Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Petition Letter: Dear Associate Dean,

I am writing to respectfully request a CR (Credit) notation for BCHM 313 and BCHM 316 during the Winter 2025 term, due to extenuating circumstances which have significantly impacted my academic performance.

A major factor that affected my performance was the extended teaching assistant (TA) strike during the term. As both courses are highly content-heavy and conceptually complex, I highly depend on TA guidance for reviewing lecture material, seeking clarification, and preparing for examinations. The lack of TAs has resulted in an absence of this academic support which I greatly rely on, hindering my learning process and contributed to difficulties in mastering key concepts and applying my knowledge to specific examination material.

Furthermore, changes were made to both courses regarding material weighting which have further affected my performance. In BCHM 316, my metabolism course, the final grade was based entirely on four quizzes, one midterm, and one final exam, all of which were either completely, or primarily multiple-choice format. I found this assessment structure particularly limiting given the highly integrative and conceptual nature of metabolism. The lack of variety in assessment types restricted my ability to show my comprehension of course material. This issue was exacerbated by the absence of TA-led support, where I would rely on TA tutorials, office hours, or discussion forums to help me prepare for exams, especially when adapting to a format that heavily emphasizes nuanced multiple-choice testing. However, with the extended TA strike, I had zero access to this kind of academic guidance, resulting in a poor demonstration of my extensive knowledge regarding course content.

Similarly, in BCHM 313, an assignment was removed mid-semester, with its weight redistributed across remaining assessments, including the midterm and final. Assignments are a strong area for me as they allow for deeper engagement with the material where I can show my ability to apply course knowledge to practical examples. The shift in weighting disproportionately impacted my ability to succeed, as it removed opportunities to demonstrate my strengths and increased the weight of examinations which I find more difficult.

Compounding these academic challenges, I also experienced a moderate illness midway through the semester, during a particularly demanding week involving two midterms, a major presentation, and multiple other major assessments. Due to this illness, I was unable to properly prepare for my midterms, which is reflected in my lower scores. I consulted a healthcare provider at the time and submitted a doctor’s note along with a request at Queen's for a midterm extension.

Although I took steps to manage these challenges—such as requesting extensions and continuing to engage with the course materials—the combined effects of limited academic support, illness, and grading structure changes negatively affected my academic performance. I believe a CR notation for both courses would more fairly reflect my circumstances and preserve the integrity of my academic record.

I have attached a supporting doctor’s note for your review. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if further information is needed.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Megan Leong
20322578
21mwl4@queensu.ca