Apr 16, 2024  
University of Alberta Calendar 2017-2018 
    
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University of Alberta Calendar 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Faculty Regulations

Return to: Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences  

Admission and Transfer

General University admission requirements are detailed in Admission to Undergraduate Programs  and General Admission Requirements . Detailed admission requirements for the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences are specified in Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences .

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences functions under enrolment management. As such, the Faculty’s total student enrolment is limited. All applications with the minimum Admission Grade Point Average (AGPA) are evaluated and ranked as part of an applicant pool. Spaces in programs are allocated to the top applications in the applicant pool downward until the spaces in the programs are filled. Therefore, in any given year, the AGPA cutoff to a degree program may be higher than the minimum AGPA required for consideration.

Applicants should indicate their choice of a degree program and major on their application. Those who have not selected a major by the end of their first year in the program shall be required to declare one before registering for the next academic year.

  1. Residence Requirement: A maximum of two years of transfer credit completed outside the University of Alberta will be granted toward an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. This consists of ★60 or its equivalent. A minimum of ★60 must be completed at the University of Alberta, of which a minimum of ★30 must be completed while registered in this Faculty. Students are advised to discuss their course and program requirements with Student Services (2-06 Agriculture-Forestry Centre).
  2. Permission to take courses at another postsecondary institution: Following initial admission, students are expected to complete all requirements at the University of Alberta. Students may apply for permission to take courses at another institution for credit to their degree program if
    1. they are degree students in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences; and
    2. they present Satisfactory academic standing (i.e., Fall/Winter Grade Point Average of 2.0 or greater).
      Approval is not granted when the student has already received the maximum allowable transfer credit. There is no obligation to grant transfer credit unless prior permission has been obtained. Qualified students must contact Student Services (2-06 Agriculture-Forestry Centre) to obtain the necessary forms and approval before enrolling at another institution.
  3. Exchange Programs: For students already admitted to a program in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences who are participating in approved international exchange programs, credit is considered on a course-by-course basis. The residence requirement defined in (1) above applies to students participating in such exchanges.

University Infectious Diseases Regulation

See University Infectious Diseases Regulation .

Practicum Placements, Professional Practice and the Public Interest

The Dean, or a designate acting on behalf of the Dean, may immediately deny assignments of a student, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions or site of a work experience placement or practicum (Internship, Cooperative Education, Integrated Dietetics and the Human Ecology Practicum), if the Dean or designate has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the Public Interest. Refer to Practicum Intervention Policy .

Academic Standing

  1. Assessment of Academic Standing
    Academic standing will be assessed on the basis of a grade point average (GPA). Students are expected to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0. See Additional Grades and Remarks  and Academic History (Transcript) Records  for information on calculation of GPAs and the academic record.
    A review of academic performance is conducted for each student at the end of each Fall/Winter. Decisions regarding continuation will be based on courses completed during Fall/Winter only. Any courses completed during Spring/Summer will not be considered as part of the decision on academic standing.
    The assignment and reassignment of academic standing are based on a student’s performance in a minimum of ★9. If, at the time of review, the student has attempted fewer than ★9 since the last assignment of academic standing, the review will be deferred and the academic standing assigned at the last review will remain in effect until the next review.
  2. Continuation in the BSc Honors in Food Science and the BSc Honors in Nutrition
    Continuation in the BSc Honors in Food Science and the BSc Honors in Nutrition requires a GPA of at least 3.0
    Students in the BSc Honors in Food Science who do not attain the required GPA will be moved to either the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, Food Science and Technology Specialization or the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, General Program. Students in the BSc Honors in Nutrition who do not attain the required GPA will be moved to the BSc Nutrition and Food Science, General Program (provided they are not Required to Withdraw). The Academic Standing section (4) below will then be applied. Students in good academic standing who wish to transfer to the Nutrition and Food Science General Program (see BSc in Agriculture, BSc in Animal Health, BSc in Environmental and Conservation Sciences, BSc in Forestry, and BSc in Nutrition and Food Science (General Program)  and BSc Nutrition and Food Science, Nutrition Major ), the Dietetics Specialization (see BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, Dietetics Specialization and BSc Honors in Nutrition ), or the Food Science and Technology Specialization (see BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, Food Science and Technology Specialization  and BSc Nutrition and Food Science, General Program [ALES] ) must apply for admission.
  3. Continuation in the BSc Nutrition and Food Science Dietetics Specialization and the BSc Nutrition and Food Science, Food Science and Technology Specialization )
    Continuation in the BSc Nutrition and Food Science, Dietetics Specialization and the BSc Nutrition and Food Science, Food Science and Technology Specialization requires a GPA of at least 2.7. Students who do not attain the required GPA will be moved to the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, General Program. The Academic Standing section (4) below will then be applied. Whenever a student receives a grade of NC in a professional practice course, the student’s total academic and clinical performance is reviewed and considered in order to determine whether the student should be allowed to continue in the program.
  4. Application of Academic Standing
    1. Satisfactory Standing (GPA 2.0 or higher) Students who maintain a satisfactory standing are permitted to continue their studies in the Faculty subject to meeting the specific requirements of their degree and the general requirements of the University of Alberta.
    2. Marginal Standing (GPA 1.7 to 1.9, inclusive). Students receiving their first marginal standing are permitted to continue their studies in the Faculty under academic warning. At the next assignment of academic standing, such students must present a Fall/Winter GPA of at least 2.0 on a minimum of ★9 to clear academic warning and continue their studies with Satisfactory Standing.
      Students with Marginal Standing twice during their Academic Career in the Faculty will be required to withdraw (see d. Required to Withdraw).
    3. Unsatisfactory Standing (GPA of 1.6 or lower). Students with unsatisfactory standing are required to withdraw (see d. Required to Withdraw).
      Students who are required to withdraw from the Faculty at the end of Fall/Winter may not register for the following Summer or Fall/Winter Terms. Students who register for Summer or Fall/Winter courses prior to the requirement to withdraw will have their registration cancelled without penalty.
    4. Requirement to Withdraw
      Students with Unsatisfactory Standing or who are placed on Marginal Standing twice during their Academic career in the Faculty will normally be required to remain out of the Faculty (required to withdraw).
      1. Students who have completed less than ★60 and who have achieved a GPA of between 1.3 and 1.6 may be permitted to continue at the University of Alberta in the Fresh Start program providing they have not previously been required to withdraw from any postsecondary program. Normally, students who have committed an academic offense under the University of Alberta Code of Student Behavior will not be recommended for the Fresh Start Program.
        The Faculty will determine whether to recommend a student for participation in the Fresh Start program and will notify the student of that option. Successful completion of ★18 with a GPA of at least 2.7 or ★24 with a GPA of at least 2.0 [2.3 for the Business Management programs and 3.0 for the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science (Nutrition Major)] will be required for readmission. Further detailed information can be found in First- and Second-Year Students with GPAs of 1.3 to 1.6—Admission to Fresh Start Program , GPA Withdrawal Review . and Fresh Start Program .
        If successful in the Fresh Start program and all conditions specified by Open Studies and the Faculty have been fulfilled, students may apply for readmission to the Faculty as transfer students as described in Transfer Applicants .
      2. Students may discontinue studies for one year with permission of the Faculty and apply for readmission. Students who are readmitted will return on academic probation as described in Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Required to Withdraw  subject to the terms specified by the Faculty at the time of the requirement to withdraw.
      3. Students who complete ★18 transferable to the University of Alberta with an AGPA of 2.7 or ★24 transferable to the University of Alberta with an AGPA of 2.0 [2.3 for the Business Management programs and 3.0 for the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science (Nutrition Major)] at another postsecondary institution may reapply for admission to the Faculty, unless they have been required to withdraw more than once from any postsecondary programs [see Withdrawal From Postsecondary Institution  and GPA Withdrawal Review .]
      4. Students may petition their Required to Withdraw status and if successful will proceed on Academic Probation. At the next assignment of academic standing, such students must raise their Fall/Winter GPA to at least 2.0. Should their Fall/Winter GPA fall below 2.0 at any time during the rest of their program they will be required to withdraw and will not be readmitted to the Faculty.
      5. Students who have been required to withdraw and who, after being readmitted, again fall below a Fall/Winter GPA of 2.0 will be required to withdraw and will not be readmitted to the Faculty.
        Note: Students with marginal standing or who are on academic probation are only permitted to interrupt their programs with the prior, written approval of the Associate Dean (Academic). Should students in either of these categories interrupt their programs for more than twelve months without prior approval, readmission will not be granted unless the student meets the current readmission criteria.
  5. First-Class Standing: First-Class Standing in a given year is awarded to any undergraduate student who obtains a GPA of not less than 3.5 on a minimum of ★24 taken during Fall/Winter. Students who attend for only one term of Fall/Winter are eligible if they complete at least ★12 with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
  6. Dean’s List: This designation is given to students who achieve a GPA of at least 3.7 on a minimum of ★18 in Fall/Winter. Students who attend for only one term of Fall/Winter are eligible if they complete at least ★9 with a minimum GPA of 3.7.

Graduation

  1. Application for Graduation:
    Students must apply for graduation on Bear Tracks (https://www.beartracks.ualberta.ca) by February 1 for Spring Convocation or by September 1 for Fall Convocation.
  2. Convocation:
    Students completing degree requirements during the Fall Term or Winter Term will graduate at Spring Convocation; those completing degree requirements during the Spring/Summer will graduate at Fall Convocation.
  3. Degree Requirements:
    Students registered in the following degree programs require ★120 to graduate: BSc Agriculture, BSc Agricultural/Food Business Management, BSc Animal Health, BSc Environmental and Conservation Sciences, BA Environmental Studies, BSc Forestry, BSc Forest Business Management, BSc Human Ecology, and BSc Nutrition and Food Science. Students registered in the BSc in Human Ecology/BEd and the BSc in Environmental and Conservation Sciences/BA in Native Studies Combined Degrees require ★150 to graduate.
  4. Courses Extra to the Degree
    Courses successfully completed while registered in a program which are not being used for degree credit are known as courses extra to the degree. Such courses are, however, included in the assessment of academic standing. Students who register for more than a minimum number of courses for graduation should designate the additional courses as extra. In order to exclude courses in excess of the minimum requirement from the contract for graduation, students must designate such courses as “extras” at the time of registration for their final year.
  5. Graduation Grade Point Average
    To be eligible for graduation from any of the programs offered by the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, students must present Satisfactory Academic Standing [see (6) below] and obtain a GPA of at least 2.0 (2.7 for the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, Food Science and Technology Specialization and the BSc in Nutrition and Food Science, Dietetics Specialization; and 3.0 for the BSc in Honors in Food Science and the BSc Honors in Nutrition) on their last ★60 normally completed during the third and fourth years.
    Where more than ★60 were completed in the last two years, the grades from all courses completed in the last year will be used in this calculation. Additional credits from the previous term(s) (whether completed at this university or at another institution) will be used as necessary to make the ★60 requirement.
    Where fewer than ★60 were completed in the last two years, the grades from all courses completed in the last two years will be used in this calculation. Additional credits from the previous term(s) (whether completed at this university or at another institution) will be used as necessary to make the ★60 requirement. The grade points for additional courses needed to make ★60 will be calculated by multiplying the GPA of all courses completed in that term by the number of credits required to make ★60.
    Where students have designated successfully completed courses extra to the degree, the designated courses will not be included in the calculation of the graduation GPA.
  6. Extension to the Graduating Year
    Students who have successfully completed at least ★120 or ★150 [for programs as indicated in (3)] who do not meet program requirements for graduation, and who are otherwise eligible to continue in their program of study, may continue to register to the end of the next Fall/Winter of study in order to meet graduation requirements.
    Students who have been given their first assignment of “Marginal Standing” (i.e. Academic Warning) in their graduating year, may continue to register to the end of the next Fall/Winter of study. Students must complete a minimum ★9 to a maximum ★15 to meet the “Satisfactory Standing” requirement for graduation [see (8) above].
    Students who are in Unsatisfactory Standing, (i.e., Required to Withdraw), may petition/appeal to be allowed to complete one further Fall/Winter of study to meet the “Satisfactory Standing” for graduation requirements. If graduation requirements are not met within the Fall/Winter period, such students will be required to withdraw and will not normally be readmitted.
  7. Graduation with Distinction
    This designation is awarded to a student achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or greater on the last ★60. The same calculation as detailed in Graduation Grade Point Average in (5) above applies.

Courses

  1. Selection of Courses
    Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with program requirements and limitations as specified in the Calendar, for ensuring their programs are properly planned in accordance with degree specifications, and for the completeness and accuracy of their registration. Please read the Calendar carefully before registering in courses, and if you are in doubt about any regulations pertaining to your program, consult the Student Services (2-06 Agriculture-Forestry Centre) for clarification.
    Students wishing to take more than ★15 in a term must have satisfactory standing and approval of Student Services (2-06 Agriculture-Forestry Centre).
  2. Selection of First-Year Courses
    Beginning first-year students who have completed no credits toward their programs normally restrict their registration to junior courses. First year students contemplating taking senior level courses should be careful to ensure that they have completed any prerequisites.
  3. Withdrawal from Courses
    Courses from which the student withdraws up to and including the last day for registration in the Fall and Winter Terms will not appear on the student’s record. Courses from which the student withdraws after the last day of registration and up to and including the last day for dropping courses will appear with a grade of “W” (Withdrew with permission) on the transcript.
    Deadlines for withdrawing from courses are listed in Academic Schedule .

Interruption of Studies

Students who wish to take a break from studies for more than 12 months will be required to reapply in order to continue with their studies. Students will follow the new program requirements when they return to the Faculty. Permission to follow their current requirements can be requested by writing the Associate Dean (Academic) at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the term that the student wishes to miss.

Students with marginal standing or who are on academic probation are only permitted to interrupt their studies with the prior, written approval of the Associate Dean (Academic). Should students in either of these categories interrupt their programs for more than twelve months without prior approval, readmission will not be granted unless the student meets the current readmission criteria.

Time Limit to Complete Program

Students in the BSc Nutrition and Food Science, Dietetics Specialization must complete their program within six years from the year of original admission to the Dietetics Specialization. Exception requests must be submitted to the Associate Dean (Academic).

For all other programs offered by the Faculty, students who have not completed their degree within eight years from the year of original admission and wish to do so must follow the program requirements in the current Calendar. Exception requests must be submitted to the Associate Dean (Academic).

Petitions and Appeals

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences has petition and appeal procedures so that students who encounter special problems relating to academic standing, grade or course concerns, and program requirements have them reviewed in an equitable manner. A copy of these Faculty regulations regarding petitions and appeals may be obtained from Undergraduate Student Services, 206 Agriculture-Forestry Centre.

Note: Deadlines exist for submission of petitions and appeals. Contact the Faculty for details.

Under certain conditions, an unsuccessful appeal within the Faculty may be carried to the General Faculties Council Academic Appeals Committee. See Appeals and Grievances .

Student Advisory Services

Undergraduate students seeking advice on academic matters, are encountering special difficulties related to their programs or to Faculty decisions, and students with problems of an individual nature should consult Undergraduate Student Services, 206 Agriculture-Forestry Centre.