Harpur College strives to provide its students with a sound liberal education as well as specialization in some area of the humanities, social sciences, arts or sciences.
Prospective applicants should see the general section on Admission in this publication.
The program fosters development of knowledge, skills and interpretive abilities and offers other opportunities for growth outside the classroom.
Most departments of Harpur College are contained administratively within three principal divisions: humanities (including fine arts), science and mathematics, and social sciences. For most matters, the principal academic and administrative unit is the department. Several interdisciplinary major programs are not attached to any division. Students ordinarily pursue academic major programs supervised by departments, although several interdepartmental majors are available.
The General Education Program provides exposure to broad areas of learning. They provide a general introduction to the Harpur College curriculum and they provide a basis for choosing a major program.
Harpur College students may seek academic advice on planning a program of study from several sources: Harpur Academic Advising, relevant academic departments and/or individual faculty members. These academic advisers help to guide students toward a planned and organized program, rather than a random selection of courses.
Typically, students declare a major program by their fifth semester of residence. Students who receive financial aid are encouraged to read in the Financial Information section of this publication regarding the academic progress required to maintain state or federal aid. Timely declaration of the major is an important consideration for such students. When this is done, students are assigned to a departmental, generally a faculty academic adviser within the major program for information about and guidance in the major. Harpur Academic Advising remains available to all students throughout their education for information about the General Education requirements, the All-College Writing requirement, degree planning and other aspects of the undergraduate academic experience.
In addition to the bachelor of arts (BA) degree, Harpur College offers a bachelor of music (BMus) and bachelor of science (BS) degree in some fields. The general requirements and the Harpur College requirements for these degrees are the same, but more courses are specified for major requirements for a BS degree than for a BA degree. Whereas no more than 15 courses may be required for a major program leading to the BA, a minimum of 16 courses is required for a major program leading to the BS. Except for interdisciplinary programs, such as biochemistry and psychobiology, every department that offers the BS also offers the BA. More courses are also required for a BMus degree. Students may not earn two Harpur BA or BS degrees simultaneously nor may students earn a BA and BS degree in combination. Note that although students may receive only one degree from Harpur College, they may have two majors or more.
To qualify for a bachelor of arts, bachelor of music or bachelor of science degree from Harpur College, students must meet the following conditions:
Harpur College reserves the right to make changes in the requirements for graduation, except that no increase in total courses required for graduation shall retroactively affect any student already matriculated when the change is made.
There is an overall limit of 20 credits combined on independent study, teaching practica, internship and health and physical education credits that may count toward the graduation requirement of 126 credits. Students may count no more than 16 credits of independent study (typically course numbers ending in -97, -98 or -99), no more than eight credits of teaching practica (-91), and no more than eight credits of internship (typically -95) toward the 126 required for graduation.
Students should contact the Harpur College Academic Advising Office for more information on how health and physical education courses may be counted toward the degree and their GPA.
To ensure that all students obtain considerable experience and receive significant guidance or instruction in writing during their baccalaureate studies, Harpur College establishes the following requirements relating to enrollment in composition (C)* and writing (W) courses:
All candidates for a baccalaureate degree from Harpur College must present one of the following combinations of C and W courses for completion of the writing requirement:
*Courses tagged with the General Education designator of J also count as C courses.
Transfer credit in English expository writing (composition, rhetoric or literature) may be applied to this requirement up to a maximum of three courses, of which only one may count as a C course.
Harpur College believes that writing is central to a liberal arts education. The labels C (composition) and W (writing) guide students in the selection of courses designed to help them develop their writing skills. Students are strongly urged to take at least one four-credit C course within their first two semesters (32 credits) at Harpur College.
Composition (C) courses emphasize writing as a process of revision and require a minimum of 20 pages of expository prose. At least 50 percent of the course grade is based on student writing. Writing (W) courses provide considerable experience in and feedback on writing as a tool of college-level teaching and learning. Written assignments in W courses constitute 30 to 100 percent of the basis for the grade in the course and typically consist of a minimum of 10 pages of writing.
All students must pursue an approved academic major. Because it is often difficult to complete all requirements for an academic major by the end of the senior year unless a concrete plan is developed early in the academic career, students normally declare a major program before their fifth semester of residence. The declaration of major is processed in individual departments or programs.
The following major programs are available.
Within the Division of Humanities:
BA degree in:
BMus degree in:
Music
Within the Division of Science and Mathematics:
Biochemistry,
BS
Biological Sciences, BA, BS
Chemistry, BA, BS
Geological
Sciences, BA, BS
Mathematical Sciences, BA, BS
Physics, BA, BS
Psychobiology, BS
Psychology, BA
Within the Division of Social Sciences:
Anthropology, BA, BS
Economics, BA, BS
Geography, BA
History, BA
Political Science,
BA
Sociology, BA
In interdisciplinary major departments and programs:
BA degree
in:
Environmental Studies (BS also)
Latin American and Caribbean
Area Studies
Interdepartmental Studies Program (see Individualized Major
Program)
Linguistics
Medieval Studies
Philosophy, Politics and
Law
Note: Due to overlapping requirements in majors, students may not double-major in certain disciplines. Students majoring in biochemistry may not double-major in biology or chemistry. Students majoring in psychobiology may not double-major in either psychology or biology.
Students taking Harpur College courses are graded in one of two ways:
For each course in which they enroll, students choose, with some limited exceptions, one of two grading options at registration. The decision may be changed (either from standard letter grade to Pass/Fail or vice versa) at any time up to the end of the course-withdrawal period, which is the Friday of the ninth week of the semester. The Registrar informs the course instructor of the students grading choices, and the instructor submits grades accordingly.
Students not on probation may elect to use the Pass/Fail option in a maximum of 24 credits of coursework. Mandatory Pass/Fail courses are not included in this 24-credit limit.
The instructor of any course may choose to limit the grading option of any course exclusively to the Pass/Fail system. Such a limitation must have approval of the appropriate department and of the Harpur College Curriculum Committee and must be noted in the online pre-registration schedule available to students. An indication that Pass/Fail is the only available grade in the course is noted on the students transcript.
All transcripts are complete semester-by-semester records of courses carried beyond the drop deadline. The explanatory notes that accompany the transcripts contain a clear description of the system used in recording grades.
[ top ]The instructor may report a notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, when a student has not been able to complete a course for what, in the instructors judgment, is a compelling reason. It is the student' s responsibility to request an incomplete in a timely fashion so that the instructor may evaluate the circumstance before grades are due to the registrar. The submission of an Incomplete means that a student has made a substantial commitment to the course — that is, has completed more than half of the work required — but less than half of the work must still be accomplished before an evaluation may be made.
Students may not re-register for a course in order to complete an Incomplete. See the Repeating Courses section of the Harpur College portion of the University Bulletin.
Students must determine with the instructor, consistent with the provisions of the policy stated above, what work is necessary for completion of the course and when the work must be submitted.
Ordinarily all Incomplete notations must be replaced with grades by the end of the next major semester (fall, spring), whether or not the student is enrolled. Incomplete notations change to an F grade at the end of the next semester unless the student files an official extension with the Registrar' s Office. The student is responsible for initiating a request for an extension, having reached agreement with the instructor for an alternate completion date. Thestudentis responsible for obtaining appropriate signatures on a Request for Extension of Incomplete form which is available in the Registrar' s Office. An Incomplete may be extended for only a limited time. The instructor must submit the grade for the Incomplete course within 18 months of the last class day of the semester in which he or she offered the original class. Students must clear all Incompletes within 30 days of their intended graduation semester.
[ top ]Instructors may not change a grade, unless one of the following situations occurs:
The last day an instructor may change one letter grade to another is 18 months from the last class day of the semester in which he or she offered the original class. However, faculty are required to keep graded work not returned to students for only one semester following the end of the course.
Harpur College students taking courses offered by other schools at the University are graded according to the grading system of the school offering the course.
Academic progress is determined by grade-point average (GPA) calculation, in which:
| A | = | 4.0 | C+ | = | 2.3 | |
| A- | = | 3.7 | C | = | 2.0 | |
| B+ | = | 3.3 | C- | = | 1.7 | |
| B | = | 3.0 | D | = | 1.0 | |
| B- | = | 2.7 | F | = | 0.0 |
GPA is based on all Binghamton University courses taken for credit, except for courses with the grade of P or notations of W, I, MG and AU. Continuing education courses (CEO) are not included in the GPA calculation.
[ top ]To maintain satisfactory academic progress, Harpur College requires students to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all Binghamton University courses taken for credit. Students who fail to meet this requirement are placed on probation and are expected to raise their average to a 2.0 level or better within a reasonable period of time. Students on probation may not elect to use the Pass/Fail grading option. Academic probation does not imply dismissal and does not preclude students from registering or from receiving financial aid. For further information about financial eligibility, see the Financial Information section of this publication.
[ top ]Students may carry an overall GPA slightly below a 2.0 and are allowed to continue their studies on "probation"; however, those who fall considerably below a cumulative GPA of 2.0 may be subject to suspension. Harpur College renders suspension decisions in accordance with the following guidelines:
|
Hours |
Minimum |
|
1-34 |
1.440 |
|
35-51 |
1.625 |
|
52-68 |
1.715 |
|
69-85 |
1.800 |
|
86-102 |
1.875 |
|
103-119 |
1.950 |
|
120+ |
2.000 |
*Hours attempted includes all external credit (transfer credit, external examination credit, advanced placement credit) evaluated and accepted by Harpur College toward the students degree program. Semester hours attempted also include Binghamton courses taken under the pass/fail grading option whether passed or failed and courses taken under the standard letter grading option of A/B/C/D/F, whether passed or failed.
Suspension,dismissal and probationfor Harpur students are calculated within several days of the end of the semester. Letter grades converted to Incomplete grades once grades are submitted will not be applied to a semester GPA recalculation for purposes of academic standing, including academic probation, suspension or dismissal.
Students who have been suspended by Harpur College may apply for readmission, in writing, through the Admissions Office. Students are not eligible for readmission until at least two semesters have passed since their notification of suspension. If readmitted, students continue on probation until their overall GPA is a 2.0 or better. Students readmitted from academic suspension who fail to achieve an overall 2.0 in a reasonable period of time are dismissed permanently. See the Academic Dismissal Index below.
| Hours Attempted* |
Minimum Cumulative GPA |
|
| 1-34 | 1.440 | |
| 35-51 | 1.625 | |
| 52-68 | 1.715 | |
| 69-85 | 1.800 | |
| 86-102 | 1.875 | |
| 103-119 | 1.950 | |
| 120+ | 2.000 |
*Hours attempted includes all external credit (transfer credit, external examination credit, advanced placement credit) evaluated and accepted by Harpur College toward the students degree program. Semester hours attempted also include Binghamton courses taken under the pass/fail grading option whether passed or failed and courses taken under the standard letter grade of A/B/C/D/F whether passed or failed. In addition, Incompletes count towards hours attempted.
Suspension, dismissal and probation for Harpur students are calculated within several days of the end of the semester. Letter grades converted to incomplete grades once grades are submitted will not be applied to a semester GPA recalculation for purposes of academic standing, including academic probation, suspension or dismissal.
Students readmitted from academic suspension who fail to achieve an overall 2.0 in a reasonable period of time are dismissed permanently. Harpur College renders dismissal decisions in accordance with the Academic Dismissal Index above.
Courses for which students previously received credit at Binghamton University through AP, CLEP, Higher Level International Baccalaureate courses, or through transfer credit at another institution are not counted as credit towards the degree nor is the second grade calculated into the GPA.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a passing grade by special petition to the faculty member teaching the course. This is to allow a student to demonstrate mastery of a given subject matter upon which successful performance in later courses may depend. If approved, the repeated course does not count toward hours attempted, hours completed or the GPA.
When a student repeats a course previously passed, both grades appear on the transcript, but only the first grade is counted in the GPA calculations. The transcript will bear a footnote reading credit not applied toward degree for the repeated course. If the student repeated the course to meet a major or minor grade requirement, he/she must submit a DARS inquiry to the Harpur College DARS coordinator through the Harpur Academic Advising website requesting that the DARS coordinator update the student' s audit.
Students may retake courses in which they have received a failing grade; they are not required to do so by Harpur College, although major requirements may dictate otherwise. When a student repeats a course previously failed, both grades appear on the transcript, and both are counted in the GPA. Students are encouraged to speak with Harpur Academic Advising as they make their decision about repeating any failed course.
Students may formally drop a course from their schedules by the announced drop/delete deadline, i.e., midnight on the Friday of the second week of classes. No notation of any kind appears on the student' s transcript if the course is dropped by the drop/delete deadline.
[ top ] [ top ]Students may withdraw from all but one course between the drop/delete deadline and the course-withdraw deadline, Friday of the ninth week. Courses dropped during this period receive a notation of W.
Students are permitted to withdraw from courses after the course withdraw deadline only if they cite extraordinary extenuating circumstances and successfully petition the Harpur College Academic Standards Committee through the Harpur College Deans Office. Courses dropped late by petition result in a W notation on the student' s transcript. Consult the Academic Policies and Procedures section for more information on withdrawing from a course late.
[ top ]Students who decide to withdraw from all courses for which they are registered at any time between the published first day of classes and the last day of classes must file the Withdrawal Form. If the student submits the Withdrawal Form before the drop deadline, registered courses are deleted. If the student submits the Withdrawal Form after the drop deadline, a W grade is assigned to each course. In either case, withdrawal results in a notation on the transcript, withdrew from the University.
Specific course prerequisites are listed clearly in the course descriptions of this publication. Instructors may waive prerequisites in particular cases if the student presents appropriate qualifying evidence.
Harpur College courses with numbers 100 through 199 are introductory courses that normally have no prerequisites and are open to all students.
Courses with numbers 200 through 299 are intermediate-level courses that may or may not have prerequisites.
Courses with numbers 300 through 399 are intermediate courses, normally with prerequisites.
Courses with numbers 400 through 499 are advanced-level courses with specific course prerequisites.
Certain numbers indicate special learning situations. Courses noted -80 are intended for special topics, -91 for teaching practica, -95 for internships, -97 for independent study, and -98 or -99 for honors thesis.
Independent study accommodates advanced students who wish to pursue individual research under the direct supervision of a faculty member and is normally reserved for students who cannot pursue their intellectual interests through normal course offerings. Independent study registrations must be signed by the sponsoring faculty member, the student and the appropriate department representative. Refer to the section titled Requirements for Graduation for specific information regarding the number of independent study credits that can count towards the degree.
First-semester freshmen may not register for independent study courses.
In addition to the University-wide attendance policy explained in this publication, note that individual instructors are free to set more stringent attendance requirements in accordance with the academic needs of their classes.
No student is required to take three final examinations in a 24-hour period. If a student is scheduled for three final examinations in a 24-hour period, and desires to change the time of one of the examinations, the student must initiate the following actions before the last week of classes:
Fall and Spring Semesters
Binghamton University considers 12 credits a full-time course load. However, Harpur College students typically enroll in 16-18 credits per semester. Students may register for up to 18 academic credits without review.
Students with a Binghamton cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher may register for up to 22 academic credits. In addition, any student may register for two additional credits of HPEY, MUSP or THEP. Forms are available on the Harpur Advising website.
Summer and Winter Terms
Students may register for no more than four credits in the winter term. Students may not enroll in more than eight credits in either summer Term I or Term II, including physical education credits (HPEY) and continuing education credits (CEO). The maximum number of credits for which a student may register during the combined summer terms is 16.
Arts and sciences courses numbered 500 and above are graduate courses, ordinarily open only to graduate students. Harpur College students, however, are permitted to count any course they are qualified to take in the Graduate School toward the 31-1/2 courses (126 credits) required for the baccalaureate degree.
Undergraduate students at Harpur College who have completed all but two courses required for graduation may register for up to two courses of graduate credit to be recorded on a graduate transcript. Interested students should consult the Academic Advising Office for details.
Harpur College students may count up to a total of 32 credit hours of non-liberal arts courses toward the 126 credit hours required for the baccalaureate degree. Within the 32-credit limit are included non-liberal arts courses taken at other institutions, courses in College of Community and Public Affairs, Decker School of Nursing, School of Management, Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science and physical education (HPE, CEO and HPEY) courses.
School of Management has two programs of interest to Harpur College students: an adjunct option in management science, as a supplement to appropriate major programs in Harpur; and a master of business administration program, with special provisions for Harpur undergraduates. See the School of Management section of this publication for details about these programs.
Harpur students interested in a minor in computer science should consult the Watson School section of this publication.
All of the departments and major programs of Harpur College offer qualified students the opportunity to pursue special studies that, if successfully completed, lead to a degree with honors in that field, e.g. Honors in English or Distinguished Independent Work in Chemistry. Students interested in such special programs should check appropriate sections of this publication and then consult their major advisers. Normally, consultation with the adviser takes place no later than during the students fourth semester of residence.
To qualify for the Harpur Deans List at the end of each regular semester, students must have a 3.5 or better semester grade-point average, at least 12 graded credits and no missing grades or Incompletes. Recognition is given for each semester in which students meet these criteria. The award is noted on the transcript.
Students with outstanding academic records receive college-wide honors upon graduation. To qualify students must meet the cumulative grade-point averages specified below, have at least 48 graded Binghamton University credits and have no missing grades or Incompletes. Honors are awarded as follows:
3.50-3.69 GPA: cum laude
3.70-3.84 GPA: magna cum laude
3.85-4.00 GPA: summa cum laude
The appropriate graduation honors are indicated on the diploma and on the final transcript.
An academic minor is an approved course sequence within an area of study, providing a degree of specialization in that area, a specialty within a discipline or a specialty integrating more than one discipline. The area in which a student takes a minor is recorded on the students transcript at graduation as certified by the minor department or program. Students in Harpur College are not required to take an academic minor. Departments are not required to offer a minor.
Juniors and seniors who have already declared a major may declare a minor(s). Minor requirements are described in detail in this publication under each departments listing. The completed minor(s) appear on the transcript when the degree is certified. Students may not complete minors after graduation.
The Individualized Major Program is a program that allows Harpur students to design interdisciplinary majors for programs of study not listed in this publication. Majors approved by the program principally consist of regular courses and independent study credits from Harpur College departments. Students with approved majors are not permitted to select the Pass/Fail grading option in courses to fulfill their major requirements except with consent of the program. Students who complete approved individualized majors are eligible for the BA degree. Students considering proposing an interdisciplinary major should consult early in their planning, and no later than the first semester of the junior year, with the programs adviser in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office.
The Career Development Center (CDC) identifies internship opportunities in the local community and in selected out-of-state areas and plans student participation. The internships give students direct experience in agencies and public service organizations. Internships are generally one-semester, four-credit learning and working experiences. Students work eight to 12 hours a week in their agencies under the day-to-day supervision of agency supervisors. Interns also meet weekly with faculty mentors who encourage the synthesis of fieldwork and formal academic training.
Students interested in internships may fill out an application available in the CDC office. A complete list of internships and courses is published each semester prior to registration and is also available in the CDC office.
American professional training in engineering, law, teaching, medicine, dentistry and the sciences is ordinarily built on a foundation of undergraduate education, usually including a program of four years leading to the bachelors degree. Students contemplating graduate training for a profession should begin early to consult the bulletins of the graduate and professional schools. Students interested in preparing for a career in teaching and education at the primary and secondary levels should contact the School of Education for information about graduate curricular options. Students eligible for the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) should contact the pre-health or pre-law advisers for academic and career information. Additional assistance is available through the CSTEP Office (607-777-2678).
Pre-health-professions advising is a key resource for students who wish to study for the health professions. Students may consult with a full-time adviser who is a specialist in the health professions. The Harpur College Academic Advising Office has professional school bulletins, brochures, reference guides, CDs and current information on the health fields. Pre-health students may join discussions on PREHLTH-L, the Binghamton University pre-health listserv. The listserv provides a forum in which ideas and information may be exchanged with the pre-health professions adviser and among students themselves. In addition, a great deal of information is now housed on the pre-health webpage, accessible at: prehealth.binghamton.edu.
For more information about pre-medical education, see Medical School Admission Requirements, published annually by the Association of American Medical Colleges, 2450 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20037-1126 (or online at aamc.org). This book covers all aspects of preparation for and admission to medical school, including specific requirements of the individual schools. Although there is some variation, most medical schools (allopathic and osteopathic) require the following college-level courses: one year each of English, biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and general physics. Some medical schools also require one year of calculus. Science courses must include laboratory experience. As there are well over twice as many applicants as there are positions available in medical schools, it is unlikely that the above minimal requirements will be sufficient.
Dental school requirements are similar. Students interested in dentistry are referred to Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools, published annually by the American Dental Education Association, 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (or online at adea.org). This book presents pertinent information about preparation for dental education, as well as information about individual dental schools.
Requirements for optometry and veterinary medicine are considerably more varied.
Binghamton University has entered into agreements with five health professional schools that make it easier for students to make a transition between the University and professional school. Students interested in these programs should review information available on the pre-health webpage (prehealth.binghamton.edu) and then consult the pre-health professions adviser.
Medicine: early assurance. Binghamton University has established agreements with two medical schools (the College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and the School of Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo) that allow Binghamton students to participate in early assurance programs. Second-semester sophomores accepted into an early assurance program are guaranteed admission into medical school upon satisfactory completion of their remaining two years at Binghamton (i.e., receiving their bachelors degree). Interested students should contact the pre-health professions adviser at the beginning of their sophomore year.
Dentistry. Binghamton University and the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo have established an early assurance program. This allows students guaranteed admission to dental school at the end of the sophomore year, providing they successfully complete their remaining two years at Binghamton and graduate. Interested students should contact the pre-health professions adviser by the middle of the sophomore year.
Optometry. Binghamton University and SUNY College of Optometry have a joint degree program leading to a BA in biology from Binghamton and an OD from the College of Optometry. This program takes seven years instead of the usual eight necessary to obtain both the liberal arts degree and the professional school degree. After three years at Binghamton, participants attend the optometry college, with the first year of professional school counting also as the fourth year at Binghamton. The BA is awarded at the end of the participants first year of professional school. Spaces are reserved for prospective or current freshmen only, and there are a number of steps to the admissions process after acceptance into Binghamton. Interested students are encouraged to contact the pre-health adviser or the Admissions Office.
The pre-law adviser in the Harpur College Academic Advising Office serves students and graduates from all Binghamton University schools who are interested in attending law school. Current students may subscribe to the pre-law electronic listserv PRELAW-B, attend pre-law meetings and law alumni events, and meet law school representatives at Binghamton University' s annual Law Day. The Harpur College Academic Advising Office also provides a pre-law resource library, law-school admission data, LSAT test preparation and registration materials, law-school bulletins and application materials, and internship information. The pre-law adviser meets with students and graduates during scheduled appointments and walk-in times.
Unlike other graduate and professional schools, law schools do not require specific courses or curriculum prior to admission. Students interested in law school may pursue a variety of majors. A well-rounded liberal arts curriculum that develops disciplined habits of study, analytical thought, and writing and oral expression skills is excellent preparation for law school. For a career in patent law, students must either obtain a bachelor' s degree or complete a requisite number of credit hours in specific science or engineering fields. Students interested in patent law should consult with the pre-law adviser early in their college careers.
The pre-law adviser encourages students interested in a legal career to pursue internships, summer employment and other opportunities to explore the legal profession before applying to law school.
Additional information on law school and legal careers is available in
the ABA-LSAC Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools, produced by the Law
School Admission Council and the American Bar Association (Law School
Admission Council, 662 Penn St. Newtown, PA 18940, or
http://www.lsac.org).