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Continuation Policy
While the University has general regulations governing scholastic eligibility for continuation, the Department of Mathematics has adopted additional requirements in order to make the best use of departmental resources and to provide reasonable assurance of academic success of our majors.
Math Majors who are considering dropping a MATH course, using the Current Quarter Drop process (replaces Annual Quarter Drop process), should carefully read the Satisfactory Progress Continuation Policy.
The following criteria and procedures will be applied to all undergraduate students majoring in Mathematics for determining continuance in the major. Students are encouraged to frequently review their academic progress, and may seek advising from Mathematics Student Services at any time.
Continuation Policy Criteria:
- Students are expected to take classes such that they are able to graduate within the limits dictated by the University’s Satisfactory Progress Policy. At a minimum, our majors must take one math major course each quarter of enrollment, making progress towards their math option requirements. Excessive course repeats, excessive course drops and excessive University withdrawals may also demonstrate a lack of satisfactory progress. During Summer quarters, students are not required to take math courses. Students who plan to participate in a Study Abroad program should notify the Math & ACMS Advising Office and discuss course planning.
- Math majors are required to maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA in all mathematics courses, including course repeats.
- Students must earn a numerical grade of at least a 2.0 in all MATH major courses that could be used to satisfy major requirements, including but not limited to PHIL courses for the Philosophy option and AMATH, PHYS, STAT, and QSCI courses for the Teacher Prep option. Courses taken as satisfactory/non-satisfactory cannot be used towards major requirements and thus violates the policy.
Review and Notification of Progress
Math Student Services will review the progress of all majors each quarter. If a student's performance does not meet the standards outlined above in any quarter during their tenure as a major in the Department of Mathematics, they will be first placed on Academic Notification, then Math Warning, and finally Major Dismissal status for each subsequent, but not necessarily consecutive, quarter.
Academic Notification Status (1st Quarter)
The first quarter a student does not meet the Continuation Policy as a Math major, they will be placed on "Academic Notification" status and a registration hold will be placed on their account. Students are notified by email soon after final grades are posted. To remove the Academic Notification registration hold, the students must reply to the email, acknowledging they have read and understand the Continuation Policy criteria.
Although it is not required, students are encouraged to meet with an adviser. The advisor will assist by recommending campus resources, helping plan a course load that is manageable, and by assisting the student with choosing the correct pathway within the major or discussing other majors at the University. Students are encouraged to discuss all circumstances leading to a lack of satisfactory progress, including extenuating circumstances and situations outside of academic life that may impact success.
Math Warning Status (2nd Quarter)
Students who are unable to successfully meet the Continuation Policy in a second quarter will be placed on "Math Warning" status and a registration hold will be placed on their account. Students will be sent a Math Warning email shortly after the quarter has ended and final grades have been posted.
To remove the Math Warning registration hold, students will be required to submit the following (form and instructions will be provided in the Math Warning email):
- create a graduation plan
- complete and submit an online academic self-assessment form
- after the graduation plan has been approved, must schedule a meeting with a Math adviser
Students can expect support during their appointment as outlined for the “Academic Notification” status. Students who do not meet with an advisor will not be able to register for future quarters.
Major Dismissal Status (3rd Quarter)
Students who do not to meet the Continuation Policy criteria for a third quarter will be placed on "Major Dismissal" status, but will not be immediately dropped as a Math major. Students will be notified by email after the quarter has ended and final grades have been posted. The Major Dismissal email will have instructions and provide a petition deadline if the student chooses to appeal dismissal from the major. Math majors have only one opportunity to appeal the Major Dismissal status.
If the appeal is not approved or the student does not appeal before the stated deadline in the Major Dismissal email, they will be dropped from the Math Major. Non-double major/degree students will be assigned a premajor or extended premajor degree code. The Department retains the right to drop dismissed students from future mathematics coursework where it is required to be a declared major to be enrolled.
If the appeal is approved, the student must make academic progress as outlined in the approval notification. If the student violates the Continuation Policy and/or does not meet any conditional requirements in the quarter of appeal or after, they will be dismissed from the Math Major a second time with no further opportunity to petition to remain in the major.
Removing Academic Notification, Math Warning or Major Dismissal Status
In some circumstances, a violation of this policy can be removed if the original grade in question changes to a 2.0 or higher numerical grade or possibly if the course is dropped. For more information and details, please speak with a Math adviser.
Academic Progress Check-ins
Math majors who meet the criteria for Satisfactory Progress, but exhibit poor/concerning/less
than ideal academic performance will be required to meet with an advisor. Students will
receive an email from the Math Advising Office if they have a quarterly GPA below a 2.0 or have
demonstrated lack of academic progress as evidenced by multiple course repeats, incompletes,
or drops/withdrawals. The purpose of the advising appointment is to discuss any challenges or
circumstances affecting your schooling, and identify appropriate UW resources to help support
your well-being and education goals.
Academic Honesty
The UW Math Department expects students not to cheat on tests or plagiarize assignments. Cheating/plagiarism is generally defined as taking credit for someone else’s work whether that be a fellow student, book or online resource. Cheating on assignments and tests hurts both your fellow math majors and you! Cheating, especially repeated offenses, may have severe consequences.
Tips on avoiding inadvertent academic dishonesty
- Sit as far from other students as possible during tests. Do not sit near your regular study partners, so any unusually similar methods you may have learned together won't suggest copying occurred.
- Pay close attention to the rules regarding academic honesty for the particular course and instructor as they may vary.
- Keep phones and other electronic devices put away. If the test is closed book, keep papers put away as well.