution is international, credit is only considered from institutions that are recognized by the Ministry of Education or other official accrediting or recognition body in the country of origin. Credits must be academic in nature. Vocational, CLEP, DSST, and theological credit is not accepted. No credit is granted for internships, co-ops, practicums, life experience courses, Independent Study, precalculus courses below Calculus I such as trigonometry and geometry, and non-calculus based general/introductory Physics courses.

Only courses completed with grades of "C" or better will be considered for acceptance. Credit that is recorded as “pass” “satisfactory” or “credit” at institutions that do not equate this classification to a C or better grade will not transfer.

Departments may stipulate a higher minimum grade.

Credit Conversion

Quarter credits are converted to semester credits upon transfer. This is done by multiplying the quarter credits by 0.67 (i.e. 4 quarter credits x 0.67 = 2.6 semester credits).

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits are converted to semester credits by multiplying ECTS credits by 0.5 (i.e. 2 ECTS x 0.5 = 1 semester credit),

Other international credits are converted to the U.S. semester based system according to national standards set by AACRAO International Education Services.

New Transfer Students

Upon matriculation, a transfer student will receive the prescribed academic credit for courses taken at another institution if these courses are listed in a current articulation agreement and transfer guide between Mines and that institution. When an articulation agreement does not exist with another institution, the transfer student may receive credit for a course taken at another institution upon receipt of a certified copy of the student’s official transcript from the host institution. Courses may be subject to review by the appropriate Mines department head or designate to ensure course equivalency. Course materials, such as syllabi, exams, and notes may be requested for evaluation. Credits earned more than 10 years in advance of admission will not transfer.

Continuing Students

Students who are currently enrolled at Mines may transfer credit in required courses only in extenuating circumstances, upon the advance approval of the Registrar, the department head of the appropriate course, and the department head of the student’s option/major. Upon return, credit will be received subject to review by the Registrar. Physics courses are subject to post-approval from the department. Forms for this purpose are available in the Registrar’s Office, and the process is reviewed periodically by the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA).

Returning Students

Students who have matriculated at Mines, withdrawn, applied for readmission and wish to transfer in credit taken at an institution while they were absent from Mines, must obtain approval, upon return, of the department head of the appropriate course, the department head of the student’s option/major, and the Registrar.

Prior Learning Credit

Colorado School of Mines makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until these credits have been evaluated for applicability to a degree program. If prior learning credits are approved by Mines, up to a maximum of 56.0 credits of prior learning credit may be applied to an undergraduate degree based on course applicability for that degree. 

Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB)

Course work completed for select subjects under the Advanced Placement Program in a high school may be accepted for college credit provided that the Advanced Placement Program Test grade is either a 5, 4, or 3 depending on the exam. For specific information, please visit the AP, IB, Challenge Exam and Military Credit website.

Course work completed for select subjects under the International Baccalaureate Program in high school may be accepted for college credit provided that the International Baccalaureate Program Exam grade in a 4, 5, 6, or 7 on selected standard and higher level exams. In some cases, departmental approval is required before credit is granted. More information on which subjects are accepted can be found on the AP, IB, Challenge Exam and Military Credit website.

Challenge Exams

Qualified students may complete challenge exams to test out of and receive credit for the following foundational Core courses at Mines. Faculty in each department determine a student's eligibility for sitting for the exams and communicate eligibility requirements to the Registrar for the purposes of communication with the new incoming eligible students.

Incoming students in their first two semesters at Mines may be eligible for challenge exams based on AP scores or other factors as determined by the department offering the exam. Other classes/subjects may be considered on a case by case basis.

Challenge exams are provided at the department’s option and discretion. Departments are not required to provide exams for all introductory and foundational Core courses. 

Students must pass the challenge exam with the equivalent of a “C” grade or better as determined by the department in order to earn credit for the course.  Passed exams are recorded as Mines transfer credit with a grade of “T”.  Challenge exams do not affect the student’s grade point average at Mines.

Departments provide information about students who have passed exams to the Registrar’s Office prior to Census Day in order to make necessary adjustments to the student’s schedule.

Challenge exam credit may not be awarded if it is a repeat of already earned college-level credit.

Students will not be charged tuition but Mines reserves the right to charge an administrative fee to take an exam.  No fees are required at this time.

Additional details about these exams can be found on the relevant department's website. 

VETERANS

Colorado School of Mines is approved by the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veteran Benefits under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607. Undergraduate students must register for and maintain 12.0 credits, and graduate students must register for and maintain 9.0 credits of graduate work in any semester to be certified as a full-time student for full-time benefits. Any hours taken under the full-time category will decrease the benefits to 3/4 time, 1/2 time, or tuition payment only.

All changes in hours, program, addresses, marital status, or dependents are to be reported to the Veterans Certifying Officer as soon as possible so that overpayment or underpayment may be avoided. Veterans must see the Veteran’s Certifying Officer each semester to be certified for any benefits for which they may be eligible. In order for veterans to continue to receive benefits, they must make satisfactory progress as defined by Colorado School of Mines.

An honorably or generally discharged military veteran providing a copy of his/her DD214 is awarded two credits to meet the physical education undergraduate degree requirement at Mines. Additionally, veterans may request substitution of a technical elective for the institution's core EDNS course requirement in all undergraduate degree programs.

Students who have served or are currently serving in the military are eligible for priority registration beginning Summer/Fall 2018. Proof of service needs to be provided to the Registrar's Office and may include (but is not limited) to a DD-214 for veterans and for active duty personnel current orders or other documents showing active duty status.

For more information, please visit the Veterans Services web page.

Military Credit Policy

Military and EDNS 151/2XX Exemptions

Students who have technical experience outside of the classroom may be eligible to substitute a different technical elective course in place of EDNS151 and EDNS251. In order to pursue this course of action, the student must provide information and materials describing the experience and how it applies to the program to the EDNS program director. If approved, the student will complete the substitution form and turn it in to the Registrar's Office to be placed in the academic file.

Course Withdrawals, Additions and Drops

Courses may be added or dropped without fee or penalty during the first 11 school days of a regular academic term (first 4 school days of a 6-week field course or the first 6 school days of the 8-week summer term).

Continuing students may withdraw from any course after the eleventh day of classes through the thirteenth week for any reason with a grade of "W". After the thirteenth week, no withdrawals are permitted except in cases of complete withdrawal from school or for extenuating circumstances (medical or legal hardship) under the auspices of the Dean of Student’s Office. In the case when a student completely withdraws after the stated deadline for course withdrawals, they may jeopardize their ability to immediately return to Mines the following semester (see Withdrawal from School, Mines Catalog). A grade of "F" will be given in courses which are withdrawn from after the deadline without approval.

Approval of a late withdrawal from a course can be given by the Registrar acting on behalf of the Office of Academic Affairs in accordance with Mines' refund policy, and in compliance with federal regulations. Requests should be initiated in the Registrar's Office. 

All adds/drops are initiated in the Registrar’s Office. To withdraw from a course (with a “W”) a student can withdraw from a course in Trailhead by the thirteenth week deadline. If a student receives financial aid or Veteran's benefits, consult the Financial Aid Office and/or the VA representatives in the Registrar's Office prior to withdrawing from a course. Refer to the Academic Calendar for dates of specific deadlines.

Independent Study

For each semester credit awarded for independent study a student is expected to invest approximately 25 hours of effort in the educational activity involved. To register for independent study, a student should get from the Registrar’s Office the form provided for that purpose, have it completed by the instructor involved and the appropriate department head, and return it to the Registrar’s Office.

Off-Campus Study

A student must enroll in an official Mines course for any period of off-campus, course-related study, whether U.S. or foreign, including faculty-led short courses, study abroad, or any off-campus trip sponsored by Mines or led by a Mines faculty member. The registration must occur in the same term that the off-campus study takes place. In addition, the student must complete the necessary release, waiver, and emergency contact forms, transfer credit pre-approvals, and FERPA release, and provide adequate proof of current health insurance prior to departure. For additional information concerning study abroad requirements, contact Global Education at (303) 273-3210; for other information, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Absenteeism

Class attendance is required of all undergraduates unless the student has an excused absence. Excused absences may be approved by individual faculty upon direct request by the student, by request and approval via the procedure below, or occasionally by Title IX and/or Disability Support Services based on special circumstances. Excused absences are granted for three general reasons:

1. Student is a varsity athlete and is representing the School in a varsity athletics activity.
2. Student is representing the School in an authorized activity related to a club or academic endeavor (academic competitions, student professional society conferences, club sport competition, program-sponsored competitions, etc.)
3. Student has a documented personal reason (illness, injury, jury duty, life-threatening illness or death in the immediate family, religious holiday or required observance, job interview [limitations apply] etc.)

Students who miss academic work (including but not limited to exams, homework, and labs) for one of the reasons listed above may be issued an excused absence. If an excused absence is granted, the student must be given the opportunity to make up the missed work in a reasonable period of time without penalty. While the student is not responsible for actually issuing the excused absence, the student is responsible for making sure documentation is submitted appropriately and for contacting his/her faculty member(s) to initiate arrangements for making up any missed work.

Varsity Athletics and Club sports Absences

The Athletics Department will authorize excused absences for all approved varsity athletics and club sports related absences. The Athletics Department will send notice of excused absences to faculty members on or before Census Day each semester. The student is responsible for contacting his/her faculty member(s) prior to the absence occurring to initiate arrangements for making up any missed work. The Faculty Oversight Committee on Sports and Athletics oversees the number of excused absences permitted per semester by varsity and club sports athletes.

Authorized Activity Absences

The Associate Vice President of Student Life or designee may authorize excused absences upon receipt of proper documentation of the school-sponsored activity. All excused absences for school-sponsored activities must be documented with the Associate Vice President of Student Life by Census Day of each semester. If the absence will occur prior to Census Day, then the documentation should be received at least two weeks prior to the absence. Once documentation has been received and approved, the Associate Vice President of Student Life will send notice of excused absences to faculty members. The student is responsible for contacting his/her faculty member(s) prior to the absence occurring to initiate arrangements for making up any missed work.

Requests for excused absence(s) related to an authorized activity received after Census Day may be denied or be documented as an excused or unexcused absence at the discretion of the faculty member.

Personal Reason Absences

The Associate Vice President of Student Life or designee may authorize excused absences upon receipt of proper documentation of the illness, injury, or other reason. The student must provide the documentation to the Associate Vice President of Student Life within one week of returning to class. In the case of religious holidays or required observances (not including weekly or daily activities), the student must submit the request at least three weeks in advance of the absence.  Once documentation has been received and approved, the Associate Vice President of Student Life will send notice of excused absences to faculty members. The student is responsible for contacting his/her faculty member(s) to initiate arrangements for making up any missed work.

Important Note: Every effort will be made by the faculty to honor all excused absences. However, class attendance is essential for understanding of the material and for learning to take place. Excessive absence, regardless of reason, may result in a reduced or failing grade in the course based on course content and delivery. As content and delivery differ among the faculty and with each class, it is important for a student missing class to discuss the absences, excused or unexcused, with his/her faculty member(s) to determine what will be considered excessive.

Unexcused Absences

All absences that are not documented as excused absences are considered unexcused absences. Faculty members may deny a student the opportunity to make up some or all of the work missed due to unexcused absence(s). However, the faculty members do have the discretion to grant a student permission to make up any missed academic work for an unexcused absence. The faculty member may consider the student's class performance, as well as their attendance, in the decision.

Withdrawal from School

A student may officially withdraw from Mines - temporarily or permanently - by contacting the Dean of Students Office and completing the Complete Withdrawal Request Form.

Complete withdrawal requests may be submitted until close of business on the last day of scheduled classes for the term (Review Day is not a scheduled class day), and will result in "W's" assigned to all courses in progress.

Students may request a Hardship Withdrawal. Hardship Withdrawals may include medical matters but will also more appropriately account for withdrawals associated with natural disasters, financial hardship, family priorities, or anomalous documented considerations (i.e., significant personal circumstances). Hardship Withdrawals may be verified by corroborating documentation. Hardship Withdrawals will not be considered as part of the Maximum Withdrawal Policy calculations.

Guaranteed reentry to Mines for the term immediately following a complete withdrawal (Standard Withdrawal or Hardship Withdrawal) is only possible if a student completely withdraws by the Course Withdrawal Deadline - approximately 13 weeks into the term (as noted on the Mines' Academic Calendar).

If a student wishes to return to Mines for the immediate term following a complete withdrawal requested after the Course Withdrawal Deadline (e.g., Fall to Spring, Spring to Summer, Summer to Fall), a student must submit a complete petition to the Dean of Student's Office prior to the first scheduled class day of the immediate next academic term (noted as when "Class Start" on the Mines Academic Calendar). Petition instructions and form are available via the Student Life Website or Dean of Students Office.

A return petition will be reviewed by the Dean of Students Office (or Designated Representative). Approvals or denials of a student's petition may be decided by the Dean of Students. Students who wish to appeal a denial may do so with the VP of Student Life (or Designated Representative). Appeals are made by way of an email which asks for reconsideration of the denial, and must be requested within five business days of the denial.

A return petition may necessitate appropriate documentation which clearly supports a student's intention to return. When relevant, Mines will engage the institution's chosen clinician (medical or mental health) to help evaluate the student's readiness to return, in consultation with the Dean of Students Office, including reviewing any non-Mines clinician documentation provided.

Failure to officially withdraw will result in the grades of courses as earned, which may include a notation of “F”. Leaving the School without having paid tuition and fees will result in a hold being placed against the transcript. Additionally, students may be sent to collections for failing to reconcile all outstanding debt to the institution. Either of these actions would make future enrollment at Mines or another college more difficult. Read more about withdrawing from Mines here.