Student Handbook 2021

Academic Information and Policies This handbook contains regulations of importance to your enrollment and status at the College. You will be responsible for familiarizing yourself with the information contained herein. It is the objective of the SUNY College of Optometry to provide a sound educational experience with emphasis on the needs of the students as individuals while they pursue a rigorous course of study. The following policies are determined by faculty committees and are subject to change. CourseDescription Abbreviated course descriptions are presented on the College’s website. At the commencement of each course, students will be provided with a full course outline or syllabus indicating the course objectives and goals, a list of required and recommended readings, a grading policy, the method(s) of student evaluation, assessment, and examination, a list of course topics to be covered and a statement of classroom attendance requirements. In addition, all students are required by the college to complete course and instructor evaluations as part of the course requirements. Curriculum All new courses (including electives) or any major modifications proposed to the curriculum must be submitted through the Curriculum Committee. Current curriculum information and course descriptions are published annually in the College Catalog and on the college website.

Course Credits Course credits are applied to 16-week semesters in years 1-2, or 12-week quarters in years 3-4.

Credits will be computed as follows:

One Credit = 16 hours of lecture per term 32 hours of laboratory instruction per term 48 hours of clinic per term

Elective Courses Optometry students are usually required to complete a minimum of two elective courses. MS- OD students are exempt from this requirement. Elective courses will be offered to students from a catalog of courses approved by the Curriculum Committee and maintained by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Registrar. Courses will be opened for registration prior to the term and filled on a first-come-first-serve basis until limits are reached. Elective courses will be graded on an "honors-pass-fail" basis. The instructor shall provide the student with a statement of the criteria for awarding grades in the course syllabus.

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