____________________________________________________________________________________________
back to top
Dear Student,
Welcome to Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC). You have made an excellent choice and are going to have an overall student experience that is guaranteed to change your life. NSAC provides the ultimate in small-university warmth and pride. Our faculty and staff will get to know you by your first name and will do everything in their power to ensure you have a stimulating academic, social and personal experience. A host of great support services and programs can be accessed if needed, from peer tutoring to time management workshops; and you will be assigned an academic advisor who will help guide you throughout your entire academic program. These advisors teach courses in your program and are knowledgeable about both the discipline and future career options.
Our faculty come from around the globe and have received their doctoral degrees from such prestigious universities as University of Guelph, McGill University, University of Aberdeen, University of London and Harvard University. They are experts in animal science, soil science, water management, climate change, agricultural business, engineering and many other areas that are actively shaping the new global economy and environment. They are addressing the challenges we hear about in the news every day – challenges that you will be addressing when you embark on your career and actively work to make a difference in your community, country and world. You will be at the heart of a dynamic learning environment, discussing key issues, problem-solving, and experiencing the world-class research that is being conducted in our labs and research facilities.
Of course your fellow students will also dramatically influence your experience at NSAC. They are the ones who organize the majority of the social and cultural events on campus. They are the ones who will welcome you when you arrive on campus, help you find your way around, sit beside you in your classes and invite you to the dining hall or a basketball game. NSAC students are proud to be here and they come from far and wide – from Truro, Halifax, India, China, Kenya. They are the ones who will teach you about different perspectives, cultures and food. Our students have experienced the energy and passion displayed in the classrooms by our faculty. They have stayed up late working in study groups before exams, and worked countless hours together on presentations. They have built a friendly, fun and stimulating atmosphere for all students and are waiting for you to join them.
So, to summarize, we have great programs, faculty, staff, students and facilities. Now it is up to you to make the most of the experience. University is challenging, both academically and personally. It is a time of great change for all of you. You need to commit to trying things outside of your normal comfort zones. You need to get involved and meet new friends, colleagues and mentors. You need to attend all of your classes, work hard, and make the most of this fantastic opportunity to learn and grow.
I look forward to meeting you in September and encourage you to take advantage of all that NSAC has to offer.
Wayne Paquet
Registrar
back to top
2011/2012 Schedule of Dates
July 21, 2011 Open House
September 4, 2011 New students can move into residence (10 am)
September 4–6, 2011 New Student Orientation
September 6, 2011 Returning students can move into residence (1 pm)
September 7, 2011 Classes begin
September 21, 2011 Last day to add/change a course (Fall semester)
September 21, 2011 Last day to receive 100% tuition refund
September 28, 2011 Last day to receive 80% tuition refund
October 5, 2011 Last day to receive 50% tuition refund
October 10, 2011 Thanksgiving – No classes
October 12, 2011 Last day to receive 25% tuition refund.
October 14, 2011 Last day to drop a course without academic penalty
October 21, 2011 College Royal – No classes in afternoon
October 27, 2011 Scholarship Banquet
November 11, 2011 Remembrance Day – No classes
November 12, 2011 Blue and Gold Alumni Awards Gala
November 15, 2011 Last day to apply to graduate from undergraduate or technical program in May
November 18, 2011 Last day to apply for Drop Fail status
December 2, 2011 Last day to apply to graduate from Master’s program in May
December 2, 2011 Last day of classes (Fall semester)
December 5–13, 2011 Exams
January 3, 2012 New Student Orientation Students can move into residence (1 pm)
January 4 , 2012 Classes begin
January 17 2012 Last day to add/change a course (Winter semester)
January 17, 2012 Last day to receive 100% tuition refund
January 24, 2012 Last day to receive 80% tuition refund
January 31, 2012 Last day to receive 50% tuition refund
February 2, 2012 President’s List Reception
February 7, 2012 Last day to receive 25% tuition refund
February 14, 2012 Founding Day
February 17, 2012 Last day to drop a course without academic penalty
February 20–24, 2012 Mid-term study break
February 28, 2012 Last day to apply to the Veterinary Technology program
March 23, 2012 Last day to apply for Drop Fail status
April 5, 2012 Last day of classes (Winter semester)
April 6, 2012 Good Friday
April 9, 2012 Easter Monday
April 11–19, 2012 Exams
May 4, 2012 Convocation
June 30, 2012 Last day to cancel registration and residence application and receive refund
July 2, 2012 Last day to apply to graduate from Master’s program in October
back to top
HISTORY
The Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) was formally opened in 1905 to assume and expand the work that for several years had been carried on by the School of Horticulture in Wolfville and the School of Agriculture in Truro. The College operates under the authority of an Act of the Legislature of Nova Scotia.
The College colours are blue and gold.
back to top
PROGRAMS OFFERED
A wide range of programs is offered at NSAC, including:
- a four-year Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) program offered in association with Dalhousie University
- a two-year Master of Science program offered in association with Dalhousie University
- a two-year Engineering program
- two years of Pre-Veterinary Medicine studies
- a two-year Bachelor of Technology program in Environmental Landscape Horticulture, in association with Dalhousie University (requires prior completion of a two-year landscape-related diploma program)
- a four-year Bachelor of Technology program in Applied Science offered in association with Dalhousie University
- a two-year Veterinary Technology Diploma program
- a two-year Managed Landscapes Technology Diploma program
- a two-year Plant Science Technology Diploma program
- a two-year Business Management Technology Diploma program, with specializations in Dairy, Equine Specialty, Farming, Greenhouse and Nursery, and Pet Specialty.
- a one-year Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Aquaculture (ten courses)
- a one-year Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Horticulture (ten courses)
- a Technology Education Certificate program (ten courses)
- an Academic Certificate program in Organic Agriculture (four courses).
Detailed information on these programs can be found in individual program sections in this calendar. Please consult the Table of Contents.
NSAC partners with two universities, Brock University and Dronten University of Applied Sciences, on the delivery of their degree programs.
- Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture program from the University of Brock
Students study for one or two years at NSAC and then complete the Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture program at the University of Brock.
- Bachelor of Administration (Honours) in International Food Business from Dronten University of Applied Sciences
Students study in years 1 and 3 at NSAC, with year 2 offered in the Netherlands, and year 4 available at either campus.
Detailed information on these programs is available from the NSAC Registry Office.
NSAC reserves the right to make program revisions or additions.
back to top
FACILITIES
The Nova Scotia Agricultural College is located on a 165-hectare property at Bible Hill, a kilometre northeast of Truro, Nova Scotia. The College buildings – Cumming Hall, Harlow Institute, Banting Building, MacRae Library, Langille Athletic Centre, Collins Horticultural Building, Cox Institute of Agricultural Technology, Boulden Building, Hancock Veterinary Building, Haley Institute, the Dairy Building, MacMillan Show Centre, and a modern farm building complex – provide excellent teaching and research facilities, as well as offices and laboratories for faculty and staff and for some staff of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. Fraser House, Trueman House, Chapman House, and Jenkins Hall provide excellent accommodation and dining facilities for students. There are also daycare facilities on campus, for staff and students with young children.
back to top
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS
The Associate Vice President Academic for Students is responsible for all non-classroom aspects of student life from recruitment to graduation. This includes areas such as residence and food services, medical/counselling services, career services, retention programs, and athletics.
Athletics
Recreational activities. The Langille Athletic Centre provides an opportunity for students to choose a number of activities to enjoy during their leisure time. Racquetball, squash, and badminton are very popular racquet games. The spacious facility includes a power-lifting room with free weights and a number of specific benches for the serious lifter. A fitness and muscle-toning room contains individual weight machines, stair climbers, bikes, rowing machines, and other equipment for the individual who wants to maintain a level of fitness. Swimming, tennis, golf, and curling facilities are also available, off campus, to students during the academic year.
Intramural athletics. The intramural program includes competition in soccer, softball, volleyball, hockey, basketball, badminton, table tennis, racquetball, squash, flag football, and ultimate Frisbee.
Varsity athletics. NSAC is one of ten members in the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association. Conference sports for both men and women include soccer, volleyball, and basketball. Winners from the ACAA advance to the national championships administered by the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.
Men’s and women’s woodsmen and rugby teams are also recognized as varsity teams. Rugby teams compete with other post‑secondary teams in the Maritimes. The woodsmen teams compete in Canadian Intercollegiate Lumberjacking Association (CILA) tournaments throughout the year against teams from New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Maine, Vermont, and New York.
Career Services
NSAC provides facilities and personnel to assist graduates and undergraduates in obtaining part-time, summer, and permanent employment.
Career Services contacts representatives of the agricultural industry to arrange for on- and off-campus recruitment of student employees. Individual counselling related to career planning and employment information associated with agriculture are also available. Employment opportunities are posted on bulletin boards at various locations on campus. General information on career planning, potential employers, and exchange programs is also available at Career Services.
Health Services
The Health Services office is located in the Dairy Building, with weekday hours from 8 am to 4 pm throughout the year. Primary health care is provided to all NSAC students. Students are triaged according to their physical, psychological, and social needs. The Health Services office is staffed daily by two registered nurses and physician-attended clinics are held weekly. Health Services also co-ordinates the Peer Education Program on Campus known as RESPECT, which is a group of dynamic students who influence their peers to adopt health-enhancing behaviors and attitudes. The RESPECT team conveys knowledge to motivate and equip students to make healthy choices.
Residence and Food Services
Accommodation and dining facilities are available for up to 350 students in co-educational and single-sex arrangements. Three residences – Chapman, Fraser and Trueman – are equipped with private and shared accommodation, modern laundry facilities, mail delivery, and student lounge/games room. Each room is equipped with basic furnishings such as bed, mattress, desk, chair, closet, and drapes. Students are encouraged to develop their social and personal potential through participation in House Council, Student Union, and Student Services activities.
Trueman House also features apartment-like living for mature students in large, bright rooms. Each 11-bedroom section (apartment) includes a fully equipped kitchen, sitting room with cable TV, high-speed Internet, microwave, laundry room, storage area, and shared washrooms and showers.
Food Services provides a balanced, healthy menu from which on‑campus students may choose a variety of main-course and dessert items. Special meals are held to celebrate occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.
Enrollment Management
The Enrollment Management team is responsible for recruitment and student retention programs. They manage several events that bring prospective students to campus as well as visiting high schools. They take the lead on planning new student orientation, which is essential to helping our students get off to a good start. Other activities they offer that are designed to enhance student engagement and retention include student success workshops, student leadership programs, a student ambassador program, and the scholarship and awards office.
Disability Support Services
The Nova Scotia Department of Education provides support for post-secondary students with a permanent learning disability and/or physical/mental disability. NSAC students may seek assistance and accommodations from a Special Cohort Coordinator located on campus. Documentation (a Psych Ed assessment for a learning disability; a letter from a doctor for a physical disability) must be provided with regards to the disability and its impact on learning. The Special Cohort Coordinator can assist Canadian students with applications for funding resources (e.g. Canada Study Grant). Students from other countries must apply to their respective home countries for similar funding.
If the student is accepted by the Department of Education (Rehabilitation Programs and Services) as a client, such assistance as tutoring, note-taking, interpreters (for hearing impaired) and FM systems may be funded.
Academic Support Services
A peer tutoring program provided by Student Services is available for all NSAC students. To access the service, students meet with the program co-ordinator, sign a contract, and are matched with an appropriate tutor. Students may seek help for more than one subject area at a time. Each student normally receives two hours of tutorial per week for each course.
NSAC also offers a Writing Centre and a Math Help Centre that are free to all students. Assistance with writing and math is available at regular drop-in times, and writing help is also available by appointment.
Student Government
Through a system of self-government, students are encouraged to accept the greatest possible degree of responsibility in connection with their own affairs. Only full-time students taking regular programs are allowed to act as executive members of the Student Union or as members of student committees.
Faculty members act in an advisory capacity with student committees on financial, literary, social, and athletic affairs so that every possible benefit may be derived from these activities.
back to top
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
NSAC believes that it is important for students to have an academic experience that incorporates a global perspective. Our campus has a student population that includes students from over 30 countries, which offers all students a dynamic and diverse academic environment.
NSAC is recognized for excellence in learning that builds leaders for innovations that sustain communities, and for the creation of opportunities that shape global agriculture. As part of this mandate we offer a wide variety of opportunities for students to be involved in this through study, work or volunteering abroad. Through formalized student exchanges, international course credits, internships, teaching ESL, and other opportunities, NSAC students have access to a unique learning experience.
NSAC Student Exchanges
These formalized exchanges are between partner universities. Undergraduate students can spend one or two semesters abroad; some partner universities are able to provide study abroad opportunities for students in technical programs. NSAC students participating in these student exchanges pay tuition to NSAC. Representatives from both NSAC and the partner university abroad work to ensure that the courses the student takes are recognized transfer credits. Canadian students in a formalized student exchange are eligible for Canada Student Loans.
The following are universities that collaborate with NSAC, facilitating student study abroad. NSAC students would study on a Letter of Permission from the NSAC Registry and the acceptable credits would be planned in advance. (Please note that advance planning is necessary.) NSAC students would be registered at the partner institution and would pay tuition at the partner university. Language requirements are set by the receiving university. NSAC students would normally be considered International students at the hosting university and would be required to pay international student fees.
Students interested in continuing their academic education after receiving their diploma may wish to consider the following:
- Students who have graduated from the NSAC technical diploma program and have been admitted to the B.Sc.(Agr.) program at NSAC shall be awarded a minimum of 10 credits toward the B.Sc.(Agr.) degree.
- Graduates of NSAC's technical diploma programs are eligible to apply to other universities in Canada to complete a degree in agriculture. For example, the University of Manitoba allows students with an agricultural business diploma to enter the 3rd year of their B.Sc. AGR program (some conditions apply). Olds College in Alberta has a Bachelor of Applied Science program where graduates of a technical diploma in agriculture complete two more years to obtain a degree. Outside the country, NSAC's partner Dronten University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands accepts diploma graduates into their 1½-year Bachelor’s degree in Equine Management and other agricultural specialties.
Ask your academic advisor what options are available.
back to top
INTERNATIONAL COURSE CREDITS
Students travel abroad with NSAC faculty for the delivery of one- to three-week course offerings. Tuition is paid at NSAC; Canadian students are eligible for Canada Student Loans.
ECON3001: Environmental Economics
An intensive 8-day spring course in Prague, Czech Republic, that gives students an understanding of how economists view environmental problems. Topics of study will include public versus private goods, externalities, market failure, and the role of property rights in the economic system, environmental policy surrounding water pollution, air pollution, and climate change.
HORT2003: The British Garden
A 4-week summer course in England, studying the history of British landscape development, period garden features and design philosophy, and comparing North American and British landscape maintenance standards and techniques.
INTD2001: Agricultural Systems of Central Europe
An intensive two-week spring course that examines agricultural systems in central Europe, offered at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, the University of Agriculture in Prague, and at the Svent Istvan University in Budapest.
INTD2003: Food Security & Rural Development in Cuba (A)
A winter-semester study of food production and food security in Cuba, with one week spent in Cuba taking part in volunteer projects and tours (augmented with lectures) of urban gardens, an experimental dairy cooperative, an alternative agro-ecological farm, an herbal medicine farm, and coastal and mountain ecosystems.
See the Description of Courses section for more information. Additional fees for travel, meals, and accommodations apply for all of these courses.
Credit and non-credit options are available. Students can request consideration for credit through Special Topics courses and/or Research Methods courses when participating in international study programs. Contact NSAC International or the Registry Office for more details.
From year to year there may be other courses available. Please contact NSAC International for more information.
International Associations
The College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Jamaica, in association with NSAC, offers the Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Sciences and the Bachelor of Technology in Agricultural Production and Food Systems Management. These programs are delivered at CASE.
For more information on international study, work, or internship opportunities for students, please contact NSAC International at www.nsac.ca/international.
back to top
ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
NSAC works collaboratively with other universities to extend the educational experience of students by formalizing the study of a program at more than one educational institution. More information on these programs is available at the NSAC Registry Office and on the website (www.nsac.ca/internationalbusiness).
2 + 2 FAFU/NSAC Program
Chinese students take the first two years of their B.Sc.(Agr.) from Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University (FAFU) and the final two years at NSAC.
NSAC/Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) Program
This agreement provides for undergraduate degree students from TNAU to take the first 2½ years of the program in India and to complete the final three semesters at NSAC, qualifying them to receive the Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Landscape Horticulture degree from NSAC.
NSAC/Brock Viticulture Program
Students study for one or two years at NSAC and then complete the Bachelor of Science in Oenology and Viticulture program at the University of Brock.
NSAC/Dronten International Food Business Program
NSAC is partnering with Dronten University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands to offer Dronten’s Bachelor of Administration (Honours) degree in International Food Business. This program is designed to provide students with an international business education in managing food value-chains. Students will study and experience job placements in both North America and Europe. See the website for more details.
In any given year there are special student mobility initiatives. Please consult the staff at NSAC International for information when considering study abroad.
back to top
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF DIPLOMA IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS
The Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs (CADAP) is an association of post-secondary educational institutions offering diploma programs in agriculture. The purpose of the association is to promote excellence in agricultural education. The association provides opportunities for technical students in several of the programs to enroll in another college for one semester of their second academic year. By encouraging participation in the programs of another CADAP institution, another region of Canada, or another country, CADAP provides opportunities for students:
- to broaden their studies
- to become more familiar with another region of Canada, or another country
- to live a different cultural experience, and
- to gain practical experience in another region of Canada or in another country.
CADAP offers annual bursaries for two students to participate in an exchange between member institutions. Duration of the exchanges will be either one or two semesters or practical experience work sessions of at least 12 weeks. For more information please see their website (www.cadap-apdac.ca).
Students wishing to do a technical exchange program at another institution must have that program approved by the Registrar. The request should be submitted to the Registrar by the student’s program advisor or the Department Head. Upon approval of the program, the student will be issued a Letter of Permission detailing which courses will be replaced in the student’s program and which courses must be completed at the host institution. The programs must be laid out before the student leaves for the exchange institution.
back to top
CONTINUING AND DISTANCE EDUCATION
NSAC students often benefit from learning opportunities offered through Continuing & Distance Education (CDE). We offer a variety of credit and non-credit courses and programs, including online certificates, professional development, skills training, general interest programs, and customized training. We use a variety of delivery methods, including Internet, weekend and evening classes so that our courses fit your schedule.
CDE also offers on-site training throughout Atlantic Canada, including the block release sections of the Farm Technician Apprenticeship Program held on Prince Edward Island.
A small number of credit courses are held in the Spring/Summer semester. Visit our website at www.nsac.ca/cde to see what will be available. Spring/Summer courses are based on student demand.
For updated information on CDE courses and programs, check the CDE website or call (902) 893-6666. On campus, CDE’s main office is Room 276 of the Haley Institute.
back to top
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR AGROLOGISTS AND ENGINEERS
Agrology is “the profession of applying science and scientific principles to the business and art of agriculture.” University graduates who are skilled in the science and business of agriculture are encouraged to join their provincial Institute of Agrologists. Provincial Institutes offer the opportunity to get to know and exchange ideas with other professional agrologists in the province and in other parts of Canada through membership in the Agricultural Institute of Canada. Membership in an Institute of Agrologists provides an element of fellowship in the profession, as well as opportunities to attend scientific conferences and educational tours and to receive newsletters and technical publications. Membership in an Institute is required by provincial statute to practise agrology in most provinces.
The practice of engineering in Canada is governed by independent and autonomous provincial and territorial associations of Professional Engineers, which serve as licensing bodies for the profession. Each association has been established under a Professional Engineering Act adopted by its provincial or territorial legislature. The Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE) is the national federation of those associations of Professional Engineers and assists them in coordinating and standardizing their work. One such standardization is the accreditation of all Canadian engineering programs to ensure that the academic content and teaching facilities are acceptable to allow graduates admission into all provincial and territorial associations.
back to top
E-MAIL USAGE AT NSAC
To improve communication at NSAC, e-mail is approved as one of the official means of communication for academic and administrative purposes. As with all official University communications, faculty, staff and students have a responsibility to ensure that e-mail is accessed, read, and acted upon in a timely fashion. Use of NSAC e-mail is bound by the guidelines set out in the official NSAC
Code of Conduct, the NSAC
Information Technology Services Policy, the NS Provincial Government e-mail policy, and any relevant federal or provincial legislation.
back to top
COMPUTING SERVICES
Information Technology Services (ITS) is responsible for managing the computing resources found on the NSAC Academic Network. The mandate of ITS is to:
- provide a consistent, state-of-the-art academic computing environment
- provide broad and flexible access
- provide an equitable distribution of academic computing resources to meet the demands of the College community
- ensure that graduating students are equipped to meet the challenges of new communications technology, and
- provide efficient and effective management of NSAC computing resources.
ITS manages over 135 workstations running Windows environments. The workstations are distributed among five general-access labs and connected through a campus-wide network. Microsoft and Corel Suite applications, mathematical, statistical, and CAD software, and discipline-specific software are available from any workstation. Students have full access to both Internet and e-mail services from any lab.
The ITS Media Centre provides students with access to digital cameras, multimedia projectors, scanners, imaging software, and colour printing.
Library catalogues from the MacRae Library and from other educational institutions are available through the campus network (see next page).
Internet and e-mail services are available to students living in residence. For information about residence connections please contact Student Services at (902) 893-6672.
For further information about any other computing question please contact the Helpdesk:
The Acceptable Use Policy of NSAC Computing Resources and the NSAC Computing Services User Policy govern the use of computing resources.
back to top
MACRAE LIBRARY
Registered students, faculty, and staff have access to services and collections representing the world literature of the life sciences, agriculture and food sciences, environmental sciences, and core collections in the social sciences and humanities.
Library services: Nova Scotia
As a member of Novanet, NSAC shares a single online catalogue of library holdings with nine other post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia. NSAC users may borrow free of charge from a collection of over 2 million volumes, and access electronic resources through links in the Novanet catalogue and on the MacRae Library web page (www.nsac.ca/library).
Library services: Atlantic Region
As a member of the Atlantic Scholarly Information Network (ASIN), the MacRae Library provides a suite of services for researchers at all stages of their careers, and access to collections of university libraries in Atlantic Canada. Services include: an electronic journal title list with Link Resolver, single-search federated searching, and the reference management software program RefWorks. Other services include a Document Delivery service (Interlibrary Loans) and repository services. Seventeen Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions participate in ASIN.
Library services: Canada
As a member of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), the MacRae Library participates in national site-licensing initiatives. NSAC students, faculty, and research staff have access to approximately 15,000 full-text peer-reviewed electronic journals such as Elsevier/ScienceDirect, ASABE Technical Library, Wiley, Springer, Taylor & Francis, American Chemical Society, and Institute of Physics, to name just a few, and approximately 600 e-books.
Electronic Resources
MacRae Library electronic resources can be accessed from any computer workstation on the campus network, including the library, and from remote locations. The Library subscribes to many databases for the agricultural sciences, including CAB Abstracts and CAB Archive 1910–1972, AGRICOLA, AGRIS, Food Science and Technology Abstracts, BIO & AGR Index as well as Academic Search Premier and Web of Science.
back to top
DAY CARE
The NSAC Day Care is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Advisors appointed by the President. The day care is open five days a week from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. It is licensed under the Department of Community Services for 33 children per day. A reduced rate is available for the children of students. Five subsidized spaces, funded by the Department of Community Services, are available only to students whose income falls below a certain level. Remember to reserve early to ensure a space in September. The NSAC Day Care promotes quality child care.
back to top
ADMISSSIONS STATUS
Full-time
Students are admitted to a program of study as full-time (three or more courses per semester) students if they meet all current admission requirements of that program at the time of application and there is room in the program. The Registrar may admit full-time students on a probationary basis. Full-time students in good standing have the right to move through the program in the normal fashion.
Part-time
Students are admitted to a program of study as part-time (fewer than three courses per semester) students if they meet all the current admission requirements of that program at the time of application and there is room in the program. The Registrar may admit part-time students on a probationary basis. Part-time students in good standing have the right to move through the program in the normal fashion.
Mature
Students who are at least 23 years of age and who do not meet admission requirements may be admitted as either full-time or part-time students on the basis of being mature applicants. Mature applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis, and may be admitted on a probationary basis. Mature students who complete one full semester in good standing assume normal student status.
Visiting
Students from another post-secondary institution are admitted as visiting students on the basis of a Letter of Permission. Enrollment in specific courses is subject to availability of seats in the course. Visiting students do not have student status beyond the semester to which they are admitted.
No Program
Students may be admitted to one or more courses on a “no program” basis. Admission is to specified courses on a case-by-case basis. No-program students do not have ongoing status.
International
Students who do not have Canadian citizenship or permanent residence in Canada may be admitted as International students. These students must produce proof of a student visa before permission to register will be granted.
back to top
ADMISSION
It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that the application file is complete. The following must be submitted by each applicant to the Registry Office:
- a completed application form (forms not properly completed will delay processing)
- the application fee of $25
- an official record of high school work
- an official transcript for work done at previous post-secondary institutions (if applicable)
- evidence of competency in English for applicants whose native language is not English (see section on English Language Requirements)
- supplementary information as required for specific programs.
Response to Applications
NSAC will respond to applications as promptly as possible and will advise applicants of any documentation still required. When the documentation is complete, applications are placed in the hands of the appropriate admissions committee. Although every effort is made to have decisions made quickly, there may be a delay during peak periods. As soon as decisions are made, whether admission, deferral, or rejection, applicants will be advised.
Please note, possession of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Early Acceptance
Applicants currently attending high school who have good grades, i.e., a strong average, may be given early acceptance, conditional on satisfactory completion of work for which they are currently enrolled.
Final Acceptance
Applicants must successfully complete high school classes in the required subjects or leave their current post-secondary institution in good standing.
back to top
UNIVERSITY ACCESS PROGRAM (UAP)
Description
The University Access Program is designed to provide university access to students who do not meet the minimum admission requirements for entry into degree-level programs. The goal of the UAP is to provide the support and training that students require to maximize their chances of university success. Students in the UAP are eligible to enroll in a maximum of 4 courses* per term. They will also be required to successfully complete a non-credit university success course which covers topics such as time management and study skills (12–15 contact hours). Students will receive both academic advising and student success counseling, and are eligible for other student services such as peer tutoring and career counselling.
Students in the UAP are eligible to proceed without conditions in their second semester if they complete all requirements of the UAP and are in “good academic standing” at the end of their first term. Students in the UAP who do not fulfill these requirements will continue in the UAP in their second term.
Admission
The UAP is open to mature students, students direct from high school with an admission average of 60–70%, and students with other post-secondary experience. Admission will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The following programs are eligible for the UAP: Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Bachelor of Technology in Applied Science, and Engineering Diploma.
Benefits
The University Access Program
- provides access to university-level studies
- includes skills development and counselling services necessary to maximize student success
- provides a supportive network of students working towards similar goals.
For more information on this opportunity, please contact one of the following:
- NSAC Registry Office
e-mail reg@nsac.ca
phone 1-888-700-6722
- Ms. Heather Avery – Special Cohort Coordinator
e-mail havery@nsac.ca
phone (902) 896-2463
* Students without the requisite academic background may be required to complete university preparatory courses prior to enrolling in the degree-level counterparts. These university preparatory courses would be counted towards the four-course maximum.
back to top
ACADEMIC PROBATION
Students may be admitted to NSAC on Academic Probation:
- if the student is a mature student who does not meet admission requirements for the program, or
- if the student’s last full-time enrollment at any institution has resulted in dismissal or suspension for academic reasons, or
- if the student meets most, but not all, of the requirements for admission.
When a student is admitted on probation, all regulations for probationary students apply.
back to top
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants whose native language is not English must provide official results from one of the following standardized tests:
- IELTS – a minimum score of 6.0
- TOEFL – a minimum score of 550
- TOEFL iBT – a minimum score of 80
- MELAB – a minimum score of 80
- CAEL – a minimum score of 60
Note: Students who meet all admission requirements except for the English Testing levels may be accepted to NSAC subject to completion of a University Preparatory English Program offered by the International Language Institute, in cooperation with NSAC. Please contact NSAC for more information.
International students studying in English and using a Canadian high school curriculum are granted admission exemptions from writing the TOEFL/IELTS or comparable English if they successfully complete Nova Scotia Grade 12 with a minimum average of 60% (C), including successful completion of Academic English 12 with a minimum grade of 60% (C).
These students must still meet program-specific admission requirements.
back to top
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| For Domestic Students |
|
Fall semester
(except Veterinary Technology: February 26) |
August 1 |
| Winter semester |
December 1 |
| For International Students |
|
| Fall semester |
March 1 |
| Winter semester |
July 1 |
back to top
Addmission Requirements
NSAC ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS, BY PROGRAM 2011/2012
Possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.
B.Sc. (Agriculture) and Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Admission into the B.Sc.(Agr.) program or Pre-Veterinary Medicine studies requires high school graduation with an average of at least 70% in five Grade 12 university preparatory subjects:
- English
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics (or 70% in Academic Mathematics)*
- any two of the following science requirements: Chemistry*, Biology, Physics*, Geology, Oceanography, or Agriculture
- one elective.
Applicants who do not meet these admission requirements may be eligible for the University Access Program (see p. 13 for more information).
Note: Nova Scotia students who have successfully completed five Grade 12 university preparatory credits, including English and Mathematics, are able to use NS Oceans 11 and/or NS Agriculture 11 to meet the above-noted science requirements.
* Applicants who are otherwise qualified but do not have the appropriate physics, chemistry and/or math courses may be admitted with the requirement that they take the relevant non-credit introductory studies course(s) in their first year prior to registering in the degree-level counterpart(s). The non-credit introductory studies courses are
CHEM0050 Preparatory Chemistry,
PHYS0050 Introductory Physics, and
MATH0050 Functions.
Engineering
Admission into the Engineering program requires high school graduation with an average of at least 70% in five Grade 12 university preparatory subjects:
- English
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics (or 70% in Academic Mathematics)*
- Chemistry*
- Physics*
- one elective.
* Applicants who are otherwise qualified but do not have the appropriate physics, chemistry and/or math courses may be admitted with the requirement that they take the relevant non-credit introductory
studies course(s) in their first year prior to registering in the degree-level counterpart(s). The non-credit introductory studies courses are CHEM0050 Preparatory Chemistry, PHYS0050 Introductory Physics, and MATH0050 Functions.
Bachelor of Technology (Environmental Landscape Horticulture)
Admission into the Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Landscape Horticulture program requires completion of the Managed Landscapes Technology program (or its equivalent) with an average of at least 60%.
Bachelor of Technology in Applied Science
Admission into the Bachelor of Technology in Applied Science program requires high school graduation with an average of at least 70% in five Grade 12 university preparatory subjects:
- English
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics (or 70% in Academic Mathematics)*
- Physics*
- two electives
Note: Courses in Technology Education, Chemistry, and Biology would be an asset.
* Applicants who are otherwise qualified but do not have the appropriate physics, and/or math courses may be admitted with the requirement that they take the relevant non-credit introductory studies course(s) in their first year prior to registering in the degree-level counterpart(s). The non-credit introductory studies courses are
CHEM0050 Preparatory Chemistry,
PHYS0050 Introductory Physics, and
MATH0050 Functions.
Technology Diploma (Business Management)
Admission into the Diploma in Business Management technology program requires high school graduation with an average of at least 50% in the following university preparatory courses:
- Grade 12 English
- Grade 11 Mathematics
- Biology 11 or Chemistry 11 or Agriculture
- Integrated Science 10 or equivalent.
Note: Experience is required for the Dairy Farming and Equine specializations. Please contact the Registry Office for more information.
Technology Diploma (Veterinary)
Admission into the Veterinary Technology program requires high school graduation with an average of at least 60% in five Grade 12 university preparatory subjects:
- English
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics (or 70% in Academic Mathematics)
- Chemistry
- Biology
- one elective
Technology Diploma (Managed Landscapes)
Admission into the Managed Landscapes Technology program requires high school graduation with an average of at least 60% in five university preparatory subjects:
- Grade 12 English
- Grade 12 Mathematics
- Grade 12 Biology
- one Grade 12 elective
- Grade 11 Chemistry.
Technology Diploma (Plant Science)
Admission into the Plant Science Technology program requires high school graduation with an average of at least 50% in four university preparatory courses:
- Grade 12 English
- Grade 11 Mathematics
- Grade 11 Chemistry
- Grade 10 Biology or Integrated Science.
back to top
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR B.SC.(AGR.)
Program for Students Graduating from High Schools in the United States of America
Students must have achieved a ‘B’ average in five Grade 12 university preparatory subjects:
- English
- Pre-Calculus Mathematics*
- any two of the following sciences: Biology, Chemistry*, Physics*, Geology, Oceanography, or Agriculture
- one other Grade 12 university preparatory subject.
Students must have achieved average SAT I scores of at least 500.
Students who are not U.S. citizens, or whose mother tongue is other than English, may be subject to additional requirements.
* Applicants who are otherwise qualified but do not have the appropriate physics, chemistry and/or mathematics courses may be admitted with the requirement that they take the relevant non-credit introductory studies course(s) in their first year prior to registering in the degree-level counterpart(s). The non-credit introductory studies courses are
CHEM0050 Preparatory Chemistry,
PHYS0050 Introductory Physics, and
MATH0050 Functions.
back to top
Note: At the time of printing the 2011/2012 NSAC Calendar, fees for 2011/2012 were unavailable. The rates shown below are the rates for the 2010/2011 academic year. The rates for 2011/2012 will be posted on the website (www.nsac.ca/reg/moneymatters) when available.
Nova Scotia Agricultural College reserves the right to make changes without notice in its published scale of charges for tuition, accommodations and meals, and other fees.
All fees are due and payable as of the first day of classes (September 7, 2011, for the Fall semester and January 4, 2012, for the Winter semester). Payment must be by cash, money order, certified cheque, Visa, MasterCard, or debit card. Any student with an unpaid account at the end of the second week of classes will be permitted to continue only upon settlement of the outstanding account.
TUITION FEES (Canadian citizens and permanent residents)
Program |
Price per Course |
|
(2010/2011 rates) |
Degree level |
$550 |
Technical level |
$340 |
Veterinary Technology |
$456 |
Audit (Degree level) |
$550 |
Audit (Technical level) |
$340 |
Non-credit Preparatory |
$215 |
Workplace Readiness |
$100 |
Distance Education Course Fee |
$25* |
* Off-site non-program Distance Education students are charged a $40 DE Course Fee, but no student fees.
For information on Graduate Program fees, contact the Research & Graduate Studies Office.
Undergraduates are permitted to register for graduate-level courses only with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator. In cases where undergraduates are permitted to register for graduate courses, the graduate tuition fee will be applied.
back to top
TUITION FEES (International students)
Program |
Price per Course |
|
(2010/2011 rates) |
Degree level |
$1100 |
Technical level |
$680 |
|
|
Books |
(2010/2011 rates) |
Full-time students (approx./year) |
$1200 |
back to top
A Student Fee, covering Caution/Development Fund and non-academic student activities and support programs, and a Technology Renewal fee are charged to all full- and part-time students. These fees are compulsory and non-refundable.
Full-time Students |
(2010/2011 rates) |
Student Fees (per semester) |
$228 |
Technology Renewal (per semester) |
$50 |
Health/Dental Fees* (per year) |
$280 |
Part-time Students (per course) |
(2010/2011 rates) |
This fee is applicable to students who are registered in one or two courses in a semester. Part-time students receive a student card. |
Part-time Student Fee |
$45 |
Technology Renewal |
$15 |
* Extended Health and Dental Plan
All full-time domestic students at NSAC are automatically enrolled in the Student Health and Dental plans when they register for classes. The premium for each plan is an annual one; therefore the process for opting out must be done prior to the specified deadline. The deadline each year coincides with NSAC’s last date to register for a course. Students will be considered to have opted out for the duration of their studies at NSAC. More information regarding your Student Health and Dental plans can be found at www.gallivan.ca or by visiting the on-site Student Benefits Plan Office.
Caution/Development Fund
Full-time students, at the beginning of each semester, must make a payment to cover the cost of damages to College property, breakage in labs, etc.
In residence, damage to floors, walls, doors, windows, lighting, the sprinkler system, or furniture in any bedroom will be charged to the occupants of the room in equal shares, and damage to the common parts of the College and residences will be charged to the entire student body if the offender is not charged.
All students are subject to a general levy through the office of the Dean of Student Services for deliberate breakage and damage to buildings and equipment that cannot be traced. The balance of monies collected and not required to cover damages/breakages will be placed into funds to support student residence development, study abroad, and broad-based student development activities and services.
back to top
Students may be required to pay specific program-related fees not shown in the calendar. These include fees for items such as laboratory coats, steel-toed boots, hard hats, etc.
Full-time students in the Veterinary Technology program are charged an additional program fee, which is payable at registration. In 2010/2011 this fee was $95 per semester. For a complete list of supplies and services that are provided to Veterinary Technology students in return for this fee, contact the Department of Plant and Animal Sciences. In addition to this fee, students may be expected to purchase required materials and equipment.
NSAC requires that all students entering the Veterinary Technology program be vaccinated against rabies and show proof of vaccination prior to beginning the program. This is required as a result of the increasing possibility that animals in this region may be infected. The HDVC is given in three doses – one on each of days 0, 7, and 21. Veterinary Technology students will be required to have their serum tested for rabies antibodies two years following the vaccination and those with inadequate levels of protection will be required to get an additional dose of HDVC.
Students in the Diploma in Business Management program are required to pay an additional $75 Materials and Services Fee per semester to cover the cost of workplace readiness training, such as First Aid and Occupational Health & Safety, and other services provided.
back to top
At the time of printing this Calendar, fees for 2011/2012 were unavailable. The rates shown below are the rates for the 2010/2011 academic year. The residence and meal plan rates for 2011/2012 will be posted on the website (www.nsac.ca/residence/res_fee.asp) when available.
Residence and Meal Plan Fees (2010/2011 rates)
Plan |
Price per Term |
|
Fall |
Winter |
Shared room and 7-day meal plan |
$3635 |
$3635 |
Private room and 7-day meal plan |
$3929 |
$3929 |
Large private room and 7-day meal plan |
$4184 |
$4184 |
Students living in residence are provided with a meal plan. Chartwells Food Service operates the Market Place which is housed in Jenkins Hall and offers a continuous dining service for residence students. The Market Place is open from early in the morning until late in the evening seven days a week, allowing students to have meals, snacks and coffee breaks as often as they like through the day/evening.
Students living in residence are required to pay for that room for the entire eight months of the academic year, with half of the fee charged in Fall and half charged in Winter. Students who are enrolled in NSAC for only one term may stay in residence for that term and would pay one-half of the full-year rate.
Other Residence Fees (per year) |
House Fee |
$30 |
Laundry Fee |
$60 |
Please note that residence students will be charged $50 for a lost room key and $100 for a lost front-door key.
Graduate/Mature Student Housing
NSAC offers alternative student accommodation on the ground floor of Trueman House.
This program features apartment-style living with peers. It includes a fully equipped kitchen with lots of cupboard space and a furnished sitting area with cable TV and a computer with high-speed Internet. Students share these common areas from eleven private furnished rooms which have local phone service, cable, and high-speed Internet service. The washrooms and shower rooms are shared. In addition, students will have access to recreational facilities in Trueman House and will be able to participate in all House events.
Note: Phones, TVs, computers, and connection cables are the responsibility of the student.
Students participating in this program may, but are not required to, purchase a meal plan from the Market Place in Jenkins Hall.
Students accepted into the mature housing unit will commit to one semester. Students wishing to vacate their room for the second semester must notify the residence office by November 1. All other fees and the cancellation policy are the same as the regular housing program. The 2011/2012 fees for the graduate/mature student housing program will be posted on the residence office website when available (www.nsac.ca/residence/res_fee.asp).
Students wishing to apply should forward an application and deposit of $300 to reserve space in this program. This deposit will be applied to the first month’s rent. The deposit will be refunded up to, but no later than, one month prior to your arrival date. Students are required to notify the residence office in writing of their intent to terminate their residence agreement.
back to top
Withdrawal from the College and/or residence is not effective until the student has completed the appropriate documentation as specified in this Calendar and the Residence Handbook, and has returned the ID Card to Student Services.
Student fees will be refunded to students who withdraw during the first two weeks of the semester. After the second week, there will be no refund except in the case of a withdrawal for health or other compelling compassionate reasons.
Tuition Fees
Refunds for withdrawal from the College will be as follows:
Until the end of 10th class day |
100% |
Until the end of 15th class day |
80% |
Until the end of 20th class day |
50% |
Until the end of 25th class day |
25% |
Beyond 25th class day |
No refund |
Residence Fees
Students who accept a place in residence and fail to cancel their residence application (in writing) prior to May 31 (returning students) and June 30 (first-time students) for the Fall Semester and November 30 for the Winter semester will forfeit their residence deposit or be levied a $300 cancellation fee. Room fees are charged from the first day that residences officially open.
Students withdrawing from residence at any time after they move in who are not also withdrawing from NSAC will be required to pay for that room for the entire eight months of the academic year, unless there are no vacancies in residence and an off-campus replacement can be found to take their vacated space.
Withdrawal from the College and residence is not effective until the student has completed the appropriate documentation as specified in this Calendar and the Residence Handbook, and has returned the ID Card to Student Services. Students who withdraw from NSAC and residence will be charged room fees for the term of withdrawal as follows:
1st week (or any part thereof) residences are open |
$300 |
2nd week (or any part thereof) residences are open |
$650 |
3rd week (or any part thereof) residences are open |
$1200 |
From the end of the third week, 100% of the room fee for the semester will be charged.
Meal fees are charged on a per-week basis for each week or part week prior to the student’s official withdrawal from residence.
back to top
If fees are owing, you must arrange with Financial Services to pay outstanding fees before registration will be permitted.
Transcripts will not be issued to students with outstanding accounts.
back to top
Graduation takes place in May each year. Students intending to graduate must submit an “Application to Graduate” to the Registrar by the previous November 15. Students who apply by November 15 to graduate will receive confirmation from the Registrar prior to the start of the Winter term. There is no fee charged for an application to graduate submitted by the deadline. Applications that are submitted after November 15 must be accompanied by a $50 late fee.
back to top
Students’ academic records, including their official NSAC files, are the property of NSAC. Students’ records are privileged information and to that end transcripts will not be released by the Registrar to those outside the university without the prior written permission of the student. As required by their appointment, academic administrators within NSAC have access to students’ complete academic records.
To request a transcript, a student must mail or fax the appropriate form (obtainable at the Registry Office or at www.nsac.ca/reg/forms) or a signed letter of request to the Registry Office. It is not possible to accept a transcript request over the telephone. Transcript requests are processed strictly in the order in which they are received. Although the normal processing time is approximately five working days, additional time will be required at peak periods.
Official transcripts are forwarded directly from the Registry Office to an official third party.
Students whose accounts are in arrears will be denied transcripts until the debt is paid.
back to top
New Students
The final admission step for new students is to submit the $200 Registration Deposit to the Registry Office. When this deposit is received, the student is granted a Permit to Register and will receive a package guiding him or her through the registration process. The registration deposit will be refunded for students who submit written notice of cancellation on or before June 30. No deposits received after June 30 will be refunded.
Returning Students
Students with outstanding balances will not be permitted to register for the Fall or Winter semester without making arrangements to settle their accounts with Financial Services.
back to top
New students wishing to apply for accommodation in residence must submit the $190 Residence Deposit by June 1. This may be submitted at the same time as the Registration Deposit. Deposits are applied to total residence fees. The residence deposit will be refunded, up to but not after June 30, for students who submit written notice of cancellation by that time. No deposits received after June 30 will be refunded.
Returning Students Registered for Residence Room Draw
Returning students wishing to take part in the March Room Draw should contact the Residence Office for details. A cancellation fee of $300 will be levied against any students failing to cancel their application in writing by May 31.
Note: Students with outstanding balances on their accounts will not be permitted to enter the room draw.
back to top
Early arrival in residence is normally not possible, but in extenuating circumstances may be accommodated. A written request documenting why alternative arrangements cannot be made must be provided to the Residence Manager no later than August 1 for the Fall semester, or December 1 for Winter. Those granted permission to arrive early will be charged a per diem rate.
back to top
NSAC has a well-deserved reputation for providing excellent scholarship and bursary opportunities for students. Each year, NSAC provides upwards of $1,000,000 in awards, and over two-thirds of NSAC’s student population benefits from these awards. Please visit NSAC's Awards Office in Room 106 of the Cox Institute, or go to the website at www.nsac.ca/awardsoffice to find detailed information on scholarships and bursaries, including the criteria, funding amount, and deadline for each scholarship. Students are encouraged to apply for as many as possible, as some scholarships may have few applicants.
back to top
Eligible students enrolled in the degree and technical programs can apply for Government of Canada student loans and bursaries. Application for a Certificate of Eligibility must be made to the issuing authority of the applicant’s province of residence. Information on student loans can be found at www.nsac.ca/reg/moneymatters.
Application forms are available as follows:
Nova Scotia
Department of Education
PO Box 2290
Halifax Central
Halifax, NS B3J 3C8
www.studentloans.ednet.ns.ca
New Brunswick
Department of Post-secondary Education, Training and Labour
PO Box 6000
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
www.studentaid.gnb.ca
Prince Edward Island
Department of Education
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
www.studentloan.pe.ca
Newfoundland & Labrador
Department of Education
Student Aid Division
St. John’s, NL A1C 5R9
www.ed.gov.nl.ca/studentaid
The application should be completed and filed with the issuing authority during the early summer, so that an eligibility form can be issued before Registration Day. The applicant then presents the Certificate of Eligibility at registration time. Once it is signed, the student may take it to the lending agency to arrange for funds.
back to top
Application Deadlines |
|
September admission |
March 1 |
January admission |
July 1 |
Typical Costs Per Year (in Canadian dollars):
Note: At the time of printing the 2011/2012 NSAC Calendar, tuition fees for 2011/2012 were unavailable. The rates shown below are the rates for the 2010/2011 academic year.
Degree tuition |
$11,000
(10 courses) |
Books and instruments |
$1,200 |
Health insurance (mandatory single coverage) |
approximately $440 |
Student fees |
$456 |
Residence plus meal plans
(shared room/7-day meal plan) |
$7,270 |
House/laundry fees |
$90 |
Personal expenses (clothing and amusement) |
approximately $1,600 |
Typical total (approximate) |
$22,056 |
Information regarding off-campus housing and leases can be found on the Student Services website (www.nsac.ca/stuserv).
Student Visa and Health Insurance
International students must have proof of a student visa and health insurance before permission to register will be granted.
back to top
All students are under the charge of the President and are responsible to him at all times for their conduct. The President is authorized to make any additional regulations found necessary for the discipline of the College and to impose fines or other penalties for any infraction of rules and regulations. The President has delegated responsibility for student discipline to the Associate VP Academic for Students. NSAC rules with respect to student behaviour and the process for dealing with student discipline are contained in the Community Standards section of the Student Handbook.
Every student is expected to show, both within and outside the College, such respect for order, morality, and the rights of others, and such sense of personal honour, as is demanded of good citizens. Students found guilty of immoral, dishonest, or improper conduct, violation of rules, or failure to make satisfactory progress shall be liable to College discipline. Students should make themselves familiar with details of the regulations and procedures, which are published in the NSAC Student Handbook under Community Standards and in the Residence Handbook, available at www.nsac.ca/stuserv.
Students are encouraged to participate in approved College orientation activities. Hazing as a part of initiation is forbidden.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Act provides for the protection of an individual’s right to privacy but also requires that certain records be disclosed upon request unless they are exempted from the disclosure. The Act requires that the College not disclose personal information if that information would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy. Applicants to NSAC are advised that information they provide along with other information placed in a student file will be used in conjunction with College practices for internal use and will not be disclosed to third parties except in compliance with the FOIPOP Act or as otherwise required by law. The Federal Statistics Act allows Statistics Canada to collect student information for statistical analysis, but this information will not be released in a manner that identifies individual students. Further details on the use of this information can be obtained from the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.ca/english/concepts/PSIS/index.htm).
Please note that the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission collects this information for Statistics Canada and does similar analysis.
Students who do not wish to have their information used can ask Statistics Canada to remove their identifying information from the national database. On request by a student, Statistics Canada will delete an individual’s contact information (name, address, or other personal identifiers) from the PSIS database. To make such a request, please contact Statistics Canada:
via telephone
Monday to Friday
8:30 am to 4:30 pm EST/EDST
1-800-307-3382 or 1-613-951-7608
via mail
Institutional Surveys Section
Centre for Education Statistics
Statistics Canada, Main Building, SC 2100-K
Tunney’s Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0T6
via e-mail
PSIS-SIEP_contact@statcan.gc.ca
back to top
NSAC is committed to providing students with assistance in the transition to university life and guidance throughout the academic process. Academic advisors are assigned to all students, assisting them with a wide variety of issues from time management to program selection. It is important to note that the final responsibility for program success rests with the student.
back to top
Academic records are reviewed after every term and at the end of each academic year. Students are assessed with an academic standing as follows:
- None – students who only take a single course do not receive an academic standing
- Good – students with two or more courses who are not on Probation, Academic Dismissal, or the President’s List
- President’s List – students who are in the top 10 percent of their category (Technology, Engineering, Degree); they must have a term average of at least 80%, be enrolled in four or more courses, and not have any failures
- Probation – students who have a sessional average less than 50%, or who have failed 50 percent or more of their courses (including Drop Fails), or whose cumulative average is less than 60% (less than 55% for Tech students)
- Academic Dismissal – students are dismissed if they have two consecutive terms (normally Fall/Winter) of two or more courses where they have a sessional average below 50% or they have failed 50 percent or more of their courses (including Drop Fails).
Students with poor academic records may be placed on Academic Probation or Academically Dismissed (Required to Withdraw) for a full semester (normally the Fall semester, applying to return in the Winter semester).
Students will only receive an academic standing upon completion of all courses in a term.
Academic Probation
Academic Probation can be assessed each term. Students are placed on Academic Probation if they are taking two or more courses and:
- they have a sessional average of less than 50%, or
- they have failed 50% or more of their courses (including Drop Fails), or
- their cumulative average is less than 60% (less than 55% for Tech students).
Students on Academic Probation need to work with their advisors to ensure that they have a plan in place to assist them in improving their academic performance. Students on Academic Probation can continue to register on their own while on probation, but they are limited to a maximum workload of 5 credit courses for degree students and 6 credit courses for technical students. It is strongly recommended that students on Academic Probation work with their Academic Advisors to ensure that they have a plan in place to assist them in improving their academic performance.
Removal From Academic Probation
Students will not be removed from Academic Probation until their cumulative average is at least 60% (at least 55% for Tech students).
Academic Dismissal (Required To Withdraw)
Academic Dismissal is assessed only after the Winter semester. Students will be dismissed for a full semester if they have two consecutive terms (normally Fall/Winter) of two or more courses where:
- they have a sessional average below 50%, or
- they have failed 50% or more of their courses (including Drop Fails).
Note: Students returning from a period of Academic Dismissal are automatically placed on Academic Probation.
Academic Dismissal Appeal Policy
The following are the only grounds that a student may use for appealing Academic Dismissal:
- medically documented/supported personal illness, injury, or trauma
- documented/supported severe traumatic circumstances in immediate family, such as death or serious illness.
Appeal Process Procedures and Deadlines
- Students must submit a letter to the Registrar requesting that their status be appealed. The letter should clearly demonstrate that the appeal is in accordance with the Grounds for Appeal in the section above. Documentation supporting any claims made must also be included. All information contained in the letter will be kept confidential.
- Appeals must be received by 4:30 pm on June 15. The Registrar will meet with members of the Standards and Admissions Committee to review the appeal.
- Students will be informed of the decision by letter only. All decisions are final.
back to top
Academic Integrity
NSAC students are expected to display self-discipline and maturity throughout their period of study. At times there may be considerable pressure to achieve high grades, and some students may be tempted to obtain grades in a dishonest manner.
Practices such as cheating, plagiarism, and other misrepresentation relating to academic work compromise the integrity of the College and the degrees and diplomas that the College awards. The College does not condone these or other forms of academic misconduct under any circumstances and will take appropriate disciplinary action.
Regulations concerning academic misconduct can be found in the NSAC Academic Integrity Policy: www.nsac.ca/academicintegrity/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf
Missing Classes and Course Work
Nova Scotia Agricultural College students are responsible for their academic success. They are expected to attend all lectures and laboratory periods in the courses for which they are registered and to complete all of their coursework on time. Some courses have mandatory attendance requirements, which will be stated in the course outline.
A student who misses any coursework (e.g. classes, tests, assignments, etc.) due to medical or personal circumstances beyond their control must immediately contact the instructor to discuss the situation and how it might impact their academic performance. Together the instructor and the student should determine how best to complete the missed coursework, or to work out an appropriate and reasonable accommodation.
The Registry Office may, in some circumstances, issue a notice on behalf of a student who has left suddenly due to a medical or family emergency. As soon as possible the student is required to contact the individual instructors and discuss the completion of the missed coursework or an appropriate accommodation.
Supporting documentation, such as a letter from a doctor, will normally be required for any significant accommodations. A student who misses significant periods of time may not be able to make up missed coursework and may be required to forfeit the course. This decision will be made by the Vice-President Academic in conjunction with the instructor and the Registrar.
Misrepresentation of medical or personal circumstances will constitute academic dishonesty and will be referred to the Academic Integrity Committee.
back to top
Students who have completed courses at other post-secondary institutions or who have completed advanced studies at the secondary school level may be eligible to receive credit for work done on the following basis:
- Each course must be at the same academic level as the one it is replacing.
- Each course must satisfy a requirement of the student’s academic program.
- Elective credits may be awarded for courses that have no direct match in the NSAC curriculum.
- Students enrolled in a four-year degree program must complete a minimum of 15 courses at NSAC to graduate.
- Students enrolled in an Engineering program must complete a minimum of 11 courses at NSAC to graduate.
- Students enrolled in a technical diploma program must complete a minimum of one-half of the required courses at NSAC to graduate.
Students may be eligible for advanced credit standing based on International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) results. Credits, up to a maximum of 10, may be awarded for students with Higher Level IB class scores of 5, 6, or 7 or an AP national exam score of 4 or 5. Students who have successfully completed their International Baccalaureate Diploma with a total score of 30 or higher are guaranteed 10 credits in the B.Sc.(Agr.) program. Those wishing to apply for credit at NSAC based on IB or AP must supply an official transcript of test results to the Registry Office. The student will be notified once the assessment is complete.
Transcripts received after August 15 for the Fall semester, or after December 1 for the Winter semester, may not be evaluated before Add/Drop deadlines. Please consult the Registry Office for information concerning your application and transfer credits.
back to top
All full-time students in good standing are eligible to play for teams representing the College, subject to conditions established by NSAC, the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association, and the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.
All teams or groups that represent the institution must be accompanied by a member of the College staff or a senior leader (non-student) approved by the Athletic Director (for athletics) or the Dean of Student Services (for groups or clubs).
back to top
A student may, with the permission of the instructor, audit a course. Terms and conditions of the audit will be set forth by the instructor at the outset. Students who do not fulfill the conditions may have their privileges revoked, and will not have the audit recorded on their transcript. Audit students are not entitled to evaluation of their performance.
Students wishing to Audit a course must adhere to the same registration deadlines as students taking the course for credit.
back to top
Students who have acquired competence in material covered by an NSAC course may obtain credit for the course by means of a course challenge.
Procedures
- Application for Challenge for Credit is made to the Registrar. A Challenge for Credit is charged at 50% of the course fee.
- The department that is responsible for the course in question must be satisfied that there is a reasonable basis for requesting a Challenge for Credit, such as previous work experience or educational experience for which a credit cannot be obtained directly. The department may designate courses that cannot be challenged. The academic basis of the department’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
- The Challenge for Credit will normally be in the form of a comprehensive examination, but for a course with an accompanying laboratory or project(s) the department may require the demonstration of appropriate skills as a prerequisite to, or as a part of, the Challenge for Credit examination. A Challenge for Credit examination is given at the discretion of, and is administered by, the department.
- The department and instructor concerned will determine the content and format of the Challenge for Credit examination.
- A Challenge for Credit examination will be given at a time arranged by the department, but must be completed and the grade submitted prior to the last date for adding a course for the term in which the particular course is offered.
- Challenge for Credit examinations will be graded as either Pass or Fail. This grade is final and cannot be appealed. If the Challenge for Credit examination is passed, the course will appear on the student’s transcript indicating a ‘P’ for pass. Challenge for Credit examination failures will not be recorded on the student’s transcript.
- No student may Challenge for Credit a course that appears on the student’s transcript. This includes courses assigned a Drop Fail (DF) or Audit status and courses offered at NSAC or courses attempted elsewhere for which a credit would normally have been granted by NSAC. The latter information can be obtained from the Registry Office.
- A student currently on Academic Probation or with a Required to Withdraw status may not Challenge for Credit.
- A student may not Challenge for Credit more than once in any course.
- A maximum of six credits may be accumulated by Challenge for Credit.
back to top
Normal Course Load
A normal full-time course load for students registered in the degree program is considered to be five courses per semester. A normal full-time course load for students registered in the technical program is five to six courses per semester, depending on the program.
Course Overload
Students registered in the degree program who wish to take more than six courses in a single term must have the permission of the Vice-President Academic in consultation with the student’s advisor. Students registered in the technical program who wish to take more than seven courses in a single term must have the permission of the Vice-President Academic in consultation with the student’s advisor.
back to top
Deadline to Drop a Course Without Penalty
The deadline for dropping a course without academic penalty is 4:30 pm on the Friday of the seventh week of classes (October 14, 2011, for the Fall semester and February 17, 2012, for the Winter semester).
Drop Failure
A Drop Fail in a course is a grade assigned when a student drops the course at the Registry Office after “the last day for dropping a course without academic penalty” and no later than the last day permitted for a Drop Fail. A Drop Fail is counted as a failed subject when determining student standings. When determining averages a Drop Fail is not counted as a course (mark). It is recorded on the transcript as a ‘DF’. Courses marked as DF will not be included in determining full-time status. Students must notify the instructor of their intention to Drop Fail.
Deadline for Drop Fail Status
The deadline for declaring a Drop Fail status for a course is 4:30 pm on the Friday of the 11th week of classes (November 18, 2011, for the Fall semester and March 23, 2012, for the Winter semester).
If a student is registered for a course after the deadline date indicated for a Drop Fail, the mark earned will be entered on the record regardless of whether or not the examination is written.
back to top
Examination Regulations
- No student may leave the examination room until one-half hour after the beginning of the examination.
- No student may be admitted to the examination room after one-half hour of the time allotted for the examination has passed.
- A student must not communicate with any other student during the examination period.
- Foreign language paper dictionaries, reported to and approved by the proctor, may be used by students whose native language is not English. Electronic translators are not permitted to be used during exams.
- All texts, handbooks, notes, calculators, and other electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, PDAs, translators) must be deposited with the proctor before the student takes a seat, unless special provision has been made by the examiner, in writing, for any of these items to be used during the exam period.
- Students who contravene an exam regulation will normally be allowed to complete their examination unless they are deemed by the proctor to be causing a disturbance. Following the examination period both student and proctor should complete an NSAC Judicial Committee Incident Report so that the matter can be referred to the NSAC Judicial Committee.
- All forms of academic dishonesty are considered serious offences at NSAC, and any student who commits such an offence runs the risk of a range of sanctions, including a failure in the course or a requirement to withdraw from the University.
- Sign-in and sign-out sheets are to be used during all exams.
- If an entire day of exams is cancelled (e.g. NSAC storm closure) the exams on that day will normally be rescheduled to the day after the posted exam schedule. Should a campus closure be necessary, students will be informed by local media and NSAC e-mail.
Rereading of an Examination
A student may consult with the instructor for information on and interpretation of the evaluation of his/her examination paper. If the student is not satisfied after consultation, he/she may apply to the Registry Office for a reread. The application must be submitted within 30 days of the release of the original mark and be accompanied by a $100 fee. The fee will be returned if the mark is raised, but will be forfeited if it is not. The reread is to be performed by an appropriate person outside the institution and arranged by the head of the department concerned.
Supplemental Examination
Supplemental examinations are not offered.
Deferred Examinations
A deferred examination may only be permitted for:
- medically documented/supported personal illness, injury, or trauma
- documented/supported severe traumatic circumstances in immediate family, such as death or serious illness.
Unless the student presents further certification, each deferred examination must be written within two weeks of the day on which the regular examination in the course was scheduled. Permission to defer an exam and arrangements for the specific time and place of writing are to be made by the instructor in consultation with the Registrar.
back to top
Basis of Marking
NSAC courses are marked according to a numeric grading scale of 0–100; a passing grade is 50%. The evaluation of a course may be based on tests, laboratory exercises, other assignments, examinations, and attendance. In determining a final mark, instructors will take into consideration the total work of the course. The evaluation method used by one instructor will not necessarily be the one used by another.
At the beginning of each course, professors are required to indicate to students, in writing, the attendance requirements and the workload for the course, together with the dates and values of tests, term papers, quizzes, other assignments, and final examinations. No credit is given for a course unless all requirements for it have been completed.
Grade Appeals
Wherever possible, the student should resolve differences over assigned grades with the course instructor. After consultation with the instructor, the student may still wish to appeal the grade. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Registrar, along with the $25 non-refundable fee, after release of final marks and no later than 30 days after the release of final marks. The Registrar may waive the 30-day deadline in exceptional circumstances.
Appeals of grades will be considered by a committee convened by the Registrar and consisting of the Vice-President Academic, the Department Head, the Chair of the Standards and Admissions Committee, and one member of Faculty Council selected by the student. In the case where one of the committee members is the instructor of the course in question, the Vice-President Academic will appoint an alternate. The committee will consider written submissions from the student and the instructor, and may request to meet with either of them. An appeal may be based on questions of process or content. In the case of the latter, any grade changes must be based on a reread. If the committee does not recommend a reread, the student may ask for one. In that case the student must pay a $100 fee, which will be refunded if the resulting grade is higher. Grades resulting from rereads may be higher or lower than the original grade and are final. The Department Head for the course in question will recommend to the appeals committee an external person or persons who will be selected to conduct the reread. In the case where the Department Head is the instructor of the course in question, the Vice-President Academic will recommend the external reader to the committee.
All decisions of the grades appeals committee are final. In the case where a grade is changed, the instructor will be provided with a written explanation for the change.
Release of Final Grades
Official records of grades, transcripts, degrees, or diplomas will be withheld pending full payment of all outstanding balances owing to the College.
back to top
Application for Graduation
Students intending to graduate in May must submit an “Application to Graduate” to the Registrar by the previous November 15. There is no charge for applications received by the Registry Office on or before November 15; however, applications received after November 15 must be accompanied by a $50 late fee. Applications are available at the Registry Office or on the website at www.nsac.ca/reg/forms.
Graduation Requirements
Graduands may opt to fulfill the program requirements in place at the time they entered the program or those in place at the time of graduation. The graduand must completely satisfy the syllabus he/she chooses. In the event that required courses are no longer offered, the College will prescribe appropriate substitutes.
Diplomas Granted in Absentia
Students not planning to attend the Convocation Ceremony must submit the “Intention to Graduate In Absentia” form to the Registry Office not later than 24 hours prior to the ceremony. Forms are available in the Registry Office and on the website at www.nsac.ca/reg/forms.
Academic Residency Requirements
B.Sc.(Agr.)
Students intending to graduate with a B.Sc. (Agr.) must successfully complete a minimum of 15 courses in their program at NSAC, including 6 courses at the 3000 or 4000 level.
B.Tech
Students intending to graduate with a B.Tech must successfully complete a minimum of 15 courses in their program at NSAC, including 6 courses at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Engineering
Students intending to graduate with an Engineering diploma must successfully complete a minimum of 11 courses in their program at NSAC.
Technical Diploma
Students intending to graduate with a Technical Diploma must successfully complete a minimum of one-half of the total required courses in their program at NSAC.
Time to Completion of Academic Programs
Students are expected to complete their academic programs within a specified timeframe. This ensures that their skills and knowledge are current at the time of graduation.
- Students must complete the B.Sc.(Agr.) program within 10 years of enrollment in their first B.Sc.(Agr.) course.
- Students must complete the B.Tech – Applied Science program within 10 years of enrollment in their first B.Tech – Applied Science course.
- Students must complete the B.Tech – Environmental Landscape Horticulture program within 6 years of enrollment in their first B.Tech – Environmental Landscape Horticulture course.
- Students must complete the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Aquaculture and Horticulture within 6 years of enrollment in their first course in the diploma program.
- Students must complete the Managed Landscapes Technology Diploma program within 6 years of enrollment in their first Managed Landscapes Technology Diploma course.
- Students must complete the Diploma in Business Management program within 6 years of enrollment in their first Diploma in Business Management course.
- Students must complete the Veterinary Technology Diploma program within 6 years of enrollment in their first Veterinary Technology Diploma course.
- Students must complete the Plant Science Technology Diploma program within 6 years of enrollment in their first Plant Science Technology Diploma course.
- Students must complete the Engineering program within 4 years of enrollment in their first Engineering course.
Notwithstanding these regulations, students may make a request to the Registrar for an extension to their academic program time to completion.
Transfer Credits for Technical Graduates Admitted to the NSAC B.Sc.(Agr.) Program
Students who have graduated from an NSAC Technical diploma program, and who have been admitted to the NSAC B.Sc.(Agr.) program, shall be awarded a minimum of 10 credits toward the NSAC B.Sc.(Agr.) degree, provided all other program requirements are met.
Applicants with Technical diplomas from other institutions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and these applicants will normally be awarded the 10-course minimum if their technical program matches one of those offered by NSAC.
These transfer credits will be subject to NSAC’s Academic Program Time to Completion Policy.
Minimum Cumulative Average Requirements for the B.Sc.(Agr.), B.Tech, B.Eng. and Diploma in Business Management
Students are required to have a minimum cumulative average of 60% in all courses required for the program in order to graduate. Courses transferred from other institutions are not normally considered in calculating the cumulative average.
back to top
With High Honours
Cumulative average of 90% or higher
With Honours
Cumulative average of 80–89.9%
Second Diploma
The minimum requirement for a second Technical diploma is 12 additional courses that include all of the required courses of the syllabus.
Advanced Standing
Students who successfully complete a Technical diploma program at NSAC and apply to the B.Sc.(Agr.) program will receive a minimum of 10 credits towards their degree.
back to top
International students not covered by a Canadian provincial health insurance plan are required to purchase a health insurance policy through the College. Once admitted, students will be registered for coverage effective as of their date of arrival in Canada. The charge will be included on each student’s account. Other insurance policies from home countries will not be accepted. International students who bring their immediate families to Canada must ensure they have appropriate health coverage.
Full-time Canadian students are automatically enrolled in the Gallivan Health/Dental Insurance Plan. For more information see www.gallivan.ca. it is possible for students who already have coverage to opt out. The premium for each plan is an annual one; therefore the process for opting out must be done prior to the specified deadline, which coincides with NSAC’s last date to register for a course. See www.gallivan.ca for the opt-out form.
Students who participate in varsity athletics are covered by a “sport” insurance policy. Details can be obtained through the Athletic Department.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that they have adequate health and accident insurance. The College does not accept any responsibility for costs related to accident or sickness for students participating in programs of study, athletics, or College-related events.
back to top
NSAC students wishing to enroll in courses at other institutions for credit in an NSAC program must obtain, in advance, a Letter of Permission from the Registrar.
Courses that are taken without a Letter of Permission will not be credited towards a student’s program.
Letter of Permission forms are available at the Registry Office.
back to top
Copying someone else’s work without giving him/her credit is plagiarizing.
The most obvious form of plagiarism is simply to copy word for word from a book, article or Internet site, omitting quotation marks and any mention of the original author.
A slightly more subtle form of plagiarism occurs when a writer’s ideas are used by someone trying to pass them off as their own. Admittedly, in this second case, exact words used by the original writer may not be copied, but the essence of what the original writer wrote is. Therefore, it is plagiarism.
The fact that one is not copying from printed, published sources does not absolve one from the charge of plagiarism. One may be justly accused and convicted of plagiarism for copying unpublished term papers, essays, assignments, reports (including laboratory reports), and collections.
back to top
Computerized Registration
NSAC uses Datatel’s Colleague Student Information System (WebAdvisor) to enable students to register for courses via the web from anywhere in the world. Once students have paid the registration deposit, they will be issued a Permit to Register, which includes login information (Username and Password) and instructions on how to register using the WebAdvisor system. No-program students will be registered by the Registry Office. WebAdvisor provides students with confidential access to their own personal information including class schedule, address information, grades, and financial information. WebAdvisor can be accessed at www.nsac.ca/reg/register.asp.
back to top
Former students of NSAC must complete an Application for Admission to be readmitted.
Students who have been Academically Dismissed (required to withdraw) from NSAC must apply to the Registrar for readmission. Applications for readmission will be considered on an individual basis. Applications must be accompanied by a letter outlining the factors that accounted for poor academic performance and explaining why the applicant feels ready to commence studies again.
back to top
Computerized Registration
NSAC uses Datatel’s Colleague Student Information System (WebAdvisor) to enable students to register for courses via the web from anywhere in the world. Once students have paid the registration deposit, they will be issued a Permit to Register, which includes login information (Username and Password) and instructions on how to
register using the WebAdvisor system. No-program students will be registered by the Registry Office. WebAdvisor provides students with confidential access to their own personal information including class schedule, address information, grades, and financial information. WebAdvisor can be accessed at www.nsac.ca/reg/register.asp.
Course Registrations
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that he/she is properly registered in courses. Students will receive credit only for courses in which they are registered by the deadline to add courses. Conversely, a student who does not properly withdraw from a course will receive a mark of “0” for that course and will be responsible for all tuition fees. Deadlines for adding and dropping courses are strictly enforced.
Prerequisites
Students may be removed from courses for which they do not have prerequisites. Prerequisite waivers can be granted only by the instructors and must be submitted in writing, with the instructor’s signature, to the Registrar.
back to top
Residence regulations are to be found in the NSAC Student Handbook under Community Standards, and in the Residence Handbook, available at www.nsac.ca/stuserv.
back to top
Students must comply with all safety requirements of the College. This includes safety rules specific to programs and courses.
back to top
Scholarship students are normally required to be enrolled in four or more courses per semester.
Full-time
Students who are taking three or more credit courses in a semester, are registered in a program, and have ongoing status are full-time students.
Part-time
Students who are taking fewer than three courses, are registered in a program, and have ongoing status are part-time students.
Visiting
Students who are admitted to one or more courses on the basis of a Letter of Permission from another bona fide post-secondary institution are visiting students. Visiting students do not have ongoing student status. That is, if they wished to enroll for another semester they would be required to go through the Application for Admission process again.
No Program
Students may be admitted to one or more courses on a “no-program” basis. Admission is to specified courses on a case-by-case basis. No-program students do not have ongoing student status.
back to top
Students’ academic records, including their official NSAC files, are the property of NSAC. Students’ records are privileged information and to that end transcripts will not be released by the Registrar to those outside the university without the prior written permission of the student. As required by their appointment, academic administrators within NSAC have access to students’ complete academic records.
To request a transcript, a student must mail or fax the appropriate form, obtainable from the Registry Office or at www.nsac.ca/reg/forms, or a signed letter of request to the Registry Office. It is not possible to accept a transcript request over the telephone. Transcript requests are processed strictly in the order in which they are received. Although the normal processing time is approximately five working days, additional time will be required at peak periods.
Official transcripts are forwarded directly from the Registry Office to an official third party.
Students whose accounts are in arrears will be denied transcripts until the debt is paid.
back to top
Students who wish to withdraw from NSAC must notify the Registry Office. Forms are available at the Registry Office or online at
www.nsac.ca/reg/forms. After the first two weeks of classes, students will not be able to withdraw from all their courses using the Student Information System; it must then be done in person at the Registry Office. At the time of withdrawal, the student must return the Student ID Card.
back to top
| PROGRAM CODES |
|
| BSCAG |
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – B.Sc.(Agr.) |
| BTECH |
Bachelor of Technology – B.Tech |
| ENG |
Engineering |
| MSC |
Master’s – M.Sc. |
| TY |
Technology |
Degree
Major |
Minor |
AB |
Agricultural Business |
AB |
Agricultural Business |
AEC |
Agricultural Economics |
AC |
Agricultural Chemistry |
AQ |
Aquaculture |
AEC |
Agricultural Economics |
AS |
Animal Science |
AQ |
Aquaculture |
EV |
Environmental Sciences |
AS |
Animal Science |
IEM |
Integrated Environmental Management |
AW |
Animal Welfare |
PS |
Plant Science |
EV |
Environmental Sciences |
PV |
Pre-Veterinary |
FS |
Food Science and |
NP |
No Program |
|
Technology |
|
|
GE |
Genetics & Molecular Biology |
|
|
MH |
Mathematics |
|
|
PM |
Pest Management |
|
|
PS |
Plant Science |
Bachelor of Technology
APS Applied Science
ELH Environmental Landscape Horticulture
Engineering
ENG Engineering
Technology
Major |
Specialization |
|
|
|
|
|
VT |
Veterinary Technology |
|
|
ML |
Managed Landscapes |
|
|
PS |
Plant Science |
|
|
BMPET |
Business Management – Pet Specialty |
BMDF |
Business Management – Dairy Farming |
BMEQ |
Business Management – Equine Specialty |
BMAG |
Business Management – Farming |
BMGN |
Business Management – Greenhouse & Nursery |
Post-Baccalaureate Diplomas
AQ Aquaculture
HORT Horticulture
COURSE CODES
Each course is described by an alphanumeric code. The alpha prefix identifies the main subject area (as noted in the Legend below), and the numeric suffix identifies the specific course and the course level. For example, CHEM1000 is a course offered in Chemistry at the 1000 level. Courses numbered 1000 to 4999 indicate Bachelor’s degree credit courses. Courses numbered 0100 to 0999 are offered in Technology programs. Numbers up to 0099 are offered as non-credit requirements. Courses numbered 5000+ are offered in the Graduate Program.
Courses with an ‘A’ designation focus on one or more aspects of the agri-food system – the production, management, processing, and marketing of crops and livestock and their products. Other courses may use agricultural examples, but are not designated ‘A’ because their main focus is not on the agri-food system.
Some first-year core courses are offered by distance delivery in addition to or instead of traditional delivery. These courses are denoted by DE.
Alpha Prefixes
ACAD |
Academic |
HORT |
Horticulture |
AGRI |
Agricultural |
INTD |
International Development |
AGRN |
Agronomy |
INTE |
Internship |
ANSC |
Animal Science |
MATH |
Mathematics |
AQUA |
Aquaculture |
MGMT |
Management |
ARTS |
Art |
MICR |
Microbiology |
BIOL |
Biology |
NUTR |
Nutrition |
CHEM |
Chemistry |
PHYS |
Physics |
CMMT |
Communications |
PSYC |
Psychology |
CSCI |
Computer Science |
PLSC |
Plant Science |
ECON |
Economics |
POLS |
Political Science |
ENGL |
English |
RESM |
Research Methods/
Project Seminars |
ENGN |
Engineering |
RURS |
Rural Studies |
ENVS |
Environmental Sciences |
SOCI |
Sociology |
EXTE |
Extension Education |
SOIL |
Soils |
FOOD |
Food Science |
SPAN |
Spanish |
FREN |
French |
SPEC |
Special Topics |
GENE |
Genetics |
STAT |
Statistics |
GEOG |
Geography |
VTEC |
Veterinary Technology |
HIST |
History |
|
|
Numeric Prefixes
Degree Courses
1000 Basic/Foundation
- These courses are normally taken in the first year of a degree program.
- They facilitate the transition to post-secondary learning and expectations.
- These courses provide the foundation knowledge and skills required to successfully complete more advanced courses within the discipline or to apply these skills/knowledge to other disciplines, for example the use of chemical principles in the understanding of nutrition or animal systems.
2000 Initial Exploration of a Discipline
- These courses begin the process of studying specific elements of a discipline. In essence they become the foundation in the building-block structure of a discipline. Students begin to understand the framework upon which a discipline is based.
- These courses are typically taken by students who have completed a first year of post-secondary education and as a result usually have 1000-level prerequisites or at the very least require background knowledge at the post-secondary level.
- This is the highest level of degree course available to technology students.
3000 More Detailed Exploration of a Discipline
- Courses at this level generally require students to have the breadth of knowledge and skills obtained after two years of post-secondary education. Therefore, 3000-level courses tend to have 2000-level prerequisites or require at least two years of post-secondary study.
4000 Advanced Study of a Discipline or Integrated Courses
- Courses at the 4000 level foster the integration of material covered in the previous three years and therefore generally require 3000‑level prerequisites or third-year standing.
Technology Courses
0100 Initial Exploration of a Discipline
- These courses are taken in the first year of a technology program.
- They facilitate the transition to post-secondary learning and expectations.
- These courses provide the basic knowledge and skills required to successfully obtain an understanding of a discipline, for example exposure to soil science to understand crop production.
0200 Detailed Exploration of a Discipline
- These courses study in detail the various aspects of a discipline with a focus on real-life application.
- 0200-level courses usually have 0100-level prerequisites or at the very least require background knowledge at the post-secondary level.
back to top
