Academic Regulations < Queen's University

These regulations state the requirements to be met and the procedures to be followed for the awarding of degrees, diplomas, and certificates in the Faculty of Arts and Science. All requests for exceptions to the regulations should be made to the appropriate reviewing body (see Academic Petitions and Appeal Regulations). Enquiries concerning Faculty regulations should be made to the Faculty of Arts and Science Faculty Office.

Faculty Regulations are regularly reviewed and are subject to change at any time. This site indicates the academic regulations currently in effect.

In all regulations that refer to decisions made by the instructor, the instructor may choose to delegate responsibility for those decisions as appropriate.

The following is a summary of the Academic Regulations with references to University Policies:

Academic Regulation 1: Academic Integrity

1.1 – Introduction

1.1.1 – Procedural Fairness

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.2.

1.1.2 – Confidentiality

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.4.

1.1.3 – Timing

When possible, decision makers should avoid sending correspondence related to academic integrity matters to students near the end of the business day or outside of business hours.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.5.

1.1.4 – Academic Integrity Administrator

The Academic Integrity Administrator (AI Administrator) in the Faculty of Arts and Science is the Academic Integrity Coordinator. They can be contacted at asc.integrity@queensu.ca.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.6.1.

1.1.5 – Academic Integrity Lead

The Academic Integrity Lead (AI Lead) in the Faculty of Arts and Science is the Associate Dean (Academic).

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.6.2.

1.1.6 – Investigation of Possible Departures from Academic Integrity by the Associate Dean (Academic)

Where possible departures from academic integrity are identified that involve more than one course, multiple related instances, or the possibility of forgery or falsification, the Associate Dean (Academic) may initiate an investigation. In addition, an instructor may request (in writing) that the Associate Dean (Academic) conduct an investigation on their behalf when such serious departures are suspected. The Associate Dean (Academic) may also undertake an investigation of a departure from academic integrity in academic matters unrelated to performance in a course.

The steps undertaken pertaining to investigation, finding, and sanctioning by the Associate Dean (Academic) will follow the same procedures as those for an instructor outlined in section 1.3.

Appeals of the decisions of the Associate Dean (Academic) may be made to the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity and Conduct Panel as outlined in Academic Petitions and Appeals Section 2.

1.1.7 – Categorization, Maintenance, Retention, Release and Destruction of Records

The Academic Integrity Coordinator must maintain the records required under these Procedures for the purposes of possible further actions or appeals, the annual report and other uses permitted by University regulations.

The Academic Integrity Coordinator must ensure that the relevant records are filed, retained, released and destroyed only as provided in these Procedures and other University regulations, and in accordance with the University’s authorized Records Retention Schedules (See Section OP4000/5000 Student Records Management).

First and second Departures From Academic Integrity (DFAIs) are automatically categorized as Level I except if the finding is sufficiently serious that the sanction assigned is one that can only be assigned by an AI Lead (See Section 1.3.4.6). If the exception applies, the finding is categorized as a Level II.

Third and additional DFAIs are automatically categorized as Level II DFAIs.

Level I DFAIs are stored by the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity Coordinator in a file that is separate from the student’s Student Record. Information in such files may only be released as permitted or required by these Procedures, when there is a future DFAI with respect to the same student, and/or when a student submits a petition or an appeal, where permitted by Faculty Regulations, of an academic decision (e.g., academic probation) in which their grade in the course(s) to which the DFAI is tied is partly or wholly related to the academic decision. Level I records are destroyed upon the student’s graduation.

Level II DFAIs, including copies (if applicable) of any DFAIs that previously had been categorized as Level I, are added to the student’s Student Record established for the student in the Faculty Office. Such information may only be released as permitted or required by these Procedures or by other University regulations, when there is a future DFAI with respect to the same student, when a student submits a petition or an appeal, where permitted by Faculty Regulations, of an academic decision (e.g., academic probation) in which their grade in the course(s) to which the DFAI is tied is partly or wholly related to the academic decision and/or or with the student’s consent. These records are destroyed three years after the student’s graduation.

Records of academic integrity investigations or DFAIs and sanctions may not be retained in any other files maintained by the instructor, department, or Faculty/School.

1.1.8 – Graduation during Investigation, Appeal or Withdrawal Period

No student may graduate or apply to graduate while their conduct is the subject of an ongoing academic integrity investigation or appeal, even if academic credit for the course(s) under investigation is not required to complete the degree. When an investigation is initiated during a student’s final year of study or involves a course required to graduate, the Faculty of Arts and Science shall make reasonable attempts to expedite the investigation and appeal process before the expected convocation date.

No student who has been required to withdraw due to a departure from academic integrity may graduate or apply to graduate during the withdrawal period.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.9.

1.1.9 – Changes to Course Standing during Investigation, Appeal or Following Decision

Once an investigation has been initiated, no student may drop or request pass/fail status or credit standing in a course associated with the academic integrity investigation. These restrictions will remain in place throughout the appeal process.

Courses that were designated as pass/fail (e.g., personal interest credits) and or granted credit standing prior to an investigation being initiated will retain the pass/fail or credit standing designation.

Following the deadline to appeal the sanction, or after all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, a student may drop the course or request pass/fail status or credit standing if 1) there was no finding (i.e. the investigation was dismissed); 2) the finding was overturned on appeal; or 3) the assigned sanction was a sanction that could be assigned by an instructor and did not include a grade deduction (see Section 1.3.4.4).

If the student is permitted to change the course to pass/fail or credit standing or drop the course because the assigned sanction was a sanction that could be assigned by an instructor and did not include a grade deduction, the finding will remain on file and stored according to its Level I or Level II designation.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 1.10.

1.1.10 – Submission of a Final Grade

If an investigation is initiated near the end of the class or otherwise cannot be resolved prior to the grade submission deadline, the instructor should assign a Grade Deferred (GD) to hold the final grade in abeyance until the investigation process has been concluded. Once the investigation is concluded, the instructor must submit a change of grade.

1.3 – Processes for Investigation of Possible Departures from Academic Integrity

1.3.1 – Review of Documents

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.1.

1.3.1.1 – Delegation of Investigation

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.1.

1.3.1.2 – Initial Collection of Evidence

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.1.2.

1.3.1.3 – Guidance for Instructors

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.1.3.

1.3.1.4 – Dismissal of Investigation Prior to Engaging with the Student

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.1.4.

1.3.2 – Engaging with the Student

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.2.

1.3.2.1 – Notification by Instructor

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.2.1.

1.3.2.2 – Response from the Student

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.2.2.

1.3.2.3 – Meeting with the Student

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.2.3.

1.3.2.4 – Written Response from the Student

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.2.4.

1.3.2.5 – Final Investigative Steps

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.2.5.

1.3.3 – Deciding the Finding or Dismissal

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.3.

1.3.3.1 – Dismissal

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.3.1.

1.3.3.2 – Deciding the Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.3.2.

1.3.3.3 – Contact the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity Administrator

Where there is a finding of departure from academic integrity, the instructor shall contact the Academic Integrity Coordinator to determine whether a record exists of one or more prior findings of departures from academic integrity by the student.

If a record exists, the Academic Integrity Coordinator shall inform the instructor. The instructor shall then indicate on the Finding form that the case is being referred to the Faculty of Arts and Science AI Lead for the assignment of an appropriate sanction.

The instructor shall then email the Finding form to the student.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.3.2.1.

1.3.4 – Deciding the Sanction

If the Academic Integrity Coordinator confirms there is no record of a prior finding of a departure from academic integrity by the student, the instructor shall

decide a sanction from those available to the instructor (see section 1.3.4.4); or,
refer the matter to the Faculty of Arts and Science AI Lead to determine an appropriate sanction (see section 1.3.4.5) if, after considering all the factors in assessing the gravity of the departure (see section 1.3.4.1), they believe that a more serious sanction than those an instructor can assign is warranted.

The sanction must be meaningful to ensure that students understand the importance of academic integrity to the academic community at Queen’s and its vital importance in maintaining the integrity of degrees granted by the University. A sanction must also preserve fairness amongst students in a course or program. The instructor may contact the Academic Integrity Coordinator for information about the sanctions imposed in similar previous cases.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.

1.3.4.1 – Factors to Consider

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.1.

1.3.4.2 – Mitigating Circumstances

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.1.1.

1.3.4.3 – Aggravating Circumstances

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.1.2.

1.3.4.4 – Range of Sanctions that may be Imposed by the Instructor

The sanction should reflect the extent and gravity of the departure from academic integrity and should be consistent with the sanctions imposed in similar previous cases in the Department/Faculty/School.

The instructor may impose one or more of the following sanctions:

a written warning that such infractions constitute unacceptable behaviour;
the completion of an academic integrity module;
a learning experience (e.g., revising original work within a stipulated time period, completing an activity aimed at enhancing the student’s understanding of academic integrity);
the submission of new or other work within a stipulated period of time;
a deduction of partial or complete loss of marks for the work or exam; and/or
a deduction of a percentage of the final grade in the course

Note: The total percentage points of all sanctions assigned by the instructor must not make it impossible to obtain a passing grade in the course (e.g. a sanction greater than 50 percentage points in a course where a D- (50%) or higher is a passing grade; a sanction greater than 30 percentage points in a course where a B- (70%) or higher is a passing grade). If the total percentage points of the sanction(s) that the instructor determines is reasonable would make it impossible for any student to pass the course, the instructor must refer the finding to the Associate Dean (Academic) for sanctioning (See Section 1.3.4.5).

If the sanction includes a grade deduction, the student may not drop the class, regardless of the drop deadlines.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.2.

1.3.4.5 – Referral of the Case to the Associate Dean (Academic)

The instructor must refer the case to the Associate Dean (Academic) to decide the sanction(s), if:

there is a record of one or more prior findings of departures from academic integrity on file in the Faculty/School Office; and/or
after the instructor considers all the factors above in assessing the gravity of the departure, they believe that a more serious sanction than those that they may impose (see Section 1.3.4.4) is warranted.

When referring a case, the instructor shall indicate on the Finding form that the case is being referred to the Academic Integrity Lead (see Section 1.1.4) for the assignment of an appropriate sanction and email the Finding form to the student.

All original documents related to the case, including the submitted work, any relevant correspondence, the Notice of Investigation and the Finding form, shall be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Administrator to be considered by the Associate Dean (Academic) in determining an appropriate sanction. No documentation may be retained by the instructor or in a departmental student file.

When a case is referred by the instructor, the role of the Associate Dean (Academic) is to review and consider the factors of the case only as they relate to the decision of an appropriate sanction. If the Associate Dean (Academic) does not have sufficient information to conclude the finding is reasonable and/or determine an appropriate sanction the Associate Dean (Academic) may:

meet and/or engage in written communication with the instructor (e.g. to make explicit subject-specific expertise that was implicitly used to determine the finding);
meet and/or engage in written communication with the student (e.g. to better understand any mitigating or aggravating circumstances that could impact the sanction assigned); and/or
request additional documentation (e.g. a course syllabus or material referenced in the meeting summary, but not included in the report).

Importantly, the purpose of these consultations is not to re-investigate the finding, but to provide sufficient information for the Associate Dean (Academic) to assign an appropriate sanction for a reasonable finding. However, if, after additional consultation with the student and/or instructor, the Associate Dean (Academic) is unable to conclude that the finding is reasonable, they may dismiss the finding.

All information gathered during this stage that is relevant to the decision should be included as part of the sanctioning decision. If the information gathered during this stage contains new evidence that could alter the finding, the Associate Dean (Academic) shall have no jurisdiction over the decision and shall send the matter back to the previous decision-maker for reconsideration, unless:

the delay of sending the matter to the prior decision-maker would be unduly prejudicial to the student; or
the new evidence clearly demonstrates bias in the prior proceeding that otherwise cannot be remedied.

If the information gathered during this stage contains new evidence that could impact the sanction but does not impact the finding, the Associate Dean (Academic) may consider this information as part of their sanctioning decision.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.3.

1.3.4.6 – Sanctions that may be imposed by the Associate Dean (Academic)

The Associate Dean (Academic) may impose any of the sanctions available to the instructor (see Section 1.3.4.4) as well as the following sanctions:

One or more sanctions, which, when totalled together, exceed the percentage points required to pass the course (e.g. sanction(s) totalling more than 50 percentage points in a course where 50% (D-) or higher is a passing grade);
the rescinding of University- or Faculty-awarded scholarships, prizes and/or bursaries;
an official written warning that the penalty for a subsequent offence could be a requirement to withdraw from the University for a breach of academic integrity for a period of time; and/or
a requirement to withdraw from the University for a breach of academic integrity for
- a (specified) period of time;
- a (specified) minimum period of time; or
- until (specified conditions) have been met.

The Policy on Transcript Terminology for Students Withdrawing from Queen’s University provides information on the differences between these three types of withdrawal notations, including which notations require the student to apply for readmission and which allow the student to resume their studies without applying for readmission.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.3.1.

1.3.4.7 – Requirement to Withdraw

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.4.3.2.

1.3.5 – Informing the Student

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.5.

1.3.5.1 – Finding and Sanction by Instructor

If the instructor decides that the finding warrants a sanction from the list of those available to the instructor (see Section 1.3.4.4), and the case is not being referred to the Faculty/School AI Lead because the student has one or more prior findings on file, the instructor must complete the Finding form and email it to the student’s Queen’s email account to inform the student of the outcome of the investigation.

The completed form supplies the student with the following information:

the details of the finding of a departure from academic integrity;
the reasons for the finding and the evidence upon which the finding is based;
that when the instructor determines the sanction the departure is categorized as Level I and that Section 1.7 of the Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures explains the applicable provisions with respect to the retention and release of Level I findings for Queen’s students and Section 3.6 for non-Queen’s students and those involved in collaborative programs;
the sanction(s);
the reasons for the sanction(s), including how any mitigating or aggravating circumstances were considered;
the student’s right to appeal the finding and/or the sanction to the Faculty/School;
the deadline for appealing to the Faculty/School; and
the University resources available for consultation and the information on the website of the Office of the University Ombudsperson about student rights and responsibilities and University policies and procedures.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.5.1.

1.3.5.2 – Finding by Instructor with Referral for Sanction

When a case is referred to the Associate Dean (Academic) for the assignment of a sanction, the instructor must complete the Finding form to provide the summary of the meeting with the student including any mitigating circumstances the students may have shared, details of the finding, the reasons for the finding, the evidence upon which the finding was made, and to inform the student of the outcome of the investigation and the referral of the case to the Faculty AI Lead for the assignment of the sanction. The completed form must be emailed to the student at their Queen’s University email address.

The Associate Dean (Academic) shall decide the sanction(s) and must inform the student and the instructor in writing of the following:

whether the departure is categorized as Level I or Level II and that Section 1.7 of the Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures explains the applicable provisions with respect to the retention and release of Level I and Level II findings for Queen’s students and Section 3.6 for non-Queen’s students and those involved in collaborative programs;
the sanction(s);
the reasons for the sanction(s), including any mitigating or aggravating circumstances;
the student’s right to appeal the finding and/or the sanction(s);
the deadline for appealing; and
the University resources available for consultation and the information on the website of the Office of the University Ombudsperson about student rights and responsibilities and University policies and procedures.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.5.2.

1.3.6 – Procedures with Respect to Exchange, Letter of Permission and Collaborative Students

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.6.

1.3.7 – Forwarding Findings and Related Documents to the Faculty Office

All original documents related to an academic integrity investigation, including the submitted work, correspondence, a written response from the student, and the Notice of Investigation and Finding forms, must be forwarded to the Academic Integrity Coordinator to be filed, maintained and released as required under Section 1.1.7. No documents or materials may be retained by the instructor or in a departmental student file.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 3.7.

1.4 – Appeals

Information on the process of appealing an instructor’s decision to the Associate Dean (Academic) is outlined in Academic Petitions and Appeals Section 3.

Appeals of decisions made by the Associate Dean (Academic) may be made to the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity and Conduct Panel as outlined in Academic Petitions and Appeals Section 3. Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 4.

1.5 – Cross-Faculty Jurisdiction

1.5.1 – Instructor Process when the Student’s Home Faculty Differs from the Course Faculty

The investigation of a departure from academic integrity shall follow the “Instructor Process: Sequence of Events” as described in Section 3 with the following three modifications.

When the instructor communicates with the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity Coordinator (see Section 1.3.3.3), they must inform the Academic Integrity Coordinator of the student’s home faculty so that the Academic Integrity Coordinator can coordinate as necessary with the student’s Home Faculty/School AI Administrator to confirm if the student has one or more prior findings of departures from academic integrity on file.
In situations where, per Section 1.3.4.5, the finding would be referred to the Associate Dean (Academic) for sanctioning, the instructor will provide the materials to the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity Coordinator who will refer the finding to the student’s Home Faculty/School AI Lead for sanctioning.
In situations where the instructor determines that a reasonable sanction would prohibit the student from passing the course based on the student’s known grades at the time of the sanction, the instructor shall refer the finding to the Home Faculty/School AI Lead for sanctioning.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures section 5.1.

1.5.2 – Cross-Faculty Appeals

A finding of a departure from academic integrity and/or a sanction related to a course that is offered by a Faculty/School that is not the student’s home Faculty may be appealed to the student’s home Faculty.

Refer to Queen’s University Academic Integrity Procedures sections 5.2 and 4.3.

Academic Regulation 2: Enrolment and Registration Priorities

2.1 – Career

All courses in Arts and Science shall be offered through one of the Undergraduate or Undergraduate Online Careers. Students in an Undergraduate Online Career may only enrol in online courses and may be given priority access to these courses. Students in an Undergraduate Career may enrol in courses offered through either Career.

Students may transfer from the Undergraduate Online Career to the Undergraduate Career as determined in Admission Regulation 5.4. At a minimum, a student must have completed 24.00 units and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.60 to transfer to on-campus studies.

2.2 – Students at Level 1 (Fewer than 24.00 Units Completed)

2.2.1 – Programs and Plans for Level 1 Students

Most students entering Level 1 of study will be registered in a degree program, but not a specific Plan.

Those students entering the Faculty of Arts and Science in one of the following specialized degree programs:

Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) (admission currently suspended);
Bachelor of Music; or
Bachelor of Science (Honours), Specialization in Kinesiology will be registered in the appropriate Plan upon admission.

Upon entering Level 1, students may select from any of the courses available to first-year students that are offered in the Faculty of Arts and Science subject to the following limitations:

Those courses in which, in order to enrol, students must demonstrate a suitable level of competency through a placement test, audition or interview with the department or the course instructor.
Those courses reserved for students registered in one of the specialized degree programs noted above.
High-demand Arts courses, in which enrolment priority will be given to those admitted as Arts students; similarly, high-demand Science courses, in which enrolment priority will be given to those admitted as Science students. Such courses will normally be announced in early June of each year.
Note: During the open enrolment period, most enrolment limitations of this nature are removed and any available spots in high-demand courses become available to all Arts and Science students, provided that any other existing prerequisite requirements are satisfied.
Online courses, in which enrolment priority will be given to those students registered in the Undergraduate Online Career. It is recommended that first-year on-campus students take part in the classroom experience to help with the transition from high school, rather than enrolling in online courses.

Note that it may be recommended to complete a specific secondary school (or equivalent) course to be sufficiently prepared for an introductory course in that discipline.

2.3 – Students Entering Level 2 (24.00 to Fewer than 48.00 Units Completed)

2.3.1 – Application for Programs and Plans

All students, other than those in the specialized Degree Programs noted in Academic Regulation 2.2.1, who anticipate entering Level 2 following the completion of Winter Term, must apply for access to a specific program and Plan(s). The Program/Plan selection period will normally take place during two weeks in May of each year, following release of the Winter Term final grades.

2.3.2 – Academic Thresholds for Priority and Eligibility of Applicants

In consultation with the Faculty of Arts and Science, departments administering a given Plan are responsible for developing specific academic thresholds for priority and eligibility of students for acceptance in the Plan in question. These thresholds will be formulated taking into account both academic requirements and the number of spaces available in that Plan. The thresholds may vary from year to year based on the predicted size and strength of the applicant pool. The threshold criteria will consist of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and/or a minimum grade in one or more courses. These criteria will normally be published on the Faculty of Arts and Science website by March of each academic year. Two thresholds will be determined for each Plan:

Automatic Acceptance Threshold
Students whose academic achievements in first year meet or exceed this threshold are considered to be academically qualified for the Plan, and will normally be automatically eligible for acceptance in the Plan.
Pending List Threshold
Students whose academic achievements in first year meet or exceed the pending list threshold, but fall below the automatic acceptance threshold, are considered to be academically qualified for the Plan. The students’ level of performance is such, however, that in limited-enrolment Plans, or those Plans in which complex academic evaluations take place (usually those Plans administered in partnership with one or more departments), these students will be placed on a pending list until such a time as their academic credentials can be reviewed in detail by the Department administering the Plan.

Students whose academic achievements in first year fall below the pending list threshold are not considered to be academically qualified for the Plan, and will be denied acceptance.

During the Program/Plan selection period, students must choose one Plan or Plan combination for which they meet the automatic acceptance threshold criteria. They shall then be registered in that Plan. In addition, students may select up to one Plan for which they are eligible to be placed on the pending list but are not eligible for automatic acceptance. Following the selection period, departments will review the students on the pending list for each Plan under their administration. Any remaining spaces in that Plan shall be made available to students on the pending list in rank order of academic qualification. The Plans of students who are accepted from the pending list shall be changed from the Plan in which they were originally accepted to the new Plan.

Each time a student is accepted into a new Plan, either by their own selection or by acceptance by a Department from a pending list, the Plan change will be recorded on the student record and displayed on the official transcript.

2.3.3 – Enrolment Priorities in Plans

While the departments and Faculty of Arts and Science will make every effort to ensure that the automatic acceptance threshold in any Plan is such that the Plan will not be oversubscribed, should it become apparent during the selection period that a particular Plan has become over-enrolled, the Faculty of Arts and Science reserves the right to move those students ranked lowest academically from automatic acceptance to the pending list for that Plan and require said students to choose another Plan for which they meet the automatic acceptance threshold.

2.3.4 – Late Requests for Plans

Students who fail to participate in the Program/Plan selection period or who are admitted after the Program/Plan selection period has finished must make direct application to the department offering their Plan of choice. They will be considered subject to academic criteria and space availability.

2.4 – Students Continuing in Level 2 or Above

Once registered in a program and Plan(s), students may not be removed from that program and Plan(s) unless they successfully request transfer to another program and Plan(s).

Students should note, however, that departments administering a Plan may impose minimum prerequisites to determine academic eligibility for access to some or all of the upper-level courses (those numbered 200 and above, and see Academic Regulation 2.6 below). These prerequisites, however, will be determined such that a student deemed initially acceptable to the Plan, and operating at a similar level of ongoing academic performance, will not be restricted from continuing. Students who fail to meet these prerequisites will effectively be barred from continuing in the program and Plan(s) in which they are enrolled. Such students should seek academic advice from the Department(s) concerned and/or the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic).

2.5 – Change of Programs and Plans

Students wishing to transfer to the Bachelor of Music program should contact the DAN School of Drama and Music directly. For all other programs and Plans, upper-year students may request a Plan change during the Program/Plan selection period by applying through the Faculty of Arts and Science website. Departments may set, and publish on their websites, minimum criteria for accepting transfer students at various levels of that Plan. Acceptance into a new Plan will be contingent on there being space within that Plan.

After that time period, late change of Plan requests may be submitted through the Arts and Science website until the start of the class selection period. Late acceptance into a new Plan will be contingent on there being space within that Plan.

2.6 – Access to Classes

2.6.1 – Eligibility to Enrol in Classes

Students, other than those in Level 1, must be enrolled in an approved Plan to gain access to classes and become registered.

Eligibility for registration in all classes rests on course prerequisites, corequisites, and exclusions as stated in the Calendar. In special circumstances, departments may waive these requirements. A maximum of 15.00 units in each of the Fall and Winter Terms may be requested during the class selection period.

2.6.2 – Priority to Enrol in Classes

Priority for requested classes is determined by individual departments based on the following three criteria. Exchange students who satisfy the criteria listed below will be granted entry on the same basis as other students. At the discretion of the Department, exchange students may be admitted to classes even if they do not meet these criteria.

2.6.2.1 – Academic Criteria

During registration periods departments may choose to restrict access to certain classes to ensure that priority is given to students in the appropriate Plan. Student access to classes is subject to the following priorities listed in descending order. Priority will be given to students for whom the class is:

Core in their Plan;
An option in their Plan;
An elective, or an option in the Plan beyond the normal load.

Within each category, priority will be given to students who have the specified prerequisites and:

Are furthest along in their Plan;
Are not repeating the course.

2.6.2.2 – Number of Spaces Available

The University reserves the right to limit enrolment in any class that becomes oversubscribed.

2.6.2.3 – Student Participation in the Official Registration Process

Students requesting classes after the summer class selection period, including those admitted too late to participate in the class selection period, will be considered subject to space availability.

2.7 – Enrolment in Graduate Courses

Arts and Science students may be permitted to take courses offered through the School of Graduate Studies for credit toward their undergraduate degree program under the following conditions:

Enrolment requires the approval of the instructor, the Chair of Undergraduate Studies in their Department of concentration and the School of Graduate Studies;
Permission to enrol is only available to level 4 students (84.00 or more units completed) whom the Department deems to be outstanding (generally taken to mean a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50); and
Except in the case of approved combined Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, the same course(s) may not count for credit in both a graduate and undergraduate degree program in which the student is registered or subsequently registers.

Academic Regulation 3: Number of Units in a Term and Academic Year

3.1 – External Agencies

The primary purpose of this regulation is to define the number of units a student may register in during any term. For this purpose, students are designated as having either Full-Time or Part-Time Registration Status in the Faculty. Full- time or part-time registration status defines a student’s maximum allowed course load and is based solely on academic criteria. Students should note that many external bodies (e.g., OSAP, Revenue Canada, scholarship agencies, or other academic institutions) may have different definitions of full-time or part-time course load for the purposes of grant funding, scholarship eligibility or taxation status. If in doubt of your course load status in regards to such agencies, please contact the Office of the University Registrar, or the external agency directly, as appropriate, for advice.

3.2 – Full-Time Registration Status

3.2.1 – Normal Course Loads for Full-Time Students

Full-time students in most Arts and Science programs normally take a total of 15.00 units in each of the Fall and Winter Terms for a total of 30.00 units over the Fall-Winter period (1 September to 30 April). The normal load for students in the B.Mus., B.A.(Hons.)/B.Ed. and B.Sc.(Hons.)/B.Ed. programs is greater than 30.00 units. Full-time students may choose, at any time, to register in fewer classes, or to drop classes (before the published deadlines), such that they fall below this course load and retain their right to full-time registration status in a future term. However, students must be registered in at least 18.00 units in the Fall-Winter period, with at least 9.00 units in each of the Fall and Winter Terms, in order to be considered to be in a full-time course load.

3.2.2 – Maximum Course Loads for Full-Time Students

In any Fall-Winter period, full-time students may be registered in no more than 36.00 units, and no more than 18.00 units in either of the Fall or Winter Terms, including any courses being taken elsewhere on a Letter of Permission. More than 30.00 units should not be sought for the purpose of making up a deficiency due to past failure, or if the student's cumulative GPA is less than 1.90. First-year students in most disciplines are not encouraged to attempt more than 30.00 units. A maximum of 30.00 units may be requested during the class selection period. A student must obtain written permission from an academic advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science in order to take more than 36.00 units in the Fall-Winter period (or more than 18.00 units in any one term), including any courses being taken elsewhere on a Letter of Permission.

3.2.3 – Maximum Course Loads for Internship Students

Students who are participating in the Queen’s University Internship Program (QUIP) are automatically enrolled in an internship course for each term of the internship. In addition to the INTN course, these students may also enrol in one 3.00- or 6.00-unit course only during each internship term, including but not limited to an independent study course.

3.3 – Part-Time Registration Status

3.3.1 – Maximum Course Load for Part-Time Students

Part-time students in any Arts and Science program may take up to a total of 9.00 units per term.

3.3.2 – Transfer to Full-Time Registration Status

Part-time students on a degree program are eligible to register in a full-time course load in accordance with Academic Regulation 3.2 if they have:

completed a minimum of 24.00 Queen’s units, excluding repeated courses, and courses for which credit or aegrotat standing were assigned, from the time at which they were admitted part-time to a degree program or were placed on part-time status; and
achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.90;
or
completed a minimum of 18.00 Queen’s units, excluding repeated courses, and courses for which credit or aegrotat standing were assigned, from the time at which they were admitted part-time to a degree program or were placed on part-time status; and
achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.90.

3.3.3 – Maximum Course Load for Non-Degree Interest Students without Documentation

Students registered in the Undergraduate Online Career as a Non-Degree Interest may only enrol in one course at a time. This regulation may not be appealed.

3.4 – Courses Spanning More Than One Term

Note that for the purposes of determining a student’s course load, the total unit weighting of courses that span more than one term shall be divided equally between the two terms in which that course is operated (see Academic Regulation 4).

3.5 – Summer Term

Students should take no more than two courses (regardless of unit value) at any time during the Summer Term, including any courses being taken elsewhere on a Letter of Permission. This is considered equivalent to a normal course load for a full-time student. Students on probation, with previous failures or with outstanding work from a previous term should not exceed this course load. Students in good standing who take more than two courses should closely monitor their ability to keep up with assigned readings, complete assignments on time and achieve a satisfactory academic standing in all work in each course. Students should be aware of the established deadlines for dropping courses without academic penalty and are expected to drop courses, if necessary, before these deadlines. Taking on more than two courses at any time during the Summer Term does not constitute sufficient grounds for an academic petition to drop courses after the deadline.

3.6 – Registration in courses Offered by Smith Engineering

The number of Smith Engineering courses that may be taken by Arts and Science students is limited, and may not exceed the number of Arts and Science courses taken in a given term.

Arts and Science students may, with permission of the instructor and the Faculty Offices of both Smith Engineering and Arts and Science, register for a maximum of two such courses in an academic term.

Students should note that, in accordance with the Academic Programs section of this Calendar:

a maximum of 12.00 units from courses offered by faculties outside of Arts and Science, including Smith Engineering, may be counted towards the Program and/or Plan requirements of any degree or certificate in the Faculty of Arts and Science;
not all courses offered by Smith Engineering may be eligible for credit towards an Arts and Science degree program; and
the unit weighting of such courses may not be deemed equivalent in the two Faculties.

3.7 – Registration in courses Offered by other Faculties and Schools

With the exception of students who have transferred from another Faculty or School into the Faculty of Arts and Science, and unless otherwise noted in the Plan Notes in the Academic Calendar, a maximum of 12.00 units from courses offered by other Faculties and Schools may be counted towards the Program and/or Plan requirements of any degree or certificate in the Faculty of Arts and Science.

Academic Regulation 4: Courses Spanning More Than One Term

4.1 – Nomenclature

Courses that span more than one term (multi-term courses) shall be divided into separate classes for each term in which they are offered. The class offered in the first term shall be denoted with the suffix “A” and the class offered in the second term shall be denoted with the suffix “B”.

4.2 – Prerequisites and Registration

4.2.1 – Prerequisites

The prerequisite, if any, for the first half of the course shall be that indicated in the Courses of Instruction section of this Calendar. When students enrol in the first half of the course using the online student centre (SOLUS), they will be automatically enrolled in the second half of the course. Note that some such courses may be offered in more than one lecture, tutorial and/or laboratory section. Students will be enrolled in the same section of each component of the course in both terms.

4.2.2 – Registration

Students must be enrolled in both halves of the course to be deemed to have registered in the course. Students who have failed to register in both halves of the course shall, following the deadline to add classes, have the section in which they have registered removed from their academic record by the Office of the University Registrar and shall be required to petition to the Associate Dean (Academic) for late registration (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1).

4.3 – Dropping Multi-Term Courses

Students who wish to drop a multi-term course must drop the classes denoted with both the A and the B suffix on or before the Faculty’s published Fall Term Academic Dates and Deadlines for dropping a course without academic penalty; otherwise a grade of NG (not graded) shall be assigned to the A suffix. If a student wishes to drop a multi-term course after the deadline to drop Fall Term classes without academic penalty, but prior to the deadline to drop Winter Term classes without academic penalty, only the B suffix shall be expunged from the transcript. Students wishing to drop a multi-term course after the deadline to drop Winter Term classes without academic penalty must appeal to the Associate Dean (Academic). If the appeal is granted, a DR designation shall be placed on the transcript for the B suffix, and an NG designation shall remain on the A suffix. If the appeal is denied, the final grade earned shall remain on the transcript. A student may not appeal to remove a DR grade from the transcript. The chart below shows the impact of dropping multi-term courses on the academic transcript.

Dropping Courses and Transcript
Timing of Multi-Term Course	Drop Grade on Transcript: A Suffix	Drop Grade on Transcript: B Suffix
By end of Week 8 (Fall Term)	Expunged	Expunged
By last day of classes (Fall Term)	DR	Expunged
By end of Week 8 (Winter Term)	NG	Expunged
By last day of classes (Winter Term)	NG	DR
After Winter Term deadline to drop classes (upon successful petition to drop)	NG	DR

4.4 – Credit and Grading

The first half of a multi-term course shall earn 0.0 units and may not be used to meet the degree requirements of any program or Plan, or any prerequisite, corequisite or exclusion requirement. The earned units for the multi-term course shall be placed on the second half of the course. Upon successful completion of a multi-term course, the first half of the course shall be assigned a grade of NG (Not Graded) (see Academic Regulation 10). The final grade for the course, including any incomplete (IN) or grade deferred (GD) status shall be assigned to the second half of the course. Note that for the purposes of determining the student’s academic load, half of the units assigned to the full-year course will be applied toward the academic progress units for each term in which the course is offered (see Academic Regulation 3).

Students who drop a multi-term course, even after successfully completing the first half of the course, must enrol in and complete both halves of the course in a subsequent academic period in order to earn credit for the course.

4.5 – Appeals

No part of Academic Regulation 4 may be appealed.

Academic Regulation 5: Auditors

5.1 – Audit Policies

Students must have the consent of the instructor(s) and Departmental Chair of Undergraduate Studies to audit other on-campus classes. In giving consent to audit a class, the instructor will discuss with the auditor to determine the extent of the auditor’s participation in classes, field trips, laboratories, etc. Auditors are not entitled to submit assignments or write examinations. Audited courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of AU; no credit will be awarded. Students are not required to apply for admission, but they must register formally as auditors through the Faculty Office. A fee will apply.

Students may not audit online classes.

Academic Regulation 6: Attendance, Course Work and Conduct

6.1 – Participation and Conduct in Classes

Students must be enrolled in a class to be eligible to attend or otherwise participate in lectures, laboratories, tutorials, online discussions, tests, and examinations associated with the class. Students are expected to be, and at the discretion of the instructor, may be required to be present at all lectures, laboratories, tutorials, online discussions, tests, and examinations in their classes and to submit essays, exercises, reports, and laboratory work at the prescribed times. Student conduct in lectures, laboratories, tutorials, online discussions, tests and examinations must conform to the Code of Conduct. Students whose conduct does not conform to the Code of Conduct may be issued a warning in writing from the class instructor. Failure to conform to the Code of Conduct may result in an investigation and subsequent sanction (see www.queensu.ca/studentconductoffice for information).

6.2 – Submission of Course Work

For purposes of evaluation, assignments and other course work must be submitted in a readable format. Many instructors will require that work be submitted electronically, and will state this at the outset of the class.

6.3 – Absence and Missed Course Work

Students who experience extenuating circumstances that cause them to miss lectures, laboratory work, assignments, tests or examinations, should submit a request for Academic Consideration as soon as the need is apparent. Short-term Academic Consideration can be requested for a maximum of 3-days and must be submitted within 4 days of the onset of the extenuating circumstance. Requests for long-term Academic Consideration can be submitted for 4-days to a maximum of 3 months. These requests should be made as soon as the student's need becomes apparent. Delays will limit the Consideration options available. It is the student's responsibility to contact their instructor(s) to make arrangements for Academic Consideration once the request has been verified. It is also the student's responsibility to catch up on any course material missed during the absence.

If there is a significant effect on attendance and/or academic performance such that the student cannot successfully complete a course, they should consider dropping it by the drop deadline. Otherwise, students may consider petitioning to drop the course after the drop deadline or requesting Credit or Aegrotat standing. See Academic Regulation 10.

Academic Regulation 7: Assessment of Performance

7.1 – Determination of the Final Grade for a Course

The choice of the elements to be used in determining the final grade for a course and the weighting of these elements are decided by the Department. The following elements may be used: the work of the term, including, where appropriate, essays and exercises, class tests, reports, seminar and online participation and laboratory work; a final examination.

7.2 – Scheduling of Class Elements

7.2.1 – Provision of a Class Syllabus

Before the end of the second week of the term in which a class starts, instructors must provide students with a class syllabus to include an outline of the basic features of the class. At a minimum, the class syllabus should include the intended student learning outcomes, a standardized definition of academic integrity and a clear statement of the basis on which final marks are assigned. Instructors should specify the term work expected and weight, if any, that it will contribute to the final mark. Any essential element(s) of the class that must be passed in order to pass the class must be included in the class syllabus. Essential elements might include laboratories, sight-singing tests or a final proctored examination.

Once distributed to students, the syllabus statement regarding the types and timing of the class elements that will contribute to the final grade may not be adjusted if the changes will disadvantage any student in the class.

7.2.2 – Testing During Class Periods

Subject to Academic Regulation 7.2.3, tests in regular class periods may be held by instructors at any time. An instructor may not schedule a test or examination outside of the scheduled class time if doing so creates a conflict with a student’s other officially scheduled class time.

7.2.3 – Restrictions on Assessment

All course assessments are prohibited during the study period designated by Senate prior to the examination period.

7.2.3.1 – De Facto Examinations

De facto examinations are examinations that are strictly prohibited in the last 2 class weeks of 12 week terms (and the last week of 6-week terms) and in the study period designated by Senate prior to the examination period.

An assessment is a de facto exam if it:

is an assessment where the focus is on the demonstration of course knowledge and skills through time-limited response to set questions. Essays, seminars, posters, group activities, or culminating projects are not de facto exams. and,
counts for more than 10 percent of the final mark in a 6.00-unit class or 20 percent of the final mark in a 3.00-unit class.

7.2.4 – Exceptions to the Restrictions on Assessment

Requests for exceptions must be made annually and must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic).

7.3 – Submission of Mid-Year Grades

At the end of the Fall Term, instructors of multi-term classes numbered P01 to 199 (with the exception of online classes) will submit mid-year grades. These grades are made available to students in January as an indication of their progress. Mid-year grades do not appear on official transcripts.

7.4 – Supplemental Course Work

After completion of the elements of the class that contribute to the determination of a student’s final grade in the class, as outlined in the class syllabus, a student may not submit additional work intended to raise the student’s final grade.

Academic Regulation 8: Final and Mid-Year Examinations

8.1 – Supplemental Examinations

There are no supplemental examinations or re-writes in courses offered in the Faculty of Arts and Science. A student who has made a valid attempt at writing a final examination cannot rewrite the examination at a later time (see Academic Regulation 8.4).

Students who because of extenuating circumstances which prevented them from attempting their examination and who received academic consideration during the regular examination period may, with the instructor’s approval, write their examination during the deferred examination period. To defer an examination beyond the deferred examination period, students must successfully petition to the Associate Dean (Academic).

8.2 – Scheduling of Final and Mid-Year Examinations

8.2.1 – Timing of Final and Mid-Year Examinations

The final or mid-year examination in any class offered in any Term or Session (including on-campus and online classes) must be written at the end of the appropriate Term or Session at the time scheduled by the Examinations Office. The final examination schedule may not be changed once the schedule is posted.

Final examinations may not last longer than 3 hours, except in the case of exchange students (see Academic Regulation 8.5) or students who require accommodation requested through Queen’s Student Accessibility Services.

8.2.2 – Scheduling Conflicts

A student discovering a conflict (two examinations at the same hour, three consecutive examinations in a 24-hour period or an examination at the same hour as a religious observance) should report the conflict to the University Examinations Office, as soon as possible.

8.3 – Location of Final and Mid-Year Examinations

The final examination in any on-campus class offered in any Term or Session must be written on the campus on which the class was taken.

8.3.1 – Students who are Enrolled in both Online and On-Campus Courses During the Academic Term

Students who are enrolled in both Queen's on-campus and online classes are expected to write their mid-year and final examinations on the Kingston campus.

8.3.2 – Students who are Enrolled Exclusively in Online Courses During the Academic Term

Students who are enrolled exclusively in Queen's online classes will write their mid-year and final examinations either:

In-person: the Kingston campus (no associated fee); or
Online using an approved online proctoring service (exam fee applied).

8.4 – Extenuating Circumstances affecting Final and Mid-Year Examinations

Students who are unable to write and examination at the scheduled time due to extenuating circumstances, beyond their control (such as serious illness, death in the family), can submit an academic consideration request to write a deferred examination, request an incomplete grade, or arrange other options for the course (see Academic Regulation 6.3). Note that personal plans do not qualify as extenuating circumstances under this Regulation.

Normally students are not permitted to write an examination at a time earlier than the scheduled time.

8.4.1 – Extenuating Circumstances Occurring Immediately Prior to an Examination

Students who experience extenuating circumstances, immediately prior to a scheduled examination, should not write the examination. Instead, students in such circumstances should submit a request for Academic Consideration prior to the examination start time. It is the student's responsibility to contact their instructor(s) to make arrangements for a deferred exam.

8.4.2 – Extenuating Circumstances Occurring During an Examination

Students who experience sudden serious illness during the course of writing a scheduled examination that prevents them from completing the examination, must notify an Examination Proctor prior to leaving the examination hall, or prior to exiting the examination session of an online proctored examination.

If a student exhibits rude, aggressive, or displays inappropriate behaviour during an online or in-person exam, the Proctor can end their online exam session or ask them to leave the exam hall and will submit an incident report.

If, after consultation with the instructor, the examination attempt is not considered to be valid, permission for the student to re-write the final examination may be granted for documented cases at the discretion of the instructor(s) and the Associate Dean (Academic). Alternatively, other options for the student to complete the course may be provided.

8.5 – Additional Examination Time for Official Exchange Students

Students studying at Queen’s on an official exchange and whose first language is not English may apply to the University Examinations Office for additional time of 0.5 hour to write each final examination. They may also bring one language translation dictionary to the examination.

8.6 – Access to Final Examination Question Papers

8.6.1 – Publication of Previous Years’ Examination Question Papers

For reference purposes, final examination question papers will normally be made available by the end of September (for the previous academic year) to students through their publication in the ExamBank, which is available online. Exemptions from the policy for particular examination question papers may be granted by the Associate Dean (Academic) only in exceptional circumstances and only on an annual basis, on the written request of the instructor, and with the signed approval of the Head of Department.

8.6.2 – Release of Examination Question Papers as per Exchange Agreements

Exchange agreements may require instructors to release copies of final examinations, including those exempted from the policy in Academic Regulation 8.6.1 above, to exchange students for review by the home university.

Academic Regulation 9: Examination Conduct

9.1 – Admission to and Dismissal from the Examination Hall

Students are required to bring their Queen’s Photo ID to the examination and to display it at the top corner of the examination table. Any candidate arriving at an examination hall after the beginning of the examination will receive only the remaining time in which to write the examination. The late candidate’s paper will be marked only at the discretion of the Faculty. No candidate will be allowed to leave the examination hall within 30 minutes of the distribution of examination papers.

9.2 – Restrictions on Articles Taken into the Examination Hall

No articles such as textbooks, notes, books of tables, data sheets, graphs, paper, written material, calculators, etc., may be taken into the examination hall unless authorized by the instructor in writing at least 3 days before the examination. Calculators acceptable for use during quizzes, tests and examinations are intended to support the basic calculating functions required by most Arts and Science courses. For this purpose, the use of the Casio 991 series calculator is permitted and is the only approved calculator for Arts and Science students.

Students should bring only essential items to the examination. Food, drinks (except bottled water in a transparent bottle), backpacks, computers and purses are not permitted in the examination hall. Any use of communication devices (including but not limited to cell phones, smart phones, smart watches, media players, earphones, headsets) and electronic devices with memory capabilities or web-access is prohibited during an examination. All electronic devices must be turned off and placed under the student’s seat. The University assumes no responsibility for personal property lost in or near any examination hall.

9.3 – Examination Regulations

A student is responsible for adhering to all Examination Regulations as published by the Office of the University Registrar and/or the Senate. All examination hall irregularities will be reported in writing by the Chief Proctor to the instructor of the course and to the Associate Dean (Academic). Normally, such irregularities will be dealt with under the regulations pertaining to departures from academic integrity (see Academic Regulation 1).

Academic Regulation 10: System of Grading and Transcript Notations

10.1 – Evaluative Grades

Normally, students receive letter grades for performance in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science. The evaluative grades for all courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science are:

System of Grading
Letter Grade	Description
A+	Exceptional
A	Outstanding
A-	Excellent
B+	Very Good
B	Good
B-	Reasonably Good
C+	Acceptable
C	Minimally Acceptable (Honours)
C-	Minimally Acceptable (General)
D+	Unsatisfactory Pass
D	Unsatisfactory Pass
D-	Unsatisfactory Pass
F	Failure - No Course Credit

10.1.1 – Long Descriptors

The long descriptors provide a more detailed guide to what each letter grade signifies:

System of Grading
Letter Grade	Description
A+	Indicates exceptional performance that exceeds the highest standards. The course content has been mastered, the ability to apply the material in new ways has been demonstrated, and an understanding of the wider context is evident, all to an exceptional degree. Consistent performance at this level leads to placement on the Dean’s Honour List with Distinction (see Academic Regulation 12).
A	Indicates outstanding performance that meets the highest standards. The course content has been mastered, the ability to apply the material in new ways has been demonstrated, and an understanding of the wider context is evident.
A-	Indicates excellent performance that meets very high standards. Mastery of the course material and ability to apply the material in new ways have been demonstrated. Consistent performance at this level leads to placement on the Dean’s Honour List (see Academic Regulation 12).
B+	Indicates very good performance that meets high standards. The course content has been mastered, with a comprehensive understanding of concepts and techniques.
B	Indicates good comprehension of the course material. The expectations set for the course have been met.
B-	Indicates reasonably good comprehension of the course material. Most expectations set for the course have been met.
C+	Indicates an acceptable comprehension of the course material, meeting and in some cases exceeding basic standards.
C	Indicates a generally acceptable comprehension of the course material, meeting basic standards. Consistent performance at this level is acceptable for an Honours Degree (see Academic Regulation 16).
C-	Indicates a minimally acceptable comprehension of the course material while falling short of basic standards in some areas. Consistent performance at this level is acceptable for a General Degree, but not for an Honours degree (see Academic Regulation 16).
D+	Comprehension of the course material was unsatisfactory, but sufficient for credit to be granted. Consistent performance at this level will lead to placement on Academic Probation and, potentially, further sanctions (see Academic Regulation 13).
D	Comprehension of the course material was unsatisfactory, but sufficient for credit to be granted. Consistent performance at this level will lead to placement on Academic Probation and, potentially, further sanctions (see Academic Regulation 13).
D-	Comprehension of the course material was unsatisfactory; barely sufficient for credit to be granted. Consistent performance at this level will lead to an automatic requirement to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 13).
F	Indicates that the minimum standards have not been met. Credit has not been granted. Consistent performance at this level will lead to an automatic requirement to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 13).

10.2 – Pass/Fail Grades

A grade of Pass (P) may be assigned when a student meets or exceeds the minimum standards in a course that has been designated for pass/fail grading either by an academic unit in the Faculty of Arts and Science, or by the student as a Personal Interest Credit. A grade of Fail (F) will be given if the student does not meet the minimum standards in a course that has been designated for pass/fail grading. A course that has been assigned a grade of Pass will not be included in the student’s GPA but may be counted for credit towards a degree program. A grade of F in a course that has been designated for pass/fail grading will be included (with the corresponding grade point of 0.0) in any GPA calculation. Other non-evaluative grades (IN, GD, CR) may be entered in accordance with the academic regulations.

10.2.1 – Pass/Fail Grades in Courses Designated by Academic Units in the Faculty

While most courses in the Faculty will be graded using the letter-based grading system, some courses, particularly those of a technical or applied nature offered as part of a professional degree program or Plan, may be appropriately designated for pass/fail grading. An academic unit that wishes to designate a course for pass/fail grading must obtain approval for such a designation through the curriculum review process as outlined in the By-Laws of the Faculty Board, and all such designations are subject to the final approval of Faculty Board. Any course designated for pass/fail grading must clearly indicate this grading method in the course syllabus. All students enrolled in a course designated for pass/fail grading in this manner will be graded as such; letter grades will not be available.

10.2.2 – Pass/Fail Grades in Courses Designated by the Student (Personal Interest Credit)

A student may choose to designate a degree-credit course offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science for pass/fail grading that would normally have letter grading. The intention of such a designation is to encourage a student to explore subject matter in a field outside the program of study, to promote interdisciplinarity, and to minimize the risk to the student’s cumulative GPA.

A student may designate a course offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science in which they have enrolled for pass/fail grading by submitting the appropriate application form through the online portal before the deadlines outlined below.

The following restrictions will apply to the designation of any pass/fail grading by the student:

The student must be registered in a degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science;
The student must have passed a minimum of 24.00 units taken in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s before a pass/fail course can be designated;
The student must be in good academic standing at the time that a course is designated for pass/fail grading;
The student may designate a maximum of 6.00 units for pass/fail grading throughout their Undergraduate and/or Undergraduate Online Careers (excluding any courses designated pass/fail by an academic unit, see Academic Regulation 10.2.1);
The student may designate a maximum of one course per term for pass/fail grading;
The deadline to submit to withdraw a request for Personal Interest Credit is the end of Week 8 of Fall and Winter terms. Summer term see Academic Dates and Deadlines. After this deadline, the student may not change this designation for any reason, regardless of academic performance;
The student may not designate a course for pass/fail grading if there is a finding of a departure from academic integrity in the course;
Only courses that are taken to fulfill the elective or total unit requirement of a degree program may be designated for pass/fail grading; no courses that may count as core, option or supporting courses to fulfill the requirements of any Plan in which the student is registered at the time of the pass/fail designation may be designated for pass/fail grading. If a student successfully completes a course designated for pass/fail grading and wishes to apply it toward the core or supporting course requirements of a Plan in which they subsequently register, they must obtain the agreement of the Department to substitute another appropriate course in its place. If a course designated for pass/fail grading is to be used to fill the option course requirements of a Plan in which the student subsequently registers, the student must choose a different option course; and
Courses offered by other Faculties and Schools may not be designated for pass/fail grading.

No variation from the required course components and grading scheme as published in the course syllabus will be made for a student who designates a course for pass/fail grading. If the instructor assigns a grade of D- or greater as determined by the grading scheme, the student will be deemed to have met the minimum standard in the course and will be given a grade of P.

10.2.3 – Appeals

Academic Regulation 10.2.2 may not be appealed.

10.3 – Non-Evaluative Grades

10.3.1 – Aegrotat Standing

Aegrotat standing is reserved for a course in which a student, who because of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control, is unable to complete all the work of the class (see Academic Regulation 6). At least 60 percent of the work in the class (assignments, midterms, laboratories, final examination, as specified in the class syllabus) must be completed. Aegrotat grades will be included in the student’s grade point average (GPA), can be used as credit earned towards a degree program, and can be used to qualify for entry to a degree Plan.

A student seeking aegrotat standing in a class must submit a petition to the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic) (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1).

As part of the petition decision process, the instructor must assert that the student has met all of the course learning outcomes. If this request is granted, the instructor will be asked to provide an estimated final grade. This estimated grade will appear on the student’s transcript together with a note reading “Aegrotat Estimated Grade.”

A student may be granted aegrotat or credit standing for a maximum of 36.00 units over the course of an entire degree program.

10.3.2 – Credit Standing (CR)

Credit standing is reserved for a course in which a student who has completed all of the work of the class, including the final examination, and achieved a passing grade in the class, but due to illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control, earned a substantially lower grade than might have been expected. Normally CR standing is only awarded for a grade of C or lower (see Academic Regulation 6). A course with credit standing will not be included in the student’s GPA but can be used as credit earned towards a degree program.

Students who wish to use a course in which they have credit standing as a prerequisite for registering in a further class may need to seek permission from the Department to enroll if the prerequisite requirement includes a minimum grade. The Department has the authority to waive this prerequisite at their discretion. Use of a course with credit standing for admission to a Plan shall be at the discretion of the Department.

A student seeking credit standing in a course must submit a petition to the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic) (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1). If the request is granted, the designation CR will appear on the student’s transcript in place of a grade, and the instructor will be notified of this change in grade.

A student may be granted aegrotat or credit standing for a maximum of 36.00 units over the course of an entire degree program.

10.3.3 – Grade Deferred (GD)

Grade deferred standing (GD) is a temporary designation reserved for circumstances in which

a student has submitted all the work in a course, but the final grade is not available (e.g., late assignments not yet marked); or
a suspected departure from academic integrity is under investigation or under appeal and a final grade for the course cannot yet be determined.

The instructor shall indicate to the Associate Dean (Academic) the special circumstances under which the GD is being assigned, and in the case of (1) above, shall provide a timeline for submission of the final grade.

A grade of GD will not be included in the determination of a student’s GPA, and any course with a GD designation may not be counted for credit towards a degree program. Students with a current GD notation on any course will not be eligible to graduate, regardless of whether the course is necessary for the degree.

Note: GD differs from the notation IN, which indicates that a student has not submitted all the work assigned and the instructor has agreed to accept the outstanding work.

10.3.4 – Incomplete (IN)

Incomplete standing (IN) is a temporary designation reserved for a course in which a student who, because of extenuating circumstances beyond their control, has not completed all term work for a course. The student must have participated actively in the class and only one or two elements of the course work have not been completed. Students with extenuating circumstances who have been unable to complete the majority of the work in a class should consider a petition to drop a class after the deadline rather than requesting an incomplete grade in the class.

A student seeking incomplete standing must arrange with the instructor to complete a “Permission for an Incomplete Grade or Deferred Examination” form. The deadline for the work to be completed should be reached by mutual agreement between the instructor and student. Incomplete work can be submitted no later than the end of the subsequent term.

A grade of IN will not be included in the determination of a student’s GPA, and any course with an IN designation may not be counted for credit towards a degree program. If the outstanding work is not submitted by the end of the subsequent term, the IN grade will lapse to an F (Failure) and will be included in the student’s GPA.

In cases where a student will pass the course even if the outstanding work is not completed or the exam is not written, the current earned letter grade may be assigned instead of IN. The current letter grade will be included in the student’s GPA and may be counted for credit towards a degree program. If the outstanding work is not submitted by the end of the subsequent term, the original letter grade will stand.

Any extensions beyond the end of the subsequent term must be based on further extenuating circumstances and will require a petition to the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic) with support from the instructor (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1).

10.3.5 – Transfer Credit (TR)

A transfer credit (TR) is a designation reserved for a course in which a student undertakes study at another accredited post-secondary institution (see Academic Regulation 14). A transcript note will accompany this entry, indicating the university or other academic institution from which the credit was earned, and the degree program to which the transferred course is being credited. For purposes of internal evaluation of course prerequisites and admission to second year only, the TR designation shall be deemed equivalent to a grade of C. Under no circumstances shall the grade provided by another post-secondary institution be placed on the Queen’s transcript.

Students who wish to use a course in which they have a TR designation as a prerequisite for registering in a further class may need to seek permission from the Department to enroll if the prerequisite requirement includes a grade higher than C. The Department has the authority to waive this prerequisite at their discretion. Transfer credit designations will not be included in the student’s GPA but may be counted for credit towards a degree program.

10.3.6 – Audit (AU)

Audit (AU) is a designation reserved for courses in which a student officially attends a class as a registered auditor but in which the student does not undertake any work to be marked by the instructor.

Audit designations will not be included in the student’s GPA and may not be counted for credit towards a degree program (see Academic Regulation 5).

10.3.7 – Drop (DR)

Drop (DR) is a designation used to indicate that a course has been dropped after the deadline to withdraw for that term.

Any course dropped by a student before the last day to withdraw from a course, as specified above will be expunged from the transcript. Students who drop a course between the final date to withdraw and the last day of classes for that term will have a grade of DR placed on their transcript. After the last day of classes, a student must submit a petition to the Associate Dean (Academic) to drop a class. If the petition is successful, a grade of DR will be placed on the transcript. A student may not petition to remove a DR grade from the transcript.

Dropped designations will not be included in the student’s GPA or impact academic standing and will not count for credit towards a degree program.

See also Academic Regulation 4 for details on transcript designations when dropping multi-term courses.

10.3.8 – Not Graded (NG)

Not Graded (NG) is a designation that indicates the completion of the first half of a multi-term course. A student will receive an NG designation at the end of the first term in which the class was in progress. At the end of the second term in which the course is offered a letter grade or other appropriate designation shall be entered.

Not graded designations will not be included in the student’s GPA and will not be counted for credit towards a degree program. No course with an NG designation may subsequently be counted as partial or full credit towards completion of another course at Queen’s University, or as transfer credit.

10.4 – Courses in Progress (no designation)

Transcripts shall note all courses in progress during the academic term in which they are offered. Such courses in progress shall have no designations attached to them.

10.5 – Grade Point Average (GPA)

10.5.1 – Letter Grade/Grade Point Table

All letter grades shall have grade points associated with them, according to the following table:

GPA
Letter Grade	Grade Points
A+	4.3
A	4.0
A-	3.7
B+	3.3
B	3.0
B-	2.7
C+	2.3
C	2.0
C-	1.7
D+	1.3
D	1.0
D-	.7
F	0.0

The grade point average (GPA) shall be calculated by multiplying the grade points earned in a course by the unit value of that course, then dividing by the total number of units attempted during the period of time over which the GPA is being determined. Grade point averages may be determined over three periods for evaluative purposes:

10.5.2 – Cumulative GPA

The cumulative GPA shall be determined using all courses attempted and for which grade points are assigned over the course of a student’s Career (Undergraduate or Undergraduate Online, see Academic Regulation 2.1). Thus, students who change Career will have two cumulative GPA’s on their academic record. The cumulative GPA used for all assessment purposes shall be the one associated with the student’s current Career of registration.

In the case of students who transfer into the Faculty of Arts and Science from another Faculty or School at Queen’s, Dual Degree students (including those in Concurrent Education programs) and Second Degree students, all courses attempted while registered in an Undergraduate Career in other Faculties/Schools and/or taken towards other degree programs shall continue to be included in the Undergraduate Career cumulative GPA used for evaluative purposes in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Unless otherwise indicated in the academic regulations, when reference is made to a GPA, a cumulative GPA is indicated.

10.5.3 – Plan GPA

The Plan GPA shall be determined using all core, option and supporting courses completed to fulfill the Plan requirements for the degree and for which grade points are assigned, regardless of the Career under which the courses are taken.

10.5.4 – Term GPA

The term GPA shall be determined using all courses attempted and for which grade points are assigned during a particular academic term.

10.5.5 – Academic Year GPA

The academic year GPA shall be determined using all courses attempted and for which grade points are assigned during a particular academic year starting on 1 September and ending on the subsequent 31 August.

10.5.6 – Retaking Courses

If an exact course is repeated, the highest mark achieved shall be used in the determination of the GPA. To determine which grade takes precedence when one of the course attempts results in a TR, the TR shall be considered equivalent to a grade of C. If a TR takes precedence it will not be used in the GPA calculation.

A course may normally be retaken for a total of three completed attempts.

10.6 – Change of Grade

The deadline for submission of a change of final grade by an instructor can be no later than the end of the term following that in which the class was offered. If the change of grade is not submitted within that timeline, the existing grade in the course shall stand. Any extensions beyond the end of the subsequent term must be supported by the instructor and will require a petition to the Associate Dean (Academic).

Academic Regulation 11: Review of Graded Work in a Course

Students have the right to review all graded work in a course, including the final examination.

Information about petitions and appeals of instructors’ decisions on grading can be found in Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1.

Academic Regulation 12: Dean’s Honour Lists

12.1 – Dean’s Honour List

Students in a degree program who have obtained an academic year GPA of at least 3.50 at the end of the Summer Term, and who have not otherwise been placed on the Dean’s Honour List with Distinction, will be placed on the Dean’s Honour List.

To be eligible for the Dean’s Honour List, students must also meet the following criteria:

They must be registered in a degree program in Arts and Science.
They must have completed a minimum of 18.00 Queen’s units in the relevant Fall-Winter-Summer academic year, excluding courses with the non-evaluative grades AU, CR, DR, NG, and P. Only courses that contribute towards the Arts and Science degree program will be included in the academic year GPA.
There may be no failures and no repeated course enrolments in the relevant Fall-Winter-Summer academic year.
There may be no outstanding IN or GD grades. All final grades and changes of grade must be submitted by the deadline for submission of Summer term grades, the final date for determination of an academic year GPA.

This honour will be noted on the student’s transcript.

12.2 – Dean’s Honour List with Distinction

For the purposes of determining eligibility for the Dean’s Honour List with Distinction, student academic performance will be compared to that of their peers within the following program groups:

Arts: all students registered in the B.A., B.A.(Honours), B.F.A., B.F.A.(Honours), B.Mus., B.P.H.E. and B.P.H.E.(Honours) degree programs.
Science: all students registered in the B.Sc., B.Sc.(Honours), B.Cmp. and B.Cmp.(Honours) degree programs.

Those students who have achieved an academic year GPA in the top 3 per cent of all students within their program group are eligible for consideration for the Dean’s Honour List with Distinction. They must also meet those eligibility criteria as outlined for the Dean’s Honour List in Academic Regulation 12.1.

This honour will be noted on the student’s transcript.

12.3 – Students on International Exchange Programs

Those students who have participated in an approved exchange program at an international partner university, and who have consequently attempted fewer than 18.0 units at Queen’s University during the relevant Fall-Winter- Summer academic year, may be considered for placement on the Dean’s Honour List, but will not be eligible for the Dean’s Honour List with Distinction.

To be eligible for consideration, the student must:

Have participated in an approved international exchange program;
Have completed a minimum of 15.00 units, and fewer than 18.00 units, at Queen’s University in the relevant Fall-Winter-Summer academic year (those students having completed 18.00 or more units at Queen’s will be automatically considered for the Dean’s Honour List under Regulation 12.1 above). Only courses that contribute towards the Arts and Science degree program will be included in the academic year GPA;
Have achieved a minimum GPA of 3.50 on these units;
Have no failures and no repeated course registrations in the relevant Fall-Winter-Summer academic year; and
Have no outstanding IN or GD grades. All final grades (including the processing of transcripts from the host university) and changes of grade must be submitted by November 1.

The student must provide a transcript from the host university. For the student to be placed on the Dean’s Honour List, the transcript from the host university must show:

That the student was continuously registered in a full academic load;
That the student achieved an academic standing consistent with a Queen’s GPA of 3.50; and
That there were no failed courses, repeated courses, or outstanding grades during the relevant term(s) the student spent at the host university.

The Queen’s transcript must further show that all courses attempted at the host university were subsequently transferred for credit towards a degree program at Queen’s University.

This honour will be noted on the student’s transcript.

12.4 – Decisions on Dean’s Honour Lists

Because decisions related to this regulation are solely dependent on particular levels of academic performance, no part of Academic Regulation 12 may be appealed.

Academic Regulation 13: Academic Standing

13.1 – Assessment

Academic standing is assessed once a year at the end of the Winter Term. All students registered in a degree or certificate program who have attempted a minimum of 18.00 units since the time of admission to the Faculty of Arts and Science, shall be assessed. Assessment of academic standing is based solely on the cumulative GPA in the career in which the student is registered at the time of assessment.

All students who are assessed will be assigned one of the following academic standings, unless they have not attempted a minimum of 18.00 units since the time of their previous assessment, in which case they may be assigned a temporary standing.

13.2 – In Good Academic Standing

Students are described as being in good academic standing unless otherwise notified. Normally this means a cumulative GPA of at least 1.60.

13.3 – Academic Probation

13.3.1 – Criteria for Placement on Academic Probation

A student shall be placed on academic probation if they:

have a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60 at the time of assessment; or
return to studies after having previously been required to withdraw, even if that requirement to withdraw was waived on appeal; or
are admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science on full-time or part-time registration status on probation (see Admission Regulation 11).

The academic standing “Placed on Academic Probation” shall be placed on the student’s transcript.

13.3.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from Placement on Academic Probation

Students placed on academic probation will not be allowed to transfer units from another post-secondary institution for courses taken while on probation (see Academic Regulation 15.2.2).

Concurrent Education students who are placed on academic probation in the Faculty of Arts and Science will not be permitted to register in education classes until they are released from probation.

13.3.3 – Release from Academic Probation

Any student who is placed on academic probation, and who achieves a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 1.60 at the time of their next academic standing assessment, shall be released from academic probation.

13.3.4 – Appeal of Decisions on Academic Probation

Because decisions related to this regulation are solely dependent on particular levels of academic performance, no part of Academic Regulation 13.3 may be appealed.

13.4 – Requirement to Withdraw for One Year (RTW1)

13.4.1 – Criteria for RTW1

A student shall be Required to Withdraw for One Year if they:

have a cumulative GPA of less than 0.70 at the time of assessment; or
are on academic probation at the time of assessment and have a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60.

The academic standing “Required to Withdraw for One Year” shall be placed on the student’s transcript.

Students who are on academic probation and have a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60, and who have not attempted 18.0 units since the time of their previous assessment, will not be Required to Withdraw for One Year, but instead will be allowed to continue their studies on probation, until they have attempted at least 18.00 units since being placed on probation.

The academic standing “Continuing on Probation” shall be placed on the student’s transcript.

13.4.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from RTW1

Students who have been required to withdraw for one year will not be permitted to register in the Faculty of Arts and Science, or enrol in any Queen’s courses, for twelve months. After a twelve-month period has passed students may register by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Science and submitting a Return to Studies Form.

Students who are required to withdraw for one year will not be allowed to transfer units from another post- secondary institution for classes taken while required to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 15.2.2).

13.4.3 – Petitioning an RTW1 Ruling

Information about petitioning to waive the requirement to withdraw for one year can be found in Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1.

In exceptional circumstances, academic probation may be imposed by the Associate Dean (Academic) as an alternative to requiring a student to withdraw. The special conditions that the student must meet in such instances will be determined by the Associate Dean (Academic) on an individual basis.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Associate Dean (Academic) the student must do so in writing to the Board of Studies (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 2).

13.5 – Requirement to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years (RTW3)

13.5.1 – Criteria for RTW3

A student shall be Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years if they:

have a cumulative GPA of less than 0.70 at the time of assessment and have previously been required to withdraw for one year, even if that previous requirement to withdraw was waived on appeal; or
are on academic probation at the time of assessment, have a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60 and have previously been required to withdraw, even if that previous requirement to withdraw was waived on appeal. Note that any student who has been required to withdraw and returns to studies is automatically placed on academic probation under Academic Regulation 13.3. Therefore, any student previously required to withdraw must achieve a cumulative GPA of greater than 1.60 at their next academic assessment upon their return to studies, or they will be required to withdraw for a minimum of three years.

The academic standing “Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years” shall be placed on the student’s transcript.

Students who are on academic probation, have a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60 and have previously been required to withdraw, and who have not attempted 18.00 units since the time of their previous assessment, will not be Required to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years, but instead will be allowed to continue their studies on probation, until they have attempted at least 18.00 units since being required to withdraw.

The academic standing “Continuing on Probation” shall be placed on the student’s transcript.

13.5.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from RTW3

Students who have been required to withdraw for a minimum of three years will not be permitted to register in the Faculty of Arts and Science, or enrol in any Queen’s courses, for a minimum of thirty-six months. After the minimum withdrawal period of three years has passed, students may register by contacting the Faculty of Arts and Science and submitting a Return to Studies Form. All students who return to studies in the Faculty of Arts and Science after completing their requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years are subject to the degree program requirements in effect at the time of their return.

Students who voluntarily withdraw from studies for one year or greater with no course registration will be required to complete the Program and Plan requirements in effect at the time of their Return to Studies regardless of their admission term.

Students who are required to withdraw for a minimum of three years will not be allowed to transfer units from another post-secondary institution for classes taken while required to withdraw.

13.5.3 – Petitioning an RTW3 Ruling

Information about petitioning to waive the requirement to withdraw for three years can be found in Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1.

As part of the assessment process, student transcripts will be reviewed by the Associate Dean (Academic), who may impose a lesser penalty. Any special conditions which the student must meet in such instances will be determined by the Associate Dean (Academic) on an individual basis.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Associate Dean (Academic) the student must do so in writing to the Board of Studies (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 2).

13.6 – Honours Warning

13.6.1 – Criteria for Honours Warning

A student shall be given an honours warning if they have a cumulative GPA of greater than or equal to 1.60 but less than 1.90 at the time of assessment and are otherwise in good academic standing.

The academic standing of honours warning will not be placed on the student’s transcript. Instead, the student will be informed in writing that while they are currently in good academic standing, their GPA is such that they would be ineligible to receive an Honours degree.

13.6.2 – Petitioning an Honours Ruling

A student may not petition an honours warning standing because it is the direct result of a particular level of academic performance. The honours warning standing, as such, does not remove them from good academic standing.

13.7 – Not Permitted to Proceed to an Honours Degree

13.7.1 – Criteria for Not Being Permitted to Proceed to an Honours Degree

A student will not be permitted to proceed to an Honours degree if they have attempted 132.00 or more units at the time of assessment and have a cumulative GPA of less than 1.90.

13.7.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from Not Permitted to Proceed to an Honours Degree

A student who is not permitted to proceed to an Honours degree will be moved into a General degree plan with no further restrictions. The student may request departmental permission for an Honours degree plan via the plan change process, provided they meet departmental criteria for the plan.

13.7.3 – Petitioning a Not Permitted to Proceed to an Honours Degree Ruling

A student may not petition a “Not Permitted to Proceed to an Honours Degree” standing because it is the direct result of a particular level of academic performance.

Academic Regulation 14: Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere

14.1 – Letters of Permission

Subject to the requirements of Academic Regulations 3.2.2 and 16, a student on a degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science may be permitted to take up to 6.00 units of undergraduate classes elsewhere for credit toward a degree offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science via a Letter of Permission. This 6.00 unit limit represents the total number of transfer credits allowed via a Letter of Permission and does not include courses taken via an exchange program or transfer credits obtained for courses taken prior to being admitted to Queen's University. The student must obtain a Letter of Permission prior to enrolling in classes at another post-secondary institution. There is a non-refundable application fee for a Letter of Permission.

The Letter of Permission is issued for a specific post-secondary institution and for a specified term. The student must begin the class(es) in the term specified in the Letter of Permission. Failure to do so will require the student to apply for either a new or a retroactive Letter of Permission in order to transfer the credit(s) towards the Queen's degree.

Students with extenuating circumstances or an opportunity to pursue an exceptional learning experience not available through Queen's may submit a petition to the Associate Dean (Academic) to request an exception to the 6.00 units maximum (see Academic Petitions and Appeals Regulations, Section 1). Note that all student and course eligibility criteria will still apply; these criteria may not be petitioned.

In order to be eligible for a Letter of Permission, students must be:

In good academic standing and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.60 when taking courses at the visiting institution.
Have completed a minimum of 6.0 units on a degree program in the Faculty of Arts and Science. A conditional Letter of Permission may be granted for first year students without 6.0 units yet completed if the mid-year GPA is a minimum of 1.60. The Letter of Permission will be valid upon meeting the conditions above.
Have no more than 3.0 units of incomplete (IN) grades in a previous term.
Students completing their final courses of an Honours degree must have a minimum Plan GPA and cumulative GPA of 1.90.

In order to be eligible for a Letter of Permission, courses must be:

Taken at an accredited Canadian university, or an international university approved by the International Programs Office.
Developed, assessed, and delivered by the accredited degree-granting university to which the Letter of Permission is issued for.
Equivalent in unit weight and have a similar number of instructional hours and duration (i.e., weeks) as a comparable Faculty of Arts and Science course. Courses offered during the December/Winter break are not eligible for transfer credit. Courses offered in a significantly condensed format and/or intersession courses are not eligible for transfer credit.
Completed within the articulation term to which the Letter of Permission applies.
Graded. No Pass/Fail or non-evaluative grades will be accepted for transfer credit.
Must not exceed the regular term limits in combination with Queen's courses.

14.2 – Registration Status

A student who has obtained a Letter of Permission should register at the host institution as a visiting student rather than as a student on a degree program. Registering at the host institution on a degree program will jeopardize the student’s admission status at Queen’s, and the student will be required to apply to Undergraduate Admission for readmission to Queen’s (see Academic Regulation 15). A Letter of Permission issued to a student who subsequently transfers to another post-secondary institution will be considered null and void.

14.3 – Obtaining Transfer Credit

To transfer credit to Queen's for a class taken elsewhere, a passing final grade (50% or higher) must be obtained. The transfer credit, not the grade achieved, will be transferred to the student's record at Queen's (see Academic Regulation 10). Transfer credits for courses taken at another post-secondary institution will not be added to the student's record at Queen's unless the student is in good academic standing. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for an original transcript to be sent directly from the host institution to the Faculty of Arts and Science office.

14.4 – Procedures to Graduate

A student who is granted a Letter of Permission to complete the final course(s) of their degree program at another post-secondary institution during the Fall-Winter academic year, and who intends to graduate in the Spring convocation, must arrange for an original transcript (physical or digital) to be sent directly from the host institution to the Faculty of Arts and Science office by the second week of May. Meeting this deadline will ensure that the student's name appears in the convocation program and that the student's diploma is printed for the day of the ceremony.

A student who is granted a Letter of Permission to complete the final course(s) of their degree program at another post-secondary institution during the Summer term, and who intends to graduate in the Fall convocation, must submit an official transcript (physical or digital) to the Faculty of Arts and Science by the first week of October. Meeting this deadline will ensure that the student's name appears in the convocation program and that the student's diploma is printed for the day of the ceremony.

Note that official transcripts should be sent directly from the host university. Official physical transcripts will be accepted directly from the student so long as they are intact in the original, sealed envelope from the host university.

14.5 – Departures from Academic Integrity in Courses Taken Elsewhere

If notification is received by the Faculty of Arts and Science of a finding of a departure from academic integrity in a course taken by an Arts and Science student while studying at another post-secondary institution on a Letter of Permission, the finding will be kept in a special file in the Office of the Associate Dean (Academic) that will only be accessed if there is a subsequent finding.

Academic Regulation 15: Voluntary Withdrawal and Return to Studies

15.1 – Voluntary Withdrawal

Students may withdraw voluntarily, without academic penalty, prior to deadlines published in this Calendar (see Academic Dates and Deadlines). It is recommended that students consult with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Arts and Science Office before withdrawing. Students must drop all their classes and return their student cards to the Faculty of Arts and Science in order to withdraw from Queen’s.

15.2 – Return to Studies

Students who have been away from their studies (no course registration) for longer than 16 months since they were last registered will be required to complete the Program and Plan requirements in effect at the time of their Return to Studies.

15.2.1 – Exchanges and Letters of Permission

Students who were away during the preceding Fall or Winter Term on an exchange or on a letter of permission (see Academic Regulation 14) may resume their registration without any further special action.

15.2.2 – Students Required to Withdraw or on Probation

Students who were required to withdraw or who were placed on academic probation may attend another post-secondary institution while away from the University. However, they will not be permitted at any time to transfer credits for courses taken elsewhere while required to withdraw or while on academic probation (see Academic Regulations 13 and 14). These students must complete the appropriate section of the Return to Studies form via the online portal to register in classes.

15.2.3 – Students in Good Academic Standing

15.2.3.1 – Not Attending another Institution

Those students who have registered in the Faculty of Arts and Science, who have attempted at least one course and are in good academic standing, who did not attend any other post-secondary institution while away from the University, and who wish to return, must complete and return the appropriate section of the Return to Studies form to the Faculty of Arts and Science Office in order to register in classes. This should be done as early as possible and no later than 1 April of the year in which they wish to return in order to have access to the summer period for enrolling in Fall and Winter classes.

15.2.3.2 – Attending another Institution without Leave

Those students in good academic standing who, without a letter of permission:

were registered in a two- or three-year diploma program at a post-secondary institution, but did not graduate; or
completed a graduate program at another post-secondary institution,

and who are willing to waive their right to any transfer credit earned while withdrawn from the University, must complete the appropriate section of the Return to Studies form via the online portal in order to enrol in classes.

Those students in good academic standing who, without a letter of permission, completed 18.00 or fewer units (including failures) as a visiting student at another post-secondary institution, and who wish to have transcripts evaluated for the purpose of receiving transfer credit, must apply for a retroactive letter of permission. Students making an application for a retroactive letter of permission should be aware that there is no guarantee that their credits will be transferred toward their degree program.

Those students in good academic standing who:

transferred to a university degree program at another post-secondary institution (excluding a graduate program); or
graduated from a two- or three-year diploma program at a post-secondary institution; or
without a letter of permission, completed more than 18.00 units (including failures) at another post- secondary institution; or
hold any other status at another post-secondary institution not described in this regulation, must apply for readmission as an external student (see Admission Regulations 5 and 12). Such students must meet the minimum admission requirements for external students to be accepted, and are not guaranteed access to all Plans, including that in which they were registered before leaving Queen’s.

15.3 – Petitions

No part of Academic Regulation 15 may be petitioned, as this regulation deals with matters of admission to the Faculty. Admission matters are explicitly excluded from the petition and appeals process in accordance with the Senate Academic Appeals Policy (SAAP) under the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel.

Academic Regulation 16: Requirements for Graduation

16.1 – Honours Degrees

16.1.1 – GPA Requirements

The awarding of the B.A.(Hons.), B.Cmp.(Hons.), B.F.A.(Hons.), B.Mus., B.P.H.E.(Hons.) and B.Sc.(Hons.) degrees is conditional on receiving a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.90 in the Undergraduate Career and a minimum GPA on the courses used towards the Plan requirements of the degree as follows:

For Specialization and Major, and Joint Honours Plans, a minimum GPA of 1.90.
For Minor Plans, a minimum GPA of 1.60 on the Minor Plan requirements.

16.1.2 – Total Unit Requirement

The awarding of the B.A. (Hons.), B.Cmp.(Hons.), B.F.A.(Hons.), B.Mus., B.P.H.E.(Hons.) and B.Sc.(Hons.) degrees is conditional on the successful completion of a minimum of 120.00 units.

16.1.3 – Applying Transfer Credits

No more than 57.00 units in the program may be transfer credits (grade of TR) from outside Queen’s University.

For students admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science prior to Fall 2024 who have elected to complete the degree requirements in place when they were admitted, no more than the following number of units in the Plan(s) may be transfer credits (grade of TR) from outside Queen’s University:

For Specialization Plans, one-half less 6.00 units of the total required for the Plan;
For Major Plans, 24.00 units excluding supporting courses;
For each Joint Honours Plan, 18.00 units;
For Minor Plans, as per the corresponding General Plan requirements noted below in Academic Regulation 16.2.3.

For students admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science for Fall 2024 and later, no more than one-half less 6.00 units of the total required for the Plan may be transfer credits (grade of TR) from outside Queen’s University. This rule shall apply to all Plans within a student’s degree program.

16.2 – General Degrees

16.2.1 – GPA Requirements

The awarding of the B.A., B.Cmp., B.F.A., B.M.T., B.P.H.E. and B.Sc. degrees is conditional on receiving a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.60 in the career in which the student is registered at the time of graduation, and a minimum GPA of 1.60 on the courses used towards the general Plan requirements of the degree.

16.2.2 – Total Unit Requirement

The awarding of the B.A., B.Cmp., B.F.A., B.M.T., B.P.H.E. and B.Sc. degrees is conditional on the successful completion of a minimum of 90.00 units.

16.2.3 – Applying Transfer Credits

No more than 42.00 units in the program and no more than the following number of units in the Plan may be transfer credits (grade of TR) from outside Queen’s University:

For the General Arts (B.A.) Plans, 12.00 units excluding supporting courses;
For the General Computing or Science (B.Cmp. or B.Sc.) Plans, 18.00 units excluding supporting courses;
For the General Fine Art (B.F.A.) Plan, 24.00 units excluding supporting courses;
For the General Bachelor of Music (B.M.T.) Plan, 24.00 units excluding supporting courses;
For the General Physical and Health Education (B.P.H.E.) Plan, 24.00 units excluding supporting courses.

16.3 – Degrees with Distinction

16.3.1 – Requirements for Degree with Distinction

Graduation with Distinction recognizes the highest level of academic performance at Queen’s. A Degree with Distinction will be awarded to students who have achieved the following:

a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 in the Undergraduate or Undergraduate Online Careers; and
a minimum GPA of 3.50 on the courses used towards all the Plan requirements of each of the Plans that comprise the degree; and
no failed grades, no outstanding IN or GD grades, and no repeated classes during their Undergraduate or Undergraduate Online Careers.

16.3.2 – Applying Transfer Credits

As per Academic Regulation 10, transfer credits (grade of TR) are not used towards the calculation of any GPA. Therefore, for students offering courses from other universities to meet the Queen’s degree requirements, the GPA is calculated on Queen’s courses only.

16.4 – Certificates and Diplomas

16.4.1 – GPA Requirements

The awarding of a certificate or diploma is conditional on receiving a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.60 in the career in which the student is registered at the time of graduation, and a minimum GPA of 1.60 on the courses used towards the requirements of the certificate or diploma.

16.4.2 – Total Unit Requirement

The awarding of a certificate or diploma is conditional on the successful completion of the minimum number of units required for the certificate or diploma. A maximum of 50 percent of the units required may be counted toward the requirements of both the certificate or diploma and another degree program, certificate, or diploma.

16.4.3 – Applying Transfer Credits

No more than 50 percent of the units in the certificate or diploma may be transfer credits (grade of TR) from outside Queen’s University.

16.4.4 – Timing of Completion of Certificate or Diploma

A certificate or diploma may be awarded together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a degree, or on its own.

16.5 – Course Requirements

All courses required to fulfill the program and Plan requirements for the degree, certificate or diploma must be completed, including appropriate core, option, supporting and elective requirements. If a course is used in the supporting requirements of a Plan, it may also be used in the core, option, or supporting of another Plan. Students are permitted to have an additional 12.00 units (known as common units) which may fulfill the requirements of two Plans.

Note that students admitted to the Faculty of Arts and Science prior to Fall 2024 who have elected to complete the degree requirements in place when they were admitted are not permitted to have common units shared between Plans.

Plan overlap rules as detailed in the Academic Programs section of this Calendar must be followed. In exceptional cases, departments may permit the substitution of other core, option and/or supporting course requirements in the Plan. In no circumstances may Plan overlap restrictions be waived.

16.6 – Petitioning Requirements for Graduation

As decisions related to this regulation are solely dependent on particular levels of academic performance, no part of Academic Regulation 16 can be petitioned.

16.7 – Application to Graduate

A degree, certificate or diploma candidate must apply to graduate during the final year of the program, or at least by 30 April for Spring convocation and by 15 October for Fall convocation.

Academic Regulation 17: Jurisdiction

17.1 – Arts and Science Students Registered in Courses Offered by Other Faculties/Schools

Arts and Science students registered in courses offered through another Faculty or School are governed by the academic regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Science, with the exception of Academic Regulation 1 (Academic Integrity). In accordance with the Senate Policy on Academic Integrity Procedures, the initial investigation of a departure from academic integrity and any referral of an academic integrity case will take place under the regulations of the Faculty or School offering the course. Appeals will continue to take place in accordance with the regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Science. In the case of a finding of a departure from academic integrity, the Faculty or School offering the course will disclose the departure to and consult with the Associate Dean (Academic) of the Faculty of Arts and Science before imposing any sanction. Upon such disclosure, the severity of any such departure shall be assessed by the Associate Dean (Academic) as being equivalent to Level I or Level II and a record of the departure shall be retained by the Faculty of Arts and Science in accordance with the process outlined in Academic Regulation 1. Consistent with Academic Regulation 1, this record may be taken into consideration in determining a sanction were a further finding of a departure from academic integrity to occur.

17.2 – Students from Other Faculties/Schools Registered in Arts and Science Courses

Students from other Faculties or Schools registered in a course offered through the Faculty of Arts and Science are governed by the academic regulations of their home Faculty, with the exception of any academic regulations of that Faculty or School pertaining to academic integrity. In accordance with the Senate Policy on Academic Integrity Procedures, the initial investigation of the departure and any referral of the case to the Associate Dean (Academic) will take place under Academic Regulation 1 (Academic Integrity) of the Faculty of Arts and Science. In the case of a finding of a departure from academic integrity, the Associate Dean (Academic) will disclose such finding to the appropriate authority in the student’s home Faculty or School and will consult with that authority before imposing any sanction.

17.3 – Students Registered in Multiple Programs within Queen’s University

With respect to matters pertaining to an individual course, students registered in multiple programs (including certificate and diploma, concurrent education, and Dual Degree programs) will be governed by the academic regulations of the Faculty under which they register for the course.

Academic Calendar 2026-2027

Academic Regulation 1: Academic Integrity

1.1 – Introduction

1.1.1 – Procedural Fairness

1.1.2 – Confidentiality

1.1.3 – Timing

1.1.4 – Academic Integrity Administrator

1.1.5 – Academic Integrity Lead

1.1.6 – Investigation of Possible Departures from Academic Integrity by the Associate Dean (Academic)

1.1.7 – Categorization, Maintenance, Retention, Release and Destruction of Records

1.1.8 – Graduation during Investigation, Appeal or Withdrawal Period

1.1.9 – Changes to Course Standing during Investigation, Appeal or Following Decision

1.1.10 – Submission of a Final Grade

1.1.11 – Integrity in Action: The Core Values

1.2 – Departures from Academic Integrity

1.2.1 – Departure from the Core Values of Academic Integrity

1.2.2 – Plagiarism

1.2.3 – Unauthorized Content Generation

1.2.4 – Contract Cheating

1.2.5 – Use of Unauthorized Materials

1.2.6 – Deception

1.2.7 – Facilitation

1.2.8 – Unauthorized Use of Intellectual Property

1.2.9 – Unauthorized Collaboration

1.2.10 – Failure to Abide by Academic Rules

1.3 – Processes for Investigation of Possible Departures from Academic Integrity

1.3.1 – Review of Documents

1.3.1.1 – Delegation of Investigation

1.3.1.2 – Initial Collection of Evidence

1.3.1.3 – Guidance for Instructors

1.3.1.4 – Dismissal of Investigation Prior to Engaging with the Student

1.3.2 – Engaging with the Student

1.3.2.1 – Notification by Instructor

1.3.2.2 – Response from the Student

1.3.2.3 – Meeting with the Student

1.3.2.4 – Written Response from the Student

1.3.2.5 – Final Investigative Steps

1.3.3 – Deciding the Finding or Dismissal

1.3.3.1 – Dismissal

1.3.3.2 – Deciding the Finding of a Departure from Academic Integrity

1.3.3.3 – Contact the Faculty of Arts and Science Academic Integrity Administrator

1.3.4 – Deciding the Sanction

1.3.4.1 – Factors to Consider

1.3.4.2 – Mitigating Circumstances

1.3.4.3 – Aggravating Circumstances

1.3.4.4 – Range of Sanctions that may be Imposed by the Instructor

1.3.4.5 – Referral of the Case to the Associate Dean (Academic)

1.3.4.6 – Sanctions that may be imposed by the Associate Dean (Academic)

1.3.4.7 – Requirement to Withdraw

1.3.5 – Informing the Student

1.3.5.1 – Finding and Sanction by Instructor

1.3.5.2 – Finding by Instructor with Referral for Sanction

1.3.6 – Procedures with Respect to Exchange, Letter of Permission and Collaborative Students

1.3.7 – Forwarding Findings and Related Documents to the Faculty Office

1.4 – Appeals

1.5 – Cross-Faculty Jurisdiction

1.5.1 – Instructor Process when the Student’s Home Faculty Differs from the Course Faculty

1.5.2 – Cross-Faculty Appeals

Academic Regulation 2: Enrolment and Registration Priorities

2.1 – Career

2.2 – Students at Level 1 (Fewer than 24.00 Units Completed)

2.2.1 – Programs and Plans for Level 1 Students

2.3 – Students Entering Level 2 (24.00 to Fewer than 48.00 Units Completed)

2.3.1 – Application for Programs and Plans

2.3.2 – Academic Thresholds for Priority and Eligibility of Applicants

2.3.3 – Enrolment Priorities in Plans

2.3.4 – Late Requests for Plans

2.4 – Students Continuing in Level 2 or Above

2.5 – Change of Programs and Plans

2.6 – Access to Classes

2.6.1 – Eligibility to Enrol in Classes

2.6.2 – Priority to Enrol in Classes

2.6.2.1 – Academic Criteria

2.6.2.2 – Number of Spaces Available

2.6.2.3 – Student Participation in the Official Registration Process

2.7 – Enrolment in Graduate Courses

Academic Regulation 3: Number of Units in a Term and Academic Year

3.1 – External Agencies

3.2 – Full-Time Registration Status

3.2.1 – Normal Course Loads for Full-Time Students