Policies and Deadlines

Petitions

For more information on how to request exceptions to University deadlines and policies (late add, late/retroactive withdrawal with or without a ‘W’, change of grading option, receiving course credit from a different university etc.), please visit the link here.  Please note that exceptions to the published university deadlines and policies are usually granted only in extenuating circumstances beyond your control (computer error, hospitalization, etc). Supporting documentation is usually required as part of a complete petition.

Waitlists

• If a class you hope to add is full, get on the WebReg waitlist during your appointment time (waitlisting is only available during second pass).
• The wait list sequence is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be sure to enroll during your appointment time!
• An automated computer program will move students off the WebReg waitlists and into classes as seats become available. It will run nightly through the end of the second week of the quarter (summer deadlines differ).
• The program will send an automated message to your @UCSD email if you are added to the class via waitlist.

Further information regarding waitlists can be found here.

Late Adds

Late add requests are only reviewed/approved through Friday of week 3.  They require instructor approval and are only considered in sections with available seats.  Requests to late-add a course past week 3 will only be considered in cases involving extenuating circumstances (accidental drop, approved section change, etc.) and require instructor and vice chair review.  

W grades

Effective Spring 2008, a student may receive a maximum of one "W" per course per Academic Senate Regulation 500(F)(C). If you are repeating a lecture course in which you previously received a "W", you must drop by Friday of Week 4 or complete the course. If you are repeating a chemistry lab in which you previously received a "W", you must drop before the end of the 2nd lab meeting. 

D grades

"D" grades are considered passing; you will receive units for a course in which you receive a "D".  Please note: Chemistry majors may only graduate with 1 "D" grade in upper division coursework.  

P/NP vs. Letter Grade

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department requires that all students take their major required coursework for a letter grade. This includes all lower-division and upper-division major requirements, including those outside of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department (Physics, Math, Biology).  The only exception to this rule is for courses that do not offer a letter grade option (e.g. Special Studies courses).  The rule of thumb is: If the course is used to fulfill a major requirement, you must take it for a letter grade. 

Repeating a class

You can only repeat classes in which you receive a "D" or an "F" grade. For information on how to repeat a class and eligibility please visit Special Enrollment website.

If you wish to retake a course for the third time, you must contact your college for approval. 

Major GPA

All majors in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department are required to earn a minimum major GPA of 2.0. Majors with a major GPA below 2.0 will not be able to graduate.

48 Upper-Division Major Requirement

All majors in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department are required to complete a minimum of 48 upper-division units within the major at UCSD. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they meet this residency requirement, especially those who plan to take major upper-division coursework at another institution (e.g. via Study Abroad or another university).

Department Residency

All Chemistry/Biochemistry majors are required to complete at least six (6) upper-division courses within the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they meet this residency requirement, especially those who plan to take major upper-division coursework at another institution (e.g. via Study Abroad or another university).

The deadlines below apply to the regular academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring). Please visit the Summer Session website for special summer deadlines.

Add/Drop Deadline

The deadline to add or to drop a CHEM lab course without a "W" is before the end of the second scheduled lab meeting. For MW labs, this means that you must drop before the FIRST Wednesday lab is completed; for TTh labs, you must drop before the FIRST Thursday lab is completed, in order to drop without a "W". Students who drop a lab course before the end of the second lab meeting are eligible for a refund of the charged lab fee. Refunds are automatically processed by Student Business Services.

Waitlists for chemistry labs END by the end of the second lab meeting. You will not be pulled in from the waitlist after this time.

The deadline to drop a CHEM lab course with a "W" is Friday of 6th Week. 

For further information on "W" grades, please see: http://senate.ucsd.edu/Operating-Procedures/Senate-Manual/Regulations/501

Attendance

First Lab Meeting Attendance is MANDATORY – No exceptions!

Check the individual class schedules for first-day information. Students who miss the first 30 minutes of the first lab meeting of the quarter will be administratively dropped from the course. Come prepared to work: bring textbook, lab notebook, knee-length lab coat, closed shoes, and goggles.

Lab Safety Education and Safety Exam

Please see important information regarding lab safety education and the safety exam here. https://chemistry.ucsd.edu/undergraduate/teaching-labs/lab-safety/index.html

*Please note: the deadline to add/drop LAB COURSES differs from the add/drop deadlines for all other courses! 

See the current Enrollment & Registration Calendar for specific deadline dates.