BSECE Satisfactory Progress Policy
Because of limited resources and the need to maintain a high-quality program, the University of Washington Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering cannot accommodate all students wishing to study Electrical and Computer Engineering. Therefore, UW ECE has instituted a Satisfactory Progress Policy in order to optimally allocate its available resources.
The Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (BSECE) degree program is not intended for part-time students. As a BSECE student, you are expected to engage in full-time study. To complete the BSECE degree requirement of 180 credits in four years (12 quarters), you should plan on taking approximately 15 credits that apply toward your degree each quarter. This aligns with the University of Washington’s Satisfactory Progress Policy.
Additionally, you are required to maintain certain levels of academic performance to continue in the program. The following standards and procedures make up the Satisfactory Progress Policy for the BSECE degree program. These are in addition to the policies of the University and the College of Engineering.
Basic Standards
- You must satisfactorily complete 12 or more credit-hours applicable toward your degree program each academic quarter in residence (except summer). If you have not met the UW English Language Proficiency Requirement, you will be held to the requirements of the Academic English Program.
- In exceptional circumstances, you may request to take fewer than the 12 credit minimum requirement per quarter. If your request is granted, you must satisfactorily complete at least two courses that apply to your degree every quarter in residence (except summer). You must submit your part-time request no later than the first day of the applicable quarter. The Department reserves the right to limit the number of students who are allowed to take fewer than 12 credits. See your adviser for more information. Part-Time Request Form.
- You must take courses in the appropriate sequence. You must complete all prerequisites before you register for a course unless you obtain permission from the instructor.
- Students must achieve a grade of 2.0 or higher in all courses included in the core.
- You must maintain a cumulative GPA and a quarterly GPA of at least 2.0. If you take a course more than once, each grade will be used in computing your quarterly and cumulative grade point averages.
- You must file a graduation application with the UW ECE Advising Office in accordance with University regulations, to ensure that you graduate once you have satisfied all requirements.
- If you withdraw from the University without prior written approval of the Department, or are dropped because of non-payment of fees, you lose your place in the program. You must petition for readmission to the program; if you are readmitted, you must fulfill all the requirements that are in effect when you are readmitted.
Review of Progress / Academic Warning, Probation, and Dismissal
Your academic progress is reviewed at the end of each quarter. If you fail to meet the standards for satisfactory progress as described above, the Department will send you an email explaining that you are in violation of our Satisfactory Progress Policy and you will be placed on either academic warning or probation during your next quarter in residence. You will also be asked to contact the UW ECE Advising Office (undergradece@uw.edu) within 10 days.
If you fail to meet the standards for satisfactory progress for two consecutive quarters in residence, or for three quarters in total, you may be dismissed from the program. If this occurs, we will send you an email informing you that you will be dismissed from the program.
Appealing Academic Warning, Probation, or Dismissal
If you are placed on academic warning or probation, or you are dismissed under this policy, you may file a written appeal with the Department. You must submit your appeal within 15 days of the warning, probation or dismissal letter being sent to you by email. Your appeal should include a statement that outlines all of the facts that you believe justify reconsideration and include all supporting documentation. The UW ECE chair (or a designated faculty representative) will review the facts and give you a decision within 15 days of receiving your appeal. See your adviser for more information.
Double Major / Double Degree Policy
Due to similarities in content and capacity constraints, certain double major or double degree pairings are not permitted. Specifically, students pursuing the BSECE degree may not earn a double degree in computer science or in computer engineering.
Note that current UW College of Engineering policy does not permit students to earn more than one degree from the College. However, even if the College changes this policy, we would still not permit the pairings mentioned above.