Section 16.2 Curriculum Regulations

Section 16.2.1 Modifications to Academic Programs and Regulations

Section 16.2.2 Residence Requirements

Section 16.2.3 Degree Regulations

Section 16.2.4 Concentration Requirements

Section 16.2.5 Writing Skills Requirements

Section 16.2.6 Repetition of Courses

Section 16.2.1 Modifications to Academic Programs and Regulations

With the exception of the following conditions, the curriculum requirements in effect at the time students are admitted or readmitted to a program (e.g. BA, BFA, Certificate in Business Studies) and/or concentration (e.g. major, specialization), are the requirements that apply to them until they complete their program.

1. The University reserves the right to modify academic program requirements in the light of (a) changing trends in academic and professional fields, and (b) the availability of resources. In the exceptional event that a program is substantially altered by the University Senate, the University recognizes its responsibility to offer suitable transition arrangements for students. The new program requirements should become effective for all students no later than five years after the effective date of change for newly admitted students.
2. When a program is discontinued, the University recognizes its responsibility to offer courses in the program while phasing it out according to a schedule appropriate to the needs of the affected students. Students will be informed of the schedule when the decision is made to phase the program out.
   When students in a discontinued program have not been registered for three years, it may not be possible to enable them to complete that program. They may, however, transfer into another program in the University for which they meet the admission requirements.
3. Where students acquire credit towards a degree or certificate in a discontinuous manner and over a protracted time, the University reserves the right, at any time, to require them to take further credits or fulfill additional requirements to obtain that degree, certificate, or microprogram.
4. Modifications to the academic regulations in Section 16.1 General Information and Section 16.3 Evaluation, Administrative Notations, Examinations, and Performance Requirements become effective for all students on a given date regardless of the student’s date of admission to a program, with the following exceptions:
   
   • Section 16.1.9 High Academic Achievement
   • Section 16.2.2 Residence Requirements
   • Section 16.3.10 Academic Performance
   Modifications to these three regulations apply only to students admitted or readmitted to a program on or after the effective date of such modifications.
   
5. In the event a student is readmitted after failing an academic year, the University reserves the right to require the student to take additional credits or to repeat certain courses. The student is also subject to changes in academic regulations or program requirements in effect at the time of the student’s readmission.
6. Notwithstanding the above, all students in Engineering programs are required to meet the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) standards. Students are required to graduate having met the substantial equivalent of the curriculum in force in the winter term prior to degree conferral. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their course selection meets the program requirements for their graduation. For further information, see Section 71.10.7 Curriculum Requirements and Course Sequences.

Section 16.2.2 Residence Requirements

Residence requirements define the number of credits that students working towards a Concordia University degree must take at the University itself.

1. Of the total number of credits required for an undergraduate degree, students must take a minimum of 45 credits, normally the last 45, at Concordia University. The BEng, BA Specialization in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, BEd Specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language, Athletic Therapy (BScAT), and BFA Specialization in Art Education – Visual Arts require 60 credits, normally the last 60, at Concordia.

2. At least 50 per cent of the credits for honours, specializations, majors, minors, certificates or other concentrations must be taken at Concordia. The BComm and BAdmin programs also require that at least 50 per cent of the core courses be taken at Concordia. In the case of microprograms, 100% of the credits must be taken at Concordia.

3. Concordia University students who wish to include courses taken at another university within their residence requirements must obtain permission in advance from their Faculty Student Request Committee. Those wishing to engage in interuniversity exchanges in Quebec or student exchange programs must obtain authorization to cross-register from his or her academic advisor, the appropriate Associate Dean or delegate of the student’s Faculty, and the University Registrar. For participation in the Concordia Student Exchange Program, the student must comply with the specific Faculty requirements outlined at concordia.ca/students/exchanges/csep.

4. Students who already have an undergraduate degree may undertake a second undergraduate degree, subject to the conditions below. Before registering, such students should consider whether their purpose might be better served by enrolling in a graduate degree, diploma, or certificate program. To obtain a second undergraduate degree, students must:

a) Apply and register in a program with a higher concentration than a minor, and

b) Complete at least two-thirds of the credits normally required for the second degree in courses other than those credited to the first degree - for example, a minimum of 60 credits must be complete when the normal requirement is 90 credits, and

c) Complete at least 36 credits in the new field of concentration.

5. An exception to 4b) above, is the BEd Specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language, for which students must complete at least half of the 120 credits required for the second degree in courses other than those credited to the first degree.

6. Any student who is accepted at Concordia University after failing or compiling an unsatisfactory record at another university, will generally be required to complete at least 60 credits at Concordia.

Section 16.2.3 Degree Regulations

The regulations relating to degree requirements are located in the Faculty sections:

• Section 31 Faculty of Arts and Science

• Section 61 John Molson School of Business

• Section 71 Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science

• Section 81 Faculty of Fine Arts

Section 16.2.4 Concentration Requirements

Every undergraduate program requires a cohesive sequence of courses. To graduate in a degree program, a student must complete one of the following concentrations: honours, specialization, major. Under certain conditions, a student may be eligible to obtain a baccalaureate degree through the accumulation of certificates. In the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science, concentrations are referred to as programs. Most of these programs have options, where students take a number of related courses in a chosen area. Honours is a highly concentrated program with a required performance level; the specialization and the major require varying degrees of concentration, normally without a performance requirement. An honours, specialization, or major can be combined with a minor. In some circumstances, a double major is also possible.

1. Honours Programs

The University offers programs leading to an honours degree in certain disciplines. The honours program consists of 60 or more credits in a discipline, with superior performance required to enter and remain in the program. In their first year, students may register in honours program courses, but their acceptance as honours students will depend on their performance. Students who do not meet requirements for honours standing may proceed in either a specialization or a major program.

There are minimum academic standards for honours programs. The honours student must:

1. meet general degree requirements and the specific requirements for an honours program.
2. maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all honours courses; the minimum acceptable grade in any honours course is “C.”
3. have a minimum GPA of 2.70 for honours courses taken each year. For part-time students this is calculated in 18-credit blocks.
4. have a GPA of no less than 2.00 in non-honours courses.

Honours students who do not meet these standards will be withdrawn from the honours program and will proceed in the major or specialization program. Reinstatement in the honours program is possible only with the permission of the Faculty Honours Committee.

The programs and particular Faculty regulations are listed in the Faculty sections under “Honours Programs.”

2. Specialization Programs

A specialization is a sequence of courses totalling 60 or more credits. In a few cases it includes a performance requirement. In addition to courses in a particular discipline, the specialization may include courses in other closely related fields.

3. Major Programs

A major is a sequence of courses totalling 36 or more credits, except in the John Molson School of Business where the major consists of at least 24 credits in a particular discipline in addition to the required 48-credit JMSB Core. The major may include certain courses in other closely related fields.

4. Minor Programs

A minor is a sequence of courses totalling 24 or more credits, except in the John Molson School of Business where the minor consists of at least 12 credits in the chosen discipline in addition to the required 48-credit JMSB Core.

5. Combined Programs

An honours, specialization, or major program may be combined with a minor. In some circumstances, a major program may also be combined with another major program.

6. Certificate Programs

An undergraduate certificate is a coherent program, usually of 30 credits, made up of regular undergraduate courses. Courses taken as part of a certificate program are normally applicable to the appropriate undergraduate degree. There is no guarantee that a certificate program can be completed in one academic year.

7. Microprograms

An undergraduate microprogram is a coherent program, usually of 9-15 credits, made up of regular undergraduate courses. A microprogram is normally completed within one or two academic terms.

8. Baccalaureate by Accumulation

Under certain conditions, a student may earn a baccalaureate degree through the accumulation of a minimum of three certificates in eligible disciplines. The Faculties and Schools under which the baccalaureate degree is offered shall determine criteria for specific certificate programs eligible for application towards the degree.

Students must satisfy the following conditions in order to qualify for a Baccalaureate by Accumulation:

1. A declaration of intention to complete a Baccalaureate by Accumulation must be submitted at the time of admission to the third certificate.
2. A minimum of 90 credits must be obtained through the accumulation of a minimum of three certificates in order to qualify for the degree. Students admitted to the Extended Credit Program (ECP) and the Mature Entry Program (MEP) are required to take additional credits. See Section 14 Alternative Entry of the Calendar for regulations pertaining to the Mature Entry Program (MEP). See Section 13.3.2 Applicants from Other Canadian Provinces of the Calendar for regulations pertaining to the Extended Credit Program (ECP).
3. The credits obtained for any course may not be used to satisfy the requirements of more than one program of study, including certificate, minor, major, specialization, and honours programs.
4. Under certain conditions, where admission requirements permit, students may apply a certificate completed at an institution other than Concordia towards the Baccalaureate by Accumulation. The following conditions must be met:
   a) At least 50 per cent of the credits for the Baccalaureate by Accumulation must be taken at Concordia.
   b) The final certificate must be completed at Concordia.
5. Students who already have a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue a second degree through the Baccalaureate by Accumulation program are subject to the conditions below. Before registering, such students should consider whether their purpose might be better served by enrolling in a graduate degree, diploma, or certificate program. To obtain a second undergraduate degree, students must:
   a) Apply, register and successfully complete two additional certificates (a minimum of 60 credits total) eligible to be applied towards a Baccalaureate by Accumulation.
   b) At least two thirds of the credits applied towards the second degree must be in courses other than those credited to the first degree — for example, a minimum of 60 credits must be completed when the normal requirement is 90 credits.
   Students who already have a Baccalaureate by Accumulation who wish to undertake a second Baccalaureate degree through the traditional structure are subject to the Residence Requirements outlined in Section 16.2.2 Residence Requirements.
6. Only specific certificates may be deemed as eligible for application towards a Baccalaureate by Accumulation by the granting Faculty or School. All baccalaureate degrees are subject to the admission and graduation criteria established by the Faculties and Schools under which they are offered.
7. All candidates must satisfy the admission criteria for each certificate; admission into one certificate does not guarantee admission into other certificates. The specific admission requirements are listed on the Concordia website.
8. Students are eligible for graduation only once they have satisfied all of the above criteria. Eligibility for graduation is normally assessed following the successful completion of a minimum of three certificates deemed eligible for application towards a Baccalaureate by Accumulation by the granting Faculty or School.

9. Bridging Program

An undergraduate bridging program is a coherent program, usually of 18-30 credits, that may be made up of both academic undergraduate and university skills courses. A bridging program is designed for students who are required to upgrade their academic background and acquire the prerequisites necessary to gain entry to an undergraduate degree program. Courses taken as part of a bridging program are normally applicable to a specific undergraduate degree. A bridging program does not lead to the awarding of a credential.

Section 16.2.5 Writing Skills Requirements

Students admitted into the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science must meet a writing skills requirement. (See Section 71.20.7 Writing Skills Requirement.)

Section 16.2.6 Repetition of Courses