Frequently Asked Questions

Answers

Can an instructor schedule a mid-term examination or term test during the last week of classes?

Information about Mid-Term Examinations being schedule during the last five class days prior to the final examination period is in the Examinations policy in the sub-section Mid-Term Examinations at https://calendar.uoguelph.ca/undergraduate-calendar/undergraduate-degree-regulations-procedures/examinations/

 

Can anyone take a First Year Seminar course (UNIV*1200)?

** Please see December 2022 announcement regarding First Year Seminars at https://news.uoguelph.ca/2022/12/first-year-seminar-courses-to-close-as-of-fall-2023/ **

No, not everyone can take a First Year Seminar course (UNIV*1200). First Year Seminar courses are restricted to students currently in their first year. Specifically the restriction reads "Fewer than 5.00 credits." which means class level one or two on their Program/Academic Evaluation under Academic Profile on WebAdvisor.

Can I add a specialization or change my specialization?

During your studies you may wish to add or change a specialization. For example, you may chose a specialization and decide after taking some courses that you would rather explore a different field of study. Or you may take an elective in a specific discipline and decide you would like to take other courses in that area.

While it is much easier to add or change a specialization at the beginning of your degree program most degree programs do allow you to add or change a specialization at almost any point. When reviewing choices you should also be aware that some specializations do not allow entry before or beyond a specific semester level and some specializations may require a minimum average or the completion of specific courses to be considered for entry. Also keep in mind that it may be more difficult to add or change to very different programs if you change late because you may have to make up required courses.

Normally to change a Major you would have completed the Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request Form. In many cases you can also change a Major within the same degree program (or add a Minor) by emailing your Program Counsellor from your Guelph-issued email account. Please do note that some degree programs have limited enrolment specializations (Majors, Minors) that require a formal application to declare. In those cases there is information in the Program Information section of the Major or Minor in the Undergraduate Calendar. More information may be obtained from the Faculty Advisor for a limited enrolment specialization or your Program Counsellor.

Can I change my degree program (i.e. B.A. to B.A.Sc.)?

In order to change degree programs you must submit an Internal Transfer Students application to Admission Services. Information about application instructions is available on the Internal Program Transfer Quick Fact sheet and/or on the Admission Services website (https://admission.uoguelph.ca/adminfo). You may also wish to speak to the Admission Counsellor for the degree program that you are considering in order to obtain more information.

Can I graduate with a general degree and then complete the remaining requirements for the honours degree?

It is possible to graduate with a general degree and then complete the remaining honours degree requirements for programs that do offer a general degree (i.e. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Computing, Bachelor of Science). However, students who graduate with a general degree and then upgrade it to the honours program obtain an Honours Equivalent recognition and not an honours degree.

For more information about Honours Equivalent recognition please refer to the section entitled Graduation in Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar or the Post-Degree Applicants sub-section of the Upgrading from General to Honours Degree (Honour's Equivalency) page on the Admission Services website at https://admission.uoguelph.ca/postdegree

Can I take a course at another University and apply it to my Guelph degree requirements?

In order to take courses at another degree granting institution outside of a formal Study Abroad offered by the Centre for International Programs (CIP) at the University of Guelph, have the course(s) considered as credit towards your University of Guelph degree, and be eligible to re-register at the University of Guelph you need to obtain a Letter of Permission before applying for admission to the other institution.

For information about the Letter of Permission process refer to the UAIC Letter of Permission Quick Fact Sheet. 

For more information about CIP offerings please see https://www.uoguelph.ca/cip/.

Can I use WebAdvisor to select or change course sections while I am on probation?

Yes you may. However, you are strongly encouraged to consult an academic advisor prior to selecting and/or changing course sections in order to ensure that your courses and your courseload are appropriate for both your academic program and your academic situation.

Do I have to see an academic advisor every term?

No, you do not have to see an academic advisor every term. In fact if you choose not to connect with an academic advisor in any semester you do not have to. That said, Academic Advisors (the Faculty Advisor linked to the specialization or the Program Counsellor linked to the degree program) are available to you should you need support or have questions to be answered and for that reason we hope that you will choose to connect with them throughout your academic career.

Do I need to attend lectures and/or seminars for my courses?

Instructors will inform students of the attendance requirements for individual courses in accordance with the policy of the department or school.

NOTE: Students who do not attend classes regularly run the risk of being unable to complete the work of the semester. If a student is prevented from attending class due to medical or personal reasons they are advised to speak to the Program Counsellor.

Do I need to complete both degree and specialization requirements?

Degree requirements are associated with the degree program (i.e. B.A. distribution requirements) and specialization requirements are associated with the specific discipline (i.e. Major in Chemistry in the B.Sc. program). You must satisfy both degree program and specialization requirements.

Do I see the same academic advisor (faculty advisor and/or program counsellor) every term?

The Faculty Advisor is linked to the specialization and the Program Counsellor is linked to the degree program for which you are seeking assistance. If the specialization and/or degree program you are registered in from one semester to another is unchanged then the advisor you see also remains consistent.

How and when do I apply to graduate?

An email is sent to each student registered at the University in the sixth semester of general degree programs, the eighth semester of honours degree programs providing instructions on how to apply to graduate.

All other students who wish to apply for graduation should see the Graduation Information online at https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/graduation .

The Application for Graduation is available on your WebAdvisor account.

Applications for Graduation must be submitted by specific deadline dates. Deadline dates are published as part of Section III--Schedule of Dates in the current Undergraduate Calendar.

How can I have my marks from a specific semester reassessed?

Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar provides information about grades. Procedures for reassessment and grade appeals are found in this under the headings Academic Consideration, Appeals and Petitions as well as Grade Reassessment.

How do I apply to the University ?

Students wishing to apply to the University of Guelph should review the Prospective Students webpage. They should also visit the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) website at http://www.ouac.on.ca.

How do I calculate a GPA using my Guelph grades?

To calculate using percentage grades that you achieved and credit weight of each course you can use this calculator/link:

http://www.whatsmygpa.ca/
Step One: in 1. Select your university or college select "University of Guelph"
Step Two: in 2. What type of grades are you inputting? select "Percentage (eg. 75%, 67%)"
Step Three: in 3. Enter your grades and their credit weight enter your grades and their associated credit weight (i.e. 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 from the transcript)
Step Four: select "Calculate"

Updated 17 April 2018.

How do I decide if I should drop a course or not when I am not doing well in it?

In considering whether or not to drop a course you may wish to consider several things.

One thing to consider is that no academic penalty is assigned for a course dropped by the last day of classes (this changed from the fortieth class day effective Fall 2019 see Section III--Schedule of Dates for the appropriate academic year). This is a pro if you are doing poorly in the course and you do not think that you can successfully complete it based on interim grades.

On the con side, after the thirtieth class day no portion of the tuition fees paid will be refunded (see Refunds in Section III--Schedule of Fees in the Dates for the appropriate academic year). Also, at this point you may have completed a significant portion of work for the course that you will have to repeat if/when the course is re-taken.

Money and extended effort should not, however, deter you from dropping a course if continuing in it will negatively impact your academic performance and, consequently, your status under Continuation of Study requirements. If you would like to discuss a drop decision in more detail you may consult your Program Counsellor.

How do I find out what the average cut-off is for a specific degree program?

You may wish to visit the Admission Services website and review the Admission Plan. This section will provide you with Estimated Cut-off Ranges as well as other admission related information that may be of interest.

How do I get a record of the tuition I have paid for my income tax return?

The Tuition and Education Amounts Certificate (T2202A) is available for printing through WebAdvisor. This is updated online by the end of January in the year following the year for which you are filing your income tax return (i.e. January 2008 for the 2007 filing).

How do I know if I have been granted a deferred assessment (examination or condition)?

If your course grade appears as "DEF" you have been granted a deferred assessment. If you submitted a request for a deferred assessment, have not received notification to your University of Guelph email account that you were denied and your grade does not appear as "DEF" you should contact your Program Counsellor to determine the status of your request.

How do I know the Credit Hours for a specific course or Total Credit Hours?

While Credit Hours are not used at the University of Guelph external applications sometimes ask you to provide them.

Credits hours require a calculation using lecture hours and lab hours, both of which are listed in the header of a course listing in Section XII-Course Descriptions of the Undergraduate Calendar (see Current and Archived copies at https://www.uoguelph.ca/academics/calendars/). The 3rd paragraph of the "Course Information" section in Section XII says:

"The figures in parentheses ( ) following the semester designation are a general guide to the lecture and laboratory contact hours per week, the first digit being the number of lecture hours and the second, the number of laboratory hours. The credit weight for each course appears in brackets [ ]. A credit weight of [0.50] indicates 10-12 student effort hours, including class time, on academic tasks associated with the course."

Example
BIOL*1050 Biology of Plants & Animals in Managed Ecosystems F (3-2) [0.50] ... whereby (3-2) means that for the calendar year associated with this course listing BIOL*1500 had 3 lecture hours and 2 lab hours.

1. Course Credit Hours
Credit Hours for an individual course are calculated by adding together the lecture hours (LEC) plus one-half (0.5) of the laboratory hours (Lab).

2. Total Credit Hours
Total Credit Hours for your academic program are calculated by adding together the Credit Hours for each and every credit attempt listed on your transcript.

Updated 17 April 2018.

How do I know what Class Level I am?

The Class Level Calculation policy is in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of the Undergraduate Calendar at https://calendar.uoguelph.ca/undergraduate-calendar/undergraduate-degree-regulations-procedures/class-level-calculation/ . To find the number of credits you have as "credits completed" and "credits in-progress" you refer to your My Progress report in WebAdvisor. Log into WebAdvisor and choose Academics --> Student Planning --> My Progress report . Refer to "Total Credits" bar on the right side of the report, you will see "xx credits completed" in dark green and "xx credits in progress" in light green.

 

How do I know what College I am part of?

The College affiliation is normally linked to the specialization being pursued by the student. When there is no specialization (i.e. the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Programs) the affiliation is linked to the degree program.

The College affiliation of each specialization (or degree program, if appropriate) is included in the undergraduate calendar as part of the schedule of studies. For example, if you look at the Schedule of Studies for the Applied Human Nutrition Major of the Bachelor of Applied Science Program in Section X of the current Undergraduate Calendar you will note directly under the title that it says Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. This line indicates that the specialization is administered by the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. Therefore, AHN Majors are affiliated with the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences.

If a student has declared more than one specialization the college affiliation is to that of the Major (i.e. College of Arts when the student has a Major in History and a Minor in Family Studies within the Bachelor of Arts Program). If a student has declared more than one major then the affiliation is to that of the specialization listed first in the students' academic program (i.e. to College of Biological Science when the student has an academic program such as BSC.BIO+PHY, indicating a Major in Biology and a second Major in Physics).

The student's College affiliation is also noted in the header of the Program/Academic Evaluation on WebAdvisor.

How do I know what courses to select in each semester?

To find out what courses are required for the specialization (major, minor, area of concentration) you have declared you should refer to your Student Planning module on WebAdvisor. To determine if there is a specific order which these courses should be taken you refer to the Schedule of Studies in Section X of the Undergraduate Calendar (or the Diploma Program Calendar if you are in an Associate Diploma Program). For this information use the Undergraduate Calendar for the year provided in your Student Planning module.

How do I know when and/or where to write my deferred examination?

Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar lists the start and end dates for the Deferred Period each semester. When available, the Exam Schedule for final and deferred exams for each specific semester is posted on-line. The listing is by course code and provides the date, time and location of the examination.

How do I know when to select courses for future semesters, do I get something in the mail?

Dates for Course Selection and Add Periods are available in Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar. Information about the Course Selection Period and specific Course Selection Windows is emailed to students. It is also available on the Registrarial Services website at https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/courseselectionwindow.

How do I know who my Faculty Advisor is?

The Faculty Advisor list option in the black bar of the UAIC website provides a list of Faculty Advisor names by Major within degree program. Along with names this resource provides their contact individual information.

How do I know who my Program Counsellor is?

The Program Counsellor list option in the black bar of the UAIC website provides a list of Program Counsellor names by degree program. Along with names this resource provides their contact individual information.

How do I make an appointment with an academic advisor?

For an appointment with an academic advisor you need to contact their office directly. Please contact your Faculty Advisor and/or Program Counsellor directly.

How much do I need to study?

Each 0.50 credit indicates an expectation of the University that the student will dedicate 10-12 effort hours, including class time, on academic tasks. So if you are taking 2.50 credits you can expect to spend an average of 50-60 hours a week on academic tasks (i.e. class time in lectures and labs, studying, library research, completing assignments).

How will I know if I am on probation?

When academic review is complete the Term Academic Standing is shown on WebAdvisor and can be accessed using the Current Academic Standing tab under Academics when logged into your account.

A student can determine their own academic standing by comparing their academic achievements to requirements in the appropriate Continuation of Study model in Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

All students with a term academic standing of Continue on Probation are sent an email from Registrarial Services. This email informs the student of the term academic standing and provides them with information about what is required of them while on probation. The email also provides information about resources that are available to address issues that may be negatively affecting academic achievements. 

I did not attend high school in Ontario, how do I know if I am adequately prepared for University of Guelph courses?

Please see the Admission Services information for Out of Province Applicants and International Applicants.

I did not drop my course by the last day of classes can I still drop it?

The last day of class is identified in Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar as the last day you can drop a course without academic penalty (this changed from the fortieth class day effective Fall 2019). Beyond the last day of class you normally need to make Request for Academic Consideration if you would like to request that a course be dropped. You should consult your Program Counsellor.

If I re-take a course that I failed and obtain a better grade which grade will appear on my official transcript and which grade will be used to calculate averages?

Grades for both course attempts appear on your official academic record and both will be used to calculate all averages.

If my final grade on WebAdvisor is much lower than I expected can I find out how I did on my final examination?

The Policy on Student Access to Final Examination Materials is part of the Examinations sub-section in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of the current Undergraduate Calendar. It explains that final examination papers and final assignments must be retained by faculty members for a period of one semester. It also explains that students may request access to these within a specific number of days of the start of the next semester by submitting a written request to the department chair.

Is there specific information about applying as a Mature student?

There is information on the Admission Services website under the heading Admission Information about applying as a Mature student.

My application for graduation was denied because I failed a required course in my final semester. Do I have to apply again once I have passed the required course?

You do have to submit a new application for graduation for the future convocation ceremony according to Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

My instructor told me I am not on the class list and all my courses have been dropped on WebAdvisor – why would this happen and what do I do?

Undergraduate students who do not pay their $500 Fall Undergraduate Registration Deposit and/or settle their account by the Semester Payment Deadline (by making full payment or having an Arrangement for Payment approved) by Student Financial Services' published Dates & Deadlines face Financial Deregistration. If you have been financially de-registered you need to review information about Reinstatement and follow the appropriate procedure for your situation. If you need assistance with these processes you should contact Student Financial Services for information.

The add period ended and I only have 4 courses, can I still add a fifth course?

Course adds are not allowed beyond the end of the scheduled add period without permission from both the instructor of the course and the Program Counsellor. If you have extenuating circumstances that prevented you from adding the fifth course prior to the end of the Add Period you should consult with your Program Counsellor.

What do I bring to my academic advising appointment?

You should bring a current copy of your academic evaluation to every academic advising appointment. You can access this document on WebAdvisor. You should also bring any other information / documentation that is pertinent to the academic issues you wish to discuss during the appointment. For example, if you have booked an appointment prior to course selection to seek assistance in choosing courses you should bring a list of courses you might want to take.

What do I do if I have an exam conflict (two scheduled at the same time)?

When available, the Exam Schedule for final and deferred exams for each specific semester is posted on-line. The listing is by course code and provides the date, time and location of the examination. It is your responsibility to check the final examination schedule to ensure that you do not have or add yourself into an examination conflict. If you have a final examination conflict it is your responsibility to resolve it with the instructor(s) of the course(s). An instructor is not required to reschedule a final examination from the date and/or time set by the Office of Registrarial Services to accommodate a conflict. If you cannot resolve the conflict you must drop one of the courses that conflicts. (Please see the Examinations policy for undergraduate students at https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/sec_d0e7755.shtml and scroll down to bullet 1. under the sub-heading "Student's Responsibilities".)

 

What do I do if my scheduled exam conflicts with my religious holiday?

Students who encounter a conflict between a scheduled examination and a religious holiday should consult the Academic Accommodation of Religious Obligations policy. That policy is in Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What do I have to do to register for a course that has prerequisites I have not taken?

In order to register for a course you are normally required to satisfy its stated requisite(s) -- to have achieved pass standing in a prerequisite(s) and/or to register for a co-requisite in the same semester. An instructor may, at their discretion, sign a Course Requisite Waiver on a Course Waiver Request form to override the published prerequisite or co-requisite requirement. The signed form must be submitted to Enrolment Services for processing (UC Level 3 or as an attachment to an email from your University account to es@uoguelph.ca).

What does a final grade of DEF mean?

A final grade of DEF means that a deferred assessment has been granted. A deferred assessment is a temporary extension of time granted for completion of the requirements of a course, normally for medical, psychological, or compassionate reasons. Deferred assessments are completed during the Deferred Period held during the semester which immediately follows, the dates of which are included in Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar. When available, the Exam Schedule for final and deferred exams for each specific semester is posted on-line. The listing is by course code and provides the date, time and location of the examination.

What does a final grade of INC mean?

A final grade of INC means incomplete and is submitted when a student does not complete all course requirements and/or write a final examination. If you have a grade of INC and you completed all course requirements you should contact your instructor to verify all submissions were received and identified as belonging to you.

What does a final grade of MNR mean?

A final grade of MNR means means mark not received and is assigned when a no grade is submitted to the Office of Registrarial Services for a student. If you have a grade of MNR you may contact the instructor to inquire why a grade was not submitted for you.

What does required to withdraw mean?

Required to Withdraw is the Academic Standing a student is assessed when s/he does not satisfy the program requirements for continuation of study. Students who are required to withdraw may appeal to the Academic Review Sub-Committee for probationary status to be granted based on medical, psychological or compassionate grounds.

What happens if I am on probation and do not achieve the minimum semester average required?

If a student whose last term academic standing is continue on probation does not achieve a minimum semester average of 60.00% and/or establish a minimum cumulative average of 60.00% s/he will be required to withdraw from the University for a minimum of two semesters. Students who are required to withdraw may make a Request for Academic Consideration (asking for probationary status) to the Academic Review Sub-Committee. Such a request requires supporting medical, psychological or compassionate grounds.

What high school courses do I require for acceptance into a particular degree program?

For information about specific subject requirements visit the Admission Services website. On that site navigate to Specific Subject Requirements from the high school subsection.

What is a degree program?

A degree program is a defined, integrated course of study leading to an academic degree (i.e. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science). A degree program may or may not require the declaration of a specialization (i.e. major, minor, area of concentration).

What is a major?

A major consists of a minimum number of credits that must be successfully completed. The number of specific course required and the required number of credits within the discipline will vary between majors. Information about requirements for majors is provided in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What is a minor?

A minor consists of a minimum number of credits that must be completed successfully. The number of specific course requirements and the required number of credits within the discipline will vary between minors and degree programs. Information about requirements for minors is provided by degree program in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar. (Additionally the Lang School of Business has an information page at https://www.uoguelph.ca/lang/new-minors-lang-faq that reviews the new Minors they have had approved for the 2020-2021 Undergraduate Calendar that will be available in February 2020.)

What is a specialization?

Majors, minors, and areas of concentration are types of specializations. A specialization may or may not be required by your degree program. Information about requirements for specializations are provided in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What is an area of concentration?

An area of concentration consists of a minimum number of credits that must be completed successfully. The number of specific course requirements and the required number of credits within the discipline will vary between areas of concentration and degree programs. Information about requirements for areas of concentration is provided by degree program in Section X--Undergraduate Programs of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What is an exam conflict?

An exam conflict is defined as two final examinations scheduled at the same time on the same day. Three or more final examinations within a specified period of time (ie. 24 hours) is NOT considered to be an exam conflict.

Please scroll down at https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/sec_d0e7755.shtml to read bullet 1. in the sub-section "Student Responsibilities" of the Examinations policy. The second part of that bullet reads "Students may not remain registered in courses with conflicting final examinations unless written approval is obtained from the dean or director and the instructors-in-charge of the courses. (Note that three examinations in 24 hours does not constitute an examination conflict. A conflict exists only where two examinations are scheduled into the same timeslot.) ”

What is Continuation of Study?

Continuation of Study is the University's policy that defines what level of achievement a student in an undergraduate program must meet in order to continue in their academic program. Each student is assigned a "Schedule" of the Continuation of Study policy when they are admitted to the University and this information is identified in their Offer of Admission.

What is probation?

Probation is the Academic Standing assigned to students who do not satisfy the program requirements for continuation of study but that are given the opportunity to continue. The opportunity to continue is for a defined period of time and requires students to achieve a minimum semester average of 60.00%. Students who do not achieve a minimum semester average of 60.00% while on probation will be assigned the Academic Standing "required to withdraw".

What is required for a prospective transfer student coming from another post-secondary institution?

The University of Guelph uses the word "Transfer" to refer to an applicant or new student who has previously attended (or who is currently enrolled in) a post-secondary institution (college or university) other than the University of Guelph. Students considering applying to Transfer to the University of Guelph from another institution should refer to the University/College Transfer information under Admission Information on the Admission Services website.

What is the difference between a course in my WebAdvisor course schedule that is “Selected” and “Registered”?

The course status "Selected" and the course status "Registered" are synonymous on WebAdvisor, both indicate that you are enrolled in the section. The difference is the timing of the year that you registered in the course.

What is the difference between an Exchange Program and a Semester Abroad?

Students participating in exchange programs pay full-time tuition fees at their home university, but select their courses at the university they will be visiting and are subject to the rules and regulations of the University they are attending on exchange. The grades are recorded there and forwarded to the home institution at the end of the semester or academic year.

Students participating in semester abroad programs are subject to the normal rules and regulations of the University of Guelph. They pay their fees to the University of Guelph and select University of Guelph courses prior to leaving for the semester abroad program that are taught at the site abroad.

Additional information about Exchange Programs and Semester Abroad programs is available in Section V--International Study and Section VII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of the current Undergraduate Calendar. Students interested in either an Exchange Program or a Semester Abroad program may also wish to contact the Centre for International Programs.

What is the maximum number of credits I can take in one semester for my associate diploma program?

Associate diploma program students can select a maximum of 3.00 credits. This limit increases to 3.25 credits on the last day of the add period during the term in question. An approval signature must be obtained from the appropriate program counselling office to register in credits beyond these limits.

What is the maximum number of credits I can take in one semester for my undergraduate degree program?

For most undergraduate degree program students there is a credit limit of 2.75. This limit increases to 3.25 credits on the last day of the add period during the term in question.

Approval must be obtained from the appropriate program counselling office to register in credits beyond these limits.

Students registered in a program that requires a heavier credit load per semester as part of its Schedule of Studies (in Section X--Degree Programs of the Undergraduate Calendar they are following) are exempt from this rule.

What role does a Department Chair / School Director play?

A Chair (or Director) oversees the administration of a department (or school) and is responsible for ensuring that departmental business is conducted in accordance with University policy and procedure. S/he also promotes the interests of the department throughout the University. The current Chairs List is available on the UAIC website.

What should I do if I am having trouble deciding what courses to take after consulting the Schedule of Studies for my specialization and the elective options?

There are academic advisors at the university to help you decide what courses you can take if you are not sure. The Faculty Advisor is assigned to a specialization (i.e. Major in Philosophy) and the Program Counsellor is assigned to a degree program (i.e. Bachelor of Science). You can learn what the roles of a Faculty Advisor and/or a Program Counsellor in Section VII--Academic Advising of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

What should I do if I miss lectures and/or seminars due to illness?

A student who for any reason does not attend classes regularly, runs the risk of being unable to complete the work of the semester. Any student in this situation should contact their instructor immediately to determine the best course of action. Students in this situation are also advised to report to the Program Counsellor for academic advising upon return to classes as this person can assist the student in any required course of action with respect to missed work and/or assessments.

When and how do I obtain my final grades for completed courses?

Final grades are official on the day that they are released by the Office of Registrarial Services. All final grades are available to students through WebAdvisor. Final grades are posted on WebAdvisor for student viewing beginning the day after the last final examination day.

When do I declare a major?

If the degree program requires the declaration of a Major the University normally requires a student to make that declaration by semester 3 of their degree program. This information is in the Schedule of Studies sub-section of Section VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations and Procedures of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

When do I select my courses for a future semester?

Students normally select courses one semester in advance during the appropriate course selection window, according to class level and the last two digits of the University of Guelph I.D. number. Dates for Course Selection and Add Periods are available in Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar. Information about the Course Selection Period and specific Course Selection Windows is emailed to students and available on the Registrarial Services website.

When is my convocation ceremony?

Students can elect to apply for graduation three times per year (October, February and June). Specific dates are listed in Section III--Schedule of Dates of the current Undergraduate Calendar. A listing of ceremonies is on the Convocation website.

When will I be removed from probation?

Once a student has achieved a minimum cumulative average of 60.00% they will be removed from probation and will be assigned the Academic Standing of Eligible to Continue.

When you are on probation does Summer Semester and/or part-time registration count?

Both summer semester and/or part-time registration count. If you register for the summer semester and you are on probation you must achieve a minimum average of 60.00% to be allowed to continue. Therefore if you take one course you need to obtain a minimum grade of 60.00% and if you take 2 or more courses you need to obtain a minimum average of 60.00%.

Where can I find information about Continuation of Study?

Requirements for all schedules of the Continuation of Study policy are outlined in Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar. If you need help understanding the policy you should speak to your Program Counsellor.

Where can I see what my grades in percentages are in terms of letter grades?

An explanation of numerical grades and their corresponding letter grades is available in the Grades sub-section of Section VIII of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

Where do I find information about the undergraduate Certificate in Leadership?

Official information about the University of Guelph’s Certificate in Leadership is available on-line at http://www.leadershipcertificate.com/.

Where do I get a letter confirming my graduation from the University?

Students who have NOT convocated and require a letter confirming their upcoming graduation from the University make a request to their Program Counsellor.

Students who HAVE convocated and require a letter confirming graduation from the University make a request to the Undergraduate Graduation and Convocation Coordinator.

Information about both of these processes, including contacts, is online at https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/graduation .

Please note, to verify the credentials of a University of Guelph graduate 3rd parties -- such as a prospective employers -- can email verify@uoguelph.ca. The types of information that can be released in response to these requests are outlined in the Office of Registrarial Services' Departmental Policy on the Release of Student Information.

Which elective should I take?

Electives are what you choose to take. Your degree program or specialization may provide you with the opportunity to take free electives (i.e. any course in any subject area), require you to take electives in a specific discipline (i.e. Arts or Social Science electives) or provide a list of elective courses to choose from (i.e. restricted electives). If you think you may pursue graduate studies (i.e. a M.Sc. program) or a professional program (i.e. medical school) in the future you may wish to take electives that will also satisfy entrance requirements for these programs.

While on probation what average do I need to achieve?

To continue in an academic program a student whose last term academic standing is continue on probation must achieve:

- a minimum semester average of 60.00% to continue on probation

- establish a minimum cumulative average of 60.00% to be eligible to continue

Who can I go to for help with studying and writing university level papers?

Students who require guidance studying and writing papers should visit the Learning Commons located on the first floor of the McLaughlin Library. The Learning Commons provide support for enhancing student’s learning, writing, research, numeracy, and use of technology.

Who can I talk to about careers available for my degree program?

Students that are interested in what type of careers they can pursue after completing their degree should review the Experiential Learning website for services and resources.

Who else can I talk to other than my Faculty Advisor?

If you feel that you cannot speak with your faculty advisor you should contact your Program Counsellor. If you have a concern about your faculty advisor his/her supervisor is the Department Chair/School Director.

Who else can I talk to other than my Program Counsellor?

If you feel that you cannot speak with your Program Counsellor you should contact the Associate Dean (Academic) for your college or degree program.

Why can I not register in a course?

When a specific course is not an option in the list of available courses to be selected on WebAdvisor it is because it is not offered in the semester you are course selecting or adding for. Full course sections show in the list as highlighted in red, are marked Closed and have a 0/xx showing in the Available/Capacity column.

In order to determine when a specific course is normally offered you should refer to the header line for the course in its course description in Section XII--Course Descriptions of the current Undergraduate Calendar.

Each course entry includes one of S, F, W. These letters indicate the University's intention to offer the course in the Summer (S), Fall (F) or Winter (W) semester during the academic year covered by the calendar. Although courses normally will be offered in the semester indicated, students preparing their course programs are advised to consult the Undergraduate Course Timetable. The University cannot guarantee that all courses will be offered in the exact semester indicated. The letter U in place of S, F, W indicates that an intended offering has not been assigned to the course. Students should consult the Undergraduate Course Timetable posted on WebAdvisor or contact the departments offering those courses to determine the semester offerings.

Temporary Course Restrictions information -- for those restrictions not published in the Undergraduate Calendar -- are listed at https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/courseselectionwindow