Advising FAQ for Current Students

For further information on academic policies, programs and course information, please refer to the relevant section in the University Calendar.

Academic and non-academic offenses

Refer to the current Academic Calendar, Part 4 – Academic Regulations: Academic and Non-Academic Offences

What is plagiarism? What happens if a student plagiarizes?

Plagiarism is the submission by a student of the writings, ideas or data of another individual as the student's own in any essay or assignment. For example, copying directly from the Internet or a book and not giving the source is plagiarism. If a student plagiarizes, the penalty can be anything from a written reprimand to a grade of “F” in the course. The calendar discusses plagiarism and penalties in the Academic Regulations section.

What is cheating?

Obtaining or attempting to obtain information from another student or other unauthorized source, or giving or attempting to give information to another student, or knowingly possessing, using or attempting to use any unauthorized material in the course of an examination.

Representing or attempting to represent oneself as another or having or attempting to have oneself represented by another in the taking of an examination, preparation of a paper, or other evaluated activity.

What is duplicating?

Making a submission in any course or program of study, without both the knowledge and approval of the person or persons to whom it is submitted, all or a substantial portion of any academic assignment for which credit has previously been obtained or which has been or is being submitted in another course or program of study in the University or elsewhere. (This clause is not intended to prevent the integration of learning but, rather, to prevent duplication of credit for a body of work.

What is using confidential materials?

Knowingly procuring, distributing or receiving any confidential academic material such as pending examinations or laboratory notebooks.

What is misrepresenting?

Knowingly misrepresenting material facts to another for the purpose of obtaining academic advantage or credit. This offense is committed whenever a student submits in any course or program of study any academic assignment containing a statement of fact known by the student to be false or a fabricated reference to non-existent sources or documents.

What happens if it is my second offense?

The second instance of academic misconduct may lead to suspension or expulsion.

Academic standards

Refer to the current Academic Calendar, Part 11 – Management: Academic Standards

Is there a minimum required GPA I must maintain?

To retain a satisfactory academic standing, students must maintain the following cumulative grade point averages:

Number of Completed Courses (includes transfer courses)	GPA (U of L)
1-10	1.70
11-20	1.85
21 or more	2.00

Are students ever required to withdraw?

Students are required to withdraw from the Faculty of Management for one full year if their cumulative grade point average, at the end of the Spring Semester, falls below the following for two consecutive semesters:

Number of Completed Courses (includes transfer courses)	GPA (U of L)
6-10	1.50
11-20	1.70
21 or more	2.00

A student who has taken fewer than five courses at the U of L will not be required to withdraw. A student who completes courses in any school, faculty, or institution during the period of required withdrawal from the Faculty of Management is not permitted to count such courses for credit toward the BMgt degree. Should a student take a course or courses, which are required for fulfillment of a degree, additional courses will be assigned to meet that requirement.

A student dismissed for academic reasons may apply for re-admission after a lapse of one full year. An application form must be sent in before the deadlines set by the Registrar’s Office and a letter must be submitted showing evidence that the causes of previous unsatisfactory work have been identified and remedied.

Courses

Refer to the current Academic Calendar, Part 11 – Management: Regulations that Apply to Courses taken in Management

How many courses can I take in a semester?

The usual course load for a full-time student is 5 courses (15.0 credit hours) per semester. Students in good standing may take up to 6 courses (18.0 credit hours). Please note that heavy course loads are a common cause of poor academic performance.

Can I register in a course without successfully completing the prerequisites and/or corequisites for the course?

No, you may not take a course without successfully completing its prerequisites and/or corequisites. If a student is registered in a course without meeting prerequisite requirements, their registration could be cancelled.

Under certain circumstances, the instructor may waive this requirement. A Prerequisite Waiver form can be obtained from an academic advisor at the Undergraduate Programs office on the Lethbridge, Calgary, or Edmonton campuses.

Can I repeat courses?

Refer to the current Academic Calendar, Part 4 – Academic Regulations: Repeat of a Course

At the U of L, you may repeat a course previously taken. The grade for each attempt will appear on your transcript, but the grade and credit hours counts in your GPA. Please make sure to submit a Repeated Course form (available at the Advising Office or the Registrar’s Office).

I am having trouble getting into a course. Can I be placed on a wait list?

Please refer to the current Timetable and Registration Guide for current wait-list procedures.

Students in their final semester or who need a course for sequencing may request to be put on a course wait list providing the course is a requirement for their major, they are not already registered in five courses, the course is not a pre-requisite for another course, and there are no time conflicts.

What is a non-Management elective?

Any course not offered by the Faculty of Management. It could be an Arts & Science, Education, Nursing, or Fine Arts course. A non-management elective is a course offered by any other faculty or school except Management.

How many physical activities can I take?

A maximum of 4 (each course is 1.5 credit hours) are permitted for all BMgt programs except post-diploma. The Post-Diploma program does not allow any physical activity courses.

How many senior level Management courses can I take before being admitted to the Faculty of Management?

Registered students seeking a degree may take a maximum of five 3000/4000-level management courses, including transfer courses, prior to being admitted to the faculty.

How many introductory level courses can I take?

Bachelor of Management: No more than 10 introductory level (0100-1900) courses may be counted for credit toward the Bachelor of Management degree.
Combined BA/BMgt & BSc/BMgt: No more that 8 introductory courses may be counted for credit toward the degree.
Combined BMgt/BEd: No more than 10 introductory courses may be counted for credit toward the degree.

My summer employer wants me to stay for the first week of September, so can I start classes in the second week of September? Nothing really happens in the first week of classes, right?

No. You are expected to attend classes on the first day. The dates are published in the calendar in advance, so you will know exactly when classes start every semester, and you should be able to arrange your summer work schedule accordingly. The first week is extremely important in order to get a good start on your studies. Students missing this week never really get to know what’s happening in the class.

I see that the Faculty of Management offers courses in Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton. Can I take Calgary or Edmonton courses if I started in Lethbridge?

The Faculty of Management offers courses on three U of L campuses: Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton. Students can pursue all programs and majors offered by the Faculty of Management on the Lethbridge campus. The Calgary and Edmonton campuses offer most programs, but a few specialized majors are not offered. Please contact an advisor on the campus you are interested in attending for more information.

Can I take courses at other universities after I have been accepted into the Faculty of Management?

Visiting Student Status is usually not granted after a student has been admitted to the Faculty of Management. If a Management student takes a course at another institution without approval, transfer credit for that course will not be allowed (p. 52, 2009/10 calendar).

Credit/Non-credit

How many courses can I put on credit/non-credit?

A student may elect to designate some courses as credit/non-credit. This alternative is designed to encourage students to expand their academic interests by taking courses outside their field of major interest. Credit/non-credit is not available to open studies students. The number of credit/non-credit courses a student can take varies (p. 74, 2009/10 calendar):
All single and combined degrees programs: (p. 67–8, 2009/10 calendar):

No transfer credit	4
1.5–30 transfer credit hour equivalents	4
31.5–60 transfer credit hour equivalents	3
All post-diploma programs, with or without transfer credit	2
All post-diploma combined degree programs, with or without transfer credit	3
All certificate programs, with or without transfer credit	1
All second degree programs, with or without transfer credit	2

Can required pre-Management courses be put on credit/non-credit?

Courses with a required C- minimum grade may not be put on credit/non-credit. Econ 1010, Econ 1012, Stat 1770, or Writ 1000/a university English course may not be put on credit/non-credit, nor may any Management courses be taken using this designation.

Exams

When are my final exams?

The final exam period is specified in the calendar (see the Academic Schedule, p.14–22, 2009/10 calendar) and is structured to give students a break and time to study after classes end. Only in extraordinary circumstances may students request to write an equivalent invigilated Final Examination at other than the scheduled time and place. Students must make a written request to the Associate Dean by filling out a Special Examination Request form, available from the Undergraduate Programs Office (E480).

I made flight arrangements to go on holiday, and found out one of my final exams is conflicting with this. What can I do?

Unfortunately, nothing can be done in this case. The final exam period is specified in the calendar (see the Academic Schedule at the front of the calendar). You must be available to write your final exams, so you must not schedule any holidays at that time.

If there is a reason beyond your control that will prevent you from writing one or more final exams, please contact the associate dean’s office with this information. In certain limited cases, an accommodation may be made.

I am unable to write a mid-term exam because of...

If you are unable to write a mid-term exam for any reason, you must consult your instructor before the mid-term. Some reasons for not writing are unacceptable, but there are some cases when accommodation could be made, subject to the course outline, but you must speak to your instructor.

Some unacceptable reasons include:

I did not study.
I play soccer with the Pronghorns, and I have a practice.
I have a rehearsal for a play.
I have one other midterm on that day.

GLER

What is the General Liberal Education Requirement?

All first-degree students must complete the General Liberal Education Requirement (GLER), which fulfills the University’s liberal arts mandate. Students must complete a specified number of courses selected from 3 different lists: Fine Arts/Humanities, Social Science, and Science (p. 82, 2005/06 calendar).

BMgt or combined Post-diploma BMgt Post-diploma BMgt/BEdFine artsSocial scienceScienceAny listTotal

4	4	3
4	2	2
4	2	2
	2
12	10	7

When choosing GLER courses, students should choose courses that will complement their major and career goals. First year students should choose introductory level GLER courses (1000- level courses with no prerequisites). Required courses in a student’s program may also satisfy the GLER (e.g. Statistics 1770 is a Science list course). Only four courses from any one Department (eg. Economics) may count toward the GLER.

Second degree and certificate students are not required to meet the GLER.

Grades and GPA

How is my GPA calculated?

The GPA achieved by a student is determined by multiplying the grade points assigned to each grade by the weighting factor for the course. The total of all course grade points thus calculated is then divided by the total of the weighting factors for all courses.

ExampleCourseGradeGrade PointsWeighting FactorTotal Grade Points

SOCI 1000	A	4	3.00	12.00
MGT 3040	B	3	3.00	9.00
STAT 1770	C	2	3.00	6.00
PHAC 2215	A	4	1.50	6.00
PHYS 1000	D	1	3.00	3.00
	13.50	36.00

Total grade pts/total weighting factor = GPA
36.00/13.50 = 2.67 (GPA)

How do I get on the Dean’s Honour List?

Students with outstanding academic performance are recognized on the Dean’s Honour List (p. 206. 2009/10 calendar). The list is compiled twice yearly at the end of the fall and spring semesters. There are 2 ways to qualify for the Dean’s Honour List:

Students completing four or more graded courses in one semester must achieve a grade point average of 3.75 or higher on these courses, or
Students completing 3 or fewer courses in one semester must achieve a grade point average of 3.75 or higher on these courses and must have a cumulative U of L GPA of 3.75 or higher AND must have completed a minimum of four graded courses at The University of Lethbridge, including those completed in the current semester.

What is an incomplete?

An incomplete (I grade) is awarded only in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control, which make it impossible to complete the required work by the end of the semester. The instructor and the appropriate dean must both approve the application for incomplete; the applications are available in the advising offices on the Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton campuses.

An appropriate deadline for completion must be agreed upon and this date is entered on the Application for Incomplete form. If the required work is not completed by this deadline, the grade will normally be converted to an “F” grade (p. 67, 2009/10 calendar).

I disagree with my grade. What are my options?

Before initiating a grade appeal, the student must have discussed the grade and how it was determined with the instructor(s). All grade appeals must be initiated by completion of a Grade Appeal Form, which must be received and signed by the associate dean by the following dates immediately following completion of the course:

Fall semester courses: 7 February
Spring semester courses: 7 June
Summer session courses: 7 Octobe

The Grade Appeal Form must explain why the student believes that the grade was improperly determined. The associate dean’s signature on the Grade Appeal Form indicates that the student has discussed the merits of the grade appeal with the associate dean, who is also charged with explaining the procedures connected with the grade appeal (p. 73, 2009/10 calendar).

Graduation

What is a grad check and when do I need one?

Grad checks are done by an academic advisor to ensure all degree requirements have been met for graduation purposes. Grad checks should be requested after students register in their final semester. Grad checks can be requested at Room E-480 on the Lethbridge campus, the Calgary campus office, or the Edmonton campus office.

Please note that a grad check is not the same as an application for graduation. All students must apply to graduate before the deadlines (1 March for spring convocation, 1 August for fall convocation, and 1 November for students completing program requirements in the fall semester who wish to have this recorded on their transcript. Students who do not apply by the 1 November deadline must apply by the final deadline of 1 March for spring convocation).

What are the requirements for graduation?

In order to graduate, both the graduation GPA and U of L cumulative GPA must be at least 2.00 (p. 205, 2009/10 calendar).

The U of L cumulative GPA is available over U-LINK or online via the Bridge. Calculation of the graduation GPA differs depending on the program:

ProgramBMgt (1st degree)Post-Diploma BMgtBMgt (2nd degree)BMgt/BEdPost-Diploma BMgt/BEdBA/BMgt and BSc/BMgtMGT certificate

How GPA is calculated

on the last 20 courses¹ taken at the U of L

on the last 20 courses¹ required for the second degree taken at the U of L

on all MGT courses taken at the U of L

on the 8 MGT courses and 7 Arts and Science courses² required for the combined degree taken at the U of L

on all MGT courses taken at the U of L

on all MGT and non-MGT courses req’d for the certificate, taken at the U of L

¹ The 20 courses used for GPA calculation are counted starting from the most recent courses completed to the least recent. If the 20th course falls in a semester with more courses than needed for GPA calculation, the courses with the highest grades in that semester will be used.

² May be fewer than 7

I did well in my classes. Will this be recognized when I graduate?

Students with a Graduation GPA from 3.50-3.74 are awarded their degree "With Distinction". Students with a Graduation GPA of 3.75 or higher are awarded their degree "With Great Distinction". This will be noted on the transcript and on the degree parchment (p. 206, 2009/10 calendar).

What is the Faculty of Management Gold Medal?

Annually, the top degree student graduating from Management is awarded the gold medal at the spring convocation. It is based on academic criteria (graduation GPA, cumulative GPA, transfer/diploma GPA). Students who complete their degree requirements in summer session, December, or April are eligible.

Incomplete

What is an incomplete and when is an incomplete appropriate?

An incomplete (I grade) is awarded only in cases of illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond your control, which make it impossible to complete the required work by the end of the semester. Your instructor and the associate dean must both approve the application for incomplete; the applications are available in the advising offices on the Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton campuses.

An appropriate deadline for completion must be agreed upon and this date is entered on the application for Incomplete form. If the required work is not completed by this deadline, the grade will normally be converted to an “F” grade.

Independent and applied studies

What is an independent study?

An independent study course is individual study for course credit under the supervision of a professor. Course work usually requires independent library research or field work and a major term paper.

Is there a maximum number of Independent Study courses that I can take for credit?

Yes, students shall not receive credit for more than 3 Independent Studies while registered in the Bachelor of Management or Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management programs. Independent Study may be taken only in areas not covered by courses offered in the Management curriculum (p. 205, 2009/10 calendar).

What is an applied study?

Applied studies provide an opportunity to earn credit for an employment or volunteer experience with a significant learning component.

Are there any limits on the number of applied studies I can undertake?

Yes, Management students may earn a maximum of 6 course credits (18.0 credit hours) in Applied Studies, as follows (p. 205, 2009/10 calendar):

a maximum of 2 course credits (6.0 credit hours) in Mgt. 3980-81,
a maximum of 2 course credits (6.0 credit hours) in Mgt. 4980-81, and
a maximum of 2 course credits (6.0 credit hours) in Applied Studies 2000/01 and 2010/11.

Majors

How to I change my major?

Students need to fill out a Student Program Change form to change their major. Deadlines for changing major are 15 February for the fall semester and 15 October for the spring semester.

Can I work on a second major?

Yes, you can. The Faculty of Management does not recognize double majors as official student programs leading toward a B.Mgt. degree, but will authorize the designation of the double major for all students who, upon graduation, have completed all of the minimum requirements for 2 majors. Double majors can only be formed by completing the requirements of 2 established single disciplinary majors (p. 274, 2009/10 calendar).

Requirements

What are the admission requirements for the Faculty of Management?

Admission to the Faculty of Management is based on your admission grade-point average (GPA). The admission GPA is calculated differently for each program.

Four-year Bachelor of Management degree and combined degrees

Admission is based on completion of ten courses:

Economics 1010 - Introduction to Microeconomics
Economics 1012 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
Statistics1770 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Seven courses (21.0 credit hours) from any faculty outside of Management

Depending on which major is chosen, a certain number of the seven courses from any faculty outside of Management must be Arts & Science or Fine Arts courses in order to meet the requirements of the major and the General Liberal Education Requirement. Students will need to consult program planning materials and complete certain courses in the recommended semesters in order to graduate on schedule.

Admission is guaranteed with a combined GPA on all transferable post-secondary courses of 2.50 (on the 4-point grade scale) or higher. Students with GPAs below 2.50 may be admitted to Management during the second round of admissions. Otherwise students will remain in pre-Management.

Students applying to the combined degree with Education must also meet admission requirements for Education, and are advised to review the Faculty of Education website.

Students with approved college diplomas in business or management

Admission to the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Management degree is based on the diploma GPA. Admission is guaranteed with a 3.0 diploma GPA or higher. Students with GPAs below 3.00 may be admitted during the second round of admissions, but if not admitted, they may be admitted to pre-Management.

Students applying to the combined degree with Education must also meet admission requirements for Education and are advised to review the Faculty of Education website.

Management certificates

Admission is possible through three admission routes:

Eight or more transfer courses. Admission is guaranteed with a combined GPA on all transferable courses of 2.50 (on the 4-point grade scale) or higher. Students with GPA’s below 2.50 may be admitted during the second round of admissions.
A College Diploma. Admission is guaranteed with a 3.0 (on the 4-point grade scale) diploma GPA or higher. Students with GPA’s below 3.00 may be admitted during the second round of admissions.
Adult applicants who are 21 years of age or older. In most cases, grade 12 English Language Arts 30-1 and Pure Mathematics 30 or Mathematics 30 are required. Refer to p. 36 of the U of L calendar, Part 1, Admissions

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting

Admission is based solely on successful completion of a previous undergraduate degree in any field including business, management, or commerce.

Do I have to get at least C- in all my courses?

This depends on your calendar year of entry. Please see the program planning guide for specific course information (p. 225, 2009/10 calendar) and your particular calendar of entry for complete details.

For calendar years 2003/04 and later, the C- minimum grade requirement applies to Stat 1770, Econ 1010, Econ 1012, Writ 1000 or a university English course, all Management courses, and all courses marked with an asterisk (e.g. CpSc 1620 in the IS major).

How many courses must I complete at the University of Lethbridge to meet the residence requirement?

A minimum number of courses must be taken at the University of Lethbridge in order to meet degree/certificate requirements (p. 206, 2009/10 calendar).

40-course BMgt: At least 20 U of L courses, including 10 3000/4000 level Management courses.
Post-Diploma BMgt: At least 20 U of L courses, in addition to courses taken as part of the qualifying program.
BMgt as a second degree: At least 15 new courses at the U of L, including 10 3000/4000 level Management. courses.
BA/BMgt or BSc/BMgt combined degree: 30 courses, including 20 in Arts and Science and 10 in Management at the 3000/4000 level.
BMgt/BEd combined degree: 30 courses, including 10 in Management (7 of which must be at the 3000/4000 level) and 15 in Education.
Management certificate, including the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting: 5 U of L courses after admission to the certificate program.

Withdrawals

Students may withdraw formally from a class, and a designation of ‘W’ may be recorded at any time after the Add/Drop period, up to last day of classes. The ‘W’ designation shall be awarded only upon formal application by the student or his/her agent to the Registrar in writing. Students are responsible for ensuring that the Registrar’s Office and Student Services (ROSS) receives the request for withdrawal by the relevant deadline. If a student chooses to mail his or her request for withdrawal, then the Registrar’s Office and Student Services (ROSS) recommends that the student use Registered Mail to guarantee delivery.

What is a withdrawal with cause?

A Withdrawal with Cause (WC) is a special withdrawal recorded only in case of serious illness or other extenuating circumstances beyond your control, which make continuation in a course impossible and where an ’incomplete’ designation is not appropriate. If you feel your situation merits a WC, please speak to an academic advisor in the faculty of the course in question, e.g. Management advisors take applications for Management courses, Education advisors take applications for Education courses, etc. Note that you may have to visit more than one faculty to get this taken care of. Documentation must be provided. The deadline to apply for a WC is the last day of classes.

Other

I need a letter for immigration or employer to prove my current program. How long will it take?: We need a minimum of 2–3 weeks to complete the letter. Please fill out a Program Status Request form in the Undergraduate Programs Office (E480) on the Lethbridge campus, or at the Calgary/Edmonton campus offices.

If your question was not answered here, please send an e-mail to the advising office of the campus you would like to attend.

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