MSc > Course Requirements
Since the emphasis of the Program is on research, graduate course requirements are minimal and rigorous, and the number of graduate courses offered is limited.
- DO NOT ENROL IN ANY COURSE, EXCEPT PROGRESS COURSE, WITHOUT CONSULTING THE COURSE DIRECTOR
- IN ORDER TO ENROL IN A COURSE HOSTED BY ANOTHER GRADUATE PROGRAM, STUDENT MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE HOST PROGRAM
Mandatory 3 Credit Pass/Fail Research Evaluation Course Requirements to be taken in addition to Graduate Course Requirements below.
| Graduate Course Requirements: |
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| Total Graduate Course Credit Requirements (minimum): |
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6 credits over 2 yrs |
| Breakdown of Graduate Course Credit Requirements: |
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6 credits from core courses for students entering program effective September 2010. 3 credits from core courses PLUS minimum 3 credits from core/other courses for students who stated program prior to September 2010. |
Other courses can be from another graduate program at York University or another Ontario University (see Ontario Visiting Graduate Student information).
Evaluation of Courses & Grades Reporting Times
Written examinations are generally not used in non-integrated graduate courses in Biology. Grades are assigned based on in-class participation and evaluation of oral and written work. At the completion of courses, students should check with the course director for notification of their grades. Graduate courses are normally completed and grades submitted to the Program Assistant by about January 15 (for a fall course), May 15th (for a winter course) and September 15th (for a summer course, if applicable).
The Graduate Assistant does not disclose the final grades to the student.
Grading System (see FGS Regulation #36)
| Unofficial % level to assist in marking | ||
| A+ | Exceptional | 90 - 100 |
| A | Excellent | 85 - 89 |
| A- | High | 80 - 84 |
| B+ | Highly Satisfactory | 75 - 79 |
| B | Satisfactory | 70 - 74 |
| C | Conditional | 60 - 69 |
| F | Failure | below 60 |
| I | Incomplete |
Incomplete Grades (see FGS Regulation #37)
If a longer time than the deadline dates stated under Grade Reporting Time is required, a grade of "incomplete" is submitted. This "incomplete" must be changed to a final grade within 2 months for a half course [March 15 (for fall course), July 13 (for winter course), or November 15 (for summer course)] and 4 months for a full course [May 13 (for fall course), Sept 14 (for winter course), Jan 15 (for summer course)] of the official date for submission of grades, otherwise it will automatically revert to a failing grade. To keep an incomplete longer than these times the student must petition.
Withdrawal from Graduate Courses in Good Standing (see FGS Regulation #41)
"Students may withdraw from a graduate course provided that not more than two thirds of the course has been completed. After this students shall remain registered and will be assigned grades as appropriate".
Combination of F and C Grades Which Require Withdrawal (see FGS Regulation #39)
A student will be required to withdraw from the graduate program and registration in the Faculty of Graduate Studies will be terminated if the student receives in total for graduate courses, during enrolment at York University:
(a) one F grade for a full course or two F grades for half courses, or
(b) one F grade for a half course and one C grade for a full or half course.
Withdrawal from the Biology Graduate Program
If satisfactory progress on the Progress Evaluation Exercise is not achieved, the student is dismissed from the program (see Section on Progress Reports Exercise).
Graduate Courses in Another Program at York
In order to fulfill the Biology graduate course requirements students may take a 3 credit graduate course in another graduate program at York. Request to Take Courses in Another Graduate Program At York for Credit Form has to be processed by the two graduate programs involved, i.e. the graduate program where the student is registered and the program in which the student wishes to take the course for credit.
Undergraduate Courses
Graduate students may take undergraduate courses as a requirement of the graduate program if recommended by the student's supervisory committee, or for general interest.
Undergraduate Courses as a Requirement of the Graduate Program
If the student has been advised to take an undergraduate course in their graduate program, or if the course is required for background knowledge in a subject area, students should process the Faculty of Graduate Studies Undergraduate Course Request Form . Students do not have to pay extra course fees. The grade obtained for the undergraduate course(s) will be shown on the Graduate Transcript and will count in the graduate grade average but will not count towards fulfilment of the graduate course requirements.
Undergraduate Courses for General Interest
If a student is interested in taking undergraduate course(s) for general interest then the student should apply to York University as a Visiting Student at the undergraduate level and pay the appropriate undergraduate course fee. The grade will not appear on the graduate transcript and the grade will not count towards graduate level.
Please consult related Undergraduate Program prior to applying as a Special Student.
