How do I get help with my curriculum planning?
Student Responsibilities
1) Understand LAES curriculum requirements, including differences between Major/Core courses, Concentration, and GE courses. Below are curriculum specific resources to help you decide and track your academic choices:
- Download the LAES curriculum sheet (PDF) which lists the LAES major, general education and electives required to earn your degree.
- Review the fictional student profiles (PDF), sample LAES studies flowcharts (PDF) and study abroad options (PDF) to help visualize career objectives and course planning on a quarter by quarter or annual basis.
- Contact a Program Director at least once a year, more frequently if your goals change or if you have time sensitive questions. Questions can be e-mailed to the LAES Directors at any time.
2) Understand campus policies and procedures (including the seriousness of being on probation), how to add/drop/substitute classes or repeat a class for a change of grade, unit load requirements and GPA expectations. All of these requirements are detailed in the Cal Poly Catalog.
3) LAES students are expected to complete all the requirements to graduate in four years. In addition to the information presented in steps 1 and 2 above, the campus Advising Center has some good general information to help you track to graduating on time. Take a look at their Advising Handbook and Academic Portfolio.
Advising Help
Curriculum Guidance
The LAES Directors provide a wealth of guidance to students, including help with scheduling Major classes, developing academic plans within an area of specialization/concentration, career advice, internship opportunities, and successfully navigating campus policies and procedures. Each student is required to meet with a Program Director at least once per year to discuss past performance, academic plans, career goals and future planning. In LAES, students build their flexible study programs based on one-on-one consultation with the Program Directors.
New Transfers
Students who have recently transferred into LAES will be asked to submit their concentration and study abroad plans via the website submission form. Once submitted, the Program Assistant will schedule an appointment to meet with one or both of the LAES Directors. Questions about LAES curriculum and academic goals will be addressed in this initial advising session. Shortly after the advising session, students will be provided with an approved document that can be used as a "living plan." Students are encouraged to update this document each quarter when courses are completed. If you wish to make any changes to your plan, please discuss this with a Program Director . The LAES program is designed to be flexible in concentration and study abroad course selection, however, it is important that course selections be in line with your career objectives and meet prerequisites, therefore, a minimum annual advising meeting is necessary (and additional meetings are encouraged at any time throughout the academic year).
Degree Audit Report
Students are encouraged to view their Degree Progress Report (DPR) frequently. The DPR lists courses taken that apply toward degree completion as well as courses still needed. View the how to info on the Office of the Registrar's website. The DPR should be helpful until receiving the official graduation evaluation two quarters in advance of graduation.
Planning for Graduation
Students wishing to graduate in four years should refer to the Cal Poly Catalog in order to make sure they meet all the requirements. The Office of the Registrar's website should also be consulted for up-to-date information. It is important that LAES students do some advance planning and the following checklist should help start the process:
- Consult the Evaluations FAQ which will help guide you to the person who can answer your questions.
- Track your progress to degree completion by utilizing campus tools, such as Poly Profile and Degree Audit (DPR).
- Scrutinize your graduation evaluation document which will be mailed to you when your "Major Change Request" is recorded and again after you have filed a "Request for Graduation Evaluation."
- Review the steps for graduation, paying particular attention to the evaluation deadline. The Office of the Registrar requires students to submit their request "four quarters in advance of your completion term to receive a graduation evaluation before you graduate. Your graduation evaluation will be mailed to you approximately two quarters prior to your completion term." The "LAES Concentration, ICS and Study Abroad Declaration (.doc)" needs to be submitted along with your "Request for Graduation Evaluation". It is important to review your concentration and study abroad course plan with the LAES Directors and obtain their approval signature before submitting it to the Office of the Registrar.
- Changes that need to be made to your curriculum should only be made if there are special circumstances, such as not being able to register for a course in time for graduation. If a revision is necessary, contact a LAES Director for approval and to ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed (i.e., "LAES Concentration, ICS and Study Abroad Declaration (.doc)" or "Substitution for Major/Support Courses" ).
- Commencement Ceremony - Since LAES is an interdisciplinary program, LAES graduates can choose to participate in either the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Engineering ceremonies. If you wish to do this, please notify the Program Assistant. LAES will have a smaller celebration for new 2010 graduates; contact the Program Assistant for details. View the 2010 Commencement Schedule.