B. Academic Regulations for Degree Students

4.0 General Regulations and Definitions

4.1 The Comprehensive Regulations

4.1.1 The Senate of Carleton University may at any time require a student to withdraw from the University if his or her conduct, attendance, work or progress is deemed unsatisfactory.

4.1.2 Acceptance by the University of a registration does not exempt the student from any academic regulation.

4.2 Regulations Governing a Student’s Program

Curriculum and regulations are subject to change as the University updates and improves its undergraduate program. These changes may include alterations to course offerings, program requirements and academic regulations. In establishing transition policies that determine how these changes will impact in-program students, the University is guided by the intent that students retain the same or improved overall opportunities to succeed.

The following policies are in effect:

4.2.1 A degree student who has been admitted to a program continues, in subsequent years, to be governed by the regulations in the Undergraduate Calendar of the year of admission. An exception is made for the requirements for a Minor, which may be taken from a subsequent Calendar.

4.2.2 If, in subsequent years, the student is readmitted to or reinstated in the same program or another program for any reason, the student will be governed by the regulations of the Undergraduate Calendar of the year of readmission or reinstatement. An exception is made for the requirements for a Minor, which may be taken from a subsequent Calendar.

4.2.3 As changes are made, students may choose to complete their studies under new regulations that are introduced in subsequent years, provided they meet the requirements of these regulations. In such cases, students will be governed by both the regulations and program requirements of a single Undergraduate Calendar, dated the year of, or subsequent to, admission or readmission. An exception is made for the requirements for a Minor, which may be taken from a different, single Calendar.

4.2.4 Notwithstanding 4.2.1, when circumstances prevent regulations,program requirements or courses of a previous Calendar from continued application, appropriate replacement policies guiding students in adapting to the new situation will be developed and communicated to students.

4.3 Absence from the University

Degree students who have been away from the university for more than fifteen consecutive terms must apply for readmission through Admission Services.

4.4 Student Categories

The undergraduate students of the University are grouped in four broad categories: Degree Students, Certificate Students, Special Students, and Non-credit Students. Within the Degree Students category, a further subdivision is defined as Degree Students Admitted with Additional Requirements. This subdivision includes:

1. students admitted with a deficiency
2. students readmitted with conditions
3. credit ESL students

If a student Admitted with Additional Requirements fails to meet these conditions, they may not continue at the University for a period of one year and must then apply for re-admission if they wish to return.

The category of Certificate Students includes all students registered in the certificate and diploma programs identified in 11.0 Certificates and Diplomas. Those registered in other non- credit professional or development certificates offered by the university are not included. A student may be simultaneously both a Degree Student and a Certificate Student.

4.5 Types of Programs

The undergraduate programs of the university are divided into three categories.

Honours programs
These programs require 20.0 credits (and in a few cases more than 20.0 credits). With full time study and a normal course load, Honours programs are completed in four years. The Honours programs demand a higher academic standard than general programs.

General programs
These programs require 15.0 credits. With full time study and a normal course load, General programs are completed in three years. Two exceptional General programs (Geology and Biochemistry) require 20.0 credits and normally require four years for completion.

Engineering and Design programs
These accredited programs offered by the Faculty of Engineering and Design are in Engineering, in Industrial Design and in Architecture. These programs require at least 20.0 credits and with a normal course load and full time study require four years for completion.

4.6 Program Structure

Program Elements
The courses that make up a program are separated into certain standard categories that give the program its structure, allow effective assessment of the student's progress and permit the inclusion of additional notations on the transcript and diploma.

In most programs certain course credits are identified as constituting the Major. The Major specifies the required course credits in one or more defined disciplines, themes, or fields that are the principal focus of a student’s program. The Academic Performance Evaluation described below makes use of this distinction by calculating a Major average as well as an Overall average. A Combined Honours program may be structured with two Majors, one in each contributing discipline or, in some cases, as a single Major. A multidisciplinary program is structured as a single Major drawing together courses from several disciplines.

Some programs specify a limited set of credits that constitute a Core. These are courses of special importance to the program and are subject to specific CGPA requirements.

A Concentration or Specialization is a defined set of courses which provides a student with specific expertise, knowledge and/or practice and so further distinguishes the program in a recognizable way. The credits in the concentration or specialization may or may not be part of the Major. Successful completion of a concentration or specialization is recorded on the diploma.

A Stream is a pattern of courses within the program that guides the student’s studies and is distinctive from other patterns, but does not result in a designation on the diploma.

Additions to a Program

An Option is an addition to a program the pursuit of which does not affect eligibility for the degree without the Option. Registration in the Option does not change the degree requirements. An example is the Co-operative Education Option.

Minors

A Minor is a defined set of courses in a discipline or field that either introduces or extends knowledge of that discipline or field. A Minor may have its own admission requirements. Minors are only available to students already registered as Carleton degree students. Each Minor requires at least 4.0 and at most 5.0 credits. In some circumstances, credits in excess of those required for the main degree may be required to complete the Minor. A maximum of two credits may count toward both the Minor and the Major or Majors of a student ’s program.

4.7 Year Status

Each summer, students in degree programs are given a Year Status according to the number of credits completed with passing grades and counting towards the degree. The categories are as follows:

First Year:
Fewer than 4.0 credits completed successfully and counting towards the degree.

Second Year:
4.0 through 8.5 credits completed successfully and counting towards the degree.

Third Year:
9.0 t hrough 13.5 credits completed successfully and counting towards the degree.

Fourth Year:
14.0 or more credits completed successfully and counting towards the degree and in a program requiring more than 15.0 credits.

Programs in the Faculty of Engineering and Design identify specific courses that must be completed for a particular year status in that program, which does not necessarily conform to the above formula. Refer to the Engineering and Design section of this Calendar for details.

4.8 Undeclared Students

Degree students are considered "Undeclared" if they have been admitted to the degree but are not yet accepted into a program within that degree. The status "Undeclared" is available only in the B.A. and B.Sc. degrees. See the Undeclared section in the Programs section of this Calendar for recommended registration information. Normally, Undeclared students are required to be eligible to enter a program within their degree before reaching second year status. Undeclared students with second year status (see section 4.7 above) will not be allowed to register in courses. Undeclared students should consult the Student Academic Success Centre for guidance in planning their studies.

4.9 Changes of Degree and Program

Application is made through the Registrar's Office for admission, re-admission or re-instatement and permission to register in the following cases:

1. students who wish to change to a different program or change program elements within the same degree;
2. students who wish to add a Concentration, Specialization or Minor;
3. students who, after being admitted, must take intensive ESL before being allowed to register in their degree program.
4. students who have been away from the University for fewer than fifteen consecutive terms and wish to register in the same degree.

The following categories of students are required to reapply for admission through Admissions Services:

1. currently registered students who wish, or who are required, to change their degree;
2. students who have been suspended or debarred and wish to return to their original program after the required absence from studies at Carleton University;
3. students who, after completing an undergraduate degree, wish to complete an additional undergraduate degree;
4. students who have left the University and wish to return to a different degree;
5. students who have left the University and, after attending another post-secondary institution (except on a letter of permission or exchange program), wish to return to Carleton University;
6. Special Students who wish to be formally admitted to a degree or certificate program at Carleton University; and
7. students who have been away from the University for fifteen or more consecutive terms.

4.10 Types of Courses

4.10.1 Course Categories

The requirements for a degree or program may include specific named categories of courses.These categories are defined either in the main degree section of the calendar or within the program description. In addition most degrees prohibit credit for some particular set of courses. Such courses can not be used even as "free electives." Students should refer to the regulations and course categories for their degree for details.

4.10.2 Courses Set Aside

Three categories of courses that do not contribute to the fulfilment of graduation requirements may appear on a student's record:

Extra to the Degree (ETD)
Passed credits that could have counted towards the degree but are in excess of the credits required for graduation. These credits may be considered for advanced standing in a subsequent degree. This category includes, for example, passed credits at the 1000-level in excess of the 7.0-credit limit.

No Credit for Degree (NCD)
Passed credits that are ineligible for credit in the student's program. These credits may be considered for advanced standing in a subsequent degree. This category includes, for example, courses specifically prohibited from credit in a particular degree.

Forfeit
Courses that cannot be used for credit in this or any subsequent program. This category includes:

1. repeated courses;
2. failed courses replaced in the program requirements by a different course;
3. courses considered equivalent to courses used to fulfil program requirements;
4. courses placed in this category by an academic standing decision.
5. courses placed in this category by an appeal committee.

5.0 Admission and Residency Regulations

5.1 Transfer of Credit Prior to Admission

When a student is considered for admission, credit may be granted for individual courses successfully completed at other recognized, degree-granting institutions, if:

1. the individual courses are relevant to a student's proposed program; and
2. the appropriate academic department recommends such action.

Each application is evaluated on its own merits.

5.2 Transfer of Credit Subsequent to Admission

Letter of Permission
Students who have been formally admitted to a degree or certificate program may take courses at other universities on Letters of Permission, and have the credits transferred to their Carleton programs. The following conditions must be met:

1. the student must have completed successfully at least 4.0 credits at Carleton University;
2. the student must meet the minimum CGPA requirements for graduation in his or her degree;
3. the student must obtain formal approval from the Registrar's Office prior to commencing each course.

Grades for successfully completed courses taken on Letters of Permission and Exchange (not including the University of Ottawa Exchange) will not be transferred, but the courses will be counted as attempts. A course taken on Letter of Permission and failed is counted as a discredit. A higher level of performance may be required in a course that would have contributed to any programmatic CGPA had the grade been transferred. Such a course with a passing grade below the minimum required will not count towards the degree, but will be counted as an attempt.

University of Ottawa Exchange Agreement
Degree Students may register to take courses at the University of Ottawa to be credited to their Carleton University degree. The following regulations apply:

1. Students must be registered in a degree program and must be in good standing. In the case of first-year studies, a maximum of two half-credit courses may be taken at the University of Ottawa that year.
2. Only courses to be credited as part of the current degree requirements at Carleton may be taken under the terms of the exchange.
3. At any registration, the cumulative total number of credits taken at Carleton and counting towards the degree must be greater than the total number of credits taken and/or proposed to be taken at the University of Ottawa.
4. Courses taken under the Exchange Agreement shall not count as courses taken at Carleton under regulations requiring a minimum number of Carleton credits.
5. Grades for courses taken on the Exchange Agreement will be reported on the Carleton transcript and will be included in the calculation of the CGPAs. Applications and information about deadlines and registration procedures are available at the Registrar's Office. Students should note that space in courses may be limited and therefore applications should be filed well in advance of registration.

Students should consult the Registrar's Office for application forms and information on procedures and deadlines.

Students withdrawing from exchange agreement courses must notify the Registrar's Office by the appropriate deadlines, or a grade of Abs or F may be recorded. There may be financial implications.

International Exchange Agreements
Undergraduate students may be eligible to take advantage of other exchange agreements with universities throughout the world. For details on these exchanges, students should consult with the Registrar's Office and the Office of Carleton International at least one year in advance of the proposed exchange.

5.2 Minimum Number of Carleton Credits (Residency credits)

To be eligible for graduation with a Carleton degree, certificate or diploma, each student must present a certain number of credits earned at Carleton University which have not been presented to fulfil any degree that has been previously awarded including a degree or degrees at Carleton University. These are referred to as residency credits. Courses taken under the University of Ottawa Exchange Agreement do not count as residency credits. All degree students must present a minimum of 5.0 residency credits at graduation.

Due to accreditation requirements, the minimum number of residency credits for students in the Faculty of Engineering and Design is half of the total number of credits required in the program.

To obtain an undergraduate certificate from Carleton University, students must present residency credits including a minimum of 4.0 credits taken at Carleton.

In addition, the credits taken at Carleton and presented at graduation, including both credits completed after admission and those completed within the last ten years for which advanced standing has been granted, must include:

1. For Honours degrees, at least 3.0 credits in the major and at the 3000-level or above;
2. For Combined Honours degrees, at least 1.5 credits in each major and at the 3000-level or above;
3. For General degrees, at least 3.0 credits in the major and at the 2000-level or above;
4. For any Minor, Concentration or Specialization, at least 2.0 credits;
5. For a certificate or diploma, all required courses.

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