Enriched Policies

1. Courses

Course Regulations are included in the individual course outlines adopted by the science departments.

2. Policies

2.1 College Policies

2.1.1 ISEP

The Dawson College Institutional Student Evaluation Policy (ISEP) addresses all aspects of student evaluation including rights and obligations. This includes, among others, the College’s policy on Religious Holidays, Cheating and Plagiarism, Comprehensive Examination, Final Examinations, Course Outlines, and grading schemes. The policy also specifies some of the responsibilities of teachers toward their students.

Students have the responsibility of familiarizing themselves with the contents of ISEP. It is distributed to each student during Welcome Week, and is available in the library, in the office of the sector Deans and on our website on our ISEP page.

2.1.1.1 Policies on Religious Holidays

Teachers observing religious holidays must give students advance notice in course outlines and specify alternative arrangements for their classes when the holiday falls on a teaching day. Department Chairs must also be informed in advance regarding the particular arrangements.

Students who wish to observe religious holidays must inform each of their teachers in writing within the first two weeks of each semester of their intent to observe the holiday so that alternative arrangements convenient to both the student and the teacher can be made at the earliest opportunity. This written notice must be given even when the exact date of the holiday will not be known until later and must include dates that fall within the final examination period. Students who make such arrangements will not be required to attend classes or take examinations on the designated days, nor be penalized for their absence. It must be emphasized, however, that this College policy should not be interpreted to mean that a student can receive credit for work not performed. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfill the requirements of the alternative arrangement.

2.1.2 ByLaw Concerning the Promotion of Student Success

This Bylaw includes certain additional requirements that full-time students will have to meet if they have failed courses. It is complementary to the provisions on standing and advancement included in the College’s ISEP; however, in the case of a conflict between the two, the application of this bylaw shall take precedence.

This bylaw shall apply to the full-time student who:

fails more than one course in a given semester.
fails half or more of his/her courses in a given semester.
repeatedly fails courses from semester to semester.

More information on this bylaw is available on the College’s web site.

2.2 Program Policies

2.2.1 Academic Standing

Students will have their status reviewed at the end of the winter term.

Students in the Regular Day division must register for, and maintain, a load of at least two specific education courses and two general education courses in a term. (This does not apply to students who have already completed their General Education requirements)

Students enrolled in the Regular Day division must, in the academic year, pass more than 50% of their courses, including:

At least three specific education courses; and
At least 50% of all general education courses taken

Students admitted in the Regular Day division in the Winter term must, in their first term, pass more than 50% of their courses, including:

At least two specific education courses; and
At least 50% of all general education courses taken.

Students in the Science Program in Continuing Education must register for, and maintain, a load of at least one specific education course in a term. (Unless all specific education courses have been completed)

Students who fail to comply with the terms of this Academic Standing and Advancement Policy will be expelled from the Program and the College. The expelled student has the right to appeal the expulsion to the College Academic Standing Appeals Committee.

2.2.1.1 Profile Requirements

Further requirements of the Enriched Science profile:

Enriched Science students must maintain a load of at least three specific education courses per term to remain in the profile.
Enriched Science students must maintain a minimum grade of 70% in each specific education and general education course in each term to remain in the profile.
Students must abide by the rules regarding participation in the seminars, as per the Enriched Science handbook.

Students who fail to meet the requirements of Enriched Science must request a program transfer to another Science profile, provided that they satisfy the Science Program’s Standing and Advancement Policy.

Exceptional Circumstances

In extenuating circumstances, the Science Program Coordinator may recommend an exception to the Program Academic Standing and Advancement Policy to the Program Dean for approval.

2.2.2 Attendance (Applicable to Science disciplines only)

Attendance at tests, quizzes, laboratories and final examinations is compulsory; it is the student’s responsibility to ensure this. Unjustified absence will result in an automatic grade of zero. Medical excuses for absence will only be considered when accompanied by a doctor’s note. Non-medical reasons for absence must derive from totally unavoidable circumstances, and be justified in writing. Whenever possible, the teacher must be warned of any possible absence in advance.

2.2.3 Final Examination Policies

To ensure equity across all sections of multi-teacher Mathematics/Science courses and all Mathematics/Science courses required for university admissions, each of these courses has a final examination prepared by the Course Committee.

2.2.4 Safety Regulations

Course laboratory manuals will describe specific safety rules for the laboratory. The laboratory instructor will also brief students on the safety regulations governing the course.

General Safety Rules for Biology & Chemistry Laboratories

Different types of materials/chemicals/organisms are used in the Biology and Chemistry laboratories, many of which can be hazardous (toxic, corrosive, etc.) if not handled properly. Consequently, the following safety rules are always in effect in these labs:

Wear a cloth lab coat at all times when in the lab; a cloth lab coat can be purchased at the Dawson College Bookstore.
Wear safety glasses at all times when in the lab (unless specified by your teacher); do not wear contact lenses while in the lab. Safety glasses can be purchased at the Dawson College Bookstore.
Tie back hair at all times when in the lab.
Wear closed shoes or boots at all times when in the lab; do not wear open-toed shoes, sandals, high heels or slippery-soled shoes.
Never eat or drink when in the lab; this rule includes drinking bottled water and chewing gum.
Never taste or smell chemicals used in the lab.
The wearing of safety gloves will be mandatory in certain labs; with or without safety gloves do not rub your face or touch your eyes when in the lab.
Identify the location of fire extinguishers, safety blankets, eye baths and emergency showers that are available in the lab.
Always keep your workbench clean and free from clutter while you are working; as well, your workbench must be cleaned and tidied before you leave the lab.
Concentrate on what you are doing at all times; do not disturb, startle other students, or indulge in practical joking.
Leave all personal belongings outside of the lab, including coats, backpacks, cell phones, etc.: bring only what is required for that particular lab session.
Always wash your hands with soap and water before leaving the lab.
Report any incident (spill, breakage, cut, etc.) to your teacher at once, however minor it might seem.

Violations of the safety regulations may lead to expulsion from the laboratory and even failure in the course.