Academic Standing Decisions

Academic standing is used to determine your eligibility to continue or graduate from your program. The academic standing of all students in the Faculty of Science is assessed annually on the basis of the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated on all coursework attempted in the Fall and Winter. Spring and Summer work is not included.
Note: we do not calculate a cumulative GPA for academic standing review

Please refer to the academic calendar for academic standing rules

Academic standing decisions are communicated through an Academic Standing letter posted to your Bear Tracks account in early June.

Understanding the Academic Standing Rulings:

  1. Satisfactory Standing is assigned to students who meet the minimum continuation requirements for their program, including Fall/Winter GPA, and any course specific grade or GPA requirements (if applicable).

  2. Marginal Standing is assigned to students with a GPA between 1.7 and 1.9. The consequences of marginal standing will depend on the program you are in and your prior academic performance. Most students with marginal standing are placed on Academic Warning, but that is not the case for all. Review the academic calendar for all details and consequences.

  3. Unsatisfactory Standing is assigned to students whose GPA is below 1.7. It is also assigned to students with a GPA below 2.0 who have in their postsecondary education a prior requirement to withdraw, an academic warning, a probation period or their equivalents. Students with unsatisfactory standing are required to withdraw. This means they cannot continue in Science or register in subsequent terms beyond Spring.

Fresh Start

The Fresh Start program is offered through Open Studies.  It is a 1 year program that allows students in participating Faculties to remain on campus while attempting to re-establish satisfactory standing, and regain eligibility for readmission to the Faculty in which they were originally registered, or to another Faculty.

Eligibility:

Fresh Start is available through referral only. The Faculty of Science will recommend the Fresh Start program to students who meet both the Faculty of Science and the Fresh Start criteria, and who will benefit from the program. *Students cannot petition to be placed in Fresh Start

Students recommended to the Fresh Start program will receive this information on their Academic Standing letter.

If you did not receive a referral to Fresh Start you must review your other options. No exceptions will be made.

Readmission after Fresh Start

Benefits:

  • Allows you to work towards readmission while staying at the University of Alberta rather than attending elsewhere.
  • Provides a supportive learning environment with resources designed to help you regain control of your academics.
  • All credit earned while registered at the UofA may be applied to future degree programs.

Probation

In the Faculty of Science there are two scenarios for a student to be placed on probation. 

  1. Students who have been required to withdraw and who have successfully appealed that decision will be placed on Probation.  
  2. Students who are readmitted after studies were discontinued for a period of time  for academic reasons are also admitted on probation.

Probation is completed in the Bachelor of Science (Major) program.

Probation should be taken seriously and students must complete all of their probation conditions within the specified time period in order to clear their unsatisfactory standing.

Probation in the academic calendar

Academic Standing Appeals

Some academic standing decisions can be appealed while others cannot. The Academic Appeals policy provides clear information on types of appeals you are eligible to submit. 

Review the resources below to understand Faculty of Science policies and procedures:

Decisions that cannot be appealed

Section 3 of the above Academic Appeals Policy outlines what decisions cannot be appealed. 

Petitions and emails appealing decisions that are not eligible for appeal, or those that do not follow proper procedures will not be accepted. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I appeal my academic standing ruling?
First check your eligibility. Review the Academic Appeals Policy and the academic calendar to understand your options. If you are eligible to appeal, follow the “How to submit an appeal” procedure.
My academic standing situation doesn’t fit the parameters for a formal appeal. Can I just send an email explaining my situation anyway?
No. Petitions for decisions that are not appealable will not be accepted or considered.  This includes letters sent to the Dean or any other member of the leadership team.  If you have questions about your academic standing status or need help determining your next steps please meet with an academic advisor in Science.
I was Required to Withdraw from another faculty. Can I transfer to Science?
No, students applying for admission to Science must be in good academic standing and meet all admission requirements. In some cases you may apply for admission after requalifying elsewhere. Please review the “Postsecondary Transfer Applicants” section of the calendar for the Faculty of Science, prior to applying. You may also speak with a member of the Science academic advising team for assistance.
I disagree with the conditions of my probation. Can I appeal or change them?
No, conditions of probation cannot be appealed.
I have been Required to Withdraw from the Faculty of Science, can I transfer to another faculty at the UofA?
Please speak with an advisor in your faculty of choice prior to applying. They can let you know what is required for their programs.