Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For Bachelor of Commerce Transfer Students
Welcome to the Faculty of Management at the University of Guelph! Although you are not new to the university experience it is likely that you will have a number of questions. The most frequently asked questions have been answered below for your convenience.
Where do I find information on dates, fees, regulations etc.?
The Undergraduate Calendar is a comprehensive on-line publication that contains all this information and more. It is a good starting point if you are looking for information. Also each administrative and academic department on campus has a webpage that can be accessed by starting at the main University of Guelph page.
Where do I find a list of my required courses?
You can find the required courses for your major in the Undergraduate Calendar http://www.uoguelph.ca/undergrad_calendar/ (you can also access the page by going to the main University of Guelph page and clicking on Academics in the upper right hand corner). Click on X. Degree Programs, then B.Comm., then your major. The Schedule of Studies that you are required to follow is determined by when you were admitted. If you are beginning your studies at the University of Guelph in September of 2006, you will be required to follow the Schedule of Studies for the 2006-2007 Undergraduate Calendar.
The course codes listed in the Schedule of Studies are linked to the calendar description or you can choose XII. Course Descriptions from the main index. The course description will tell you which semester a course is offered in S=Summer, F=Fall, W=Winter; the credit weight of the course (usually [0.50]); provide a brief description of the course and list any prerequisites or restrictions for the course.
How long will it take me to graduate?
In order to graduate with a University of Guelph Honours B.Comm. Degree students are required to complete 20 credits (covering required courses for the major, restricted electives and electives). Most courses have a credit weight of 0.50 credits. How long it will take for a transfer student to graduate will depend on the number of transfer credits they have been granted and on what type of transfer credits have been granted.
What is the maximum number of credits that can be transferred from my previous studies?
Drawing from the 2006-2007 Undergraduate Calendar, the maximum amount of credit that can be transferred from a degree program at another university is 10.00 credits. Up to 7.50 credits may be granted to students from a three-year diploma program, and up to 3.00 credits may be granted to students from a two-year diploma program. The granting of additional transfer credits would be considered in the case of graduates from a one-year post-diploma program.
On my Letter of Admission, some credits have a course code that matches
one in the Undergraduate Calendar and a name, while others just say
free elective. What does that mean?
Transfer credits will fall into one of three categories:
1. Exact Equivalent:
Transfer credits that appear with a course code and name that can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar are courses that you have been granted exact credit. For example:
If ECON*1050 Introductory Microeconomics
appears on your letter, then a course that you took at your previous institution covered the same material as this course. The course will count towards your degree as a requirement.
2. Same Topic Generic:
Transfer credits for which the University of Guelph has a comparable
subject area, but not an exact course equivalent will appear as follows:
ECON*9110 Generic Equivalent
This indicates that the subject area was Economics, the 9 means generic, the next 1 indicates the level at which the course was taken (1-first year, 2-second year etc.) and the remaining two digits indicate that it is a transfer credit.
3. Generic:
Transfer credits for which the University of Guelph does not offer courses in that specific subject area.
BADM*9110 Business Admin-100 Lvl
FREE*9110 Free Elective
Every major has between 2.50 and 5.00 credits available to be used as free electives. Any transfer credit that you have been granted that does not directly equate to a University of Guelph course may be counted as a free elective.
In some cases students feel that there is an equivalent course at the University
of Guelph to a credit that has been given a generic credit. If that is the
case, the student must take course descriptions for that course to the department
that offers the course to have their previous course evaluated. If the course
is deemed to be equivalent by the department then the credit can be changed
through Admission Services.
How do my transfer credits fit into my new program?
Transfer credits become part of your completed course work. How they fit into your new program will depend on the type of credit you have been given for them. Look at the Schedule of Studies for your major in the Undergraduate Calendar. Compare those courses to the transfer credits on your Letter of Admission. If the transfer credit is exactly the same course code, then you have met that requirement. If there is not an exact equivalent the course will count as an elective.
In some cases, a course for which there is no exact equivalent may be able to count as a restricted elective or substitution. If you feel that may be a possibility consult the Faculty Advisor for your major.
How do I pick my courses?
Most students pick their courses on WebAdvisor for students. WebAdvisor allows students to drop and add courses, look at their schedule, obtain final grades and unofficial transcripts. You can access WebAdvisor from the main University of Guelph Website.
When do I pick my courses?
Transfer students will receive an e-mail from the Registrar’s Office some
time in mid-June which will provide information on course selection. New
Student Registration takes place between mid-June and July 21st. It’s best
to choose your courses as early as possible as courses do fill up. There
will also be an Early add period from August 21st to September 15th when
students can make changes to their Fall schedule. Course selection for the
Winter 2007 semester takes place in October.
Any further questions should be directed to:
B.Comm. Program Counselling Office
MINS 207, University of Guelph
(519) 824-4120 ext. 56757
facman@uoguelph.ca