This page contains information specific to the Photonic Science and Engineering Undergraduate Program in relationship to UCF’s response to COVID-19.
Please also check the following pages for important information. The information below is a supplement to UCF’s information.
To make an advising appointment, please contact Mike McKee (mmckee@creol.ucf.edu). Please include options for dates and times that will work for you. You will receive an appointment that contains information on how to join via Skype for Business or by calling in. You will be able to participate in the call using Skype for Business, which can be installed on iPhones and Androids.
Online Fall Advising
Mike McKee will be available for advising from August 20-28 without having to schedule an appointment. Click here to learn how to meet.
Video Updates
Fall Schedule Changes
The following courses have changed from Face-to-Face, to mostly or completely online. Based on the UCF Return to Campus Plan, we have the following in effect for all OSE-prefixed courses taught within the college.
- UCF will transition to remote instruction after Thanksgiving break.
- Classroom capacity has been modified to support physical distancing and courses that do not fit within available space on campus
will be taught remotely - Face coverings are required to be worn in all inside common spaces or when in close proximity to others;
- All members of the university are to practice 6 feet of physical distancing to the greatest extent possible;
- Those with increased risk of severe illness or over the age of 65 are encouraged to continue to work and learn remotely until further notice;
- All faculty, staff, and students will be required to complete education prior to returning to campus;
- All members of the community are to follow good hygiene guidance such as regular hand washing, avoiding touching your face, and disinfecting touched items; and
- Take personal responsibility by following all health measures, including remaining at home when ill.
Conducting Labs: (Most likely scenario and this may change)
With a maximum section enrollment of 18 students in a lab, student groups of 3 are divided into sub groups, A, B, and C. During the first week of experiments, Subgroup A will attend lab, conduct the experiment and broadcast it live to their lab partners. All students will have to write lab reports based on the data collected by the student that performed the experiments. In the second week, Subgroup B will attend and so on.
Courses remaining Face-to-Face (P Mode)
Many classes will remain face to face, and have a P modality. These classes will still be recorded and delivered synchronously (live online instruction). Only one-half of enrolled students will attend face-to-face lectures.
Students are expected to have webcams, speakers, and microphones on their personal device used to watch the lecture.
Students are expected to attend all lectures whether in person or streamed live.
Teaching Modes
| Course Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| P | Courses have required classroom attendance and meet on a regularly scheduled basis. Students may encounter online, video, or adaptive elements as part of the instruction, thus requiring a computer. |
| W | Courses are conducted via Web-based instruction and collaboration. Some courses may require minimal campus attendance or in-person/proctored examinations. Distance learning fee applies. |
| M | Courses include both required classroom attendance and online instruction. Classes have substantial activity conducted online, which substitutes for some classroom meetings. |
| V | Courses are online with extensive use of digital video, which may be supplemented by additional online activity, projects, or exams. Video may be in scheduled class meetings with real time participation, or asynchronously via video on demand. Distance learning fee applies. |
| V1 | Courses are online with extensive use of digital video, which may be supplemented by additional online activity, projects, or exams. Video may be in scheduled class meetings with real time participation, or asynchronously via video on demand. This is a new mode as a result of COVID-19 and no distance learning fee is applied. |
| RA | Courses utilize web-based learning technologies as the primary instructional medium within a blended course combining required face-to-face and online elements. Classes have substantial activity conducted online, and classroom activities are limited to no more than 20% of the instructional time over the course of the semester. |
| RS | In these courses, classroom-based content is available over the web via streaming video and some classroom attendance may be required. Activities that supplement video instruction may include any of the following elements: web activity, in-person or proctored examinations, and labs. Classroom activities are limited to no more than 20% of the instructional time over the course of the semester. See course notes for details. |
Student Suggestions for Course Help
Calculus Based Courses
Dr. Reza at UCF – General Electrical Engineering Lectures
Conceptual Understanding
Physics 3 and Basic Photonics Concepts: https://www.youtube.com/user/diggitydev
Introduction to Circuits: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3IM2wmkH0TcDRzkN3joR5Af
General Relativity: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3JyQBZ8Jn2qaM0Fsy9Zhb8Y
Introduction to Quantum Physics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3JmP0OYKGktv3ifZukEXlyf
Diffraction: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3KRRaeMVudt1G-iuclmAbfw
Semiconductors: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3ICzyd5lVwJbpl3r9GC9rMi
Geometric Optics: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3IB4GEhaCg7L3ioiLkHLk7Q
AC Circuits: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3IzKJXgclNlVg8GMBczMBZf
Introduction to voltage and capacitors: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLUpvzaZLf3Jv7AjU5pfY8s25-QBCfdIZ
Linear Algebra: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZHQObOWTQDPD3MizzM2xVFitgF8hE_ab
S/U Grading FAQs
In response to students’ requests, UCF will offer undergraduates the option to select a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grade or a letter grade for eligible Spring 2020 courses. Students will be able to choose this option from April 10 – 27. Transcripts will indicate that the S/U option was made available this semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is critical to understand how S/U grading may affect you. In some instances, an S/U grade may impact financial aid, degree program requirements and applications to graduate or professional school.
Check official FAQ’s here: https://www.ucf.edu/coronavirus/faq/
- Have a clear, concrete sense of your current grade in each course.
- Understand the requirements for each course and how it is used to satisfy your degree requirements
- Carefully read all the FAQ’s
- If you need additional support, contact your major or college advisor.
No. Your advisor can help in your decision for opting in to S/U grading. However, it is ultimately your decision to opt in. It is your responsibility to be informed of the ramifications of the decision.
UCF uses an alphabetic, plus/minus system to identify student grades and other actions regarding student progress or class attendance as outlined below. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for detailed information.
If you choose to select courses for S/U grading, those selected courses with grades that are equivalent to A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+ or C grades will convert to a satisfactory (S) grade. Grades of C-, D+, D, D-, F or NC will convert to an unsatisfactory (U) grade.
Grades of S and U do not impact the GPA. A grade of S will result in credit for the course, but it will not be used in the calculation of the GPA. A grade of U will reflect attempted credit that was not earned in the course, but it will not affect the GPA.
A U grade will not impact your GPA, nor does it affect academic standing.
It is essential to understand and review your degree audit and situation with your department or college advisor.
If these FAQs do not answer your questions, prior to opting in to S/U grading, contact your instructor and academic advisor for guidance.
You will complete an online request form using the self-service option in myUCF. The form will be available soon. Here are the steps you need to take:
- Consult with your advisor as soon as possible.
- Between April 10 to 27, submit your request for S/U grading. Go to the myUCF portal and select Student Self Service > Student Center > Other Academic (dropdown menu) > COVID-19 S/U Option.
- Opt-in by 11:59 p.m. on April 27.
The form is available now until April 27 at 11:59 PM.
You will receive the letter grade you earn for your class(es). You will not have the option to select S/U grading after 11:59 pm on April 27.
Yes, you can withdraw from a class no later than 11:59 pm on Monday, April 20.
Students may request a withdrawal reversal within 3 business days of the withdrawal from a class. For students who withdrew prior to the establishment of the S/U grading option do not have the option to reverse their withdrawal beyond 3 business days of their withdrawal date.
If a course is eligible for this selection, it will appear on the S/U selection page. Go to the myUCF portal and select Student Self Service > Student Center > Other Academic (dropdown menu) > COVID-19 S/U Option.
Most labs are associated with a course. You can select S/U grading if a lab is graded separately and does not require simultaneous registration in a lecture.
You must contact the program office to determine how S/U grading will affect you.
Student athletes: Academic Services for Student Athletes – 407-823-5895
Honors students: Burnett Honors College – 407-823-2076
International students: UCF Global – 407-823-2337
Veterans: Veterans Academic Resource Center – 407-823-2707
Pre-professional students: Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising – 407-823-0101
Financial Aid: Office of Student Financial Assistance – 407-823-2827
- Good standing will be determined by using the UCF cumulative GPA and UCF Honors cumulative GPA as calculated by UCF after Spring 2020 grades are posted.
- Students currently in good standing who achieve less than a 3.2 UCF cumulative GPA and/or a 3.0 cumulative Honors GPA after Spring 2020 grades are posted will receive a warning letter instead of being placed on probation.
- Students currently on honors probation who achieve less than a 3.2 UCF term GPA and/or a 3.0 cumulative term GPA after Spring 2020 grades are posted will be placed on extended probation, instead of being removed from university honors.
- Students graduating in Spring 2020 are expected to meet honors graduation requirements to graduate with university honors:
- 2 UCF cumulative GPA
- 0 honors cumulative GPA
- Satisfactory completion of a minimum of eight BHC Honors courses as outlined on the BHC website
- BHC courses with grades of S will count toward the eight-course requirement.
Please contact the graduate or professional program to which you are applying or the appropriate UCF resource office to discuss the possible impact of an S or U grade on your graduate or professional school application.
- Degree program advisor
- Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising at 407-823-0101
- College of Graduate Studies at 407-823-2766 (for referrals and advice from comparable programs at UCF)
S, U, and NC grades could help you maintain your current GPA because it won’t change it. S grades may also help you meet the earned hours requirements. However, a U or NC grade would not help you meet the earned hours requirement nor the SAP completion percentage standard.
The back of transcripts contains a legend detailing grades. Spring 2020 transcripts will indicate that the S/U grade option was offered this semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
U grades will not negatively impact your GPA, and you will not receive credit. S grades also do not affect your GPA, and you will receive credit for completing the course.
Yes, since an S grade maps to a grade of C or better, an S grade will satisfy major, minor, or certificate requirements. Please also note that some programs do accept C-, D+, D, and D- grades while other programs require a grade of B or better in particular courses (e.g. DIG2000 requires a B grade). Please verify each program’s grade requirements by checking the relevant program(s) in your undergraduate catalog. If you still need additional assistance, please contact your major advisor.
Yes, since an S grade maps to a grade of C or better, an S grade will satisfy the C or better prerequisite requirement.
In order to earn Gordon Rule credit, you must earn a grade of C- or better. If you select S/U grading and you earn a C (2.0) or better in the course, you will earn an S, which will meet the requirement. However, if you select S/U grading and you earn a C- in the course, that will map to a U, which will NOT meet the requirement.
In order to satisfy a non-Gordon Rule GEP requirement, you must earn a grade of D- or better. If you select S/U grading and you earn a C (2.0) or better in the course, you will earn an S, which will meet the requirement. However, if you earn a C- (1.75) or lower in the course that will map to a U, which will NOT meet the requirement.
In order to satisfy a non-Gordon Rule State Core requirement, you must earn a grade of D- or better. If you select S/U grading and you earn a C (2.0) or better in the course, you will earn an S, which will meet the requirement. However, if you earn a C- or lower in the course, that will map to a U, which will not meet the requirement.
In order to earn credit towards the language proficiency, you must earn any grade but an F or a U. If you select S/U grading and you earn a C (2.0) or better in the course, you will earn an S, which will meet the requirement. However, if you earn a C-, D+, D, D-, or an F, these will map to a U, which will NOT meet the requirement.
All UCF credits for which you earn A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or S grades will apply towards the 120 hour requirement and upper level credits (3000 level or above) will also apply towards the 48 hour upper level requirement. U and F grades will not apply towards either requirement.
Appeals to reverse your request for an S/U will not be allowed. Before you select S/U grading, consult with the instructor and your academic advisor. However, up until April 27, you can change your grading selection as many times as you would like.