Academic Standards and Regulations
Bowdoin's Mission and Purpose of this Catalogue
Congratulations on joining the Bowdoin College community! Whether you are preparing for your first semester of classes or well along your way in accumulating the course credits you will need to graduate, we encourage you to take the time to review the content of this Catalogue, which will provide you with:
- An explanation of the policies, rules and expectations the College has for all students (aka the rules of the road);
- Important information about the processes and systems that the College has created to provide you with advice and support as you navigate the transition to college, or work through the inevitable questions or challenges that will require your attention on the way to graduation (aka how things work and who can you turn to when you have questions);
- Information that previous students have found helpful in managing their academic success at Bowdoin.
The policies, rules and procedures described in this document are rooted in the College’s mission of engaging students of uncommon promise in a residential learning experience designed to explore and cultivate the qualities of mind and character necessary to have a positive impact for the benefit of our diverse and increasingly interconnected society. As such, we hold dear to values such as honesty, trust, respect, fairness and responsibility in our interactions with one another, and providing advice and support that might be helpful, while expecting students to exercise personal responsibility and initiative in seeking or accepting the help that they might need.
Statement of Student Responsibility
While it is ultimately your responsibility to fulfill the requirements to graduate, and to understand and follow the College’s academic policies and regulations, we think it is important for you to know that the College’s intention is to provide you with a significant amount of freedom within its requirements, and to provide you with ample access to advice and support as you exercise new levels of independence and ownership for your continued personal growth.
The College’s Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook is available online to every Bowdoin student. Also, students have access to their academic records in Workday, the College’s student information system. In all cases, the student bears ultimate responsibility for reading and following the academic policies and regulations of the College and for notifying the Office of the Registrar of any problems in their records.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the bachelor of arts degree, a student must have:
- successfully passed thirty-two full-credit courses (or the equivalent);
- spent four semesters (successfully passed sixteen credits) in residence, at least two semesters of which have been during the junior and senior years;
- completed a first-year writing seminara; this should normally be completed by the end of the first semester and must be completed by the end of the second semester in college;
- completed at least one full-credit course (or the equivalent) in each of the following five distribution areas: mathematical, computational, or statistical reasoning; inquiry in the natural sciences; difference, power, and inequity; international perspectives; and visual and performing arts—these should normally be completed by the end of the sixth semester in college (the end of the student’s junior year);
- completed at least one full-credit course (or the equivalent) in each of the following three divisions of the curriculum*: natural science and mathematics, social and behavioral sciences, and humanities (in addition to the required course in the visual and performing arts)-these should normally be completed by the end of the sixth semester in college (the end of the student’s junior year); and
- completed all of the requirements for an approved major.
- a
The requirement for completing a first-year writing seminar (courses numbered 1000-1049) will only be met if the seminar is taken for regular letter grades and a minimum grade of C- is earned.
All Bowdoin students must be enrolled full time and are expected to make normal progress toward their degree, which includes taking no fewer than four credits each semester. Generally, students are not allowed to remain at Bowdoin for a ninth semester. There may be rare and exceptional circumstances that impact a student's ability to complete their degree within eight semesters. Students should speak to their dean in the office of the dean of students for more information.
Distribution Requirements
Students must earn at least one full credit for a letter grade in each of the following five distribution areasb:
- Difference, Power, and Inequity (DPI): These courses examine difference in terms of power and inequity. Students learn theories, methods, and skills to analyze structures of privilege and inequality. Students confront how such structures intersect with their own experiences.
- Inquiry in the Natural Sciences (INS): In these courses students engage in the practice and methods of inquiry-based learning in the natural sciences. This requirement is satisfied through courses that both fall within “Division A” (natural science and mathematics) and satisfy the INS learning goals.
- International Perspectives (IP): These courses assist students in developing a critical understanding of the world beyond the United States. IP courses provide students with the tools necessary to analyze non-US cultures, societies, and states (including indigenous societies and sovereign nations within the United States and its territories), either modern or historical.
- Mathematical, Computational, or Statistical Reasoning (MCSR): These courses enable students to use mathematics and quantitative models and techniques to understand the world around them either by learning the general tools of mathematics and statistics or by applying them in a subject area.
- Visual and Performing Arts (VPA): These courses help students expand their understanding of artistic expression and judgment through creation, performance, and analysis of artistic work in the areas of dance, film, music, theater, and visual art.
- b
- First-year writing seminars, independent study courses, and honors projects do not fulfill any of the five Distribution Requirements.
- Distribution requirements may not be met by Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits and may only be satisfied with courses taken at Bowdoin.
- Distribution requirements should be completed by the end of the student’s sixth semester in college; if they are to be completed any later, the student's advisor must provide a formal exception through the form provided by the Registrar's Office.
- A course will be counted as meeting a Distribution Requirement if a student earns a grade of C- or better; courses will only be counted if they are taken for a letter grade, though courses will count if they are required to be taken for a Credit/D/Fail grade, e.g., music ensembles, if a grade of CR (credit) is earned.
- Students may not count the same course toward more than one Distribution Requirement.
Division Requirements
Students must earn at least one full credit from each of the following three divisions of the curriculumc.
- Natural Science and Mathematics (a)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (b)
- Humanities (c)
- c
- Like the Distribution Requirements, Division Requirements may not be met by Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits and may only be satisfied with courses taken at Bowdoin.
- Division requirements should be completed by the end of the student’s sixth semester in college; if they are to be completed any later, the student's advisor must provide a formal exception through the form provided by the Registrar's Office.
- A course will be counted as meeting a Division Requirement if a student earns a grade of C- or better; courses will only be counted if they are taken for a letter grade, though courses will count if they are required to be taken for a Credit/D/Fail grade.
- With one exception, students may count the same course to meet a division and a distribution requirement. The exception is a course that is designated to meet the humanities division (c) requirement and the visual and performing arts (VPA) distribution requirement; students may not count such a course to meet both requirements.
Courses, Course Load and Grades
Planning your course list for each semester will require you to consider your academic interests, available courses (including course schedules and workloads), graduation requirements, other time commitments, and other personal factors.
For students carrying a normal course load of 4 full credit courses, this normally equates to 48 hours of work weekly; students should plan their schedules accordingly to ensure that they have reserved adequate time in their schedules to successfully manage their academic commitments.
Course Credit
Most Bowdoin courses earn one full credit, which is equal to four semester hours, and are considered to have equal weight toward degree requirements. A few courses, such as music performance courses, generally earn one-half credit each. In accordance with federal regulations, Bowdoin courses that count for one credit typically meet for fifteen-week semesters and three hours a week, with the expectation that a minimum of nine additional hours a week will be spent in lab, discussion group, film viewing, or preparatory work.
Course Load
All students at Bowdoin are full-time students and, in order to make normal progress toward the degree, are expected to register for no fewer than four credits each semester.
- Students may not take more than five credits without approval from their academic advisor(s) and dean.
- Students may not take fewer than three credits per semester without approval from the Recording Committee. Students should be aware that carrying less than a full load can have implications for financial aid.
- Students on academic probation must enroll in and pass four courses for letter grades (unless Cr/D/F is the only option); these should total 3.5 to 4 credits. Students on probation who have the permission of their academic advisor and dean may enroll in an additional 0.5 credit course, bringing their semester credit total to 4.5 period; a student must meet the criteria detailed in the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy to move back to good standing.
- First-year students may not take fewer than four credits per semester in the first and second semester of the first year without the approval of both their academic advisor and the dean of first-year students.
- Until the first day of classes in a new term, students may register for up to 4.5 credits; starting the first day of the term, students may register for a fifth full credit class. This is to allow students to build complete schedules before students register for overloads.
- Seniors may be required to take one course per semester in their major department, at the department’s discretion.
- Students should note that if they choose to take three credits, they may not elect Credit/D/Fail for any of them, as per the Credit/D/Fail policy.
- Taking courses Credit/D/Fail may impact a student’s ability to qualify for awards such as the Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholars.
Bowdoin College normally admits a small number of non-degree students each year. These students may follow alternative policies guiding course load and other rules. Please contact the Office of Admissions or the Office of the Registrar for more information.
No extra tuition charge is levied upon students who register for more than four credits, and, by the same token, no reduction in tuition is granted to students who choose to register for fewer than four credits during any of their eight semesters at Bowdoin.
Students are expected to complete their Bowdoin degree in eight semesters. In order to enroll for a ninth semester, a student must have extenuating circumstances and petition the Recording Committee and Student Aid (when applicable). Please note that students are only required to complete one major to graduate; a second major and/or minor is not a requirement and therefore, additional semesters of enrollment will not be granted to complete a second major.
A student may appeal for a tuition reduction in the ninth semester if they are taking fewer than three credits, and that ninth semester is required to complete the degree. All appeals for this should be made in writing to the dean for student affairs and the head of finance and administration after a ninth semester of enrollment has been approved.
Upon completion of their degree requirements, students must graduate and cannot enroll for additional semesters, even if they have been enrolled for fewer than eight semesters and regardless of if they are recipients of federal, state, or institutional financial aid. In addition, students should not avoid registering for necessary courses to prolong their enrollment.
Course Grades
Course grades are defined as follows:
- A, the student has mastered the material of the course and has demonstrated exceptional critical skills and originality;
- B, the student has demonstrated a thorough and above average understanding of the material of the course;
- C, the student has demonstrated a thorough and satisfactory understanding of the material of the course;
- D, the student has demonstrated a marginally satisfactory understanding of the basic material of the course (only a limited number of D grades may be counted toward the requirements for graduation); and
- F, the student has not demonstrated a satisfactory understanding of the basic material of the course.
- Plus (+) or minus (–) modifiers may be added to B and C grades; only the minus (–) modifier may be added to the A grade.
Courses that are dropped weeks two through seven with the permission of the advisor or the Recording Committee will be indicated with a W (for Withdrew) grade on the student’s transcript.
Faculty report grades to the Office of the Registrar at the close of the semester. Each student in each course must be given a grade by the grade submission deadline as established by the registrar. Grade reports are available to students in Workday shortly after the grade submission deadline. Once reported, no grade is changed (with the exception of clerical errors) without the approval of the Recording Committee. Recorded grades cannot be changed on the basis of additional student work without approval of the Recording Committee.
If students are dissatisfied with a grade received in a course, they should discuss the problem with the instructor. If the problem cannot be resolved in this manner, the student should consult with the chair of the department and, if necessary, with an associate dean in the Office of the Dean for Academic Affairs who will consult with the department as needed. The student may request a final review of the grade by the Recording Committee.
Most departments will not accept as prerequisites, or as satisfying the requirements of the major, courses for which a grade of D has been given. Questions should be referred directly to the department chair. Students who receive a grade of D or F in a course may retake the course. Both courses and both grades will appear on the transcript and be marked as "repeated", but only one course credit will be given for successful completion of a given course. All grades earned in repeated courses are counted in a student’s GPA.
Bowdoin does not round up semester or cumulative grade point averages (GPAs). Instead, GPAs are truncated to display the first three decimals.
Credit/D/Fail Grading Option
Bowdoin’s commitment to liberal arts education includes policies that are designed to encourage exploration, intellectual challenge and personal growth while recognizing the practical concerns students might have with taking courses in unfamiliar areas or balancing the time demands of an especially challenging course load. As such, students may choose to take a limited number of courses with the Credit/D/Fail grading option, as opposed to earning regular letter grades. Students are encouraged to seek the advice of their advisors, deans, or the Office of the Registrar to make informed choices about the use of this option.
A course may be changed from letter grades to Credit/D/Fail or vice versa up until the end of the seventh week of classes using the process established by the Office of the Registrar. When a student chooses the Credit/D/Fail grading option, a grade of CR (Credit) is given if the student produces work at a level of C- or above, a grade of D is given if the student produces work at a D level, and a grade of F is given otherwise.
In any given semester, a student must be registered for a minimum of 4.0 total credits to elect the Credit/D/Fail grading option for a course. A student who has 5.0 or more credits in their semester course load may elect to take an additional course on a Credit/D/Fail basis. A student may elect the Credit/D/Fail grading option for up to four courses within the 32 credits required for graduation.
Courses that are graded Credit/D/Fail only (music ensemble and performance courses, as examples) are not counted within these restrictions. Please note that taking courses Credit/D/Fail may impact eligibility for the Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholar award.
Courses in excess of the 32 credits required may be taken Credit/D/ Fail beginning with the semester following the one in which the 32 credits are completed and as long as the semester course load totals 4.0 credits or more. No more than two courses per semester can be taken Credit/D/Fail after the required 32 credits are earned.
Courses taken to satisfy the College’s first-year writing seminar requirement must be graded with regular letter grades, and courses satisfying distribution and division requirements must also be taken for regular letter grades (unless CR#, D#, and F# are the only grades given for the course). Most departments and programs require that all courses taken to satisfy requirements for the major or minor be taken for regular letter grades. Please see specific department and program requirements for details. An independent study, collaborative study, or honors project must be graded with regular letter grades.
A grade of CR (Credit) will not count toward a student’s GPA. However, a grade of D or F received on the Credit/D/Fail grading scale will count toward a student’s GPA, and it will count toward the determination of satisfactory academic progress. As such, students should exercise care in completing all course requirements in a timely manner and at the level needed to earn a grade of C- or above if and when they elect this grading option.
Incompletes
The College expects students to complete all course requirements as established by instructors. At the same time, experience has shown that students sometimes encounter situations in which personal, financial, health, family or other issues interfere with a student’s ability to complete required course work on time. In such unavoidable circumstances and with approval of the office of the dean of students and the instructor, a grade of INC (Incomplete) may be recorded. Incompletes are typically only approved due to an emergent issue close to the end of the semester.
An Incomplete represents a formal agreement among the instructor, a dean, and the student for the submission of unfinished coursework under prescribed conditions. Students must initiate their request for an Incomplete on or before the final day of final exams by contacting a dean. If the Incomplete has not been approved and received in the Office of the Registrar by the grade submission deadline and no other grade has been assigned, a grade of F will be recorded. If the Incomplete has been approved by all necessary individuals, a date is set by which time all unfinished work must be submitted.
In all cases, students are expected to finish outstanding coursework in a period of time roughly equivalent to the period of distraction from their academic commitments, ideally before work in new courses is begun. The instructor should submit a final grade within two weeks of this date. If the agreed-upon work is not completed within the specified time limit, the Office of the Registrar will change the Incomplete to Fail or ask the instructor to give a grade based on work already completed. Extensions must be approved by the Dean of Students. Any exceptions to these rules may require approval of the Recording Committee.
Comment Cards and Failure Notations
Faculty communicate the progress of students in their classes periodically through Comment Cards. The purpose of these cards is to help students succeed by connecting them with information and support they might need as they address particular challenges. These written observations alert students, as well as academic advisors, athletic coaches, and the deans in the Office of the Dean of Students to successes as well as areas of improvement. Comment cards are found in Workday.
Comment Cards are part of the system of advising and support provided to help students learn, grow and succeed at Bowdoin. When a Comment Card provides a warning, the student should immediately seek out their instructor to discuss strategies for improvement. Academic advisors and deans can also be very helpful in developing strategies for improvement and identifying existing support services and resources, but it is the student’s responsibility to seek out each of these people in a timely manner. However, since not all course instructors utilize Comment Cards, students should not rely on this form of communication alone as their only source of feedback regarding their progress or standing in a course. Office hours and student-initiated appointments can go a long way in ensuring that students have the information and support they need to succeed.
At the end of each semester, instructors complete notes in Workday for any grades of F given. These notations provide precise reasons for a student’s failing grades and they are available to the student and their advisor and dean after grades post each semester. Students and academic advisors generally find these comments instructive as they plan future coursework and consider possible needs in areas such as time management, study skills, tutoring, or in addressing issues like anxiety, perfectionism or procrastination.
Attendance
Regular in person class attendance is expected, though individual instructors may establish specific attendance requirements. At the beginning of each semester, instructors will make clear to students the attendance requirements of each course, within the parameters determined by the College. If expectations are unclear, students should be proactive and seek clarification from their instructors as soon as possible. For more information, please see the Attendance Policy in the Code of Community Standards.
Students are expected to attend the first meeting of any course in which they are registered. Students who do not attend the first meeting may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor, but only if the course was officially full before the first day of the semester. The Office of the Registrar maintains the list of full courses.
Time/Schedule Conflicts
This section discusses two distinct types of time conflicts. The first applies to situations where a student wants to register for two courses for which scheduled course activities are in conflict. The second applies to situations where a student has a conflict between curricular and co/extra-curricular activities.
Partial attendance due to conflicting schedules is not permitted, as students are expected to attend classes according to the College’s attendance policy, and federal credit hour regulations. Time conflict overrides are not available for a student to attend one class and arrange to watch asynchronous lectures and complete the coursework for a second class outside of the course time. If, during the course registration process, a student identifies a semester-long time conflict between two courses or course-related activities (labs, etc.) and the course has multiple meetings for the same activity and the student is not required to attend all of them, the student should contact the Office of the Registrar. Students with questions about obtaining a time conflict override should contact the Office of the Registrar. The instructors of both conflicting classes must give written permission for a student to register for two courses with any overlapping meeting times.
Athletics and other co/extracurricular activities do not exempt students from the normal policies governing attendance at classes and examinations. Students should review their course schedules at the beginning of the semester and be proactive in discussing conflicts and potential alternatives due to religious holidays, or involvement with athletics, extracurricular activities, work, family, or other obligations with their instructors. At times when a mutually acceptable alternative is not possible, however, students may find themselves having to make serious choices about their educational priorities.
- In recognition of Bowdoin’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive student body and the variety of religions observed and practiced by our students, faculty are encouraged to avoid conflicts between in-class examinations and other significant academic work and major religious observances The Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life maintains a calendar of major religious observances of the officially recognized religious groups at Bowdoin.
- Students are expected to declare their intention to observe religious holidays at the beginning of the semester, and to work with an instructor in advance when there is a conflict with a scheduled examination, paper, or project due date and a significant religious holiday observed by the student so that, when warranted, alternative arrangements for completing the work may be made.
- Students or faculty who have any questions regarding how best to balance the academic calendar alongside religious observances are encouraged to consult with the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life.
Examinations and Final Academic Work
In all cases, students should consult their course syllabi for specific deadlines for individual courses and review the schedule for final examinations in Workday as soon as possible when it becomes available.
- All academic work, except for final examinations, final papers, final lab reports, and final projects, is due on or before the last day of classes; although instructors may set earlier deadlines, they may not set later deadlines. Students bear ultimate responsibility for arranging make-up or substitute coursework.
- Attendance at examinations is mandatory. An absence from any examination, be it an hour examination or a final examination, may result in a grade of F. In the event of illness or other unavoidable cause of absence from examinations, instructors should expect to hear directly from students regarding their absence. In certain circumstances, if students are unable to communicate with faculty directly, faculty may receive notice from the Office of the Dean of Students.
- A student with three one-hour examinations in one day during the semester may reschedule one for a day mutually agreeable to the student and the instructor. For in-class examinations taking place during the semester, students should make arrangements directly with the instructors.
- Extra classes may only be scheduled during Reading Period with permission from the dean for academic affairs. All testing activity is prohibited during Reading Period including but not limited to take-home exams, final exams, and hour exams.
- Final examinations for courses are held at the close of each semester and must be given according to the schedule determined each semester by the Office of the Registrar.
- All final academic work, including final examinations, final papers, final lab reports, and final projects, is due at or before 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the final examination period; although instructors may set earlier deadlines, they may not set later deadlines. The deadline for submitting final, approved honors projects to the library is determined by the College.
- A student with three final examinations scheduled over two consecutive days may reschedule one for a day mutually agreeable to the student and instructor. To initiate this change during final exams only, students must work with the testing center within the published timeframe and their instructors to reschedule one exam. Other changes may be made for emergencies, but only with the approval of the Office of the Dean of Students.
Course Registration and Course Changes
Bowdoin is committed to the success of each of our students. Our experience shows that early and timely consultation with advisors and mentors contributes heavily to academic growth and success.
Therefore, as students register for courses each semester, they must obtain their academic advisor’s approval of their course requests before submitting them by the deadline specified by the Office of the Registrar. By requiring the advisor’s approval, we encourage students to work with faculty to make informed choices and to identify any supports or referrals that might be needed to address any factors – such as personal, financial, health, family or other issues – that might impact the student’s ability to be fully engaged in their courses.
An advisor’s release of the “Advisor Hold” in Workday indicates that the advisor and student have discussed the student’s course selections. However, since most courses have maximum and minimum registration limits as well as eligibility rules (e.g. a student must be a junior or senior major to enroll in a course), students cannot assume they will be registered for their top-choice courses. Consequently, students should be prepared to create several "Saved Schedules" that take back-up choices for top-choice courses into account. Once a student's window for registration is open, they can continue making adjustments to their schedules (aside from the window during which waitlists are managed). Students are strongly encouraged to make course registration changes with the advice of their advisor. Through the course registration process Bowdoin seeks to provide all students with transparent, fair and equitable access to courses that align with their interests and enable them to make timely progress in meeting requirements. For more information on advising, please see the Faculty Advisor Resources page.
Registration for continuing students occurs at the end of the prior semester, generally about six weeks before final examinations. Registration for new students occurs during the summer before they matriculate. Students who are studying away are strongly encouraged to register for the upcoming semester at the same time as students who are on campus; the Office of the Registrar provides detailed information regarding course registration on their website and sends registration instructions to students at their Bowdoin email addresses.
Prior to registration, students must participate in Student Onboarding in Workday. This form verifies that a student intends to enroll for the upcoming semester. A student who does not complete Onboarding and clear all holds may be removed from all classes and barred from using many of the services of the College including but not limited to dining services, library services, and fitness services. Students who have holds are encouraged to discuss their situation with their advisor, dean, or member of the Office of the Registrar team for advice and assistance.
After their initial registrations, students have several options to adjust their course schedules:
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Students may add courses for which they are eligible and in which there is space, through the first week of the semester.
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During week 2 of the semester, students must receive instructor permission to add a course. This is granted through a form provided by the Office of the Registrar.
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To add a course after week 2, students must have extraordinary circumstances beyond their control and petition the Recording Committee. In order to add a course late, a student must have been attending the course from the very beginning of the semester and have instructor permission. Documentation may be required.
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Through the first two weeks in the semester a student may also drop a course (within the course load policies) without receiving a W (for withdrawn) on their transcript.
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During weeks 2-7 of a semester a student may drop a course with their advisor’s permission (first year students also need permission from their dean); this will result in a W on the student’s transcript. Because this is a situation that can impact a student’s satisfactory academic progress, student aid eligibility, and/or ability to continue or complete their education, Bowdoin has put in place procedures to manage the drop process and connect students with appropriate advising resources to support their decision-making.
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At no time may a student drop below three courses during any semester without permission from the Recording Committee.
Students will not receive a grade for a course unless they have completed all steps to register for the course. Also, students will receive a failing grade for a course they stop attending unless all steps to drop the course have been completed before the deadline. Students are expected to monitor their records in Workday, the College’s student information system; this includes monitoring the courses for which they are registered. Students bear ultimate responsibility for completing the processes that provide the College with an accurate record of their course schedule.
Auditing Courses
Auditing courses is a privilege normally extended to students, employees of the College, and community members. Auditors must obtain permission from the course instructor before attending the first class and follow their guidelines regarding in-class participation. Auditors are generally not permitted in full courses and are not allowed to attend first-year writing seminars. The College reserves the right to restrict the number of courses audited by any one person and to limit the total number of auditors on campus at any particular time. Transcripts are not offered for audited courses. All auditors are required to declare their intention to audit with the College and should visit the website for instructions and more information on auditing.
Independent Study
With approval of a project director, normally a faculty member, a student may elect a course of independent study for which regular course credit will be given. A department will ordinarily approve one or two semesters of independent study. Where more than one semester’s credit is sought for a project, the project will be subject to review by the department at the end of the first semester. In special cases that have the support of the department, credit may be extended for additional semester courses beyond two.
There are normally two levels of independent study, intermediate and advanced, as well as independent and collaborative options for each. Students propose projects, obtain approval from their faculty director, and register for independent studies using an online form available on the website of the Office of the Registrar.
- A directed reading course designed to allow a student to explore a subject not currently offered within the curriculum shall be numbered 2970–2998.
- An independent study that will culminate in substantial and original research or in a fine arts, music, or creative writing project shall be numbered 4000–4028.
- If a student, in consultation with a department, intends to pursue honors, the student can register for an appropriate honors project course number, 4050–4079. If a department determines that a project does not meet the standards for honors, the course number(s) for one or two semesters of independent study will be changed to 4000–4028.
- Collaborative studies allow students to work in small groups guided by a member of the faculty. Intermediate collaborative studies are numbered 2999; advanced collaborative studies are numbered 4029. Collaborative honors projects are not permitted.
- All levels of independent and collaborative studies are normally available in every academic department and program.
- Independent and collaborative studies may not be taken on a Credit/D/Fail basis and they may not be cross-listed.
In independent study and honors courses that will continue beyond one semester, instructors have the option of submitting at the end of each semester, except the last, a grade of S (for Satisfactory) in place of a regular letter grade. An S grade must be converted to a regular letter grade by the end of the subsequent term. All independent study grades must be regular letter grades by the end of the project’s final semester.
Transcripts
The Office of the Registrar will furnish official transcripts upon receipt of a request through the National Student Clearinghouse that includes the student’s signature. There is no charge for transcripts unless it is requested that materials be sent by an overnight delivery service. Current students may access their unofficial academic history via Workday. For more information about obtaining an official transcript, consult the registrar's website.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Bowdoin is committed to the academic success of each of our students, and we recognize that success is not always achieved through a predictable path or one that is familiar. For instance, many students encounter personal, financial, academic, health, family or other issues that require sound advice, expert assistance, and/or new strategies and use of campus support resources. The purpose of the advising system and various student support offices is to connect students with the information and supports that can help them manage their personal circumstances and make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
As part of its commitment to student success, twice each year the College reviews each student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in maintaining the minimum qualitative Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement (by semester and cumulatively), and the quantitative requirements of meeting requirements for the degree within an established timeframe and achieving the minimum rate of academic progress (i.e., completed course credits) each year.
This Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy applies to all matriculated students, as the College considers each student to be capable of success and provides all students with access to advising and other resources to support their process of learning and growth.
The Recording Committee meets twice each year, at the conclusion of each semester, to examine the records of all students whose progress indicates that they would benefit from more personalized advice and supports to address any challenges that might be interfering with their academic success. The Recording Committee reviews all students whose records indicate a cumulative or semester GPA of below 2.000, or less than the number of course credits needed to satisfy the quantitative requirements for the pace of credit completion.
The Recording Committee places a student on Academic Probation when it determines that the student would benefit from a period of closer support to address any challenges that might be interfering with a student’s success. Most students who are placed on Academic Probation are successful in making adjustments that enable them to meet SAP requirements in subsequent semesters. In the less frequent situation where a student falls short of meeting SAP requirements on a repeated basis, the Committee will consider a period of suspension (i.e., required time away from the College to address issues) or, in extraordinary situations, dismissal or permanent separation from the College.
In cases when a student’s academic standing changes, copies of correspondence with the student that outline the student’s academic standing are sent to the student’s parent or guardian.
Students on academic probation or suspension are not considered to be in good academic standing during their time on academic probation or suspension.
The College’s standards have been developed in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. Students receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits should keep in mind that they must also maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 to be eligible to continue to receive their VA benefits, as well as maintain satisfactory academic progress at the College.
In cases where a student receives financial aid, the Office of Student Aid, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of the Dean of Students will collaborate to ensure that student communication is coordinated through any aid warning and appeal processes. It is important to note that this policy and the College’s financial aid SAP necessarily share regulations. While these policies share details, they are each implemented separately from one another to maintain the integrity of each process. For details about the financial aid components of the SAP policy, please reference the Admissions and Financial Aid section of the Catalogue and visit the Office of Student Aid website.
GPA or Qualitative Standard
All Bowdoin course grades are included in a student’s GPA; however, for the purposes of determining academic standing (good standing, academic probation, suspension, dismissal), we recognize that the transition to college can present unique adjustment challenges. Therefore, first-semester grades may be omitted from the computation for sophomores, juniors, and seniors if that omission benefits the student. The Office of the Registrar will perform the computation to determine if this is the case using the following standard: the cumulative GPA for the student at the time will be determined with and without the first semester grades. If it is higher without the first semester grades, that calculation will be used. This calculation will only occur for the calculation of GPAs for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students in their first semester at Bowdoin will have their first semester GPA viewed as a “semester GPA” rather than cumulative for the purposes of the academic SAP policy.
The Recording Committee Secretary informs students of changes in academic standing according to the schedule below; students who have not met the minimum SAP requirement for aid will be notified by the director of student aid. Because the method of calculating SAP for aid is prescribed by law, financial aid SAP analysis always includes all semesters enrolled.
Academic Standing Criteria
Students are placed on academic probation, suspension, or academically dismissed according to the criteria below. The GPAs outlined below also prompt aid action when applicable.
For students in good academic standing:
- Good Standing:
- If the cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 2.000 and none of the other standards outlined are met.
- Academic Probation:
- If the cumulative GPA is 1.500–1.999, or the semester GPA is 1.001–1.999.
- Academic Suspension:
- If the cumulative GPA is 1.001–1.499, or the semester GPA is 1.000 or lower.
- Academic Dismissal:
- If the cumulative GPA is 1.000 or lower, or the student meets the conditions for a second academic suspension.
- If the student's GPA is 1.000 or lower at the end of their first semester at Bowdoin, they qualify for academic suspension and not dismissal.
For students on academic probation:
- Good Standing:
- If cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 2.000 and none of the other standards outlined above are met.
- Academic Probation:
- If cumulative or semester GPA are 1.001–1.999.
- Academic Suspension:
- If cumulative and semester GPA are 1.001–1.999.
- Academic Dismissal:
- If cumulative or semester GPA is 1.000 or lower, or the student meets the conditions for a second academic suspension.
Academic probation is a process during which students receive closer advising and support to address any challenges that might be interfering with their academic success, and to help them make adjustments and practice new strategies that will help them succeed. Students should work closely with their advisors and/or deans to select their courses and create a personalized plan for addressing any other issues or needs.
As such, students on academic probation (including those returning from academic suspension) are expected to work closely with their advisor and a dean to ensure a smooth transition back to academic life upon their return to campus. Students on academic probation must enroll in and pass four courses for letter grades (unless CR/D/F is the only option); these should total 3.5 to 4 credits. Students on probation who have the permission of their academic advisor and dean may enroll in an additional 0.5 credit course, bringing their semester credit total to 4.5 period; all must be passed to move to good standing. Students are not eligible to study away while on academic probation, unless approved by the Recording Committee.
Quantitative Standard (Pace of Completed Credits)
The quantitative standard or pace is equivalent to the number of credits the student has successfully completed divided by the number of credits the student attempted. Students are expected to make consistent progress toward the degree over a period of eight semesters, which is defined as the pace of passing the equivalent of four full-credit courses each semester. For purposes of the academic review at the end of each term, and counting academic terms in attendance only, any terms that a student spends on medical leave will not be taken into consideration.
Any student who fails to register for a minimum of three credits and who attend classes prior to the end of the first week of the term may be withdrawn from the College; students should avoid this situation as this will count toward the student’s eight semesters in their aid calculation. Transfer credit and pre-matriculation credits count in this calculation for academic and aid pace. Please note that there is a different calculation of this standard for aid; please see this section of the Catalogue or the website of the Office of Student Aid for details.
To comply with the satisfactory academic progress policy, each candidate in the four-year program must successfully complete the following minimum number of course and unit credits:
Semester | Expected Credits | Minimum Credits | Pace |
---|---|---|---|
First semester | 4 credits | 2 credits | 50 percent |
Second semester | 8 credits | 6 credits | 75 percent |
Third semester | 12 credits | 10 credits | 83 percent |
Fourth semester | 16 credits | 14 credits | 88 percent |
Fifth semester | 20 credits | 18 credits | 90 percent |
Sixth semester | 24 credits | 22 credits | 92 percent |
Seventh semester | 28 credits | 26 credits | 93 percent |
Students not making consistent progress may be asked to make up deficient credits in approved courses at another accredited institution of higher education. Students who need to take courses elsewhere to make up deficient credits should seek the advice of their advisor, deans, and the Office of the Registrar at the earliest possible time to develop a sound plan to earn credits that are eligible for transfer back to Bowdoin.
Academic Standing Appeals
Students who earn academic suspension or dismissal under the SAP policy have the option to appeal to the Recording Committee. Each semester, in advance of the Recording Committee’s Action Meeting, students who are being considered for academic suspension and dismissal will be given the opportunity to write a petition in which they should:
- explain any extenuating circumstances that led to their academic difficulties;
- provide reasons why they should not be placed on suspension or dismissed; and
- present a plan for what they would do differently to ensure their academic success if given the opportunity to continue enrollment.
The committee will review these materials before making its decision. Decisions of the committee are final and will be communicated to the student. Copies of correspondence with the student that outline decisions about the student’s academic standing are sent to the student’s parent or guardian. This is a separate review from the student aid appeal. The Office of Student Aid, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of the Dean of Students will ensure that students who are involved in one or both appeal processes are given clear, concise instructions.
Notification Process
Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress toward their degree will receive correspondence via their Bowdoin email address. This correspondence includes the appeal process instructions for both the academic and aid processes when applicable. Students will be notified of all deadlines related to the appeal processes in this communication. It is the student’s sole responsibility to monitor their Bowdoin email address.
Academic Standing Appeal Procedures
Students have the right to appeal their academic standing by submitting a petition to the Recording Committee. Petitions should include information regarding the extenuating circumstances that led to the student’s deficiency in scholarship. Details can be found on the Recording Committee's website and students should consult their dean when drafting a petition.
The Recording Committee and Student Petitions
The Recording Committee is a standing faculty committee of the College whose purpose is to address matters pertaining to the academic standing of individual students and to consider exceptions to the policies and procedures governing academic life. The committee meets regularly to consider individual student petitions and at the end of each semester to review the records of students who are not meeting satisfactory academic progress, and to ensure that appropriate information, advice and support is provided to students who have experienced academic challenges. Decisions of the committee are final.
Students who are seeking exceptions to academic regulations or curricular requirements must petition the Recording Committee. The petition form is available online. All petitions require the signature of a dean, and, depending on the nature of the request, some may require supporting documentation from a faculty member, doctor, or counselor. Students are notified of the outcome of their petitions by the secretary of the Recording Committee. Students should note that any courses dropped with Recording Committee permission will result in a W (for Withdrew) being recorded on the students’ transcripts. A grade of W does not factor into a student's GPA.
Transfer Credit (Prematriculation including AP, IB and other exams; transfer credit from other institutions)
The Bowdoin degree certifies that a student has completed a course of study that meets standards established by the faculty. It is normally expected that all of a student’s coursework after matriculation will be completed either at Bowdoin or in an approved semester-long or yearlong off-campus study program. Apart from taking courses at Bowdoin or in approved off-campus study programs, the College recognizes that there may be occasions when it would serve a student’s educational interests to take courses elsewhere for credit toward the Bowdoin degree. In such cases, the work done elsewhere should represent a standard of achievement comparable to what is expected at Bowdoin in a field of study characteristic of the liberal arts.
A student who matriculates at Bowdoin as a first-year student may transfer a cumulative total of no more than four credits from any combination of two- or four-year accredited colleges/universities and/or pre-matriculation (e.g., AP/IB) credits. Students are responsible for ensuring that the following regulations are met.
For Courses taken in the Winter/Summer after a student has matriculated at Bowdoin (transfer credit type 1)
Credit will be granted for PRE-APPROVED courses taken in the summer or winter terms that meet the following criteria:
- Transfer credit is awarded only for liberal arts courses that have similar rigor, depth and breadth to courses in the Bowdoin curriculum, in which a grade of C- or above is earned (courses may not be taken pass/fail).
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It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the official transcript is sent directly to the Office of the Registrar, and the transcript must arrive in a sealed envelope or as a certified digital document. Normally the transcript must be received and final approval to transfer credit secured within one year following the term in which the course was taken. Credit may not be transferred if a longer time period has elapsed without approval of the Recording Committee.
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Transcripts of credit earned at other institutions that have been presented to Bowdoin College for admission or transfer of credit become part of the student’s permanent record, but are not issued, reissued, or copied for distribution. Grades for courses that were transferred from other institutions are not recorded on the Bowdoin transcript; only the institutional name and the credit are listed.
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The College will only grant credit if the course or the student’s work in the course satisfied Bowdoin’s academic standards, and the College will decline to grant credit if the course or the student’s work in the course does not satisfy Bowdoin academic standards. No transfer credit will be awarded until an official transcript showing the number of credits or credit-hours and the grade(s) earned has been received from the other institution.
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Credit is not granted for courses taken elsewhere when Bowdoin classes are in session (the first day of classes through the last day of final exams)
Process:
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Students must get pre-approval from both the academic department at Bowdoin that corresponds to the subject of the course the student is seeking to transfer and the Office of the Registrar in advance of enrollment at another institution by submitting the online Application for Transfer of Credit. Without both pre-approvals, transfer of credit is possible only by approval of the Recording Committee.
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The online Application for Transfer of Credit should be used only for pre-matriculation credit, accelerated terms, e.g., summer or winter, when Bowdoin classes are not in session, credits to complete away, or for credit while on a medical leave or suspension if permission has been granted by the Office of the Dean of Students. Off campus study maintains their own forms and the Office of the Registrar’s Application for Transfer Credit should not be used.
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The application is approved or denied by Office of the Registrar based on the request meeting the transfer credit policy. If approved, the Bowdoin department chair/program director or their designee is then notified by email when a student requests preapproval for transfer credit. In order to make their determination, the department chair/program director or designee reviews a course description and/or syllabus for each course provided by the student in the online application and will approve or deny the request received via email. Students should not consider their application complete or enroll at another institution until both approvals are received. This requires advance planning on the part of the student, and students are advised to begin the process of requesting, gathering, and submitting materials as early as possible.
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In certain cases, students may be given conditional approval and be required to submit supporting documents, including the course syllabus and all papers and exams, after the course has been completed.
For Courses taken PRIOR to matriculation as first-year students at Bowdoin as well as AP, IB and other exams (transfer credit type 2)
Courses taken at a college: Students may have the opportunity to enroll in college-level coursework prior to matriculating at Bowdoin. Bowdoin College will consider granting credit for pre-matriculation coursework, providing the following criteria have been met:
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the coursework must have been completed on a college campus at an accredited two- or four-year college/university in courses taught by college faculty;
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the coursework must have been completed in a class with matriculated college students;
3. the courses may not have been used to satisfy any high-school graduation requirements; and;
4. the coursework must represent a standard of achievement comparable to what is expected at Bowdoin in a field of study characteristic of the liberal arts.
AP/IB or international exams: Bowdoin also recognizes Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and other international exams and may grant credit toward graduation requirements for them. Students should refer to the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate rules in effect at the time of their matriculation.
Process:
- For AP/IB or international exams: Students should have their official scores sent to Bowdoin no later than the end of their sophomore year, but preferably before. Once the official record is received, the scores are added to the student’s record and will be visible in Workday. If scores are NOT visible, it means the College has not yet received them.
- For college coursework taken in high school: Students should request an official transcript be sent to the Bowdoin Registrar’s Office. In addition, they must get approval from the academic department at Bowdoin that corresponds to the subject of the course the student is seeking to transfer and the Office of the Registrar by submitting the online Application for Transfer of Credit. Without both pre-approvals, transfer of credit is possible only by approval of the Recording Committee.
A student may earn up to a total of four Bowdoin credits through transfer from any combination of type 1 and type 2 transfer credit.
For courses taken during a study away program while enrolled in AB program at Bowdoin (transfer credit type 3)
- Students must register at the host institution full time, in the appropriate number of courses that will equate to 4.00 Bowdoin credits
* In some cases, this will require a student to register in more than four courses.
* Students should consult with the Office of Off-Campus Study to confirm their final course schedule is the equivalent of 4.00 Bowdoin credits per semester during a study away experience.
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Should there be changes in a student’s originally approved list of courses, the student is required to notify the Office of Off-Campus Study at the start of term and in some cases may be required to obtain pre-approval from an appropriate Bowdoin department/program in order to register.
* Changes to course load while studying away may result in a change in the amount of credit that will be transferred back to Bowdoin; students are advised to check with the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Off-Campus Study.
A student may earn up to a total of four Bowdoin credits for each of two semesters from type 3 transfer credit (four credits for one semester and eight for two.)
For students who have two or fewer credits left for the degree and wish to “complete away” (transfer credit type 4)
Credit will be granted for PRE-APPROVED courses taken in an upcoming term that meet the following criteria:
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Transfer credit is awarded only for liberal arts courses that have similar rigor, depth and breadth to courses in the Bowdoin curriculum, in which a grade of C- or above is earned (courses may not be taken pass/fail).
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It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the official transcript is sent directly to the Office of the Registrar, and the transcript must arrive in a sealed envelope or as a certified digital document. Normally the transcript must be received and final approval to transfer credit secured within one year following the term in which the course was taken. Credit may not be transferred if a longer time period has elapsed without approval of the Recording Committee.
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Transcripts of credit earned at other institutions that have been presented to Bowdoin College for admission or transfer of credit become part of the student’s permanent record, but are not issued, reissued, or copied for distribution. Grades for courses that were transferred from other institutions are not recorded on the Bowdoin transcript; only the institutional name and the credit are listed.
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The College will only grant credit if the course or the student’s work in the course satisfied Bowdoin’s academic standards, and the College will decline to grant credit if the course or the student’s work in the course does not satisfy Bowdoin academic standards. No transfer credit will be awarded until an official transcript showing the number of credits or credit-hours and the grade(s) earned has been received from the other institution.
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Up to the equivalent of two Bowdoin credits can be earned while a student is “completing away”; these can be in addition to four type 1 and type 2 transfer credits, so a student in this situation could have up to 14 transfer credits
Process:
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Students must get pre-approval from both the Office of the Registrar and the academic department at Bowdoin that corresponds to the subject of the course the student is seeking to transfer in advance of enrollment at another institution by submitting the online Application for Transfer of Credit. Without both pre-approvals, transfer of credit is possible only by approval of the Recording Committee.
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The online Application for Transfer of Credit should be used only for pre-matriculation credit, accelerated terms, e.g., summer or winter, when Bowdoin classes are not in session, credits to complete away, or for credit while on a medical leave or suspension if permission has been granted by the Office of the Dean of Students. Off campus study maintains their own forms and the Office of the Registrar’s Application for Transfer Credit should not be used.
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The Office of the Registrar first receives any question for transfer of credit. If the application meets Bowdoin’s general transfer credit rules, it then goes to the Bowdoin department chair or their designee via email. In order to make their determination, the department chair or designee reviews a course description and/or syllabus for each course provided by the student in the online application and will approve or deny the request received via email. Students should not consider their application complete or enroll at another institution until both approvals are received. This requires advance planning on the part of the student, and students are advised to begin the process of requesting, gathering, and submitting materials as early as possible.
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In certain cases, students may be given conditional approval and be required to submit supporting documents, including the course syllabus and all papers and exams, after the course has been completed.
Students entering as Transfer matriculants:
Students who matriculate at Bowdoin as Transfer students should work with the Registrar’s Office to review their official credit assessment, including any potential options for study away/OCS credit. Transfer students can bring in up to sixteen transfer credits, and transferability is governed by the following rules:
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Transfer credit is awarded only for liberal arts courses that have similar rigor, depth and breadth to courses in the Bowdoin curriculum, in which a grade of C- or above is earned (courses may not be taken pass/fail).
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It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the official transcript is sent directly to the Office of the Registrar, and the transcript must arrive in a sealed envelope or as a certified digital document. Normally the transcript must be received and final approval to transfer credit secured within one year following the term in which the course was taken. Credit may not be transferred if a longer time period has elapsed without approval of the Recording Committee.
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Transcripts of credit earned at other institutions that have been presented to Bowdoin College for admission or transfer of credit become part of the student’s permanent record, but are not issued, reissued, or copied for distribution. Grades for courses that were transferred from other institutions are not recorded on the Bowdoin transcript; only the institutional name and the credit are listed.
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The College will only grant credit if the course or the student’s work in the course satisfied Bowdoin’s academic standards, and the College will decline to grant credit if the course or the student’s work in the course does not satisfy Bowdoin academic standards. No transfer credit will be awarded until an official transcript showing the number of credits or credit-hours and the grade(s) earned has been received from the other institution.
Additional Important items regarding all transfer credit:
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Students should be aware that credits earned elsewhere may not transfer on a one-to-one basis; some courses may be accorded less than a full Bowdoin credit and no course taken elsewhere will be worth more than one Bowdoin credit, even if the course has accompanying laboratory credits. Students are advised to consult with the Office of the Registrar in advance to learn the basis on which transfer credit will be determined.
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Bowdoin courses generally meet for 45 hours a semester (3 hours a week), with the expectation that a minimum of nine additional hours a week will be spent in lab, discussion group, film viewings, or preparatory work. For comparison purposes, students should know that one Bowdoin course is generally understood to be equal to four semester-hours or six quarter-hours at other colleges and universities.
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Transfer credit towards graduation is not granted for:
* internships
* independent studies
* work completed through domestic for-profit institutions
* correspondence courses
* bridge programs, programs such as HBX CORe
* professional study
* vocational study
* outdoor education or similar field-study areas if required assignments consist of only reports or reflective summaries
* courses taken elsewhere when Bowdoin classes are in session (the first day of classes through the last day of final exams each)
Transfer credit will be awarded in one of three categories:
General Credit:
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All transfer credit must meet the minimum requirements of a general credit to be pre-approved by the appropriate Bowdoin department/program and the Office of the Registrar to count towards the Bowdoin degree.
* This means that the rigor and content of the coursework is equitable to a course at Bowdoin and the credits earned (not the grade) will be counted towards the Bowdoin degree.
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Before final approval is granted, departments/programs may want to evaluate coursework and students must always send an official transcript directly from the host institution to the Office of the Registrar showing the course(s) taken, grade(s) earned, and number of credits/hours.
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In most cases, courses taken elsewhere will appear as GENL XXXX in Workday.
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Official Bowdoin transcripts only reflect the semester, institution, courses and total credits earned.
Major/Minor Credit:
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The appropriate Bowdoin department/program and the Office of the Registrar must pre-approve ANY course to count as general credit before it can be considered to apply towards a major or minor.
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Before final approval is granted, departments/programs may want to evaluate coursework and students must always send an official transcript directly from the host institution to the Office of the Registrar showing the course(s) taken, grade earned, and number of credits/hours.
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If the Bowdoin department/program approves transfer credit to count towards a student's major/minor requirements, it means that the course content aligns closely with the materials in a student's major/minor; and, regardless of the amount of credit earned, the student can count that course taken elsewhere as part of X requirements for Y major/minor. To authorize this credit to count toward a major or minor, the department/program must adjust the student’s record in Workday.
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Transfer credit approved to satisfy a major or minor requirement will still appear in Workday's Academic Progress Report as GENL XXXX. Departments/programs track approval of non-Bowdoin courses counting toward a student's major/minor internally.
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Official Bowdoin transcripts only reflect the semester, institution, and total credits earned (no course information is listed).
Bowdoin Equivalent Credit:
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The appropriate Bowdoin department/program and the Office of the Registrar must pre-approve ANY course to count as general credit before it can be considered for equivalent credit.
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Before final approval is granted, departments/programs may want to evaluate coursework and students must always send an official transcript directly from the host institution to the Office of the Registrar showing the course(s) taken, grade earned, and number of credits/hours.
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In rare cases, a course taken elsewhere may be approved as a Bowdoin Course Equivalent and it will function during registration and degree audits as if it had been taken at Bowdoin. The transferred course will calculate as a pre-requisite for upper level courses, but will NOT satisfy division or distribution requirements (except in the case of a transfer student).
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The difference between a Bowdoin Equivalent Credit and a class taken at Bowdoin is that only the credits and not the grade will factor into the Bowdoin degree for the course taken elsewhere.
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Transfer credit approved as a Bowdoin Course Equivalent will appear in Workday's Academic Progress Report with the Subject and Number of the Bowdoin Equivalent Course for which it was approved.
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Courses taken elsewhere will not earn distribution/division credit--even if it is approved as a course equivalent. All distribution/division requirements must be met with courses taken at Bowdoin.
Graduation
In the semester prior to the semester in which they intend to graduate (e.g., in the fall for students who intend to graduate at the end of the following spring semester), students must "Apply for Program Completion" in Workday. This is required as the official application for graduation and begins the final degree audit process that ensures students receive all notices related to Commencement. Students will generally receive written notice one month prior to graduation that they have been given preliminary clearance to graduate. Final clearance is determined after all academic work has been completed and final grades for the final semester have been recorded.
Students may take part in only one Commencement, and they are expected to complete all degree requirements before they participate in graduation exercises. Speakers at Commencement and other students playing visible leadership roles in the ceremony must have completed all requirements for graduation. Students with two or fewer credits remaining and who can expect to complete all requirements by the end of the following semester may be allowed to participate in Commencement, where they will receive a substitute document rather than the official diploma. In such cases, the degree will actually be conferred at the next conferral date following the completion of all requirements, and the diploma will be mailed to the student at that time. Bowdoin confers degrees three times a year: in May when degree requirements are completed in a spring semester, in October when degree requirements are completed in summer, and in December when degree requirements are completed in a fall semester.
Students are expected to complete their Bowdoin degree in eight semesters. In order to enroll for a ninth semester, a student must have extenuating circumstances and petition the Recording Committee and Student Aid (when applicable). Please note that students are only required to complete one major to graduate; a second major and/or minor is not a requirement.
A student may appeal for a tuition reduction in the ninth semester if they are taking fewer than three credits, and that ninth semester is required to complete the degree. All appeals for this should be made in writing to the dean for student affairs and the head of finance and administration after a ninth semester of enrollment has been approved.
Upon completion of their degree requirements, students must graduate and cannot enroll for additional semesters, even if they have been enrolled for fewer than eight semesters and regardless of if they are recipients of federal, state, or institutional financial aid. In addition, students should not avoid registering for necessary courses to prolong their enrollment.
The Award of Honors
General Honors
General honors (or Latin honors, i.e., cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude) are awarded with the degree on the basis of an average of all grades earned at Bowdoin, with a minimum of sixteen credits required for the computation. To compute the average, an A is assigned four points; a B, three points; a C, two points; a D, one point; and an F, zero points. Plus (+) or minus (–) modifiers add or subtract three-tenths of a point (0.3). Half-credit courses are weighted as one-half course. Credit grades (CR) are omitted from the computation, but a D or F grade received in a course taken on a Credit/D/ Fail basis does count. Beginning with grades recorded for Fall 2013, all grades earned in repeated courses are included . The resulting grade point average (GPA) is not rounded but truncated to display the first three decimals. A degree summa cum laude is awarded to the top 2 percent of the graduating class as calculated by cumulative GPA; a degree magna cum laude is awarded to the top 8 percent of the graduating class as calculated by cumulative GPA; and a degree cum laude is awarded to the top 20 percent of the graduating class as calculated by cumulative GPA. It is Bowdoin’s policy not to disclose the GPA ranges that determine Latin Honors as they shift with each class.
a In the case of a course taken at Bowdoin one or more times prior to Fall 2013, only the first grade is included.
Departmental Honors: The Honors Project
The degree with a level of honors in a major subject or subjects is awarded to students who have distinguished themselves in coursework in the subject(s) and in an honors project. The award is made by the faculty upon recommendation of the department(s) or program(s).
The honors project offers seniors the opportunity to engage in original work under the supervision of a faculty advisor, or, in the case of an honors project in more than one department or program, co-advisors in their major department(s) or program(s). It allows qualified seniors to build a bridge from their coursework to advanced scholarship in their field of study through original, substantial, and sustained independent research. The honors project can be the culmination of a student’s academic experience at Bowdoin and offers an unparalleled chance for intellectual and personal development.
Students who have attained a specified level of academic achievement in their field(s) of study by their senior year may petition their major department(s) or program(s) to pursue an honors project carried out under the supervision of a faculty advisor., or in the case of an honors project cross-listed in more than one department or program, co-directors. The honors project usually takes place over the course of two semesters; some departments allow single-semester honors projects. The honors project results in a written thesis and/or oral defense, artistic performance, or showing, depending on the student’s field(s) of study. Students receive a grade for each semester’s work on the honors project and may be awarded a level of honors in their major department(s) or program(s), as distinct from general honors. Honors projects cannot be collaborative.
The honors project process differs across departments and programs in terms of qualification criteria, requirements for completion, the level of honors awarded, and the use of honors project credits to fulfill major course requirements. Please note that students may ONLY pursue a cross-listed honors project and seek honors from two departments if they are pursuing a double major, a coordinate major or and interdisciplinary major, and the honors must be pursued in the departments or programs associated with the major(s). Students must complete an honors project to be eligible for departmental or program honors; more than one department or program may confer honors on a single honors project with the stipulation that only double majors, coordinate majors, and interdisciplinary majors pursuing interdisciplinary honors project co-directed by advisors from those disciplines or subjects are eligible . If a student, in consultation with a department, intends to pursue honors, the student will register for an appropriate honors project course number, 4050–4079. Typically, all work accepted as fulfilling the requirements for departmental honors is to be submitted to the Bowdoin College library. If students do not fulfill the requirements for completion of the honors project but carry out satisfactory work for an independent study, they will receive independent study credit for one or two semesters and the course number will be changed to 4000–4028.
Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholars (Dean’s List)
Sarah and James Bowdoin scholarships, carrying no stipend, are awarded in the fall on the basis of work completed the previous academic year. The award is given to the top 20 percent of students, as calculated by their grade point average (GPA) for the previous academic year. Eligible students are those who completed the equivalent of eight full-credit Bowdoin courses during the academic year, at least six credits of which were graded with regular letter grades and at least seven credits of which were graded with regular letter grades or non-elective Credit/D/Fail grades. In other words, among the eight required full-credit courses or the equivalent, a maximum of two credits may be graded Credit/D/Fail Only, but only one credit may be for a course(s) the student elected to take with the Credit/D/Fail grading option. Grades for courses taken in excess of eight credits are included in the GPA. For further information on the College’s method for computing GPA, consult the section on General Honors.
A book, bearing a replica of the early College bookplate serving to distinguish the James Bowdoin Collection in the library, is presented to every Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholar who has earned a GPA of 4.000 in the previous academic year.
It is Bowdoin’s policy not to disclose the GPA ranges that determine Sarah and James Bowdoin Scholars, as they can shift.
Code of Community Standards
The Code of Community Standards, in addition to the Bowdoin College Catalogue and Academic Handbook, are key references to the policies, procedures, and governance structure of the College, including information about leaves. It is a student's responsibility to be aware of the content in each so as to understand their responsibilities while at Bowdoin. For questions about these policies, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.