Can I re-take a course that I passed if I'm not happy with my grade?

You cannot re-take a course if you previously passed it. If you failed a course you can re-take it. Bear in mind that if you re-take a previously failed course, the failed grade is not removed or averaged. Both the failed grade and the new grade are calculated into the GPA.

Help! I need a course for my program and it's full. What should I do?

If the course you need has a waitlist function, be sure to take advantage of it. Waitlists enable you to reserve a space that may become available in a lecture meeting section(s) that is currently full. If space becomes available, and you are next on the wait list, you will automatically be enrolled in the meeting section. Waitlists do not guarantee you a space in the meeting space, but allow you to wait for a space if one becomes available. Check the Registrar's website for waitlist procedure.

If you are still on a waitlist by the start of classes, you should come up with a back-up plan. Ask yourself: Are there any other required courses I can complete this semester? Can I take an elective now and complete the required course at a later time?

If the course does not have a waitlist function (not all courses do) you will need to check ROSI on a regular basis to see if a space opens up.

If the matter is urgent and you are in your final year of study and you need a specific course to complete your program requirement, you can talk to your program supervisor about being added to the course. If you are a first year student and the program requirements for the first year courses are full, you can go to the Registrar's office.  If you're not sure, speak with a staff member at the Academic Advising & Career Centre to discuss your options.

I want to take a course on the St. George/UTM campus. How can I do this?

You can enrol in courses on the St. George or UTM campuses the same way you enrol in UTSC courses, by logging onto ROSI and entering the appropriate course and section code. If you wish to see which courses are being offered on the other campuses, you must consult the respective course calendar and timetables (St. George or UTM).

Bear in mind that students are permitted to take up to 5 full credits in other Arts & Science divisions of the University of Toronto. No more than 1.0 of a student's first 4.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCEs) at UTSC may be taken on another campus. You must ensure you have completed any prerequisites or you may be withdrawn from this course. St. George and UTM.

If the course that you wish to take at the St. George or UTM campus is a program requirement, you need the Program supervisor's approval. Check the academic calendar for the name and contact information of the Program supervisor. If the course is simply an elective, you do not need permission.

How do I know whether to drop a course or not? What is the deadline?

If you think there is a good chance this particular course will compromise your GPA and you're unsure whether you can boost your grade on the final exam, you may consider dropping the course. Before making any decision, you can come to AA&CC and seek advice.

Midterm performance is generally indicative of final performance, so look to your midterm mark as an indication of your final mark. Before dropping the course, look to see if it's a pre-requisite for a required course. Check to see if you can re-take it in a future semester so that it won't delay the completion of your program requirements. Also, if you are a CTEP or Co-op student, or in any limited enrolment programs, you should consult with your program or CTEP academic advisors before making a decision.

Courses can be dropped via ROSI. The deadline for dropping a course without academic penalty is listed in the Calendar under sessional dates; financial deadlines differ and can be found on the fees website.

I need 5.5 credits in my last year in order to graduate. Can I take an extra course in my last semester?

If you would like to enroll in a 6th  course, you can add it in August (for fall/winter) or in April (for summer). Check the Registrar's office for specific dates on when you are allowed to register in the 6th course. Make this decision carefully, as even one extra course can greatly increase your workload, which could result in a lower GPA. Sometimes it is wiser to spread out your remaining courses over two semesters in order to maintain your GPA (and your health!)

My friend told me there is a limit on the number of first-year courses I can take. Is this true?

There is a policy on the UofT St. George campus regarding a limit on first year courses, but UTSC does not have such a policy. Therefore, you can take as many first-year (A-level) courses as you like. Bear in mind that if you intend to apply to graduate school or professional school, it is advisable not to take too many introductory courses in your final years of study. They may interpret this as an attempt to increase your GPA by giving yourself an "easy" course load - whether the courses are easy or not!

I want to take a course but I don't have the prerequisite. Is there a way I can still take the course?

As a general rule, it is advisable to complete prerequisites, as the prerequisites provide the foundation needed to succeed in your courses. However, under some circumstances, you can ask the instructor for permission to take the course without the prerequisite. The instructor may agree to allow you into the course. This generally isn't an issue if you never intend to take the prerequisite course in future. However, if you take the prerequisite at a later time (e.g. because it's a program requirement) you will violate the "specific prerequisite rule." This means you will not earn a degree credit for the prerequisite.

I want to take a course that is required for my program but it has an exclusion for a course I took last year. Does that mean I'm exempt from having to take the program requirement?

It is likely that your program requirement and the exclusion have very similar content. However, you should still confirm this with your program supervisor before you assume you are exempt from the program requirement.

How do I choose my program?

Your program should be in keeping with your future career plans. Review the program guide on the academic calendar to see what programs are offered at UTSC. If you are not sure which program to choose, review the program tipsheets. These will give you information regarding programs, list of related careers, and career resources. You may want to attend our workshop called Choosing Your Program or the Program Information Fair. You could also come to the Academic Advising & Career Centre and speak with a staff member regarding your program and career options.

Can I change my program?

Yes, but changes become more difficult the further into a program you are and if the programs are vastly different in nature. If such things are a concern, you are advised to speak with an Academic Advising & Career Centre staff. Programs are changed via ROSI. Refer to the Subject POSt & Degree POSt sections of the current Registration Guide for the application procedure and applicable deadlines.

What is a subject POSt? Where do I find the subject POSt codes?

A subject POSt is a program of study. It may be a Specialist, Major or Minor program. There are two kinds of subject POSts: unlimited and limited. An unlimited subject Post has no enrolment specifications and can be added at any time. A limited enrolment subject POSt is one where students compete for a place in the program on the basis of courses, grades and, sometimes, other criteria. You enrol in Subject POSt through ROSI. For instruction on how and when to apply check the Registrar's website.

I really want to get into a limited enrolment program at UTSC. How can I make myself competitive to get in? Can I apply again if I don't get in the first time?

Generally, it requires a relatively high GPA (ranging from 2.5 or higher) to get into limited enrolment programs, and the GPA cut-off for programs tends to change from year to year. There may be required courses you have to take and a minimum number of credits that you must earn in order to be considered. These requirements are listed in the calendar under the appropriate program. If you are applying to a co-op program you need to submit supplementary information. Check the Management co-op and Arts & Science co-op websites.

You can apply to limited enrolment programs more than once. There are two enrolment periods per year; one in April and one in July. However, there may be a limit on the number of credits you can earn before being restricted from applying to programs. For example, for Management programs, students who have completed more than ten full credits cannot apply.

My parents are pressuring me to stay in a program that I don't like because it will help me get a good job when I graduate. What should I do?

Talk to your parents and be honest with them. Perhaps they don't realize just how unhappy you are in your current program. Doing research into employment opportunities may help them understand that other programs can also lead to great careers. If you need help making an informed decision regarding your programs, make an appointment with an Academic Advisor. To discuss career options related to programs, make an appointment with a Career Counsellor. Additionally, you can check the tipsheet for more information on program related careers.

What programs do I need in order to complete my degree?

It depends on your degree. If you intend to graduate with an Honours Bachelor of Science or an Honours Bachelor of Arts, you must complete the following: (a) a Specialist program, or (b) two Major programs, or (c) two Minor Programs and a Major program. If you registered at the University of Toronto Scarborough in a session prior to the 2009 Summer Session have the option also of completing three minor programs.

If you intend to graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration, you must complete the following: (a) the Specialist program in Economics for Management Studies, or (b) one of the Specialist Programs listed in the Management section of the Calendar.

I have received some transfer credits. Will these courses count toward my program?

If you received a specified transfer credit that is equivalent to a requirement for your new program, then it will most likely count towards your program. However, it is still important to confirm this with your Program Supervisor. If you received an unspecified transfer credit (e.g. MATA***) consult with your Program Supervisor to determine if the unspecified credits meets prerequisite, or program requirements. Check the Registrar's website for more information on transfer credits.

I was removed from Management because my GPA was too low. How can I get back in?

If your GPA is too low, it may not be possible to get back into Management. The required GPA to stay in the program is lower than the GPA to gain admission into the program. If you do raise your GPA considerably, you can apply again to be considered for management as long as you haven't earned more than ten full credit equivalents (FCEs.) You should consult with the Management program advisor regarding this matter.

How do I know if a co-op program is right for me?

Co-op programs offer students an excellent opportunity to gain practical skills in work-related situations specific to their programs of study. If you are interested in gaining 8 to 12 months of work experience during your university degree, and you possess a good GPA and excellent time management skills, a co-op program might be right for you. You can check to see which co-op programs are offered.

I've selected two major programs but some of my courses overlap. Is this allowed?

When combining programs, you are allowed some overlapping courses. However, there is a limit on the number of courses you can overlap between your programs. According to the Honours Degree requirements listed on your Calendar, you must include twelve distinct credits among your programs. For example, if the requirements for your two major programs total 14 FCEs, and you must have twelve distinct credits, that means you can overlap up to 2 FCEs. Use the Twelve distinct credit tipsheet to assess how many credits you can overlap. For more information you can consult with an AA&CC staff and/or your Program supervisors.

I want to complete an Honours Bachelor of Science but currently I'm enrolled in the Honours Bachelor of Arts. How can I change this?

You can request a "Degree POSt Change" through the "eService Portal" on the Registrar's Office website. To use this service, you need a valid UTOR ID. You can request your ID on the utorid management site. All communication regarding your request will be sent to your UTOR mail account.

Can I upgrade my 3-year degree to an Honours degree?

Yes, you can. If you have graduated with a three-year degree you may still choose to complete the requirements of the Honours degree. A second degree will not be conferred but you can exchange your three-year degree for an honours degree and the completion of the Honours degree requirements will be noted on your transcript. You may only exchange the degree for an Honours degree of the same kind, e.g. a three-year B.Sc. may only be replaced by an Honours B.Sc. degree. You can apply to upgrade your degree on the Registrar's Office, using the "eService Portal".

I want to know if I have all of the requirements needed to graduate. Who should I talk to?

If you want to confirm that you have successfully met all of the requirements for your program(s) and degree, the first place you should check is the Degree Navigator. Use your Student Number and ROSI PIN # to log in. For more information on how to obtain a degree and program assessment, review the Degree Navigator instruction.

If there are any discrepancies or if you have any concerns with the Degree Navigator assessment, you should consult your Program Supervisor(s). If you have questions about meeting degree requirements (such as questions about electives or meeting the required GPA of 1.60) you are welcome to speak with a staff representative from the Academic Advising & Career Centre.

I was just placed on probation. How does probation work?

If you have been placed on an academic probation, it means your cumulative GPA (CGPA) has dropped below 1.60. Probation is a warning from the university that you must improve your grades. Once your CGPA reaches 1.60 or above, you will return to good standing. Boosting your CGPA will require increased effort on your part. It may also require a change of program, a reduced course load, and/or a change in lifestyle. You can create an academic plan with an academic advisor, meetin with a study skill peer advisor, or attend study skills seminars. The UTSC Calendar provides additional information on academic standing including the specific requirements for returning to "good standing" status.

How do I calculate my GPA?

Your grade point average (GPA) is the average of the grade point values that you have earned in the credit courses you have taken while a student at U of T at Scarborough. You can use the GPA calculator or follow the direction on the GPA calculation tipsheet.

I've been suspended for the first time. What should I do?

Suspension occurs when a student who is already on probation has a sessional GPA (SGPA) of less than 1.60. If this is your first suspension, you will serve a four months suspension. To register in courses after serving your suspension, you  need to complete an Application to re-enrol form and submit to the Registrar's office. Students are strongly advised to apply to re-enrol by:

• Mid-March for the Summer Session
• Mid-June for the Fall or Fall & Winter Sessions
• Early October for the Winter Session

We strongly recommend you to meet with an Academic Advisor and a study skill peer advisor, and attend study skills seminars.

Am I allowed to take courses at post secondary institutions while I'm suspended?

Some students apply to study at a college while suspended from university. This may help refine your academic skills, but you cannot earn credit towards your degree while on suspension. In most cases, other university will refuse to register you in courses. However, the best use of your time while suspended would be to take some time to reflect upon the factors that led to your suspension. You may want to discuss what contributed to your suspension and come up with a plan to enhance your standing with an Academic advisor.

What is a petition and how do I submit one? What are my options if my petition isn't granted?

A petition is a student's formal request for an exception to the normal rules and regulations at UT Scarborough. You make such a request by the published deadline, stating your request on an online petition form, explaining the reasons that support it and submitting any relevant documentation separately. Petitions are submitted through the "eService portal" which is available on the Registrar's Office website. To use this service, you need a valid UTOR ID. You can request your ID on the utorid management site.

Please carefully review the Registrar's Office web page on Petitions for specific instructions. It is advisable that if you are considering submitting a petition that you discuss your situation with an Academic Advising staff. They can help you to determine if this is, in fact, a viable option for you and assist you in understanding the overall process.

If your petition is refused, you may appeal the decision. For more information on appeals check the Registrar's website.

I missed a final exam because I was sick. What do I do now?

Occasionally, students encounter circumstances where it is impossible for them to write the exam. If you are ill or other circumstances prevent you from attending a final exam(s), you may petition to defer the exam until a later date (in most cases until the next final exam period). There are a number of very important considerations you need to be aware of before making your decision.

• You may not enrol in any course if its prerequisite is the course in which you are sitting a deferred examination.
• Missing a final examination may affect your ability to gain access to courses and/or to limited enrolment programs.
• Students writing deferred examinations will have their course load in the session leading up to the deferred exam reduced by the number of exams deferred.

For more information on how to file a petition, check the Registrar's website. If you need assistance, consult with an Academic Advising & Career Centre staff.