Your course start and end dates are listed in the "Introductory Letter" you receive once you are fully registered in your course. These dates determine when you start and when you must complete the course (disregard the dates that show in Student Planning & Registration).

From your start date, you will have six months to complete the entire course, including all quizzes, midterms and final exams. If your course is not completed by this end date, an "F" grade will appear on your transcript.

Government student loan programs (Canadian and US) require courses be completed within a traditional academic term. 

Taking online courses when you have a student loan

Once you have received and read the Introductory email, it is advisable to log-in and ensure you are able to access your course.

Activating UNB services

Claim your account at MyUNB and "Activate your UNB IT Services".

To claim your account you will need your;

• Student #
• Login ID
• Your date of birth

This information can be found in the email you received from extend@unb.ca with the subject "Accessing your UNB Online Course".

You cannot access your course without activating your account.

Logging into UNB services

Login to myUNB then click "services and information for students" on the left-hand menu.

Logging into D2L Brightspace (D2L)

Your course can be found under the "All" tab in D2L Brightspace (D2L) through MyUNB.

D2L Brightspace support

If you’re having trouble with D2L, email online@unb.ca and our helpful staff will follow up with you.

D2L student video tutorials

Student resources: D2L Brightspace, for PDF's and video guides, can be found under "D2L Resources for Students".

There are some wonderful perks available to you when you take an online course at UNB.

Microsoft Office Suite

Download Microsoft Office Suite for FREE to your home computer.
You can also have your UNB email for life.

UNB LIBRARIES:

If you are not on campus, you can still log-in and use the library resources.

If you need help navigating the library, visit their "contact us" section. You can even correspond with them over a live chat. This Welcome to UNB Libraries includes instructions for enrolling in the Libraries' Research Toolkit. 

If you are not in New Brunswick you can also borrow books from the millions of copies that UNB has available by registering for distance home delivery.

UNB Bookstore

Many online courses require a textbook. Details are provided in the course syllabus. It is the responsibility of the student to order course texts. Many textbooks can be ordered from the UNB Bookstore, or from online vendors like Amazon or Chapters. If you find an older edition of a textbook, confirm with your course Instructor before making any purchases.

Student Accessibility Centre

Contact the UNB Student Accessibility Centres for general information and to register for services.

• Fredericton Student Accessibility Centre
• Saint John Student Accessibility Centre

Student Avocate Office

Sometimes you set out on your academic journey and everything just falls perfectly into place. But when life hits, we have a student advocate who can assist you. Should you have any difficulties in completing your course due to medical or compassionate reasons, contact the student advocate:

Writing and study skills centre

Need help in fine tuning your "written voice"? Need to know how to correctly reference an online newspaper article? The UNB Writing Centre is here to help. They have a "CYBER TUTOR" for our online students.

• Fredericton
• Saint John

Student support services

UNB offers many Student Support Services you can take advantage of: Math Help Centre, Financial Aid, Career and personal counseling, Saferide, Safewalk, Tutor Inventory and more.

Learn more about notations on your academic record and refund amounts that will apply based on when you email records@unb.ca indicating your wish to withdraw, at UNB Open Entry course withdrawal and refund policies.

If you wish to withdraw from your online course, you must email records@unb.ca. Include your name, UNB ID#, course and term (do not use Student Planning & Registration).

• If needed, contact your Academic Advisor to discuss any implications the withdrawal may have on your program.
• In all cases, an email to records@unb.ca indicating you wish to withdraw is required at least ten business days (or two weeks) or more before your official course end date and will not be processed if:
  • an extension has been granted;
  • a final exam has been written;
  • a final grade has been submitted; and/or
  • if the official end date of the course has passed.
• If you have medical or compassionate grounds you may email the Student Advocate Wilfred Langmaid at langmaid@unb.ca to discuss an academic appeal for grade relief.

Once the withdrawal is processed, you will receive an email confirmation from records@unb.ca. If you have questions about how a course drop/withdrawal will affect your Student Loan, contact UNB Financial Services at studentloan@unb.ca.

Important: A “W” (withdraw) does not affect your GPA, but a “WF” (withdraw fail) does and it calculates as a zero in your GPA.

Course extensions as outlined in the University Calendar Regulations for Extensions; Notations -1. INC Incomplete, are possible for medical and extenuating grounds and must be requested by the student at least ten business days (two weeks) before the open-entry course end date.

• Medical grounds (longer extension): Students should contact the Registrar’s Office - grades@unb.ca and will need to provide supporting documentation (i.e., medical note). The granted extension could be up to two months in duration.  Students must email grades@unb.ca with their: name, UNB ID#, course and term, along with supporting documentation (i.e., medical note) at least ten business days (two weeks) before the open entry course end date. If the extension is approved, the Registrar’s Office will issue a confirmation email including the extended course end date.
  
  
• Extenuating grounds (shorter extension): These are circumstances outside the student's control that are exceptional, unforeseeable, short-term circumstances that affect a student’s ability to meet a deadline or participate in their course as might be reasonably expected. Students must email their instructor to request a course extension at least ten business days (two weeks) before the open entry course end date. If the instructor approves, they will notify the Registrar’s Office and a confirmation email will be issued including the extended course end date.
  
  
• If an extension is approved and the course requires completion of a final exam, students should refer to their "course syllabus" or "course exam guide" and schedule their exam accordingly or make arrangements to move their scheduled exam to a future date within the extension period.
  
  
• Important: If the extension request is approved, you are no longer eligible to withdraw from the course at a later date.

Note: Course extensions are not for students that need to defer their scheduled exams due to medical/compassionate or extenuating grounds. There is a separate process if students need to defer their exam(s)

When you are ready to complete your exam(s) (midterm/final) and are unsure on how to proceed, check one of the following avenues for more information about exam procedures:

• Does your D2L course have a "Course Exam Guide"? If so, follow the instructions found within.
• Check your course Syllabus, or contact your course Instructor.
• Should you have any other questions, or cannot find the information you are looking for, email exams@unb.ca.

Register with one of the following UNB Student Accessibility Centres (SAC), to have your Accommodation Letter prepared:

• UNB Fredericton Student Accessibility Centre
  • Register with this Centre if you are a:
    • Fredericton Campus student; or, if you are located in the Fredericton area;
    • Visiting student (a student attending a post-secondary institution other than UNB [Letter of Permission])
    • Student who is not located in either the Fredericton or Saint John regions.
• UNB Saint John Student Accessibility Centre
  • Register with this Centre if you are a:
    • Saint John Campus student; or, if you are located in the Saint John area.

Accommodation letters will only be provided if you can supply one of the following forms of supporting documentation:

• Medical documentation for a disability.
  Please check this list of approved medical documents.
• A current/valid Accommodation Letter from your home institution.
  This letter must be on your school’s official letterhead and include a point of contact.

Communicate with your instructor(s):

Once you have registered with the SAC, you should reach out to your instructor(s) to confirm that they have received your Accommodation Letter, and that your accommodations have been made. For example:

• If you require extra time for online quizzes and exams (to ensure that the time has been adjusted accordingly).
• If you require a paper exam (your instructor may need to create this).

The exams@unb.ca office is permitted to reschedule any exam that is not indicated as a "Final Exam" (such as "Midterm", "Exam #"). If you must reschedule, notify exams@unb.ca and your instructor in writing prior to your scheduled exam date.

For all scheduled “Final Exams", you must apply for a deferred exam. A student, by reason of illness or extenuating circumstances (supported by health certificates or other supporting documentation), that is unable to write a scheduled final exam may apply to UNB’s Registrar's Office within two weeks of the scheduled final exam to request a deferred exam (final exams written at an alternate time).

UNB Exam Deferral Process:

• As outlined in the University Regulation under Section III. Examinations, Standing and Promotion of the Undergraduate Calendar - Section E Final Examinations Written at an Alternate Time.
• Application Process and additional information - Alternate Final Exam Process.

The above regulation and application process also applies to students who become ill during a final exam.

To view your unofficial transcript, log into MyUNB, click "Services and Information for Students" on the left-hand menu, then look under Academics, Unofficial Transcript.

Official transcripts are ordered online through the Registrar’s Office. Please refer to UNB Transcript Order Form for ordering instructions.

For assistance or questions, contact transcripts@unb.ca.

The Bachelor of Integrated Studies (BIS) is a 120 credit-hour degree completion program that is suitable for part-time study, although students can enroll on a full-time basis. If you have finished a partial degree or completed community college programs, you may be able to transfer or receive credit toward this degree!

If interested contact an academic advisor for more information at BIS@unb.ca.

Key benefits to you:

• An admission process that considers the experiential learning of adult students
• Support and services for adult learners returning to formal study
• A schedule that accommodates students who are employed
• Individualized programming that reflects your interests and goals
• A challenging learning environment that will provide intellectual development and personal growth
• May increase career opportunities by opening new doors

Who is my instructor?

You will find your instructor’s name in the Start Here module of your course.

How do I contact them?

You will find your instructor’s contact information in the Start Here module of your course.

How will I be graded?

You will find marking and grading information in the course syllabus located in the Start Here module of your course.

Which timezone is UNB in?

The Atlantic Time Zone.

Can I take the course offline or do I need to be online?

Most courses (or coursework) will require a reliable connection to the internet in order to access materials. However, once downloaded you may be able to do some work offline.

If I want to chat or be part of the UNB community, how can I connect?

• Login to the myUNB to view feeds of UNB’s Twitter and Facebook pages
• Users can chat and post @ UNB using their personal social media accounts on UNB’s Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

What should I do if I cannot complete my online course due to health or other extenuating circumstances?

Course extensions can be granted for medical and compassionate reasons, documentation will be required. Students must email grades@unb.ca with their: name, UNB ID#, course and term, along with supporting documentation (i.e., medical note) at least ten business days (two weeks) before the open entry course end date. Refer to the extensions section for more information.

How do I find my course end date?

Your course end date was supplied in your "Introductory Letter" email. If you have misplaced this email, please send us a message at online@unb.ca with your name, student number and course name.

How many hours should I devote to an open entry course online?

Your course instructor will be able to give you the most accurate estimate of how much time you should devote to your course. For a typical undergraduate course, the estimated hours are:

• 3 hours per week reading the content online
• 4-5 hours per week doing related readings, papers, etc.

Total: 8 hours per course per week or a little more than 1 hour per day

I am enrolled in an online course and I may need to withdraw. Can I withdraw through Student Planning & Registration?

No. To withdraw from online courses, you must email records@unb.ca and include your name, UNB ID#, course and term.

What should I consider before withdrawing from my course?

• Reach out to your instructor for course assistance.
• Request a course extension.
• Fully review the Withdrawal Policies. Note: "W" does not affect your GPA, while a "WF" does affect your GPA.
• If you have a Student Loan, a course withdrawal may affect it; contact UNB Financial Services.
• Contact your Academic Advisor regarding implications to your program.

I emailed my course instructor, but I have not received an email back? How can I get my questions answered? How long should I wait for a reply?

Please expect that a response to your inquiry may take up to 3 business days. If you are unable to reach your instructor and require immediate assistance, please email us at online@unb.ca.

What should I do if I am struggling with the course material?

Your instructor is the best person to assist you with the course material and/or provide you with additional resources.

What should I do if I don’t agree with the grading of my assignment or exam?

The University Calendar Regulation Section L: Review of Grades outlines all options for a review of submitted course work.

I wrote my final exam and want my final course grade. How long will it take my instructor to post the grade?

Generally, following a final exam, a grade should be posted within 5 to 7 business days. If your course did not have an exam, the course grade should be submitted within 7 business days. If you do not see your grade within this time period, it is best to email your instructor directly.

Who can grant me an extension in my course?

You can request an extension to complete "course work" based on extenuating grounds and must e-mail your instructor(s). Refer to the extensions section, as there are specific dates as to when an extension may be requested.

Can I write my final exam on my course end date?

Yes, you are permitted to write your exam on your course end date.

Do I have to buy a textbook from the UNB Bookstore? Can I buy an older version?

The UNB Bookstore does stock textbooks needed for online courses. If you would like to purchase an older version of the text, please consult with your course instructor for confirmation.

Where do I go if I need help with the library or paper writing?

The UNB Resources for Students section of this student guide will help point you in the right direction for assistance.

Where do I go to get help, if I need it?

If you need technology or UNB IT Service-related help, contact the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@unb.ca.

If you need course-related assistance, contact the Online @ UNB team:

(506) 451-6815
Toll-free: 1-866-599-4646 (ask for the Online team)
online@unb.ca

Office Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Atlantic) – Labour Day to Victoria Day
• Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Atlantic) – Victoria Day to Labour Day
  
  

What do I need for a computer/device?

• Processor: Recommended: Multi Core (Minimum 2).
• Operating System: Minimum Windows 8.1 or higher, macOS 11 (Big Sur) or higher. Note: A number of courses may require the use of Windows-specific software.
• Memory: 4 GB or more
• Hard Drive: No specific requirement, but at least 2-3 GB of hard drive space should be available for document/assignment storage and download.
• Optical Device: Not required.
• Built-in Wi-Fi card: Built to the 802.11x standard
• Network card/port: Not required, but recommended.
• Expansion Ports: USB ports (minimum 3 recommended); USB Headset preferred (if required); Microphone/Line-In, Headphone/Line out (optional).

What kind of internet connection do I need?

Recommended download speed: 4–6 Mbps; minimum 1–4 Mbps.

What software do I need?

Microsoft Office (free to UNB students) and a PDF Reader.

Where to look to see if UNB services are up or down?

Information Technology Services under "Current Outages".

Why do I seem to have more than one email address at UNB?

Your main UNB Email address has this format: "jsmith@unb.ca". Another version of that same email address uses your full name: "jane.smith@unb.ca". These email addresses share the same Inbox.

Where can I go if I want to refresh my knowledge of D2L?

To view student resources for D2L, such as video guides and PDFs, visit the D2L Brightspace Page.

I’ve just completed a quiz. How do I view my attempt?

Click "Assessments" then "Quizzes", then the black triangle beside that quiz’s title, and choose “Submissions", then "Attempt 1".

How do I send an email in D2L?

Click the "Communication" tab in the header menu and click "Compose Email". Type the email address of the recipient, write your message, and click the blue "Send" button.

Where do I receive email in D2L?

D2L email is a "Send-only" system. So all replies are sent to your UNB Outlook account. To access this account from within D2L, click the “Communication” menu in the header and click “Read Email (Inbox)”. This will open your UNB Outlook Email.