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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I am missing a prerequisite or co-requisite for a course. Can I still enroll?
Only under exceptional circumstances. Prerequisites and/or co-requisites are carefully considered for each course and reflect the minimum academic background needed for the course material. The Undergraduate Chair will only waive course prerequisites in the following circumstances:
- The student has an equivalent course from a different university.
- The student is in their upper year (minimum 3rd year standing), has demonstrated very good academic performance in previous courses (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 (B+)) and has permission of the instructor. Permission to waive prerequisites/co-requisites will only be given after the start of open enrolment so as to give priority to students who have the proper requirements.
Note that only one prerequisite can be waived per course.
Application for Pre/corequisite Waiver
Can I use an exclusion course in lieu of BIOL 243?
No. Biology 243 is a core course in our major. We only grant the substitution under exceptional circumstances, such as a degree plan change.
Exclusion courses: Exclusion CHEE 209/3.5; COMM 162/3.0; ECON 250/3.0; GPHY 247/3.0; KNPE 251/3.0; NURS 323/3.0; POLS 285/3.0; PSYC 202/3.0;
SOCY 211/3.0; STAM 200/3.0; STAT 263/3.0.
Can I use MATH 123/MATH 124 in a BIOL plan?
Yes, students may take MATH 123 & MATH 124 in lieu of MATH 120 or 121 according to the Academic Calendar.
Can I load courses into shopping cart when the prerequisite is In Progress (IP)?
Yes, students can load anything into their shopping carts. Once a student clicks validate, the system will check the prerequisite. If the prerequisite is IP, the validate will fail because the shopping cart does not recognize courses in progress. The student can ernoll once the course has been completed. For more details visit SOLUS HELP.
Where are post-degree students in the SOLUS course registration line-up?
Post-degree students are considered year 3. As far as access to courses they would not be able to enroll in courses reserved for concentrators. Visit the Course Enrollment page for more details.
I have an AP transfer credit for STATS 263. Do I still need to take BIOL 243?
Yes. A student who brings in AP transfer credit for STATS 263 must take BIOL 243 in 2nd year.
I want to apply for an honours Biology plan, but I received a C- in BIOL 103. Will I be accepted?
The recent minimum requirement for consideration for admission into any of the Honours BIOL plans is C- in BIOL 103 and a cumulative GPA of 1.6. This is the recent minimum requirement for the pending list and does not guarantee you acceptance into an honours biology plan. If your final grade in BIOL 103 is below C-, or your cumulative GPA is below 1.6, then you are not eligible for admission into a BIOL honours program. For BIOL plan specific requirements, visit Plan Selection | Queen's University Faculty of Arts and Science (queensu.ca)
What should I do if I don’t get in to a Biology plan?
You could retake BIOL 103 over the summer term and reapply in late August once the final grades for BIOL 103 become available. A second option is to retake BIOL 103 the follwoing winter and register in BIOL 2nd year courses during the add/drop period They then reapply to the honours plan after 2nd year. Please be aware that even if you are successful at getting into all of the required 2nd year BIOL honours courses, this does not imply that you will be offered a place in the plan the following year.
How many units do I need to have completed in order to be considered 2nd year?
You need 24.0 units or more to be considered 2nd year.
I have IP credits for BIOL 102 and 103. Will I be accepted into 2nd year BIOL plans?
Yes, students with IP transfer credits are considered an auto accept into 2nd year, providing they have a minimum 1.9 cumulative GPA.
I am taking BIOL 102 & 103 over the summer. Can I be admitted to a BIOL plan in the following fall term?
Yes, but conditionally. Students must achieve the required grade in BIOL 102/103 and must have a cumulative GPA of 1.9 at the end of the summer.
Am I eligible to take a Research Mentorship course?
The Research Mentorships are open to students from all walks of life and degree persuasions as long as they are able to secure a supervisor. Students are typically in 3rd or 4th year when they pursue Research Mentorships. Students who have graduated may come back and take these courses if a place is available with a faculty member.
Still need more help?
If you need more information, or want to arrange a meeting with an Academic Advisor, please contact the Undergraduate Assistant at ug.biology@queensu.ca.