[CALS logo]

Academic Advising and Requirements

1. Planning Your Education -
General tips to putting together a successful program at UW-Madison

  1. CALS - general information
  2. Degree and Major Requirements - academic requirements for students completing majors in this college
  3. Choosing a degree program - Choose from Eight Degrees and Numerous Majors
  4. General Requirements for a B.S. Degree
  5. Minimum Course Requirements for all Majors
  6. B.S. Degree Programs - Degree Tracks and Core Course Requirements
    1. Natural Sciences
    2. Agricultural Sciences
    3. International Agriculture and Natural Resources
    4. Natural Resources
    5. Agricultural Business Management
    6. Agricultural Engineering
    7. Dietetics
    8. Landscape Architecture
  7. Major Requirements
  8. Tracking Academic Progress with DARS
  9. Substitutions to the degree and major requirements -
    Policy on Course Waivers and Substitutions For Course Requirements
  10. Special Programs

2. Academic Rules and Policies -
Frequently asked questions about academic standing, adding and dropping courses, double majors and other stuff students need to know

  1. When do I need to declare my major in CALS?
    Students in CALS can declare a major at any time but are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Students must declare a major prior to the start of their junior year. Students who are undecided about which CALS major to choose will be assigned to an adviser from a department that best matches the student's interest.
  2. How do I change my major to a different major in CALS?
    CALS students can changes majors within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences by completing a Change of Major form in 116 Agricultural Hall. Although it is not required, students are encouraged to talk to an adviser in the department of the major they the are planning to change to review requirements prior to formally making the change. Students can request a DARS Report showing the "what if " requirements of their new major from the Office of Academic Student Affairs.
  3. How do I change my major to a major outside of CALS?
    Changing your major to a program outside of CALS is a cross-campus transfer. You will need to visit the Academic Affairs Office of the School or College that administers the major you wish to transfer into for more information. The UW -Madison Advising Navigator Advising Office Directory can help you find the office location and website. The Majors page will help you locate the School or College that administers the major if you are unsure where to go.
  4. How do I declare a double major?
    - The short answer is come to 116 Ag Hall to pick up the appropriate form. Your plan needs to be approved by your adviser and the all of the departments involved in your double major. There are various combinations of double majors and double degrees you can set up. Majors can be all within CALS or with other schools and colleges.
  5. What is satisfactory progress for CALS?
    In general students in CALS need to maintain 2.00 GPA to stay in good academic standing. Students in most programs should average 15-16 credits each semester to make satisfactory progress toward graduating in four years. Please be aware that some programs may have higher minimum GPA standards or credits required for graduation.
    - Grades and Scholastic Actions
    - Study Load and Progress
  6. What happens if my academic progress is not satisfactory?
    Students in academic difficulty will have an academic action notation on their grade report and transcript. The type or action taken depends on the GPA and the number of semesters of poor academic performance. A detailed explanation of the academic actions for CALS is available in the Undergraduate Catalog
  7. What administrative appeal processes are available to students in this college?
    Students in a dropped status with unusual and substantial circumstances may appeal to the Scholastic Policies and Actions Committee. Appeals may be written or in person. Students wishing to make an in person appeal will also need to submit a letter to the committee prior to the appearance before the committee. Students wishing to appeal should speak to the staff in the Office of Academic Student Affairs to learn of the committee meeting times, deadlines to file an appeal and to make an appointment to appear before the committee.
    see also - Grades and Scholastic Actions
  8. What are the CALS deadlines for adding and dropping classes?
    CALS students need to follow the deadlines established for all undergraduate students. You can check the deadlines for the current semester on the front cover of the timetable or by checking the on-line academic calendar maintained by the Office of the Registrar.
  9. Under what circumstances may a late drop or withdrawal be considered?
    Dean's permission to drop a class after that date is granted only under highly unusual circumstances beyond the student's control. Examples would be serious illness or injury resulting in substantial class time missed, death of a close relative, and serious family emergencies.
  10. What do I do if the results of an exam that may affect dropping a class by the end of the 9th week will not be returned in time to make a good decision?
    The last day for dropping a course without special Dean's permission is the end of the 9th week of class. Dean's permission to drop a class after that date is granted only under highly unusual circumstances. If you will not be able to make a decision on dropping a course by the end of the 9th week you should see you advisor, prior to that date. Discuss your situation with your adviser. If your adviser agrees with your need to defer the decision on dropping a class until after the end of the 9th week you should visit the Office of Academic Student Affairs and discuss your situation with a Dean. The Dean's decision on how to proceed will be made on a case by case basis for each student. Any decision to allow a deferral for a drop must be made prior to the drop deadline. Otherwise we will assume that you have had ample time to make a decision and we will not extend the deadline except under the most unusual cases and only for circumstances over which you have no control.
  11. Is there information available on taking classes pass/fail, by audit and other academic regulations?
    The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences section of the Undergraduate catalog is an excellent source for this information. There is a section dealing specifically with academic regulations.
  12. How do I take a class Pass/Fail?
  13. Can I change my adviser?
    CALS students may request a change of adviser assignment at anytime by completing the Change of Major/Adviser Form available in the office of Academic Student Affairs. Usually students will change advisers with a change of academic major. To meet Senior Year in Residence Requirements, students must have a adviser from their major department before staring their last 30 credits.
  14. I should graduate this semester is there any thing I need to do?
    Be sure to indicate your intent to graduate when you register or go to the EASI system to indicate your intent. Students who indicate their intent to graduate will are expected to review their DARS Report with their advisers and be aware of their responsibilities as stated in the Expecting to Graduate section in the CALS portion of the Undergraduate Catalog. The Registrar Office website has additional commencement information.

3. Registration - Frequently asked questions about registering for classes.

  1. How will I know when to register?
    The Office of the registrar will send e-mail to students the weekend before registration begins. You can check the Office of the Registrar website Timetable section for complete information regarding upcoming registration periods. The site also keeps the past registration and Timetable information on-line which will provide basic planning information for you since registration times and most class times do nt vary greatly from semester to semester.
  2. Will I get any information from CALS regarding registration?
    The Office of Academic Student Affairs generally sends three e-mails to all CALS Students each semester. The second of these will be sent 4-5 weeks pror to the start of the registration period. Copies of the text of past e-mail messages are posted on our website for students' reference.
  3. How do I change sections of a class once I have registered?
  4. How do I add a class?
    Courses may be routinely added prior to and during the first 2 weeks of the semester using the touchtone system. After this time, students will need to obtain departmental approval and Dean's permission to add a course. You will need to use a Course Change Form for this approval. The Registrar' Office website has more information on course change procedures. Be sure to verify that the information at this link has been updated for the semester you wish to view.
  5. How do I drop a class?
    Courses may be routinely dropped prior to and during the first 9 weeks of the semester via the touchtone system. Courses dropped after the 8th day of classes will be noted on your transcript. See the Timetable for information on the impact of dropped classes on fee assessment
  6. I need a form for adding or dropping a class. Where do I get it?
    On-line forms are available from the Registrar's Office Web Site
  7. What other forms are available on line?
    The Office of the Registrar has made many of the routine forms available on-line for students. In most cases the form on-line will allow you to enter data on line and print out copies you need. Generally you will need three copies, one for your record, one for your Dean's Office and one for the Dean's Office to forward to the Registrar's Office.
  8. Can I take more than 18 credits?
    CALS students need permission from their advisor and the Office of Academic Student Affairs. Students are reminded that if they are registered for more than 18 credits as of the first day of class, hey will be accessed a per credit surcharge for each credit above 18. See the Office of the Registrar's Fee and Tuition Section for more information on fee assessment, and about study load
  9. Do I need to see an adviser before I register?
    The College of Agricultural and Life Science's Policy on Advising states that each student must consult with their academic adviser before registering for the next semester. Departments have the right to place registration holds on students who do not consult with an adviser.
  10. When do I contact my advisor?
    A pre-registration e-mail from the office of Academic Student Affairs will provide information regarding the preferred time that each department has for students to see their academic advisers. Students needing to take business courses should contact their adviser 3-4 weeks prior to the opening of the touchtone registration period.
  11. Where do I get Timetable information?
    The most current Timetable information is posted on the Office of the Registrar's website. Past semester information will remain posted for planning purposes. The Timetable information for the previous same semester can be very helpful in planning since the time and day which course meet does not vary greatly form semester to semester.
  12. How do I get authorized for 299, 699 or other Independent Study classes?
    Students wishing to take independent study classes will need to get permission from the faculty member they are working with. The faculty member will give the student the name of the person in his or her department who is responsible for entering the authorization for students for independent study classes into the registration system. Once this has been done, the student will need to use the touchtone system to add the class. Each faculty member will have a call number for his or her section of the independent study class. If your faculty mentor does not know this number it can be found in the On-Line Timetable. (Independent Study section call numbers do not appear in the printed Timetable)
  13. How can I get involved in independent research?
    (see Honors Research)
  14. How do I get authorized for a 399 internship?
    The process to get authorized to register is outlined in the question above. Students will also need to complete a CALS Internship Agreement Form and turn the completed form into the CALS Career Services Office to meet the requirements for receiving credit for their internship. The CALS Internship Agreement Form can be picked up in the CALS Career Services Office in 116 Ag Hall or you can download a copy form the CALS Academic Student Affairs Forms Page.
  15. How do I get authorized to take a business course?
    CALS students who are required to take Business courses to meet the requirements for their academic program can apply for registration priority by submitting a CALS Business Course Authorization Application to the Office of Academic Student Affairs. Students who receive registration priority will be allowed to register after all of the juniors have been allowed into the touchtone system but before the business classes are released for open enrollment. The exact date and time for access will be printed on the report mailed to students indicating the classes for which they have been authorized. CALS Business Course Authorization Applications can be obtained from department offices, the Office of Academic Student Affairs or from the CALS Academic Student Affairs Forms Page.

4. Customizing and enhancing your academic program -
Frequently asked questions about special class and program opportunities.

  1. Why should I consider working on a independent research project?
    How can I get involved in independent research?
    See How to Find Undergraduate Research Experiences in the Biological Sciences and
    Honors in research
  2. How can a professional internship help enhance my academic program?
    How do I set up an internship for academic credit?
    See Internships in CALS
  3. Why should I consider adding service work to my academic program?
    What resources can help me find a service program or project?
    See Community Scholars Program

5. Transfer Information -
information for transferring into this college for off campus or from other programs at UW-Madison.

  1. How do I transfer into CALS from another program on the UW-Madison campus?
    Students seeking to declare a major in CALS are advised to first contact an adviser in the department they wish to transfer into for guidance on course requirements, career options and departmental policies. If the student is comfortable with their decision on the major the next stop is the CALS Office of Academice Student Affairs to declare the major and finalized the transfer into the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The office of Academic Student can provide additional information on programs or help students who are unsure of which CALS major to select.
  2. I am thinking of starting my college career at another school. What should I do to make smooth transition to CALS?
    Students should contact the department that they intend to transfer into as early as possible in their academic career for advice on course selection, requirements and program options. The CALS Major Information Page provides "Four Year Road Maps" which provide a suggestion of course sequence for CALS majors. Detailed curriculum sheets can be obtained by contacting the CALS Office of Academic Students Affairs at asa@cals.wisc.edu or (608)262-3003.
  3. I am transferring into CALS from another school in the UW-System. How and when do I register for classes?
    The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and The Office of the registrar will notify you of your registration time once you have been admitted to UW-Madison. To speed your registration process we encourage you to contact the CALS Office of Academic Student Affairs as soon as you receive your formal letter of acceptance to arrange for advising prior to registering for classes.
  4. What resources are available to help me know how classes will transfer?
    Students transferring with in the UW-System and from some Wisconsin Technical Colleges can find transfer information on the UW-System Transfer Information website. Information for all transfer students is available at Admissions page for Transfer Students

6. Who to contact in CALS for additional information -
key contact people in Academic Student Affairs and departments for academic advice
list of CALS advisors

7. On-line resources for academic advice

  1. UW-Madison catalog
  2. EASI
  3. DARS
  4. New Student Handbook
  5. UW-Madison Guidebook

8. Still have a question about CALS?

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Academic Student Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison WI 53706
(608)262-3003
fax (608)265-5905

asa@cals.wisc.edu

to Ag Hall logo CALS Academic Student Affairs index page

http://www.cals.wisc.edu/students/acad-adv.html
9-14-01

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