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FAQs for students new to the College
- In general, where can I find answers to my questions about my academic record?
- What are the requirements to get into the College of Arts and Sciences?
- How do I change my major?
- How do I add a major (BA only) or degree (BS only)?
- How do I declare a minor or certificate?
- How do I drop a major or minor?
- How do I tell whether I’ve finished a certain degree requirement?
- May I “erase” a grade from my record?
- May I “replace” a grade by retaking a course (“X” a course)?
- What is academic probation, and will I be dismissed from IU?
- How do I graduate?
- Where are other College advisors located?
- In general, where can I find answers to my questions about my academic record?
First, you can check OneStart. OneStart can allows you to check your degree progress (located on your Academic Advisement Report, formerly the Degree Progress Report) , as well as check your current schedule, holds on your academic record, and other academic information.
The College Bulletin also offers lots of good academic information, including a list of your degree requirements, certain academic policies at IU, and course descriptions. If you don’t want to look at the online Bulletin, pick up a physical copy at the Recorder’s Office in Kirkwood 001 or in our office at JH A115. You are responsible for knowing the information in the Bulletin, so spend some quality time reading it if you want to succeed at IU!
You can also speak directly with the College Recorder’s Office if you have questions about your academic record or the College’s academic policies (Kirkwood Hall 001, office hours 9:00-4:00 Monday – Friday, phone (812) 855-1821, email coasrecd@indiana.edu).
Of course, the Biology advisors can help with some of your degree questions as well. Call us to schedule an appointment.
- What are the requirements to get into the College of Arts and Sciences?
From the College Recorder’s Office: The minimum entrance requirements are listed in the College of Arts and Sciences Bulletin. You must have a minimum cumulative College of Arts of Sciences GPA of 2.000, have completed 26 College of Arts of Sciences degree applicable hours towards graduation, and have completed English Composition.
- How do I change my major?
From the College Recorder’s Office: You must meet with the advisor of the department that offers the major you wish to declare. The advisor will request a major change for you.
- How do I add a major (BA only) or degree (BS only)?
From the College Recorder’s Office: If you are pursuing a College of Arts and Sciences BA and want to add another BA within the College, this means you are adding a second major. The advisor in the second major can just add your new major directly, without additional approval.
If you are planning any College degree combination involving a BS degree (two BS degrees, or a BS and BA), this means you plan to add another degree. Visit the advisor for your intended second degree and fill out a second degree application. You will then make an appointment to see the College’s Coordinator of Second Degrees by calling (812) 855-1647 or stopping by Kirkwood Hall 012 to schedule an appointment.
If you plan to maintain a combination of a College degree and a degree outside the College (like Biology and Business, or Biology and HPER), see the Coordinator of Second Degrees before proceeding.
- How do I declare a minor or certificate?
From the College Recorder’s Office: Talk to an advisor in the department that offers the minor/certificate. You can graduate with up to three minors and unlimited certificates. Some of the non-College minors are not available to College students (especially certain HPER minors), so check page 349 of the College Bulletin regarding non-College minors.
The only exception to this application policy is for College students declaring Business minors. For this minor, you may apply online at http://www.indiana.edu/~college/recorder.
- How do I drop a major or minor?
From the College Recorder’s Office: You can drop a second major or any minor by going to the College Recorder’s Office homepage at http://www.indiana.edu/~college/recorder/.
- How do I tell whether I’ve finished a certain degree requirement?
You can check your degree progress by looking at your Academic Advisement Report on OneStart. You should also check in with an academic advisor periodically to check your degree progress, particularly in the semesters before you graduate.
- May I “erase” a grade from my record?
No – all grades are listed on your official transcript.
- May I “replace” a grade by retaking a course (“X” a course)?
From the College Recorder’s Office: If a student retakes a course, that student MAY be eligible for an “Extended-X” grade. Extended-X removes the first grade from the calculation of your official transcript GPA.
The “X” will NOT affect your College of Arts and Sciences GPA (which determines graduation requirements) – all grades are included in the College GPA, whether repeated or not.
It is a good idea to talk to the College Recorder in Kirkwood Hall 001 (855-1821) to see if you are eligible to “X” a course before enrolling in a repeated course. You will also need to speak to the Recorder to fill out a petition to “X” the course.
Please note:
- You must complete the “X” course (the first course) during your first 45 credit hours of college work.
- You may only “X” a course once.
- The repeated course must be exactly the same title AND subject matter (which especially effects variable topics courses and College Topics courses).
- You may only “X” up to 3 courses for a total of 10 hours during your studies at IU.
- Professional and graduate schools usually don’t honor the recalculated GPA, so an “X” course is not usually a useful tool to help with admission to medical school, etc. Check with your particular graduate program for details.
- What is academic probation, and will I be dismissed from IU?
Check out the Q&A at the College Recorder’s Office website. If you are on probation or are dismissed, the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office in Kirkwood Hall 012 (855-1647) will send you a letter to let you know about your status and what it means. If your situation is still unclear, please make an appointment to speak with the office by calling 855-1647.
- How do I graduate?
From the College Recorder’s Office: If you’re graduating within the next year, you should register to graduate at http://www.indiana.edu/~college/recorder/appinfo.shtml.
Early registration will allow you to be included in the graduation ceremony program. It will also allow the Biology advisors to notify you of anything we notice you’re missing from your degree. For instance, Biology students who graduate in May can expect a “senior check” sheet to be mailed to their homes in January if they register to graduate by November. This can help you make necessary changes to your final semester.
HOWEVER, whether or not you receive a senior check, you are ultimately responsible for knowing what is required for your degree(s), and completing those requirements. A senior check sheet is not a guarantee of graduation.
To check the completion of your academic requirements, consult the College Bulletin that corresponds to the year in which you began your studies at IU, meet with your advisor(s), and use OneStart to monitor your Academic Advisement Report (formerly the Degree Progress Report).
- Where are other College advisors located?
Here is a list: http://coas3.coas.indiana.edu/coasadmin/List/advisors.cfm
