Transfers, graduation and petition procedures
What are transfer credits and letters of permission?
There are two types of transfer credits: incoming credits for transfer students, and letter of permission credits for current students. Generally, course descriptions are used for assessment. However, in cases where students wish comparisons to division-specific (i.e. ANA, PAC, PHE or PSL) courses, detailed course outlines must be provided by students applying for transfer credit. Complete applications are due in mid August of their year of admission. A maximum of 9 academic and 2 activity options may be transferred.
Current BPHE students may take a maximum of 5 academic and 2 full activity options from other approved universities by letter of permission (provided these courses do not exceed the overall transfer maximum of 9 academic and 2 activity options). With the exception of students in the Exchange Program students are permitted only two courses on letter of permission at the 300 level or higher. Letter of permission requests must be accompanied by appropriate course outlines and payment, and submitted several weeks prior to any course application deadlines. Transfer credits for exchange students will be established on an individual basis. Transfer credits are granted only if final grades are at least one grade higher than the minimum passing grade of the other institution (e.g. 60%+ where 50% is a pass). See the BPHE Program Office for more details, and the list of fees for charges. Transfer credits will be indicated without grades on the University of Toronto transcript. Grades obtained elsewhere are not factored into the grade point averages. Transfer students are not allowed to enroll in credit courses that would duplicate previous completed courses whether transfer credit was granted or denied.
What is major/minor certification?
Graduating students may be eligible to receive acknowledgment of an equivalent of an Arts and Science minor or major upon completion of certain courses within specific disciplines (geography, biology, etc.). Information regarding major/minor requirements for each discipline may be found in the Arts and Science Calendar of your year of entry. Interested students must notify the BPHE Program Office by the last date to delete courses in the winter term. Students must present documentation of the Faculty of Arts and Science requirements for minors/majors and provide evidence that all requirements will have been completed by the time of graduation. Successful completion will result in the annotation of the students transcript as to the completion of the minor or major.
Note: In some disciplines, the Faculty of Arts and Science has found it necessary to restrict enrollment in upper-level courses to their own students. BPHE students planning to pursue “majors” and/or “minors” should consult the department concerned regarding the availability of courses.
When can I graduate?
A student shall be deemed to have completed Year IV and therefore be eligible for graduation, when standing has been obtained in the full complement of 20.0 academic courses, 4 core physical activity rotations, 3 full optional physical activity credits, 3 outdoor projects, an acceptable Standard First Aid and Basic Rescuer CPR, and when all other requirements outlined in the Calendar have been fulfilled. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all requirements have been met rests with the student, who is strongly advised to check the total number of course credits completed, and their appropriate levels, before the last date to add courses in the fall term of Year IV.
What are the graduation requirements?
To graduate, a student must:
1. obtain a cumulative academic course GPA of at least 1.7;
2. obtain a cumulative activity core course GPA of at least 1.7; and
3. meet all other requirements of the program as established in the year in which he/she first entered the Faculty.
What do I need to graduate with honours?
Students who achieve a cumulative weighted academic and activity percentage average greater than or equal to 75%, and an academic average greater than or equal to 75% in all 300 and 400 level courses will graduate with honours.
What do I need to graduate with high honours?
Students who achieve a cumulative weighted academic and activity percentage average greater than or equal to 80%, and an academic average greater than or equal to 80% in all 300 and 400 level courses will graduate with high honours.
How can I petition?
The regulations of the Faculty and the requirements for the BPHE degree must be observed carefully by each student. Regulations and degree requirements are considered official only when confirmed in writing as in the Calendar, on Faculty Notice Boards or in written communication to students. Verbal communication (telephone and other conversations) cannot serve as grounds for petition. Failure to observe Faculty regulations can result in academic and/or financial penalties. Student negligence is not grounds for petition.
What is cause for a petition?
Where a student has genuine difficulties complying with a particular regulation, the Faculty will entertain a petition, i.e. a formal application by a student for exemption from, variation on, or special consideration with regard to program regulations. A reasonable case for a petition should involve events beyond a student’s control. These events must be shown to have been an obstacle to successful completion of academic responsibilities. Most of these situations concern illness, personal problems, accidents, family difficulties, etc.
Where can I get petition forms?
Petition forms are obtained from the Information Services - Main Office. Official documentation of pertinent evidence must be submitted in support of the petition. If illness is being used as the reason, the University of Toronto Student Medical Certificate must be completed by the doctor. Other medical notes will not be accepted.
Who reviews petitions?
Petitions are reviewed by the Examinations Petitions Sub-Committee, which meets weekly during the school term. Contentious or unique petitions are referred to the Examinations Committee, which meets monthly. Students are thus advised to present any requests as early as possible. Petitions will not be considered at times other than regular meetings of the pertinent committee unless there is clear evidence that an unforeseeable situation makes this mandatory. Where appropriate, an appeal of a decision by the Examinations Committee may be forwarded to the Appeals Committee to the attention of the Associate Dean-undergraduate education. Students are advised to consult with the Associate Dean regarding the appeals policies and procedures. Any further appeal may be forwarded to the University Governing Council. Appeals will be considered only if filed within two weeks of the notification date of the petition result. The student is entitled to be accompanied by council when appearing before the Appeal Panel.