Program 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 in the Science Program reviewed at the end of the winter term.
Day Students
To be in good standing and to register unconditionally in the Science Program:
- Students must pass at least four (4) of the Specific Education courses in the academic
year. - Students must pass at least four (4) General Education and/or remedial French and
English courses in the year*. (*This does not apply to students who have already completed their General Education requirements.) - Students admitted in January must pass at least four (4) courses in that semester, at least two (2) of which must be Specific Education courses.
Continuing Education Students
To be in good standing and to register unconditionally in the Science Program through Continuing Education:
- Students must register for, and maintain, a load of at least one (1) specific education course in a semester (unless all specific education courses have been completed).
- Students must pass at least two (2) Specific Education courses in the year.
- Students admitted in January must pass at least one (1) Specific Education course in that semester.
Advancement is contingent upon meeting the Academic Standing and Advancement policy of the college and the program. Students who do not satisfy the criteria 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 Academic Standing Appeals Committee.
Students not taking any courses in a semester must reapply to the College by the application deadline.
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.
