Students

TCOM Course Planning Guide

Academic Calendar

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

See Penn Engineering’s Graduate Student Academic Handbook for complete detail regarding School-level regulations:
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/grad/arr_gsah.html

TCOM Program Requirements
In order to register for courses correctly, graduate students should understand the requirements of the program for which they are enrolled.

Telecommunications and Networking students must complete 10 course units (with approval, up to 2 courses can be transferred from a prior graduate program – see transfer of credit below) and meet the course distribution requirements of their graduate group.

Full- and Part-Time Study
U.S. citizens may enroll on a part-time or full-time basis. International students on student visas must enroll fulltime to maintain their visa status. Full-time students are expected to take three course units per semester. Students may register for summer courses if they wish. Part-time students may take one to three course units each semester. Students must register for at least one course unit during the fall and spring semesters in order to remain continuously enrolled in the program.

Change of Program or Time Status
Graduate students may petition to change their academic program or their full/part time status at any time with the "Graduate Petition for Action". These requests require the signatures of the student, the Graduate Group Chair and the Associate Dean for approval. See page 12.

Degree Requirements
See the Telecommunications and Networking Course Planning Guide on Page 9.

Transfer of Credit
Master of Telecommunications and Networking degree candidates are permitted to transfer up to the two courses from another university in which they received a grade of “B” or better and did not apply towards another degree. The Graduate Group Chair and Associate Dean must approve transfer credit. Undergraduate courses are not accepted for graduate credit. The Graduate Transfer of Credit Petition Form is on page 11.

Forms
Forms directly related to the Telecommunications and Networking Program (pages 9-16) are available from the Telecommunications Program Office. Other forms relating to graduate students are available in the Academic Programs Office, 111 Towne, or online: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/forms/. Please note that forms are subject to change.

Registration
New students may register at the beginning of their initial semester, but all continuing students should register for classes during advance registration in the middle of the prior semester (November and March). Timely registration is the students' responsibility. Late registration occurs any time after advance registration, and the student is billed $25.00 for lateness.

Students are required to be continuously registered while in graduate school, except under the following exceptional circumstances:

1) A student takes a leave of absence.
2) A student withdraws from the School.

Students with no exceptional circumstances and who do not register each semester are dropped from the roles of Penn Engineering.

Students will register using PARIS or Penn InTouch, directions for both are listed below. PARIS: 215-573-PENN.

Penn InTouch: accessible from www.upenn.edu, click on the link “pennintouch” towards the bottom right of the screen or go directly to: https://sentry.isc.upenn.edu/intouch/. PARIS and Penn InTouch will ask for your Personal Access Code (PAC). Your PAC is initially set to your six digit birth date (MMddYY). If your PAC matches your date of birth, you will be required to change your PAC to a new six digit numeric code. Be sure to record your number, as you will need it to access PARIS or Penn InTouch again. You may also change your PAC by visiting the Office of the University Registrar, 221 Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut Street.

Course Selection
Review the course timetables on the TCOM website to choose courses. You may review the Course Timetable and the Course Register for courses in other departments by using the Office of the University Registrar’s Home Page on the WWW:

Course Timetable: http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/timetable
Course Register: http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/register

If the course timetable indicates that you need permission to take a course, see the department offering the course. You will have to obtain permission before you can register for the course. The Course Planning Guide (CPG) is on pages 10 of this handbook.

Advisors
Advisors are assigned to TCOM students through the Telecommunications and Networking Programs Office. It is expected that students will meet with their advisors shortly after matriculation to complete a Course Planning Guide (CPG). A copy of the completed CPG should be submitted to the Telecommunications & Networking office. It will then be required for students to contact their advisors prior to registration for each term to ensure that they are on track for graduation. This requirement is enforced by a hold being placed in the Student Registration System (SRS) for all TCOM students. The hold is released when the Telecommunications & Networking office is notified to do so (via email from advisor or copy of updated CPG signed by advisor).

Independent Study (TCOM 899) Registration
Students must obtain advisor approval before beginning an independent study project (TCOM 899). A maximum of one (1) TCOM 899 credit unit will be counted toward the TCOM degree requirements.

Five course unit registration
Students enrolled in the Master's program are permitted to register for 5 course units. A 3.0 GPA must be maintained in order to be permitted to register for 5 cus. Full time tuition will be charged for four or more courses.

Audits
An audited course (which carries no credit) is charged the same tuition as a credited course.

Grading
The graduate grading system in Penn Engineering is as follows: A-Excellent, B-Good, C-Fair, D-Below Average, F-Failed. The notations "+" and "-" and pass/fail option are NOT used for graduate students for the School of Engineering. For students enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences, each of these letter grades may be modified by a plus (+) or minus (-) sign.

The mark of "I" is used to designate an Incomplete, "NR" for No Report (no grade sheet submitted), and "GR" (grade sheet submitted without student grade). These marks will remain as permanent grades until a change of grade form is submitted by the instructor of the course for the completion of the requirements. No grade lower than a "C" will be counted in courses designated as "core" courses or those courses must be retaken. For students matriculating prior to Fall 2004, a 2.7 CGPA must be achieved to graduate in all situations; a 3.0 minimum CGPA is required of students matriculating in or after Fall 2004.

Drop/Add/Change Period
Students may add a course only during the first two weeks of each semester. Those wishing to drop a course may do so within the first five weeks of the semester. However, tuition will be automatically refunded for a dropped course only if the course is dropped during the first two weeks of the semester. Refunds for tuition for courses dropped after the first two weeks of the semester but before the end of the fifth week of the semester can occur only after approval of the student's Graduate Group Chair and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the following percentages: 3rd and 4th week (75%), 5th week (50%), 6th week (25%).

Withdrawal from Courses
A student may not drop a course if it is the only course for which he or she is registered. After the five-week period during which a course can be dropped with partial refund, a student may withdraw from a course with permission of the instructor and graduate chair before the end of that term without a refund. A form for requesting withdrawal entitled, "Petition for Withdrawal from a Course", can be obtained from the Office of Academic Programs, 111 Towne Building. See page 12.

Billing
At the University of Pennsylvania, billing always follows registration. Student Financial Services bases its charges on data provided by the Registrar. For this reason, a problem in billing may reflect a problem in registration rather than a financial miscalculation. Frequently, a bill is incorrect because a student's registration was not properly completed. To avoid these problems, double-check all registration, including dropped and added courses.

After the Drop/Add period is over, communication between the Registrar and Student Financial Services is less frequent. For this reason, a change in registration after the fifth week of classes necessitates manual tuition adjustments. Elizabeth Gentner in 111 Towne Building will do these billing adjustments.

The need for a timely resolution of billing problems cannot be overemphasized. The University has a policy of withholding diplomas at graduation when financial questions are unresolved. It is the responsibility of the student to keep track of his or her outstanding balance and to resolve any problems that might arise.

PREPARING FOR GRADUATION
Consult the Calendar for Candidates for Degrees distributed by the Academic Programs Office, 111 Towne Building. It is very important to note the early application deadlines for graduation:

February Deadline For May Graduation
May Deadline for August Graduation
September Deadline for December Graduation

Candidates for Master's degrees should come to 111 Towne Building to apply for the degree and resolve any questions about graduation. Early application for graduation is necessary to ensure that grades and financial obligations can be fulfilled by the deadline for graduation. Also, the process for ordering and printing diplomas can take up to three months.

GRADUATION CHECK LIST:
1) Fill out the application form obtained in 111 Towne Building and submit to 111 Towne Building well in advance of the deadline. Master's candidates should consult 111 Towne Building for a complete list of forms needed for graduation.

2) Make sure that your financial obligations are cleared before the end of the final semester.

3) Check that your academic record is complete, and that appropriate courses have been taken for the degree. Students who have completed all requirements for the degree before their final semester should obtain an exemption from registration form in 111 Towne Building.

4) Order cap and gown from the Bookstore in early March if you wish to participate in the May graduation ceremony. May is the only formal graduation ceremony. (Students who graduate in August or December of the preceding year are invited to attend the May ceremony. Students anticipating graduation in the same year may request, by approval, to participate in the May ceremony.)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Security On Campus
The University of Pennsylvania IS an intercity campus. However, Penn does have its own police department with collaborative support from the City of Philadelphia’s police. Crime on campus is not high, but proactive behavior on the part of Penn community members such as students is strongly advised. It is suggested that students do not walk alone around campus after dark. If you are working late in one of the buildings, use a campus phone to dial 8-WALK and an escort service will be sent to accompany you to your destination.

Weather Emergencies
Under normal conditions, Penn never stops operating. However, severe weather, such as winter storms, may force the closing of non-essential offices and the cancellation of classes. To find out the operating status of the University in the event of severe weather, call the special information number: 215-898-MELT or listen to KYW (1060 AM). The University of PA’s number is 102 for daytime classes and 2102 for evening classes.

PennCard
A PennCard (photo ID) is required in order to use University facilities. The PennCard Office is located at 3451 Walnut Street. Questions can be directed to them at 215-417-CARD, http://www.upenn.edu/PennCard.

SEAS Computer Laboratories
IBM/compatible machines are available for your use within the School of Engineering and Applied Science. M62 Towne is a 24-hour lab that is open to the University community, so no password is required for access. There are consultants on duty in the School’s Computer & Education Technology Services Office (169 Moore) during the following hours:

Monday – Thursday 08:30 - Midnight
Friday 08:30 - 17:00
Saturday Noon - 16:00
Sunday 13:00 - Midnight

Additional information regarding SEAS computing facilities can also be obtained by phone (215-898-4707) or by e-mail (cets@seas.upenn.edu); http://www.seas.upenn.edu/cets .

Libraries
The Van Pelt Library, 34th & Walnut Streets, is the main library on campus:

Monday – Thursday 08:30 - Midnight
Friday 08:30 - 21:00
Saturday 10:00 - 21:00
Sunday 10:00 - Midnight

Towne School Library. Towne Building, 2nd Floor:

Monday – Thursday 8:30 - 23:00
Friday 8:30 - 19:00
Saturday Noon - 20:00

Sunday Noon - 23:00

During University holidays, breaks and examination periods, different hours will be in effect. For exceptions, please contact Library Information (898-7554) or the Van Pelt Reference Desk (898-5924) or reference:
http://www.library.upenn.edu/services/hours/hours.html

Copy Center
For courses that require a bulk pack through the SEAS Copy Center, call 215-898-8115 for location and hours. They also provide copying services at cost.