These FAQ were supplied by the BEng office. If you have questions specific to Computer Science, contact their undergraduate adviser.

1. What's the difference between University regulations and Faculty regulations?
2. I applied for admission to the BEng (or BSEng) Program, but wasn't admitted. What courses should I take in my first year that will qualify me to transfer into Engineering as soon as possible?
3. How do I get a UVic Netlink ID and an email account?
4. How do I get a Faculty of Engineering computer account?
5. What is the University English Requirement?
6. What is the Language Proficiency Index (LPI)?
7. What English course must I take?
8. I have an 86% or better on my BC Provincial Exam (or equivalent). Do I still have to take English as part of my degree requirements?
9. I have transfer credit for English 115, 135 or another 100 level English course. Do I have to take English in my first year of the BEng or BSEng Program?
10. I've tried to register in ENGR 110/111 and the registration system won't let me. What am I doing wrong?
11. Is ENGR 110 or 111 a prerequisite for anything or can I pick it up later?
12. How do I register for courses?
13. How do I register in more than 9 units per term?
14. I am supposed to register in the Technical Writing Course, but the system won't let me. It gives me "Major Restriction". What am I doing wrong?
15. What should I do if I think that I am failing a course?
16. What should I do if I'm having difficulties in a Math course?
17. Do I need permission to retake a failed course?
18. Must I repeat a lab in a failed course?
19. What is a Deferred Examination?
20. What is a Supplemental Examination?
21. What is a Complementary Studies Elective?
22. How do I get credit for my Complementary Studies Elective if I have already taken a course on the list of approved courses?
23. Can I take courses while on a work term?
24. Can I take correspondence or distance education courses?
25. What is a Letter of Permission?
26. What are the Basic Science electives for ELEC and CENG programs?
27. If I took ENGR 498 can I use it as my Basic Science elective?

1. What is the difference between University regulations and Faculty regulations?
   
   Generally speaking, University regulations for student conduct and evaluation apply to all students registered in the Faculty of Engineering.
   
   The BEng and BSEng program regulations differ from the general University regulations in certain areas (e.g., credit for courses taken outside the program, standing reviews, supplemental exams, co-op work term waivers, deferred exams, and standing at graduation).
   
   The BEng and BSEng regulations take precedence over the University regulation wherever it sets a higher standard or where it spells out a requirement that isn't in the University regulations. A full description of BEng and BSEng program regulations can be found in the UVic Calendar.
   
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2. I applied for admission to the BEng (or BSEng) program, but wasn't admitted. What courses should I take in my first year that will qualify me to transfer into Engineering as soon as possible?
   
   Thank you for your continued interest in our programs. You won't have registration access to all of the required first year Engineering courses, but you do have access to a number of them and to courses that are equivalents to our first year courses in preparation for applying to transfer.
   
   The courses that we recommend you take to address most of the first year Engineering requirements are:
   
   • CSC 110 and CSC 115
   • MATH 100 and 101
   • PHYS 112 (a year-long course from September-April that is equivalent to our PHYS 122 and 125).
   • ENGL 115 or 135
   • CHEM 101
   
   The courses above address most of the first year Engineering requirements. You won't have access to the MATH 110, ENGR 141, or ENGR 112, which are reserved for Engineering students.
   
   You can apply to transfer into second year. If admitted, transfer students usually end up taking a mix of the missing first and second year courses over the first 8-12 months in the program. As part of the admissions process, we'll give you a recommended registration schedule and suggest the timing of your first work term.
   
   Transferring into the program can be competitive as there are limited spaces available. As an estimate, you should be attaining a B average to be in the cut-off range for transfer. Minimum transfer GPAs will vary depending on the program area of interest. Courses must be at a C or better to be transferred into the Engineering program. Achievement of the minimum, however, does not guarantee admission.
   
   The application deadline for September is April 30 and the documentation deadline is May 31. You can apply online.
   
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3. How do I get a UVic Netlink ID and an email account?
   
   Be sure to sign up for a UVic email address so you don't miss important registration information. Your UVic email account is connected to the University's registration systems, so updates from uSource and Records Services will be sent to it.
   
   If you are a new UVic student, you won't be eligible for your NetLink ID or UVic email account until you are authorized to register.
   
   Before you apply for a UVic email address, you need to apply for a NetLink ID. Once Computer User Services has confirmed your eligibility, you'll choose your NetLink ID and select a password and an email address. Contact the Help Desk at 250-721-7687 or the Operations Desk at 250-721-7683 if you need help.
   
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4. How do I get a Faculty of Engineering computer account?
   
   Activate your Faculty of Engineering Computer account online.
   
   BEng and BSEng students: All new students in the BEng programs (Electrical, Computer and Mechanical Engineering, but not Computer Science) or the BSEng Program require a Faculty of Engineering computer account. You'll need it to receive Faculty of Engineering email and to access restricted web areas like Co-op job listings and our computing labs. You don't have to use our computing labs, but you do need the account!
   
   Computer Science students: You may have already have a CSC account if you've taken a Computer Science course at UVic. You still need to activate your Engineering account, though. CSC accounts will terminate once you are no longer taking a CSC course, while an Engineering account is permanent and usable while on work terms.
   
   Consider having the Engineering email and/or your UVic email forwarded to an existing email account that you consistently use. The key is to check your email!
   
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5. What is the University English Requirement?
   
   All undergraduate students, including diploma, certificate and unclassified students, must complete 1.5 units of first-year English. Registration in English courses is not permitted until a measure of English proficiency is submitted.
   
   The most common English proficiency measure is the LPI result (see question 6 below). Students who can show equivalent proficiency in English may be exempt from this requirement. For more information, see Undergraduate English Requirement in the UVic Calendar.
   
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6. What is the Language Proficiency Index (LPI)?
   
   Before enrolling for any first-year English course, most students need to write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI). This exam is given throughout the year. Visit the LPI website for more information about the LPI exam schedule and how to register.
   
   If you apply to UVic with a school or projected mark of 86% or higher in English 12 you do not need to write the LPI. For the Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Software Engineering program, you must complete either ENGR 110 or 111. The course you enroll in will depend on your LPI score. Students with transfer credit for English 115 or 135 must register in ENGR 112.
   
   For more information, see Undergraduate English Requirement in the UVic Calendar.
   
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7. What English course must I take?
   
   Engineering students must complete either ENGR 110 or 111, depending on their LPI score. Students with transfer credit for English 115 or 135 must register in ENGR 112.
   
   If you achieved a grade of 86% or higher in English 12 you do not have to write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI), and must register in ENGR 111.
   
   Students who do not achieve a grade of 86% or higher in English 12 must write the LPI and, depending on the LPI score, register in either ENGR 110 or ENGR 111. For more information, see Undergraduate English Requirement in the UVic Calendar.
   
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8. I have an 86% or better on my BC Provincial Exam (or equivalent). Do I still have to take English as part of my degree requirements?
   
   Yes, you do. Communications and Design (either ENGR 110 or ENGR 111 is a prerequisite course for Technical Writing . Satisfaction of the minimum University English Requirement does not exempt you from prerequisites.
   
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9. I have transfer credit for English 115, 135 or another 100 level English course. Do I have to take English in my first year of the BEng or BSEng Program?
   
   If you have English 115 or 135 as transfer credit with a grade of C or better, then you must register in ENGR 112..
   
   If you have a 100 level English course transfer credit, and it is a University writing or composition course, and you have a C or better, then contact the Admissions/Advising Officer to discuss..
   
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10. I've tried to register in ENGR 110/ENGR 111 and the registration system won't let me. What am I doing wrong?
    
    The registration system won't allow registration into ENGR 110 or ENGR 111 until you have written the LPI or been granted an exemption. If you feel that you match one of the exemption criteria but cannot register, contact Undergraduate Admissions Services.
    
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11. Is ENGR 110 or ENGR 111 a prerequisite for anything or can I pick it up later?
    
    ENGR 110 or 111 is a prerequisite for ENGR 120 in the second term of first year. ENGR 100 or 111 and ENGR 120  must be done before you will be permitted to register in your second co-op term..
    
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12. How do I register for courses?
    
    Once you've received an offer of admission and paid your acceptance deposit, you can register on your registration date/time, for courses online through uSource.
    
    New students in the Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Software Engineering programs will receive a registration package and required course registration information by mail from the BEng. Office. 
    
    Computer Science students will receive a registration package and detailed instructions from the Undergraduate Admissions/Records Office.
    
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13. How do I register in more than 9 units per term?
    
    You must request permission from your department advisor/department chair.
    
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14. I am supposed to register in the Technical Writing course, but the system won't let me. It gives me "Major Restriction" What am I doing wrong?
    
    You are probably trying to register in a section of the course that is restricted to students in another program. Check the registration restrictions in uSource or the registration guide.  Some of the seats are reserved for Computer Science students and some are reserved for BEng/BSEng students. Be sure you are accessing the correct section.
    
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15. What should I do if I think that I am failing a course?
    
    Start by talking to the course instructor. You may be overreacting to the situation and they may be able to provide a bit of helpful perspective or insight that will clear up your problem. (Hint: instructors are more sympathetic toward students who clearly are trying to master the material. Non-attendance at lectures and failure to submit assignments are definite negative inputs to faculty when it comes to providing help later.)
    
    Do a self-appraisal of your problem and check out the assistance available on campus. There are several resources available to you: subject assistance centres, tutors, the Counselling Services Learning Skills program, etc. Talk to your program advisor to see if there are ways to reduce your course load so that you are successful.  Be sure to observe the course drop deadlines and if you are going to drop courses, be sure to do so on time.
    
    If you are having medical problems be sure to visit Health Services or your regular physician right away and seek the appropriate treatment.  If an Academic Concession is warranted, the appropriate medical documentation will be required.. Academic Concession forms can be obtained in person from Records Services or online.
    
    Don't delay in acting. There are definite deadlines for taking action so that a Fail mark does not appear on your transcript.
    
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16. What should I do if I'm having difficulties in a Math course?
    
    Drop by the Math and Stats Assistance Centre if you are having difficulties or would like a private tutor.
    
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17. Do I need permission to retake a failed course?
    
    In some cases you'll need to obtain permission to retake a failed course if it is your third attempt. You must contact the department offering the course. Please note that the original failed attempt(s) will remain on your transcript.
    
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18. Must I repeat a lab in a failed course?
    
    In some courses with labs, it may be possible to use the previous lab mark (if it was a pass) instead of having to retake the lab. The longer you delay in retaking the course the less likely it is that this will be possible.
    
    Contact the instructor of the course you failed (to be sure that the lab results were not destroyed) and then contact the instructor of the next offering of the course for permission to have the labs waived. Do not assume that previous lab work will be acceptable.
    
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19. What is a Deferred Examination?
    
    A deferred exam may be granted if you've completed a course but are unable to take the final examination due to medical or compassionate reasons. You must apply for a deferred exam and provide documentation to establish the grounds for your request. The deadline is 10 working days from the end of the examination period.
    
    Academic Concessions are not permitted if you have already completed all course requirements including the final exam.
    
    Get an Academic Concession form at Record Services, or online.
    
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20. What is a Supplemental Examination?
    
    You are eligible to write a supplemental examination only if you have written a final exam and received a final grade of E in the course.
    
    You can only apply to write the supplemental associated with the course offering in which you were registered. For example, a course that was offered in the January-April term would have its supplemental scheduled during the first week of the following May-August term.
    
    Supplemental exams cover only the course work covered by written final exams.
    
    The supplemental exam grade replaces the grade of the course final exam only and has the same weight as that of the final exam. A course with no final exam will have no supplemental exam.
    
    Any passing grade obtained as a result of the supplemental exam will be shown in your academic record with a grade point value of 1, corresponding to a D. It will be taken into account in determining your graduating average and standing at graduation, but will not affect your sessional grade point average.
    
    Applications for supplemental exams, accompanied by the required fees, must be received by the BEng Office by the following dates:
    • for other courses taken during the September-December term (1A, 2A and 3B): February 28
    • for other courses taken during the January-April term (1B, 3A and 4B): June 30
    • for courses taken during the May-August term (2B and 4A): October 31
    
    You will normally be notified of whether your application has been accepted or refused within about four weeks of the application deadline. Fee payments for rejected applications will be returned.
    
    Supplemental exams are scheduled by the Faculty and only include CENG, ELEC, ENGR, MECH; and SENG courses offered by the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
    
    For more information, and to apply for supplemental examinations, email the BEng Office.
    
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21. What is a Complementary Studies Elective?
    
    This course must be chosen to meet the Complementary Studies requirements for accreditation. Pick up a list of acceptable courses from the BEng or BSEng office or get it online . You need to get written approval to use a course not on this list.
    
    The course needs to meet Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) requirements for complementary studies and in particular must deal with central issues, methodologies and thought processes of the Humanities and Social Sciences.
    
    Requests should be made in writing c/o the Associate Dean and must include a detailed course description. Requests will be brought to the monthly Programs Committee meeting for approval, so you should submit requests well in advance of course start dates. For more information, email the BEng Office.
    
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22. How do I get credit for my Complementary Studies Elective if I have already taken a course on the list of approved courses?
    
    If you have not already applied for Complementary Studies credit, and the course is included on the List of Complementary Studies, contact your program adviser and fill out the Complementary Studies/Basic Science Course Request Form.
    
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23. Can I take courses while on a work term?
    
    Students registered in a work term are already considered to be registered full time. You should consider the necessary time commitment of class contact hours, labs and tutorials as well as travel time and out of class time for study - all of this would be extra to working at a full-time job.
    
    If you still decide that taking a course while on a work term is something that you would like to pursue, you'll need written permission of both the Engineering and Computer Science/Math Co-op and the employer. Check the regulations on the Engineering Co-op site.
    
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24. Can I take correspondence or distance education courses?
    
    You may want to take a course by correspondence or distance education as an alternative to taking a regular four-month course at UVic or another university or college.
    
    The Thompson Rivers University – Open Learning offers many university level courses that directly transfer to UVic, mainly in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences area. These courses are available by distance and therefore suitable for completion while registered in a work term. Athabasca University and the University of Waterloo as well as many other institutions also offer a variety of correspondence courses.
    
    Be sure to obtain pre-approval from through your program adviser or the Department of Computer Science before taking a course from another institution to ensure you'll get credit for it at UVic. You will need to request a Letter of Permission from your advising centre for courses taken elsewhere.
    
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25. What is a Letter of Permission?
    
    The Faculty of Engineering may grant credit to applicants to the BEng or BSEng degree program for courses taken at UVic or at other post-secondary educational institutions.
    
    You must obtain a Letter of Permission from the BEng or BSEng Office before starting studies at another institution for credit towards your UVic degree program. See Letters of Permission for UVic Students to Undertake Studies Elsewhere in the UVic Calendar. 
    
    Credit will be considered only for courses that are equivalent to courses in the BEng or BSEng degree program and in which satisfactory performance has been achieved.
    
    For courses with prefixes CENG, ELEC, ENGR, MECH and SENG, detailed documentation supporting the credit request may be required. Contact the BEng or BSEng Office for specific instructions before beginning studies in the Faculty.
    
    Credit for courses completed while outside the Faculty of Engineering will only be granted for courses in which a grade of C or higher, or the equivalent, was awarded. For some courses a higher minimum grade may be required.
    
    Courses taken on a Letter of Permission are not taken into consideration for the improvement of a UVic sessional GPA.
    
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26. What are the Basic Science electives for ELEC and CENG programs?
    
    A list of acceptable science electives can be found on the Electrical and Computer Engineering site.
    
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27. If I took ENGR 498 can I use it as my Basic Science elective?
    
    Effective June 1, 2007 - ECE students who began their programs in 2005 or before, prior to Engr 498 being replaced with the Basic Science elective, may still use Engr 498 as part of their core program completion. However, in compliance with the 2005 and prior calendar guidelines, students selecting Engr 498 in place of the Basic Science elective must also take ONLY Engr 297, as both Engr 498 and 297 were mandatory program requirements up to the 2005 calendar year.
    
    ECE students who began their programs in 2006 must take the Basic Science elective, but may still take the Engr 498 course (subject to course availability and scheduling), as their Complimentary Studies elective ONLY.
    
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