All MASc and PhD students working towards a graduate degree will receive progress report check-ins from the ECE graduate program staff. However, students are advised to stay in constant communication with their supervisors to ensure milestones and progress goals are being met.
MEng students will also receive check-in emails each year to go over any questions or concerns a student might have regarding their successful program completion.
If progress for any student is deemed to be unsatisfactory by the student’s supervisor or the ECE Graduate Advising team, students will be informed in writing before any further action is taken regarding their future in the program.
Information on UBC policies and procedures on academic progress. Any questions can be sent to help@ece.ubc.ca.
All MASc and PhD graduate students and their supervisors (or supervisory committee) in ECE will be asked to complete an annual progress report detailing their progress over the past academic year. Upon receipt of the completed document, the ECE Graduate Advisor will determine if the student’s progress has been satisfactory, and make any necessary recommendations.
Annual Progress Report for MASc & PhD Students
PhD students who do not advance to candidacy within 24 months of their start date will also be asked to submit a candidacy progress report. In these cases, a new candidacy progress report will be due every 3 months until the qualifying exam is held.
Definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress for MASc Students:
A minimum of 60% must be obtained in any course taken for the student to be granted pass standing. However, only 6 credits of pass standing may be counted towards a Master’s program. For all other courses, a minimum of 68% must be obtained.
On the recommendation of the graduate program and the approval of the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (for MASc students), a student may repeat a course for higher standing or take an alternate course. When repeating a failed course, a minimum grade of 74% will normally be required. When taking a replacement course for a failed course, a minimum grade of 68% will normally be required. Higher minimum grades may be required depending on the case and the recommendation for continuing in the program.
If the graduate program does not make such a recommendation for a student to continue, or if the recommendation to continue is not approved by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student may be required to withdraw from the program. A student who obtains a grade of less than 68% in an excessive number of courses will normally be required to withdraw. The student will be informed of unsatisfactory academic progress in writing before any withdrawal action is taken.
Fail (F) for individual courses is defined as below 60%. If a course is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript. The higher mark will be used for promotion considerations or in any decision to admit or withdraw a student from the program. For all other purposes, averages will be calculated using both marks.
Definition of Satisfactory Academic Progress for PhD Students:
A minimum of 68% must be achieved in all coursework taken for credit. Where less than 68% is obtained, and on the recommendation of the graduate program and approval of the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the student may repeat the course for higher standing or take an alternate course. When repeating a failed required course, a minimum mark of 74% must be obtained. Higher minimum grades may be required.
If the graduate program does not make such a recommendation, or if the recommendation is not approved by G+PS, the student will be required to withdraw. A student who obtains a grade of less than 68% in more than one course may be required to withdraw. The student will be informed of unsatisfactory academic progress in writing before any action regarding withdrawal is taken.
Fail (F) for individual courses is defined as below 68%. If a course is repeated, both marks will appear on the transcript. The higher mark will be used to determine promotion and in any decision to admit or withdraw a student from the program. For all other purposes, averages will be calculated using both marks.
Students who wish to protest decisions relating to their academic studies, or who encounter a situation resulting in not being able to complete course requirements, can find further information below on how to proceed:
Senate Appeals on Academic Standing