Biological Chemistry Program
Current Policy
Formal department policy remains unchanged - students ordinarily may not P/F a class for the major. However, students may petition the department for P/F. The department will consider petitions for exemptions to department policy - like P/F - for students on a case-by-case basis. Students should first consult with their instructors, TAs, and advisors.
Policy Statement
It has always been our position that the faculty instructor for our classes has the freedom to determine the manner in which grades are set, and also the freedom to decide if there are extenuating circumstances that could be used to justify a different grade or incomplete. It is my position that the people that are best placed to judge the need for such a change are the instructor and TAs that work the closest with the students, often working with additional input from Student Counseling Services and academic advisors.
For this reason, the Department will not be making across-the-board policies or recommendations, but will leave the options open to students to seek out help when they are struggling. There are several avenues for that, and we discuss the need for awareness with instructors and TAs. I believe that a concrete step that student leadership can take is to encourage students facing difficulties to reach out to their instructors, TAs, and counseling services to discuss their situation.
Communication History
Final Decision: Tuesday, December 1st at 7pm CST
College Council received an email from Andrei Tokmakoff (Chair) confirming that the Chemistry Department will consider petitions to grading policy for students in extreme cases. Students should, in all cases, reach out to their instructors and TAs first for assistance.
College Council Reply with New P/F Policy Proposal: Monday, November 30th at 9am CST
College Council replied to Andrei Tokmakoff’s rejection email with a new proposal for a “P/F by petition” policy. This would allow students to formally petition for P/F credit to the economics major, instead of a blanket P/F or no P/F policy.
Initial P/F Policy Decision: Friday, November 25th at 11:30am CST
College Council received an email from Andrei Tokmakoff (Chair) rejecting a proposal for an open opt-in P/F proposal.
However, Professor Tokmakoff noted the department has asked instructors to consider student circumstances in their assessment of final grades.
Department Acknowledgement: Tuesday, November 24th at 4:30pm CST
College Council received an email from Vera Dragisich (Director of Academic Programs) acknowledging the request and forwarding it on to Andrei Tokmakoff (Chair), Scott Snyder (Associate Chair), and John Anderson (Director of Undergraduate Studies).
Follow-Up Communication: Tuesday, November 24th at 4pm CST
College Council followed-up with the same addressees via email.
Initial Communication: Friday, November 20th at 7am CST
College Council contacted Vera Dragisich (Director of Academic Programs) and Laura Baker (Department Administrator).
Reason for P/F Rejection
In the prevailing system, quality grades remain an important metric to judge student performance […], there are graduate and professional schools where these grades are required. There is also no question that certain populations will be disproportionately affected by the pandemic. […] [E]veryone during this time has been affected in some manner, and that there are not blanket solutions that can account for that here at UChicago or anywhere else.
Standard Policy
Courses cannot be taken P/F.