Teaching and Curriculum

Faculty's Role as Academic Advisors

Departmental faculty have the principal responsibility for advising students enrolled in the department's major or minor programs and for students considering the major or minor. The DEO or the faculty member who serves as director of undergraduate programs coordinates advising and the assignment of undergraduates to faculty advisors.

Ordinarily, students are assigned departmental faculty advisors when they have a declared major and have earned at least 24 semester hours or when they fulfill selective admission requirements for a specific major. Until this time, students are advised at the Academic Advising Center.

The goals of departmental advising include:
  • explanation of departmental requirements and course sequences
  • integration of appropriate elective coursework in the major, minor, or other departments
  • correct choice of degree (e.g., BA vs. BS) and, if applicable, track within the degree
  • monitoring progress through degree, college, and university graduation requirements
  • discussing career or graduate/professional school goals
  • mentoring
  • Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does the College mean by mentoring?
  • What is FERPA?
    • Where can I direct parents who contact me?
  • What is the Four-Year Graduation Plan?
  • Advising and Registration


  • What is a degree evaluation?
  • How do I access a degree evaluation?
  • How do I interpret a degree evaluation?
  • What is the General Education Program?
  • When is the registration period each semester?
  • Where do I find course listings?
  • Are there maximum and recommended numbers of semester hours regarding registration?
    • Can students exceed the maximum number of semester hours allowed by CLAS?
  • Can students test out of the General Education: Foreign Language requirement?
  • What is the Foreign Language Incentive Program (FLIP)?
  • What is the Mathematics Incentive Program (MIP)?
  • How do I advise students who want to take courses at another institution, e.g., over the summer?
  • What is Guided Independent Study (GIS)? 
  • How do students change or declare majors?
  • How do I advise students interested in studying abroad?
  • Can students apply to graduate on-line?
  •  _______________________________________________

    Changes of Registration


  • Where can I find academic deadlines for each semester?
  • Where can I find deadlines for individual courses?
  • Where can I find add and drop forms?
  • Can students add or drop courses after the deadlines?
  • How long can students withdraw their entire registration?
  • What does it mean to audit a course? 
  •  ___________________________________________

    Grading


  • What grading system is used in CLAS?
  • How do you calculate a grade point average?
    • Can I help students predict their grade point average?
  • What is a Second-Grade-Only Option?
    • How do students file Second-Grade-Only options?
  • What is the Pass/Nonpass (P/N) grading option?
    • Is there a deadline to change to the Pass/Nonpass grading option?
  • What is the Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) grading option for undergraduate students?
  • What is the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grading option for undergraduate students?
  • How are grades reported each semester or session?
  • What is the CLAS policy governing Incompletes?
  • Can an instructor change a grade?
  • How are students recognized for academic achievement?
  •  _______________________________________________

    Academic Standards


  • What are the College's academic standards?
  • What are CLAS policies related to academic probation?
  • What are CLAS policies related to academic dismissals?
  • Can students appeal a dismissal?
  • How are students reinstated to the College after a dismissal?

  • Students on academic probation should be referred to Academic Programs & Services for a probation interview to discuss CLAS academic standards and their current standing in the College.

      _______________________________________________

    Resources and Referrals


    University of Iowa
  • Academic Advising Center
    • The Academic Advising Center provides primary advising for most first-year students, and has a variety of programs and services for continuing students as well.
  • CLAS Academic Programs & Services
    • The student academic services unit of the Office of the Dean. Can answer questions related to College rules and practices, graduation requirements, academic standards, student records, and College scholarships.
  • Astronomy Tutorial Lab
    • Provides assistance to students enrolled in astronomy classes.
  • Pomerantz Career Center
    • Provides various career exploration programs for individuals and groups, as well as personal career counseling and assistance with resumes and job searches.
  • Computer Science Help Lab
    • Provides computing help service for students in computer science courses, particularly 22C:005, 22C:016, 22C:021, 22C:022, 22C:104, and 22C:109.
  • Educational Placement Office
    • Located in the College of Education, the Educational Placement Office assists students and alumni seeking positions in teaching, educational administration, and related areas at all levels and in all fields.
  • English as a Second Language Programs
    • English as a Second Language (ESL) credit classes are available to students, U.S. students as well as international students, whose first language is not English. Courses are designed to improve language skills to enable successful completion of academic coursework.
  • Family Services
    • Provides assistance to students with their family-related responsibilities.
  • History Writing Center
    • Provides assistance to undergraduate students with writing assignments for history classes.
  • Office of International Students and Scholars
    • Promotes international education both on and off campus. International students and scholars may confer with advisers about such matters as adjustment to life in this country, academic customs, immigration regulations, employment permission, and personal concerns.
  • Language Media Center
    • Provides students with facilities and services for traditional language laboratory work as well as for foreign language video and computer-based activities.
  • Mathematics Tutorial Laboratory
    • Individual and drop in tutoring for students enrolled in 22M:001 – 22M:036.
  • New Dimensions in Learning
    • Provides free tutoring for qualified students.
  • Office of the Ombudsperson
    • Offers informal dispute resolution for students, faculty and staff with the mission of ensuring all members of the University community are treated fairly. Provides a confidential, safe place to discuss concerns about the University or its policies or procedures.
  • Physics Tutorial Lab
    • Provides assistance to students enrolled in physics classes.
  • Speaking Center
    • Provides individual instruction to improve speaking skills. Free of charge. Assistance provided on a first come first serve basis.
  • Statistics Tutorial Lab
    • Provides free tutoring for students enrolled in 22S:002, 22S:008, 22S:025/7P:025, 22S:039, and other introductory statistics courses.
  • Student Disability Services
    • Facilitates academic accommodations and services for students with disabilities so they have equal access to University programs and activities and can participate fully in all aspects of University life.
  • Office of Student Financial Aid
    • Provides advice and assistance to students receiving or seeking financial aid.
  • Student Health Service
    • Provides evaluations, information, and counseling regarding issues such as fitness, nutrition, sexual health, stress management and substance abuse.
  • Student Legal Services
    • Promotes an awareness of student rights and responsibilities in addition to providing students with access to legal representation.
  • Office of Support Service Programs
    • Provides academic support services and promotes educational opportunities for underserved students from diverse backgrounds.
  • Tutor Referral Service
    • Makes available to students listings of upper-level or graduate students who are qualified tutors in various academic areas.
  • University Counseling Service
    • Offers educational, vocational, and personal counseling as well as therapy in individual or group sessions. UCS also offers programs, workshops, and consultations.
  • Writing Center
    • Provides individual instruction to improve writing skills. Free of charge. Assistance provided on a first come first serve basis.

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    Community
  • Community Mental Health Center
    • The following services are provided: outpatient psychotherapy and psychiatry for children and adults, family services, services for the chronically mentally ill, and emergency services. Consultation and education programs also available.
  • Crisis Center
    • Provides suicide intervention and prevention, emergency counseling, and information and referrals by trained volunteers. Administers food bank program, clothing and utility assistance funds, and emergency transportation assistance to non-local persons. All services free and confidential.
  • Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP)
    • Provides support and resources to individuals battered by their intimate partner or loved ones. Provides the following confidential crisis intervention services: 24 hour safe shelter and hotline; advocacy with law enforcement, courts, medical and social services; counseling and support groups; youth support services; volunteer opportunities, and community education.
  • Iowa City Free Medical Clinic
    • Delivers free health care services for adults and children, including outpatient care, lab, and dispensary, as well as dental care through The Dick Parrott Free Dental Clinic. Also helps individuals pay for hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical supplies, and medications.
  • Mid-Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse (MECCA)
    • Offers outpatient, residential, and detoxification services for substance abusers and their families as well as education and prevention services to facilitate a change of direction for those with substance abuse problems.
  • Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP)
    • Provides a 24-hour Rape Crisis Line, medical, legal, court, and systems advocacy, peer counseling, support groups, and other direct services to victim/survivors of sexual abuse and their partners, friends, and family members.
  • United Way of Johnson County
    • A local, non-profit organization that brings people, health and human service agencies, government entities, and community groups together to help friends, family members, and neighbors who are in need.