The School of Pharmacy sets and administers its examinations in
accordance with the rules and regulations set by the Faculty of Science
and the University of Waterloo. Student academic standings are
considered each term by the School of Pharmacy faculty body and are
made in accordance with the regulations listed as follows: - The factors considered in academic standing in Pharmacy are the term average and the number of failed courses.
- The minimum term average required for promotion in the program is 60%.
- The
standard minimum passing grade in each course is 50% but a higher
requirement may be set in selected courses. A number of courses will be
graded on a CR/NCR basis.
Explanation of Standings:
- "Satisfactory
Standing" requires that a student achieves a minimum term average of
60% with no failed courses. This entitles a student to proceed to the
next term of study.
Note: A student with only one failure per
term may proceed to the next term; however, any failed course must be
cleared. The student must make arrangements with the course instructor
as to the mechanism for clearing the failed course. - "May
not Proceed" standing may result if a student achieves a minimum term
average of 60% but fails a maximum of two term courses. The failed
courses must be cleared before the student is permitted to proceed to
the next term.
- "Failed-Required to Withdraw" may result if a
student fails to achieve the minimum term average of 60% or the student
fails three or more courses in a term or the student leaves the program
without proper notification and fails to write the final examinations.
Clearing Failed Courses
Normally,
failed courses may be passed in one of two ways. Pharmacy will decide
which mechanism is appropriate. The two options are: - Obtaining
a minimal passing grade for the course based on the outcome of a
supplemental examination or on another mechanism determined by the
course instructor. There is a fee for supplemental exams. Supplemental
examinations may not be available for all courses. Normally, a
supplemental examination for a course may be offered if there is a
maximum of 2 failed courses/term and the student is in satisfactory
academic standing. If a supplemental examination is to be offered, the
student will be notified regarding the supplemental examination. When a
supplemental examination is passed, "Sup Satisfied" will appear on
Quest and on the transcript in the "Sup" field adjacent to the original
grade for the course. Only one attempt at a supplemental examination is
allowed. If the student is not successful, s/he must re-take the course
when it is next offered, and may not proceed to the next term.
- Re-taking
the failed course or an approved alternative and obtaining a minimal
passing grade for the course. When a failed course has been
successfully cleared the grade obtained in the cleared course is
indicated on Quest and on the Transcript. The original course and
failing grade remain on the Transcript. If a grade of less than the
minimal passing grade is obtained for a repeat course, the student is
given the academic decision "Failed - May Not Continue in Faculty."
Academic decisions will be revised as appropriate based on clearing of failed courses.