College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Academic Policies
Admission - Freshmen
First-semester freshmen at the university will be admitted to the college when they declare a major. Students can remain in that major as long as they continue to meet or to exceed the critical-tracking criteria for the major. Students who fall below the minimum critical-tracking criteria will not be allowed to continue in the major. These students must meet with an academic adviser within the college to determine an alternative major.
Students who fall below the minimum progression standards will not be allowed to continue in the major. These students must meet with an academic adviser within the college to determine an alternative major.
Admission - Non-Freshmen
All UF students other than first-semester freshmen must apply to a major in this college. Students should first meet with an adviser in their major of interest. Students will be admitted to the major if they meet or exceed the critical-tracking criteria. Other specific admission requirements vary by major.
The college recommends that each student consult an academic adviser in their major each term before registering to ensure that appropriate courses are taken in the appropriate sequence. Students who do not enroll in appropriate courses may not be allowed to register the following term.
Readmission to the College
CALS students who have been dismissed from the university for poor academic performance can petition UF and the college for readmission after one semester.
Transfer Students
A transfer student from a Florida public community college must have an Associate of Arts degree (or 60 hours for students transferring from private institutions, four-year institutions or institutions outside of Florida) and satisfy the admission requirements for the intended major to be eligible for admission to the college. Prospective transfer students should consult the college dean’s office to ensure completion of the required courses for admission to UF, the college and the major. Detailed information on transfer admission is available from the Office of Admissions.
Transfer students from other universities and non-Florida public community colleges should complete the first two years’ requirements for the major before transferring to UF and to this college.
Student Responsibility
Students are expected to assume full academic responsibility for registering for and completing the proper courses and for fulfilling all requirements for the degree. Students should consult their advisers each semester to plan and to get approval for their courses.
College Probation
A student whose overall grade point average falls below 2.0 is placed on college probation. The associate dean will notify the student that he/she is on probation and must remove all deficit points in two semesters or face college suspension.
During college suspension a student cannot register as a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences student.
College Retention Program
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences works individually with students on college probation to provide them an opportunity for academic success at the university. The retention program identifies obstacles that could prevent academic success, provides structure and mechanisms for success and connects students to administrators, faculty and staff who are committed to helping them.
Critical-Tracking Criteria
Students who do not complete the appropriate number of tracking courses each semester -- and/or do not have the required tracking GPA -- will have a hold placed on their record to prevent advance registration. They must meet with an adviser in their major to determine whether they may continue in that major.
Drop Policy
Students can drop courses during the drop/add period without penalty. Thereafter, courses can be dropped only by college petition in accordance with the deadlines. Drops requiring college petition are subject to the following rules:
- After the university’s drop deadline, students must first meet with an academic adviser in their major, and then submit a petition to the college office.
- Students who withdraw from UF (drop all courses) must go to the Dean of Students Office, 202 Peabody Hall, to meet with an adviser.
General Education
Courses that satisfy general education requirements are listed by category. In some cases, the courses listed do not complete the general education requirement and students must take another course. The courses listed represent the most expedient way to fulfill graduation requirements. However, students can satisfy degree requirements with alternative course sequences. An economics course is required for all students and this course may also meet general education requirements.
The college requires all students to complete an oral and written communication requirement in addition to the general education requirements. In majors where an equivalency is permitted, students should see their advisers for approved alternative courses. When majors list specific courses, students must select courses from the list.
Internships
By prior arrangement with an adviser and with supervision, a student may receive credit for practical work experience relevant to the major. Credit is earned at the rate of one credit per month of full-time work and cannot exceed three credits in any combination of work experience. A written report must be submitted before a (S or U) grade will be issued. Academic units offering this option list the course number 4941. Minimum criteria and general guidelines are available from the undergraduate coordinator for the major.
College Honors Program
The CALS honors program is for students who have completed 60-90 credit hours and have a 3.75 or higher overall GPA.
CALS honors coursework integrates with required and elective courses in the student's chosen curriculum. To graduate as a CALS honor scholar, students must complete each of the five experiences listed below and maintain an upper-division GPA of at least 3.75.
- ALS 4932, Honors Orientation (1 credit)
- ALS 4921, Honors Colloquium (3 credits; satisfies the CALS requirement for advanced writing)
- XXX 4909, Honors Project (3 credits)
- 2-3 credits of additional honors course work
- Honors thesis. Thesis projects are scholarly activities in teaching, research or extension that involve guided independent work by the student. The project must have clear objectives and expected outcomes.
CALS honors coursework is identified as such on the transcript. Students who complete the program successfully are designated CALS honors scholars and receive a scholars medallion and certificate.
Completion of the CALS honors program automatically qualifies students for graduation with magna cum laude or summa cum laude designation.
Students who are not in the CALS honors program can still graduate magna cum laude or summa cum laude, provided they have the necessary GPA and complete the honors thesis.
For additional information, contact the CALS honors program director, Dr. Mark Rieger at mrieger@ufl.edu.