Handbook

Please Note

By registering for a course of study, each student of The Institute agrees to observe and be bound by the terms, conditions, regulations, and policies contained in this or any subsequent policy handbook.

The Institute reserves the right to make changes in rules, regulations and policies.

The general academic regulations are to be found in the University of Ottawa Faculty of Science calendar. A copy may be viewed in The Institute lab. If you have questions about the following information, please contact The Institute.

Dates to Remember Classes start: Week of September 9
Classes end: Week of December 9
Final Exam Period: Week of December 9

Withdrawals

• Withdrawal from a course before classes begin, all fees will be refunded without academic penalty.
• Withdrawal after classes start, and before the withdrawal deadline, class fees are not refundable but may be applied to another course in either of the two subsequent semesters. (minus a $75 administration fee)
  
  

Transfers (between courses - same term)

• To Be Announced

Cancellation/Refund

• Withdrawal before class start - 100% of fee
• If you register and do not show up for a course, your organization will be charged a $75 administrative charge
• No partial refunds once classes have started

Participants in The Institute program are classified as special students by the University of Ottawa and receive a student card and library privileges.

If your name, home or work address or telephone/fax numbers change after you register, e-mail genevieve.freeman@pwgsc.gc.ca. Please include your student ID# and your organization. Your up-to-date record allows us to keep you informed about your course, and any future Institute courses, and ensures that you receive your grade reports promptly.

Attendance

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain any notes, materials or assignments distributed in your absence.

Resource Materials

Reference materials for your use are catalogued with the PWGSC Library at Place du Portage III, 1B2. These articles and books are available for loan for one week only.

Language Policy

You may submit tests, assignments or exams in either official language.

Audit Policy

The Institute does not encourage students to audit courses. You should be able to apply the information gained in a course; therefore it is necessary to complete assignments and exams to test your knowledge. Any arrangements for auditing an Institute course must be made prior to registration and full fees will be paid. Please take into consideration that audit students will not receive credit for their course.

Refunds/Withdrawals

• If you withdraw from the course before the course starts, all fees are refunded.
• If you withdraw after class starts you will not receive a refund. However, if you withdraw before the withdrawal deadlines above, you will receive a fee credit minus a $75 administrative fee.
• If you decide to withdraw after the course begins, you may transfer your fees to another course in either of the subsequent two semesters. If you choose not to transfer to another course you forfeit any fees. You may only transfer your fee once (i.e., you cannot transfer to another course in another term, withdraw from that one, and expect to transfer to a third course in a third term).
• If you wish to withdraw you must do so by notifying The Institute in writing and completing a University of Ottawa Modification form available from the University of Ottawa on-site office. See withdrawal deadlines.
• If you do not attend your course and do not officially withdraw, your department is held responsible for the full fee and you will receive an F (Fail) on your transcript.
  
  

Assignments

Discuss submission of assignments and extensions of deadlines with the course instructor.

Remedial Help

If you are experiencing difficulty with a course, contact The Institute to arrange for extra tutorials.

Grading System

Exams

In order to satisfy academic requirements in a subject you must write a final examination.

You are expected to make every effort to write exams on the scheduled date. One make-up date will be scheduled for students with valid reasons (as determined by The Institute) for missing this date. You must inform The Institute prior to the scheduled date of your inability to write. If you do not write the exam at either time and do not inform The Institute of your intent, you receive a Fail.

Final exams are not returned.

Appeal of Grades

If you feel an error has been made in arriving at a final grade, you may appeal to the University of Ottawa within four weeks of receiving your final grade report.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct consists of academic dishonesty or fraud. The assigning and evaluating of academic exercises in the form of essays, projects, laboratory reports, case studies, presentations, tests and examinations are an integral part of the educational process. It is assumed that all academic exercises submitted for evaluation and course credit are the result of your individual effort, except in the case of team projects approved by the instructor.

Academic misconduct is defined as:

• Plagiarism, which occurs when appropriate credit is not given to sources and applies to all forms of student submissions, including written work, design projects, computer software, engineering projects, photographs, films, tapes and videos.
• Submitting a product as an individual effort when it was actually jointly written or produced.
• Cheating on exams or tests.
• Knowingly allowing your work to be copied during an exam or test.
• Submitting work for which credit has already been obtained.
• Producing a project for another student, or taking an exam for another student.
• Selling or publishing exams, papers or other assignments for purposes of academic fraud.

Penalties for academic misconduct can be as follows:

• assignment of other work;
• assignment of a low grade;
• failure in an assignment;
• failure in a course;
• withdrawal of a grade, certificate, diploma, or degree;
• suspension or expulsion from The Institute and the University of Ottawa.