Concepts and Terms

The duration allocated for teaching according to the academic calendar, consisting of two regular academic semesters (fall and spring) and, when needed, a summer semester is provided.

An instructional period lasting for a minimum of 16 weeks, inclusive of examinations, except for the summer semester, which lasts for 8 weeks, including examinations.

A comprehensive description of the study plan, including the specialization’s mission, objectives, and a list of courses required to earn a university degree, along with their descriptions.

A comprehensive description of the study program at IUSR, including the specialization’s mission, objectives, and a list of courses required to earn a university degree, along with their descriptions.

The duration of one instructional hour (50 minutes) designated for a one theoretical lecture per week, or at least two practical hours per week, or their equivalent in laboratories, training, or workshops during one regular academic semester. Alternatively, two instructional hours per week for eight weeks during the summer semester. Each course is assigned a weighting factor representing its importance within the curriculum and the overall theoretical, practical, and applied academic activities within the study plan.

A course or a set of courses that a student must successfully complete before registering for another course, as specified in the study plan.

Academic courses that constitute at least 10% of the total credit hours in the academic program, with half of them being mandatory and the other half chosen by the student in agreement with the academic advisor

Academic courses that constitute no more than 30% of the total credit hours in the academic program, with 60% being mandatory and 40% chosen by the student in agreement with the academic advisor

Academic courses that constitute at least 60% of the total credit hours in the academic program, with two-thirds being mandatory and one-third chosen by the student in agreement with the academic supervisor

The number of credit hours a student registers for and attends weekly during one academic semester. The academic load ranges between 12-18 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and between 3-9 credit hours in the summer semester.

In certain cases, the number of registered hours can be increased to 21 credit hours during regular academic semesters in one of the following situations:

• If the student achieves a cumulative GPA of (4) points in the previous semester before the semester in which they are registering.
• If it is for the purpose of graduation after obtaining the approval of the academic advisor.
• Special cases evaluated by the university council based on the specific nature of each academic program.

It is the cornerstone relied upon in the credit hours system for teaching in the university’s programs. Its purpose is to introduce students to the curriculum, its courses, college regulations, and laws. It also aims to establish a relationship between students and faculty members that achieves the desired educational objectives.

An academic advisor is a faculty member appointed by the relevant administration in the college or institute to assist and guide the student in choosing their academic courses, implementing their academic plan, and monitoring their academic progress.

This falls under the jurisdiction of the administration and aims to introduce the student to The credit hours and teaching systems.

The student’s performance is evaluated at the end of each semester and is calculated as follows: the number of points awarded for the grade the student received in the course, multiplied by the number of credit hours for that course. Then, the points are added up for all the courses the student studied during that specific semester, and the result is divided by the total credit hours registered for that semester.

This is a cumulative measure of a student’s performance across consecutive semesters. Students have the option to retake any course in their study plan to improve their cumulative GPA, with the associated costs. The final grade is then calculated.

Academic warning is imposed on a student if their cumulative GPA falls below a certain threshold at the end of the semester (fall or spring). The warning continues until the student raises their cumulative GPA to the acceptable level, excluding the first semester. The summer semester is not considered in this case.

Academic probation is imposed if a student’s cumulative GPA drops repeatedly below a specific limit and the student has already received an academic warning.

Academic suspension entails depriving the student of their right to continue their studies at the university within the major they were studying.

Administrative dismissal is imposed on a student based on a decision from the Discipline Committee, approved by the university president, and results in the student losing their right to continue their studies at the university.

Transferred courses are courses accepted from other universities or colleges with different educational systems. The credit hours are counted towards the graduation requirements without considering their grades when calculating the student’s cumulative GPA, and they are marked with the designation “TC.”

Auditors are students who wish to attend classes without receiving credit hours. Auditing students are not allowed to take exams. Enrollment of auditing students is allowed if there are available spots, following the completion of registration for regular students.

The student transcript is a record of the student’s academic progress, including the courses taken in each semester with their codes, numbers, and the grades obtained. It also shows the symbols and values of those grades. The transcript includes the semester GPA, CGPA, and the overall assessment. Additionally, it lists the courses for which the transferred student has been exempted.