Undergraduate FAQs
UNDERGRADUATE FAQs
Do you have a question regarding one of these topics?
How can I meet with an Academic Advisor in Civil or Environmental Engineering?
The Academic Advising office has a variety of ways to meet with students or address their needs/concerns via email. Please visit the Undergraduate Academic Advising page for more information.
I am enrolled in another pre-major/major program within the College of Engineering and am interested in switching to Civil or Environmental Engineering. How can I change my pre-major/major?
Please make an appointment with a CEGE Advisor to discuss changing your program.
I am not enrolled in the College of Engineering but am interested in majoring in Civil or Environmental Engineering. How can I switch to Engineering?
What are CPHR and MPHR? Where can I find them?
Each point hour ratio (PHR), frequently known as GPA, is calculated from the applicable courses listed below (except those which fall under the Grade Forgiveness Rule). You can find each PHR in your Degree Audit Report near the top.
- CPHR- Cumulative point hour ratio is calculated from all the courses you have taken at Ohio State for a grade.
- MPHR- Major point hour ratio is calculated from all core courses, core electives, technical electives for the major
What is Grade Forgiveness? Are there other grade forgiveness options?
Effective autumn semester 2015, under Ohio State's approved Grade Forgiveness Rule, students can petition to complete a second attempt at a course and apply grade forgiveness to the first attempt.
View parameters of the Grade Forgiveness Rule.
What are the requirements to be admitted to the Civil or Environmental Engineering majors?
How can I find out when I schedule for classes?
Around the middle of the academic term, you should receive an email from the Registrar’s Office notifying you that the dates for your enrollment appointment (scheduling window) have been posted on your Student Center under “Enrollment Information.”
How many credit hours are required for full-time status?
A student must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per term in order to be considered a full-time student. If you are considering dropping below 12 credit hours, make sure you are still meeting the requirements of any financial aid you are receiving and check any other policies you may be restricted to such as international visas and health insurance.
You may also want to check fees and refund schedules on the Registrar’s website.
View additional considerations for students who are enrolled part-time.
Are there a maximum number of credit hours that can be taken per semester?
At this time, students in the College of Engineering are permitted to enroll in up to 18 credit hours per term. Upperclass students may request to enroll in more than 18 credit hours in one academic term.
To enroll in more than 18 credit hours, students must pay additional fees and get permission from their advisor.
When is the deadline for adding a class?
- The 1st Friday of the term is the last day of a term in which students may self-enroll in a course via BuckeyeLink.
- During the 2nd week of classes, students will need to obtain permission from the instructor of the course to enroll and then return a signed Course Enrollment Permission form to an advisor to add the class. Access Course Enrollment Permission forms.
- After the 2nd Friday students will need to petition to add a course.
- View additional deadlines.
When would I need to use a Course Enrollment Permission form?
A Course Enrollment Permission form may be required for several reasons including the following:
- Getting into a waitlisted class.
- Adding a class after the 1st Friday of the term.
- You do not have the required prerequisite for enrollment in the class.
- There is a time conflict with another class.
- The class requires Instructor or Department Permission for enrollment.
The form must be filled out completely or it will not be processed. Except for a few departments, most completed forms may be submitted to the Undergraduate Academic Advisor and the class will be added.
How can I drop a class?
- Before the 4th Friday of the term, students may withdraw from a full-term course on-line using Buckeye Link.
- After the 4th Friday through 5pm on the 10th Friday, students must submit all drop requests (for full-term courses) in writing to the Academic Advisor. All requests must be submitted from your OSU email or in person. Please note that students who drop a course after the 4th Friday will receive a ‘W’ for the course on their transcript to show that the student attempted and withdrew from the course. A 'W' is not calculated with your GPA.
- Any student requesting to drop a course after the 10th Friday must petition the College of Engineering. Only students with documented extenuating circumstances will have their petitions considered by the COE Committee. Please contact the Advising Office for the petition forms.
- Please note: deadlines will vary for session 1 and session 2 courses. Please visit the University Registrar's website for dates and deadlines.
What is a Degree Audit Report and how can I run one?
A Degree Audit Report (DAR) shows you what requirements you have completed and what requirements you still need to complete to graduate. You can find your DARs on BuckeyeLink or through your Student Center.
Please note that when you run your DAR, it will automatically run a report for the degree program in which you are listed in the system. You are able to run a report for other degree programs.
I sent a copy of my official transcript to the University but I did not receive credit for some courses. How do I get my other courses evaluated?
In order to get transfer credit evaluated, you must go to the department from which you are seeking to receive credit. Review the department websites for their policy as most departments on campus will have their own procedures for reviewing and evaluating transfer courses. You should expect to submit your Transfer Credit Report and a copy of your syllabus for each of the courses being reviewed.
A course description from the university or college’s website will most likely not be considered. Please review the Transfer Credit section of the CEGE website for assistance in having courses evaluated by the department. Your Transfer Credit Report and a list of Transfer Credit Coordinators for all departments on campus can be found on Buckeye Link.
How can I obtain a copy of my transcript?
There are two types of transcripts- official and unofficial – both available on Buckeye Link. Students can download an unofficial copy of their transcript, from Buckeye Link by printing a copy of their ‘Advising Report.’ Students can also order an official transcript from the University through the Registrar.
How do I apply for graduation?
Students should apply for graduation at least two(2) terms before the term expected to graduate. Students must submit the signed required graduation application forms to the Advising Office. Please consult the Graduation section of the CEGE website for application materials, deadlines and other details.
Where do I find out about co-ops, internships and job searching?
Engineering Career Services assists students with co-ops, internships and job searching, including assistance with preparation such as interviewing, resumes, etc. Visit the Engineering Career Services (ECS) website for more information on their services and how to register.
What is the FE Exam?
The FE Exam, or Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, is the first of two exams offered for those who wish to pursue licensure as a Professional Engineer. The FE is not administered by the university and registration is overseen by the State of Ohio Professional Engineers and Surveyors Board.
The FE is offered twice a year. View FE and PE examination registeration information.
What is Academic Probation?
Academic probation is designed to help students who are having academic difficulties make the necessary adjustments to become successful students. A civil or environmental engineering student will be placed on Special Action Probation (SAP) with the department should their MPHR fall below a 2.0. If you do not meet specific requirements in the semester in which you are on probation, you can be dismissed from the college or department.
Where do I go for issues with fees and financial aid?
BuckeyeLink assists students with matters concerning financial aid, statement of account, refunds, holds, etc.
Where can I find scholarship information?
Students can seek out scholarships and other forms of financial aid through the University, the College of Engineering, the Department of Civil and Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, as well as external sources.
Please visit the Financial Aid & Scholarship section of the CEGE website between January and April for deadlines and details.
To be considered for financial aid, it is highly recommended to file a FAFSA each year.
View Ohio State financial aid information.
Where can I get help with my classes?
You should seek out assistance from your instructors and TAs of the class. Tutoring and other academic assistance is available for many of the math and science courses that are required for our programs. Individual departments may also have helpful information listed on their departmental websites.
Where can I find a computer lab on campus?
Students in the Civil or Environmental Engineering majors or pre-majors can use the computer lab spaces in the Kokosing Design Studio, located on the 4th floor of Bolz Hall.
If you are a Civil or Environmental Engineering student and cannot access the space using your BuckID, please email Barry Tolchin (tolchin.5@osu.edu) to request access.
If you are not in the Civil or Environmental Engineering major or pre-major, please contact your academic advisor for additional information.