Top 10 Questions

1. What is the UH Hilo University Catalog used for?

The Catalog documents UH Hilo’s programs, degree requirements, and major policies affecting UH Hilo students. It provides the information needed to navigate successfully through your undergraduate or graduate degree program. You should keep the catalog until your graduation.

2. How are academic programs at UH Hilo organized?

Academic programs are offered through five colleges:

College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM).
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), made up of three divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Each division includes a number of academic departments.
College of Business and Economics (COBE).
Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani: College of Hawaiian Language (CHL)
College of Pharmacy (CoP)

In addition, the Graduate Council oversees all graduate programs, including those that are interdisciplinary in nature.

3. If I am an undergraduate student, how do I find my advisor?

If you have declared a major, your advisor will be a faculty member in your major department. To find out who your advisor is, visit the Advising Center's Advisor Search web site: www.uhh.hawaii.edu/studentaffairs/advising/advisors/.

Students who have not yet declared a major receive assistance from the Advising Center, which provides information on General Education requirements, course selection, registration, graduation requirements, and other academic policies and procedures. Contact the Advising Center at 974-7688 or uhhadvis@hawaii.edu.

4. How do I find out exactly which courses are offered in the coming semester, where and when they’ll be offered, and who will teach those courses?

This information is published on the MyUHPortal Web site: https://myuh.hawaii.edu/. To log in, you will need your UH username and password. If you do not have them, the MyUHPortal site will enable you to obtain them. In addition to class information, students use MyUH Portal to access their own class schedules, register, check email, etc.

5. If I am an undergraduate student, when do I have to declare a major, and how do I do it?

You’re expected to declare a major before registering for your junior year (or once you have earned 55 or more credits). Please be aware that it may take more than four years to graduate if you do not decide on a major fairly early in your career at UH Hilo, particularly if you decide to major in one of the natural sciences or in business. To declare a major, complete the Declaration/Change of Major/Program form available at the Registrar’s Office or at www.uhh.hawaii.edu/forms/.

6. Degree requirements change from time to time. Which year’s requirements do I need to follow?

You must satisfy either the graduation requirements in effect at the time you first enroll as a classified student in a specific UH Hilo degree or certificate program, or the requirements in effect at the time of your graduation. If you change your major, you follow the requirements in the year you declare your new major or the year you graduate. If your UH Hilo enrollment is interrupted for more than two consecutive semesters (excluding summer sessions), you must complete the requirements in effect at the time you are readmitted or at the time of your graduation.

7. What is the difference between a B.A. and a B.S. degree?

UH Hilo offers the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Agriculture, Astronomy, Biology, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Science, and Nursing. Many B.S. degrees require more mathematics or laboratory-based science courses than are required for Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees. Thus, the B.S. degree may provide a stronger foundation for students planning on graduate school in areas that require mathematics and science. Also, B.S. degrees often require fewer liberal arts courses in the major.

Some B.S. programs – such as Computer Science, Agriculture, and Nursing – are strongly career-oriented. In such specialized knowledge programs, students follow a more highly prescribed curriculum than is the case with many B.A. programs.

8. How do I get my grades at the end of each semester?

To get your grades, access https://myuh.hawaii.edu/. You can print out a copy for your records.

9. I’m a transfer student. Do my grades from another college factor into my UH Hilo GPA?

No. Credits transfer, but grades do not. The “Institutional” GPA on your official transcript will be calculated solely from grades earned at UH Hilo. Honors designations are determined only by the “Institutional” GPA.

10. When I approach my senior year in college, what will I need to do to graduate?

You must submit an Application for Degree/Certificate very early in the semester prior to the one in which you plan to graduate and pay a $15.00 fee. The form is available at: www.uhh.hawaii.edu/forms/. The University’s Academic Calendar shows the deadlines for submitting this application.

To ensure that you make timely progress toward your degree, we recommend that you meet often with an academic advisor and pay careful attention to all degree requirements outlined in this Catalog.