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Academic Policies & Procedures

The following policies and procedures pertain to academic matters for BE, MEng, MEM, MS, and PhD students enrolled at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth ("Thayer").

Thayer’s Guide to Programs and Courses and Dartmouth’s Organization, Regulations, and Courses serve as the official academic publications for Thayer and Dartmouth College ("Dartmouth") and should be consulted for all matter related to fulfilling the requirements for the academic degrees.

Please note: Dartmouth AB students enrolled in Thayer classes, including those pursuing the four-year AB/BE, are also subject to standards and processes as it pertains to AB students, many of which can be found via the Dartmouth Policy Portal.

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Full Policies & Procedures Handbook

Enrollment Check-In

All students intending to be enrolled in Thayer classes must check in at the beginning of each term through an online check-in process on DartHub. This practice lets the faculty and administration know who is enrolled for the new term and facilitates identifying individual students who may require additional assistance. Students may begin check-in from the day before classes begin until the end of the third day of class without a $50 penalty. After the third day until the 10th day of class, a $50 penalty will be assessed for late check-ins. Students, with good reason, may petition the registrar for a waiver of this charge. All financial accounts with Dartmouth must be settled prior to check-in. A student who has failed to settle financial accounts will not be allowed to check in.

Academic Standing

The following statements describe the policies and procedures with respect to students in these degree programs whose academic performance is unsatisfactory. A student in unsatisfactory standing is not eligible for fellowships, teaching or research assistantships or federal loans.

  • Grade Standards for the BE, MEM, MEng, MS, and PhD

    BE candidates must maintain an overall minimum grade point average of 2.33 (C+) or better. Students who fail to maintain a 2.33 average in any term will be placed on probation. Failure to obtain a C+ average in any term while on probation may result in dismissal. BE candidates must also have no more than three courses with a grade below C, where C- is below C, and where this number of three is computed from all courses taken to satisfy BE requirements, excluding the prerequisites to the major in engineering sciences.

    MEM candidates: No fewer than 14 courses in total, with no fewer than 12 HP or P grades (or equivalents), may be submitted in satisfaction of degree requirements.

    MEng candidates: No fewer than 9 courses in total, with no fewer than 8 HP or P grades (or equivalents), may be submitted in satisfaction of the degree requirements.

    MS and PhD candidates: No more than one LP grade (or equivalent) for every 6 courses may be submitted in satisfaction of degree requirements.

  • Policy for Student Probation and Unsatisfactory Academic Standing (MEM, MEng, MS, PhD)
    1. A student who has received more than one LP grade or who has received one NC grade will be placed on probation for one term.
    2. At the end of a term during which a student was on probation, the Graduate Program Committee, in consultation with the relevant program directors for MEM and MEng students, the student’s advisor for MS students or the student’s Special Advisory Committee for PhD students, will review the student’s progress.
      1. For MEM and MEng students: If progress on coursework is satisfactory (normally this will mean a Pass grade or equivalent) the student will be removed from probation.
      2. For MS and PhD students: If progress on coursework and research is satisfactory (normally this will mean a Pass grade or equivalent, but the Committee may require other evidence such as a report on research performed) the student will be removed from probation.
      3. If progress has not been satisfactory the student will be placed in unsatisfactory standing. A student may also be placed in unsatisfactory standing if the student receives more than two LP’s or more than one NC, and may be suspended or permanently dismissed from the program by the Graduate Program Committee. A student in unsatisfactory standing is not eligible for fellowships, teaching or research assistantships or federal loans.
    3. If, after being removed from probation, a student receives a grade of LP or lower, the Graduate Program Committee, in consultation with the program directors for MEM and MEng students, the student’s advisor for MS students or the student’s Special Advisory Committee for PhD students, will review the student’s progress and will place him/her either on probation or in unsatisfactory standing.
    4. A student in unsatisfactory standing will be reviewed at the end of each term by the Graduate Program Committee, in consultation with the program directors for the MEM and MEng students, the student’s advisor for MS students or the student’s Special Advisory Committee for PhD students. The Committee may either place the student in satisfactory standing (with or without probation), continue the unsatisfactory standing or recommend to the Director that the student be separated.

      Note: The section above was modified on November 28, 2023 to clarify the application of the Policy for Student Probation and Unsatisfactory Standing for MEM and MEng students.

Incompletes

Under very limited circumstances, students who are unable to complete course requirements due to situations outside of their control may be granted a mark of “Incomplete” (INC). An incomplete requires submission of the Agreement for Incomplete form and may be granted for academic or non-academic reasons. An INC for academic reasons (failure of experiment, etc.) requires a written explanation of the issue and approval from the course instructor. An INC for non-academic reasons (medical, family emergency, etc.) requires documentation and must be approved by the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, in consultation with the course instructor. Incompletes are rarely granted and may not be requested as a solution to poor time management or overextension.

All requests for the temporary standing of INC must be received by the Thayer Registrar, with appropriate signatures, on or before the last day of the corresponding exam period. All Incompletes are granted for a specific period to be established jointly by the student and the instructor with the concurrence of the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. A student is generally expected to complete all coursework prior to the start of the following term if they are planning to enroll in courses the next term. If the student is not planning to enroll in courses the following term, a completion deadline of up to one term beyond the term when INC was assigned may be requested. Extensions of the original deadline are rarely granted and must be received by the Thayer Registrar, with appropriate signatures, prior to said deadline. Failure to complete required coursework by the end of the deadline will result in a grade of “E” or “No Credit” (NC) depending on the grade mode, and the course will not be counted toward degree requirements.

Course Changes

Procedures for Course Changes

The following procedures for course changes apply to all bachelor of engineering (BE) students and Dartmouth graduate students taking courses or graded research at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth.

  • Add, Drop, or Change Courses

    During the first five class days of a term, students may add, drop, or exchange courses online using DartHub, with no prior approval. When possible, students are strongly encouraged to arrange their course load during this period.

    During the second five class days of a term, a student may add or exchange courses only with the approval of the instructor of the intended new course. After this period, and until 10 class days before the last class of the term, students may withdraw from a course at their own discretion.

  • Withdrawal from Courses

    Students may withdraw from a course, at their own discretion, up until 10 class days before the last class of the term. The student must notify the instructor, as a courtesy, of their intention to withdraw and submit the withdrawal to the Thayer Registrar on or before the withdrawal deadline indicated for each term. The course remains on the student’s transcript with the notation "W" for "Withdrew."

    During the last 10 days of classes in the term until the final examination begins, students must petition to withdraw from a course. Most petitions will not be approved, except in the most extreme medical or other circumstances. Once the final examination period has begun, it will be assumed that students intend to complete their courses and no course withdrawal requests will be accepted.

Grade Changes

Procedures for Grade Changes

The following procedures for grade changes apply to all bachelor of engineering (BE) students and Dartmouth graduate students taking courses or graded research at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth. The Dartmouth Organization, Regulations, and Courses catalog provides the grade appeal procedure for undergraduate students taking undergraduate engineering courses.

  • Student-Initiated Appeal

    A student who questions the appropriateness of a grade confers with the instructor and must initiate the appeal to the instructor, in writing, by the last day of the term following that in which the course was taken.

    If the instructor agrees to change the grade:

    • The instructor makes a written request to the Thayer Registrar, with the approval and co-signature of the appropriate Program Director (MEM) or Associate Dean (BE, MEng, MS, PhD).
    • The instructor must indicate one or more specific ways in which the student was done an injustice. A simple change of mind will not suffice.
    • It may not be made on the grounds of course work completed after the term in which the course was offered other than in the case of an official incomplete.
    • The instructor must submit the final grade to the Thayer Registrar by the last day of the second term following the term in which the course was taken.

    If the instructor refuses to make a grade change:

    The student may appeal, in turn, to the relevant Program Director or (Senior) Associate Dean, and then to the Dean of the Thayer; it is unusual for such appeal to go beyond the Program Director or (Senior) Associate Dean.

  • Instructor-Initiated Grade Change
    • By the last day of the term following the term in which the course was taken, the Instructor makes a written request to the Thayer Registrar, with the approval and co-signature of the Program Director or Associate Dean.
    • The Instructor must indicate one or more specific ways in which the student was done an injustice. A simple change of mind will not suffice.
    • It may not be made on the grounds of course work completed after the term in which the course was offered other than in the case of an official incomplete.
    • If the Thayer Registrar refuses to make the change, the instructor may appeal to the Dean of Thayer.

  • Grade Changes after Graduation

    If the student has graduated, only the Program Director or Associate Dean may initiate a grade change. It must be submitted within one year of the student's graduation and only in the case of clerical, computational or other similar administrative error.

Timely Completion

Timely Completion of Degrees

In addition to satisfactory performance in courses and research, a student is expected to make progress toward completing a degree in a timely fashion. The following procedures apply:

  • MEng, MEM, and MS Programs

    On-Campus Master of Engineering (MEng) students are expected to complete degree requirements within six terms of enrollment.

    Online Master of Engineering (MEng) students are expected to complete degree requirements within six years of enrollment.

    Master of Engineering Management (MEM) and Master of Science (MS) students are expected to complete degree requirements within seven terms. Students with special preparation (eg. degree not in engineering or not in the area of the thesis) will be informed, upon admission, how long they are expected to take to complete the degree.

    If the above time expectations are not met, the MEng, MEM, or MS/PhD Committee, in consultation with the thesis committee chair for MS students; will review the student’s progress at the end of the time period specified above and each term thereafter, to determine if the student should be placed in unsatisfactory standing.

  • PhD Program

    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students who do not meet the course requirements and who do not complete the oral examination or the thesis proposal within the time limits specified in the degree requirements will be reviewed by the MS/PhD Program Committee, in consultation with the thesis committee chair, which may, if appropriate, decide to put the student on probation or in unsatisfactory standing.

    A student who has not completed a thesis 12 terms after the thesis proposal will be reviewed by the MS/PhD Program Committee, in consultation with the student’s Thesis committee, and may be put in unsatisfactory standing. This review will reoccur in each subsequent term.

Withdrawal or Suspension

The following policies for withdrawal or suspension from Thayer degree programs apply to all bachelor of engineering (BE) students and Dartmouth graduate students taking courses or graded research at Thayer.

  • Withdrawal from Degree Programs

    A student may withdraw (ie. terminate residence) from degree candidacy at any time. If a student withdraws during the first 10 class days, the notation "Withdrew for the term, in good standing" will be entered on the transcript.

    If withdrawal occurs after the first 10 class days, with certification by the instructor of each course that the student is in good standing, the notation "Withdrew for the term, in good standing" will be entered on the transcript; otherwise, each course will be entered followed by the notation "Withdrew."

    Students who withdraw from degree candidacy and later wish to resume their candidacy must petition the dean or directors of their degree program in writing for readmission to the program.

  • Impact on Funding and Scholarships

    If a student has withdrawn in good academic standing, the student will be eligible for fellowship funds, tuition scholarships and, if qualified, for loan funds upon readmission. A timely application is necessary, however, in order to ensure that funds are available.

    Students who are suspended for academic reasons or who withdraw in unsatisfactory academic standing or while on academic probation must present positive evidence of the ability to resume satisfactory progress when applying for readmission.

  • Appeal

    If students feel that the consequences of these procedures are inappropriate due to particular extenuating circumstances, they have the right to appeal to the Dean.

    The Dean may elect either to decide on the merits of the appeal or to appoint a committee of two faculty, two students recommended by the student chapter of the Dartmouth Society of Engineers, and the Director, to hear the case. This committee will make its recommendation to the Dean who may then either:

    1. accept the committee recommendation, or
    2. submit the matter to the faculty for decision; the two student members of the committee will be invited to participate in the discussion.

MS/PhD Internships

Internships in the MS and PhD Programs

MS and PhD students may enroll in an outside internship program with the support of their faculty advisor, as long as they maintain enrollment in their program or take an approved leave of absence.

Students holding F-1 visa status will need to get an updated I-20 endorsed with employment authorization, prior to starting their internship. F-1 students should consult the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) about the application process.

Internships typically occur in the summer terms, are paid by the company, and should coincide with the start and end of the term. Students electing to do an internship and who are not taking a leave of absence must enroll in ENGG 300 to formalize their internship experience, and meet with the instructor prior to enrollment.

During the internship a student is not generally funded by a stipend and the tuition and health insurance (if applicable) is funded through Thayer scholarship. Students in the PhD Innovation program should consult the policy & requirements for that program.

Please note: if there is any change to the start and end dates of the internship, you must notify the Thayer Registrar.

Research Courses

Graduate Course Research Registration and Evaluation

Research that may lead to a graduate thesis is performed under the aegis of ENGG 296 (one credit), ENGG 297 (two credits) and 298 (three credits).

To maintain full-time status (three credits), students must register for the appropriate research course (ie. a student taking two courses should register for ENGG 296 and a student taking one course should register for ENGG 297).

Student performance is evaluated each term by their advisor. For first year doctoral candidates, performance is graded for the first three terms on the standard letter grading system of A/B/C, etc. and recorded on the student’s transcript. For subsequent terms, research will be graded on the standard graduate qualitative grading system of High Pass/Pass/Low Pass/No Credita Credit/No Credit basis.

Project, Thesis, Dissertation Grace Period

A 10-day grace period is established at the beginning of each term. The grace period is measured in calendar days from the day of check-in.

If the chair of the student’s thesis/project committee informs the Registrar prior to check-In that the student is expected to complete requirements within the grace period, and if the defense is held no later than the fifth day after check-In, and the final copy of the thesis, project, or dissertation is submitted within the grace period, there is no tuition charge.

In all other cases, except for in absentia status, the normal tuition fees are due.

Academic Transcripts

The academic transcript, an official copy of the office record of a student’s academic career at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, will list all courses taken and grades received while a student at Thayer. Student records are updated after each term when grades are received by the Thayer Registrar’s Office.

  • Official Transcript

    Official transcripts are available to current Thayer students through DartHub. To order an official transcript, log into DartHub and select the "Request an Official Transcript" link on the Thayer Student Main Menu and click through to the ordering page. There is no fee for ordering transcripts.

    Official transcripts may be delivered in either certified PDF ("eTranscript") or paper formats. Requests for eTranscripts are generally processed and delivered within one business day of the request.

    Official paper transcripts are generally processed within 2 to 5 business days of receipt of your request. Please order the official paper transcript at least one week in advance of the required mailing date.

  • Unofficial Transcript

    Dartmouth provides current students with two versions of their Unofficial Transcript: a web version, designed primarily for online viewing, and a PDF version sent to your Dartmouth email account. Both versions are available on DartHub:

    • To view the online version, click "Unofficial Transcript: Web Version" on the DartHub menu.
    • To have a PDF version sent to your Dartmouth email account, click "Unofficial Transcript: PDF Version" on the DartHub menu.