General Information

Disclaimer: The UF Faculty Handbook is provided as a general reference rather than the official source of university policies and guidelines. For your convenience, links to official UF documents are provided.

Registrar's Office

The Office of the University Registrar is a comprehensive source for information related to academic records and procedures.

The Office of the University Registrar publishes the Undergraduate Catalog and the Graduate Catalog each year. The Undergraduate Catalog provides information on admissions procedures, academic regulations, undergraduate curricula, and undergraduate courses. The Graduate Catalog gives general regulations for graduate admissions and degree requirements, and lists graduate degree programs and courses.

The Office of the University Registrar also maintains the Schedule of Courses and online Integrated Student Information System (ISIS) that students use for course registration, drop/add, and degree audits, among other functions.

Undergraduate/Graduate Coordinators

Each undergraduate degree program identifies an Undergraduate Coordinator, who has primary responsibility for program coordination and curriculum development.

Each graduate degree program identifies a Graduate Coordinator. The major functions of the graduate coordinators are as follows:

  • To assume primary responsibility within their major departments of for ensuring that graduate programs conform to existing policy.
  • To approve programs after students have been counseled by their supervisory committees, or other such advisers as the department shall designate.
  • To assume the major responsibility for communicating Graduate School regulations and policies to both the students and the faculty within the department.
  • To advise the Graduate School about matters of concern to the department and the students, and to suggest modifications in Graduate School procedures.
  • To inform the Graduate School when a new graduate coordinator is appointed

Semester System

UF operates on a semester system. The academic year begins and ends in August, and semesters begin in August, January, and May. Fall and spring semesters average 15 weeks of instruction plus a week of final exams. Summer term is divided into three parts: one 12-week Summer C term that begins in May, or two 6-week terms beginning in May (Summer A) or June (Summer B).

Dates and Course Meeting Times

Critical Dates

Dates for the beginning and end of classes, drop/add period, S-U option deadline, final examinations, holidays, and commencement are published for each term. the UF Academic Deadlines and Calendars are published here.

Class Meeting Times

Class meeting times are expressed in period numbers. There is a 15-minute break between class periods. The fall and spring terms have fourteen 50-minute periods, and the summer terms have nine 75-minute periods (Summer Term C courses will meet for 65 minutes within the 75 minute time period). The charts below identify the times for each class period.

Fall/Spring Terms

Summer Terms

Period

Class Begins

Class Ends

Period

Class Begins

Class Ends

1

7:25 a.m.

8:15 a.m.

1

8:00 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

2

8:30 a.m.

9:20 a.m.

2

9:30 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

3

9:35 a.m.

10:25 a.m.

3

11:00 a.m.

12:15 p.m.

4

10:40 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

4

12:30 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

5

11:45 a.m.

12:35 p.m.

5

2:00 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

6

12:50 p.m.

1:40 p.m.

6

3:30 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

7

1:55 p.m.

2:45 p.m.

7

5:00 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

8

3:00 p.m.

3:50 p.m.

E1

7:00 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

9

4:05 p.m.

4:55 p.m.

E2

8:30 p.m.

9:45 p.m.

10

5:10 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

      

11

6:15 p.m.

7:05 p.m.

      

E1

7:20 p.m.

8:10 p.m.

      

E2

8:20 p.m.

9:10 p.m.

      

E3

9:20 p.m.

10:10 p.m.

      

Confidentiality of Student Records (See UF Rule 6C1-4.007 - pdf)

The Buckley Amendment is the common name for the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. The state counterpart is found in Section 1002.22 of the Florida statutes. The purpose of these laws is to protect the privacy of student's records and allow students access to their education records. Only the following UF public directory information can be released without written permission from the student:

  • Name
  • Student's local, permanent, and email address and listed telephone number
  • Class, college and major field of study
  • Participation in officially recognized activities/sports
  • Weight/height of athletes
  • Dates of attendance at UF
  • Degrees and awards received at UF
  • Most recent previous educational institution attended

Student educational records may be released without a student's consent to school officials who have a legitimate educational interest in accessing the records. For more information, see the Undergraduate Catalog or contact the Office of the University Registrar or the Office of the Vice President and General Counsel.

Honors Program

The UF Honors Program is an invitation-only program for lower-division students who have shown potential for superior academic performance. Honors program students are eligible for special honors classes and housing in the Honors Residential College at Hume Hall.

Combined Degree Programs

UF has developed a program for qualified undergraduates to obtain both a bachelor's and master's degree in a reduced time period. Combined degree programs allow students to get a head start on their graduate education by taking graduate courses throughout the junior and senior undergraduate years.

Distance Education

UF's Division of Distance, Continuing, and Executive Education coordinates resources and opportunities for distance education. The University of Florida offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees via distance learning, as well as certificate programs and individual courses. Degree programs require formal admission to the University of Florida.

Evaluation Requirements - pdf

The University of Florida requires that all courses taught by a faculty member during the academic year, including those taught by adjuncts and graduate assistants, be evaluated by students using the SUS Student Assessment of Instruction (SUSSAI). Results of these are made available online at: http://www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/dass/tcheval/search.asp

Policies and Procedures for Teaching Classes

Course Syllabi

The syllabus for a course is a written record of the instructor's plan for the organization and management of the course, and his or her expectations of the students. The UF Policy on Course Syllabi outlines the information that must appear in all course syllabi, independent of course level or discipline. Instructional faculty are expected to post their course syllabi to a student accessible website and submit copies of course syllabi to the departmental office to document compliance with this policy.

Textbook Adoption

Textbook adoptions may be submitted online. Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to submit course adoption information in a timely manner. This helps to ensure that students know about required materials at the time of course registration and that books are available to students before classes begin. General information about Textbook Adoption may be found here.

Academic Honesty (See UF Rule 6C1-4.017 - pdf)

Students are required to be honest in all of their university class work. Faculty members have a duty to promote ethical behavior and avoid practices and environments that foster cheating. Faculty should encourage students to bring incidents of dishonesty to their attention. A faculty member, in certain circumstances, can resolve an academic dishonesty matter without a student disciplinary hearing. The procedures and guidelines are available from the Director of Student Judicial Affairs. The Student Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities is located here.

In the fall of 1995, the UF student body enacted a new honor code and voluntarily committed itself to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. (See UF Rule 6C1-4.0172 - pdf)

The Honor Code: We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. On all work submitted for credit by students at the university, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment."

Antiplagiarism Software

Turnitin is an internet-based anti-plagiarism technology that enables faculty members to determine if research papers have been plagiarized.

The Office of Academic Technology has licensed Turnitin.com for the use of University of Florida faculty and students. Turnitin's web-based program searches out matching and even partially altered phrases from web content and Turnitin databases. The software then provides to the instructor a color-coded "originality report" with links to similarities in submitted text. This allows the instructor to carefully evaluate suspect papers for proper and improper citation as well as for dishonest plagiarism.

Attendance

Instructors set the specific attendance policies for their courses. Students enrolled in a course are responsible for satisfying all academic objectives as defined by the instructor.

Students may not attend a class unless they are officially registered or approved to audit with evidence of having paid audit fees. Students who do not attend at least one of the first two class meetings of a course or laboratory in which they are registered, and who have not contacted the department to indicate their intent, may be dropped from the course. However, students should not assume they have been dropped from a course if they fail to attend the first few days of class.

Auditing Courses

Students may audit courses on a space-available basis. Students must obtain approvals of the course instructor and the dean of the college offering the course, and pay course fees.

Procedures for Adding and Dropping Courses

Courses may be dropped or added during the Drop/Add period without penalty. The Drop/Add period is the first 4 days of classes during fall or spring semester, and the first 2 days of classes for summer terms. The specific dates are listed in the Critical Dates by Term.

After Drop/Add, students may withdraw from a course up to the date established in the university calendar. A grade of W will appear on the transcript, and students will be held liable for course fees. All drops after the Drop/Add period must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline.

Religious Holidays

The university calendar does not include observance of any religious holidays. The Florida Board of Governors and state law govern university policy regarding observance of religious holidays. Students shall be excused from class or other scheduled academic activity to observe a religious holy day of their faith with prior notification to the instructor. Students shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the material or activities covered in their absence. Students shall not be penalized due to absence from class or other scheduled academic activity because of religious observances.

Student Illness

Students who are absent from classes or examinations because of illness should contact their instructors. The Student Health Care Center (SHCC) can provide a medical excuse note only if their providers are involved in the medical care of a student who must be absent from class for three or more days for medical reasons. A student who has a medical reason that results in fewer than three days of absence from class should talk with his/her professor rather than ask for an excuse note from the SHCC. If a professor subsequently requires a note for a medical absence of fewer than three days, then the professor must provide the SHCC with a written request on UF departmental letterhead.

Twelve-day Rule

Students who participate in athletic or extracurricular activities are permitted to be absent 12 regular class days per semester without penalty. This rule applies to individual students participating on an athletic or scholastic team. It is the student's responsibility to maintain satisfactory academic performance and attendance.

For more information on policies regarding student athletes, consult UF Rule 6C1-7.058 (pdf), and/or the Office of Student Life, a part of the University Athletic Association (UAA).

Reading Days (See UF Rule 6C1-7.055 - pdf)

The two days before the start of examinations in the fall and spring semesters (generally a Thursday and Friday) are designated reading days. No classes or exams are held on these days.

Examination Policies

During term examinations may be held during the regular class time or evening assembly exams may be arranged for Monday-Friday from 8:20-10:10 p.m. (periods E2-E3) for the fall and spring terms and Monday-Friday from 7:00-9:25 (periods E1-E2) for the summer terms. If other classes are scheduled during an exam time, instructors must provide make-up class work for students who miss class because of an assembly exam.

Final examinations are determined by course meeting times except for certain large courses. Final examination times are published in the Schedule of Courses. No student is required to take more than three final exams in one day. If two exams are scheduled at the same time, assembly exams take priority over time-of-class exams. When two assembly exams or two time-of-class exams conflict, the course with the higher number will take priority.

Grades and Grading Policies

Instructors are responsible for setting the grading scale in their courses. There is no standard grading scale at UF. For general purposes, passing grades are A, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and S. Failing grades are E and U. However, note that C- is not a passing grade for courses in the major, General Education, or Gordon Rule credit. Information on the Gordon Rule Rubric may be found here. For information on the use of grades, see: http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html.

Instructors submit grades to the Office of the University Registrar at the end of the semester using the Grade-A-Gator system. This feature is accessed from the Admin menu on the UF Homepage (Quick Links) and requires Gatorlink ID and password for access.

An incomplete grade (I) may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor as an interim grade for a course in which a student has completed the major portion of the course with a passing grade, but is unable to complete course requirements before the end of the term because of extenuating circumstances. Instructors are not required to assign incomplete grades. The instructor and student determine an appropriate plan and deadline for completing the course. It is suggested that these arrangements be documented in writing with copies for both the student and instructor. If completion of the course requirements requires classroom or laboratory attendance in a subsequent term, the student should not register for the course again; instead the student must audit the course and pay course fees. When all course requirements have been completed, the instructor will submit a change of grade to the Office of the University Registrar. An I grade should not be assigned to a student who never attended class; instead instructors may assign a failing grade or no grade at all.

Grade changes will be accepted and processed by the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) for a period of one calendar year after the term in which the course was attempted. This policy does not apply to grades of I or I*, which designate a grade of incomplete. Any grade changes submitted after the deadline must be accompanied by additional supporting information or documentation justifying the extension and submitted to the appropriate college dean. If the dean approves the exception, he or she will forward it to the OUR for processing. Grading Policies for Faculty are located here.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S-U) Grade Option

Subject to college degree program and department guidelines, students may take elective course work and earn grades of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). S-U grades do not carry grade point values and are not computed in the UF GPA. Such grades are included in a student's permanent record and are reflected on the transcript.

Students must obtain approval for the S-U option and may elect the S-U option for only one course each term. Courses taken to fulfill the Writing and Math Requirement (Gordon Rule) may not be taken S-U. For fall, spring, and summer C terms, the deadline for filing an S-U option is Friday of the third week of classes. For summer A and B terms, the deadline is Wednesday of the second week of classes. The specific dates are listed in the Critical Dates by Term.

Posting of Students' Grades

Public posting of student grades using complete social security numbers or university student identification numbers (e.g., the UF ID number), or any portion thereof, violates the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Consequently, faculty should not post student grades in this manner.

For the purpose of posting grades, faculty may assign, or allow students to choose, a unique and confidential identifier (e.g., a 4-digit number) and then post grades using that number provided that the posted list is not in alphabetical order. Alternatively, faculty may institute a web-based system that allows students to look-up grades. The system should be secured by Gatorlink username and password. This function is available in the WebCT course management system.

Student Assessment of Courses and Instructors

The State University System Student Assessment of Instruction (SUSSAI) was implemented in 1995. Its purpose is to provide for student assessment of instruction based on eight criteria common to all SUS institutions. Forms are provided through departmental offices for all scheduled undergraduate and graduate courses. Course evaluations should be done during the last two weeks of the semester. Summary results of these assessments are available online. Forms and summary results for the faculty, department, and college are distributed to the faculty through their departments. Results of course and instructor evaluations are used as part of individual faculty evaluations and in consideration for tenure and promotion.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Support services for students with disabilities are coordinated by the Disability Resource Center in the Dean of Students Office. All support services provided for University of Florida students are individualized to meet the needs of students with disabilities. To obtain individual support services, each student must meet with one of the support coordinators in the Disability Resources Program and collaboratively develop appropriate support strategies. Appropriate documentation regarding the student's disability is necessary to obtain any reasonable accommodation or support service.

Course Development

Flowchart for starting, changing, or removing a course.

Starting a New Course

New courses may be proposed by a faculty member or academic unit at any time. A New Course Transmittal form (Form UCC1) (pdf) is required for any new course proposal. A proposed syllabus must accompany the form. Faculty should work with their Undergraduate or Graduate Coordinator to secure appropriate documents and signatures.

The Curriculum Committees of departments and programs, of colleges and schools evaluate proposals for new courses. One a new course has been approved at the college level, the proposal is forwarded to the University Curriculum Committee for consideration. The University Curriculum Committee reviews all course proposals to avoid duplication of existing courses across colleges and schools. After the University Curriculum Committee approves a new course, the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, as Chair of that committee, forwards the approved proposal to the Office of the University Registrar and to the Florida Board of Education for inclusion in the Common Course Numbering System.

Changing or Terminating a Course

Minor changes to a course or notice of termination of an existing course may be submitted using a Course Termination or Change Transmittal Form (Form UCC2) (pdf) through the curriculum committee system. Minor changes include change of course title, course number, amount of credit, prerequisites or co-requisites, or course description. Major revisions to course content may require a new course number, so it is best to terminate the existing course and add a new course (see above). Faculty should work with their Undergraduate or Graduate Coordinator to secure appropriate documentation and signatures.

General Education Requirements and Courses

All undergraduate students (except those transferring with an AA from either a Florida public community college or a Florida public state university) must complete the 36-hour General Education requirement to graduate.

The General Education program requires courses in the following areas:

   

Composition (C)

3 credits

Mathematical Sciences (M)*

6 credits

Humanities (H)

9 credits

Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)

9 credits

Physical (P) and Biological (B) Sciences

9 credits

International Focus - 3 credits taken in conjunction with H, S, P or B courses

3 credits
Diversity Focus-  3 credits taken in conjunction with H, S, P or B courses 3 credits

Total Credit Requirements:

36 credits

*Three of the six credits must be approved mathematics courses.

The State of Florida also requires that all students complete the Writing and Math Requirement (commonly known as Gordon Rule) with grades of C or better AND satisfactory completion of the writing component. Writing course grades now will have two components. Professors will indicate whether or not students met the writing requirement AND will assign a course grade. To meet the Writing Requirement, students must complete courses that involve substantial writing for a total of 24,000 words.

 The Schedule of Courses identifies the courses, sections, and amount of writing credit awarded. To meet the Math Requirement, students must complete six credits of course work in mathematics, at or above the level of college algebra. Courses taken to meet Gordon Rule may also satisfy General Education requirements.

The General Education Committee is responsible for proposing changes to the general education requirements. All proposed changes are submitted to the Provost and Senior Vice President who directs action to be taken by either the University Curriculum Committee, or the Faculty Senate, or both as necessary.

In order for a course to be granted General Education or Gordon Rule status, the course must be approved by the General Education Committee. The instructor should submit an application to the General Education Committee for review.

Starting a New Degree Program

New degree programs are proposed and evaluated by faculty, department chairs, deans and directors of schools and colleges. Each proposal is carefully studied to ensure its appropriateness to the mission, role, and resources of the institution. For complete information on the process and forms: http://www.aa.ufl.edu/approval/

The Florida Board of Education is responsible for authorizing the establishment of any additional center, branch, college or school, and for the creation of new professional, specialist, and doctoral degrees, on the recommendation of the Board of Trustees. New bachelors and masters degrees receive final approval from the BOT.

Instructional Support

The University Center for Excellence in Teaching and the Office of Academic Technology provide a variety of resources and support services for teaching. Other resources may exist in individual colleges and schools.

University Center for Excellence in Teaching (UCET)

The mission of the University Center for Excellence in Teaching (UCET) is to respond to faculty needs in developing and maintaining high levels of teaching effectiveness. UCET has three primary objectives: 1) to provide orientation, instruction, and consultation about teaching and learning to new faculty, 2) to facilitate the continuing development of tenured faculty as teachers, and 3) to effectively prepare graduate students for careers as educators.

Office of Academic Technology

The Office of Academic Technology (AT) provides resources, technical assistance, and equipment to assist the University of Florida faculty, staff and students. The three general divisions of AT include support for media services, instructional technology and teaching/learning.

Center for Instructional Technology and Training (CITT)

The CITT mission is to provide training, technical support, and access to equipment for the development of multimedia for instruction. While priority is given to faculty members engaged in the development of web-based courses, the CITT staff and equipment are available for use by any faculty members who are actively working on media-based instructional projects.

The CITT staff presents workshops on the use of technology and software, assists in the evaluation of software for media-based instructional development, consults with faculty on the pedagogical issues related to web-based instruction, and provides access to equipment for media production.

Classroom Support

Classroom Support services include:

  • Assisting instructors with the operation of classroom technology
  • Installing, maintaining, and supporting classroom technology
  • Circulating audio/visual and portable multimedia equipment

A list of centrally supported classrooms and the audio-visual equipment they contain is available on the Classroom Support website.

Faculty Development Program

The Provost's Office has supported an initiative to foster the instructional use of computers in the classroom. The UF Faculty Development Program is administered through the OIT-Office of Academic Technology. Two tracks are offered: a notebook track and a Pocket PC track. Participating faculty receive either a notebook computer or a high-end Pocket PC following completion of 16 hours of hands-on training provided by the Center for Instructional Technology and Training (CITT). College Deans nominate faculty for consideration; the Office of Academic Affairs makes final selections.

WebCT

WebCT ("Web Course Tools") is a course management system that facilitates the creation of sophisticated web-based educational environments. WebCT allows educators to build web-based learning environments without a lot of time, resources, or technical expertise. Instructors can choose to deliver entire courses using WebCT or use it to provide online access to course resources and student grades. The Center for Instructional Technology and Training (CITT) provides consultation and training courses on the use of WebCT.

The Office of Academic Technology maintains a site license for WebCT. WebCT is free for all faculty and staff at the University of Florida to use.

Testing and Evaluation

The Testing and Evaluation Department of the Office of Academic Technology provides services in the following areas: machine scanning and scoring of response documents (e.g., scan-tron forms used for exams), development of customized scan documents, and a computer-based course gradebook service. The Testing and Evaluation Department also administers placement tests and standardized tests.

Testing Center

The Teaching Center, located in Broward Hall, provides tutoring services, review sessions, practice tests, and testing services to students. In addition, it provides information, training, and resources for Teaching Assistants.

Teaching Centers