6. Program Regulations

6.1 The Cumulative Grade Point Average

The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is the key assessment tool for performance evaluation. The CGPA is the ratio of the grade points earned on a set of courses to the total credit value of these courses. In calculating the CGPA the grade points contributed by each course are multiplied by the credit value of the course. So, for example, an A+ in a 0.5 credit course contributes 12.00 x 0.5 = 6.00 grade points. The CGPA is truncated to two decimal places (with no rounding).

The Overall CGPA includes all courses that satisfy requirements of the student's program or would have satisfied such requirements if a passing grade had been obtained. In particular, an F grade is included in the calculation until it is removed through course repetition or replacement. When a course is repeated, the most recent grade is used. All Carleton credits counting toward advanced standing in the degree program are included in the CGPA calculation. All credits obtained through the University of Ottawa Exchange agreement are included in the CGPA calculation.

Courses Extra to the Degree (ETD), No Credit for the Degree (NCD) or Forfeit are not included in the calculation of the CGPA.

A CGPA calculated for a program element, such as Major or Core, is calculated in the same way using only the courses in the program element.

6.2 Maximum Number of Credits Below the 2000-level

A student may count a maximum of 7.0 credits below the 2000-level toward fulfilment of graduation requirements.

Credits in excess of this limit will be set aside as Extra to the Degree (ETD), No Credit for the Degree (NCD) or Forfeit. This allows students to increase their CGPA by pushing out low grades below the 2000-level through replacement by higher grades at the same level.

6.3 Discredits

A discredit is:

1. a course registration that results in a grade of F, FND, ABS, UNS, or
2. a course registration that results in a grade other than Wdn, Aud, IP, DNC in a course that may only count once for credit in the degree and that is subsequently repeated.

The discredit has the same credit weight as the course. This definition includes courses taken on a Letter of Permission or on exchange.

A degree student is allowed a maximum of 5.0 credits of discredits after admission to the degree. Students admitted with advanced standing will have the maximum number of discredits adjusted on a pro-rata basis. Students in 5.0-or 6.0-credit certificate or diploma programs are allowed 2.0 credits of discredits.

If a student exceeds the maximum number of discredits before graduation they are Suspended from the degree, certificate or diploma. The student is Ineligible to Return if the degree uses this decision in place of Suspension. See also Section 7: Academic Performance Evaluation.

6.4 Course Load

In most undergraduate programs, the normal course load is the equivalent of 2.5 credits in each of the fall and winter terms and the equivalent of 1.0 credit in each of the early and late periods of the summer term. In some degree programs, the normal load is as much as 3.0 credits in each of the fall and winter terms and up to the equivalent of 1.5 credits in each period of the summer term. Multi-term courses are considered to have their credit weight evenly distributed over the terms. For example, a two-term 1.0 credit course is considered to contribute 0.5 credit to course load in each term.

A student is registered in a course overload if the student is registered in more credit equivalents per term than the normal load for his or her program.Students with an Overall CGPA of 7.00 who have completed a minimum of 4.0 credits at Carleton may choose to register in a course overload, to a maximum of 0.5 credit above the normal course load for their program in each of the fall and winter terms and in either the early or late period of the summer term. Students requiring permission for course overloads in excess of these limits should contact the Registrar's Office.

6.5 Restrictions on Program Elements

A course is considered to be double-counted if it is used to satisfy both the requirements for:

1. the Major (or Majors) and a Minor (See Note a); or
2. a Minor, Concentration, or Specialization and any other Minor, Concentration or Specialization (See Note b)

At most, 2.0 credits in double-counted courses may be included in the credits offered to fulfil requirements at graduation.

Notes:

1. In this regulation, the Major consists of the credits counting toward the Major CGPA. If the program uses only the Overall CGPA for assessment, then all credits are considered to be in the Major.
2. Item ii refers to specializations and concentrations that constitute optional choices. In these cases the Major(s) can be completed with or without a concentration or specialization.

In other cases, a Concentration or Specialization is contained within the Major and constitutes a required choice for that Major. These Concentrations and Specializations are not included in item ii above.

6.6 Maximum Number of Program Elements

In addition to the student's Major or Majors, the maximum allowed combined number of Minors, Concentrations and Specializations for any student is two. Note that this restriction does not apply to the Co-op Option or to Mention : Français.

6.7 Combined Honours Programs

In some cases Combined Honours programs are defined with a single unified Major incorporating the credits from both disciplines. In other cases, for example in the B.A. Honours degree, requirements are established separately by each discipline and combined according to the registration of the student in a particular Combined Honours pattern. In the latter case, when a particular course satisfies the requirements for both Majors, the course will be used to fulfil the requirements for one Major and a different course at the same level will be required to satisfy the other Major.

In the case of B. Humanities Combined Honours only, when a single course fulfils requirements for both the Humanities Major and the other Major, the credit will count for the other Major and the credit requirements for the Humanities Major will be correspondingly reduced.

7. Academic Performance Evaluation

7.1 Academic Performance Evaluation for Degree Students

Academic Performance Evaluation as described in this section applies to Degree and Certificate Students. The corresponding process for Special Students is described in Section 9, below.

Note: in addition to the regulations listed below, a number of programs specify additional requirements that must be fulfilled. Consult 7.5 below for additional information regarding: B.A.S., B.A. Hons. Law, B.A. Hons. and General Mass Communication, B.Com., B.C.S., B.Sc. Hons. Combined Chemistry and Computer Science, B.Math Hons. Combined Comp. Sci. and Mathematics, B.Hum., B.I.B., B.I.D., B.I.T.B.J., B.Math., B.Mus., B.P.A.P.M., B.Sc. Double Hons. Mathematics and Physics, B.S.W.

The Academic Performance Evaluation is the annual assessment of the student’s status in his or her degree. The first evaluation is made, at the end of the winter term, for all students who have completed at least 4.0 credits. Subsequent evaluations occur at the end of the winter term following the completion of a minimum of 4.0 additional credits. A completed course is any course registration, including repeated courses, that results in a grade or notation other than WDN, IP, CTN, Aud or DNC. The basis of the evaluation is the student’s Overall CGPA, Major CGPA and, where appropriate, Core CGPA. For students in combined programs Major CGPAs are calculated for each major where possible. The evaluation is made by comparing CGPAs to the minima required by the student’s degree at the time of the evaluation. The possible outcomes of an Academic Performance Evaluation are: Good Standing, Academic Warning, Suspension, Debarment, or Ineligible to Return (ITR).

The status Good Standing signifies that a Performance Evaluation has found that the student fully meets the academic standards prescribed for the student's program and is eligible to continue in that degree.

The status Academic Warning signifies that the student’s performance with respect to the academic standards of the degree is deficient. The student may continue in the degree but must clear the Academic Warning by achieving a Good Standing assessment at the next Academic Performance Evaluation.

The status Suspension signifies that the student must leave his or her program for at least one year. See Section 7.3. Suspension occurs if at least one of the following conditions applies:

1. the student has an Overall CGPA that is less than 1.00;
2. while on Academic Warning, the student has failed to achieve a Good Standing assessment at the next Academic Performance Evaluation;
3. the student receives a failing grade in a given course on three separate occasions;
4. the student has exceeded the maximum allowable number of attempts for the program;
5. the student was Admitted with Additional Requirements and has failed to satisfy those requirements.

The status Debarment is reserved for cases in which the student’s performance falls below a minimum standard after a first Suspension from the same degree. A Debarred student must leave his or her degree for at least three years. See Section 7.3.

The status Ineligible to Return indicates that the student’s performance has fallen below a minimum standard for the program and in consequence the student is removed from the program, and will never be readmissible to this program. The status ITR is restricted to some professional and limited enrolment programs where there is high demand for the program and limited space in its required courses. The student is eligible to continue at the University and may apply through Admissions Services for admission to another program.

7.2 Assessment in Concentrations, Specializations and Minors

In conjunction with the Academic Performance Evaluation, additional averages are calculated for program elements. The CGPA is calculated over the courses contributing to any Concentration, Specialization or Minor to which the student is admitted. These CGPA results are available for decisions on satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance in the program element. Students with a CGPA that is below the minimum required for a Concentration, Specialization or Minor will be removed from that Concentration, Specialization or Minor.

7.3 Readmission after Suspension or Debarment

Suspension is from a particular degree, not the University. Upon receiving notice of Suspension from one degree, students may seek admission, through Admissions Services, to other degrees of the University. Programs may accept such students in Good Standing if the student meets those requirements or on Academic Warning.

Students who have been Suspended will be inadmissible to their original degree for one year. Students who have been suspended and wish subsequently to be re-admitted to their original degree must petition through the Registrar's Office, providing an explanation of the circumstances leading up to the Suspension, what has occurred during the period of suspension, and what the student’s goals now are.

Debarment is from degree, certificate and diploma studies at the University. After Debarment, students wishing to be considered for readmission to a Degree or Certificate program, must wait three years and then make an appeal to the Senate Undergraduate Studies Committee. On readmission after Debarment, students may be required to complete certain specific courses and to forfeit certain previously completed credits in order to provide a reasonable expectation of success. The CGPA will be based upon those credits, successful and unsuccessful, accepted upon readmission.

Students returning to the University after Suspension or Debarment will not have their CGPA re-started. At the point of re-admission, they may be allowed a pro-rated maximum number of discredits. Students required to withdraw by the University from a degree, diploma or certificate program are ineligible to register as Special Students for one calendar year.

7.4 Minimum CGPA Requirements

The standard CGPA requirements used in Academic Performance Evaluation are presented in Table 1. The minimum required CGPA increases with the number of credits included in the Overall CGPA calculation at the time of the Academic Performance Evaluation. Students with a CGPA close to the minimum at their first assessment will have to improve their academic achievement significantly in order to maintain the Good Standing status through to graduation.

The Standard Minimum CGPA Requirements for Minors, Concentrations, and Specializations are presented in Table 2. These are not used in the Academic Performance Evaluation but are used to determine continuation status in the program element.

Table 1: Minimum CGPA Requirements for Good Standing Status

Notes

1. For the General programs in Biochemistry and in Geology, requiring 20.0 credits, the steps in the minimum Overall CGPA are 3.00, 3.50, 3.50 and 4.00 and in the minimum Major CGPA are 4.50, 4.50, 5.00 respectively.

2. Certain Honours programs may have a different Overall or Major CGPA from that indicated above.

Table 2: Standard Minimum Requirements for Minors, Concentrations and Specializations

Note

1. For the General programs i n Bi ochemi stry and i n Geology, requiring 20.0 credits, the minimum required CGPA is 4.00, 4.50, 4.50, 5.00 respectively.

7.5 Additional Information Concerning Academic Performance Evaluation for Some Degrees and Programs

The standard regulations for Academic Performance Evaluation are modified for certain degrees and programs as presented in this section.

Bachelor of Architectural Studies
The B.A.S. degree follows the regulations for Academic Performance evaluation for Engineering and Design Programs with the following additions and amendments:

1. The Bachelor of Architectural Studies program does not define a Major CGPA. Students are assessed at each Academic Performance Evaluation using their Overall CGPA and the Core minimum defined in 2 below.
2. The Architecture Core consists of the following courses: ARCS 1005, ARCS 1105 [1.0 ], ARCS 2105 [1.5 ], ARCS 2106 [1.5 ], ARCS 3105 [1.5 ], ARCS 3106 [1.5 ], ARCS 4105 [1.5 ], ARCS 4106 [1.5 ]. Good Standing requires a grade of C-or better in each course of the Architecture Core.
3. Students in Architectural Studies are either in Good Standing or on Academic Warning. Students who satisfy the conditions for Suspension at an Academic Performance Evaluation must leave the Architectural Studies program with the status Ineligible to Return (ITR).

Bachel or of Arts, Honours and General in Mass Communication

There is no Academic Warning status in Mass Communications. Students who are not in Good Standing at any Academic Performance Evaluation must leave the program with the standing Ineligible to Return.

Continuation to Second Year

Continuation to second year in Good Standing requires that students complete 5.0 credits in first year, achieve a grade of B-or better MCOM 1101 or FYSM 1207 and have an Overall CGPA of at least 7.00.

The School also maintains a number of places in second year for students who wish to transfer from Carleton University or elsewhere. These spaces are limited and it may not be possible to grant admission to all applicants. Admission will therefore be on a selective basis with preference given to those candidates who show the highest promise of success. Normally, offers are made to students with an Overall CGPA of 10.00 or better.

Bachelor of Commerce

For purposes of Academic Performance Evaluation students in B.Com. are considered Honours students. Students in programs of the Eric Sprott School of Business who are not in Good Standing at any APE will be required to withdraw from the program with the standing Suspended.

Bachelor of Computer Science

Students in the Bachelor of Computer Science or in Combined Computer Science programs are subject to the following regulations:

At each Academic Performance Evaluation, Good Standing requires that the Major CGPA is at least 6.50 and Overall CGPA is at least 5.00. These are also the required minima for graduation.

Students who do not achieve the status Good Standing at any Academic Performance Evaluation will be required to leave the program with the standing Ineligible to Return (ITR).

Bachelor of Humanities

The Bachelor of Humanities degree does not distinguish a set of courses forming a Major. Students are evaluated on the basis of their Overall CGPA and their Core CGPA.

Students are in Good Standing if the Overall CGPA at least 7.00 and the Core CGPA at least 7.00.

A student who is not in Good Standing but has Overall CGPA at least 6.00 and Core CGPA at least 6.00 is on Academic Warning.

A student is required to leave the program with the standing Ineligible to Return if either:

1. the student was on Academic Warning and does not achieve Good Standing at the next Academic Performance Evaluation,
   or
2. the student has Overall CGPA less than 6.00 or Core CGPA less than 6.00 at any Academic Performance Evaluation.

The Humanities Core

HUMS 1000 [1.0 ], HUMS 2000 [1.0 ],
HUMS 3000 [1.0 ], HUMS 4000 [1.0 ]

Bachelor of Industrial Design

The Industrial Design program does not distinguish a set of courses forming a Major. Students are assessed at each Academic Performance Evaluation using their Overall CGPA and the Industrial Design Core.

Good Standing requires a grade of C-or better in each course of the Industrial Design Core.

Industrial Design Core

IDES 1300, IDES 1301, IDES 2300, IDES 2302, IDES 3300 [1.0 ], IDES 3301 [1.0 ], IDES 4300 [2.0 ], IDES 4301, IDES 4302

Students in Industrial Design who are not assigned the status Good Standing or Academic Warning will be required to leave the program with the status Ineligible to Return (ITR).

Bachelor of International Business

For purposes of Academic Performance Evaluation students B.I .B. are considered Honours students. Students in programs of the Eric Sprott School of Business who are not in Good Standing at any APE will be required to withdraw from the program with the standing Suspended.

The BIB defines a Language Core consisting of the required 4.0 credits in the language of specialization. Good Standing in BIB requires:

At the first APE:

• Overall CGPA at least 4.50
• Major CGPA at least 6.00
• Language Core CGPA at least 6.00

At all subsequent APEs and at graduation:

• Overall CGPA at least 5.00
• Major CGPA at least 6.50
• Language Core CGPA at least 6.50

Bachelor of Information Technology

For purposes of Academic Performance Evaluation B.I.T. students are considered General students. In addition to the requirements for Good Standing specified in the Academic Regulations of the University, students in the Interactive Multimedia and Design program of the B.I.T. must present a Core CGPA of at least 4.5 in the following:

IMD 1000, IMD 1001, IMD 1002,
IMD 1003, IMD 1004, IMD 1005

Bachelor of Journalism

A student who not in Good Standing in the Bachelor of Journalism degree must leave the program with standing Ineligible to Return.

Continuation to Second Year
Continuation in Good Standing after the first Academic Performance Evaluation will be guaranteed only to First-year Journalism students who achieve a B+ or better in JOUR 1000 [1.0] and an Overall CGPA of at least 8.00 in first year on 5.0 full credits. The School also maintains a number of places in second year for students who wish to transfer from Carleton or elsewhere. Normally, offers are made to students with an overall CGPA equivalent to 10.00 (A-) or better.

Continuation in Good Standing at subsequent Academic Performance Evaluations requires the standard minimum Major CGPA and Overall CGPA.

General Prerequisite
Students may not continue into 3000-level or higher courses unless the following three minimum requirements are met:

(a) at least C standing in JOUR 2201 [1.0];

(b) a CGPA of at least 6.50 over the courses JOUR 1000 [1.0], JOUR 2201 [1.0], JOUR 2205 and JOUR 2501;

(c) an Overall CGPA of at least 5.00.

Graduation

In addition to the graduation requirements of the Faculty, a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Journalism with Honours must have:

(a) a Major CGPA of at least 6.50,

(b) a grade of C or better each reporting course,

(c) a grade of C-or better in each other Journalism course,

(d) an Overall CGPA of at least 5.00, and

(e) be recommended for graduation by the School.

Bachelor of Mathematics

The standard procedures for Academic Performance Evaluation are followed with the following additions:

1. Good Standing at the first Academic Performance Evaluation (4.0 - 5.0 Included Credits) requires that the Major CGPA be at least 5.00 for Honours programs and at least 4.00 for General programs.
2. Good Standing at any Academic Performance Evaluation requires that the CGPA over the courses MATH 1007, MATH 1107, MATH 2007, MATH 2107 be at least 7.00 for Honours programs and at least 5.00 for General programs.

Bachelor of Mathematics, Combined Honours in Computer Science and Mathematics

Students in the Bachelor of Computer Science or in Combined Computer Science programs are subject to the following regulations.

At each Academic Performance Evaluation, Good Standing requires that the Major CGPA is at least 6.50 and Overall CGPA is at least 5.00. These are also the required minima for graduation.

Students who do not achieve the status Good Standing at any Academic Performance Evaluation will be required to leave the program with the standing Ineligible to Return (ITR).

Bachelor of Music

Academic Performance Evaluation for students in the B.Mus. degree is applied as follows:

The minimum requirements for Good Standing are:

1. If at most 15.0 credits are included in the Overall CGPA then the Major CGPA must be at least 6.00 and the Overall CGPA must be at least 5.00.

2. If more than 15.0 credits are included in the Overall CGPA then the Major CGPA must be at least 6.50 and the Overall CGPA must be at least 5.00.

Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management

Students in the BPAPM are assessed by the standard Academic Performance Evaluation process with the following modifications:

Continuation to second year will be guaranteed only to those students who have an Overall CGPA of 7.00 or better and a grade of B-or better in PAPM 1000.

A Good Standing decision at any subsequent Academic Performance Evaluation requires a Major CGPA of at least 6.50 and an Overall CGPA of at least 6.50.

Students who do not achieve Good Standing at any Academic Performance Evaluation will be required to withdraw from the program with the status Ineligible to Return (ITR).

Bachelor of Science, Double Honours in Mathematics and Physics

Continuation in this program after first year requires an average of at least 9.00 on MATH 1002 and MATH 1102 and at least 9.00 on PHYS 1001 and PHYS 1002 or the equivalent mathematics and physics courses.

Bachelor of Science, Combined Honours in Chemistry and Computer Science

Students in the Bachelor of Computer Science or in Combined Computer Science programs are subject to the following regulations.

At each Academic Performance Evaluation, Good Standing requires that the Major CGPA is at least 6.50 and Overall CGPA is at least 5.00. These are also the required minima for graduation.

Bachelor of Social Work

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work program are assessed by the standard process of Academic Performance Evaluation, with the following exception.

Good Standing requires:

1. If the number of credits included in the Overall CGPA is at most 15.0, the Overall CGPA is at least 6.00 and the Major CGPA is at least 6.00.

2. If the number of credits included in the Overall CGPA is at least 15.5, the Overall CGPA is at least 6.00 and the Major CGPA is at least 6.50.

©Carleton University 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6 Canada
(613) 520-7400   www.carleton.ca