RTM-AKTU follows a model of higher education consisting of semesters, courses, credit hours, continuous evaluation and letter grading.
Keeping with its mission and goals, the University strives to ensure high academic standards by implementing well-designed curricula, carefully selecting high quality students and faculty, utilizing modern and effective instructional methods and aids and by continuous monitoring and rigorous evaluation of all the pertinent activities and systems.
There are two equal semesters of six months (January to June and July to December) each. The duration of each semester is 26 working weeks. An additional 10 days for each semester is allocated for final exams. The Semester Calendar provides deadlines for registration add/drop courses, withdrawals etc. It has financial and academic implications.
Undergraduate Programs:
Each course is identified by a two-part numbering system. The first part with three alphabets represents the subject area and the second part refers to the level of the course as follows:
The series 100, 200, 300 and 400 numbers are intended to indicate progressively more demanding content of the course and correspondingly increasing competence on the part of the students enrolled in the course. For example, ACT 301 Intermediate Accounting is a third year course and it is assumed that a student registering in this course has already attended one or more second year (200 levels) courses in Accounting. A student may register in this course before third year if he has already fulfilled the prerequisites for the course. The course may be taken after third year also when the student has fulfilled the prerequisites. Courses numbered 001-099 are remedial or non-credit courses.
Students enrolled in the undergraduate programs of BRAC University are classified as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior and Advanced Senior based on the number of credit hours earned towards a degree. The basis and classification are as follows:
Level | Earned Credits |
Freshman | 0 to 30 |
Sophomore | 31 to 60 |
Junior | 61 to 90 |
Senior | 91 to 140 |
Advanced Senior | 140+ |
A student who registers for 12 credits or more is considered to be a full time student. A full-time student taking 12 credits in each semester will be able to complete the program in less than four years. Fee waivers, scholarships and academic honors are considered for full time students only.
Maximum period to complete the undergraduate program is eight years from the date of first admission to the university and minimum period to complete the undergraduate program is three years.
Students take courses each semester and these courses have credits assigned to them and the credits are counted towards the degree. Credit hours for a course are assigned on the basis of a 13-week semester. One (1) credit hour means that the course meets for 50 minutes in a class each week; Three (3) credits mean that the class will meet twice a week for 80 minutes in each session. The tutorial/lab/workshop sessions meets for 100 - 150 minutes each week. Two (2) credit courses mean that the course meets twice every week for 50 minutes in each class.
For freshman (1st Semester):
For students in 2nd Semester and onward
All Programs (except Architecture and Pharmacy) | i. | Minimum Course Load: Nine (9) credits |
ii. | Maximum Course Load: Fifteen (15) credits | |
iii. | However, in special cases a student may register in eighteen (18) credits. The applicability of the exception will be allowed only if recommended by the respective academic department. | |
Architecture Program | i. | Minimum Course Load: Nine (9) credits. |
ii. | Maximum Course Load: Twenty-One (21) credits with studio course. | |
Pharmacy Program | iii. | Minimum Course Load: Eighteen (18) credits |
iv. | Maximum Course Load: Twenty-Four (24) credits | |
Exemption:
Students may be allowed to register for a minimum of six (6) credits twice only in their entire undergraduate program and still maintain full time status. Any such exemption will be scrutinized and recommended by the respective Chairperson and finally, approved by the Pro-Vice Chancellor.
Good advising is critical for successful graduation. For most students, University will be the first time that they will be responsible for things such as selecting courses or choosing a major. An academic advisor a faculty member can help with these and other decisions; however, advising is a two-way street. Students and advisors share the responsibility for successful advising.
The performance of the students will be evaluated throughout the semester by class tests, quizzes, assignments and midterm exams. End of semester evaluation includes comprehensive final exams, term papers, project reports etc. Numerical scores earned by a students in tests, exams, assignments etc are cumulated and converted to letter grades at the end of the semester.
The university follows modern teaching methods including interactive Internet, simulation, lab work, case analysis and field study. A special feature of BRAC University teaching is the workshop/lab sessions designed to assist students in learning application of concepts and theories. The medium of instructions in Brac University is English.
The grades at the university will be indicated in the following manner:
90 - 100 = A (4.0) Excellent
85 - <90 = A- (3.7)
80 - <85 = B+ (3.3)
75 - <80 = B (3.0) Good
70 - <75 = B- (2.7)
65 - <70 = C+ (2.3)
60 - <65 = C (2.0) Fair
57 - <60 = C- (1.7)
55 - <57 = D+ (1.3)
52 - <55 = D (1.0) Poor
50 - <52 = D- (0.7)
<50 = F (0.0) Failure
P: Pass
I: Incomplete
W: Withdrawal
Pass/Fail Option: A course may be taken for a pass/fail grade, providing that the instructor approves the option and the student carries 12 credits for regular letter grades in that semester. A maximum of 16 credits may be taken for credit with the pass/fail grading option. No more than four credits may be taken with the pass/fail grading option in any one semester. Departments may not approve the pass/fail grading option for some courses counting towards the major.
Incomplete Grade: An Incomplete (I) grade is assigned only when a student has failed to complete one or more requirements of the course for an unavoidable reason/accidental circumstance and has applied for I grade. The students who are permitted to appear in make up examination(s) will be assigned an 'I' grade for that course and this grade will stay until the student appears in the make up examination at the first available opportunity; if s/he fails to appear in the make up examination the 'I' grade will automatically be converted to 'F' grade.
Withdrawal (W): is assigned to a student who withdraws from the course within the deadline for withdrawal with 'W' grade. A student who withdraws after this date will earn the grade based on his performance before his withdrawal. Exception to this rule may be made on medical ground and on terms and condition imposed by the University.
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed in the following manner:
Sum of (Grade points H Credits)
GPA = -----------------------------------
Sum of Credits attempted
The Committee on Academic Standard administers the Grading Regulations and reviews course grades submitted by the Departments.
Students will be expected to maintain standards in their academic work. They should be taking the requisite number of courses and maintain satisfactory grades in these courses. In particular, students are expected to maintain a GPA of 1.5 (both semester and cumulative), otherwise the student will be put on probation for the following semester. If a student on probation fails to raise CGPA to 1.5 in two consecutive semesters s/he will be dismissed from the University. Students whose grade point average is below 1.0 in their first semester may be asked to withdraw from the university.
Students will be allowed to continue with a CGPA of 1.50 up to sixth semester, (in case of Pharmacy students up to fourth semester). However, at the end of the sixth semester/fourth semester for Pharmacy, students must have a CGPA of 2.00 in order to continue his/her studies in the undergraduate programs.
Repeat exam is considered as a privilege; as such it is offered for an exceptional situation of students to improve their grades. BracU definitely does not want it to be a trend or norm. We expect students to do well in their regular exams. That is why the repeat fee has been kept at regular rate. The reason for charging such fee is not to consider it as a revenue generation source but to discourage any abuse.
Because, the cut-off point for a repeat exam is below ‘B’, it is only fair to the students who got B and above to restrict the highest repeat grade to B+. Arguments can be made to lower or raise the cut-off grade of repeat, for which no consensus can be reached. A compromise has to be made on administrative capacity and student opportunity in this regard. BracU wants to impart fairness and equal opportunity to all of its students which also ensures that repeat or fail courses never appear in the transcript.
However, considering fairness to all students who already availed the old rules and regulation, applicability of the revised Retake, Repeat and Probation policy would be effective to all students enrolled in Summer-2019 and onward as followed:
(1) Retake: A student getting “F” grade in a course will be allowed to retake the course twice with the proviso that the student received at least a C grade in all other subjects taken during the semester. In other words, getting a D or F in more than one subject in a semester will allow the student to retake F grade subject only once. In case of non-credit course (091/092 category) taken in the first/second semester, will only be allowed to retake once. However, course so retaken will not be awarded more than B plus (B+) grade.
(2) Repeat: Students with a grade of B minus (B-) or below may repeat a course once; but shall not be awarded a grade of more than B plus (B+) in that particular course.
(3) Probation: Students are expected to maintain a minimum CGPA of 1.5, otherwise the student will be put on probation for the following semester. If a student on probation fails to raise CGPA to 1.5 in two consecutive semesters s/he will be dismissed from the University. Students whose grade point average is below 1.0 in their first semester may be asked to withdraw from the university. Students will be allowed to continue with a CGPA of 1.50 up to sixth semester, (in case of Pharmacy students up to fourth semester). However, at the end of the sixth semester/fourth semester for Pharmacy, students must have a CGPA of 2.00 in order to continue his/her studies in the undergraduate programs.
Audit is a registration status allowing students to attend a course without receiving credit. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in RTM-AKTU may audit courses. Graduates of RTM-AKTU or other universities acceptable to RTM-AKTU may enroll for "Audit" of courses. The performance of students auditing a course will not be evaluated or graded and they will receive a grade 'AU'.
Students and alumni of RTM-AKTU will have to pay 50% of tuition fees and other fees. All other students will have to pay full tuition and other fees.
Students currently enrolled in universities acceptable to RTM-AKTU may enroll as a credit student in at best 10 courses (30 credits) on payment of full tuition and other fees of the university. Candidates seeking admission in one or more audit/credit course(s) must apply in prescribed form and the applications will be considered as individual cases. The university reserves the right to accept or reject the applications.
Credit transfer from an educational institution with a system similar to RTM-AKTU may be considered after admission. Such candidates will have to apply with required documents and are subject to credit transfer rules of RTM-AKTU.
The total credits transferred by a student from other universities should not exceed 50 credits and 65 credits for students of Architecture Department. The student must meet the residency requirement of at least two years at RTM-AKTU.
As RTM-AKTU’s all under-graduate degrees are for about four years duration. For each degree at least 126 credits are required. Students are responsible for meeting degree requirements. Before selecting the courses in each semester students should consult their academic advisor. The university reserves the right to bring in change into programs and curricula without notice whenever circumstances warrant such changes.
A minimum of 126 credits for a bachelor's degree out of which at least 65 must be earned at RTM-AKTU. Students must complete all course requirements for the degree including General education courses, non-major area courses, major area courses, elective courses, courses for double major or minor.
A student must complete the requisite number of credits of course work and meet other requirements depending on the program in which he/she is enrolled and must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.00.
A student must have clearance from RTM-AKTU Accounts, Library and Registrar's Office.
Fulfillment of the above conditions does not necessarily mean that a degree will be conferred on the student. The University reserves the right to refuse the awarding of degree on disciplinary or similar grounds.
The curriculum for degree requirements of graduate programs vary depending upon the degree offered.
Transfer of credits from institutions having equivalent curriculum grading system and grading standard may be allowed for a maximum of 30 credits provided that the student has obtained at least B+ grade(s) in the course(s) eligible for transfer. The university will consider applications for transfer of credit on a case-by-case basis.
The university follows modern teaching methods including interactive Internet, simulation, lab work, case analysis and field study. A special feature of RTM-AKTU teaching is the workshop/lab sessions designed to assist students in learning application of concepts and theories. The medium of instructions in RTM-AKTU is English.
The grades at the university will be indicated in the following manner:
90 - 100 = A (4.0) Excellent
85 - <90 = A- (3.7) --
80 - <85 = B+ (3.3) --
75 - <80 = B (3.0) Good
70 - <75 = B- (2.7) --
65 - <70 = C+ (2.3) --
60 - <65 = C (2.0) Fair
57 - <60 = C- (1.7) --
55 - <57 = D+ (1.3) --
52 - <55 = D (1.0) Poor
50 - <52 = D- (0.7) --
<50 -- -- = F (0.0) Failure
Grades without numerical value:
P: Pass
I: Incomplete
W: Withdrawal
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed in the following manner:
Sum of (Grade points H Credits)
GPA =------------------------------------
Sum of Credits attempted
Pass/Fail Option
A course may be taken for a pass/fail grade providing that the instructor approves the option and the student carries 12 credits for regular letter grades in that semester. Within the total credits required for a degree, a maximum of 16 credits may be taken for credit with pass/fail grading option. No more than 4 credits may be taken with the pass/fail grading option in any one semester. Departments may not approve the pass/fail grading option for some courses counting towards the major.
Incomplete Grade: An Incomplete (I) grade is assigned only when a student has failed to complete one or more requirements of the course for extreme medical conditions OR death in the immediate family during the semester and has applied for I grade. The students who are permitted to appear in Make up examination(s) will be assigned an 'I' grade for that course and this grade will stay until the student appears in the make up examination at the first available opportunity; if s/he fails to appear in the make up examination the 'I' grade will automatically be converted to 'F' grade.
Withdrawal (W): is assigned to a student who withdraws from the course within the deadline for withdrawal with W grade. A student who withdraws after this date will earn the grade based on his performance before his withdrawal. Exception to this rule may be made on medical ground and on terms and condition imposed by the University.
Review Procedure
The Committee on Academic Standard administers the grading regulation and reviews course grades submitted by Departments.
Academic Standing
Students are expected to maintain a consistently high standard in their academic work. They should be taking the requisite number of courses and maintain satisfactory grades in these courses. In particular students are expected to maintain a CGPA of 2.50 (both semester and cumulative), otherwise they will be put on probation for the following semester. If a student fails to maintain a CGPA of 2.50 in the two consecutive semesters then the university will review the student's record and recommend further action which may include withdrawing from the university.
Requirements for the Degree
For graduation, a student must complete the requisite number of credits of course work and meet other requirements depending on the program in which he/she is enrolled and must maintain a CGPA of 2.50. The University, however, reserves the right to refuse the awarding of degree on disciplinary or similar grounds.
Student Advising
When students first join the university, they are assigned an advisor, a faculty member who helps them in choosing their courses for the first year. Later students are assigned an advisor who then guides the student in choosing the courses of his/her major. Students will develop the direction of their study in consultation with their advisor.
Remedial Courses
Many students joining the university would be coming from Bangla medium schools and therefore would have to adjust to English as the medium of instruction. They may be asked to attend Remedial English courses during or proceeding the semester in which they take regular courses. Students from non-science background or who are weak in Mathematics may be asked to attend a remedial course in Mathematics. The University may ask the students to attend other remedial courses if necessary.
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