Program Advising FAQs

What are half and full courses?

A full course normally runs over two semesters (e.g.,fall/winter). Full courses are designated (F) in the timetable and calendar description, are worth 6 credits and usually end in an even number (e.g., ENGL 340). A half course normally runs for one semester (e.g., fall or winter). Half courses are designated as (H) in the timetable and calendar descriptions, are worth 3 credits and usually end in an odd number (e.g., ENGL 231). Some half courses run for two semesters, while some full courses end after one semester. It is therefore very important to check the timetable to confirm whether a course is a half or a full.

How many courses are required for a degree?

Most degrees require the completion of 20 full course equivalents. Exceptions to this would be the 15 full course equivalent Bachelor of Communication and Culture as well as any combined degree programs which require a minimum of 25 full course equivalents.

What is the difference between a double major and a combined degree?

The most common degree program offered is a single degree program consisting of 20 full course equivalents, with a major field of study. In many cases it is possible to complete this type of degree program with 2 major fields of study. This is known as a double major. It is important to consult the academic calendar for acceptable combinations of major fields and plan carefully to fulfill the requirements for both majors within a single degree program. In certain cases, it is possible to complete two degree programs at once by completing a combined degree program, consisting of 25 full course equivalents and including all the requirements for two single degree programs, each with a major field of study. The academic calendar outlines the combined degree programs that are possible and the unique requirements for each.

How many junior courses am I allowed in my degree?

The number of junior (200-level) courses allowed is as follows:

• Students in the Faculty of Arts major programs: 8 full course equivalents
• Students in the Bachelor of Communication and Culture program: 7 full course equivalents
• Students in the Faculty of Science: 8 full course equivalents
• For combined degrees, please consult with your faculty.

Do I have to have a minor? How many courses are required for a minor?

With the exception of the Multidisciplinary programs in the Faculty of Arts, a minor is completely optional. A minor consists of a minimum of five and a maximum of six full course equivalents. In some cases, these courses are specified; however, many departments simply require five full course equivalents of your choice from the minor field.

Which courses do I require to get into the biological sciences major?

Students applying directly from high school who have no post-secondary credit may be admitted to the biological sciences major in their first year if they meet the admission requirements. Transfer students planning on entering after the first year must complete the following courses with a C- or better prior to admission:

• 1. one set of the foundation Biology courses: BIOL 231/233, BIOL 241/243.  *Note that BIOL 231/233 are no longer offered.  The department will accept any pairing of the old courses (231/233) and the new courses (241/243) to satisfy the 1.0 FCE junior biology requirement.  The prerequisite for BIOL 243 is 241 with a grade of C- or higher, therefore, even if a student has credit for one of BIOL 231/233, they must take BIOL 241 before taking 243.
• 2. one set of the following combinations of foundation Chemistry courses: CHEM 201/203 or CHEM 211/213
• 3. one of Mathematics 249 or 251 or 281, and one of Mathematics 211 or 213 or 253 or 283.

*Students can also use AMAT 217 and 219 in lieu of MATH 249/251 and 253.

Biological sciences is an enrollment-limited major and the admission grade point average (GPA) changes each year in response to program admission demand. The same is true of biochemistry, botany, ecology, zoology and cellular, molecular and microbial biology. To be admitted to one of these programs, students must also have completed BIOL 311, 313 and 331 with a grade of C- or better in each, and meet the unique admission GPA for that program. In addition, they must meet the admission requirements for the biological sciences major as outlined above.

How do I put in a request to change my program/faculty? When do I have to do this?

Students can submit a request to change their program through their online student center. Some programs require specific courses and grades for admission, as specified in the academic calendar. Applications must be submitted for the fall term only. The deadline for change of program applications for programs in the faculties of arts and science is May 1 for fall 2011 programs. Students wanting to change their program to a non-competitive program for the winter term should consult with their program advisor to determine if this is possible.

Students may also be admitted to the arts faculty without declaring a degree program. Registration in the "Not Decided" category is temporary. Students must enter a degree program once they've completed 10 full courses equivalents.

What's the difference between dropping a course and withdrawing from a course?

Students may change their registration (ie. add, drop, swap, edit) any time before the change of registration deadline for a term which is normally within the first two weeks of classes (for fall/winter). Check the calendar and/or timetable for the exact dates (Important Dates). Course drops made before the deadline do not show up on the student's record or fee assessment. After the deadline, students may withdraw from courses but a 'W' will show up on their transcript and no refund will be given for the course. Both functions can be done through the online student center with the following exception: students require consent to withdraw from the same course for a second time. A change of registration form must be filled out and approved by a program advisor before being submitted to enrolment services. This form can be found on the online student centre under 'Forms for Students'.

How many withdrawals am I allowed?

A maximum of five full course equivalents of withdrawals are permitted at the University of Calgary.

Can I take courses at another school?

A maximum of 10 full course equivalents taken at other institutions may be accepted for transfer credit towards a 20 full course equivalent degree at the university, and a maximum of 7.5 full course equivalents taken at other institutions may be accepted for transfer credit towards a 15 full course equivalent degree. Students wishing to take courses at other institutions must fill out a Request for a Letter of Permission form which can be submitted through the online student center (under the academic section). Letters of permission will generally not be granted for students who are on probation or for students who have not yet completed five full course equivalents. It is important to note that attending another institution without a letter of permission is grounds for dismissal from the university.

The university allows faculties to charge students a fee of $25.00 for a letter of permission to take courses at another institution. The fee is intended to offset some of the cost involved in the work of preparing these letters and a number of faculties collect this fee from their students. If a student is only able to pay in cash then they can fill out a paper form at enrolment services.

I think a course I took somewhere else is a lot like a University of Calgary course I want to take.

Courses transferring from other institutions frequently appear as generic credits, e.g., GEOG 2XX. Generally this means that the course is not exactly like any courses offered by the here. However, if it has the same name as a course offered by the university or if the content is similar to one of our courses, a student cannot have credit for both courses. If you wish to receive credit for both courses or use the advance credit in lieu of our course for either prerequisite or graduation purposes, you must contact the department offering the course for permission.

I'm having trouble registering in my classes.

While our program advisors can assist in many registration issues, please check the Course Registration Guide for step-by-step instructions and FAQ. If you are a new student you may want to use the services of the New Student Registration Program which is available during the registration period (June to August). In this program, student peers help new students register in classes on-one-on.

How many courses am I allowed to take per term?

Students may take a maximum of five half course equivalents per term in the fall/winter and four half course equivalents per term in the spring/summer.

Can I take a sixth course in a term?

Students in the arts faculty may automatically take a sixth course in fall/winter.   Students in the science faculty who have completed a full course load (five full course equivalents) with a GPA of 3.20 or higher in the previous fall/winter terms may add a sixth course without special consent. Students who do not meet these requirements must consult with the associate dean (Science) to request permission to add a sixth course.

How do I get into a course for which I'm lacking the prerequisite?

Students wishing to register in a course for which they lack the specified prerequisite must consult with the department offering the course. The department can waive the prerequisite in the registration system to allow a student to register.

Can I take 300-level courses in my first year?

Students in the arts faculty must have completed three full course equivalents at the 200-level before they are allowed to register in 300-level courses. Exceptions to this would be language or music courses where the department has placed the student at a higher level due to the student's proficiency in that field. Similarly, students with IB or AP credit in a 200 level course may take a 300 level course for which it is a prerequisite in their first year. First year students in the science faculty are allowed to take 300 level courses but should be aware that in addition to stated prerequisites, senior courses offered by other faculties often require completion of three full courses at the senior level.

Can a "D" grade count in my program?

Students are allowed a maximum of one full course equivalents in D or D+ grades in their major field. Students in the arts and science faculties are allowed a total of three full course equivalents in D or D+ grades in their entire program. Students in the three year Bachelor of Communication and Culture program are allowed two full course equivalents in D or D+ grades in their program.

Is a grade of "D" sufficient as a prerequisite for another course?

A grade of D or D+ is not a sufficient prerequisite for courses in the arts and science faculties.

What's an annual review of academic performance?

At the end of each winter term, faculties review student records. If you have completed three full course equivalents since your last review (or since you were admitted, if you haven't been reviewed in the past), then your GPA on these courses is reviewed. If your combined GPA is 2.00 or higher, you will continue in your program in good academic standing. If your GPA is between a 1.70 and a 1.99, then you will be placed on probation. If your GPA is below 1.70, or you are already on probation and your GPA is below 2.00, you will be subject to be required to withdraw from your faculty and should be in contact with your program advisors about your options. Students are allowed one probationary period, excluding probation as a condition of admission. Information about how GPA relates to letter grades is available in the academic calendar.

Do I need to apply to graduate?

Yes. Students must apply to graduate for their degree through their online student center. Students completing their degree requirements in the fall term will be graudated in February with the option to attend convocation in June.  Students who complete their degree requirements in the winter term will be graduated in June and may attend the June convocation.  Students who complete their degree requirements in spring/summer will be graduate in November and may attend that convocation. 

Student must apply to graduate.  Check with your program advisor about the current deadlines.