CNS Resources

CNS Policies

See information below about grade requirements, pre-health professions considerations for Q drop and pass/fail, CNS third attempt policy, and CNS concurrent enrollment policy. 

The CNS Policies & Procedures website provides more detailed information about all CNS policies.

Grade Requirements & Health Professions Considerations:

• Grade Requirements:
  • Major courses (ex. science, major requirements): C- or better
    • Note for pre-health perquisites: a C- may not be acceptable to meet prereqs. Check with HPO for advice.
  • Minor/Certificate: typically C- or better.
    • See program websites and degree audit for details.
  • Core Curriculum: D- or better
    • If transferring credit from another school, C or better is required for transfer.
    • If this is overlapping with a Minor/Cert course that requires C- or better, then C- or better is required.
  • Flags: D- or better
    • Exception: if the course is being used for BOTH a flag and a major requirements, then C- or better is required to meet the major requirement.
  • Pass/failed courses count as elective hours (total hours) only and will not fulfill specific degree requirements or flags. To pass and receive credit ("CR") on transcript, a D- or better is required.  An F=F.  See Online Forms page of our website for more details about pass/fail. 
     

• Health Professions Office (HPO) Resources:

  For pre-health students considering dropping or pass/failing courses, review these helpful resources or stop by virtual drop-ins.

  • Q dropping and pass/fail: See HPO website
  • HPO virtual drop-in hours: See HPO website 
     
•  Dropping to less than 12 hours: 
  • If you will be going from 12+ hours to below 12 hours for the semester, we recommend to confirm how this may or may not impact things like financial aid and scholarships.
  • The Texas One Stop office is the best place to check in with: by phone, email, or stop by their office in the Tower (first floor)!

CNS Third Time Repeat Appeals

See the CNS Policies & Procedures website for information about repetition of courses.

Students may attempt a CNS course twice. A third attempt requires an appeal and is not guaranteed, depending on circumstances. Q drops and pass/fail counts as an attempt.

The registration system will allow you to register for the course for a third time, and then you will receive an appeal form via email. Please fill out this form to submit your appeal. If the appeal is denied, you will be dropped from the course before the semester begins.

If an appeal is denied, you can consider taking the course at another school. Note that science courses cannot be taken at another school in the fall or spring semester if you are also enrolled at UT (see Concurrent Enrollment policy information below). 

Feel free to reach out to your academic advisor if you would like to discuss your plans!
 

CNS Concurrent Enrollment Policy (for science & math courses)

See the CNS Policies & Procedures website for information about concurrent enrollment.

CNS students cannot take a science/math or major course at another school during a Fall or Spring semester while also enrolled at UT Austin. 

CNS students can take math or science courses at another school during the summer without restriction. 

Core courses or other non-major degree requirements can be taken at another school during any semester.

When taking a course at another school, always confirm course equivalencies by checking the Automated Transfer Equivalency (ATE) database and reaching out to your academic advisor to confirm your plans before paying for the course(s).

CNS Non-Academic Resources

Non-Academic Coordinators: Drops/Withdrawals, Medical Withdrawal, Course Load Reductions

If at any time this semester you experience significant non-academic circumstances that are impeding your academic progress, please contact a CNS Non-Academic Coordinator to discuss your options and support resources. Examples of non-academic events include hospitalizations, death of a family member/friend, victim of crime, pregnancy/parenting complications, etc.  

Learn more about CNS non-academic support here.

Scheduling Links:

• Lindsay Krog: https://tinyurl.com/NA-Coordinator-LK 
• Deanna Tilley: https://tinyurl.com/CNSnonacademic      

For any questions, please e-mail your advisor or CNSinfo@austin.utexas.edu

Student Wellness Center in Painter Hall

The CNS Student Wellness Center located in PAI 3.04 provides non-academic coordinators, CARE counselors (Counseling & Mental Health Center), and a UT Outpost satellite free on-campus food pantry.

https://cns.utexas.edu/info-undergraduate-students/supports-services

Student Emergency Fund

The College of Natural Sciences Student Emergency Fund was created to support our students with various emergencies. We understand financial help cannot fix all of the unique issues that a student may be facing, but we hope these funds can help students get back on a path of success.

Applications for this fund are currently being accepted through our non-academic counselors. If you have questions about the College of Natural Sciences Student Emergency Fund, please contact one of our non-academic counselors to discuss all of your options.