Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on university regulations, courses, etc, please see the University Calendar calendar.carleton.ca/undergrad/

What are the alternatives to my courses?
What is a Course Overload?
What is Good Standing?
What courses do I register in?
Am I allowed to retake a course?
Why am I blocked from registering a course?
Can I do a minor?
What are Core Courses (for IMD)?
What is Directed Study (for IMD)?

What are the alternatives to my courses?

In general you should take standard courses in your program. In case you have taken some Carleton courses before coming to the program, or have failed courses and for some acceptable reason are not able to take them again, there are some alternatives.

What is a Course Overload?

The normal course load at Carleton is the equivalent of 2.5 credits in each of the fall and winter terms and the equivalent of 1.0 credit in each of the early and late periods of the summer term. A student is registered in a course overload if the student is registered in more credit equivalents per term than the normal load. Students with an Overall CGPA of 7.00 who have completed a minimum of 4.0 credits at Carleton may choose to register in a course overload, to a maximum of 0.5 credit above the normal course load for their program in each of the fall and winter terms and in either the early or late period of the summer term. Students requiring permission for course overloads beyond these limits should contact the Registrar's Office.

What is Good Standing?

For information regarding the Academic Continuation Evaluation, please go to the following webpage: https://carleton.ca/registrar/ace

What courses do I register in?

Please see the "Course List & Schedule" for each individual program for complete list of the courses you need to register each term, including available electives.

Am I allowed to retake a course?

Yes, but keep in mind that it will replace the old record even if you get a lower grade.

Why am I blocked from registering a course?

The common reasons are year standing, pre-reqs, departmental limit, and course being full. If you have got permission or know you should have access to the course, the online system allows you to request an override.

Can I do a minor?

Yes. Depending on the program, you'll need to take 4 or 5 credits. You can use up to 2 credits from your BIT program courses that are acceptable in that program. You will not graduate until you finish your minor and major. Also remember that in order to take extra courses (more than 2.5 in fall/winter and more than 1 in summer), you need to have passed 4 credits and achieved an overall Commulative GPA of minimum 7 (B-).

What are Core Courses (for IMD)?

  • IMD: IMD-1000, IMD-1001, IMD-1002, IMD-1003, IMD-1004, IMD-1005, IMD-2900, IMD-3900, IMD-3901, IMD-4901

What is Directed Study (for IMD)?

BIT4000 is an individual study/project taken as one of your 4th year electives under the supervision of a faculty member. You need to get the approval of your supervisor before being able to register. Supervisor can be any IMD faculty member and the course can be taken at any time, including summer and not necessarily in the 4th year.