Registration Information

College of Engineering
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get transfer credit?
   It depends on who you are and where you are coming from. Read on……

2. I was admitted to the U of S with transfer credit – Why won’t Engineering count my courses?
   There are a couple of reasons – (1) Engineering requires a grade of C (65%) or better transfer credit from colleges – (2) Engineering is bound by conditions of accreditation to verify that any instruction in engineering science and engineering design was delivered by licensed professional engineers before granting credit. If these criteria are satisfied credit is granted.

3. What kinds of courses have engineering science and engineering design content?
   Courses likely to have some engineering content include: Computing, Electric Circuits, Heat Flow, Mechanics, Technical Drawing, and Thermodynamics.
   It’s easier to list courses that don’t have engineering content such as: Biology, Chemistry, English, Economics, Geography, Geology, General Physics, Psychology and Sociology.

4. I’m from another College at the U of S – How do I get transfer credit?
   You must apply for transfer before May 1 in the year you wish to enter Engineering. Your sessional weighted average for the regular session (Sept – Apr) must be greater than 68%. All U of S courses with equivalents in the engineering program will be transferred.

5. How are my transfer credits for outside U of S treated when I transfer to Engineering from another College?
   All transfer credit granted by other college will be reviewed on entry to Engineering. Some course credits may not be transferable (see FAQ 2).

6. I’m from another Canadian university – How do I get transfer credit?
   For most courses, the U of S will give you credit for an equivalent course, BUT for courses with engineering content the university from which the credit originates must have a CEAB-accredited program for this kind of course-for-course transfer credit to be granted.

7. What is a CEAB-accredited program?
   The CEAB is the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board. CEAB accredits almost 250 programs at about 40 institutions in Canada. Here is the list.

8. My Canadian university/college does not have a CEAB-accredited program but offers engineering courses - Can I get transfer credit?
   Yes, but you may have to show that the course was taught by a professional engineer licensed in Canada. Some colleges (Mount Royal College in Calgary for example) provide the U of S with this information so courses are accepted automatically with a grade of C (65%) or better.

9. Why does it matter that the instructor is licensed?
   The CEAB represents the engineering profession and the profession expects that courses containing engineering science and engineering design are taught by licensed professionals.

10. What about my courses in Accounting, Chemistry, Sociology and English?
    Any non-engineering course including physical and life sciences, social sciences, business sciences, arts and humanities can be transferred with no restriction. Engineering programs require courses in all these areas

11. What grade do I need to get transfer credit in Engineering?
    For CEAB-accredited institutions course-by-course transfers are accepted for any passing grade. Passing grades for non-engineering courses are also accepted from any university. For colleges a grade of C (65%) or better is generally required.

12. I’m an international student with university-level courses from outside Canada – Can I get transfer credit?
    Yes. For non-engineering courses credit will be granted in most cases as if your university was in Canada. Engineering will accept any course equivalents that the U of S accepts. For courses with engineering science or engineering design content there are some restrictions.

13. I’m an international student with university-level engineering courses from outside Canada – Can I get transfer credit?
    Maybe, but probably no. The same rules that apply to Canadian institutions that do not have CEAB-accredited engineering programs apply to your university.

14. My international program was accredited by a Washington Accord signatory outside Canada – Can I get transfer credit?
    Yes, we will treat your courses as equivalent to those in CEAB-accredited programs (with a few exceptions where Canadian-specific content is necessary).

15. I have an Engineering Technology Diploma from SIAST (or SAIT or NAIT or BCIT or…) – Can I get transfer credit?
    Yes, if you completed the program with an overall grade of B (75%) or better.

16. I don’t have a grade of B (75%) or greater for my Diploma – Can I get any transfer credit?
    No, but you may still be welcomed into an engineering degree program. Your experience will be a valuable asset both to you and your fellow students.

17. I don’t have a completed Diploma – Can I get any transfer credit?
    No, there is no course-for-course credit granted – but you may still be accepted into an engineering degree program.

18. I qualify! How much transfer will I get for my Engineering Technology Diploma?
    It depends on the program you completed and your subsequent experience but you are unlikely to be given credit for more than 5 or 6 courses (or about one-term). The U of S and SIAST are actively working on some block transfer agreements which may be in effect by September 2009.

19. If I get transfer credit, with an Engineering Technology Diploma I can complete an Engineering Degree in seven terms (three and a half years)?
    No, it will take four years but you will carry a lighter load in each year. The block transfer agreements may save you a year but you will have to complete a transition program starting in May.

20. Can I transfer into Mechanical or Civil or Electrical or ….. Engineering?
    Maybe. Admission to all upper-year programs at U of S is competitive and depends on grades. An average on university-level courses of B or courses equivalent of U of S first-year will get you into any program.

21. I don’t have an average of B (75%) or better - Can I transfer into Mechanical or Civil or Electrical or ….. Engineering?
    Maybe. If you have an average of C (65%) or better and quota is not full for that program you will be accepted as a transfer student.

The following table is provided as a guide only:

The following table summarizes the U of S College of Engineering transfer credit policy:

Saskatoon Engineering Students’ Society

“Serving the academic and social needs of students in the College of Engineering”
www.sess.usask.ca

What is the SESS?
The SESS is similar to the SLC, SRC, or SRG in your old high school, except with bigger events and better parties.  We’re a group of students who are dedicated to working hard to benefit students like you!

The SESS puts on a wide variety of events to encourage camaraderie and to help students in their quest for ‘The Iron Ring’.

What does the SESS do for First Years?
The SESS does many, many things for the average first year student:

SESS members get access to exam files – which are past years’ midterm and final exams in all your first year classes!  University professors often use very similar exams year after year, so the old exams are valuable study tools.  Don’t miss out!

You are invited to attend complimentary hospitality nights at the Great Western Brewery and many other social functions throughout the year, like Toga STD, Ski Trip and Christmas Formal, just to name a few!

• A student lounge, complete with big screen TV, free phone, microwaves and free foosball table and pool table
• Discounts at the SESS Kiosk, which sells cool engineering clothing and other paraphernalia
• Eligibility to attend engineering conferences and competitions across Canada

 “What a killer way to get in on some seriously cool stuff, man” – First-Year Bill, Former First Year

How do I get Involved?
You’ll meet many SESS members on your first day of Orientation, and you’ll have the opportunity to buy a membership.

First Year Representatives are elected in September and in January for each GE 111 and 121 section; this is a great way to become a future leader in the SESS and meet lots of people.

You can also apply to be the Sno-Golf Director, volunteer at events, or get involved in other activities, such as the Western Engineering Competition (WEC) 2010.  If you want to get involved, we’d love to have ya!

Who are we?
SESS leaders and members are all students in the College of Engineering.  Each spring, the members elect a nine-member executive for the coming year. 

Questions? 
Call our office (306) 966-7700, or e-mail president@sess.usask.ca.