Academic Resources

ONEcard is the official UAlberta student identification card. New students usually need to register in at least one class, upload a photo, wait for approval, and pick up the card with government photo ID and UAlberta student ID. Remote students may have virtual ONEcard options.

The Academic Success Centre offers academic advising, learning support, workshops, online resources, and writing support for undergraduate and graduate students. Use it early for writing, exam preparation, time management, reading strategies, and adapting to Canadian academic expectations.

Start respectfully with “Professor [Last Name]” or “Dr. [Last Name]” if they use that title, then follow the name or form of address in the syllabus or email signature. Teaching Assistants (TAs) are often addressed by first name, but check how they introduce themselves. Office hours are scheduled times for students to ask questions about course concepts, assignments, feedback, exams, research interests, or academic direction; you do not need to be failing to use them.

Register with Accessibility and Accommodations as early as possible. Students with permanent disabilities, chronic physical or mental health conditions, temporary barriers, or other documented needs may be eligible for accommodations. Documentation is usually required or strongly recommended, and accommodations are not always retroactive.

Use UAlberta Library for research help, subject guides, databases, borrowing, citation support, course materials, study spaces, and interlibrary loan. Your ONEcard may also connect you to additional library access such as the Edmonton Public Library L-Pass for eligible students.

Student Ombuds is a confidential, impartial service that helps students understand policies, fairness concerns, academic issues, discipline processes, interpersonal conflict, and options for next steps. Ombuds does not replace faculty processes but can help you navigate them.

The Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights provides a confidential space to discuss discrimination, harassment, accommodation concerns, wrongdoing, health and safety concerns, and other misconduct-related issues. You can ask about options before deciding whether to make a formal report.

The Engineering Student Success Centre (ESSC). Teaching assistants are there daily for questions in the first-year core: MATH 100, 101 and 102, ENGG 130, EN PH 131, PHYS 130, and CHEM 103 and 105, and both group and one-on-one tutoring are free. Before midterms and finals the ESSC runs review sessions and mock exams you can sit as practice. Join the ESSC Canvas page for the schedule and announcements. Go in week three when you first do not understand something, not in week ten when it has compounded.

Yes: the Registrar publishes a free pickup option for current students through its Enrolment Verification Request Form. MyCreds delivery is a separate paid option. You can also contact the Student Service Centre through the support portal to ask whether an enrolment-letter service meets your specific need.

1. 1Use the Registrar's linked Enrolment Verification Request Form and select free pickup at the Student Service Centre or Augustana office.
2. 2Allow the published 10 business days for processing.
3. 3For the support-portal route, sign in and look for 'Enrolment Letter Request' if available, or submit a student-service enquiry explaining the letter's purpose, terms and deadline.
4. 4Confirm whether pickup, a scan or digitally verified delivery is required by the recipient before ordering.

For a midterm, contact your instructor immediately and follow the syllabus. For a final, check your home faculty's deferred-exam process and contact its student office promptly. Approval depends on the circumstances and academic rules; it is not automatic.

1. 1Tell the instructor or faculty which course/exam is affected and what happened.
2. 2For a final, locate your faculty's official form and deadline. Engineering publishes a two-business-day deadline after the missed final, or as soon as reasonably possible.
3. 3Submit the requested explanation/documents and keep the confirmation.
4. 4Watch for the decision and any replacement exam arrangements.

Check the U of A Library for borrowable or online copies and ask your instructor about open educational resources. Courses marked Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) use required materials without textbook charges. EPL is another option for borrowing books once your membership is active.

1. 1Check the syllabus and required edition before buying.
2. 2Search the Library and ask library staff about available copies or alternatives.
3. 3Look for ZTC courses in Bear Tracks or My Schedule Builder where they fit your program.
4. 4Ask your department or student association about any current book swaps or donation shelves; availability varies.