To qualify for a Bachelor of Science degree at the Institute, students must obtain passing grades in each of the required courses listed below; must satisfy the additional requirements listed under the undergraduate options; must complete a minimum of 486 units; and must achieve a grade-point average of not less than 1.9. Students must also register for the appropriate number of units that results in normal progress toward a B.S. degree.
The baccalaureate degree requires four years (12 terms) of residence regardless of unit load each term or the total units earned. The four-year residence requirement is separate from and in addition to any other degree requirements. Students who are admitted as transfer students or 3/2 students may be granted advanced standing and tuition credit for academic work accepted in transfer to Caltech. However, transfer and 3/2 students must enroll for a minimum of six terms at Caltech. Any exceptions must be approved by the dean of undergraduate students and the vice president for student affairs.
Under normal circumstances the core and option requirements for the B.S. degree are those stated in the catalog published in the first year of a student’s enrollment at Caltech. Faculty actions or decisions taken through the Faculty Board and the relevant faculty committees may occasionally result in changes to these requirements. In the event of exceptional circumstances, changes in an individual student’s graduation requirements may be sought by petition to the relevant Faculty Representative(s) through procedures administered by the registrar. Questions should be addressed to the registrar.
Students must register for the Institute requirements in the year specified, unless they have previous credit. If for some reason they are not able to complete the requirements during the proper year, they must register at the earliest possible opportunity. (The Curriculum Committee may in unusual cases excuse undergraduate students from any of the following Institute or option requirements upon presentation of petitions.)
The Institute unit system is described in the opening paragraphs of section five of this catalog.