By Instructors
The following is a list of frequently asked questions, queries, concerns, or complaints that you may have as an instructor and general answers that you will receive to them.
If you need further clarification or would like to discuss these further (and other types of questions like these), please contact either Nicole Lazorek (Manager, Academic Programs) or Angela Bayduza (Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs) for more details.
Answer. No. Every course offered by the Faculty of KSR must hold a final exam, unless otherwise authorized by the KSR Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs. Except for 100-level PAC/DAC courses, the final examination must be worth at least 30% and not more than 70% of the course weight. (Note that an exemption to this minimum weighting has been authorized for PAC/DAC courses where the final examinition must be worth at leats 20%).
Answer. Generally No. BUT ... sometimes a circumstance arises that makes sense to make a change. Generally instructors are asked to attempt to adhere to due dates, established term weight of required assessments, and marking procedures once stated in the course outline and relesead to students. These should not be changed in most instances. In the rare case, when the change makes sense to all concerned and such changes occur with fair warning and general class consent, a change can occur. These changes should be accounced to the students, shared with students through mutliple communication forms and clearly identified in a new course outline that is posted for students on the eClass course page for their reference and future access.
Please see the following link from the Academic Calendar for further information: Evaluation Procedures and Grading System (see point 2)
Contact your KSR Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs (ksradu@ualberta.ca ) for assistance if an instance arises where a change is required
Answer. Yes. "Term exam" is used to refer to any written or oral exam, test or quiz (other than a final exam) which is scheduled as part of the term work of a course.
Excused absence for a missed exam is not automatic and is granted at the discretion of the instructor (in the case of term exams). The University recognizes that occasionally life events occur that require a student to miss term work, term examinations, or final examinations. However, excused absences are not granted automatically and will be considered only for acceptable reasons such as incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction, or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief). Please see this policy available in the University of Alberta Calendar for more information.
From Students to Instructors
The following is a list of frequently asked questions, queries, concerns, or complaints that you may expect to hear from your students. For each question, you will find one or more answers that you may wish to use in providing your responses. Where another rationale exists, please feel free to reply as you see fit.
If you are asked a question for which you don’t know the answer, please tell the student(s) that you don't know, but will find out.
Answer. No. The Instructor cannot let the student in. The Instructor should direct the student to Student Services to complete the Course Placement Request Form. The Associate Dean (Undergraduate Programs) will then evaluate the request.
Maximum enrollment limits have been set for specific reasons (e.g., facility and/or equipment limitations, time needed to teach/examine, course content, safety, optimal learning atmosphere, etc.). The Faculty has adopted the current policy to help create as fair and equitable an environment as possible to assist both the students and Instructor.
Answer. No.
Students requesting to audit should be encouraged to register in the course for credit, perhaps in a later session. In addition, many non-credit courses are available though Campus Recreation, various activity clubs and other community agencies.
Answer. It depends.
If you teach two sections of the course and will progress both groups at the same rate, switching a student into your other class for one period would not pose a big problem. However, other Instructors may not be at the same place in the course and/or may not be able to manage one or more additional students attending class. Students must find out what they will be missing/have missed from your class (by asking you or consulting their course outline) and approach another Instructor to inquire if they can get the same content from that class and if the Instructor will let them in. If possible, these inquiries should be made in advance.
Answer. No. A student who requests to complete a deferred final exam, OR has missed a final exam because of incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief), may apply for a deferred final exam.
To apply for a deferred final exam, where the cause is incapacitating mental and/or physical illness and most other cases including severe domestic affliction, a student must present supporting documentation pertaining to the absence to their home Faculty office within two working days following the scheduled date of the exam missed, or as soon as the student is able, having regard to the circumstances underlying the absence.
Please refer to the following link for further information: https://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=34&navoid=10107#absence-from-final-exams