med - academic regulations & course information
Academic Dishonesty
The University takes a very serious view of such offences against academic honesty as plagiarism, cheating, and impersonation. Penalties for dealing with such offences will be strictly enforced. The complete policy on Academic Dishonesty is in the Policies section of the Calendar.
Auditor
An auditor is a student who is admitted to a course, and who may participate in class discussion, but who may not hand in assignments or write examinations. An auditor does not receive credit for the course.
Students who enrol as auditors must indicate this on the normal registration form.
Students not admitted to the Master of Education Program must meet the minimum entrance requirements for admission before they will be considered eligible to audit a course.
Class Hours
a) Fall/Winter Session classes are normally scheduled over a series of weekend workshops, or on weekly evening sessions;
b) The number of hours of lecture per course and associated tutorials or laboratories, if any, is usually shown under the course description in the University Calendar;
c) Class hours will total at least 36 hours per three-credit course.
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 term of the course;
Three numbers to indicate the section – the first number of the section depicts the program.
Example: EDUC- 5157-FA-200
| EDUC | 5157 | FA | 200 |
| Department (MEd) | Course | Term of Course (Fall) | Number (Fall) |
Course Loads/Overloads
Part-time students enrolled in the MEd program will normally be allowed to register in one three-credit course, plus either the research paper or thesis, in each of the Fall and Winter Sessions. Applications for overload should be directed to the Chair of Graduate Studies.
Summer Sessions
Part-time students enrolled in the MEd program will normally be allowed to register in a total of two three-credit courses, plus either the research paper or thesis, during the Summer Session.
Forced Withdrawal
Students may be forced to withdraw from the program if they fail to fulfil the stated requirements of the program.
The status of any student who obtains a grade of less than “B” in more than one 3-credit course will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee. This review may result in the withdrawal of the student from the program.
The status of any student who obtains a failing grade in the Research Paper, Thesis or Comprehensive exam will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee, which may result in the withdrawal of the student from the program.
Final Examinations
Final examinations will be held at the discretion of the instructor.
Comprehensive Examination
Students completing the MEd program through the course route are required to successfully complete a comprehensive exam. All course requirements must be completed prior to writing the comprehensive exam.
The comprehensive exam is scheduled for the third Saturday in January and the third Saturday in July. Candidates wishing to write the examination must forward a letter of application to the Office of the Dean of Education by November 30 for the January exam date and by April 30 for the July exam date.
Further information on the comprehensive exam can be obtained by contacting the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Education.
Students may make only two attempts to complete the comprehensive exam.
Review of Final Examinations
Students may arrange to view their course 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 or the comprehensive examination because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control, or whose performance on the examination has been impaired by such circumstances, may, on application, be granted permission to write a special final examination. Such application must:
a) be made in writing to the Dean of Education no later than one week after the date of examination; and
b) be fully supported in the cases of illness by a medical certificate or by 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 a special examination.
Grades and the Basis for Assessment
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.
Aegrotat Standing
Aegrotat standing (credit granted with incomplete course work) will be considered only in exceptional circumstances (usually only in cases of very serious illness) and if term work has been of high quality.
Determination of Final Grades
a) A student’s grade in each course will be based upon the year’s work, and the final examination if applicable;
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;
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 for approval within five calendar days of the exam. The Dean’s signature indicates that the marks submission is consistent with existing practices and policies of the Faculty. Revisions to any previously assigned grade are submitted in writing for the approval of the Dean, together with the reasons for such revisions. Grades are not official until they have been approved by the Dean and released by the Office of the Registrar;
j) The final marks issued by Nipissing University are the only ones accepted as binding.
Incomplete Grades
In exceptional circumstances, a student may request consideration for an Incomplete grade (I). Such request must be submitted in writing, through the Instructor to the Dean of Education.
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, 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, 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.
Appeals
Please refer to the Policies section.
Letter of Permission
A student may be permitted to take up to four three-credit courses at another university for credit. Details are available from the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Education.
Students enrolled at another Ontario university may be admitted to Nipissing University for purposes of transfer of credit to their home university. Documentation: Completion of the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Application form signed by their home university.
Students from outside the Province of Ontario must provide a Letter of Permission from their home university. It is the student’s responsibility to send an official transcript of grade(s) to the Office of the Registrar of their home university.
Number of Attempts to Complete a Course
Students may make only two attempts to complete a course.
Portfolio
Candidates are required to maintain a portfolio of work completed in the Master of Education program. The contents of the portfolio may be used by the candidate, the candidate’s advisor, and the supervisor in identifying a research focus and questions.
Program Advising
Students in the Master of Education program who need advice on the MEd program should consult with the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Education. Once enrolled in the program, students will be assigned a Faculty Advisor.
Senate Changes to Degree Requirements
Degree requirements that are in any way modified by Senate in one calendar year will apply to students admitted the following calendar year. Students currently enrolled may choose to graduate under either the new regulations or the previous regulations. However, they must choose one or the other set of regulations in its entirety.
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 of this Calendar, and is due before the request is processed. Transcripts must be requested in writing or in person; telephone requests will not be accepted.
