Study Abroad in St. Petersburg: Academics

All students are required to take Russian language. Students may take a minimum of 12 credits (Russian Language plus 1 Elective class) and a maximum of 18 credits (Russian Language plus 3 Elective classes). Russian language courses are taught 14 hours per week for a total of 9 credits. Elective classes meet for over 42 hours (including class time, homework, final exam and final paper) for a total of 3 credits.

Attendance
Attendance in class is required. Students who are absent without prior authorization may not be eligible to take examinations or may be awarded lower or failing grades.

No AIFS participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a letter grade. Pass/Fail grade options are not available.

Once classes begin, students have one week to drop or change courses without penalty, if there is a valid reason. After that, if students wish to withdraw from a course, they must sign a declaration to this effect and get the Director's signature for the transcript to show "withdrawn." No one may withdraw in the final eight weeks of a semester. Under no circumstances may a student withdraw from the required course in Russian language.

Class time
Russian classes meet 14 weeks a semester. Elective seminars meet 13 weeks each semester. One class hour equals 45 minutes.

Computer access

Students staying at the residence are advised to bring a laptop computer to connect to the Internet since the residence has LAN connections in all rooms for a small fee. Homestay students do not have computer or Internet access at their accommodation, but they do have limited access at the University library for a small fee.

Transcripts
Students receive an official transcript from St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University giving details of courses, class hours and grades, although it does not indicate credits recommended in this catalog.