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Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2015-2016
ACADEMIC POLICY AND INFORMATION
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ACADEMIC POLICY AND INFORMATION
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar is divided into two terms, a fall term beginning in
late August and concluding near the end of December, and a spring term
beginning in early February and concluding in May. The month of January
is an Exploration term during which students engage in an academic
project under the supervision of a faculty member. There is also a summer
term on campus, including regular coursework and undergraduate research.
The academic calendar, showing pertinent dates for the academic year, is
posted on the College website.
Typically, courses in regular terms are scheduled for two or three days per
week. Not all courses conform to this schedule; the College recognizes
that different kinds of learning experiences may require different contexts
for learning. Students should consult the class schedule as they plan
their courses each term. A “Common Hour,” when no classes are held, is
built into the schedule on Tuesdays and Thursdays for special programs,
speakers, and College community activities.
Classification of Students
Students who are candidates for a bachelor’s degree are classified as follows:
first-year students
, if they have completed fewer than seven units;
sophomores
,
if they have completed at least seven but fewer than 15 units;
juniors
, if
they have completed at least 15 but fewer than 23 units; and
seniors
, if
they have completed at least 23 units but have not completed all degree
requirements. Transient students and special students are classified as “not
candidate for degree” students.
COURSEWORK
Academic Load
The basic measure of academic credit at Birmingham-Southern College
is a unit, which reflects time spent both in the classroom and completing
course-related assignments. Enrollment in three units is the minimum
required for full-time status during a regular term. During the fall and
spring, a full-time student’s normal load is four full-unit courses or the