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Repeat Policy

A student may repeat a course to replace a failing grade, a resignation, or to seek to improve the student’s record when the student’s first enrollment resulted in a passing grade.

A student may twice self-enroll into a course for which a grade other than ‘W’ (administrative withdrawal) has been earned. Any further repeat enrollment in that course, i.e., a third or subsequent enrollment, requires the approval of the academic unit offering the course. The academic unit offering the course may require the student to consult with an academic advisor.

Students who earn a passing grade in the UB Seminar (199 or 198) may not repeat the course.

Upon repeating a course, these conditions apply:

  1. When a course is repeated, the grade and credits of the first enrollment no longer count towards general degree requirements and are excluded from the student’s credits attempted, credits completed, and UB grade point average (GPA), even if the repetition grade is lower than the initial grade, but not if the grade for the repetition enrollment is ‘I’, blank, ‘N’, ‘R’ or ‘W’.

    1. When a course repetition (second attempt) results in a passing grade, i.e., a grade of ‘D’ or higher, the grade and credits of this repetition count towards general degree requirements and are included in the student’s credits attempted, credits completed, and GPA.

      1. Whenever a course repetition results in a passing grade, the course may not again be repeated for credit. A student may, however, repeat again a course in which a passing grade has been achieved solely to demonstrate proficiency in a course that is required for a major or minor. Any such further repetition shall be approved by the department or program involved. The grades and credit associated with such a repetition will not be included in the student’s credits earned or GPA. The grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript. 

    2. Whenever a course repetition (second attempt) results in a grade of ‘F’, the course may be repeated again, subject to the permission of the department and advisement requirement specified in this policy. The credits and grade for each and every failed course repetition are included in the student’s credits attempted and GPA. Failed repetitions negatively affect the student’s GPA; multiple failed repetitions may result in academic probation or dismissal.

      1. When a course is repeated more than once and the last repetition results in a passing grade, the grade and credits for this last repetition count towards general degree requirements and are included in the student’s credits attempted, credits completed, and GPA.

        • Whenever a course repetition results in a passing grade, the course may not again be repeated for credit. A student may, however, repeat again a course in which a passing grade has been achieved solely to demonstrate proficiency in a course that is required for a major or minor. Any such further repetition shall be approved by the department or program involved. The grades and credit associated with such a repetition will not be included in the student’s credits earned or GPA. The grade will be recorded on the student’s transcript. 

  2. When a course is repeated, S/U grading is not an option. In recognition of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, S/U grading may be selected for repeated courses in spring 2020 only. S* and U* grades earned in spring 2020 will be treated as letter grades typically are in the application of the Repeat Policy.

  3. Credits and grades of successfully repeated courses count towards major or minor requirements only at the discretion of the program (see below).

  4. Repeat enrollments in controlled enrollment (impacted) courses are subject to all conditions and requirements for such courses.

  5. All courses taken and all grades earned are included in the student’s UB transcript. Repeated courses appear on the UB transcript with a note indicating they have been repeated.

There is no limit to the number of different courses that a student may repeat. Courses in which a student earns a passing grade in a repeat registration may be applied towards general education requirements. Each academic department and program, however, has the authority to decide whether or not courses may be repeated to meet program requirements. Prior to registering to repeat a course that is a program prerequisite, requirement or component, a student must check with the student’s major or minor department or program to determine if the repetition will be accepted.

Although a successfully repeated course may fulfill general education or program requirements, the repetition may not be accepted by a post-baccalaureate program, and the grade and credits for the initial course enrollment may be included by a post-baccalaureate program in its assessment of the student for admission.

This course repetition policy does not apply, except by appeal, to courses that may have different content from semester to semester (e.g., Special Topics courses) and that are designed to be taken more than once for additional credits each time. The repeatable status of courses so designated is indicated in the HUB course catalog. A later grade in such a course may replace an earlier grade only if the content of the two courses is essentially the same.

A student may not repeat any course in which the student has an incomplete, or a blank grade. After the ‘I’, or blank grade is changed to a grade of ‘A’ through ‘F’, ‘S’ or ‘U’, however, the course may be repeated.

Course Repetition Application to Transfer Courses

Transfer credit will be evaluated under the UB Repeat Policy. Attempted and completed credits and grade and GPA will be subject to the conditions for multiple repetitions.

A course previously taken at UB may be repeated at another institution.

  1. If the student passed the UB course and repeats it at another institution, no transfer credit will be awarded; the student’s UB credits and UB GPA will not be affected; the only benefit will be demonstration of subject proficiency.
  2. If the student failed or resigned the UB course and repeats it at another institution, transfer credit will be awarded. The student’s UB credits attempted and GPA, however, will not be affected.

A course taken initially at UB and then repeated at another institution cannot again be repeated at UB. (Note: For the Repeat Policy to take effect, transfer courses must first have been articulated with UB courses. The student should consult with a UB advisor and the course articulation listed in TAURUS for proper course selection.)

Course Repetition Effects on Prior Academic Standing

The course repetition policy does not entitle any student to a retroactive degree, Latin Honors, Dean’s List, or other award or recognition that would have been forthcoming had the student’s GPA been computed under its algorithm on a previous occasion. The historical record of students on probation or scholastically dismissed in a past semester will not be changed as a result of any revision of the course repetition policy.

Course Repetition Effects on Financial Aid

To maintain full-time status for financial aid purposes, a student repeating a course should carry it in addition to at least the minimum credit hours required for full-time status in other courses for the semester in question.

Eligibility requirements for U.S. and New York State student financial aid programs differ from one another and may not fully match UB’s requirements for good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress. A student planning to repeat a course should consult a financial aid advisor to identify the consequences of that repetition for his or her financial aid eligibility status.

Priority Registration for Students Attempting a Course for the First Time (Course Enrollment Control Policy)

Academic units may request controlled enrollment in any limited position course, i.e., one whose enrollment is limited by available student positions for lectures or associated sections, laboratories, other specialized facilities, internships, etc., to provide positions for students seeking initial enrollment in it.

The following courses have been designated as controlled enrollment courses for the 2020-2021 academic year:

For such courses, the academic unit offering the course may limit or prohibit repeat enrollment in the fall and/or spring semester. Repeat enrollment is defined as: Student previously enrolled in the course at UB or transferred in an equivalent course with a grade of 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D' and qualified values thereof, e.g., 'A-', 'D+'; 'F', 'P', 'S', 'U', 'I', blank, 'N', or 'R'. Limiting repeat enrollment gives priority to students who are registering for the course for the first time. Students who earn a passing grade in the UB Seminar (199 or 198) may not repeat the course.

Beginning July 6, 2020, courses attempted during the spring 2020 semester will not be considered toward repeat enrollment restrictions in a future fall and/or spring semester.

Once a course is designated as controlled enrollment, this information must be included in the course description (in the catalog and course schedule) and in the syllabus. An explicit statement that repeat enrollment may be difficult or cancelled must be included.

Students may be prohibited from re-enrolling in a controlled enrollment course, or students who have re-registered for a controlled enrollment course may be deregistered by the department. When the department deregisters the student, s/he will be notified via email at his/her official UB email address. Such deregistration may impact financial aid eligibility and academic progress, and students are responsible for adjusting their registration as needed. Students should see a financial aid or academic advisor if they have questions or concerns.

When resigning from a course, students should determine if the course is a controlled enrollment course. Students wishing to repeat controlled enrollment courses should plan to do so in the summer, as their registration opportunities in fall or spring semesters will be greatly restricted. Available seats in a designated course will be released for open enrollment at an appropriate date that ensures priority to students enrolling for the first time. When possible, the date of release will be communicated to students and advisors prior to the start of enrollment appointments for the term.

Otherwise, students wishing to repeat a controlled enrollment course (PDF) during the fall or spring semester must submit a petition requesting a seat in the class. Petitions for a seat in a spring course are due by the third week of the preceding fall semester, and petitions for a seat in a fall course are due by the third week of the preceding spring semester.

Grade Replacement Request for UGC 211

Beginning fall 2016, students wishing to repeat UGC 211 (American Pluralism) for the purpose of grade replacement may do so using ARC 211 or SOC 211. Grade replacement will be made by email request only. Requests can be sent to HUB Grading at hub-grading-list@listserv.buffalo.edu.

 
Published: Jan 25, 2023 08:02:23