Course Reviews

If the Admissions Office contacts you to initiate a course review, it is because we need the appropriate college or department to examine the content of the sending course to determine specific or non-specific equivalence. In some cases, a course review is necessary if there is no transfer credit precedent for a course, or if we need to determine specific subject area.

Course reviews usually take 1-6 weeks, as the materials are forwarded either to the Department Undergraduate Chair, Department Head or to the professors with expertise in the specific area. Professors examine the sending course, which must be equivalent to a University of Saskatchewan course in terms of academic rigor, expectations and requirements at the same level. The sending course must provide a similar learning experience to a University of Saskatchewan course and would be appropriate to act as a prerequisite to other courses.

Required Materials

All of the following materials are needed for a college or department to review a course. You may submit paper or electronic copies of the following to the Admissions Office. You must also indicate if you need your paper copies returned, in which case the Admissions Office will inform you when and where your materials are available for your pickup.

• Course syllabus (the outline, not just the calendar description). Except for language courses, syllabi must be translated into English.
• Course number and name (i.e. English 110.6)
• Number of hours of lecture and lab
• Number of credit units
• List of textbooks used, including name and edition
• Name of sending institution and instructor
• Official transcript, if applicable

As well, the following colleges and departments have specific stipulations:

Agriculture & Bioresources

For diploma and certificate programs, sending courses must meet a minimum of 70% to be considered for transfer credit.

Archaeology

If the course is a field course, the Department requires detailed information about field school activities. In some cases courses taken at a college with a religious affiliation do not have sections on human evolution or the evolutionary perspective, so the Department may require more specific information, and will assess transfer credit on a case-by case basis.

Art & Art History

Please provide college website address, brochure, or college calendar.

Biochemistry

The syllabus should have detailed list of topics, and should come directly from institution rather than from the student.

Commerce

A minimum of 60% for certain SIIT courses may be required.

Economics

The following additional materials are required for courses taught at colleges, bible colleges, and international post-secondary institutions:

• instructor qualifications and teaching experience
• copy of grading scheme
• copy of final examination

Education

For the Technical Vocational Program, students will need a completed Journeyperson’s Certificate; no partial transfer credit will be awarded for admission purposes.

English

Syllabus should provide examples of assignments. If the course is to be considered for senior-level credit, please provide the educational qualifications of the instructor. Sending courses that focus solely on writing skills may not result in transfer credit.

History

Syllabus must provide week to week topics of lists and readings and assignments.

Languages & Linguistics

The following additional information is required: calendar description of course, where the course falls in a sequence of courses taught for a program, pre-requisites and exclusions. The Department notes that students planning to take courses for transfer credit at another institution should consult with the Department Head for advance planning.

Microbiology & Immunology

For diploma and certificate programs, sending courses must meet a minimum of 60% to be considered for transfer credit.

Nursing

Transfer credit will not be granted for courses that were taken more than 7 years ago. The sending grade must be 60% or higher. Often partial transfer credit evaluations are sufficient, to determine transfer credit to meet non-Nursing requirements for NEPS, NEPS Second Degree Entry, and Post Registration.

Philosophy

Qualifications of instructor must also be provided.

Physiology

Calendar description is also required.

Political Studies

Please indicate if course is in seminar format. The Department requires that sending courses be seminars in order to satisfy fourth year requirement for honours and advanced degrees.

Psychology

Syllabus should include detailed outline of what is covered each day, week, or other specific unit of time, as well as method of evaluation. If sending institution is a college of bible school, please provide instructor qualifications. A minimum grade or certain instructor may be required for transfer of courses from some bible colleges.

International Course Reviews

Final official transcripts from post-secondary (university or college level) institutions attended and proof of any degrees obtained. In the majority of cases, post-secondary documents should be sent directly to our office by the official records office at the institution. In cases where the official records are given directly to the student, a certified copy should be submitted and originals presented upon arrival.

We require detailed course outlines of any post-secondary course work you have completed outside of Canada. Please arrange to forward course outlines for each subject completed, including information about hours of instruction (lecture and lab hours), major topics covered in each course, and a list of textbooks and reference materials used. Sample assignments and examinations are also very helpful in determining equivalencies.