5.3.3 Academic Standing and Evaluation System

Academic matters are the jurisdiction of the Student Standing
and Promotions Committee. The committee reviews the student record, professional conduct, and general performance and makes decisions on all matters relating to standing, promotion
and graduation.

A student is allowed to write a final examiniation in a course only after the course requirements have been fulfilled. Courses can be graded either by letter grades or in percentages, but the official grade in each course is the letter grade.


Grades	Grade Points	Numerical Scale of Marks
A	4.0	85 - 100%
A-	3.7	80 - 84%
B+	3.3	75 - 79%
B	3.0	70 - 74%
B-	2.7	65 - 69%
C+	2.3	60 - 64%
C	2.0	55 - 59%
D*	1.0	50 - 54%
F (Fail)	0	0 - 49%

For students in the B.Sc.(N.) and B.N. programs, a passing grade in all courses is a C. In the Master's program the passing grade is B-.

Letter grades are assigned grade points according to the table shown above. A student's academic standing will be determined on the basis of a grade point average (GPA), which is calculated by dividing the sum of the course credit times the grade points by the total course GPA credits.

Standing will be determined on the basis of a grade point
average (GPA) computed by dividing the sum of the grade points accumulated during the year by the total course credits attempted.

The term grade point average (TGPA) will be the GPA for a given term calculated using all the applicable courses at the same level in that term. Cumulative grade point average (CGPA) will be the grade point average calculated using the student's entire record in the program. If courses are repeated, all results are included in the GPA calculations. Therefore, grades of D or F
continue to be used in the CGPA calculation even after the course is repeated or if a supplemental examination is taken. A failed course will continue to be used in the calculation of the CGPA even after the course is repeated and passed, or if a supplemental examination is taken.

- Pass. Pass/Fail grading is restricted to certain seminars and examinations only. In such cases all grades in these courses are recorded as either Pass or Fail. Not included in GPA calculations.

- To be continued. The use of this grade is reserved for major research projects, monographs and comprehensive examinations as designated for graduate studies.

- Absent: to be recorded for the student who did not write the final examination and had not been granted deferred status, or who did not complete an essential part of the course requirements without a valid reason. This is a failure and is calculated in the TGPA and CGPA as a failure. (Students may appeal the assignment of the grade of J, but circumstances such as appearing at the incorrect time for an examination would not be sufficient reason for this grade to be replaced by a deferral. Students who have earned sufficient marks to pass the course even though the final examination is not written, may opt to have their grade based on the record to date.)

- Incomplete: deadline extended for submission of work in a course or for the completion of a program requirement such as a Ph.D. language examination (maximum four months). (Need a K contract signed.)

- Incomplete/failed: failed to meet the extended deadline for submission of work in a course or for the completion of a program requirement. This is a failure and is calculated in the TGPA and CGPA as a failure.

- Completion requirement waived. This is used in exceptional cases only, with the approval of the Director of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.

- Further extension granted with the approval of the Director of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office (maximum two years.) (Need a K contract signed.)

- Deferred: for students whose final examinations or papers have been deferred, for reasons such as illness, at the time of the examination. The "L" grade must be cleared as soon as possible (maximum four months).
A medical certificate or appropriate document must be submitted to the Chair of the Student Standing and
Promotions Committee of the School of Nursing before or within three working days following the scheduled examination. In particular, such recommendations will not be considered if medical reasons are brought forth after a grade is assigned.

- By commencing to write any examination, the student waives the right to plead medical causes for deferral or permission to write a supplemental examination, unless the medical problem occurs in the course of the examination and is documented by examination authorities.

- Withdrew failing: a course dropped, with special permission in exceptional case, after faculty deadline for withdrawal from course, the student's performance in the course at that stage being on the level of an F; not included in GPA calculations.

In certain instances, students may designate elective courses to be graded under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Only one course (3 credits) per term, to a maximum of 10% of a student's credits taken at McGill to fulfil the degree requirements, may be taken in this way. Grades will be reported in the normal fashion by the instructor and those of A through C will be converted to "Satisfactory" (S), and grades of D and F will become "Unsatisfactory" (U). The decision to have an elective course graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory must be made by the student before the end of the Drop/Add period, and no change can be made thereafter. The courses taken under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option will be excluded from the grade point average calculations, but they will be included in the number of credits attempted and completed. The Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option is not available for Required or Complementary Courses.

As this option has very limited application in the School of Nursing, students considering it should seek guidance from the faculty advisor. To be considered for in-course awards and/or the renewal of entrance scholarships, students must complete at least 27 graded credits in the regular academic session exclusive of courses completed under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option.

Students will be informed early in each course regarding the evaluation methods to be used. All issues pertaining to student performance in the program are reviewed by the Student Standing and Promotions Committee which makes decisions about failures, supplemental examinations, withdrawals, repeats and continuing in the program.

The student who has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and above, has received no more than two failures in the non-nursing courses of the program, and failed no more than four credits in non-clinical nursing courses is considered in satisfactory standing. Full-time students in satisfactory standing take between 12 and 18 credits per term. Freshman (U0) students are in satisfactory standing when all required courses are passed at a C level or higher and have a CGPA of 2.0 or above. U0 students can have no more than 2 failures in the Freshman year.

Note: U0 students are in satisfactory standing when all required courses are passed at a C level or higher and have a CGPA of 2.0 or above. U0 students can have no more than 2 failures in the Freshman year.

Any student with GPA below 2.0 and who has been allowed to continue the program or repeat a year of the program is on probationary standing.

Any student who has exceeded the number of allowable supplemental examinations and has been given permission to stay in the program is on probationary standing.

A student in probationary standing must return to satisfactory standing at the end of the next academic year by completing the requirements set out by the Student Standing and Promotions Committee and obtaining a term GPA of 2.5 and a Cumulative GPA of 2.0 and above.

Students in probationary standing must carry a reduced load (maximum 14 credits per term). They must see their academic adviser to discuss course selection.

Any student who has a CGPA below 2.0, a term GPA below 1.5 and has a "D" or "F" in more than two non-nursing courses in the program or a "D" or "F" in four credits of nursing or has failed a clinical nursing course is in unsatisfactory standing (see Examination section).

Note: Any U0 student who has obtained a "D" or an "F" in more than two courses or has a CGPA below 2.0 is in unsatisfactory standing.

Any student who the Committee of Student Standing has deemed unsuitable for the practice of nursing such as those who have engaged in criminal activity and/or have violated the Code of Ethics for Nurses and/or have violated the McGill University Student Code of Conduct.

The student's final grade is based on written work, oral presentations, examinations and clinical performance. Students will be informed at the beginning of each course of the methods of evaluation in the course.

A student may have no more than two failures in the non-nursing courses of the program and failures in no more than four credits in non-clinical nursing courses to be considered in satisfactory standing. The student must have a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0 to be in satisfactory standing.

A student must obtain a "satisfactory" standing in his/her clinical evaluation to pass a clinical nursing course. Failure in a clinical course puts the student in unsatisfactory standing in the program. This results in a student being asked to withdraw from the program.

Only under very exceptional circumstances will a student be allowed to repeat a clinical nursing course. Permission for the exception can only be granted by the Student Standing and Promotions Committee.

Regulations regarding standing fall under the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office. These regulations also apply to students in the Qualifying Year of the Master's program. The regulations state that:

"The candidate is required to pass, with a mark of B- or better, all those courses which have been designated by the department as forming a part of the program. These are the courses which have been entered on the registration form."

"Students who have failed one course (non-nursing) in their program of study may write one supplemental examination if the departmental policy permits or retake the course or substitute an equivalent course. A student with any further failures in that course, or a failure in any other courses, will be required to withdraw from their program of study."

A student who has failed in any course required for the degree and has not received permission to attempt a supplemental examination from the School of Nursing Student Standing and Promotions Committee will be required to withdraw.

Only under very special circumstances will a student be allowed to write a supplemental examination in a nursing course. Permission for that exception is granted by the School of Nursing Student Standing and Promotions Committee.

A student must obtain a "satisfactory" standing in his/her clinical evaluation to pass a clinical nursing course. Failure in a clinical course puts the student in unsatisfactory standing in the program. This results in a student being asked to withdraw from the program.

Students in either the B.Sc.(N.) or B.N. program who have failed in required examinations are permitted to write supplemental examinations only on the recommendation of the Student Standing and Promotions Committee.

Only under very special circumstances will a student be permitted to write more than two supplemental examinations throughout the program.

Students in the Baccalaureate programs must have a CGPA of 2.0 or above in first year and 2.3 in subsequent years to be eligible for consideration for supplemental examinations.

For reasons such as illness or family afflictions for which the student presents verification, an examination may be "deferred" by permission of the Chair of the Student Standing and Promotions Committee. This verification must be supplied within three (3) days of the scheduled examination. A medical certificate or appropriate document must be submitted to the Chair of the Student Standing and Promotions Committee at the School of Nursing before or within three working days following the scheduled examination.

Note: This stipulation refers to any course taken in the program of study, i.e., nursing and non-nursing courses.

Papers are marked and grades calculated and handled with considerable care. However, if a student wishes the calculation of marks checked (reassessment) or a formal final examination re-read, whether in a nursing course or in other university courses, he/she should initially contact the course Coordinator. Depending on the outcome, the student may apply in writing to the Student Standing and Promotions Committee with reasons for the request.

There is a fee for the re-read of a final examination or term paper. From this process the final mark for the course can be raised or lowered depending on the result.

See the General Information section of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Calendar for policies and regulations relating to rereads of 600- or 700-level courses.

If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the re-read, the student may appeal. The student makes a written appeal to the Student Standing and Promotions Committee stating the reason for the appeal. See "University Regulations" concerning the appeal process. For information on Appeal procedures contact the Chair of the Student Standing and Promotions Committee.