Gwynedd Mercy University
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Students transferring into the Biology Program from another program at GMercyU must meet with the coordinator of the program to discuss the program and determine whether they qualify for acceptance into the program and , if so , what the timeline to degree completion would be . If accepted , the student must submit a change-of-major form . At that time , they will be assigned an academic advisor who will work with the student to plan their degree progress .
Academic Standards / Grade Requirements : Grades of “ C ” or higher are required in each major course in the Natural Sciences Department . A student may achieve less than a “ C ” grade in only two major courses , including mathematics requirements , and their prerequisites , and they may repeat these courses only once . If a student , regardless of cumulative grade point average , achieves less than a “ C ” grade on the third major course , or fails to bring all grades up to a “ C ” with one repeat , the student may be dismissed from the program .
Attendance Policies : Students are expected to adhere to the attendance policies outlined by course instructors in individual courses . Attendance is required in all laboratory courses .
Academic Progress , Probation , and Program Dismissal : At the end of each academic semester , your progress toward the bachelor ’ s degree in biology will be reviewed by a committee composed of the full- time faculty of the biology program . If your progress toward the degree is considered unsatisfactory , the committee will examine your transcript in detail . If the unsatisfactory final grade is a first-time occurrence , you will receive a letter from the program coordinator notifying you of your unsatisfactory progress . If the unsatisfactory grade is a second occurrence involving two different courses , you will receive a letter from the program coordinator notifying you of your continued unsatisfactory progress and placing you on program probation , with a strong warning of the consequences of a third unsatisfactory grade . If the unsatisfactory grade is a third occurrence or if it is a second unsatisfactory grade in a course you have repeated , this is grounds for dismissal from the program .
You may appeal the dismissal decision in writing and the committee will consider all circumstances before deciding whether the dismissal decision should be upheld or if you should continue program probation . Information provided by relevant faculty will be considered during the committee ’ s deliberations on dismissal . If you are facing dismissal from the biology program for academic deficiencies , you may petition for a suspension from the program for one academic year instead of permanent dismissal . This suspension is designed to encourage you to examine your future in biology and to remediate any circumstances which have contributed to your lack of progress . During this suspension , you may not enroll in any courses in the biology program ; however , you may enroll in general education courses . At the end of the suspension , you may resume studies in the biology program ; however , any future academic deficiency will result in immediate and permanent dismissal from the program .
Course Withdrawal Policies : Sometimes you need to withdraw from a course rather than risk an unsatisfactory grade . You must do this before the last day of the withdrawal deadline . You should first discuss your withdrawal with the course instructor . You must meet with your advisor to discuss the proposed withdrawal . You must be careful to make sure that your withdrawal does not adversely affect your financial aid or residence hall arrangements . Your advisor will fill out and sign a Course Withdrawal form . You must bring the Course Withdrawal to the Dean of the School of Arts and
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