What it is
The MSAF is McMaster's self-report for a short absence. You submit it online, no doctor's note, and it covers work worth less than a set percentage of your grade for a limited number of days. Most course outlines then say what happens to the missed work: usually the weight moves to the final exam, or you get a short extension.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Final exams. Those go through your faculty office, not MSAF.
- Work above the weight limit stated in the outline. Big midterms often exceed it; the outline will say to contact the faculty instead.
- Using it more than once per term. Check the current limit in your outline or on the Registrar's site; it changes.
What actually happens to the mark
Every outline handles it differently, and this is the part students get wrong. Common versions: the weight moves to the final exam; a make-up is scheduled; the lowest of a set is dropped anyway so nothing changes. Read the “Missed work” section of each outline before you need it.
Where SyllaBuddy fits
Buddy pulls the missed-work rule from every outline into a “Rules that bite” section per course and answers “what happens if I miss the midterm” with your course's actual policy, not a generic one.
Questions
Does an MSAF need a doctor's note?
No, it's a self-report. That's the whole point of it. Longer absences and bigger assessments go through your faculty office with documentation.