Program Policies

  1. DSP* is a one year program. To remain in the College for the following year, students must apply and be accepted to another program.
  2. DSP students who have passed all DSP Math/Science courses with grades of 70% or better in the fall term may register as a DSP student in the winter semester.
  3. Students who failed or attained grades less than 70% in DSP Math/Science courses cannot continue in DSP without the recommendation of the DSP coordinator to register as a DSP student in the winter semester.
  4. At the end of the winter term, students who passed all three second term DSP Math/Science courses and who passed 3 general education courses over the year, will be admitted to the Science Program, after application for a program transfer.
  5. Students who are not permitted to continue in the DSP program for the winter term, must change their program before registering for the next term.

* DSP stands for Developmental Science Program.

1.  Courses

Course Regulations are included in the individual course outlines adopted by the science departments.

2.  Policies

2.1  College Policies

2.1.1  ISEP

The Dawson College Institutional Student Evaluation Policy (ISEP) addresses all aspects of student evaluation including rights and obligations. This includes, among others, the College’s policy on Religious Holidays, Cheating and Plagiarism, Comprehensive Examination, Final Examinations, Course Outlines, and grading schemes. The policy also specifies some of the responsibilities of teachers toward their students.Students have the responsibility of familiarizing themselves with the contents of ISEP. It is distributed to each student during Welcome Week, and is available in the library, in the office of the sector Deans and on our website on our ISEP page.

2.1.1.1   Policies on Religious Holidays

Teachers observing religious holidays must give students advance notice in course outlines and specify alternative arrangements for their classes when the holiday falls on a teaching day. Department Chairs must also be informed in advance regarding the particular arrangements.

Students who wish to observe religious holidays must inform each of their teachers in writing within the first two weeks of each semester of their intent to observe the holiday so that alternative arrangements convenient to both the student and the teacher can be made at the earliest opportunity. This written notice must be given even when the exact date of the holiday will not be known until later and must include dates that fall within the final examination period. Students who make such arrangements will not be required to attend classes or take examinations on the designated days, nor be penalized for their absence. It must be emphasized, however, that this College policy should not be interpreted to mean that a student can receive credit for work not performed. It is the student’s responsibility to fulfill the requirements of the alternative arrangement.

2.1.2   ByLaw Concerning the Promotion of Student Success

This Bylaw includes certain additional requirements that full-time students will have to meet if they have failed courses. It is complementary to the provisions on standing and advancement included in the College’s ISEP; however, in the case of a conflict between the two, the application of this bylaw shall take precedence.

This bylaw shall apply to the full-time student who:

  • fails more than one course in a given semester.
  • fails half or more of his/her courses in a given semester.
  • repeatedly fails courses from semester to semester.

More information on this bylaw is available on the College’s web site.

2.2  First Choice Science Profile Advancement and Standing Policies

2.2.1 Advancement and Standing

All the advancement and standing policies of the science program apply to First Choice Science Students. Further requirements are to be met in order to remain in the First Choice Science profile:

  1. First Choice Science students must maintain a full course load to remain in the profile.  Any exception to this must be approved by the First Choice Science Coordinator.
  2. First Choice Science Students must pass all their classes.  Furthermore, students must:  
    • Maintain a grade of 70% in each Mathematics and Science course each semester or;
    • maintain an average of 75% in each Mathematics and Science course each semester.

    AND

    • Maintain a grade of 70% in each General Education course each semester; or
    • Maintain an average of 75% in each General Education course each semester.
  3. Students must attend at least 60% of the seminars (with guest speakers) each semester  and actively participate in at least one FCS activity during the second year of the program.

    4. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be transferred to regular science. The transferred student remains the right to appeal for reinstatement to the First Choice Science Coordinator.

    2.2.2  Attendance (Applicable to Science disciplines only)

    Attendance at tests, quizzes, laboratories and final examinations is compulsory; it is the student’s responsibility to ensure this. Unjustified absence will result in an automatic grade of zero. Medical excuses for absence will only be considered when accompanied by a doctor’s note. Non-medical reasons for absence must derive from totally unavoidable circumstances, and be justified in writing. Whenever possible, the teacher must be warned of any possible absence in advance.

    2.2.3 ;Final Examination Policies

    To ensure equity across all sections of multi-teacher Mathematics/Science courses and all Mathematics/Science courses required for university admissions, each of these courses has a final examination prepared by the Course Committee.

    2.2.4 Safety Regulations

    Course laboratory manuals will describe specific safety rules for the laboratory. The laboratory instructor will also brief students on the safety regulations governing the course.


    General Safety Rules for Biology & Chemistry Laboratories

    Different types of materials/chemicals/organisms are used in the Biology and Chemistry laboratories, many of which can be hazardous (toxic, corrosive, etc.) if not handled properly. Consequently, the following safety rules are always in effect in these labs:

    • Wear a cloth lab coat at all times when in the lab; a cloth lab coat can be purchased at the Dawson College Bookstore.
    • Wear safety glasses at all times when in the lab (unless specified by your teacher); do not wear contact lenses while in the lab. Safety glasses can be purchased at the Dawson College Bookstore.
    • Tie back hair at all times when in the lab.
    • Wear closed shoes or boots at all times when in the lab; do not wear open-toed shoes, sandals, high heels or slippery-soled shoes.
    • Never eat or drink when in the lab; this rule includes drinking bottled water and chewing gum.
    • Never taste or smell chemicals used in the lab.
    • The wearing of safety gloves will be mandatory in certain labs; with or without safety gloves do not rub your face or touch your eyes when in the lab.
    • Identify the location of fire extinguishers, safety blankets, eye baths and emergency showers that are available in the lab.
    • Always keep your workbench clean and free from clutter while you are working; as well, your workbench must be cleaned and tidied before you leave the lab.
    • Concentrate on what you are doing at all times; do not disturb, startle other students, or indulge in practical joking.
    • Leave all personal belongings outside of the lab, including coats, backpacks, cell phones, etc.: bring only what is required for that particular lab session.
    • Always wash your hands with soap and water before leaving the lab.
    • Report any incident (spill, breakage, cut, etc.) to your teacher at once, however minor it might seem.

    Violations of the safety regulations may lead to expulsion from the laboratory and even failure in the course.



Last Modified: August 27, 2015