Academic Regulations

a.Grading

An instructor bears full responsibility for evaluating the academic performance of students, see Assessment of Student Learning Policy and Procedures for Undergraduate Courses (www.ulethbridge.ca/policy).

An instructor must indicate at the beginning of each course, in writing, the detailed manner by which work will be evaluated and the final grades derived and, upon request, communicate to students an estimation of their levels of performance by the end of the eighth week of the term. An instructor may prescribe a variety of forms of evaluation, such as recitations and papers, mid-term examinations and a final examination.

Final grades are determined in accordance with the grading system described in this Calendar. All final grades for courses and Independent Studies are submitted by the date set in the Academic Schedule. Except when a Course Incomplete has been approved by both the instructor and the Dean, there is no provision for the late submission, revision or evaluation of students’ work after the final grade submission deadline. There is no provision for the late submission of final grades. Grade changes may be submitted by the instructor up to two months following the grade submission deadline (e.g., fall term grade submission deadline in December - grade change permitted until February 28 of the following term).

1.Grading System

Effective May 1, 2002, the University of Lethbridge and other Alberta universities adopted a common 4-point grading system. The common grading system closely resembles the grading system that became effective on September 1, 1988, when pluses and minuses were introduced into the original University of Lethbridge grading system. All three University of Lethbridge systems are described in the table below, which appears on the back of official paper University of Lethbridge academic transcripts, and found online (www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/transcripts).

Under all three systems, the overall academic performance of a student is expressed as a Grade Point Average (GPA). For students whose grades are recorded under two or three systems, the GPA is determined in the same way. No attempt will be made at differential weighting of the three systems.

University of Lethbridge Grading Systems

Note: WF - Withdrawal Fail effective May 1, 1992 to April 30, 2010

2.Grade Point Average Calculations

The current GPA, often referred to as the ‘term GPA’, is calculated on all graded courses completed in a given term and appears on both official and unofficial academic transcripts.

The total institution GPA, often referred to as the ‘cumulative GPA’, is calculated on all graded courses and appears on all academic transcripts by the level of a student’s program (undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral).

The GPA achieved by a student is determined by multiplying the grade points assigned to each grade by the weighting factor for the course. The total of all course grade points thus calculated is then divided by the total of the weighting factors for all courses.

Example:

Other types of GPA calculations:

Administrative units at the University may calculate a variety of averages in order to determine eligibility for scholarships and awards, academic standing, admission, graduation, etc. When making their calculations, units may include grades for courses transferred from another institution and grades hidden by the Credit/Non-Credit designation. In addition, they may choose to exclude certain grades on both University of Lethbridge and transfer courses from the GPA calculations.

Additional GPA calculations include academic standing GPA, admission GPA, awards GPA, Faculty or School GPA, major GPA, prerequisite GPA, program GPA and residence GPA. Note that these calculations are defined by the unit which uses the GPA.

There are certain courses which are not included in the calculation of the current or cumulative GPA. These include courses transferred from another institution; the lowest graded attempt(s) of a repeated course; and courses in which there are non-grade designations such as Credit/Non-Credit.

In the case of courses designated as Pass/Fail, a ‘P’ or ‘Pass’ is not included in the calculation of the current or cumulative GPA, but an ‘F’ or ‘Fail’ is included in the GPA calculation (see Non-Grade Designations, P - Pass/Fail Courses).

b.Non-Grade Designations

No grade points are assigned for the following designations:

AI - Administrative Incomplete

The designation of ‘AI’ is recorded at the final grade submission deadline for a given term by the Registrar, if the instructor has not submitted a final grade by the deadline. The ‘AI’ is replaced by the letter grade as soon as it is received. The ‘AI’ designation is temporary, must be replaced by a grade and may not be used in lieu of an Incomplete designation.

AU - Audit

The AU designation is awarded when a student has been granted permission by an instructor to audit a course. The course appears on the academic transcript as ‘AU’ (Registration, Audit a Course).

I - Incomplete

The designation of ‘I’ is awarded only in case of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student, which make it impossible to complete the required work by the close of a term. The ‘I’ designation is awarded only on application to and approval of both the instructor and the appropriate Dean and such application is not reviewed until the last two weeks of classes. When the ‘I’ is approved, an appropriate deadline is determined for completion of outstanding work. A student who does not complete outstanding work by the assigned deadline will normally receive an ‘F’ in the course.

The ‘I’ designation may be converted by the instructor to a letter designation within a maximum of one year; if not so converted, it becomes an ‘F’ except where circumstances continue to prevent the completion of the course, in which case the ‘I’ designation remains on the academic transcript.

An ‘I’ designation assigned in an Education Field Experience course has a different interpretation. Details are available from the Assistant Dean, Student Program Services, Faculty of Education.

The 'I' designation is not available in Nursing Practice or Public Health practicum courses. Students enrolled in these courses should see an academic advisor in the Faculty of Health Sciences for details.

L - Tabula Rasa - Retain Credit

The designation of 'L' prefaces a course grade if credit was retained for that course following the granting of Tabula Rasa at the point of readmission. Refer to Readmission after Required Withdrawal for information regarding the granting of Tabula Rasa.

T - Tabula Rasa - No Credit

The designation of ‘T’ prefaces a course grade if credit was not retained for that course following the granting of Tabula Rasa at the point of readmission. Refer to Readmission after Required Withdrawal for information regarding the granting of Tabula Rasa.

W - Withdrawal

Where a student withdraws from a course at any time after the Extended Drop deadline up to and including the last day of classes, a designation of 'W' will be awarded only upon withdrawal submission on the Bridge. A 'W' designation is not factored into the term or cumulative GPA calculations. Students are responsible for ensuring the submission is made on the Bridge by the relevant deadline. Refer to the Academic Schedule for the last day to withdraw.

WC - Withdrawal with Cause

The designation ‘WC’ is recorded only in case of serious illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student, which make continuation in a course impossible and where an ‘Incomplete’ designation is not in order. For admitted students, the ‘WC’ is recorded only on application to the Faculty or School advising office. For Open Studies students, the ‘WC’ is recorded upon application to Student Enrolment and Registrar Services.

Prior to readmission, students who are granted a complete ‘Withdrawal with Cause’ may be requested to provide evidence that the conditions which led to the complete withdrawal (WC) have been identified and addressed. Coordination among units, including academic advising, Counselling Services and Admissions will take place.

X - Continuing

Used for courses which may extend beyond one term. Eligible courses are designated by the Faculty or School offering the course. Signifies that a grade will be awarded at the conclusion of the course and will replace the ‘X’ on the student’s academic transcript.

X - Permanent

Used for placeholder courses to indicate that the student is active in the program but is not taking courses in a given term or is taking credit courses at another institution, under the appropriate authorization.

Also used in an Undergraduate Thesis course (4995) when a student elects to complete the course over two terms. This grade designation is assigned to the first term.

Cr/NC - Credit/Non-Credit

A student may elect to designate some courses as Credit/Non-Credit. This alternative is designed to encourage students to expand their academic interests by taking courses outside their field of major interest. Credit/Non-Credit is not available to Open Studies students.

For completion of course requirements with a grade of ‘C’ or higher, the grade earned appears on the academic transcript automatically. If a grade between ‘C-’ and ‘D’ (inclusive) is earned, a ‘Cr’ appears on the academic transcript. If a grade of ‘F’ is earned, an ‘NC’ appears on the academic transcript.

Students may designate courses as Credit/Non-Credit according to the following limits:

A student is further limited in the number of Credit/Non-Credit designations made per term. In the fall and winter terms, a student may elect Credit/Non-Credit in a maximum of two courses. In summer sessions, a student may elect Credit/Non-Credit in a maximum of one course per session. Once a course is designated Credit/Non-Credit, it counts toward the maximum, irrespective of the outcome.

The Credit/Non-Credit alternative may not be elected in courses constituting the student’s major, specialization or minor, required courses in Education and specifically-required, non-Dhillon School of Business courses. Education students may elect a maximum of three Education courses as Credit/Non-Credit. For the purpose of this regulation, Dhillon School of Business courses are regarded as the major for the B.Mgt. degree, Nursing courses are regarded as the major for the B.N. degree, Public Health and Health Sciences courses are regarded as the major for the B.H.Sc. (Public Health major) program, and Addictions Counselling and Health Sciences courses are regarded as the major for the B.H.Sc. (Addictions Counselling major) program.

No courses carrying a ‘Credit’ designation may be used to meet requirements where the Credit/Non-Credit designation is specifically prohibited in the Calendar. Faculties/Schools may allow substitutions for designated courses at their discretion, but must consider the records of such students as deficient.

Note: Other post-secondary institutions may not recognize courses where grades other than ‘A+’ to ‘F’ are assigned (e.g. ‘CR’, ‘P’). Students in pre-professional and other transfer programs, and students planning to apply to professional schools are advised to contact the receiving institution for more information.

A student may not use a Credit/Non-Credit designation to replace a grade earned previously.

P - Pass/Fail Courses

Certain courses are specified as Pass/Fail in the course descriptions. For such courses, students are awarded either the designation ‘P’ or the grade ‘F’.

The designation ‘P’ indicates satisfactory completion of the objectives of a Pass/Fail course. When a student is awarded the designation ‘P’, the course is not included in computation of the GPA; when the student is awarded ‘F’, the course is included in computation of the GPA.

Note: Other post-secondary institutions may not recognize courses where grades other than ‘A+’ to ‘F’ are assigned (e.g. ‘CR’, ‘P’). Students in pre-professional and other transfer programs, and students planning to apply to professional schools are advised to contact the receiving institution for more information.

c.Academic Transcripts

An academic transcript is the official, permanent record of a student’s enrolment activity at the University of Lethbridge, including the terms in which registration took place and the associated grades or designations that were assigned. The academic transcript also includes the student’s current or most recent program degree(s), major(s), minor(s), concentration(s), and specialization(s), as appropriate.

1.Official and Unofficial Academic Transcripts

Official academic transcripts bear the seal and signature of the University of Lethbridge Registrar. An official academic transcript includes, for each student at each program level (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral), all University of Lethbridge courses in progress, courses attempted (successfully and unsuccessfully), courses repeated, courses withdrawn, credits earned, GPA, and academic standing by term until the day the academic transcript is produced. A summary of academic transfer credit is listed by institution and term granted. The student’s cumulative GPA is also included on the academic transcript. Upon completion of program requirements and the conferral of degrees, additional notations are included on the official academic transcript in accordance with University policies (see Graduation, Academic Transcripts).

An unofficial academic transcript does not bear the Registrar’s seal or signature. This type of academic transcript is not the official record of the University of Lethbridge; however, it is accessible to students online through the Bridge to allow students to monitor their own progress as they navigate their program(s).

2.Academic Transcript Requests

Official academic transcripts are confidential and will only be issued upon request by the student. A student may request a paper copy, electronic copy, or both of their transcript. Electronic copies are verified and official , issued to the student from the University of Lethbridge to the student’s MyCreds account. Learn more about MyCreds at www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/mycreds. Students can request transcripts on the Bridge or in-person at Student Enrolment and Registrar Services. When requests are made in person, appropriate documentation such as a student ID card or driver’s licence is required.

Third-party requests must be authorized by the student. For more details on obtaining official academic transcripts, see www.ulethbridge.ca/ross/transcripts. Requesting separate official academic transcripts for each degree level completed at the University of Lethbridge is not possible.

Official academic transcript requests, complete with date of issue and recipient, are maintained indefinitely. Students will be notified promptly if their academic transcripts have not been issued because of academic holds, inability to authenticate the source of the request, or for other reasons which may apply.

3.Withholding Academic Transcripts

Official and unofficial academic transcripts will not be issued if the student has any outstanding financial obligations to the University.

d.Repeat of a Course

A student may repeat a course previously taken in an attempt to: improve the course grade, improve the GPA and/or meet graduation requirements.

1.A grade may be improved by completing either the course or its equivalent.

•Students wanting to improve their grade in a Series or Topics course must repeat the section with the identical title.

•Courses that are equivalent are denoted with an ‘Equivalent’ course element in the course description and include courses that have been renamed or renumbered, and Topics or Series courses that have been regularized.

2.If a student repeats a course, the grade for each attempt is recorded on the academic transcript.

3.After a course is repeated, the grade and credit hours of the attempt with the highest grade will be used to calculate the GPA.

4.A student may not use a Credit/Non-Credit designation to replace a previously earned grade.

e.Exceeding Course Limits

In the case where a student exceeds any legislated course limit(s) and/or the credit hours required in the student’s program, those credits will be considered extra-to-program (see Glossary, Extra-to-Program Course Credit). The extra-to-program courses may be University of Lethbridge courses taken outside a student’s program requirements or eligible electives, one of a substantially similar pair, or granted institutional transferable course credit that does not fulfill program requirements. These courses will be counted toward applicable GPAs and are maintained on the student’s record. Students should be aware of legislated course limits, including the maximum number of Independent Study or Introductory courses allowed in a program.

1.Substantially Similar Course Limits

Substantially similar courses contain a high percentage of similar course content and are denoted with a “Substantially Similar” course element in the course description. Students who complete two substantially similar courses will receive credit for both courses. However, the number of credit hours of the substantially similar course will be considered extra-to-program. For example, if a student in a 40-course program (120.0 credit hours) takes two 3.0-credit-hour courses that are substantially similar, one of the courses would be considered extra-to-program. This substantially similar course will be counted toward applicable GPAs and will remain on the student’s record, but it will not fulfill program requirements for graduation.

Some courses may be applicable to more than one limit in a program. For example, History 1000 and History 1200 are substantially similar and both may count toward the 1000-level course limit in a program. The course deemed substantially similar would be extra-to-program and excluded from the 1000-level course limit.

2.Limitation on the Impact of a Single Course

If a single course causes the student to exceed more than one limit, the student’s program will be increased by one course (3.0 credit hours) only. For example, a student who completes History 1000 and History 1200 (which are substantially similar) would have his/her program increased by one course (3.0 credit hours). If completion of History 1200 also causes the introductory course limit to be exceeded by one course (3.0 credit hours), the program would not be increased further.

f.Waiver of Prerequisite/Corequisite

Students may possess some educational experience that provides much of the background usually acquired in a prerequisite or corequisite to a particular course. In such cases, the student may seek the permission of the Faculty or School to waive the prerequisite(s) and/or corequisite(s) for that course.

Application for a prerequisite/corequisite waiver must be made through the department offering the course. Once written permission is received from the Faculty or School, a student may register in a course without having completed the prerequisite(s) and/or corequisite(s). Students do not receive credit for the waived prerequisite(s) or corequisite(s).

If a prerequisite or corequisite course is specifically required in a program or major, it must be registered and completed at some point unless a substitution has been approved by the Dean. In the case of courses required for the major, substitutions must be recommended to the Dean by the department/academic unit.

g.Substitutions

A substitution for a required course in a program or major is at the sole discretion of the Faculty or School and is only granted in exceptional situations. Students should seek advice and information about substitutions from an academic advisor. Course substitutions must be approved by the Dean and are recorded on the student’s record.

h.Academic Standards

1.Undergraduate Student in Good Standing

To be in good standing, an undergraduate student must maintain the following minimum cumulative GPA:

Students should be aware that some Faculties/Schools require higher levels of performance in certain courses or terms. Students are referred to detailed statements by Faculties/Schools in relevant Parts of this Calendar.

2.Probationary Student

If the cumulative GPA falls below the required levels, the student is placed on academic probation and is subject to program restrictions.

In some cases a student may be admitted as probationary because a previous academic record is either deficient in some respect, below the standard ordinarily required or difficult to assess.

3.Required Withdrawal from the University

Students may be required to withdraw on two academic grounds: (1) academic indices or (2) consecutive terms on probation.

Students shall be required to withdraw for academic reasons from University of Lethbridge programs only following the winter term.

a.Required Withdrawal - Academic Indices

Students who have completed six courses and whose cumulative GPA, at the end of the winter term, falls below the following indices are required to withdraw from the University:

b.Required Withdrawal - Terms on Probation

Students who, at the end of the winter term, have remained on academic probation for two or more consecutive terms, are required to withdraw from the University.

Students should be aware that regulations pertaining to required withdrawal may vary depending on the Faculty or School. Students are referred to their respective Faculty or School for details on these regulations.

4.Required Withdrawal from Program/Major

Where demand for access exceeds program/major capacity, Faculties/Schools reserve the right to set academic standards for continuation in a specific program or major. A student who is not eligible to continue in a program/major, but whose academic performance does not warrant required withdrawal from the Faculty or School, or the University, is guaranteed a seat in a related program/major for which the student is qualified and which is offered by that Faculty or School.

i.Honours Thesis Designation

Undergraduate Thesis courses are designated by the same number in all disciplines (4995), carry the subject code for the discipline (e.g., PHIL), and the title “Undergraduate Thesis.”

Undergraduate Thesis courses are 6.0 credit hours, and tuition fees are assessed on the regular fee basis.

Prerequisites include: (1) fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) and (2) a cumulative GPA specified by the Faculty or School.

Any discipline-specific requirements beyond those required for the major are included as prerequisites for the Undergraduate Thesis courses and appear in this Calendar under the Undergraduate Thesis course listing (see Course Catalogue).

The grading mode is standard letter grading. Credit/Non-credit is not available.

A minimum grade approved by the Faculty or School Council must be achieved in order to attain the Honours Thesis designation. A student who achieves a grade of ‘D’ or higher, but not the designated minimum grade in this Undergraduate Thesis course, or who fails to meet any other requirement for the Honours Thesis designation, will retain credit for the equivalent of two courses (6.0 credit hours) under the course title of ‘Undergraduate Thesis’ but will not be eligible for the ‘Honours Thesis’ designation.

For information regarding the Honours Thesis designation and Undergraduate Thesis courses for the B.A., B.Sc., and BASc. degrees, see Faculty of Arts and Science, Undergraduate Thesis Courses ('Honours Thesis' Designation).

For information regarding the Honours Thesis designation and Undergraduate Thesis courses for the B.F.A. - Art degree, see Faculty of Fine Arts, Honours Thesis’ Designation, and for the B.F.A. - New Media degree, see Faculty of Fine Arts, Honours Thesis’ Designation.

For information regarding the Honours Thesis designation and Undergraduate Thesis courses for the B.Mgt. degree, see Dhillon School of Business, Undergraduate Thesis Course (Honours Thesis Designation).

j.Leave of Absence

Students studying at the undergraduate level occasionally have extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, family priorities, deployment) that may interrupt their studies and they need to step away from their studies for a period of time. Students can get more information about a Leave of Absence from their respective advising office. There may be some programs in which a Leave of Absence is not suitable. Students in a combined degree should seek advice from both Faculties/Schools. International students considering applying for a Leave of Absence should contact the International Centre about potential visa implications.

An approved Leave of Absence normally starts at the beginning of a term. During an approved Leave of Absence, the following conditions apply:

1.Students should work with academic advisors prior to applying for leave and upon return.

2.Students may not take courses at another institution while on leave. Transfer credit will not be accepted for courses taken in this time frame.

3.Program time limits are not changed.

4.Students should connect with the Scholarship and Student Finance office regarding their loans of scholarships to ensure proper handling of money and documentation and seek information about repayment.

5.Student employees are not allowed to continue their student employment while on a Leave.

6.If a student is Required to Withdraw in the term they are applying to start their Leave, the Leave will not be approved. If the Leave was approved prior to the Required to Withdraw the student will be contacted and alerted that their Leave is void.

7.A student may take more than one leave of absence with approval from the Faculty/School.

8.No fees are assessed.

9.Students on a Leave of Absence do not have access to University of Lethbridge resources and services (e.g. Library privileges) as a student.

A leave of absence can be a maximum one year in length. For example, if a student starts a Leave in Absence in a fall term, they must return to their program by the following fall, or earlier.

Students on a Leave will receive a time ticket for registration for the term in which they indicated they will return. If a student would like to return early, they need to contact student.records@uleth.ca to receive a time ticket for their desired term of return. Students may not return to a term after the add/drop date.