FAS Regulations: Course Duplication Appeals

FAS-5.X Course Duplication Appeals

FAS-5.X.1 Policy

SFU Calendar regulations restrict the number of courses that a student may duplicate in a degree program to five, but allow the Dean of the Faculty to extend this limit on appeal. In addition, no course may be repeated more than once without permission of the department.

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 appeals to exceed the five course duplication limit on behalf of the Dean. Appeals to duplicate a course more than once are adjudicated at the School level.

FAS-5.X.2 Interpretation

1. Normally, the need to satisfy a course prerequisite is not acceptable as a reason for duplication beyond stated limits. Obtaining a prerequisite waiver, possibly on the grounds of supplementary preparatory work, is usually a reasonable alternative to duplication.
2. Raising GPA is not an acceptable reason for duplication beyond the stated limits. Beyond those limits, the only reasonable 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.X.3 Procedure

   1. Students should obtain and complete the FAS Course Duplication Appeal Form.
   2. The appeal form should be submitted first to the department or School offering the course.
   3. The department (or School) should identify any reasonable alternatives to course duplication that may exist.
   4. In the event of an appeal concerning only a request to duplicate a particular course more than once (not exceeding the five course duplication limit), the department or School adjudicates the request.
   5. In the event of an appeal concering a request to exceed the five course duplication limit, the department or School should forward the appeal to the Associate Dean after providing its recommendations, if any.
   6. 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.