Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Academic Information - Cullen College of Engineering


Cullen College of Engineering  > Academic Information

Advanced Placement

Students are strongly encouraged to take the advanced placement and/or achievement tests prior to admission. College level course work will be waived with appropriate scores. Please note that subject mastery is a critical success factor for future work. Regardless the outcome of AP testing, students should evaluate whether they believe they have mastered the subject material, and if not, they should take the required courses at the University of Houston. For more information, see the University Testing Services website.

Course Load

The recommended and maximum course loads for undergraduate students are specified on the University’s Course Load  webpage.

Students should expect to devote a minimum of three hours of study time per week for each engineering course. For example, a student registered for 15 hours of engineering courses should expect 45 hours of studying per week, for a total time commitment of 60 hours per week. Students who work outside of school should reduce their course load by one course (3 semester hours) for every 12 hours of work.

Earned Grade Requirements for Engineering Majors

Engineering majors must earn a grade of C- or better in all engineering, mathematics, and science courses required in their degree plans.

Dean’s List

Each fall and spring term the college compiles the names of all undergraduate students who qualify for the Dean’s List. Students whose semester grade point average is 3.50 or better on a minimum of 12 semester hours are eligible. The grade of S is not counted.

Students who earn grades of I (except in senior honors thesis courses), D, F, or U during the term will not be considered for the Dean’s List.

Two Attempts

Students in the College of Engineering may not attempt an engineering course more than two times. An “attempt” of a course has occurred when a grade (including W, I and F grades) is awarded.

Credit for Off Campus Courses

Students in the College of Engineering must receive written approval prior to enrolling in engineering courses at another college or university. Students who enroll in off-campus engineering courses without required approvals cannot use credits earned towards a University of Houston engineering degree. The deadline to request approval for off campus engineering courses is specified on the College of Engineering website.

Engineering Probation and Suspension

  1. Students who have attempted at least six hours of engineering courses must maintain major GPAs and engineering course GPAs of 2.25 or better to remain in good standing with the College of Engineering. All engineering courses except for those with the EGRP prefix are included in calculation of the engineering GPA. Students whose cumulative major GPA or cumulative engineering GPA falls below 2.25 are placed on Engineering Probation.
  2. Students on Engineering Probation whose term major GPA or term engineering GPA is below 2.25 are placed on Engineering Suspension. Students who are suspended from the College of Engineering cannot take any engineering courses.
    1. Engineering Suspension is for a period of at least one long term (fall or spring).
      1. Students placed on Engineering Suspension at the end of a fall term may apply for readmission to the College of Engineering for the following fall at the earliest.
      2. Students placed on Engineering Suspension at the end of a spring term may apply for readmission to the College of Engineering for the following spring at the earliest.
      3. Students placed on Engineering Suspension at the end of a summer term may apply for readmission to the College of Engineering for the following spring at the earliest.
    2. Students on Engineering Suspension must follow the readmission procedure outlined on the College of Engineering website to apply for readmission.
    3. Students who are placed on Engineering Suspension a second time will not be readmitted to the College.
  3. Students on Engineering Probation whose cumulative major GPA or cumulative engineering GPA is below 2.25 but whose term major GPA and term engineering GPA are 2.25 or higher will remain on Engineering Probation.
  4. Students on Engineering Probation will be removed from that status when their cumulative major GPA and cumulative engineering GPA are both at or above 2.25.

Students are prohibited from continuing in the College of Engineering if they (1) violate the University’s three-attempt rule in math or science course; (2) violate the two-attempt rule for engineering courses; or, (3) violate course prerequisites.

Special Programs

Engineering Career Center

The Cullen College of Engineering Career Center provides students with access to co-op, internship, and full-time employment opportunities. These work experiences allow engineering students to take knowledge obtained in the classroom and apply it to real-world settings while gaining hands-on experience and industry-related skills. For more information refer to the Engineering Career Center website.

Engineering Industrial Experience

The Cullen College of Engineering recognizes the value of developing students’ professional development as an integral part of their academic career. Students who select the Industrial Experience in their degree program and satisfy its requirements will receive recognition for internship and curricular practical training (CPT) experience by a transcript notation. For more information refer to the Cullen College of Engineering - Industrial Experience  section of this catalog.

Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies

The Program for Mastery in Engineering Studies (PROMES - pronounced “promise”) provides academic, social, and financial support to engineering students, with a strong emphasis on making students’ first year in college a success. For more information see the Special Programs  section of this catalog.