ACADEMIC INFORMATION
STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITY
Each student is
responsible for the proper completion of his or her academic program, for
familiarity with the Francis Marion University Catalog, for maintaining the grade
point average required, and for meeting all other degree requirements.
The academic adviser
will counsel, but the final responsibility for a successful college career
rests with the student.
Students are required to
have knowledge of and observe all regulations pertaining to campus life and
student deportment.
The University’s Code of
Student Conduct is summarized in the Student Life chapter of this catalog and
stated in expanded form in the Student Handbook. As students willingly accept
the benefits of membership in the Francis
Marion University
academic community, they acquire obligations to observe and uphold the
principles and standards that define the terms of FMU community cooperation and
make those benefits possible.
Each student while
associated with the University is expected to participate in campus and
community life in a manner that will reflect credit upon the student and the
University.
Change of Name or
Address –
Each student is responsible for maintaining communication with the University
and keeping on file with the Office of the Registrar at all times any change in
name and current address, including zip code and telephone number. Failure to
do so can cause serious delay in the handling of student records and important
correspondence.
Information regarding
advising and pre-registration will be mailed to the local address for those
students who are currently enrolled. Because of its nature and purpose, campus
housing may not be regarded as a student’s permanent home address.
Student Evaluation of
Course and Instructor – Every semester students are provided the opportunity
to evaluate each course and its instructor so that educational quality may be
maintained and enhanced. All students are encouraged to respond to the
evaluation with honesty, sincerity, and a sense of confidentiality. The
evaluation is administered during class time, with the instructor leaving the
room while a designated student hands out forms, collects forms, and then
delivers the completed forms to the appropriate faculty secretary. These
evaluations are completely anonymous, and faculty members do not receive any
feedback until grades have been turned in to the Registrar. Upon noting that
these procedures of evaluation have not been followed, a student may contact
the Office of the Provost in order to confidentially notify the administration
of such failure to follow procedures.
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CATALOG POLICIES
The Francis Marion
University Catalog is not an irrevocable contract. Regulations published in it
are subject to change by the University at any time without notice. University
regulations are policy statements to guide students, faculty, and
administrative officers in achieving the goals of the institution.
Necessary
interpretations of these policies will be made by the appropriate authorities
with the interests of the students and the institution in mind. Students are
encouraged to consult an adviser if they have questions about the application
of any policy.
Each new edition of the catalog
becomes effective at the opening of the fall semester following its
publication. To receive a degree, an undergraduate student must complete
satisfactorily all requirements described in the catalog in effect at the time
of first enrollment as a degree student at the University or all requirements
described in the catalog in effect at the time of graduation. Any student who
changes from one major or minor to another must meet requirements of the new
major or minor in effect at the time of the change. Any student who leaves the
University or changes to another major or minor for a period of one calendar
year or longer and then returns to the University or to the original major or
minor will be required to meet requirements in effect at the time of return.
Exceptions to these
policies may be necessitated by changes in course offerings or degree programs
or by action of authorities higher than the University. In that event, every
effort will be made to avoid penalizing the student.
While every effort has been
made to ensure accuracy of information, Francis
Marion University
reserves the right to change any provision listed in this catalog including,
but not limited to, academic requirements for graduation without notice to
individual students. However, every effort will be made to advise students of
such changes and to minimize the inconvenience such changes might create for
students.
Information regarding
graduation requirements is available in the Office of the Registrar. Students
are responsible for keeping themselves apprised of current graduation
requirements for the degree programs in which they are enrolled.
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PROVISIONAL PROGRAMS
The Office of
Provisional Programs serves students with diverse levels of academic
preparation and abilities by utilizing specialized programs and support
services to ensure academic success combined with adequate and appropriate
academic advising.
The academic adviser for
each student is the program coordinator who assists in the progressive planning
and continued focus on their chosen academic program.
Many students enter the
University having decided on a major and/or program of study. There are,
however, those students who have not decided on a major. This group of students
is admitted as undecided and is assisted by this office in being assigned to an
academic adviser within the College
of Liberal Arts. Once a student is
enrolled and would like to change her/his major, the student would need to
visit the department of the new major. The administrative assistant of the new
major will assign an adviser specific to the new major.
The Office of
Provisional Programs is located in Room 112 of the Stokes
Administration Building.
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ACADEMIC PROGRAM
DELIVERY
SEMESTER SYSTEM –
The University operates on the semester system with a fall term scheduled from
late August until early December and a spring term from mid-January to early
May. Courses meet for 15 weeks during the semester, normally culminating in a
final examination period. Two commencements are held annually, one in December
and another in May. Students completing degree requirements during summer terms
may participate in December commencement exercises.
SUMMER SESSION –
The University operates a late spring term of three weeks and two summer terms
of approximately five weeks each. Generally, students can earn a maximum of 15
semester hours of credit in the full Summer Session. However, those students
enrolled in laboratory courses may earn as much as 18 semester hours of credit.
Courses are generally scheduled by most departments and schools of the
University.
A special effort is made
to offer courses that meet the certification needs of public school teachers.
EVENING COURSES –
The University offers evening courses during each semester and during summer
sessions. Courses offered are selected primarily on the basis of demand from
those students who cannot attend daytime classes. Evening courses are offered
on campus and at selected sites in the community.
OFF-CAMPUS COURSES
– The University offers courses in off-campus locations where sufficient
student demand warrants them. These are regular University courses for students
who cannot attend classes on campus. On occasion the University offers credit
courses on a contract basis with an area school system.
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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
PROGRAMS
Through off-campus
sites, flexible scheduling, and non-traditional approaches and technologies,
the University brings higher education opportunities to a variety of
individuals for whom a traditional college schedule is not an option. Relying
on the strengths and quality of Francis
Marion University,
innovative programs and delivery methods are designed to bring the University
to the community.
By scheduling programs
at area high schools and by working with South Carolina’s
technical colleges and area corporations, Francis Marion brings programs to
those who cannot attend classes on campus.
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INTERNSHIPS
Internship programs
provide introductions to career options in professionally related work
experiences in business, industry, government, or service agencies. Internships
are offered by individual departments to allow students to gain practical work
experience in a particular field while working on a degree.
This work experience is
usually unpaid and may offer academic credit if there is appropriate faculty supervision.
Students generally work
between eight and 12 hours a week while also taking other classes. Rules of
eligibility and lists of companies offering internships can be obtained from
departmental offices. Some departments require internships as part of the
curriculum in certain disciplines.
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COOPERATIVE EDUCATION
Cooperative education
involves alternating periods of academic study (coursework within the major)
and periods of related work with the participating Cooperative Education
employer.
Work periods normally
take place during the sophomore and junior years and usually last one semester.
To qualify for participation in the program, students must have successfully
completed 30 semester hours of academic work and make formal application in the
department overseeing the experience.
The work assignment is
considered an integral part of the student’s education. Each completed work
period will appear on the student’s transcript, but no academic credit is
awarded for this experience. Normally the student will not be enrolled in any
classes during the semester of the work experience. During the Cooperative
Education program the student will be classified as full-time. Full-time status
provides a way to address insurance, taxes, loans, and other concerns surrounding
university status.
To enroll in the
program, a student must obtain a form from the Director of Career Development,
obtain approval from his/ her department chair/dean, and return the completed
form to the Director of Career Development.
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EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
The University
encourages students to maximize their learning experience by studying abroad.
FMU currently provides exchange programs in cooperation with universities in Australia,
England, France,
Germany, Mexico,
New Zealand,
and Switzerland.
Plans to expand the exchange programs are under way. For more information about
the Exchange Programs, contact the International Studies Coordinator at
843-661-1611.
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REGISTRATION
The Registrar is
responsible for the management of the registration process by which students
enroll in classes. Registration procedures for each term are described in the
schedule of classes for that term and on the University’s web site.
Each student should meet
with his or her faculty adviser to select courses to be taken. The student may
enter his or her schedules via the web, in the adviser’s office or in the
Office of the Registrar. Students must confirm schedules and pay fees in the
Cashier’s Office.
Through the registration
process, students assume academic and financial responsibility for the classes
in which they enroll.
They are relieved of
these responsibilities only by formally terminating enrollment by dropping or
withdrawing in accordance with procedures and deadlines specified in the
schedule of classes each term.
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COURSE LOAD
The unit of measurement
of University course work is the semester hour. It ordinarily represents one
lecture hour per week for one semester; however, a sequence of two or three
laboratory hours is considered to be the equivalent of one lecture hour.
Semester hours are also referred to as credit hours or credits.
The usual course load
for a Francis Marion
University student is 15 to 17 hours
per semester. With the approval of the student’s department chair or dean, a
student who earned a grade point average of 3.0 during the preceding regular
semester (while completing 15 hours or more) or has a 3.0 cumulative grade
point average may obtain permission to take more than 17 hours in one semester.
In addition, seniors who are within 19 hours of graduation and who have a 2.5
cumulative grade point average may also obtain permission.
No student who has
earned fewer than 15 hours at Francis
Marion University
will be permitted to carry an overload. Transient and correspondence courses
and any resulting overload must be approved prior to enrolling in the
course(s).
The maximum course load
permitted for Late Spring Term is one course, with a maximum of four hour
credit. The maximum course load for First Summer Term or Second Summer Term is
seven semester hours.
Students with grade
point averages of less than 2.0 may be required to carry reduced course loads.
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CLASSIFICATION OF
STUDENTS
Undergraduate students
who are enrolled in the regular session and who are registered for 12 or more
semester hours for University credit (not audit credit) are classified as
full-time.
Undergraduate students
who are enrolled in the Regular Session but who are registered for fewer than
12 semester hours are classified as part-time. A graduate student enrolled for
nine or more hours is considered to be a full-time student.
All undergraduate
students are also classified as either special or regular. Special students are
those who have completed a baccalaureate degree but are taking undergraduate
courses.
Regular students are
candidates for baccalaureate degrees and are further classified as follows:
Freshmen –
Students who have earned fewer than 22 semester hours of credit
Sophomores –
Students who have earned at least 22 but fewer than 54 semester hours of credit
Juniors – Students
who have earned at least 54 but fewer than 87 semester hours of credit
Seniors – Students
who have earned 87 or more semester hours of credit
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CLASS ATTENDANCE
POLICY
It is the responsibility
of the student to attend all scheduled meetings in the courses in which he/she
is enrolled. If a student is absent more than twice the number of required
class or laboratory sessions per week during regular semesters or more than 15
percent of required sessions during accelerated semesters, a grade of F or W
will normally be assigned, unless absences have been excused for cause by the
instructor.
Individual instructors
may choose alternative requirements for attendance. It is the responsibility of
the instructor to inform students, at the beginning of each course, of all attendance
policies. The instructor, at his/her discretion, may utilize a warning of
excessive absences or compulsory attendance. Attendance policies will be
outlined in the class syllabus.
If a student violates
the stated attendance policy, the instructor will notify the Office of the
Registrar to drop the student from the class with the appropriate grade. It is
the responsibility of a student to make up work missed because of absence from
announced tests and laboratory sessions. However, announced tests and
laboratory sessions may be made up only at the discretion of the instructor.
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DROPPING COURSES
A student is expected to
follow the course schedule for which he/she registers. However, prior to the
completion of 33 percent of a course, a student may initiate withdrawal from a
course and the grade recorded will be W. After the completion of 33 percent of
a course and prior to completion of 85 percent of a course, a student may still
initiate withdrawal from a course but the grade recorded will be F or W based
on the academic average at the time of withdrawal. During the last 15 percent
of a course, a student may not initiate withdrawal from a course. When a
student initiates withdrawal from a course, the withdrawal is not complete
until the student fills out a Drop Form, obtains all required signatures in the
proper order, and delivers the form to the Registrar’s Office.
A faculty member may
withdraw a student from his/her course for a violation of the stated attendance
policy at any time during a semester. Prior to the completion of 33 percent of
a course, a faculty member may withdraw a student from a course for a violation
of the stated attendance policy and the grade recorded will be W. After the
completion of 33 percent of a course, a faculty member may still withdraw a
student from a course for a violation of the stated attendance policy but the
grade recorded will be F or W based on the academic average at the time of
withdrawal. When a faculty member withdraws a student from a course, the
withdrawal is not complete until the faculty member fills out an Automatic
Dropping of Students Form, obtains the signature of the department chair or
dean, and delivers the form to the Registrar’s Office.
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AUDITING COURSES
A student admitted to Francis
Marion University
as a regular or special student may elect to audit one or more courses provided
that he/she meets the course prerequisites or receives the approval of the
Registrar. Students who audit a course should adhere to the class policies
including attendance. Students who do not adhere to the stated policies may be
dropped from the course for not attending. No credit is given for auditing.
Audited courses are
considered part of the course load for a regular student in determining
overload approval but not when determining whether a student is classified as
full-time. Changes from audit to credit are not permitted after the regular
change of schedule period has ended. Change from credit to audit is permitted
after the change of schedule period has ended only if the student is doing
passing work in the course and only upon the approval of the Registrar.
Audited courses are
charged at the same rate as courses taken for credit.
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ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT
(College Board Exams and
CLEP)
Advanced placement
credit can be earned through the College Entrance Board Advancement Placement
Exams, CLEP exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) exams and through placement
exams offered by FMU. Francis Marion
University may accept a total of 30
hours of advanced placement credit.
A student may not take a
course for which he/she has previously earned advanced placement credit.
Students may audit such courses with the permission of the instructor and the
appropriate academic chair/dean.
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COLLEGE ENTRANCE BOARD ADVANCED
PLACEMENT
Students who have taken
advanced-placement tests through the College Entrance Examination Board
Advanced Placement Program and who score satisfactorily may obtain college
credit.
The score necessary for
credit for a particular course is determined cooperatively by the appropriate
department or school and the Registrar. Students must request that their scores
be sent to Francis Marion
University c/o the Office of
Counseling and Testing. Advanced Placement scores obtained during high school
are usually received at Francis Marion
University in mid-July.
Scores required to
receive credit in the AP program:
|
College Board AP Examinations
|
Score
|
Course Exempted
|
Credits
|
|
Art History
|
3, 4, 5
|
Art 101
|
3
|
|
Studio Art: Drawing
|
3, 4, 5
|
Art 203
|
3
|
|
Studio Art: 2-D Design
|
3, 4, 5
|
Art 204
|
3
|
|
Studio Art: 3-D Design
|
3, 4, 5
|
Art 205
|
3
|
|
Biology
|
3
|
Biology 105
|
4
|
|
Biology
|
4, 5
|
Biology 105, 106
|
8
|
|
Calculus AB*
|
3, 4
|
Math 201
|
3
|
|
Calculus AB
|
5
|
Math 201, 202
|
6
|
|
Calculus BC
|
3
|
Math 201, 202
|
6
|
|
Calculus BC
|
4, 5
|
Math 201, 202, 203
|
9
|
|
Chemistry
|
3, 4, 5
|
Chemistry 101, 102
|
8
|
|
Computer Science A
|
3, 4, 5
|
Computer Science 226
|
3
|
|
Computer Science AB
|
3, 4, 5
|
Comp Science 226, 227
|
6
|
|
Macroeconomics
|
3, 4, 5
|
Economics 204
|
3
|
|
Microeconomics
|
3, 4, 5
|
Economics 203
|
3
|
|
English Language and Composition
|
3, 4, 5
|
English 112
|
3
|
|
English Literature and Composition
|
3, 4, 5
|
English 112
|
3
|
|
Environmental Science
|
3, 4, 5
|
Biology 103
|
4
|
|
French Language
|
3, 4, 5
|
French 101, 102
|
6
|
|
French Literature
|
3, 4, 5
|
French 201, 202
|
6
|
|
German
|
3, 4, 5
|
German 101, 102
|
6
|
|
Comparative Government and Politics
|
3, 4, 5
|
Elective
|
3
|
|
|
