Academic Regulations
The following regulations apply to students registered in the Bachelor of Education program.
Academic Advising
Students in the Faculty of Education who need advice on any academic matter should consult with the Office of the Dean of Education.
Academic Dishonesty
The University takes a very serious view of such offenses against academic honesty as plagiarism, cheating, and impersonation. Penalties for dealing with such offenses will be strictly enforced. The complete policy on Academic Dishonesty is in the Policies section of the Calendar.
Academic Standing
Credit is not retained for passed courses in a failed year in the Bachelor of Education program.
Aegrotat Standing
Aegrotat standing (credit granted with incomplete course work) will be considered only in exceptional circumstances (usually only in cases of serious illness) and if term work has been of high quality.
Attendance
Punctual and regular attendance is essential for the successful completion of a course. Students who do not demonstrate regular attendance may be required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Education program unless medical documentation or other authorized documentation, deemed appropriate by the Faculty, is received. This policy may be implemented if a student is absent more than the number of hours indicated (approximately 20% of the total hours) in connection with any one of the courses or course components listed below:
Components |
Hours Absent |
|---|---|
| Language Arts | 14 |
| Education and Schooling | 7 |
| Special Education/Educational Psychology | 7 |
| Music | 5 |
| Science | 5 |
| Math – J/I | 5 |
| Math – P/J | 7 |
| Health and Physical Education | 5 |
| Art | 5 |
| Social Studies | 5 |
| Computers | 2 |
| Management | 2 |
| Methods | 11 |
| Language Across Curriculum | 2 |
| Curriculum Development and Evaluation (includes CIs) | 12 |
| Each Elective | 7 |
Class Hours
Education students, depending on their division, will have from 21 to 29 class hours per week during their course work at the University.
Course Identification
Nipissing University courses are numbered as follows:
Four letters to indicate the department or subject;
Four numbers to designate the course;
Two letters to indicate the time of year
Three numbers to indicate the section – BEd course section numbers range between 100 – 199
Example
EDUC 4486 FW 100
Department Course Number Time of Year Section
Unless otherwise designated in the course description, courses whose last digit is a 4 will have a value of 5 credits; courses whose last digit is a 5 will have a value of 6 credits; courses whose last digit is a 6 or 7, will have a value of 3 credits.
Determination of Final Grade
a) A student’s grade in each course will be based upon the year’s work and the final examination;
b) The final examination will not make up more than 70% or less than 30% of the final grade in each course;
c) The instructor will discuss with the class the basis for assessment specifying the relative weight of each examination, test, in-class activity and written assignment;
d) The instructor will also specify which assignments must be completed in order to receive a grade in the course;
e) The method of determining final grades is to be discussed with students within the time frame Senate has approved for late course registration;
f) The instructor must inform students of their standing prior to the date for honourable withdrawal from the course. If no written term work has been evaluated by that date, the information shall be given in the form of a written statement of the student’s standing;
g) The instructor is required to return to students all written work, other than final examinations, which has been submitted for evaluation purposes. Students may discuss with their instructor the work presented, the comments made, and the grade assigned;
h) Final evaluation submissions are not returned to students but are kept on file by the Office of the Registrar for six months after the publication of Grade Reports;
i) For each course, a final marks sheet is completed, signed by the instructor and submitted to the Dean of Education for approval within five calendar days of the exam. The Dean of Education’s signature indicates that the marks submission is consistent with existing practices and policies of the Faculty;
j) Revisions to any previously-assigned grade are submitted in writing for the approval of the Dean of Education, together with the reasons for such revisions. Grades are not official until they have been approved by the Dean of Education and released by the Office of the Registrar;
k) The final marks issued by Nipissing University are the only ones accepted as binding.
Letter Grades and Grading Standards
“A” – (80–100%)
“B” – (70–79%)
“C” – (60–69%)
“D” – (50–59%)
“F” – (0 – 49%)
“A” indicates Exceptional Performance: comprehensive in-depth knowledge of the principles and materials treated in the course, fluency in communicating that knowledge and independence in applying material and principles.
“B” indicates Good Performance: thorough understanding of the breadth of materials and principles treated in the course and ability to apply and communicate that understanding effectively.
“C” indicates Satisfactory Performance: basic understanding of the breadth of principles and materials treated in the course and an ability to apply and communicate that understanding competently.
“D” indicates Minimally Competent Performance: adequate understanding of most principles and materials treated in the course, but significant weakness in some areas and in the ability to apply and communicate that understanding.
“F” indicates Failure: inadequate or fragmentary knowledge of the principles and materials treated in the course or failure to complete the work required in the course.
“I” indicates Incomplete.
“W” indicates Withdrawal with permission.
Final Examinations
Final examinations for each course are mandatory, except where otherwise approved by Senate, and are scheduled by the Office of the Dean of Education. Final examinations for classes held at night will usually be scheduled during the day. Final examinations constitute a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 70% of the final grade. Punctual and regular attendance is essential for the successful completion of a course. When absenteeism exceeds 20%, the student may be excluded from writing the final examination.
Copies of previous final examinations for all courses offered by Nipissing University will be made available to students except where otherwise approved by Senate.
Final examinations for three-credit courses will be two hours, and examinations for five-credit and six-credit courses, three hours.
Final Standing
The following regulations apply to students registered in the Bachelor of Education program. To qualify for the Bachelor of Education degree in the Primary/Junior Division and to qualify for a Certificate of Qualification, a candidate must obtain a pass in EDUC 4684 (Observation and Practice Teaching) and obtain a minimum overall average of 70% in the following courses: EDUC 4102, EDUC 4103, EDUC 4454, EDUC 4114, EDUC 4124, EDUC 4134, with at least 60% in each. The average is a weighted average based upon course credits. Option course grades are not included in the average.
Weighted Average Calculation – An example:
| Course | Credits |
Course Grade |
Weighted Grade |
| EDUC 4102 | 3 |
74% x 3 |
222 |
| EDUC 4103 | 3 |
72% x 3 |
216 |
| EDUC 4454 | 5 |
75% x 5 |
375 |
| EDUC 4114 | 5 |
70% x 5 |
350 |
| EDUC 4124 | 5 |
80% x 5 |
400 |
| EDUC 4134 | 5 |
80% x 5 |
400 |
| Totals: | 26 |
1963 |
Program Average: 1963 divided by 26 = 75.5%
To qualify for the Bachelor of Education degree in the Junior/Intermediate Division and to qualify for a Certificate of Qualification, a candidate must obtain a pass in EDUC 4694 (Observation and Practice Teaching) and obtain a minimum overall average of 70% in the following courses: EDUC 4202, EDUC 4203, EDUC 4464, EDUC 4214, EDUC 4224, EDUC 4234, and in a teaching elective with at least 60% in each. The average is a weighted average based upon course credits. Students in the Junior/Intermediate Division must obtain at least 60% in one of the listed electives. Option course grades are not included in the average.
Weighted Average Calculation – An example:
| Course | Credits |
Course Grade |
Weighted Grade |
| EDUC 4202 | 3 |
74% x 3 |
222 |
| EDUC 4203 | 3 |
72% x 3 |
216 |
| EDUC 4464 | 5 |
75% x 5 |
375 |
| EDUC 4214 | 4 |
70% x 4 |
280 |
| EDUC 4224 | 4 |
80% x 4 |
320 |
| EDUC 4234 | 4 |
80% x 4 |
320 |
| EDUC 4446 (Elec) | 3 |
75% x 3 |
225 |
| Totals: | 26 |
1958 |
Program Average: 1958 divided by 26 = 75.31%
To qualify for the Bachelor of Education degree in the Intermediate/Senior Division and to qualify for a Certificate of Qualification, a candidate must obtain a pass in EDUC 4355 (Observation and Practice Teaching) and obtain a minimum overall average of 70% in the following courses: EDUC 4306, EDUC 4307, EDUC 4315, EDUC 4325, and in two subject pairings chosen as electives in the Intermediate/Senior Division, with at least 60% in each course. Option course grades are not included in the average.
Weighted Average Calculation - An example:
| Course | Credits |
Course Grade |
Weighted Grade |
| EDUC 4306 | 3 |
74% x 3 |
222 |
| EDUC 4307 | 3 |
72% x 3 |
216 |
| EDUC 4315 | 5 |
75% x 5 |
375 |
| EDUC 4325 | 5 |
70% x 5 |
350 |
| EDUC 4406 (Elec) | 3 |
80% x 3 |
240 |
| EDUC 4407 (Elec) | 3 |
80% x 3 |
240 |
| EDUC 4416 (Elec) | 3 |
75% x 3 |
225 |
| EDUC 4417 (Elec) | 3 |
75% x 3 |
225 |
| Totals: | 28 |
2093 |
Program Average: 2093 divided by 28 = 74.75%
The final practice teaching grade (EDUC 4684/EDUC 4694/EDUC 4355) is the result of the gradings given by the Associate Teachers and all professors who completed an evaluation in the graded weeks.
French Language Proficiency Test
All candidates who wish to take French as a Second Language courses in the Faculty of Education must successfully complete the French Language Proficiency Test. The test consists of an oral interview of approximately 15 minutes with two evaluators. The written test consists of 75 grammar questions and a paragraph for style. The passing mark is 75% on both the oral and written components. A testing fee of $32 (non-refundable) payable to Nipissing University at the Finance Office is required. Please note, the Finance office must receive a cheque one week prior to the testing date chosen (candidates must indicate the date they wish to take the test on their cheque).
Testing will be done on the following dates:
Friday, March 4, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, April 1, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, May 20, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, July 8, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.
Candidates must indicate on their cheque the date they wish to try the exam. The Fianance office must receive the cheque one week prior to the date chosen.
Each candidate can apply to be retested once. The fee for retesting is $48 (non-refundable).
Incomplete Grades
In exceptional circumstances, a student may request consideration for an Incomplete grade (I). Such a request must be submitted in writing, through the instructor to the Dean of Education, together with reasons for the request.
Any student assigned an Incomplete grade must complete all course requirements within one month after the end of the examination period. If after that period the course is not completed or an extension has not been granted by the Dean of Education, a grade “F” will be recorded on the student’s academic record.
In order to be considered for an extension of the completion date beyond the normal one month period, a student must submit a written request to the Dean of Education, through the instructor, explaining the reasons for such an extension. Under no circumstances may a completion date exceed six months from the end of the examination period.
Release of Final Grades
Final grades will be withheld from any student who has an outstanding account at the University or Library and such students will forfeit their right to appeal grades.
Review of Final Examinations
Students may request in advance to view their examination papers in the Office of the Registrar. Upon request by a student, and at a time mutually agreed upon by the instructor and student, the instructor shall review the examination paper in the presence of the student. The closing date to request reviews is one month after the release of marks.
Special Final Examinations
Students who are unable to write final examinations because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control, or whose performances on the examination has been impaired by such circumstances, may on application, be granted permission to write a special final examination. Such application must:
1. be made in writing to the Dean of Education not later than one week after the date of the examination; and
2. be fully supported in the cases of illness by a medical certificate or by the appropriate documents in other cases.
The petition for such special examinations must be filed within a week of the day of the regular examination.
There will normally be a fee for special examinations.
Transcripts of Records
Graduates will be given one transcript of their academic record. Other requests for official transcripts must be made through the Office of the Registrar. The fee for transcripts is published in the Fee Section (see Charges and Fees in the index) of this Calendar, and is due before the request will be processed. Transcripts must be requested in writing or in person; telephone requests will not be accepted.
