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Academic Requirements & Regulations

The resources on this page are designed to help Faculty of Science students navigate key academic regulations and policies with confidence. Familiarizing yourself with these requirements can help you stay on track academically, understand your rights and responsibilities as a student, and avoid unexpected challenges related to enrolment, progression, academic standing, and graduation. We encourage all students to refer to the Undergraduate Calendar regularly and consult Academic Advising if they have questions about how regulations apply to their individual circumstances.

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Undergraduate Calendar McMaster Undergraduate Calendar

Understanding academic regulations is an important part of your university journey. McMaster University’s Undergraduate Calendar is the official source for academic rules, degree requirements, program descriptions, course information, and policies that govern undergraduate studies.

Academic Standing, GPA, Level, Program Requirements

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Viewing Your Academic Standing & GPA

Academic Standing and your official cumulative average only appear for terms where you’ve had an academic review.

Step 1 – Find The Most Recent Term With Academic Standing

MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > My Academics > View my unofficial transcript (Enable pop-ups if nothing appears.)

Step 2 – View Your Standing And GPA

MOSAIC > Student Center > Academics > other academic… > Grades > Change Term > select the most recent term with an Academic Standing > scroll to the bottom of the Cumulative Total column.

Academic Standing Definitons

  • Good Standing – A student who satisfies the minimum requirements to continue in their program without restriction.
  • Academic Probation – Assigned with a student:
    • achieves a Cumulative GPA between 3.0 and 3.4. If at any future academic standing review their Cumulative GPA falls below 3.5, the academic standing assigned will be May Not Continue at the University.
    • returns to studies after being Reinstated.  If at any future academic standing review their Cumulative GPA falls below 3.5, the academic standing assigned will be Required to Withdraw from the University.
  • Program Probation – Assigned when a student’s Cumulative GPA falls below the minimum requirements to remain in their program.  Failure to achieve Good Standing at the next academic standing review will result in their removal from the program.
  • May Not Continue in Program – Assigned to:
    • students who fail to achieve the minimum Cumulative GPA to remain in the program, or
    • students previously on Program Probation who fail to achieve Good Standing.
  • May Not Continue at University –Assigned when:
    • a student achieves a Cumulative GPA below 3.0, or
    • a student previously on Academic Probation fails to achieve Good Standing.
  • Required to Withdraw –  A student who at any time received a standing of Academic Probation and at a future academic standing review achieves a Cumulative GPA below 3.5 will be required to withdraw from the University.  The student will be unable to apply for Reinstatement for at least 12 months.

Finding Your Program Requirements (Advisement Report)

You Can Access Your Advisement Report In Two Ways:

  • From the MOSAIC homepage > Advisement Report tile
  • Or: MOSAIC Student Center > Academics > My Academics > View my advisement report

Your Advisement Report is only useful once you’re in a Level II program. If you’re not yet in Level II, you can contact advising if you have questions.

Understanding Your Level

Your academic level is determined by the number of courses that you have successfully completed:

  • Level 1: 0 – 23 units
  • Level 2: 24 – 53 units
  • Level 3: 54 – 83 units
  • Level 4: 84+ units
Note: These classifications are based on non-co-op program requirements and may not reflect the level progression of students enrolled in co-op programs.

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Looking Up Program Admission Requirements

To Find Admission And Degree Requirements:

  1. Visit the Undergraduate Calendar
  2. Select the most recent year
  3. Click Programs (by Degree) and Minors
  4. Select your program to view requirements