School of Horticulture: Academic Regulations
On a rotational basis, all students are required to perform after-hours, weekend and holiday duties and responsibilities. Some evening courses and off-site programs may be held. During each School year, students are granted the regular statutory holidays in addition to four weeks leave as follows:
a) three weeks beginning before Christmas and extending into January;
b) one week: third year students during early April; first and second year students usually in early August.
During orientation first year students will receive an information session on the Academic Policies. Regulations Governing Standing:
1) Overall average will be calculated as 50% practical and 50% academic courses.
2) a) Practical Standing - Students must maintain a 65% or better average in each year of the Programs (Apr. 1 to March 31) to remain in the Program. A student who receives a final overall average of less than 65% in any year will be disqualified from the Program.
b) Academic Standing - The pass mark in all academic courses is 50%; however, a final academic average of 65% must be maintained in each year of the Program (April 1 to March 31). Any student whose academic average drops below 65% during the academic year will be placed on probation. A student who achieves a final academic average of less than 65% in any year will be required to withdraw. A student who obtains a final mark of less than 40% in any course will be disqualified from the Program.
3) Supplemental Examinations - A student who fails a course, but achieves a mark of 40 to 49% will be required to pass a supplemental examination/assignment in order to proceed in the Program. A maximum of two supplemental examinations will be permitted per year (April 1 to March 31) to a maximum of four supplementals over the three year period.
4) Continuation of Study - A student who fails three or more courses in one year, or five or more over the three years will be required to withdraw.
5) Half-Courses/Special Projects/Presentations Certain assignments are considered to be of such particular significance that they must be successfully completed and be of passing quality (50%) to qualify for graduation. These include (but are not limited to):
• General Knowledge Examination
• Plant Collections I
• Vegetable Culture Summer Project
• Study Tour Reports
• Horticultural Seminar Research Paper and Presentation
• Internship Report and Presentation
In all other instances, students will be advised of this in advance of the assignment being made. Time limits will be at the discretion of the instructor in charge. Where these assignments are not completed in sufficient time to qualify for graduation, (i.e. on or before the last day of spring final examination week) the student will not be granted a diploma. In special circumstances with approved documentation (e.g. illness) the student will be given an opportunity to complete the assignment within a one semester time limit, following the normal graduation date.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
The main purpose of the School is to encourage and facilitate the education of students in amenity horticulture. Academic dishonesty, in accordance with School policy, will result in penalties up to and including dismissal.