2002-2003 Graduate Calendar

Candidates for the MA, MSc or PhD degree shall follow a program which must be approved by the Chair of the Department. This program shall follow one of the two schemes (A or B) as outlined below.
An individual department may offer a Master's program following either or both of these schemes. Further requirements to these schemes may be established by individual departments. All Doctoral programs must follow Scheme A (theses scheme).
Scheme A (Thesis)
Candidates must complete:

	at least two full credit courses (or equivalent) in the case of MA and MSc programs (two full and one-half credit course for MA in Psychology)
	at least four full credit courses (or equivalent) in the case of the MEd program
	at least three credits (or equivalent) in the case of a PhD program

2.	These courses must be chosen in consultation with the candidate's Supervisor. They must be courses from within the major department, from other graduate departments, or they may be interdepartmental courses. A majority of these courses must be graduate courses (i.e., numbered 5(alpha)00 or above). The Thesis Supervisor may not offer all the courses in a candidate's program.
	In addition to the course requirements, a research project that culminates in a thesis, and demonstrates a capacity for independent work, must be completed. The research project shall be chosen in association with the Graduate Chair and the Supervisor. A PhD program may require a comprehensive examination. Scheme B (Major essay) Candidates must complete:

	at least four full credit courses (or equivalent) in the case of MA programs and
	at least four and one-half credit courses (or equivalent) in the case of MEd program

2.	These courses must be chosen in consultation with the candidate's Chair and/or Graduate Officer. They may be courses from within the major department, from other graduate departments, or they may be interdepartmental courses. A majority of these courses must be graduate courses (i.e., numbered 5(alpha)00 or above). One faculty member may not offer all the courses in a candidate's program.
	In addition to the course requirements, there will be a major essay or project assignment requiring the demonstration of, competence in, and familiarity with, the contents and methodology of the chosen field of study. It should be a major piece of work of greater scope and/or depth than any essay done as part of a course. A supervisory committee will normally be struck before the completion of the course work. The major essay or project will be written under the supervision of a faculty member after the topic has been approved by either the student's Supervisory Committee or by the departmental Graduate Officer in consultation with the Chair of the Department.
3.	Master of Accountancy
	The program of study for the MAcc degree is described in the departmental listing for Accounting.
4.	Master of Education
	The program of study for the Master of Education degree is described in the departmental listing for Education.
5.	Doctoral Studies in Education
	The program of study for the PhD in Education is described in the departmental listing for Education.

II. Additional Courses

A full-time graduate student may, with the written permission of his/her supervisor and the Chair of the Department, take up to two extra graduate or undergraduate half credit courses above the requirements of the graduate program. No extra fee above that charged for the graduate program will be levied for these courses. For any other courses taken while the student is in a graduate program, regular fees will be levied.

These courses are subject to the same regulations regarding withdrawal, failure to complete the work, as are courses required for the degree.

III. Graduate Studies Regulations

1.	The department will appoint a Supervisory Committee for each graduate student consisting of the Chair of the Department (or his/her delegate), the Supervisor and an additional faculty member (who need not be a member of the department).
2.	In the absence of the Supervisor (e.g., on sabbatical), the Chair of the Department in consultation with the Supervisory Committee, shall ensure that a resident faculty member is responsible for overseeing the student.
3.	A full-time student's progress in Scheme A should be reviewed at least twice a year by the Supervisory Committee, a part-time student's progress at least once a year. Additional meetings may be called at the request of the student, other members of the committee or the Chair of the Department. A full-time student's progress in Scheme B should be reviewed at least twice a year by the Chair and/or Graduate Officer, a part-time student's progress at least once a year. Additional meetings may be called at the request of the student, other members of the committee or the Chair of the Department.
4.	The Supervisory Committee shall review:

	the student's course and ancillary requirements
	the thesis or major essay/project and progress of research and
	the student's course performance

5.	Recommendations should be made to the Chair of the Department if the student is to be placed on probation or recommended for withdrawal from the program. The Chair will pass the recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
	Departments may wish to have the student present at an open "planning seminar" which outlines the thesis/major essay problem and proposed approach. It is recommended that, for Scheme A students, an open "progress seminar" be presented by the student several months before completion of the thesis.
6.	If a candidate's graduate supervisor leaves Brock during the student's program, the following options are open to the student:

	Transfer by the student to the university to which the candidate's former supervisor has moved. In most cases, graduate credit will be given for work done at Brock;
	The candidate remains at Brock and changes supervisor and perhaps project.
	The student opts to complete the existing project. In this case, the University may seek advice from experts off campus or may arrange for the student to work off campus. It will be the responsibility of the Supervisory Committee (augmented, if necessary, by outside expertise), to advise the candidate on all matters regarding the thesis research and preparation. The department is not precluded from seeking advice from the former faculty member, but the former faculty member has no privileged position with respect to the project and thesis; the Supervisory Committee will take precedence in all cases. All special arrangements must be approved by the appropriate faculty Dean and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

IV. Examination of Thesis Candidates

1.	The research thesis will be assessed, after a public oral examination, by an Examining Committee. This committee struck by the Dean of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty, will consist of at least the Chair of the Department (or nominee), the Dean of the Faculty (or nominee), either of whom may chair the committee; an External Examiner and the Supervisor. The chair of the committee, in consultation with the committee, may choose an additional faculty member from another department and the Dean of Graduate Studies may, in special cases, nominate a member.
2.	Prior to the thesis examination, a minimum of five copies must be submitted to the Chair of the Department. In the experimental sciences, the candidate will additionally deposit, with the candidate's Supervisor, all field and laboratory notebooks, together with all other original data records, spectra, samples and specimens, etc. which will be retained as the property of the Supervisor or Department as appropriate. Where research on human subjects has been involved, all original materials which contain subject identification shall be turned over to the supervisor for disposal or safekeeping as required by the appropriate guidelines. The student is expected to bring an additional copy of the thesis to the examination. All typing and other costs of preparing the thesis are the responsibility of the student.
3.	The oral examination of Master's or Doctoral candidates will not involve a comprehensive examination distinct from the thesis presentation and defence, though a comprehensive examination may be part of the requirement of a course, such as a broad survey or methodology course. Questions related to, but not directly covered in the thesis, may be asked at the defence.
4.	The External Examiner will be principally responsible for provision of an independent and objective evaluation of the academic quality of the thesis. The External Examiner will be appointed by the Dean of Graduate Studies on the advice of the faculty Dean and Chair of the Department (after consultation with the Supervisory Committee) from a list of names supplied by the Supervisory Committee. The External Examiner is not to be regarded as an ad hoc member of the Supervisory Committee. The committee and the chair shall determine the nature and extent of contributions made to the thesis during its development by all potential external examiners. Casual knowledge of the thesis by a potential external examiner shall not necessarily constitute grounds for precluding such an individual from invitation to serve as an external examiner.
	While external examiners need not be academics, professional competence in the field of the thesis is important and they may be from industry, government agencies, etc.

a)	The thesis should be approved by at least the Supervisor and one member of the Supervisory Committee before being forwarded to the External Examiner. In case of disagreement between the Supervisor and the member, the Chair of the Department shall decide the issue.
b)	The Dean of Graduate Studies will define the role of the External Examiner and may request a written evaluation prior to the defence. If the evaluation is so unfavorable as to jeopardize the approval of the thesis, the defence should be postponed and the Chair of the Department will set up an ad hoc committee to recommend a subsequent course of action.

5.	A recommended format for the defence is as follows.The candidate will present a public seminar outlining the study (preferably limited to 30-40 minutes). This will be followed by a period of "open" questioning in which all present may participate. Immediately following, the Examining Committee may meet with the candidate in camera for a further period of "closed" questioning. The Examining Committee will then evaluate the thesis and defence. Approval of the thesis will require acceptance by two-thirds of the committee and must include approval by the External Examiner. If revisions are necessary, the committee will specify the areas for revision and the date by which the revised, typed thesis is to be returned (to the Chair of the Department concerned). This date will normally be within three months of the examination or six months if additional research is required.
6.	In the instance of a failed defence, the candidate may, at the discretion of the Examining Committee, be permitted a second and final thesis submission and defence. This will be scheduled for no later than one calendar year after the original presentation and defence. In the preparation of the thesis for resubmission, the candidate will be guided by the written criticisms of members of the Examining Committee. Under normal circumstances, the composition of the Examining Committee for the second thesis defence will be identical to that of the original Examining Committee.
7.	A fee may be charged for re-examination.
8.	Appeals relating to the procedures followed in a thesis examination or to the grade assigned, shall be considered by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

V. Evaluation of Major Essay or Project Candidates

A typed or printed copy of the major essay or project for MA and MEd programs shall be assessed by the Supervisor and by (at least) one other member of the Supervisory Committee. Assessment shall involve an independent reading of the final copy of the major essay or project by (at least) two readers. The readers shall, following discussion, agree on the final grade. In the case of disagreement, the average of the two grades to the nearest appropriate number will be assigned. If, following a decision on the grade, revisions are required, the Supervisor will specify the areas for revision, and the date by which the revised copy is to be returned to the Chair of the Department (normally within three months of the evaluation). Final assignment of the grade will be withheld until a satisfactory revised copy is returned to the Chair of the Department.

The departmental copies of MEd projects will be housed in the Instructional Resource Centre. As a condition of engaging in graduate study in the University, the author of a MEd project grants certain licenses and waivers in respect of the circulation and copying of the project. The Instructional Resource Centre is permitted to circulate the departmental copy of the project and make single copies for another library or similar institution or for an individual for private study and research. Under certain circumstances, the Department of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies in Education may delay the circulation and copying of a project for a period of up to twelve months from the date of completion.

VI. Preparation, Submission and Deposit of Thesis

A document entitled Instructions for Students for the Preparation Submission of Theses for Higher Degrees may be obtained from the appropriate Dean.

1.	A candidate submitting a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements governing the award of high degrees, must deposit the required number of copies of the approved thesis with the University Library before the degree will be conferred.
2.	In depositing the thesis, the following regulations apply:
	a. Submission of thesis: when the thesis is in its final form after the oral examination, the candidate will submit, in unbound form, the original and at least three copies of the thesis, to the University Librarian. The thesis must be free from typographical and other errors and all copies must be identical in content, each containing all illustrations, charts, maps, figures,tables and appendices as approved by the Examining Committee. Each copy of the thesis must contain a copy of the Certificate Approval signed by each member of the Examining Committee. The thesis must be accompanied by the candidate's Graduate Record Form and copy of the National Library Form NL-91(see below). b. Binding: the University Library will arrange for the binding of the thesis. Candidates may submit a fourth copy for binding which will be returned for their personal use. A fee is levied at registration to cover the cost of binding the original and three copies. The Library can arrange binding of additional copies of a thesis at the candidate's expense. c. Disposition of Copies: after binding, the copies will be dispersed as follows:

	Original copy: will be deposited in the Archives in the University Library
	Copy 2: will be catalogued and placed in the University Library for consultation
	Copy 3: will be returned to the major department for its files and
	Copy 4: will be returned to the candidate.

3.	d. Circulation and Copying: in normal circumstances, as a condition of engaging in graduate study in the University, the author of a thesis grants certain licenses and waivers in respect of the circulation and copying of the thesis;

	to the University Library - permitting the consultation of the thesis as part of the Library collection and the making of single copies for another library or similar institution or for an individual for private study and research
	to the National Library of Canada - permitting the microfilming of the thesis and the lending or selling of copies of the film. To this end, National Library Form NL-91 must be completed and submitted with the thesis to the University Librarian

3.	Under certain circumstances, the Dean of Graduate Studies may delay the circulation and copying of a thesis for a period of up to 12 months from the date of successful defence.
	e. Copyright: in order to claim copyright, the author of the thesis must ensure that all copies of the thesis bear the International Copyright Notice at the bottom of the thesis title page. The notice consists of three elements printed on one line:

	the letter "C" enclosed in a circle (©)
	the name of the copyright owner, the author and
	the year of completion

VII. Research Involving Human Participants

The Senate of Brock University has established ethical guidelines for the initiation and conduct of research involving human participants. For further information contact the website http://www.brocku.ca/researchservices/

VIII. Intellectual Property

Information regarding the university's policy on Intellectual Property is found on the following web site:

http://www.brocku.ca/researchservices/IntellectualProperty.html

IX. Appeals

All graduate students have the right to appeal academic decisions. An appeal is a request that an academic decision (e.g., a grade or standing in a program) be changed, based on the evidence supplied by the student or that a regulation be waived on compassionate grounds or because of extenuating circumstances.

1.	Types of Appeals

A.	Appeals of grades
	Students who have a question regarding an academic decision in a course should first discuss the matter with the instructor and for an academic decision on their thesis, project or major essay, with their supervisor. In the event of disagreement, the student should refer the matter to the Chair of the Department. If not satisfied, the student must then refer the matter to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Dean, the student may then appeal to the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals in care of the Graduate Studies Office. Appeals of final grades, including the assignment of a failing grade for non-attendance in a course, must be made within 180 days of the mailing of grades by the Graduate Studies Office. Failure in itself is not a valid reason for appeal. If the absence of the instructor, or other factors make an appeal within 180 days impossible, the intention to appeal should be indicated to the Chair of the Department within 180 days of mailing of grades by the Graduate Studies Office.
B.	Appeals Related to Academic Requirements/Decision
	A request for an exemption to a departmental degree requirement must be directed to the Chair of the student's department. If not satisfied with the outcome of the request, the student should then refer the matter to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Dean, the student may then appeal to the Special Sub-committee for Graduate Appeals. A request for an exemption to a University or Faculty degree requirement must be directed to the Dean of Graduate Studies. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Dean, the student may then appeal to the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals.
C.	Requests for Retroactive Registration and Backdated Withdrawal

2.	Appeals procedures

A.	Method of Appeal to the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals
	All appeals directed to the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals must be received in typewritten form. Submissions not received in this form will be returned to the student without a decision. Appeals should be submitted to the Secretary of the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals in care of the Graduate Studies Office. Appeals must clearly state the arguments and expectations of the student. The onus is on the student to demonstrate the validity of their appeal and to provide full and appropriate supporting documentation. Dissatisfaction with University policy and ignorance or neglect of published deadlines will not constitute sufficient grounds for appeal. Appeals of academic decisions must be made within 180 days of the date of the letter informing the student of the academic decision or within 180 days of the mailing date of the Statement of Standing which informs the student of the academic decision and/or final grade. Appeals based on emotional or medical problems must be supported by a certificate from a licensed medical practitioner or other professional indicating specifically the student's inability to fulfil the requirements being appealed. A student may abandon an appeal at any time during the appeal process.
B.	Hearings at the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals
	Meetings of the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals are held in camera. In accordance with the rules of natural justice, students appealing to the Special Sub-committee for Graduate Appeals have a right to a fair hearing. This includes the right to be notified of the date at which the student's appeal will be considered, the right to attend and present verbal arguments and the right to question the faculty Dean (or the person designated by the Dean) or the Dean of Graduate Studies (or designate). Students must inform the Secretary of the committee of their intention to attend the meeting. Students are entitled to bring one faculty, staff or student member of Brock University while attending the meeting of the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals. If a student has asked to attend the meeting of the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals, the faculty Dean (or the person designated by the Dean) whose decision is being appealed will be invited to attend the meeting. The Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals may request the attendance of appropriate individuals to appear before the committee to provide information pertinent to the appeal. Where the appeal is against an assigned final grade, the faculty member named in the appeal will be invited to attend the meeting of the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals. In instances where a faculty member or Department Chair is named in an appeal, the student's submission will be available to the individual named. At the request of the student, the written response of the faculty member, Department Chair or faculty Dean to an appeal will be made available to the student. The student and the faculty Dean and where applicable, the Chair and faculty member, will be informed, in writing, of the decision of the Special Subcommittee for Graduate Appeals. The decision of the Committee is final.

X. Academic Misconduct

1.	Definitions
	Academic misconduct may take many forms and is not limited to the following:

A.	Exams and Tests

	impersonation of a candidate in an exam or test
	copying from another student, or making information available to other students knowing that this is to be submitted as the borrower's own work
	use of unauthorized material
	submission of a take-home examination written by someone else

B.	Laboratories

	copying a laboratory report, or allowing someone else to copy one's report
	using another student's data unless specifically allowed by the instructor
	allowing someone else to do the laboratory work
	using direct quotations or large sections of paraphrased material in a lab report without acknowledgment
	faking laboratory data

C.	Essays and Assignments

	submission of an essay written in whole or in part by someone else as one's own
	preparing an essay or assignment for submission by another student
	copying an essay or assignment, or allowing one's essay or assignment to be copied by someone else
	using direct quotations or large sections of paraphrased material without acknowledgment
	the buying or selling of term papers or assignments
	the submission of the same piece of work in more than one course without the permission of the instructors
	submitting whole or part of a computer program with or without minor modifications as one's own

D.	Individual instructors or Departments/Centres/Programs will point out areas of specific concern not covered above. Students should be encouraged to consult instructors in case of doubt.

2.	Procedures
	Students shall not be penalized for suspected academic misconduct. It is the responsibility of the instructor to demonstrate the accuracy of the charge. If the instructor can document a case of academic misconduct, the instructor shall inform the Department Chair/Director and the Office of Graduate Studies; the latter will not process any application for withdrawal from the course pending the outcome of the investigation of the case. If a charge of academic misconduct is subsequently brought by the instructor, no withdrawal from a course shall be considered valid. The instructor and the Chair/Director together will interview the student, inform the student that he/she is being charged with academic misconduct and attempt to discover whether there are any extenuating circumstances. If upheld by the Chair/Director, the case will then be referred to the appropriate Dean along with any necessary observations and/or recommendations from the Department/Centre/Program. The student may, if wished, be accompanied to any interviews by one of the departmental student representatives or faculty, staff or student member of Brock such as, but not limited to, a representative from the Student Development Centre or the Ombuds Officer. If the Dean is satisfied that a case of academic misconduct has been proven, he/she should inform the Office of the Registrar who, in the case of first offenders, will insert a permanent note in the student's file. The Office of the Registrar will inform the student in writing, of the action taken and outline the possible penalties for future infractions. The Office of the Registrar will note the transgression on the student's transcript in the case of second offenders. The notation will be removed from the transcript when the student graduates or three years after the last registration.
3.	Penalties
	A Dean who is satisfied that academic misconduct has occurred may impose the following sanctions:

	oral or written disciplinary warning or reprimand
	lower grade or failure on the assignment or examination
	failure in the course
	suspension from the University for a definite period
	notation on student's official transcript
	withholding or rescinding a Brock degree or certificate

XI. Grading System

1.	Grades
	Standing in the graduate programs will be reported according to the following schedule of grades. A: 80, 82, 85, 88, 90, 92, 95, 98, 100 B: 70, 72, 75, 78 C: 60, 62, 65, 68 (no graduate credit) F: 58 or lower (no credit) IN (Incomplete) Incomplete is a temporary grade granted to a student, in exceptional circumstances who has been unable to complete some part of the term work in a course. A grade must be submitted no later than 56 days from the last day of classes in each term. In the case of the thesis, major essay or project, an IN grade should only be granted when the thesis, major essay or project is essentially complete (only minor revision or thesis defence scheduling required). If the IN is not replaced by a letter grade within 56 days, the IN will be changed to the default grade indicated on the Report of Incomplete Grade form. IP (In progress) A grade of IP may be awarded if a student fails to complete all course requirements within the prescribed time limit. A student who receives an IP grade for a course, must re-register for that course in the term following that for which an IP grade is received. With the exception of the thesis, major essay, project or proposal courses, no half credit graduate course shall be denoted IP for more than one term. NW (Not withdrawn) Pass/Pass with distinction: The grades Pass with distinction, Pass or Fail will be recorded for graduate thesis courses. For graduate courses, only the grades A, B, C, F, IN (Incomplete), IP (In Progress), NW (not withdrawn) Pass with distinction, Pass or Fail will be recorded on the transcript. Grades A, B and C are passing grades but graduate credit will only be given for grades A, B, Pass and Pass with distinction.
2.	Grading procedure
	Each instructor shall make available to the class at the beginning of the term, the method by which student performance shall be evaluated.
3.	Academic performance
	To continue as a graduate student, a candidate for a degree must achieve and maintain satisfactory academic performance with a standing of at least a B- in graduate courses. A candidate whose academic performance is considered to be unsatisfactory by the department may be required to withdraw from graduate studies. If a failing grade is awarded for a major essay, project or thesis, the student will be withdrawn from the program.
4.	Statement of grades
	Statement of grades are mailed to students approximately four weeks after the end of each academic term. Final grades may only be released by the Graduate Studies Office. Students with outstanding accounts will not receive their statement of grades until the account has been cleared.

XII. Student Records

1.	Access to records and disclosure of information

A.	Student access
	Students have the right to inspect all documents contained in their own record, with the exception of evaluations and letters of reference supplied to the University with the understanding that they be kept confidential. Students have the right to request that erroneous information contained in their records be corrected and that recipients of any information found to be in error be advised of the correction. Students wishing to inspect their record must make an appointment with an authorized official of the Office of the Registrar. All official transcripts will be complete and unabridged. Partial transcripts cannot be issued. Transcripts issued directly to students bear the notation "Issued to Student". Documents pertaining to a student's achievement at another institution, which may have been received by the University will not normally be released or redirected.
B.	Employee and student organization access
	Employees of the University are permitted access to information contained in student records, if they need to know the information in order to perform their official duties. As a general rule, only employees involved in some aspect of academic administration or student affairs are given access to the contents of student records. The Brock University Students' Union (BUSU), as well as constituent organizations authorized by them, may obtain listings of students with names, addresses and telephone numbers for purposes of communicating with their membership. Listings will be provided by the Office of the Registrar upon written request signed by an authorized officer of BUSU with the understanding that the information will not be disclosed to third parties (and returned to the Office of the Registrar when requested) and will not be used for solicitations or commercial purposes.
C.	Third party access

2.	Name changes
	As Brock University is committed to the integrity of its student records, each student is required to provide, either on application for admission or in personal data required for registration, his/her legal name. Any requests to change a name, by means of alteration or deletion, substitution or addition, must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Upon making application for graduation a student may be asked to provide proof of his/her name.
3.	Transcripts
	Copies of student transcripts will be issued at the student's request, subject to reasonable notice. Requests should be submitted in person or by writing to the Office of the Registrar. In accordance with the University's Policy on Access to Student Records, the student's signature is required for the release of records. Transcripts issued directly to the student are stamped "Issued to Student". Partial transcripts cannot be issued. The Office of the Registrar cannot be responsible for transcripts lost or delayed in the mail.

XII. Application for Graduation

Application for graduation at Fall Convocation must be received in the Office of the Registrar by August 1. Application for graduation at Spring Convocation must be received in the Office of the Registrar by March 1. These are fixed dates. If these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the closing is 4:30 p.m. the next working day. The application fee is $25.00.

The convocation ceremony is physically accessible for both graduands and their guests.

XIII. Degree Completion

When all requirements for a graduate degree program have been fulfilled, the graduate department submits to the Graduate Studies Office, the completed Graduate Record Form, indicating that all program requirements have been satisfactorily completed. If academic documentation for graduation is not submitted by the student's department at least one month prior to the convocation date, the student will be required to postpone graduation to the following convocation.

XIV. Convocation Ceremonies

Convocation ceremonies are held twice a year: in the Spring and Fall. Candidates should note that in addition to the Application to Graduate Form, all degree requirements, including deposition of the copy of the thesis in the Library, must be completed by the dates published in the academic calendar before any degree will be awarded. Details regarding convocation will be mailed in mid-May for Spring Convocation and early October for Fall Convocation.

Last updated: October 10, 2002 @ 03:45PM