ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
During their stay at the University of Ottawa, students must conform to all disciplinary and other regulations of the University and the faculty, as well as to any changes which may be made to these regulations.
The faculty reserves the right to modify its academic regulations at any time; such modifications take effect on the date they are approved by the Senate of the University.
BILINGUALISM
1. All students have the right to use French or English in their dealings with the central administration and the general services of the University, as well as with the administration of the faculty or school in which they are registered.
2. All students have the right to require that a course in which they are registered shall be given in the language used to describe the course in the current calendar.
3. Except in language courses and courses in Lettres françaises and English, all students have a right to produce their work and to answer examination questions in the official language of their choice.
4. The faculty recognizes that, for academic reasons, students may be required to read some of their course material in French in a course given in English, and vice-versa.
5. Except in cases justified by the nature of the course, students must produce their work and answer examination questions either in English or in French, this being an essential component of education at the University of Ottawa.
CHOICE OF COURSES
Student's responsibility
become familiar with the specific requirements of their degree and with academic regulations;
ensure that the courses chosen meet all the program requirements and all the requirements for graduation;
ensure that they have completed prerequisites of chosen courses;
ensure that the courses they have chosen are not given simultaneously;
meet all deadlines indicated in the sessional dates section of the timetable. The faculty does not accept late registration in or withdrawal from any courses after the deadlines published in the timetable under the heading sessional dates.
In order to do so, students may ask help from an academic adviser.
It is also understood that students, by the act of registering, agree to abide by the regulations of the University of Ottawa and the Faculty of Social Sciences.
In principle, every course, whatever the number of classroom hours scheduled, is presumed to require approximately nine hours of work per week.
Definition of a credit
A credit is a weighting unit for courses, normally defined as 13 to15 hours of formal lectures or the equivalent in other work.
Three-credit courses are usually held for three hours a week for one session; whereas six-credit courses are usually held for three hours a week from September to April. The summer session, which is intensive, is an exception since courses are given over a shorter period.
Sessions
Designates the periods within which academic activities take place at the University.
Fall session: September to December
Winter session: January to April
Summer session: May to August
Part-time registration
Students registered in less than 12 credits per session are considered part-time.
Full-time registration
Students registered in 12 credits or more per session are considered full-time. However, the normal course load for a person registered full time is 15 credits per session.
Academic advisers may grant permission to carry a sixth course to students who meet certain criteria:
students who have no deferred (DFR) marks on their academic record;
students who have obtained a grade point average (GPA) of 6.0 or above during the previous year;
students whose average for their last year of full-time studies in another institution was 75% or more.
University fees
Tuition and incidental fees are subject to annual adjustment by the Board of Governors of the University. The second edition of the timetable published in August of each year and available from the Office of the Registrar, provides full details on all fees. Fees are posted on the University Web site in April.
Re-registration in a course with the same code
A passed course may not be repeated to raise its grade, except in the case of courses with variable content.
Courses at the 1000-level
No more than 42 credits at the 1000-level may be credited towards a degree. The limit of 42 credits at the 1000-level does not apply to science courses required for admission to the Faculty of Medicine (BIO 1109, 1110, 1120 and CHM 1310, 1320). This exception is applicable only with the permission of an academic adviser on the basis of the average.
In the case of a second degree, students are allowed to take 12 credits at the 1000-level in addition to the 42 credits that they may have already taken to obtain the credits of their first baccalaureate.
Courses in other faculties
In their choice of courses, students must respect the following guidelines:
ensure that they have completed prerequisites of chosen courses;
students who have been required to withdraw from a faculty are not allowed to take courses in the same faculty as long as they are suspended;
students failing the same optional courses a second time must obtain the approval of the faculty before registering in that course a third time; those failing a compulsory course are subject to the regulations governing mandatory withdrawal.
Auditors
Students registering as auditors are authorized by the faculty to register in one or more courses without obtaining credits. They do not have the right to sit for examinations or submit assignments, and they cannot change their status after the deadline for course changes in a given session. The official record will only indicate registration in a course.
Course changes and withdrawal from courses or program
Any change in a student's program (for example, course change, addition or deletion) must be requested on the appropriate form, before the deadlines specified under the sessional dates section of the timetable, and must be approved by the academic adviser.
Time limits:
1. Replacement or addition of courses may be accepted until the end of the second week of any session. This kind of change does not appear on the grade report.
2. Withdrawal from courses may be accepted until the dates indicated in the sessional dates section of the timetable. Changes of this kind appear on the grade report as a dropped course (DR), and no credit can be obtained for the course.
If a student withdraws from a course without meeting the above requirement, the symbol ABS or INC, equivalent to a failure mark (F), will appear on the grade report.
Students who fail or drop a prerequisite course are responsible for modifying their course selection accordingly for future sessions.
Withdrawal from a program of studies or from the faculty can be requested by fax at (613) 562-5311 before the deadlines specified under the sessional dates section of the timetable.
Minimum number of credits to be completed at the University
To obtain a diploma from this institution, a minimum of credits must be completed at the University of Ottawa.
1. Honours baccalaureate: a minimum of 30 credits in the chosen specialization.
2. Baccalaureate with concentration: a minimum of 30 credits, of which 18 must be in the chosen concentration.
3. Certificate: at least 50 per cent of the requirements of the program.
Off-campus courses
The Cornwall campus will offer all the courses required for the BA with concentration in psychology. Courses needed to complete other programs may be taken on the Ottawa campus.
MAXIMUM DURATION OF STUDIES
The faculty reserves the right to review the file of students who have not completed the requirements for a degree within 12 years, for honours and concentration programs, and five years for the certificate program. The faculty also reserves the right to impose any new requirements resulting from modifications to the program leading to the degree sought.
CONSERVATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS
The student's academic file, as established by the faculty, constitutes the student's official file. Documents contained in the faculty file are kept for the duration of the student's enrolment at the University.
Seven consecutive sessions after the departure of a student from the University (as a result of graduation or withdrawal), all documents contained in the faculty file are destroyed unless the student has re-enrolled in another program of the faculty or has provided a valid reason why the file should be preserved for a longer period.
After this period, only the official electronic record is retained.
INTERRUPTION OF STUDIES AND READMISSION
1. Students who wish to withdraw from a course in which they are registered or from the University must inform the appropriate academic secretariat. If the student does not do so, the symbol ABS (F) or INC (F) will be assigned to all the courses for which the student was registered. The total or partial refund of tuition fees, if applicable, depends on the official date of departure as recorded at the secretariat.
2. Students who have not attended the University of Ottawa for seven consecutive sessions or more must submit a new application and meet any new admission and promotion requirements which may have been introduced.
3. Students who interrupt their studies for six consecutive sessions or less, regardless of whether they have taken courses in another institution may pursue their program with no additional requirement, by completing the intent to register form.
4. Students suspended for fraud will be authorized to register anew in their program at the end of the period of suspension. They must meet any new requirements which may have been introduced.
5. Students who were required by the faculty to withdraw from a program of studies must submit a new application for admission if they wish to register anew after the stated period. (See the regulation on mandatory withdrawal.)
6. Students who withdraw voluntarily from one faculty of the University must submit a formal application for admission in order to register in another faculty. Those who wish to return to the Faculty of Social Sciences after having been registered in another faculty or as a special student must also submit a formal application for admission.
PERMISSION TO TAKE COURSES AT OTHER UNIVERSITIES
General policy on the transfer of credits
To facilitate program completion by undergraduate students seeking to transfer course credit from one Ontario university to another, the universities comprising the Council of Ontario Universities agree to implement the following principles:
1. Acceptance of transfer credits among Ontario universities shall be based on the recognition that, while learning experiences may differ in a variety of ways, their substance may be virtually equivalent in terms of their content and rigour. Insofar as possible, acceptance of transfer should allow for the maximum recognition of previous learning experience in university-level courses;
2. Any course offered for credit by one Ontario university shall be accepted for credit by another Ontario university when there is virtual equivalency in course content.
Exchange program - Carleton University
Students at the University of Ottawa may take courses at Carleton University without paying additional tuition fees. The following conditions apply:
Only undergraduate students who are admitted to a degree program at either university and are duly registered and in good standing may be permitted to enrol in courses at the other university during a given session.
Only courses to be credited as part of the degree requirements at the student's home university are covered.
The number of courses taken by the student at the home university, and counting toward the student's degree, must at all times be greater than the number of courses taken at the host university. First-year students may take a maximum of one three-credit course per session at the host university.
Courses completed at the host university will not count towards the student's residence requirements at the home university.
Recording of results
Results obtained in courses taken within the Ottawa-Carleton exchange program will be recorded on the students' official University of Ottawa record and will count in their grade point average (GPA) and cumulative grade point average (CGPA).
In the case of a grade-raising examination only the second mark received, whether higher or lower than the first mark, will count in the cumulative grade point average.
Results are converted as follows:
| Carleton University | University of Ottawa |
| grade | value | comment | grade | value | comment |
| A+ | 12 | | A+ | 10 | |
| A | 11 | | A | 9 | |
| A- | 10 | | A- | 8 | |
| B+ | 9 | | B+ | 7 | |
| B | 8 | | B | 6 | |
| B- | 7 | | B | 6 | |
| C+ | 6 | | C+ | 5 | |
| C | 5 | | C | 4 | |
| C- | 4 | | C | 4 | |
| D+ | 3 | | D+ | 3 | |
| D | 2 | | D | 2 | |
| D- | 1 | | D | 2 | |
| F | 0 | failure with supplemental | E | 1 | failure * |
| FNS | 0 | failure no supplemental | F | 0 | failure |
| AUD | - | auditor | AUD | - | auditor |
| ABS | 0 | absent | ABS | 0 | absent |
| WDN | - | withdrawn | DR | - | withdrawn |
| IP | - | in progress | CTN | - | continuing |
| DEF | - | deferred | DFR | - | deferred |
*Failure with right to supplemental in 1000-level courses in the Faculty of Science.
Exchange program - Saint Paul University
In order to be eligible for the exchange program between the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University, the University of Ottawa student must meet the following requirements:
be admitted to a degree program at the University of Ottawa;
be registered at the University of Ottawa for the session during which the exchange will occur.
Courses taken at Saint Paul University which are recognized as part of the degree requirements will be credited towards that degree at the University of Ottawa and will be counted among the residence requirements. Grades obtained for these courses will be counted in the grade point average.
Courses which are not recognized as part of the degree requirements will be considered as extracurricular courses and will not be counted in the grade point average.
Students must comply with the sessional dates section of the timetable of each university.
NOTE: Courses must be approved by both universities.
National and international exchange programs
National and international exchange programs are offered to registered students who are interested in studying in a different university, Canadian or foreign, for a session or one academic year.
Renewal of merit scholarships for international exchange programs
In cases where renewing a merit scholarship is dependent upon maintaining a cumulative grade point average of at least 8.5, exchange students who have successfully completed courses as a full-time student in a foreign institution will be considered to have completed the requirements for renewing their scholarships.
Passing grades required in a foreign institution
When exchange students obtain a passing grade in a course, or group of courses, in a foreign institution with which the University has an exchange agreement, the students will automatically receive the credits applicable to that course or group of courses.
These regulations apply only to studies done within the scope of exchange programs approved by the University.
For more information on these exchange programs, please contact the Bureau for International Co-operation, national and international exchange sector, or see the University Website at www.uottawa.ca/academic.
Other universities - Letter of permission
Regular students may take courses at another university in order to accumulate credits towards their program. To be admissible, students must meet the following conditions:
be in good standing, that is have a CGPA of 3.5 or 4.5 (according to the program of studies) and not be on probation;
have completed enough courses at the University of Ottawa (see the regulation on the minimum number of credits to be completed at the University and the regulation on a second baccalaureate degree);
obtain the appropriate "Letter of Permission" and follow the instructions on the back of the form;
obtain the permission of an academic adviser.
Credits obtained at another university may be transferred only under these circumstances:
the student has obtained prior permission from an academic adviser;
the student has completed each course with at least the passing grade of the host university or the equivalent of C+ (66 per cent) for an honours course.
Permission to take courses at another university is indicated on the student's official record.
The deadlines for requesting a letter of permission are April 15 for the summer session, August 15 for the fall session and December 15 for the winter session.
Only courses to be credited as part of the student's degree will be approved.
Students who are taking courses with a letter of permission at another university and are registered for the degree at the University of Ottawa, must have their official transcript sent to the faculty prior to May 15 for spring convocation and prior to September 15 for fall convocation.
NOTE: Credit will not necessarily be granted for courses taken outside the University of Ottawa unless a letter of permission has first been obtained.
Results of courses taken outside the University of Ottawa with a letter of permission are not considered in calculating the cumulative grade point average except for courses taken at Carleton University and Saint Paul University according to the official agreements.
EVALUATION OF COURSE WORK
Attendance at courses
1. Attendance at courses and at laboratory periods is obligatory. Early in the session, each professor must inform students of his or her practice regarding absences, and may exclude from the final examination any students who have not complied.
2. Course work for the year or the session (tests, term papers, and other course work) carries a weight determined by the professor and is subject to the approval of the department or school.
3. Within the first three weeks, professors must inform students of requirements regarding the course, attendance, the methods of instruction and evaluation, the nature and timing of assignments, projects and examinations.
4. Professors may refuse to accept any assignment or examination which is not written in a legible manner.
5. In principle, every course, whatever the number of classroom hours scheduled, is presumed to require approximately nine hours of work per week.
6. See the regulation on academic fraud.
Examinations and assignments
1. Except in cases authorized by the department or school, there is a final examination or its equivalent in each subject which should be handed in during the examination period. The form of the examination (written examination, oral examination, take-home examination, final essay, or other forms of examination) is determined by the professor with the approval of the department or school. Written final examinations are of a two- or three-hour duration.
The final examination, or its equivalent, cannot count for more than 60% or less than 30% of the final mark.
2. Each professor informs his or her students of the nature of the final examination when informing them of the marking system.
3. No final examination of any kind may be given outside the official examination period.
4. Unless otherwise authorized by the department or school, mid-term examinations in full-year courses should be scheduled during the official December examination period.
5. No test with a value exceeding 10 per cent of the final grade may be given during the last week of classes in the fall or winter session.
6. To be admitted to a final examination, students must have complied with the professor's attendance regulations.
7. Absence from an examination or test and late submission of assignments due to reasons of illness must be justified, otherwise a penalty will be imposed.
a) Students who do not consider their reasons confidential may advise their professor directly and, if necessary, submit a medical certificate from the doctor who is treating them. Before accepting deferral of the examination or the assignment, the professor has the right to ask that the medical certificate be validated by the University of Ottawa Health Services.
b) Students who prefer to keep their medical reasons confidential must submit a medical certificate issued by the health services to the professor.
c) If the medical problem is predictable, students must advise the professor before the examination or date and time the assignments are due, choosing one of the two options above.
d) If the problem is not predictable, students who do not write an examination or who do not hand in an assignment on time must submit, if the professor requests it, a medical certificate validated by the health services1 within five working days after the date of the examination or the date the assignment is due.
e) The professor who accepts the reasons given by a student - with or without a certificate issued by health services - must, in agreement with the department or school, set a date for a special examination or for handing in the assignment.
f) If a professor asks a student for a medical certificate issued by health services, the student must comply even if other professors do not ask for a medical certificate.
8. Absence or late submission of assignments for any other reason must be justified in writing, to the secretariat of the faculty or school, no later than five working days after the examination or the date the assignment is due. The faculty reserves the right to accept or reject the reason offered. Reasons such as travel, summer employment and misreading the examination schedule are not usually accepted.
9. Students who have been authorized to miss a final or supplemental examination or to defer the date an assignment is due for an acceptable reason will be allowed to write a deferred examination or to defer the date an assignment is due on a date chosen by the professor and accepted by the department or the school.
10. All students have the right to see their examination booklets and written work after they have been marked.
11. The University reserves the right to destroy examination booklets and other written work six months after the grade has been communicated to the student.
NOTE: Students who require the help of special services should contact them according to established policies.
Failure
Students who, in a compulsory course taken for the first time, do not obtain the minimum grade D (or C+ for honours courses), even after a supplemental, must repeat the course successfully.
In the case of an elective, students may repeat the failed course or substitute another elective which meets the requirements of their programs.
Students failing the same optional course a second time must obtain the approval of the faculty before registering in that course for a third time; those failing a compulsory course are subject to the regulations governing mandatory withdrawal.
NOTE: A course failed remains on the student's record even if successfully repeated or replaced, and counts in the cumulative grade point average.
Supplemental examinations
Except in 1000-level courses in the Faculty of Science, no supplemental privileges are granted to students who obtain a failing grade (E). When students are entitled to a supplemental examination, the first mark obtained and the supplemental mark are both retained and calculated in the cumulative grade point average.
Grading scale
letter
grade | numerical
value | definition |
| A+ | 10 | exceptional |
| A | 9 | |
| A- | 8 | excellent |
| B+ | 7 | very good |
| B | 6 | |
| C+ | 5 | good |
| C | 4 | |
| D+ | 3 | passable |
| D | 2 | |
| E | 1 | failure * |
| F | 0 | failure |
* Failure with right to supplemental in 1000-level courses in the Faculty of Science.
Computation of average
1. Weighted Grade Point
The grade point for each course is weighted by multiplying the point value of the letter grade obtained by the number of credits for the course.
For example:
| courses | credits | letter
grade | point
value | grade
point |
| POL 2201 | 6 | B | 6 | 6 x 6 = 36 |
2. Grade Point Average (GPA)
The grade point average is calculated by dividing the grade points earned during the academic year by the total number of credits carried by those courses, failed or passed, taken during the year.
3. Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
The cumulative grade point average is calculated by dividing the sum of the weighted grade points by the total number of credits. It includes all numerical values obtained by the student in all the courses recognized by the faculty as being part of his or her program of studies. An "extracurricular" course (HP) is not included in the calculation of the average. The "extracurricular" status of a course must be determined as such before the deadline for course changes in a given session.
For example:
24 111
CGPA = 111 / 24 = 4.6
If a student writes a supplemental examination or repeats a course, the CGPA will be calculated as follows:
| courses | credits | letter
grade | point
value | grade
point |
| PHY 1601 | 6 | B | 6 | 6 x 6 = 36 |
CGPA = 111 + 36 = 147 = 4.9
CGPA = 24 + 6 = 30
The required cumulative grade point average for concentration programs is 3.5 and for honours programs 4.5.
The following regulations apply:
except for courses taken at Carleton University and Saint Paul University as part of an exchange program, grades of courses taken at other universities are not counted in the cumulative grade point average;
both grades in courses which are repeated or replaced and grades on supplemental examinations count in the cumulative grade point average.
Minimum grades and averages required
C+ (66 per cent) is the pass mark required for the honours courses in the chosen discipline and D (50 per cent) is the pass mark for all other courses.
A pass mark in all courses does not necessarily guarantee that the degree requirements are fulfilled. A student must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.5 to obtain an honours degree or 3.5 to obtain a concentration degree or a certificate.
NOTE: See also the regulation on insufficient averages.
REVISION OF MARKS
This regulation applies to all courses offered by teaching units of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The University recognizes the right of all students to see on request any of their written tests, assignments or examinations after they have been marked. Students not satisfied with a mark they have obtained should first approach their professor to obtain a re-evaluation. If the professor cannot be reached or if the re-evaluation is not satisfactory, the following procedure applies:
Department or school level
1. Students may appeal any mark with which they are dissatisfied for any test, assignment or examination that counts towards a final mark in a course, provided that they submit to the chair of the appropriate academic unit of the faculty a written request for revision within four weeks of the first communication of the mark in question.
Grades appear on the University Website. The date on which official grades are posted on the Webis indicated in the sessional dates section of the timetable. The appeal procedure for the faculty concerned starts on that date.
A request for revision shall include the title of the course, the nature of the test, assignment or examination in question, the mark obtained, the name of the professor whose mark is appealed, and the grounds for the appeal.
2. A copy of the student's request shall be forwarded to the professor, who may submit written comments to the chair of the appropriate academic unit.
3. Within two weeks following the reception of the student's request, a committee of two qualified evaluators will be appointed and chaired by the chair of the appropriate teaching unit or his or her delegate. The responsibility of the committee will be to reevaluate the test, assignment or examination of the student. Except when circumstances make it desirable or necessary, the original examiner or examiners will not be appointed to the committee.
4. The evaluators will be provided with a copy of the student's request and comments of the professor. The chair of the committee may provide guidelines deemed necessary to proceed to the reevaluation. The examiners shall review the entire assignment, test or examination in question and inform the chair of the committee as soon as possible of the result of their evaluation.
5. The committee, in the light of all evaluations, shall determine the revised mark, which may be identical to, lower or higher than the original one.
6. The chair of the appropriate academic unit shall inform the student by letter of the result of the appeal within a reasonable time of receiving the report of the committee, and a copy of that letter shall be sent to the professor whose mark was appealed and to the associate dean - academic / secretary of the faculty.
7. Nothing in this procedure prevents a student from discussing examination questions, including the type of answers expected, with the professor or the unit concerned. Such a consultation is not prerequisite to article 1, nor can it be used to extend the time limit of four weeks provided therein.
Faculty level
1. Following their recourse to the departmental (or school) procedure, students who are still dissatisfied may appeal the mark for any test, assignment or examination to the faculty, provided that they submit a written request for revision to the associate dean - academic / secretary of the faculty within two weeks of the decision of the department or school.
Such a request shall include the title of the course, a copy of the test, assignment or examination in question, the mark obtained, the name of the professor whose mark is appealed, and the grounds for the appeal.
2. The associate dean - academic / secretary of the faculty may decide whether a request for revision of marks is admissible, and shall provide reasons for any negative decision.
3. Within two weeks following receipt of a request for appeal which is judged to be admissible, the associate dean - academic/ secretary of the faculty will appoint a committee, which he or she will normally chair and which will include two other persons with appropriate qualifications, to reevaluate the test, assignment or examination in question. Except where circumstances make it desirable or necessary, neither the professor who first gave the appealed mark nor those who reviewed it for the department/school shall sit on the committee. If the committee finds it necessary, it may call on external evaluators.
4. A copy of the student's request will be forwarded to the professor, who may submit written comments to the chairperson of the appeal committee.
5. The members of the committee will receive a copy of the student's request and the comments of the professor. The chairperson of the committee may provide guidelines judged necessary to the proper conduct of the reevaluation.
6. In light of this information, the committee will determine the revised mark, which may be identical to, lower than, or higher than the original mark.
7. The chairperson of the committee will inform the student by letter of the results of the appeal. A copy of that letter will be sent to the professor whose mark was appealed.
8. Students cannot withdraw their appeals once revised marks have been assigned.
9. Appeals of the decision of the associate dean - academic / secretary of the faculty in paragraph 2 or of the revised mark may be made to the Senate committee for the study of individual cases, either by the student or by the professor, on the grounds that the decision was unfounded or that the reevaluation was not properly carried out. Unless exceptional circumstances can be shown, such an appeal must be made within two weeks of the date of the letter informing the student of the decision in question. If the appeal of the decision is successful, the faculty will be directed to undertake a review in accordance with the regulation indicated above. If the appeal of the committee's decision is successful, the faculty will be directed to proceed to a new evaluation, the results of which shall be final and binding.
GRADE REPORT AND OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
Grades appear on the University Web site. The date on which official grades are posted on the site is indicated in the sessional dates section of the timetable. The appeal procedure for the faculty concerned starts on that date.
Results appearing on the grade report will be entered on the official record (transcript) which the University will permanently retain. If the report contains inaccurate information or if essential information has been omitted, students are requested to bring this matter to the attention of the academic secretariat of the faculty or school within sixty days following the issue of the report.
The group average is indicated on the student's grade report, but not on the official transcript.
All transcripts issued by the Office of the Registrar must contain the complete record of all courses taken and all results obtained in courses for which the student has been officially registered at the University. Partial transcripts cannot be provided.
The following symbols are used in the grade report.
ABS (absent, no work submitted) - used when a student has not attended the course and has not informed the University in writing, within the time limits specified in the sessional dates section of the timetable. This symbol is equivalent to a failing grade (F).
ADD (additional) Used when the course is taken outside of a student's of study. As opposed to an extracurricular course, the result of an additional course is included in the cumulative grade point average calculation.
AUD (auditor) - used when a student has registered to audit a course.
CTN (continuing) - used for activities which continue during the following session.
DFR (deferred) - used when the appropriate authority considers that, for a valid reason, a student has not completed the requirements of a course
To request a DFR, the student must complete the appropriate form available from the academic secretariat and submit it to the professor, along with any medical certificate authenticated by health services or other document in support of this request.
If the professor approves the request, he should clearly indicate to the student the conditions and deadline for completing the requirements and submit the form to the director of the academic unit concerned (or his delegate) for final approval, before the deadline for the submission of final marks.
The director will then inform the student of the decision. If the request is accepted, the student must complete the requirements by the date specified and in any case within a period of 12 months after the end of the session.
Any course for which a student obtains a deferred mark is counted in determining the normal load of five courses for each session until the course requirements are completed.
DR (drop) - used when students have informed the faculty within the time limits specified in the sessional dates section of the timetable that they have dropped a course.
HP (extracurricular) Used when the course is taken outside of a student's program of study. As opposed to an additionnal course, the result of an extracurricular course is not included in the cumulative grade point average calculation.
INC (incomplete) - used when at least one of the elements of evaluation specified as compulsory has not been provided. This symbol is equivalent to a failing grade (F).
NNR (mark not received) - used when no mark has been received by the Office of the Registrar in time for printing grade reports.
P (pass) - used to indicate that a student has passed the second language proficiency test, or certain activities such as field work, internships and comprehensive examinations.
T (test) - used when a student has taken the second language test.
EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC STANDING
At the end of each academic year, student advisers will assess the academic results of all students and decide whether they:
are placed on the dean's honour list;
may pursue their program of studies;
must be placed on probation;
must withdraw from their program;
must withdraw from the faculty.
Averages required
1. In certificate or concentration programs, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 to be in good standing.
2. In honours baccalaureate programs, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 4.5 to be in good standing.
3. To continue studies in a given program without special conditions, the student's official record must indicate that his or her academic standing is satisfactory and, in particular, that his or her cumulative grade point average has attained the required minimum.
4. All students must be in good standing to obtain a degree. Applicants for a baccalaureate with concentration or a certificate must have a minimum grade point average of at least 3.5 at the end of their program. Applicants for the honours baccalaureate must have a cumulative grade point average of 4.5 to obtain their degree.
Probation
1. Subject to the regulations on mandatory withdrawal, students whose cumulative grade point average falls below the required minimum may be allowed to register again by the faculty, but will be on probation if they do so.
2. Probationary status is lifted when the student's cumulative grade point average returns to the required minimum for the program.
Under the terms of the present regulation, decisions pertaining to probation, termination of probation or withdrawal are taken when the student has completed two full-time sessions (equivalent to two sessions of at least 12 credits each) or 24 credits on a part-time basis. Most faculties review students' files in May.
3. Full-time students may not remain on probation for more than two consecutive sessions. Part-time students may not take more than 24 credits while on probation.
4. Students registered in honours baccalaureate programs whose cumulative average is below 4.5 may register again in the honours program with probationary status, or may register in a concentration program. In the latter case, they will not be on probation unless their average is below 3.5.
5. Students registered in a co-op program will be placed on probation if they obtain a cumulative grade point average below 6.0. They may not be on probation for more than two consecutive study sessions.
Mandatory withdrawal
An academic standing below the minimum required or an instance of academic fraud may in some cases entail mandatory withdrawal from the program of studies or from the faculty.
1. Reasons for withdrawal:
a) failure in courses totalling 24 credits (including repeated courses) in the case of honours and concentration programs (withdrawal from the Faculty);
b) failure in courses totalling nine credits (including repeated courses) in the case of certificate programs (withdrawal from the program);
c) failure in a repeated compulsory course (withdrawal from the program);
d) cumulative grade point average below the required minimum after two sessions of full-time studies or 24 credits of part-time studies under probation (withdrawal from the faculty or from the program, as the case may be);
e) failure to reach the required minimum grade point average after having attempted 24 credits of additional courses (withdrawal from the faculty or from the program, as the case may be);
f) failure in a compulsory course in a co-op program if the course is a prerequisite for a course offered during the following session (withdrawal from the program).
Students suspended for fraud will be authorized to re-register in their program at the end of the period of suspension. They must meet any new requirements which may have been introduced.
2. Readmission
In principle, students who are obliged to withdraw from the faculty or from a program may not, as part of their general studies or as a special student, take courses of the faculty or program concerned during the period of their suspension.
A student who is required to withdraw from a program of studies must remain out of the program for one academic year from the date of withdrawal. Such a student may be eligible for admission to other programs of the faculty. In case of withdrawal from the faculty, students who wish to re-register after the stated period must submit a new application for admission and abide by the conditions then in force.
Insufficient average
1. Applicants who at the termination of their programs have not achieved the minimum CGPA will be permitted to register in a maximum of 24 additional credits at the University of Ottawa in order to raise their CGPA.
2. A passed course may not be repeated to raise its grade.
VOLUNTARY INTERRUPTION
OF STUDIES
1. Students who wish to withdraw from a course or from the University must so inform the appropriate academic secretariat. If the student does not do so, the symbol ABS (F) or INC (F) will be assigned to all the courses for which the student was registered. The total or partial refund of tuition fees, if applicable, depends upon the official date of the student's departure as recorded at the secretariat.
Students who interrupt their studies for six consecutive sessions or less, regardless of whether they have taken courses in another institution, may pursue their program with no additional requirements by completing the registration form.
2. Students who have not attended the University of Ottawa for seven or more consecutive sessions must submit a new application for admission and fulfil all new requirements which may apply.
3. Students withdrawing voluntarily from one faculty of the University must submit a formal application for admission in order to register in another faculty. Those who wish to return to the Faculty of Social Sciences after having been registered in another faculty or as a special student must also submit a formal application for admission.
CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING A DEGREE
To obtain a degree, a student must meet the following conditions:
1. Complete the requirements common to all programs offered by the Faculty which include:
- total number of courses;
- level of courses;
- minimum cumulative grade point average;
- time limits;
- number of credits to be completed at the University of Ottawa;
- number of credits to be completed to obtain a second baccalaureate from the University of Ottawa.
2. Complete all specific requirements of the program.
3. Formally apply for the degree at the Office of the Registrar.
Granting of a degree with double specification
After being admitted to a second program of studies, a student may, on the basis of the same requirements, request a diploma with two specifications, that is, two concentration programs or one honours and one concentration program in two different disciplines (see the section entitled Combined Fields of Study).
In the case of double programs, students must satisfy all requirements for both degrees. Certain courses may, however, be credited towards the requirements of both programs. Nevertheless, students pursuing a double degree may find it necessary to do more than the minimum number of courses required for a single degree program of either concentration or honours program.
Students wishing to pursue double programs must consult an academic adviser of the Faculty of Social Sciences. When registering for graduation they must indicate the double degree sought, and will receive only a single diploma bearing mention of both programs completed.
Students who have obtained a sufficient number of credits and who have completed the requirements of two honours programs may be awarded two diplomas.
NOTE: The award of a baccalaureate with two specifications is not possible when the faculties concerned do not offer baccalaureate programs with concentration.
Second diploma from the University of Ottawa
A student who has a first degree form the University of Ottawa can obtain a second one at a different level in the same discipline or a second degree in a different discipline.
To obtain a second diploma, students must meet the following conditions:
1. In the case of a second baccalaureate, pass a minimum of 30 credits or the equivalent beyond the normal requirements of the first degree obtained at the University of Ottawa (at least 15 credits must be taken at the University of Ottawa).
2. In the case of a certificate, pass a minimum of 50% of the credits required for the certificate beyond the normal requirements of the baccalaureate.
3. Complete all the course and other requirements of the concentration or honours program in which they are registered, as well as the requirement for the minimum number of credits to be completed at the University of Ottawa.
In the case of a transfer from another faculty, the calculation of the CGPA takes into account the courses retained from the first concentration or honours program (because they apply to the second degree), as well as the courses taken after the granting of the first degree.
A maximum of 12 credits at the 1000-level (in addition to those of the first degree) may be credited towards a second degree.
A student holding a degree from an institution other than the University of Ottawa must refer to the regulation on the minimum number of credits to be completed at the University of Ottawa.
REGISTRATION FOR DEGREE
In order for names to be submitted to Senate, students who expect to complete their degree requirements must fill in the form entitled Request for Diploma, which is available at the Office of the Registrar as well as at the secretariat of the faculty. This form must be returned to the Office of the Registrar no later than March 1 for spring convocation and no later than September 1 for fall convocation.
The final mark for DFR (defered) courses must have been received by the Faculty prior to May 15 for students registered for spring convocation and prior to September 15 for students registered for fall convocation.
Students who are taking courses with a letter of permission at another university and are registered for the degree at the University of Ottawa, must have their official transcript sent to the appropriate academic secretariat prior to May 15 for spring convocation and prior to September 15 for fall convocation.
NOTE: Students must ensure that the courses in which they are registered meet the requirements of the degree sought.
ACADEMIC FRAUD
Definition
1. Academic fraud is an act by a student which may result in a false academic evaluation of that student or of another student. Without limiting the generality of this definition, academic fraud occurs when a student commits any of the following offences:
a) Commits plagiarism or cheating of any kind.
b) Submits a work of which the student is not the author, in whole or in part (except for duly cited quotations or references). Such work may include an academic paper, an essay, a test, an exam, a research report, and a thesis, whether written, oral, or in another form.
c) Presents research data which has been falsified or concocted in any way.
d) Attributes a purported statement of fact or reference to a source which has been concocted.
e) Submits the same piece of work or significant part thereof for more than one course, or a thesis or other work which has already been submitted elsewhere, without written authorization of the professors concerned and/or of the academic unit concerned.
f) Falsifies an academic evaluation, misrepresents an academic evaluation, uses a forged or falsified academic record or supporting document, or facilitates the use of a falsified academic record or supporting document.
g) Undertakes any other action for the purpose of falsifying an academic evaluation.
Sanctions
2. A student who has committed or attempted to commit academic fraud, or who has been a party to academic fraud, is subject to one or more of the following sanctions:
a) The mark of F or zero for the work concerned.
b) The mark of F or zero for the course concerned.
c) The mark F or zero for the course concerned and the loss of all or part of the credits for the academic year concerned and/or an additional requirement of 3 to 30 credits added to the student's program of studies. The courses for which credits were withdrawn remain in the student's file; they are included in the grade point average and must be repeated or replaced by other courses at the discretion of the faculty.
d) Suspension from the program or from the faculty, for at least one session and at most three academic years.
e) Expulsion from the faculty.
f) Expulsion from the University of Ottawa for at least three years, it being understood that three years after being expelled, the student concerned may ask the Senate committee for the study of individual cases to review his or her case, with the possibility, where applicable, of having the notice of expulsion withdrawn from the student's transcript; if the student reapplies for admission, the regular admission process shall apply.
g) Cancellation or revocation of a degree, diploma or certificate where the offence relates to the eligibility to receive such degree, diploma or certificate, and was discovered or determined after its award.
h) Inclusion of the following statement in the student's academic transcript: "Sanction pursuant to contravention of the University regulations on fraud."
Decisions
3. Sanctions stipulated in articles 2 (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are taken by the faculty in which the student is registered. Sanctions 2 (f), (g), and (h) are taken by the Senate committee for the study of individual cases upon the recommendation of the faculty. Decisions shall take effect immediately, notwithstanding appeal.
Procedure
4. Allegations of fraud are submitted in writing, with supporting documentation, to the dean of the faculty in which the student is registered.
5. If the dean or the dean's representative decides that the allegation is founded:
a) the file is referred to a committee of inquiry consisting of at least three persons appointed by the dean;
b) the dean informs the student in writing of the allegation made against him or her and provides a copy of all supporting documentation, as well as of this regulation.
6. The Committee of Inquiry:
a) invites the student to present, in writing, within a prescribed time limit, any information or documents relevant to the allegation which has been made and, if it deems it appropriate, invites the student to appear before the committee;
b) solicits any other information that it considers relevant to its inquiry.
7. On the basis of this documentation and information, and once the student has been given the opportunity to be heard in writing and/or in person, the committee:
a) either concludes that the allegation is not sufficiently founded and that no further action should be taken; or,
b) concludes that the allegation is founded and prepares a summary report for the dean, which shall include a recommendation for the appropriate sanction.
The student is informed by the dean of the conclusions reached by the committee of inquiry and of the next procedural steps. The dean informs the student that he or she may submit comments on the report of the committee of inquiry, provided that such comments are made in writing within 10 working days following the date at which the report was sent.
8. The report of the committee of inquiry, and, if applicable, the written submissions made by the student, are submitted to the executive committee of the faculty or its equivalent, which either decides the sanction to be imposed or recommends it to the Senate committee for the study of individual cases as the case may be.
9. If the sanction is one which the faculty has the power to impose, the decision of the executive committee of the faculty or its equivalent shall take effect immediately, notwithstanding appeal.
10. The dean informs the student in writing of the decision or the recommendation made by the executive committee of the faculty or its equivalent, and of the procedure to be followed should the student wish to appeal.
Appeal
11. A student who decides to appeal the decision of the executive committee of the faculty or its equivalent, or its recommendation to the Senate committee for the study of individual cases, must so inform the secretary of the University and provide the reasons for the appeal, within ten days following the date at which the decision or recommendation was sent.
12. The secretary of the University transmits the file to the Senate committee for the study of individual cases which:
a) invites the student to appear before the committee and/or submit in writing any information which the student considers relevant.
b) solicits any other documentation or information which it considers relevant.
13. The decision of the Senate committee for the study of individual cases is final and cannot be appealed.
Fraud concerning more than one student
14. When the allegation of fraud concerns students from more than one faculty, the committee of inquiry consists of one professor appointed by each faculty concerned and of one chairman jointly appointed by the deans of these faculties. Failing such appointment, the chairman will be appointed by the vice-rector, academic. The report of that committee is forwarded to the Senate committee for the study of individual cases, whose powers, for this purpose, are those described in Procedure 8, for the executive committee of a faculty. In this case, the decision of the Senate committee for the study of individual cases may be appealed to the executive committee of the Senate, in accordance with the procedures described in the section Appeal.
Suspension
15. A student who has been suspended from a program shall not be awarded any credit for courses otherwise acceptable as part of the student's program or as part of the overall requirements of the program, when such courses are taken, at the University of Ottawa or elsewhere, during the period of suspension which has been imposed. A mark of F (zero) will be assigned retroactively, if applicable, to any course so taken at the University of Ottawa, and tuition fees will not be refunded.
16. At the end of the period of suspension, the student will be authorized to continue the program once he or she has registered in accordance with the conditions applicable at that time.
COMPUTER AND NETWORK USERS
Code of conduct
Users must abide by the following rules:
1. Use computing facilities only for the purposes for which they have been authorized.
2. Use only those user access codes (userids) that they have been authorized to use.
3. Maintain the security of any password associated with their access code.
4. Be responsible for all use of their access code.
5. Respect any restrictions associated with their computer access code.
6. Avoid actions that would interfere with the normal operation of a computing system or network, or its legitimate use by others.
7. Respect the privacy of other users.
8. Respect software license agreements and the copyright of software and its documentation.
Users must refrain from the following activities:
9. Attempt to access or copy files, programs or information belonging to other users without clear authorization from the other user.
10. Attempt to intercept any network communications, such as electronic mail or user-to-user dialogue, for which they are not the intended recipient.
11. Impersonate other users.
12. Use the computer or network to send obscene, vulgar, abusive or nuisance messages, or to harass (sexually or otherwise) other users.
Any student breaching this code will be subject to disciplinary action for misuse of computer facilities, as laid down in academic regulations.
Computer facilities
Access
Computer facilities are strictly reserved for duly registered University of Ottawa students and other authorized users. Persons using computer facilities without proper authorization may be prosecuted.
Misuse
1. For the purpose of this regulation, the following activities are considered misuse of computers:
a) using a computer access code without proper authorization;
b) using a computer for a purpose other than the purpose for which authorization was given;
c) accessing, changing or destroying any computer data or program belonging to another user, or to the University, without proper authorization;
d) a breach of the code of conduct for computer and network users.
2. Students holding a computer access code are responsible for its use and security, and shall promptly report any suspected misuse by another person of such code to the authority that authorized use of the computer facility.
3. A student found guilty of misuse, attempted misuse, or complicity in misuse or attempted misuse of computer facilities is subject to one or more of the following sanctions:
a) Immediate suspension of authorization to use the computer or network facilities concerned.
b) Immediate suspension of authorization to use any computer facilities.
c) Suspension from the program or from the faculty, for at least one session and at most three years.
d) Expulsion from the faculty.
e) Expulsion from the University of Ottawa for at least three years, after which the student concerned may ask the Senate committee for the study of individual cases to review his or her case and, where applicable, to have the notice of expulsion withdrawn from the student's transcript; if the student re-applies for admission, the regular admission process shall apply.
f) Inclusion of the following statement in the student's academic transcript: "Sanction pursuant to contravention of the University regulations on the Misuse of Computer Facilities".
g) Prosecution.
Sanctions listed under a) and b) are enforced by the person authorizing access to the computer facilities concerned, subject to confirmation by the dean within 10 working days.
Sanctions c) and d) are enforced by the faculty, according to procedures determined by the faculty council.
Sanctions e) and f) may only be taken by the Senate committee for the study of individual cases.
The decision to prosecute may be taken only by the administrative committee.
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