Definitions
Audit
This refers to pedagogical outcomes and fee structures. Only credit courses may be audited. There is not evaluative component, therefore, no credit is granted for completion of the course.
Concentration
This refers to a group of 36-42 credits within a three (3) year degree and represents an increased focus on a particular area of study. These courses constitute the disciplinary specialty in a three-year degree. Concentrations must be constructed with a maximum of three (3) 100-level courses and a minimum of two (2) 300-level (or above) courses.
Core Course
This is a course, or course component, which a student takes to fulfill the mission of the University and that is designed and listed as part of the principal requirements of the University’s curriculum. Courses taken to satisfy this component of the program may also be used to satisfy requirements in either of the other categories (i.e., program requirements, electives).
Course
A course is an academic unit of instruction that has a credit weight, typically with a credit value of three (3), but could have a value from 1 – 6. A course may be repeated only once with the highest grade used for grade calculations, academic standing and determining eligibility to graduate.
Course Level
Courses considered as junior level are those which have a course number in the 100s. Senior level courses are those numbered at the 200, 300 or 400 level. Courses in the 500 level are foundational in Education and the Seminary. Courses numbered 600 and 700 develop student learning within the discipline and lead to synthesis of the subject matter.
Credit
This refers to the value assigned to a course that counts toward program completion. Credit is determined by teaching mode, hours of instruction and length of semester or equivalent. The expectation is that undergraduate courses require 30 – 40 hours of academic effort per credit and Seminary courses require 40 hours of academic effort per credit, where academic effort includes class time (e.g., lectures, labs, studios, tutorials, etc.), experiential or blended components and all independent study (e.g., essays, assignments, readings, preparation, study, reflection, etc.). Education classes use a modified schedule condensing course delivery based on credit hours per course.
Cross-leveled courses
These are courses taught with both seminary and undergraduate students in the same classroom. The courses are listed in both the Undergraduate Academic Calendar and course listing, and in the Seminary Academic Calendar and course listing. It is possible for a course to be both cross-levelled and cross-listed.
Cross-listed courses
These are courses listed within either the Undergraduate or the Seminary Calendar, but in more than one discipline within that Calendar. It is possible for a course to be both cross-levelled and cross-listed.
Directed Study
A Directed Study is a privilege for students enrolled in a degree program whereby they may attempt a course which is either not currently offered, or is offered but for which you cannot register due to unavoidable circumstances. Directed studies will be considered when the student has a) a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher; b) completed 50% of a degree program, c) the course is a required course in the degree program (i.e., elective courses are not normally eligible), and d) the course has been unavailable due to unavoidable circumstances.
Dual Credit
This is a course delivered in collaboration with school districts that allows students to complete an Ambrose University course and simultaneously receive high school credit.
Educational Travel
Educational travel study means any trip (e.g., a Travel Study or other similar trip) offered for educational credit at Ambrose or otherwise offered by an academic program or sanctioned by Ambrose, involving Ambrose students, and including at least one overnight stay. This definition applies both to international and domestic educational travel. This applies to all Ambrose sanctioned educational travel study, offered through academic programs, with the exception of:
- Travel related to Internship programs
- Research-related travel with a faculty member
- Athletic team travel and student leadership travel
Electives
These are courses that are not prescribed in the program requirements.
- Arts and Science electives: These are included in the Bachelor of Arts program and mean an Arts and Science course chosen by the student, provided the necessary prerequisites have been met. Courses approved for this category are listed in the Academic Calendar.
- Open electives: This means any course chosen by the student, provided any necessary prerequisites have been met. All Accounting (ACC), Business (BUS), Professional Studies (PST) and selected Kinesiology (KIN) courses will apply to Ambrose University Arts and Science degrees as Open Electives. Field Education (FE) courses cannot be applied to Arts and Science degrees.
- Discipline specific electives: These are courses chosen by the student within a specified discipline.
Experiential Learning
An umbrella term that includes practicum, laboratory, high-impact learning experiences, internship, field studies, and work-integrated learning. Students may or may not receive pay. These types of activities must have learning outcomes.
Independent Study
This is an individual research project which investigates an area or topic not treated extensively in a regular course. It is designed in consultation with the instructor who supervises the independent study. A maximum of 6 credits in this type of study may be undertaken in a degree program. Students must have completed half of the degree program before undertaking this type of study. This is a privilege for students enrolled in a degree program who meet the minimum GPA degree requirements.
Laboratory (Lab)
A course component in which students engage in practical projects (e.g., experiments, surveys, observations), testing and applying course concepts in a controlled and supervised setting. Labs are normally 2-3 hours in length.
Major
Majors are a minimum of 42 credits in a particular area of study in a four year program with 30 credits taken at the senior level. The designation for Major will normally appear on the transcript and the degree parchment.
Minor
Minors are a set of no less than 18 prescribed credits within a 120 or 90 credit program. They represent a second discipline as a complement to a major or concentration. Students may declare up to two minors. Minors are recorded on transcripts but not degree parchments. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all minor courses is required to earn a minor. Minors are not available to students in a diploma or certificate program. Courses at the 400-level cannot apply to a minor for students enrolled in a ministry program.
Modular class
A course that is offered in a compressed schedule.
Open Studies Students
This is a status granted to eligible students taking courses without enrolling in a particular academic program. This is a temporary designation only and students in this category are limited in the number of courses in which they can register (5 in undergraduate programs). To continue past Open Studies, students who have completed the maximum number of courses must apply and be accepted into an academic program. Students do not graduate from Open Studies.
Program requirements
This is a set of prescribed courses within a program that defines the primary area of study or major.
Semester
The major semesters are Fall and Winter. Each of these semesters is 13 weeks plus reading week and additional days for final exams. Spring semester is flexible in terms of length, occurring between graduation and July 31.
Stream
This term is used in relation to four (4) year degrees and describes a subspecialty within a degree. A stream may range between 15 – 30 credits.
Tutorial
A course component in which students review and/or receive supplemental instruction relating to in-class learning, discussing and/or applying theories, methods, concepts, or data. Tutorials normally involve small groups of students and are normally between 60 and 90 minutes in length.
Withdrawal from Courses
A formal application through the Office of the Registrar to be removed from a course prior to the Withdrawal deadline (see Academic Schedule) with the exception of students in the School of Education who must obtain approval from their faculty to withdraw from a course. Students who withdraw from more than 30 credits attempted at Ambrose University will be required to withdraw from their program.
Time Limitation for Completion of Credits
- Normally, there is no time limitation for the application of credit toward an Ambrose credential for any Course completed at Ambrose or at any recognized accredited post-secondary institution.
- Time limitations (stale dating) may be imposed if the Course content is particularly time-sensitive. Any such time limitations must be approved ty the Dean of the appropriate Faculty upon recommendation from the Chair.
- All graduation requirements for a baccalaureate degree must be completed within eight (8) years of admission to the program. Exemptions may be granted.
- All graduate requirements for a masters degree must be completed within ten (10) years of admission to the program. Exemptions may be granted.
- There is no limit on the number of years for completion of a certificate or diploma.
- Students unable to complete a credential within the stated time limits will be removed from the program and be required to apply for readmission.
Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) Policy
Ambrose University is committed to safeguarding the personal information entrusted to us. We manage your personal information in accordance with Alberta’s Personal Information Projection Act and other applicable laws.
Recording Lectures
The recording of lectures or any other classroom academic activity, other than an audio recording as an accommodation, is prohibited except at the discretion of the instructor. Any use other than that agreed upon with the instructor constitutes academic misconduct and may result in suspension or expulsion. Permission to allow a lecture recording is not a transfer of any copyrights, so such recordings may be used only for individual or group study with other students enrolled in the same class and may not be reproduced, transferred, distributed or displayed in any public or commercial manner. Student must destroy recordings in any, and all formats at the end of the semester in which they are enrolled in the class. All students recording lectures, must sign the Permission Form to audio record lectures which is available through the Registrar’s Office.