Undergraduate FAQ

Department of Anthropology

Questions about the Alternative COVID Grading Scale?

May 4, 2020

The University of Victoria is offering grading options for students for the spring (January-April 2020) term in an effort to help ensure academic quality and support student success, as well as to alleviate stress during these challenging times. Please check the University's website for frequent updates, for responses to FAQ, and for detailed information on grading options as well as other information and news.  See the main website: https://www.uvic.ca/covid-19/

The Department of Anthropology realizes that you may have questions about the implications of the COVID grading options for your ANTH degree. Please see the FAQ below. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Undergraduate Advisor or the Honours Advisor https://www.uvic.ca/socialsciences/anthropology/undergraduate/advising/index.php

Program Requirements

Q: I want to use the 'pass' option for an ANTH class I took this spring. If I take a 'Pass', will this class count towards the required 22.5 ANTH units required for either an ANTH BA major or an ANTH BSc major?

A: Yes, you can take a 'pass' in any / all ANTH courses, and still use these courses to count towards the required units. Note: Honours students or applicants should see the section below on Honours. 

Q: If I take a COVID Pass for one or all of ANTH 200, 240, and 250, can I still take ANTH 400A or 400B?

A: The pre-requisite for ANTH 400A and 400B is still a minimum GPA of 4.0 in all of 200, 240, and 250. If you have a COVID Pass for one or two of those 200-level courses, the minimum GPA would be considered on the remaining 200-level course(s). If you have taken a COVID-Pass in all three 200-level courses, and therefore do not have a GPA for this requirement, you will need to get permission of the department to register in either ANTH 400A or 400B.

Q: I am interested in ANTH Co-op. Have the admission requirements for Co-op changed?

A: No, all the admission requirements remain the same. Students must have completed first year and be a full-time student with a B (5.0 GPA) average and intend to declare a major in Anthropology. https://www.uvic.ca/socialsciences/anthropology/coop/index.php

Honours

Q: I want to apply to the Honours program in Anthropology. Has the minimum GPA requirement to apply to Honours changed?

A: No, students must have a 6.5 GPA combined average for ANTH 200, 240, 250, and 260 to apply to Honours.  Students may have one COVID-Pass in these required 200-level ANTH courses.

 Q: Has the GPA for Honours students moving from 3rd year to 4th year changed?

A: No, the requirements remain the same. To continue in the program in the fourth year, students must secure a GPA of at least 6.0 in upper-level Anthropology courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 5.5. If your grades in Spring 2020 have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis, you may wish to consider a “Pass” to avoid falling below the program’s minimum GPA requirements.

 Q: Has the graduating average for ANTH Honours students changed?

A: No, the requirements remain the same. An Honours degree requires a graduating GPA of at least 5.0 AND a GPA of at least 5.5 in 300- and 400-level Anthropology courses.  If your grades in Spring 2020 have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 crisis, you may wish to consider a “Pass” to avoid falling below the program’s minimum GPA requirements.

No!

No, you would apply to the university and indicate you want to take classes in the Social Sciences Faculty (the Faculty to which Anthropology belongs).

Yes, although the number of possible jobs can vary from year to year.

We often have work/study opportunities, which are usually posted in the early part of September. For more information see the UVic Work Study Office. You will have to qualify to be eligible for work/study positions. Contact Student Awards and Financial Aid for information on how to qualify.

In adddition to these opportunities, faculty members may also have research grants which might employ students. For these, you would need to contact the individual faculty members.

Yes, definitely. There are often volunteer possibilities in the archaeology labs. And if you are interested in the research of a particular faculty member, ask if they need a volunteer.

Yes you can, but you will have to get permission from the department to do this. Contact the Anthropology office for asssitance with your registration.

Transferring classes involves two aspects. One is the number of units you are awarded. Usually there is little problem with this, although the number of units awarded for a class can vary between institutions.

For example, if you have taken a class with 3 hours of lecture per week worth 3 units/credits at your previous institution, you will discover that will transfer as 1.5 units at UVic. However, in most cases, no matter what the numbers are, if you took 4 classes elsewhere you will get 4 classes worth of credit applied to your degree here.

What can cause problems is how the course topics are transferred. Specific transfer credit can only be given if we have an equivalent course. To give one example, perhaps you took a class in the archaeology of Alberta at the 3rd year level.

We don’t offer a class with that topic at UVic, but recognize it as an anthropology class, so you would get Anth300 level credit. However, this course would clearly fulfill one of our requirements that you take 2 upper level archaeology classes. To get this acknowledged you would need to talk to one of the department undergraduates advisors for assistance. The advisor will send a note to Advising to that effect.

If you feel that a class has not transferred correctly, come and talk to us.

Contact the anthropology office at anthreception@uvic.ca and let us know your name, V00 number and the issue you are having with registration. 

Or drop by the office in Cornett B228 between 8:30-4:30.

Richard Myers is the career educator for students in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

You can book a virtual meeting with Richard for support with:

• career exploration, research and planning
• searching for work
• writing résumés, CVs and cover letters
• interview prep
• grad school applications

Book a virtual appointment with Richard Myers at
uvic.ca/coopandcareer/appointments or email rmyers1000@uvic.ca.