Academic Services

Q1 What is a catalog year?

A student’s catalog year refers to the academic year the student was first admitted to Vanderbilt.

Q2 How do I know what catalog year I am on?

The catalog year is important because the student is expected to follow the curriculum requirements that were in effect that academic year. For example, if a student was admitted in Fall 2022 their catalog year would be 2022-2023. 

Q3 Can I change my catalog year?

Students can choose to follow any catalog year during the years they are a student at Vanderbilt. Students inquiring about a catalog year change should contact the Office of Academic Services.

Q1 How do I change my major?

The Major/Minor Declaration/Change workflow can be found by clicking on the link.

1. The above workflow is to change your primary major within your home school or to add/drop a second major or minor inside or outside your home school. To change your primary major to a major outside of your home school please click here for more information.
2. For declaring CS as a second major or minor, follow the instructions listed here prior to completing the webform to gain approval from the CS adviser first
3. Class of 2028 School of Engineering students please use the major declaration form on the incoming students page here

Q2 How do I declare a major from VUSE?

Computer Science is the only major that Arts and Science, Blair, or Peabody students can declare without transferring to the School of Engineering.

If you are a student from Blair, Peabody or the College of Arts and Science and want to declare a major other than Computer Science you will need to complete an Intra-University Transfer (IUT) Application in order to change your residence into the School of Engineering. The application contains the eligibility requirements. In addition, students should complete two semesters of calculus and two semesters of applicable lab-based science prior to transferring. We also require students to have a 2.0 average GPA in any STEM courses taken at Vanderbilt (Science, math or engineering courses).

Q1 How do I change my graduation term?

Students in the School of Engineering cannot change their expected graduation term to an earlier semester unless they are planning to graduate early. Students planning to graduate in three years may request to change their expected graduation term (EGT) after the completion o ftheir fourth regular semester in residence; those planning to graduate one semester early may request to change their EGT after the completion of their fifth regular semester. Such requests much include a semester-by-semester plan showing how they will meet graduation requirements by the conclusion of their new expected graduation term. The plan must meet all prerequisite streams and be feasible based on course schedules available at the time of plan creation. The request also must include the approval/ endorsement of the Director of Undergraduate Studies in their major.

Q1 What is the degree audit and how does it work?

The degree audit is an academic advising document that maps a student’s degree requirements against their academic transcript.

Q2 Why do I need to look at my degree audit?

The purpose of the audit is to provide information to assist in academic planning and appropriate course scheduling. It is important for students to consistently view the audit by refreshing it to ensure they are on track with their requirements. It is also the student’s responsibility to seek out a correction if anything is incorrect on the audit. For questions about the degree audit students may contact the Office of Academic Services.

Q3 Can I choose a different major to view in my degree audit?

Yes, the “What If” degree audit is a tool to show students what their audit would look like if they pursued a different major(s) or minor(s). The “What If” audit will default to the settings used most recently, however these can be updated.

Q1 What is a focus area? 

Focus areas provide guidance to students wishing to concentrate on a specialized topic within engineering. Focus areas are typically nine credit hours, and qualifying courses are listed in the catalog. Students can declare a maximum of three focus areas; however, a qualifying course cannot be applied to more than one focus area. Students interested in declaring a focus area must do so before the start of their final semester at Vanderbilt. Successful completion of a declared focus area will be designated on a student’s transcript upon graduation.

Q2 What focus areas are available?

We have the following focus areas available: Human Computer Interaction, Microelectronics, Nanotechnology, Strategic and Technical Consulting, Engineering Communications, Technology Entrepreneurship & Product Development.

Q3 How do I declare a focus area? 

You can declare a focus area on the Engineering Forms webpage by clicking on the Engineering Focus Area Kuali webform. 

Q1 If I am switching my undergraduate school to be in the School of Engineering and have not taken the ES 1401-1403 Introduction to Engineering modules, what would be a substitution? 

VUSE policy for ES 140X substitutions, as accepted by BME, ChE, CivE, ES, CmpE, CS, EE, and ME:

Students transferring into the School of Engineering who do not have credit for ES 140x may substitute an equivalent number of credits from any course(s) in the School of Engineering except
1) CS 1151, DS 1000 & ENGM 2440,
2) ES 2700, 2900, 3884,
3) ENGM 3350, and
4) courses that are restricted to open elective credit toward a degree in the school, such as BME 1015, CS 1000, ENGM 4800, ES 1001, and any VUSE course numbered 2860.

The substituting course(s) cannot simultaneously be counted toward other requirements in the primary degree nor can it(they) be taken pass/fail. Accepted substitutions include UG research courses and ES 2100W Technical Communications (for those programs that do not require this course).

Q2 Aside from the Intra-University Transfer (IUT) application, do I need to complete any other requirements?

Students planning on declaring Computer Science as a primary major must complete and include the Computer Science Intra-University Transfer Applicant Information when submitting their IUT application.

Q1 What is the liberal arts core?

In order to provide the elements of a general education considered necessary for responsible practice as an educated engineer, the School of Engineering requires each student to complete at least 18 hours in the Liberal Arts Core comprising:

1. At least 3 hours selected from courses classified in the AXLE Curriculum Course Distribution as Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA), with the exception of CMST 1500, 2100, 2110, and 2120,
   and
2. At least 3 hours selected from courses classified in the AXLE Curriculum Course Distribution as Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS).

The remaining hours are to be selected from:

1. Courses classified in the AXLE Curriculum Course Distribution as Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA), International Cultures (INT), History and Culture of the United States (US), Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), and Perspectives (P)
2. CS 1151 and ENGM 2440
3. ARA, CHEB, CHIN, FREN, GER, GRK, HEBR, HNUR, ITA, JAPN, KICH, KOR, LAT, RUSS, SNSK, and SPAN courses numbered 1101; CHIN and JAPN courses numbered 1011 and 1012; and ENGL and SPAN courses numbered 1100. 448
4. Peabody College courses in Psychology and Human Development numbered 1205, 1207, 1250, 2200, 2250, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2550, 2600, and 3150, and in Human and Organizational Development numbered 1250, 1300, 2100, 2260, 2400, 2500, 2700, and 3232
5. All MUSC, MUSE, MUSO, COMP, MREP, MUTH, and performance courses in the Blair School of Music, except MUSO 1001

Q2 Will my minor or second major coursework count for liberal arts core?

Yes, if it is classified as a course in the AXLE Curriculum Course Distribution as Humanities and Creative Arts (HCA), International Cultures (INT), History and Culture of the United States (US, Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), and Perspectives (P). There are other additional courses that are accepted for the Liberal Arts Core. Students are encouraged to consult the Undergraduate Catalog for the full description.

Q1 What minors are offered in the School of Engineering?

A declared minor consists of at least five courses of at least 3 credit hours each within a recognized area of knowledge. A minor offers students more than a casual introduction to an area, but less than a major. A minor is not a degree requirement, but students may elect to complete one or more. Courses applying to the minor may not be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. A minor for which all designated courses are completed with a grade point average of at least 2.0 will be entered on the transcript at the time of graduation. When a minor is offered in a discipline that offers a major, only those courses that count toward the major may be counted toward the minor. Students should refer to the appropriate sections of the undergraduate catalog for specific requirements. Currently, minors are offered in computer science, data science, digital fabrication, electrical & computer engineering, energy and environmental systems, engineering management, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, nanoscience and nanotechnology, and scientific computing.

Q2 How do I declare a minor outside the School of Engineering?

Minors are offered in most disciplines of the College of Arts and Science, Blair School of Music, and Peabody College.

Students should declare their intention to pursue minors by completing the 'Change of Major' form. Departments and programs assign advisers to students who declare minors in their areas. Students are responsible for knowing and satisfying all requirements for the minors they intend to complete.

Q1 What is an open elective?

Any course offered for credit at Vanderbilt University except Math 1005, 1010, 1011, and 1100 or Physics 1010,1010L, 2051, 2052, 2053 and 2054.

Q2 Will my minor or double-major coursework count as open electives?

It depends, but many of the classes likely can count as open electives. If your minor or double-major coursework is classified as a Liberal Arts Core it will fulfill this area and will not go towards your open electives unless the Liberal Arts Core is already fulfilled. Similarly, if the minor or double-major coursework overlaps with your major degree requirements it will count in the appropriate category instead of open electives as well.

Q1 What double majors are offered in the School of Engineering?

Certain double majors involving two programs within the School of Engineering have been approved by the faculty. The approved double majors are biomedical engineering/electrical and computer engineering, and biomedical engineering/chemical engineering. The double major is indicated on the student's transcript. Only one degree is awarded, from the school in which the student is enrolled in her or his primary major.

Q2 How do I declare a double major outside the School of Engineering?

It is possible for a student to combine an engineering field with a second area outside the School of Engineering. The student must obtain prior approval of each department and satisfy the requirements of each major, including the requirement regarding minimum grade point average.

Q1 Can I study abroad as an engineering student?

Yes. GEO (Global Education Office) in the Student Life Center is the first stop for information about study abroad. The VUSE Study Abroad website contains information on specific programs that are affiliated with the School of Engineering. Students who wish to study abroad will need to work with their faculty adviser, the Office of Academic Services and GEO to ensure that the plan will work correctly for the expected graduation term.

Q2 How do I know what courses to take abroad?

Careful planning is the key for knowing what courses should be taken abroad. Many students find options for math electives, technical electives, liberal arts core or open electives to be the easiest to transfer back to Vanderbilt. However, students can take a number of different courses if equivalencies exist for the course requirements. In YES, the programs and course equivalencies can be found under the Study Abroad tab.

Q1 Can the courses I took elsewhere count towards my degree at Vanderbilt?

Possibly, but the courses would need to be evaluated to see if they are the equivalent to the course at Vanderbilt. It is the student’s responsibility to provide all information needed for an assessment of the program for which transfer credit is requested.

During compressed time periods such as the break between fall and spring terms or the Maymester term, no more than one course (up to four credit hours) may be taken for transfer credit in any one such period.

Work transferred to Vanderbilt from another institution will not carry with it a grade point average. No course in which a grade below C- was received will be credited toward a degree offered by the School of Engineering. School of Engineering students cannot take a course that was failed at Vanderbilt for transfer credit. 

Transfer students must complete at least 60 hours of work at Vanderbilt. Two of the semesters must be the senior year. Please refer to the Transfer Students link.

Q2 Is there a limit to the number of AP or IB credits I can transfer?

The School of Engineering does not have a limit to the number of AP or IB credits you can transfer to Vanderbilt. However, we do not accept AP credit for Statistics and Physics.

Some students may qualify for advanced placement or advanced credit in mathematics, science, the humanities and social sciences, or computer science. If advanced credit is awarded, it will not affect the student's Vanderbilt grade point average.

Entering engineering students will be placed in the appropriate level mathematics course by the director of undergraduate mathematics program. Students offering one full year or more of high school credit in analytic geometry and calculus may qualify for advance placement in a regular sequence by scoring well on the Advance Placement Examination.

Q3 If I plan to take classes over the summer how do I know if it will transfer to Vanderbilt?

The transfer credit course review at Vanderbilt is conducted through the External Education Unit. They have each individual department review the syllabi to determine if they can grant transfer credit.

Students may use the transfer credit search tool to see if a course has already been evaluated for transfer credit. If a student finds a course they wish to sign up for then they will want to submit the course for review. Students need to attach a syllabus if the course they are taking does not have an equivalency listed in the transfer credit search tool.

Q4 Can I take a class or classes at a different institution in the same semester that I am enrolled in courses at Vanderbilt?

No, concurrent enrollment at an external institution during a semester in which you are enrolled at Vanderbilt is not allowed.

Q1 When can I start doing research? How do I get started?

For most students, research is a way to explore areas of special interest in a particular discipline of engineering. By the time students become juniors, they have begun to choose some specialization through their coursework and we find this is a great time to begin to engage in research. We have also found that research experience as an undergraduate makes students extremely competitive for graduate school, graduate fellowships and prestigious scholarships.

To learn about the guidelines for seeking research opportunities, please visit the undergraduate research website.

Q2 How do I get enrolled in undergraduate research or individual study?

Research/individual study requires completion of a request in YES, which there is a YES User Guide on how to submit a request Individual Study. Once the request is submitted and approved by the relevant departments students will be enrolled.