In order to encourage students to explore subjects of personal or professional interest without jeopardizing their GPA, the Institute has a limited pass/fail option. The policy of the School of Materials Science and Engineering regarding the use of pass/fail hours for credit is as follows: no course specifically required by name and number by the materials science and engineering curriculum may be taken on a pass/fail basis and used toward graduation, unless the course is offered only on that basis.

In addition to the Institute scholastic requirements, the School of Materials Science and Engineering MSE requires a C or better in all math, science and engineering courses required by name and number with the following caveat - a single D in a required MSE course may be tested out of if it is in a course that is not offered between its reception and graduation. The test is given just before graduation - after final term grades are in. The re-examination will be graded S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) with a C or better performance required for an S. The previously assigned D will remain unchanged but the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs will approve its use toward graduation if the re-examination grade assigned is an S and if the following conditions are met.

The student must not receive any F grades in courses required for graduation for the graduation term;
The D must not have been received in a laboratory or design course;
The D must not have been the result of academic dishonesty.

The re-examination results of a student who does not satisfy condition 1) above will be moot, i.e., the deficiency intended to be removed by the re-examination will remain.

In cases of deficiencies obtained for the intended graduation term, refer to Section VII (on Deficiencies) of the Rules and Regulations published in the on-line General Catalog. Note that a deficiency (e.g., a single D deficiency) obtained the intended graduation term will delay graduation by at least one term.