Resources
Academic Policies
Academic Conduct
At the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, the Student Academic Conduct Review Board, composed of faculty, administrators, and students, investigates all charges of academic misconduct brought against students. The procedure is managed by the Academic Conduct Code Administrator in lieu of a designated dean.
Academic Standing
The Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences (CDS) adheres to the Boston University policy on Academic Standing for Undergraduate Students in Full-time Programs.
CDS full-time students maintain good academic standing when they achieve all three of the following:
- Earn at least 12 academic credits in the semester just completed
- Earn a semester grade point index (GPI) of at least 2.00
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00
In addition to this policy, students should review the Satisfactory Academic Progress information from Boston University Financial Assistance.
Meanings and Procedures
Academic Probation
A student is placed on Academic Probation when they are in danger of not making sufficient academic progress toward their degree. Students will receive electronic notification from CDS informing them of the details of their probationary status. Students who have been notified that they are on Academic Probation must request an appointment with their CDS advisor for consultation.
Academic Suspension
A student faces Academic Suspension when they have spent one or two semesters on Probation and have not achieved Good Standing as defined in the Boston University policy on Academic Standing, following the most recent semester of Academic Probation. Specifics regarding the duration and terms of the Academic Suspension will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Students will receive electronic notification from CDS informing them of the details of their Academic Suspension. Students who have been notified that they are on Academic Suspension must request an appointment with their CDS advisor for consultation.
Reinstatement after Academic Suspension
Students who have fulfilled their period of Academic Suspension must meet with their CDS Academic Advisor for reinstatement. Students are reinstated to a probationary standing.
Dismissal
- A student faces Dismissal if they have spent one or two semesters on Probation and have not achieved Good Academic Standing in the most recent semester of Academic Probation.
- A student also faces Dismissal if they have spent at least one semester on Suspension and have not fulfilled the terms of the Suspension.
Appeals for Suspension or Dismissal
Appeals of Suspension or Dismissal are made, in writing, to the CDS Director of Undergraduate Studies, within a timeline outlined in the written notice. The student will be notified in writing of the decision. A final appeal may be made to the Associate Provost of the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences. The decision of the Associate Provost on cases of suspension or dismissal is final.
Dean's List
Students who attain a Grade Point Index (GPI) of 3.5 or higher in academic coursework in the fall or spring semester will be placed on the Dean’s List for that semester.
To qualify, a student must have full-time status for that semester. Once established for a given semester, Dean’s List eligibility is not recomputed; late grade changes are therefore not reflected in the Dean’s List. Neither transfer credits nor Summer Term may be credited toward Dean’s List eligibility.
Tuition Overload Policy
What is Tuition Overload?
All students taking 12–18 credits are charged the basic full-time tuition. Students can overload up to a maximum of 20 credits, with each credit over 18 charged at the standard per-credit rate. CDS students in the first semester of their freshman year or in their first semester transferring to Boston University are not eligible to take more than 18 credits.
Students with questions about this payment process should contact Student Accounting Services.
Tuition Overload Fee Waivers
Starting Fall 2023, CDS students who enroll for 19-20 credits for the upcoming semester may have the associated fees waived if they meet either of the following requirements:
- Senior class standing
- Cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher
Overload tuition waivers for the following semester are processed twice. Once, at the conclusion of the current semester after grades have been posted and GPAs have been updated for any students that meet the above requirements. The second waiver processing occurs the week after the last day to add classes for the semester.
Spring Semesters
Tuition overload waivers will not be processed to your account until after your tuition bill is due.
Fall Semesters
For students who add courses after spring grades post, or are taking summer courses, waivers will be processed one week after the last day to add classes for the fall semester.
Summer Semesters
Summer Term is independent of CDS, and has its own policy on the number of credits that can be taken and how students should request an overload, if needed. For summer semester information, please visit the Summer Term FAQs page.
Tuition Overload Fee Waiver Request
Intra-University Transfer to CDS
Undergraduates currently enrolled at BU can transfer from their current school or college to CDS using the Intra-University Transfer (IUT) process. Applications for IUT are accepted beginning after the first semester of enrollment at BU and no later than the end of the first semester of junior year.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are starting a Data Science degree during your sophomore year or later, you may be required to overload and/or take an additional semester of coursework in order to complete the major requirements.
Requirements
This is NOT intended for students declared in CDS -- substitutions only apply to students pursuing an IUT who already have many or all of the listed courses completed. Our 'Foundations of Data Science' sequence contains different realms of mathematics important to data scientists within a single course rather than dedicating a semester-long course focusing on one. Due to this, CDS will not accept a single math course to satisfy anything within this series. Students interested in an IUT who have some of the mentioned standalone mathematics should complete the remaining requirements in their associated sequence, satisfying 'Foundations of Data Science' I, II, & III upon success in their final substitution course. Courses Accepted for IUT
Application and Deadlines
APPLICATION DEADLINES
CDS Intra-University Transfer is OPEN
To learn more, visit our academic advising page to schedule an IUT appointment!