CA.SFU.FAS.UCC/Papers/2000-3

FAS Regulations: Course Duplication Appeals

Robert D. Cameron, Associate Dean of Applied Sciences

February 11, 2000

The following is proposed wording for a new section of the FAS Handbook of Regulations and Guidelines.

FAS-5.2 Course Duplication Appeals

FAS-5.2.1 Policy

SFU Calendar regulations restrict the number of courses which a student may duplicate in a degree program to five, but allow the Dean of the Faculty to extend this limit on appeal.

In the Faculty of Applied Sciences, a course duplication request will only be granted when both the following conditions hold.

  1. There is no reasonable alternative to course duplication that will allow the student to continue with the intended program of studies.
  2. There is clear evidence to support a belief that the student will be successful in both the duplicated course and the intended program of studies.
The Associate Dean, in consultation with the Faculty of Applied Sciences Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, adjudicates course duplication requests on behalf of the Dean.

FAS-5.2.2 Interpretation

  1. Normally, the need to satisfy a course prerequisite is an inadequate reason for duplication. Obtaining a prerequisite waiver, possibly on the grounds of supplementary preparatory work, is usually a reasonable alternative to duplication.
  2. Raising GPA is an inadequate reason for duplication. The GPA-raising benefits of course duplication are available to SFU students up to 5 times. Beyond this, the only alternative for raising GPA is to do well in new course attempts.
  3. Normally, the evidence of success must include either a CGPA or recent semester GPAs above the relevant standard (admission or continuation) of a student's (intended or declared) program.

    FAS-5.2.3 Procedure

    Students should obtain and complete the FAS Course Duplication Appeal Form. This form should first be submitted to the School to evaluate possible alternatives to course duplication and to provide the School recommendations to the Associate Dean. The form should then be forwarded to the Associate Dean. In the event that the Associate Dean does not concur with the recommendation of a School, the appeal will be submitted to the FAS Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for a decision.

Rationale

This policy encodes the existing practice with respect to course duplication appeals. The goals of the written policy statement are:

  1. to define consistent standards that can be uniformly applied to such appeals, and
  2. to ensure that students know what issues to address in making their written appeal.

A new Course Duplication Appeal Form will be designed to require student submissions addressing the "no reasonable alternative" and "evidence of success" criteria.