Academic Regulations < Queen's University

Academic Regulations and University Policies

These regulations state the requirements to be met and the procedures to be followed for the awarding of degrees in the general and honours Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) program. All requests for exceptions to the regulations should be made to the appropriate reviewing body (see Academic Regulation 5: Appeals). Enquiries concerning academic regulations should be made to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office.

Bachelor of Health Sciences regulations are constantly being reviewed and may change at any time. Current operating regulations will be made available on the Bachelor of Health Sciences webpage.

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 for the Bachelor of Health Sciences program with references to University Policies:

On This Page

Academic Regulation 1: Enrolment and Registration
Academic Regulation 2: Number of Units in a Term and Academic Year
Academic Regulation 3: Dean’s Honour Lists
Academic Regulation 4: Academic Standing
Academic Regulation 5: Appeals
Academic Regulation 6: Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere
Academic Regulation 7: Voluntary Withdrawal and Return to Studies
Academic Regulation 8: Requirements for Graduation
Academic Regulation 9: Misconduct in Non-Academic Setting
- 9.1 - Non-Academic Misconduct (NAM)
Academic Regulation 10: Jurisdiction
- 10.1 – Bachelor of Health Sciences Students Registered in Courses Offered by Other Faculties/Schools
Academic Regulation 11: Transcript Notations

The Associate Director (Studies) is responsible for matters indicated in this document.

The Board of Studies serves as the final body of academic appeal in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program on matters related to departure from academic integrity, as well as appeals of incomplete grades, final grades, requirements to withdraw and other decisions determined by the Associate Director (Studies).

Academic Regulation 1: Enrolment and Registration

1.1 – Access to Courses

1.1.1 – Program Career and Access to Courses

1.1.1.1 Students registered in the online Bachelor of Health Sciences program

All students admitted to the online Bachelor of Health Sciences program or interest categories are registered in an Undergraduate Online career in SOLUS. Students registered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program or interest categories are given priority access to these courses. Online students must enroll in all core, option, and elective courses themselves during designated course registration periods. Students registered in the online Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program are permitted to enroll in up to 12.0 units of on-campus courses per academic year offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences. Online Bachelor of Health Sciences students are not permitted to take on-campus courses offered by any other Faculty at Queen’s.

1.1.1.2 Students registered in the on-campus Bachelor of Health Sciences program

All students admitted to the on-campus Bachelor of Health Sciences program are registered in an Undergraduate Career in SOLUS. On-campus students must enroll in all core, option, and elective courses themselves during designated course registration periods. On-campus students are given enrolment priority for on-campus blended core courses.

1.1.2 – Eligibility to Enrol in Courses

Eligibility for registration in all courses rests on course prerequisites, corequisites, and exclusions as stated in the Academic Calendar. In special circumstances, the course instructor(s) may waive these requirements.

1.1.3 – Priority to Enrol in Courses

Priority for requested courses is determined by the Bachelor of Health Sciences program based on the following 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 program office, exchange students may be admitted to classes even if they do not meet these criteria.

1.1.3.1 – Academic Criteria

During each course selection period, the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office may need to restrict enrolments to ensure that priority is given to specified students in the BHSc program. Priority will be given to students who have the specified prerequisites and are not repeating the course.

1.1.3.2 – Number of Spaces Available

The Bachelor of Health Sciences program pffice reserves the right to limit enrolment in any course required for the Bachelor of Health Sciences program that becomes oversubscribed.

1.1.3.3 – Student Participation in the Official Registration Process

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

1.2 Failure to Meet Criteria for Further Registration for Non-Degree Students

Students who fail to obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.6 on the first 9.0 units of courses have not met the standard for progression and may not take further Bachelor of Health Sciences courses. These students will have the standing “Not Eligible to Proceed” placed on their transcript. Students may not appeal this standing because it is the direct result of a particular level of academic performance.

1.2.1 Criteria for Further Registration for Non-Degree Students

In order to be eligible to continue to register for courses, online non-degree interest students must first complete at least 9.0 units of Bachelor of Health Sciences courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.6, excluding repeated courses and courses for which credit standing or Aegrotat standing has been assigned. Students who meet these conditions will automatically become Non-Degree Continuing students with a registration enrolment limit of 9.0 units per term.

1.2.2 Incomplete (IN) or Grade Deferred (GD) Standing for Non-Degree Students

Non-degree interest students who have been assigned Incomplete (IN) or Grade Deferred (GD) standing in a course will not be permitted to register for further courses until the grades are resolved.

1.2.3 Rights and Responsibilities

Students admitted as non-degree interest students without documentation must comply with all the regulations of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, and may access the Program’s procedure for Appeal of Academic Decisions with respect to courses (see Academic Regulation 5: Appeals).

1.3 – Switching between Honours and General Degree plans

1.3.1 Switching from the Honours Degree plan to the General Degree plan

All students admitted by direct entry or through the interest progression pathway to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program are admitted to the Honours degree plan. At any time, a student may contact the Program Office and request to be switched to the General degree plan.

1.3.2 Switching from the General Degree plan to the Honours Degree plan

Students who are registered in the General Degree Plan and would like to switch to the Honours Degree Plan must have completed at least 18.0 units as a program student and have achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.7. Students who have met these requirements may contact the program office and request to be switched to the Honours degree plan.

1.4 – Students at Level 1 (Fewer than 24.0 Units Completed)

Students entering Level 1 of study will be registered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program directly and may select from any of the courses available to first-year students that are offered at Queen’s provided they have completed the necessary secondary school (or equivalent) prerequisite requirements or fulfill the program enrolment requirements to enrol.

1.5 – Students Continuing in Level 2 or Above

1.5.1 – Selection of Learning Tracks

All students in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program (both Honours and General) have the option of selecting one or more learning tracks. Students may choose one or more learning tracks for which they have interest (details for each learning track are on the Bachelor of Health Sciences Program website http://www.bhsc.queensu.ca/). After completion of 90.0 units (typically at the beginning of a student’s 4th year of study) for Honours students or after the completion of 60.0 units (typically at the beginning of a student’s 3rd year of study) for General students, the BHSc program office will confirm that the student has taken the proper courses to fulfill the learning track(s) and will ensure that this information appears on the student’s transcript. This must occur prior to the student submitting their application to graduate. Students are encouraged to plan which learning tracks they are interested in during their first year and to talk to an academic advisor to plan which courses should be taken throughout their degree. General (3-year) students should note that they may be required to use most of their available option and elective courses if they choose to pursue a learning track.

Academic Regulation 2: Number of Units in a Term and Academic Year

2.1 – 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 Bachelor of Health Sciences program. 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 external bodies (e.g. OSAP, Revenue Canada, scholarship agencies, or other academic institutions) might 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.

2.2 – Full-Time Registration Status

2.2.1 – Minimum Course Loads for Full-Time Students

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program are admitted as a full-time student, which is defined by the University as being registered in at least 9.0 units in an academic term or 18.0 units in a given academic year (which includes 3 consecutive terms, beginning with the first term of enrolment).

2.2.1.1 – Expectation of Full-Time Registration for On-Campus Students

On-campus students will be expected to be enrolled in full-time study and will normally continue through the program on a full-time basis. Extenuating circumstances which cause a student to be switched into part-time status will be addressed on a per-case basis.

2.2.1.2 – Expectation of Full-Time Registration for Online Students

Online full-time students may choose at any time to register in fewer courses or to drop courses (before the published deadlines), such that they fall below this course load, and retain their ability to register in a full-time course load in a future term.

2.2.2 –Maximum Course Loads for Full-Time Students

Full-time students in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program will normally take a total of 30.0 units over a given academic year (traditionally 15.0 units in Fall, 15.0 units in Winter, 0.0 units in Spring/Summer). Full-time students may be registered in no more than 45.0 units in a given academic year, including Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms (typically 15 units per academic term) and are not permitted to register in more than 18.0 units in an academic term or 45.0 units in an academic year without written permission from the Associate Director (Studies). More than 30.0 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 1.9. First-year students are not encouraged to attempt more than 15.0 units per term. Unresolved Incomplete (IN) or Grade Deferred (GD) standing from previous terms contribute to total units taken in any given term. Students who wish to appeal a negative decision to exceed the maximum course load for full-time students must appeal to the Board of Studies in writing (see Academic Regulation 5: Appeals).

2.2.3 – Maximum Course Loads for Internship Students

Students who are participating in the Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) are automatically enrolled in an internship course for each term of the internship. In addition to the HSCI internship course, these students may also enrol in one 3.0- or 6.0-unit course only during each internship term, including but not limited to an independent study course.

2.3 – Part-Time Registration Status

2.3.1 – Maximum Course Load for Part-Time Students

Part-time students in any Bachelor of Health Sciences program may take up to a maximum of 9.0 units per academic term.

2.3.2 – Transfer to Full-Time Registration Status

Part-time students are eligible to transfer to full-time status if they have:

completed a minimum of 18.0 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 2.7.

2.3.3 – Maximum Course Load for Non-Degree Students (online students only)

Non-degree interest students may only enroll in up to a maximum of 6.0 units per academic term. Students who progress from non-degree interest to non-degree continuing students (see Academic Regulation 1.1.1) are permitted to take 9.0 units per academic term. Students who are admitted to Queen’s as a non-degree continuing student are not permitted to register in more than 18.0 units in an academic term or 45.0 units in an academic year without written permission from the Associate Director (Studies). Should the student be admitted to a degree program in a later term, courses taken as a non-degree student would count toward towards the units required for completion of the degree.

2.4 – 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 (refer to course offering Faculty/School academic regulations).

Academic Regulation 3: Dean’s Honour Lists

3.1 - Dean’s Honour List

Students in the Bachelor of Health Sciences 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 the General or Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences program.
They must have completed a minimum of 18.0 Queen’s units in the relevant Fall-Winter-Summer academic year.
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 31 August, the final date for determination of an academic year GPA.

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

3.2 – 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 for all students registered in the General and Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences.

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 3.1.

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

3.3 – 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 3 may be appealed.

3.4 Students on International Exchange Programs

Those students who have participated in an approved exchange program at an international partner university may be considered for placement on the Dean’s Honour List or 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 15.0 units, and fewer than 18.0 units, at Queen’s University in the relevant Fall-Winter-Summer academic year (those students having completed 18.0 or more units at Queen’s will be automatically considered for the Dean’s Honour List under Regulation 3.1 above). Only courses that contribute towards the Bachelor of Health Sciences 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 and changes of grade must be submitted by 31 August, the final date for determination of an academic year GPA.

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 the courses attempted at the host university were subsequently transferred for credit towards the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program at Queen’s University.

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

Academic Regulation 4: Academic Standing

4.1 – Assessment

Academic standing is assessed once a year at the end of the Winter Term. All students who have completed a minimum of 18.0 units since the time of admission to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, or who have completed a minimum of 18.0 units since the time of their previous assessment, shall be assessed. Assessment of academic standing is based solely on the cumulative GPA in the career in which the student is registered.

4.2 – In Good Academic Standing

Students are described as being in good academic standing unless otherwise notified.

4.3 - Academic Probation

4.3.1 – 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
returns to studies after having previously been required to withdraw.

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

4.3.2 – 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.

4.3.3 – 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.

4.3.4 – 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 4.3 may be appealed.

4.4 – Requirement to Withdraw for One Year (RTW1)

4.4.1 – 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
is on academic probation at the time of assessment and has 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.

4.4.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from RTW1

Students who have been required to withdraw for twelve (12) months will not be permitted to register in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program for twelve months. After a twelve-month period has passed, students may register by contacting the program office 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 courses taken while required to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 6.3).

4.4.3 – Appeal of Decisions on RTW1

Information about an appeal to waive the requirement to withdraw for twelve (12) months can be found in Academic Regulation 5.

In exceptional circumstances, academic probation may be imposed by the Associate Director (Studies) 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 Director (Studies) on an individual basis.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Associate Director (Studies), the student must do so in writing to the Board of Studies (see Academic Regulation 5).

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

4.5.1 – 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 has previously been required to withdraw for one year, even if that previous requirement to withdraw was waived on appeal, or
is on academic probation at the time of assessment and has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.60 and has previously been required to withdraw. Note that any student who has been required to withdraw and returns to studies is automatically placed on academic probation under Academic Regulation 12.3.1. 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.

4.5.2 – 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 Bachelor of Health Sciences program for thirty-six (36) months. After the minimum withdrawal period of three years has passed, students who wish to return to Queen’s must appeal to the Associate Director (Studies) to have the requirement to withdraw waived (see Academic Regulation 5). All students who return to studies in the program after a period of absence of three years or more are subject to the degree program requirements in effect at the time of their return.

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.

4.5.3 – Appeal of Decisions on RTW3

Information about an appeal to waive the requirement to withdraw for three years can be found in Academic Regulation 5.

If a student is within 12.0 units of completing a degree, that student’s case will be reviewed by Associate Director (Studies), who may impose a lesser penalty. In exceptional circumstances, academic probation may be imposed by the Associate Director (Studies) as an alternative to requiring a student to withdraw. The special conditions which the student must meet in such instances will be determined by the Associate Director (Studies) on an individual basis.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Associate Director (Studies), the student must do so in writing to the Board of Studies (see Academic Regulation 5).

4.6 – Other Requirements to Withdraw

The Associate Director (Studies) may, at any time, either during the term or after the close of the term, recommend to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program Director that a student whose attendance, work, or progress is deemed unsatisfactory, be required to withdraw from the program.

The Associate Director (Studies) will notify the student in writing of the potential requirement to withdraw, the reasons for the decision, and advise the student of the opportunity to respond to the potential requirement to withdraw. The student must also be advised of the right to have representation for any response made to the potential requirement to withdraw. (On matters of procedure and representation, the Ombuds Academic Appeals Advisors are available for consultation and assistance.)

Normally the Associate Director (Studies) will convene a meeting or video/teleconference with the student (and their support person) and, where appropriate, instructors (and their support person) and witnesses, to thoroughly review the case for the potential requirement to withdraw. This investigation may involve written submissions and/or oral evidence presented by witnesses concerning the grounds for the potential requirement to withdraw. The student must be notified, in writing, when the meeting or video/teleconference on the case will be convened, invited to appear at the meeting or video/teleconference, and be advised of the right to have representation at the meeting or video/teleconference. At least ten (10) calendar days prior to the meeting, the student has a right to know what, if any, material from the student’s file will be considered.

After considering the available evidence, the Associate Director (Studies) must inform the student in writing of the decision to proceed with a recommendation to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program Director that the student be required to withdraw from the Bachelor of Health Sciences program. The student must also be informed in writing of the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Board of Studies (see Academic Regulation 5).

4.7 – Honours

4.7.1 – Admission to Honours

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.60 or more on all courses taken towards their degree.

4.7.2 – Criteria for Honours Warning

A student shall be given an honours warning if they have not met the requirements for admission to honours (see Academic Regulation 4.7.1 above) at the time of assessment and is 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.

4.7.3 – Appeal of Decisions on Honours Warning

A student may not appeal 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.

4.8 – Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree

4.8.1 –Criteria for being deemed Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree

A student shall be deemed to be not eligible to proceed to an Honours Degree if they have attempted 132.0 or more units at the time of assessment and has a cumulative GPA of less than 2.60. A student who has been deemed to be not eligible to proceed to an Honours Degree, will be automatically transferred into the general degree.

4.8.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree

A student who has been deemed not eligible to proceed to an Honours Degree may not register in further classes in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program excepting those that may be required in order to complete a general degree program. Permission to register in such classes must be sought from the Associate Director (Studies).

4.8.3 – Appeal of Decisions Related to the Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree Standing

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

Academic Regulation 5: Appeals

5.1 – General Overview of Appeal of Academic Decisions

The Academic Regulations for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program are designed to ensure that academic standards are upheld and that all students are treated fairly and equitably. The program office does, however, understand that there are occasions in which extenuating circumstances – that is, personal circumstances beyond a student’s control – adversely affect a student’s performance at Queen’s University. The appeal process is available to reconsider the suitability of sanctions or penalties imposed upon a student in light of information brought forward by the student concerning such extenuating circumstances.

In general, with the exception of appeals related to final examinations and final grades, appeals are only granted where there are significantly extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control, which would merit the waiving of a particular program regulation or decision. Extenuating circumstances normally involve a significant physical or psychological event that is beyond a student’s control and debilitating to the students’ academic performance. These kinds of extraordinary situations should be supported by official documentation from an appropriate professional.

Official documentation does not need to outline the specifics of the particular condition or matter affecting the student, but must clearly indicate ways in which the extenuating circumstances directly affected the student’s performance, and should verify that these effects were substantial enough to cause the academic problem. Information on the start, duration, and present state of the extenuating condition is critical to helping the instructor, Associate Director (Studies), or Board of Studies make an informed decision. Further, a clear statement on whether the condition or circumstances have either improved or are being managed so that they will not have a significant detrimental effect on future academic performance is also essential.

The appeals process does not compensate for extenuating circumstances that the student is unable to resolve, or for which the student is unwilling to actively seek accommodation. In addition, the appeals process does not compensate for extenuating circumstances that are actively being accommodated, for example where a student’s permanent disabilities are being accommodated through Queen's Student Accessibility Services. Multiple appeals citing the same extenuating circumstances will be reviewed very closely. This review may include, with the permission of the student, consultation with the appropriate professionals involved to obtain more detailed information. In order for such an appeal to succeed, there must be convincing evidence that the circumstances that affected the student’s academic performance will be resolved within a reasonable timeline, or will be appropriately managed on an ongoing basis.

The appointed Associate Director (Studies) is responsible for academic appeals. The Board of Studies serves as the final body of academic appeal in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program.

5.2 – Contexts for Appeals in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program

5.2.1 – Academic Integrity

Appeals for issues of academic integrity are described in Section 4 of the Academic Integrity Regulations and Appeals Regulations.

5.2.2 – Procedural Fairness

Procedural fairness or natural justice holds that:

students must have access to any evidence and information relevant to the academic matter in question,
students must have a meaningful opportunity to respond,
students have a right to seek support or advice (normally from the Office of the University Ombudsperson),
the decision maker must be free from apprehension of bias, and
the decision maker must provide reasons for the decision based on evidence and the decision must be consistent with the Academic Regulations.

5.2.3 – The University Setting

The University environment is characterized by a spirit of free exchange and inquiry, and the appeal process should be carried out with this in mind. The appeal process should take into consideration the educational context and role of disciplinary proceedings.

Educational hearings are not legal proceedings and should not resemble those of a courtroom. The proceedings should not be adversarial or prosecutorial; instead they should be conducted in an environment of mutual respect.

5.2.4 – The Student Academic Appeals Policy

The Student Academic Appeals Policy (SAAP) provides a procedural framework for proceedings in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program. The expectation is that disputed matters will continue to be resolved as closely as possible to the level at which they originate, and as quickly as possible with careful review. In accordance with the SAAP policy, informality has characterized the administration of regulations in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program as far as possible. However, when a matter cannot be resolved through an informal review, the program’s regulations provide students with the opportunity to formally appeal academic decisions.

The SAAP policy also offers the following guidance on decision-making:

“[All decision making bodies are intended] to ensure that students are treated fairly, but at the same time [it is recognized] that primary responsibility for making decisions about individual students rests with those who are closest to the students, who can fairly compare the individual students to other students in similar positions, and who have knowledge of the context in which the decision is made.

It is recognized that a decision-making body has the discretion to select among a number of reasonable alternatives. A decision that is fairly made shall only be reversed if the [decision maker] is satisfied that it was not a reasonable decision. “Reasonable” in this context means a decision that is grounded in logic. In other words, a reasonable decision is one that is supported by logical inferences from accepted premises and facts. If there is more than one conclusion that may be reasonably drawn from the same premises and facts, the choice of one conclusion over another does not make the decision unreasonable. [Decision-making bodies] shall not reverse a decision solely on the basis that it would not have made the same decision itself if it were exercising discretion. There is a considerable body of Canadian jurisprudence that helps define what constitutes review on the ground that a decision is not ‘reasonable’.”

5.3 – Levels of Appeal

There are three levels of appeal within the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program:

The instructor
Associate Director (Studies)
The Board of Studies

These levels of appeal deliver a decision addressing the academic issues raised in the case. Information on these appeals is available from Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program office (bhsc.appeals@queensu.ca).

5.3.1 – Appeals to the Instructor

5.3.1.1 – Submission of the Appeal

If an academic decision is questioned by a student, the student will first take up the matter informally with the instructor who made the decision, in order to ensure that the instructor is aware of all the facts which the student believes are pertinent to the decision. This should be done as early as possible and must be done within 21 calendar days of communication of the decision to the student.

5.3.1.2 – The Decision of the Instructor

The instructor will normally give a reconsidered decision within 21 calendar days of receiving the additional information that the student has presented.

5.3.1.3 – Appealing the Decision of the Instructor

If a student is not satisfied with the decision of an instructor, an appeal may be made to the Associate Director (Studies).

5.3.1.4 – Matters that may be Appealed to the Instructor

The following matters may be appealed to the instructor:

Instructors’ decisions on grading of term work (see Academic Regulation 5.4.7)
Instructors’ decisions on grading of final examinations (see Academic Regulation 5.4.7)
To request to write the final examination at an earlier time than formally scheduled (refer to course offering Faculty/School academic regulations)

5.3.2 – Appeals to the Associate Director (Studies)

5.3.2.1 – Submission of the Appeal

Appeals must be received in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program office as soon as possible after receipt of the decision that is being appealed, and no later than the relevant deadline specified in Appeal Regulation 13.4.2, Timeline of Appeals. Students must submit their appeal to the Associate Director (Studies) using the online appeals portal and include a letter outlining the nature of their concerns. The student must clearly explain the extenuating circumstances and their impact upon the student. The appropriate supporting documentation must be appended to the appeal.

5.3.2.2 – Review of Appeal Documentation

If material in addition to that supplied by the student will be considered, the student must have at least 10 calendar days to review and respond to that material.

In cases where facts are in dispute or there are issues of credibility, the student or the Associate Director (Studies) may request a meeting or video/teleconference in addition to the written appeal. Students have the right to be accompanied by an Ombuds Academic Appeals Advisor or other support person to meet or speak via video/teleconference with the Associate Director (Studies). If a student seeks formal legal representation, they should notify the Associate Director (Studies) in advance.

5.3.2.3 – The Decision of the Associate Director (Studies)

The Associate Director (Studies) will inform the student in writing of the decision, normally within 21 calendar days after the date at which the appeal is considered complete.

5.3.2.4 – Appealing the Decision of the Associate Director (Studies)

If the student is not satisfied with the decision reached by the Associate Director (Studies) the student can choose to proceed to next stage of review by appealing to the Board of Studies.

5.3.2.5 – Matters that may be Appealed to the Associate Director (Studies)

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program permits students to appeal the following matters to the Associate Director (Studies):

To add a course after the last official date for adding courses (see Academic Calendar Dates)
To drop a course after the last official date for dropping courses (see Academic Calendar Dates)
To request Aegrotat standing in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request Credit (CR) standing in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request an extension of the deadline to complete a deferred exam in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request an extension of the deadline to submit incomplete work in a course(see Academic Regulation 5)
Instructors’ decisions on grading term work (see Academic Regulation 5)
Instructors’ decisions on grading final examinations (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request to write the final examination at an earlier time than formally scheduled (see Academic Regulation 5)
A requirement to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 5)

5.3.3 – Appeals to the Board of Studies

5.3.3.1 – Submission of the Appeal

Appeals must be received in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program office within 21 calendar days after the decision of the Associate Director (Studies). Students must complete the Board of Studies Appeal Form and include a letter that addresses the written statements made by the Associate Director (Studies) in denying the appeal.

5.3.3.2 – Documentation to be Considered by the Board of Studies

All letters and documentation considered by the Associate Director (Studies) reaching a decision will be forwarded to the Board of Studies.

No additional information should be supplied, as the role of the Board of Studies is to review the decision of the Associate Director (Studies) based on the same information available to the Associate Director (Studies) at the time the decision was made. If new material is included, the appeal will be redirected to the Associate Director (Studies) reconsideration. After assessing new information, the Associate Director (Studies) may decide to overturn the previous decision or to redirect the appeal to the Board of Studies for consideration.

5.3.3.3 – Review of Documentation

Students must have at least 7 calendar days to review and respond to the materials under consideration by the Board of Studies.

In cases where facts are in dispute or there are issues of credibility, the student or the Board of Studies may request an oral presentation, in addition to the written appeal. Students have the right to be accompanied by a Ombuds Academic Appeals Advisor or support person to meet or speak video/teleconference with the Board of Studies. If a student seeks formal legal representation, they should notify the Board of Studies in advance.

5.3.3.4 – Decision of the Board of Studies

In general, with the exceptions of appeals related to final examinations or final grades, appeals to the Board of Studies are only granted where there are significantly extenuating circumstances, beyond the student’s control, that would merit the waiving of a particular program regulation or decision.

The Board of Studies will inform the student in writing of the decision, normally within 21 calendar days after the date of the in-person or video/teleconference meeting of the Board of Studies to decide the appeal.

5.3.3.5 – Appealing the Decision of the Board of Studies

If the student is not satisfied with the process undertaken by the Associate Director (Studies) or the Board of Studies, the student can choose to proceed to next stage of review by appealing to the University Student Appeal Board.

5.3.3.6 – Matters that may be Appealed to the Board of Studies

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program permits students to appeal the following matters to the Board of Studies:

To add a course after the last official date for adding courses (see Academic Calendar Dates)
To drop a course after the last official date for dropping courses (see Academic Calendar Dates)
To request Aegrotat standing in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request Credit (CR) standing in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request an extension of the deadline to complete a deferred exam in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request an extension of the deadline to submit incomplete work in a course (see Academic Regulation 5)
Instructors’ decisions on grading term work (see Academic Regulation 5)
Instructors’ decisions on grading final examinations (see Academic Regulation 5)
To request to write the final examination at an earlier time than formally scheduled (see Academic Regulation 5)
A requirement to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 5)

5.3.4 – Appeals to the University Student Appeal Board (USAB)

5.3.4.1 – Submission of the Appeal

Appeals to USAB must be received in writing within 2 weeks of having received a decision from the Board of Studies. Students should contact the Secretary of USAB (USABSecretary@queensu.ca) in the Office of the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel to be informed of the appeal process.

5.3.4.2 – Matters that may be Appealed to USAB

If a student believes that there are reasons for an appeal on other than academic grounds, the student may set in motion the system for handling appeals as recorded in the Student Academic Appeals Policy, by appealing to the University Student Appeal Board.

5.4 – Limitations on Appeals

5.4.1 – Who may Appeal

Only students registered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program are eligible to initiate an appeal using the BHSc program’s appeal procedure (see the Senate Policy on Faculty Jurisdiction With Respect To Student Appeals of Academic Decisions).

5.4.1.1 – Appeals by students who have received a sanction for a departure from Academic Integrity

A student may not appeal any of the following to the Associate Director (Studies) for a class in which any finding of a departure from academic integrity has been assessed:

To drop the class after the last official date for dropping classes (see Academic Calendar Dates);
To request Aegrotat standing in the class (see Academic Regulation 5); or
To request Credit (CR) standing in the class (see Academic Regulation 5).

5.4.2 - Timeline of Appeals

5.4.2.1 - 21-Day Appeal Timeline

There is a 21-day deadline to submit an appeal related to any of the following matters:

To add a course after the last official date for adding classes (see Academic Calendar Dates);
Instructors’ decisions on grading of term work or final examinations (see Academic Regulation 5);
A requirement to withdraw (see Academic Regulation 5).

5.4.2.2 – Explanation of 21-Day Appeal Timeline

Any appeal of an academic matters listed above must be made within 21 calendar days of the decision under review. This timeline is in place for several reasons. First, the 21-day timeline offers students time to seek academic counselling, to write up and submit an appeal, and to collect the supporting documents necessary to the appeal.

Second, the appeal timeline is in place to ensure that decision making takes place in a timely manner, allowing students to continue in their academic programs without ongoing concern for unresolved matters.

Third, the appeal timeline is in place to ensure fair decision making. The interested parties and the original contexts within which the matter originated may not be available after this time period. Over time, instructors, course content, the norms of evaluating course materials, and Degree Plan structures may and generally do change. Furthermore, the supporting documents necessary to any appeal may no longer be available or their credibility may more easily come into question. Therefore, the inability to reconstruct accurately the circumstances leading to the original matter under appeal can compromise the decision-making process.

5.4.2.3 – One-Term Appeal Timeline

There is a one-term deadline to submit an appeal related to any of the following matters:

To drop a course after the last official date for dropping classes (see Academic Calendar Dates);
To request Aegrotat standing in a course (see Academic Regulation 5);
To request Credit (CR) standing in a course (see Academic Regulation 5);
To request an extension of the deadline to submit incomplete work in a class, or to complete a deferred exam (see Academic Regulation 5).

5.4.2.5 – Explanation of One-Term Appeal Timeline

Any appeal of the academic matters listed above must be made by the end of the subsequent term of that in which the course being appealed was taken.

One-Term Appeal Timeline

One-Term Appeal Timeline
Term of Course being Appealed	One-Term Appeal Deadline
Fall Term	30 April
Winter Term	30 August
Summer Term	31 December

This timeline is in place for several reasons. First, the one-term timeline offers students time to seek academic counselling, to write and submit an appeal, and to collect the supporting documents necessary to the appeal. It also recognizes that the extenuating circumstances that led to the difficulty in completing the class(es) are usually not resolved within 21 days and that students require additional time to initiate the appeal process.

Third, the appeal timeline is in place to ensure fair decision making. The interested parties and the original contexts within which the matter originated may not be available after this time period. Over time, instructors, class content, the norms of evaluating class materials, and Degree Plan structures may and generally do change. Furthermore, the supporting documents necessary to any appeal may no longer be available or their credibility may more easily come into question. Therefore, the inability to reconstruct accurately the circumstances leading to the original matter under appeal can compromise the decision-making process.

5.4.2.6 – Appealing the 21-Day or One-Term Appeal Timeline

Exceptions to this regulation can only be granted in cases where extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control render the student unable to appeal within the specified timeline. The student must be able to show that the extenuating circumstances were ongoing. The student must also be able to demonstrate that these circumstances prevented the student from acting between the time the original decision was received and the time at which the appeal was eventually initiated. Appeals of the regulation governing the timeline for appeals must be submitted in writing. An appeal of this type should include a presentation of the specific reasons for the delay and must include documents that support the reasons for this delay. Note that students are not able to revisit the same time period in submitting subsequent appeals. For example, if a student has appealed to drop one or more courses without academic penalty in the Fall Term they are not able to make a subsequent different appeal in relation to that same time period.

5.4.2.7 – Appealing after Graduation

No appeal may be submitted by a student after 21 days following graduation.

5.4.2.8 - Appealing the Same Matter

Once an appeal has been decided by the Board of Studies, students may not appeal the same matter to the Associate Director (Studies).

5.5 – Matters that May be Appealed

5.5.1 – To Add a Course after the Last Official Date for Adding Course

Students must be registered in a course to be eligible to access and participate in lectures, discussion boards, laboratories (virtual or otherwise), tutorials, tests, and examinations associated with the course.

Appeals to add a course late must clearly demonstrate the significant extenuating circumstances, beyond the student’s control, which prevented them from making the addition by the published deadline. A medical certificate or other documentation that outlines how the personal extenuating circumstances hindered the student’s ability to add the course during the published deadlines should be provided with the letter of appeal. The student must also have support from the course instructor.

An appeal to add a course must be submitted to the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program office within 21 calendar days of the first day in which the course is offered.

5.5.2 – To Drop a Course after the Last Official Date for Dropping Courses

Appeals to drop a course late must clearly demonstrate the significant extenuating circumstances, beyond the student’s control, which prevented them from dropping the course by the published deadline, as indicated in the program’s Academic Calendar Dates. A medical certificate or other documentation that outlines how the personal extenuating circumstances hindered the student’s ability to drop the course during the published deadlines should be provided with the letter of appeal. If the appeal is successful, a grade of DR shall be placed on the transcript. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the final grade earned shall remain on the transcript. A student may not appeal to remove a DR grade from the transcript. Dropped designations will not be included in the student’s GPA and will not count for credit towards a degree program.

Students should be aware that if there are extenuating circumstances, other options are available in place of a DR grade, particularly when some or all of the coursework has been completed. These include Incomplete status (IN), Credit standing (CR) or an Aegrotat standing (AG) in the course. Note that courses in which a student has received a passing grade may not be dropped. Instead, students with extenuating circumstances should consider an appeal for credit (CR) standing).

An appeal to drop a course must be submitted by the end of the subsequent term to the term in which the class was offered.

5.5.3 – To Request Aegrotat Standing in a Course

Aegrotat standing is reserved for a student who, because of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond their control, is unable to complete all the work of the course. At least 60 per cent of the work to be evaluated in the course (assignments, midterms, laboratories, final examination, as specified in the course outline) must be completed. A medical certificate or other documentation that outlines how the personal extenuating circumstances affected the student’s academic performance should be provided with the letter of appeal. A letter of support from the instructor should also be included to attest that the student has met the learning outcomes of the course. If this request is granted, the instructors involved will be asked to provide an estimated final grade.

An appeal for Aegrotat standing must be submitted by the end of the subsequent term to the term in which the class was offered. A student may be granted Aegrotat or Credit standing for a maximum of 36.0 units over the course of an entire degree program.

5.5.4 – To Request Credit (CR) Standing in a Course

Credit standing is reserved for a student who has completed and passed all of the work of the course, including the final examination, 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. A medical certificate or other documentation outlining how the personal extenuating circumstances affected the student’s academic performance should be provided with the letter of appeal. A letter of support from the instructor should also be included.

An appeal for Credit standing must be submitted by the end of the subsequent term to the term in which the class was offered.

A student may be granted Aegrotat or Credit standing for a maximum of 36.0 units over the course of an entire degree program.

5.5.5 – To Request an Extension of the Deadline to Complete a Deferred Examination in a Course

A student affected by extenuating circumstances may ask the course instructor that the final examination be delayed for up to one full term following the original examination date. If the first request is granted, any further request to write a final examination after that term has elapsed must be made through a formal appeal to the Associate Director (Studies). A medical certificate or other documentation outlining how the personal extenuating circumstances prevented the student from writing the examination should be provided with the letter of appeal. A note from the instructor agreeing to the extension and stating a revised date for completion of the final examination should also be included.

An appeal for the extension of the deadline to complete a deferred examination beyond one term must be made within the term following of the date of the final examination.

5.5.6 – To Request an Extension of the Deadline to Submit Incomplete Work in a Course or to Complete a Deferred Examination in a Class

A student affected by extenuating circumstances may ask the instructor for Incomplete standing (IN) for up to one full term after the completion of a course. If the first request is granted, any further request to submit incomplete work or to write a final examination after the term has elapsed must be made through a formal appeal to the Associate Director (Studies). A medical certificate or other documentation explaining how the personal extenuating circumstances prevented the student from completing the outstanding work should be provided with the letter of appeal. A note from the instructor agreeing to a revised final date for completion of the course work in question should also be included.

An appeal for the extension of the deadline to submit incomplete work or to complete a deferred examination beyond one term must be made by the end of the term following that in which the incomplete work was to be submitted or the deferred examination was to be written.

5.5.3.7 - To Request a Review of Instructors' Decisions on Grading of Final Examinations and/or Term Work

A student may request a review of any grade assigned in a course subject to the marking scheme set out by the course instructor(s) if the student can:

clearly articulate grounds for reconsideration and identify specifically the substance of an answer where the student feels the mark given was not evaluated fully;
show, in an objective answer, that a correct answer has been counted as incorrect;
show, in a subjective or essay answer, that the response has been under evaluated substantially; and
provide relevant documentation to support the appeal (i.e. course notes, etc.).

It is the responsibility of the student to preserve all exercises, papers, reports, and other graded material for the course and to submit these materials with the appeal. In any formal appeal of term work, the student must accept the responsibility for ensuring that the work presented for reassessment is in fact the original term work submitted for evaluation.

As a first step, the student should request an informal review with the instructor concerned, and instructors are strongly encouraged to consent. If the informal review process is unsuccessful, the student may ask for the assistance of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program office in order to facilitate a review through an appeal to the Associate Director (Studies). This request should be made within 21 calendar days of the grade being received. Usually the instructor will provide a reconsidered grade within 21 calendar days of the receipt of the request.

The reconsideration of the work in question will be undertaken by two reviewers appointed by the Associate Director (Studies) or delegate (normally the Director of the BHSc program). One of the two reviewers will be the original instructor, unless the student can demonstrate bias or other conflict on the part of the original instructor. In such cases the original instructor may be asked to provide any documentation relevant to the review. The review will involve a rereading of the work in question.

An appeal on grading of term work must be submitted within 21 calendar days after the student has received the mark from the instructor.

The reconsidered grade, which may be different from the original grade, may not be further appealed to the Board of Studies, as the Board has no academic jurisdiction.

5.5.8 – To Request to Waive a Requirement to Withdraw for One Year

Appeals requesting that a requirement to withdraw be waived must clearly demonstrate how significantly extenuating circumstances, beyond the student’s control, affected their academic performance. In cases where the extenuating circumstances have been temporary, the student should indicate and document how the circumstances have been overcome and why the student is confident that they will not continue to be a factor in academic performance. In cases where the extenuating circumstances are ongoing rather than temporary, the student should also indicate and document how these personal challenges will be managed if the requirement to withdraw is waived. A medical certificate or other official documentation that demonstrates the impact of the extenuating circumstances should be provided with the letter of appeal.

If the requirement to withdraw is waived, the Associate Director (Studies) may impose conditions governing the student’s subsequent registration. In these cases, at the discretion of the Associate Director (Studies), the student’s registration status may be changed from full-time to part-time, or the student may be required to seek the permission of the Associate Director (Studies) in order to register.

In all cases a notation indicating the requirement to withdraw will remain on the transcript, in accordance with the Senate’s Policy on Transcript Terminology for Students Withdrawing from Queen’s University. If the requirement to withdraw is waived, then a notation to that effect shall be added to the transcript.

5.5.9 – To Request to Waive a Requirement to Withdraw for a Minimum of Three Years

5.5.9.1 – Appeals Submitted Within 21 Days of Notification of RTW3 Standing

If a student is within 12.0 units of completion of a degree, that student’s case will be reviewed by the Associate Director (Studies), who may impose a lesser sanction. In exceptional circumstances, academic probation may be imposed by the Associate Director (Studies) as an alternative to requiring a student to withdraw. The special conditions which the student must meet in such instances will be determined by the Associate Director (Studies) on an individual basis (see Academic Regulation 5). If a lesser sanction is imposed the requirement to withdraw notation will be removed from the transcript.

An appeal of the requirement to withdraw must be submitted within 21 calendar days of the receipt of the letter from the Associate Director (Studies) informing the student of the decision that the student must withdraw. Further appeals to the Associate Director (Studies) for a requirement to withdraw for a minimum of three years will not be entertained until the full three years have elapsed.

5.5.9.2 – Appeals Submitted After the Three Year Withdrawal Period

After the minimum withdrawal period of three years, a student who wishes to return to the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program must appeal to the Associate Director (Studies). The appeal should contain a completed Return to Studies Form, an outline of what the student has done during the period of withdrawal and a viable academic plan for the completion of their degree program. The appeal should provide evidence of their capability to succeed in the proposed academic plan.

An appeal of the requirement to withdraw may be submitted at any time after the minimum withdrawal period of three years has elapsed.

Academic Regulation 6: Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere

6.1 – Letters of Permission

Subject to the requirements of Academic Regulation 8, a student registered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree program may be permitted to take undergraduate classes elsewhere for credit toward a degree offered by the program. The student must obtain a letter of permission from the Bachelor of Health Sciences program prior to enrolling in classes at another post-secondary institution. There is a non-refundable application fee for a letter of permission, which is issued for a specified post-secondary institution and for a specified term.

To obtain a letter of permission, a student must be in good academic standing (see Academic Regulation 4), have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.60, and have completed a minimum of 12.0 units within the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

Letters of permission may be issued at the discretion of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program Associate Director (Studies) for no more than 20% of the core and option courses in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

Letters of permission may be issued at the discretion of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program Associate Director (Studies) for no more than 50% of the elective courses in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program.

6.2 – Conditional Letters of Permission: Level 1 Students

A student who has completed fewer than 24.0 units may apply for a conditional letter of permission if their cumulative GPA (including mid-year grades on multi-term courses) is at least 1.60 on a minimum of three courses for which evaluative grades are granted. If the student fails to be in good academic standing following the assessment period at the end of the Winter Term (see Academic Regulation 4), the conditional letter of permission will be considered null and void, and the student will not be permitted to transfer any units taken at another post-secondary institution.

6.3 - Students Required to Withdraw or on Probation

Courses taken at other post-secondary institutions by the Bachelor of Health Sciences program students while on academic probation or under a requirement to withdraw will not be transferred to Queen’s (see Academic Regulations 7 and 4).

6.4 – Level 3 and 4 Students

Normally the last two years of an honours degree are taken within the Bachelor of Health Sciences program at Queen’s. A student in Level 3 or 4 may transfer credits totaling no more than 20% of either core or option courses for credit towards the Bachelor of Health Sciences program degree.

6.5 -Transfer Credit (TR)

A transfer credit (TR) designation is 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. In the case of transfer credit for International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), CEGEP, or A-Level (GCE) courses, grades of A or B may also be deemed equivalent depending on student performance. 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 appeal to the instructor of the class if the prerequisite requirement includes a grade higher than C. The course instructor 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.

6.6 – Obtaining Transfer Credit

To transfer credit to Queen’s for a class taken elsewhere, a passing final grade equivalent to at least C at Queen’s (minimum grade of 63 on percentage-based scale) must be obtained, unless otherwise stated on the letter of permission. The transfer credit, not the grade achieved, will be transferred to the student’s record at Queen’s. 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 submit an original transcript in a sealed envelope directly from the host institution to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program. The original transcript will be maintained on file in the Office of the University Registrar.

6.6.1 – Transfer Credits for Upper Year Transfer and Second Degree Students

For upper-year transfer from post-secondary institutions, a maximum of 24.0 course units may be transfer credits (grade of TR) from outside Queen’s University. All 24.0 units may be transferred as elective courses or can be made up of a combination of core, option, and elective units, up to a maximum of 12.0 units for core courses and 6.0 units for option courses.

6.6.2 – Transfer Credits for College Applicants

6.6.2.1 – Applicants from College programs that have an Articulation Agreement with Queen’s BHSc

Applicants presenting a certificate in specified programs with which Queen’s BHSc has an articulation agreement are eligible to receive 12.0 units of transfer credits: ANAT 100/3.0, CHEM 113/3.0, CHEM 114/3.0, and 100 level unspecified transfer credit/3.0).

6.6.2.2 – Applicants from all other College programs

Applicants presenting a 2-year diploma (or 2 years of a 3-year diploma) entering the Bachelor of Health Sciences program are eligible to receive up to 18.0 units of unspecified transfer credit. Applicants presenting a 3-year diploma, 3 years of a 4-year degree, or a 4-year degree entering the Bachelor of Health Sciences program eligible to receive up to 24.0 units of unspecified transfer credit.

6.6.3 Transfer Credits for Courses Completed in High School

6.6.3.1 – Advanced Placement

A maximum of 18.0 units may be granted for Advanced Placement examinations passed with a grade of 4 or higher. Official examination results must be forwarded to Undergraduate Admission. A course transfer notation of TR will be placed on the transcript.

In no case shall an evaluative grade be placed on the transcript for a transfer credit.

6.6.3.2 – General Certificate of Education (GCE) Systems

Candidates from systems offering the General Certificate of Education must normally offer seven subjects, at least three of which must be at the Advanced Level (excluding the General Paper). To be eligible for consideration, grades at both the Advanced and Ordinary Levels must not be lower than C. A maximum of 18.0 units may be granted for A-Level courses completed with a grade of B or higher. A course transfer notation of TR will be placed on the transcript.

In no case shall an evaluative grade be placed on the transcript for a transfer credit.

6.6.3.3 – International Baccalaureate (IB) System

Candidates completing the International Baccalaureate diploma may be considered for admission provided they pass six subjects, with at least three at the Higher Level (HL), and accumulate a minimum total grade of 28, exclusive of bonus points. Whether or not the IB diploma has been completed, a maximum of 18.0 units may be granted for HL courses completed with a score of 5 or greater.

A course transfer notation of TR will be placed on the transcript.

In no case shall an evaluative grade be placed on the transcript for a transfer credit.

6.6.3.4 – French Baccalauréat System

Candidates who successfully complete the full Baccalauréat S diploma program may be considered for admission, and may be eligible to receive a maximum of 18.0 units for courses completed with a score of 12 or greater. A course transfer notation of TR will be placed on the transcript.

In no case shall an evaluative grade be placed on the transcript for a transfer credit.

6.6.3.5 – Cambrian Pre-University

A maximum of 18.0 units may be granted for Pre-U courses completed with a grade of B (M3) or higher. A course transfer notation of TR will be placed on the transcript. In no case shall an evaluative grade be placed on the transcript for a transfer credit.

6.6 Transfer Credit for Courses Completed Through Participation with an International Exchange Partner

Students who have participated in an international exchange with an approved BHSc program partner may be eligible to receive credit for courses taken during exchange, pending Queen’s approval. Transfer credit assessment for exchange is completed through consultation with BHSc Program Office. Transcript notations will include the exchange school and a notation of TR will be placed on the transcript instead of a letter grade if the student receives a passing grade (equivalent to D- at Queen’s or minimum grade of 50 on percentage-based scale).

In no case shall an evaluative grade be placed on the Queen’s transcript for a transfer credit.

6.7 – 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 submit an official transcript in a sealed envelope to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program 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 to the program office by the first week of October. Meeting this deadline will ensure that student’s name appears in the convocation program and that the student’s diploma is printed for the day of the ceremony.

Academic Regulation 7: Voluntary Withdrawal and Return to Studies

7.1 – Voluntary Withdrawal

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

7.2 – Return to Studies

7.2.1 –Exchanges and Letters of Permission

Students who were away during the preceding Fall, Winter, or Summer Term on an exchange or a letter of permission (see Academic Regulation 6) may resume their registration without any further special action.

7.2.2 – Students Required to Withdraw or on Probation

Students who were required to withdraw for one year 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 Regulation 4). These students must complete and return the appropriate section of the Return to Studies form to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office in order to register in classes.

Students who were required to withdraw for a minimum of three (3) years must further appeal to the Associate Director (Studies) (see Academic Regulation 4) in order to register in classes once at least three (3) years have elapsed.

7.2.3 – Students in Good Academic Standing

7.2.3.1 – Not Attending another Institution

Those students who have registered in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, 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 Associate Director (Studies) in order to register in classes.

7.2.3.2 – Attending another Institution without Leave

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

completed 18.0 or fewer university-level units (including failures) at another post-secondary institution or
were registered in a two- or three-year diploma program at a post-secondary institution, but did not graduate and who are willing to waive their right to any transfer credit earned while withdrawn from the University must complete and return the appropriate section of the Return to Studies form to the Associate Director (Studies) in order to register in classes.

A student who has completed 9.0 or fewer university-level units (including failures) at another post-secondary institution during the Queen’s University Summer Term directly preceding the current Fall Term only may 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. In all other cases, if a student without a letter of permission has taken units during the academic year and wishes to have transcripts evaluated for the purpose of receiving transfer credit from another institution, they must instead apply for readmission as an external student (see Admission Regulations 5). Such students must meet the minimum admission requirements for external students to be accepted. Such students are not guaranteed access to the degree program, including that in which they were registered before leaving Queen’s. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that such students speak to a Bachelor of Health Sciences program academic advisor before applying through Undergraduate Admission.

Those students in good academic standing who:

transferred to a university degree program at another post-secondary institution (excluding a graduate program),
graduated from a two- or three-year diploma program at a post-secondary institution,
without a letter of permission, completed more than 18.0 university-level 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). Such students must meet the minimum admission requirements for external students to be accepted. Such students are also not guaranteed access to the degree program, including that in which they were registered before leaving Queen’s.

7.3 – Appeals

No part of Academic Regulation 7 may be appealed, as this regulation deals with matters of admission to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program. Admission matters are explicitly excluded from the appeals process in accordance with the Student Academic Appeals Policy (SAAS).

Academic Regulation 8: Requirements for Graduation

8.1 – Honours Degrees

8.1.1 - GPA Requirements

The awarding of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) degree is conditional on receiving a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.60 in the program.

8.1.2 – Total Unit Requirement

The awarding of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) degree is conditional on the successful completion of a minimum of 120.0 units.

8.1.3 – Applying Transfer Credits

A maximum of 24 units may be transfer credits from outside Queen's University. All 24 units may be transferred as elective courses or can be made up of a combination of core, option, and elective units, up to a maximum of 12.0 units for core courses and 6.0 units for option courses.

8.2 – Three-Year General Degrees

8.2.1 – GPA Requirements

The awarding of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (General) degree 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.

8.2.2 – Total Unit Requirement

The awarding of the Bachelor of Health Sciences (General) degree is conditional on the successful completion of a minimum of 90.0 units.

8.2.3 – Applying Transfer Credits

A maximum of 18 units may be transfer credits from outside Queen's University. All 18 units may be transferred as elective courses or can be made up of a combination of core, option, and elective units, up to a maximum of 9.0 units for core courses and 6.0 units for option courses.

As per Academic Regulation 6.5 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.

8.3 – Degrees with Distinction

8.3.1 – 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
a minimum GPA of 3.50 on the courses used towards all the Plan requirements of the degree, and
no failed grades, no outstanding IN or GD grades, and no repeated classes

8.3.2 – Applying Transfer Credits

As per Academic Regulation 6.5, 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.

8.5 – Course Requirements

All courses required to fulfill the program requirements for the degree must be completed, including appropriate core, option, and elective requirements. Plan overlap rules as detailed in the Academic Degree Programs section of this Calendar must be followed. In exceptional cases, departments may permit the substitution of other core, option, and/or elective course requirements in the degree program.

8.6 – Appeal of Decisions on Requirements for Graduation

As decisions related to this regulation are solely dependent on particular levels of academic performance, no part of Academic Regulation 8 can be appealed.

8.7 – Application to Graduate

A degree 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 9: Misconduct in Non-Academic Setting

9.1 - Non-Academic Misconduct (NAM)

As a Queen's student, you are expected to adhere to and promote the University's core values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and personal responsibility in all aspects of University life. Non-Academic Misconduct (NAM) refers to the behaviours that contradict these core values and that violate the behavioural expectations outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and supporting policies. See policies on Non-Academic Misconduct.

Academic Regulation 10: Jurisdiction

10.1 – Bachelor of Health Sciences Students Registered in Courses Offered by Other Faculties/Schools

Bachelor of Health Sciences students registered in courses offered through another Faculty or School are governed by the academic regulations of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, with the exception of policies and processes outlined in the Academic Integrity Regulations. 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 Bachelor of Health Sciences program. 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 Director (Studies) of the Bachelor of Health Sciences program before imposing any sanction. Upon such disclosure, the severity of any such departure shall be assessed by the Associate Director (Studies) as being equivalent to Level I or Level II and a record of the departure shall be retained by the Bachelor of Health Sciences program in accordance with the process outlined in the Academic Integrity Regulations. Consistent with the Academic Integrity Regulations, this record may be taken into consideration in determining a sanction were a further finding of a departure from academic integrity to occur.

Academic Regulation 11: Transcript Notations

11.1 – Course Designated as Pass/Fail by the Student (Personal Interest Credit)

A student may choose to designate a non-Health Sciences elective that would normally have letter grading for pass/fail grading, designating the course as a Personal Interest Credit (PIC), subject to the policies of the Faculty or School offering the course. Note that this policy applies to courses taken at Queen’s University only.

The intention of such a designation is to encourage a student to explore a wide variety of subject matter and to promote interdisciplinarity.

A student may designate a course in which they have enrolled for pass/fail grading by submitting the appropriate application form to the Bachelor of Health Sciences program office before the deadline to drop the course without academic penalty, as indicated in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Sessional Dates, in each term.

Personal Interest Credits may not be applied for retroactively. Once the academic deadline to drop a class has passed for a specific term, students may no longer designate a course in that term for pass/fail grading.

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

The student must have passed a minimum of 24.0 units 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 6.0 units as a PIC throughout their degree program (excluding any courses designated pass/fail by an academic unit). The 6.0 unit total includes any units designated for pass/fail grading that result in a failing grade.
The student may designate a maximum of one course per term as a PIC.
Once a course has been designated as a PIC, the student may change this designation only up to the deadline to drop the course without academic penalty, as indicated in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Sessional Dates, in each term. In the case of multi-term courses, the student may change the designation up to the deadline for the B half of the course. After this deadline, the student may not change this designation for any reason, regardless of academic performance.
The student may not designate a course as a PIC if there is a finding of a departure from academic integrity in the course.
Only non-Health Sciences elective courses may be designated for pass/fail grading; no core or option courses, as indicated by the Bachelor of Health Sciences curriculum, may be designated as a PIC.
Courses offered by other Faculties and Schools are subject to the policies of that Faculty or School. The Faculty, School, or Department offering the course will determine whether the course is eligible to be designated as a PIC.
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 as a PIC. 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.
Any course designated for as a PIC that results in a failing grade will be included in the student’s GPA (see Pass/Fail Grades). No part of this regulation may be appealed.

11.2 –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. 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. Unless otherwise indicated in the academic regulations, when reference is made to a GPA, a cumulative GPA is indicated.

11.3 – Term GPA

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

11.4 – 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.

11.5 – 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.

Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Academic Regulations and University Policies

Academic Regulation 1: Enrolment and Registration

1.1 – Access to Courses

1.1.1 – Program Career and Access to Courses

1.1.1.1 Students registered in the online Bachelor of Health Sciences program

1.1.1.2 Students registered in the on-campus Bachelor of Health Sciences program

1.1.2 – Eligibility to Enrol in Courses

1.1.3 – Priority to Enrol in Courses

1.1.3.1 – Academic Criteria

1.1.3.2 – Number of Spaces Available

1.1.3.3 – Student Participation in the Official Registration Process

1.2 Failure to Meet Criteria for Further Registration for Non-Degree Students

1.2.1 Criteria for Further Registration for Non-Degree Students

1.2.2 Incomplete (IN) or Grade Deferred (GD) Standing for Non-Degree Students

1.2.3 Rights and Responsibilities

1.3 – Switching between Honours and General Degree plans

1.3.1 Switching from the Honours Degree plan to the General Degree plan

1.3.2 Switching from the General Degree plan to the Honours Degree plan

1.4 – Students at Level 1 (Fewer than 24.0 Units Completed)

1.5 – Students Continuing in Level 2 or Above

1.5.1 – Selection of Learning Tracks

Academic Regulation 2: Number of Units in a Term and Academic Year

2.1 – External Agencies

2.2 – Full-Time Registration Status

2.2.1 – Minimum Course Loads for Full-Time Students

2.2.1.1 – Expectation of Full-Time Registration for On-Campus Students

2.2.1.2 – Expectation of Full-Time Registration for Online Students

2.2.2 –Maximum Course Loads for Full-Time Students

2.2.3 – Maximum Course Loads for Internship Students

2.3 – Part-Time Registration Status

2.3.1 – Maximum Course Load for Part-Time Students

2.3.2 – Transfer to Full-Time Registration Status

2.3.3 – Maximum Course Load for Non-Degree Students (online students only)

2.4 – Courses Spanning More Than One Term

Academic Regulation 3: Dean’s Honour Lists

3.1 - Dean’s Honour List

3.2 – Dean’s Honour List with Distinction

3.3 – Decisions on Dean’s Honour Lists

3.4 Students on International Exchange Programs

Academic Regulation 4: Academic Standing

4.1 – Assessment

4.2 – In Good Academic Standing

4.3 - Academic Probation

4.3.1 – Criteria for Placement on Academic Probation

4.3.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from Placement on Academic Probation

4.3.3 – Release from Academic Probation

4.3.4 – Appeal of Decisions on Academic Probation

4.4 – Requirement to Withdraw for One Year (RTW1)

4.4.1 – Criteria for RTW1

4.4.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from RTW1

4.4.3 – Appeal of Decisions on RTW1

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

4.5.1 – Criteria for RTW3

4.5.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from RTW3

4.5.3 – Appeal of Decisions on RTW3

4.6 – Other Requirements to Withdraw

4.7 – Honours

4.7.1 – Admission to Honours

4.7.2 – Criteria for Honours Warning

4.7.3 – Appeal of Decisions on Honours Warning

4.8 – Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree

4.8.1 –Criteria for being deemed Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree

4.8.2 – Academic Restrictions Resulting from Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree

4.8.3 – Appeal of Decisions Related to the Not Eligible to Proceed to an Honours Degree Standing

Academic Regulation 5: Appeals

5.1 – General Overview of Appeal of Academic Decisions

5.2 – Contexts for Appeals in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Program

5.2.1 – Academic Integrity

5.2.2 – Procedural Fairness

5.2.3 – The University Setting

5.2.4 – The Student Academic Appeals Policy

5.3 – Levels of Appeal

5.3.1 – Appeals to the Instructor

5.3.1.1 – Submission of the Appeal

5.3.1.2 – The Decision of the Instructor

5.3.1.3 – Appealing the Decision of the Instructor

5.3.1.4 – Matters that may be Appealed to the Instructor

5.3.2 – Appeals to the Associate Director (Studies)

5.3.2.1 – Submission of the Appeal