INTERNATIONAL BURCH UNIVERSITY SENATE Number: 338 08 IBU STUDYING RULES For the first study cycle at International Burch University GENERAL REGULATIONS Article 1. With these rules defined are the organization and performance of the first study cycle, advancement of students during the course degree, evalution of work by student, awarding the degree and diplomas, issuing the documents about course degree, as well as other issues of importance for finishing the first cycle study at International Burch University (hereinafter: Studying rules). Article 2. The first study cycle at International Burch University (hereinafter: University) is organized and realized in accordance with Law about high education of Sarajevo canton and in accordance with Studying rules which are based on Europian points transfer system (ECTS). ORGANIZATION OF DEGREE COURSE Article 3. University organizes and performs the degree course of the first cycle from scientific and professional fields for which it is accredited. Teaching at all departments and department sections of University, except the Department for oriental philology, is on English language. Teaching at the Department for oriental philology, direction Turkish language and literature at Education faculty is on Turkish language. Degree programs are divided into study years and semesters. In accordance with ECTS the scope of degree program amounts to 60 ECTS points in one study year, i.e., 30 ECTS in one semester. One point refers to 25 30 hours of work of a student in a total fund of burdening the student which is predicted by teaching curriculum. 1
Number of points for individual subject (course) is determined according to number of hours of teaching (theoretical and / or practical teaching, exercises, seminars and similar),time of work of a student at independent tasks (homework, projects, seminar papers and similar) and time for learning at preparation for knowledge testing and grading (tests, preliminary exams, final exam). Duration of degree course Article 4. The first cycle of degree course at academic degree programs for acquiring the diploma for academic the first cycle of degree course lasts three study years, i.e., 180 ECTS points, or four years which means 240 ECTS points. Article 5. Student who passed all exams which are predicted for the enrolled degree program and who fulfilled all other obligations which are regulated with the Rules/ Statute of University and with these Rules acquires the diploma of the first cycle of degree course with suitable degree program (180 points for degree course lasting three years, i.e., 240 points for degree course lasting four years). Together with the diploma of the first cycle of degree course issued is the addition of diploma (Supplement) with the purpose of more detailed insight ino the level, nature, contents, system and rules of studying, as well as achieved results during degree course. Structure of degree progrm Article 6. Degree program contains general and special conditions which student has to satisfy for acquiring certain knowledge, and specially the following: 1. Presentation of obligatory and optional subjects (courses) per study years and semesters; 2. Number of hours of individual burdening of a student per subject (course); 3. Number of ECTS points for each subject (course); 4. Other forms of teaching which are intended for acquiring and advancement of professional knowledge and skills (seminars, thematic clinics, debate classess, practical work and others); 5. Presentation of obligatory conditions for attending the classes and taking the exams from subjects (courses); 6. Presentation of modules and blocks if classes are organized in such way; 7. The final paper (diploma paper), if the same one is planned. Article 7. 2
Degree program is shown in a form of tables or diagram. Data about subject (course) include the following: 1. Name of the subject (course) and appropriate code for easier identification of the subject (course); 2. Short description of program of the subject (course) which enables understanding of its content by student and other potential partners; 3. Estimation of the level of subject (course) which means clear specification of necessary previous knowledge (stating the subjects (courses) which are needed to be previously passed and recommendation of literature which is needed to be used for preparation), set goals and list of literature; 4. Statement about obligatory and optional subject (courses); 5. Name(s) of teachers and collaborators; 6. Time of duration of classes year of study, semester, weekly number of hours, place of subject (couse) in a total review (diagram of study structure); 7. Method of classes and understanding the matter lectures, consultations, exercises, laboratory exercises, seminars, field work and similar, with number of weekly hours and total number of weeks for certain activity; 8. Way of taking the exam and duration time of an exam forms of knowledge testing during classes, their frequency and evaluation of practical work and other forms of individual work (seminar papers, projects and other), way and terms for taking the examination; 9. ECTS points predicted for certain subject (course) (ECTS credit allocation), in accordance with general settings of ECTS, with specification of number of points for important activities which are predicted with the program of subject (course) (laboratory work, field work). Organization of classes Article 8. Study year is organized in two semesters: winter and summer semester. Classes in winter semester starts on the third Monday in September and the same one lasts 16 weeks (15 weeks of continuous activities plus seven working days for the final exam). Remedial teaching and makeup exams after winter semester last four weeks the longest. Verification of the winter semester and admission into summer semester last up to two weeks. Classes in summer semester starts on the third Monday in February and lasts 16 eeks (15 weeks of continuous activities plus seven working days for the final exam). Remedial teaching and makeup exams after summer semester last four weeks the longest. Summer holiday, summer school, summer university and other visions of activities of higher education institution last at least eight weeks. Verification of summer semester and admission into winter semester last up to two weeks. 3
Article 9. Classes is organized and performed according to defined schedule of hours. University is obliged to announce the schedule of hours the latest 10 days before commencement of classes. Schedule of hours include the folloing: - Name of degree program, - Study year, - Name of the subject (course), - Time (day, hour) of classes, - Place of classes, - Teachers and possible other instructions about clases. Article 10. For each subject (course) teacher defines the plan of work and he is obliged to send the same one to assistant dean/ dean for classes, at latest 15 days before the commencement of lectures. Teacher of a subject is obliged to introduce the students, at the first class, with the plan of work at subject (course). Students have right at abstract from plan of work in a written form. Upon determining the plans attention should be paid to match the terms for taking the preliminary examinations and final examinations, so that two preliminary examinations, or two final examinations can not be organized in one day, about which assistant dean for classes takes care. Preliminary exam is organized in terms defined for performance of classes from subjects from which taking the preliminary examination is planned. Article 11. Tasks predicted for individual work of a student (seminar paper, homework, graphical, projects and others) must be equally distributed during a semester. Total scope of these tasks must be matched with burdening which is predicted at subject, in accordance with ECTS. Teacher is obliged during the classes to help students at production of independent tasks and at preparation for taking the exam, through organizing the consultations. 4
Terms and time for consultations need to be matched with classes so that the same ones are available to students. Change of schedule of hours and plan of work during classes is not allowed according to rule. If there is a need for change (because of illness of teacher or similar) assistant dean for classes determines the replacement. Article 12. Individual forms of classes can be organized in form distance learning (distance learning, virtual teaching), but the exams have to be made in place of instituition seat. Practical work and professionl practice can be organized and performed as an integral part of regular classes or as a separate unit. Degree programs can anticipate activities from corporal and helth culture as an integral part of regular classes or as an optional content. Registration of subjects (courses) and evidence Article 13. Student registers subjects (courses) which he needs to listen and from which he needs to take examinations in the next study year, three weeks before the commencement of classes in winter semester, and for the first study year student registers the subjects (courses) after the enrollment. Selection of the subject (course) is done until burdening of 30 ECTS points for semester and 60 ECTS points for a year, except in cases in which it is otherwise defined with these rules. Article 14. Student can apply to listen the subjects (courses) which he did not pass from the previous semester, as well as subjects (courses) from the next semester of study cycle for which he fulfilled the conditions predicted with the rules of degree program. Upon the expiration of terms which are predicted for registration of subjects (courses) formed are the lists of students per subjects (courses) for the next study year and the same ones are announced at notice board of Faculty for each degree program and subject (course). Subjects (courses) which student registered can not be changed after their verification. Article 15. 5
Data about registered burdening are recorded in evidence booklet of a student. Form and the contents of evidence booklet of a student is defined with the special act of teching scientific council. Burdening at repeated subjects for full time student can be the biggest 1/3 of the total number of ECTS points for semester of degree course. Repeated registration of subjects (courses) Article 16. In case of change of degree program or subject (course), student who is repeating the classes is obliged to accept the occurred changes. Verification of semester and year Article 17. At the end of semester and study year verified is the evidence booklet of student with writing the number of achieved ECTS points per semesters in total. Verification of semester and year is obligatory for all students. On the basis of verified semester and year confirmed is how much ECTS points student achieved with which enabled is the utilization of regulated student rights. Evaluation of classes Article 18. Controling the successfulness of classes is done with questioning the students. Questionarie is anonimous. Representative of students and assistant dean for classes are responsible for questionarie. Other members of academic staff and students who are appointed by Vice Chancellor and representative body of students can participate in this questionarie. Questionnarie is done immediately upon finishing the semester. Questionnarie can also be done during a semester upon the proposal by representative body of students at University. Article 19. 6
Decision about questioning the students, terms for its carrying out, content and way of processing the questionnaire, as well as the instruction about carrying out the questionnaire is made by Senate. The final data about grade for each subject (course) are written in the personnal file of a teacher. Teacher who is selected into academic title for the first time, as well as a teacher who is giving the lectures from some subjects (courses) for the first time, has a right to request for data in the first year of his classes not to be written in file. Dean is obliged to invite for discussion teacher whose grades are significantly below the average, points him to his lacks and proposes ways for removal of that lcks. ADVANCEMENT DURING STUDY Status of a student Article 20. Status of student is acquired with enrollment into suitable degree program. Upon enrollment into a study year student decides for predicted part of degree program with the scope of 30 ECTS points for semester, i.e., 60 points for a year. Contract about studying is concluded with each student with which regulated are mutual rights and obligations. Article 21. Status of a student is also recognized for a student who is coming from some other university if he fulfills the regulated criteria for that status. In that case time for studying at other university is calculated into total duration of study. Mobility at University and between Universities Article 22. Student can be enabled to go from one degree program to another degree program under the conditions which are defined by Senate or teaching scientific council. Right for transfer can be realized before the commencement of classes. Against the request for change of degree course or degree program submitted are the documents about achieved success at degree course, i.e., degree program from which student is coming. Time for studying at degree program from which student is coming is calculated into total duration of degree course. Article 23. 7
Student who passed the exam at other degree program, passed exam is recognized for him if subject (curse) from which he passed the exam, per its content and scope corresponds to subject (course) which student enrolled, what is proved with documents predicted with ECTS rules. If subject (course) from which exam is passed, per its content and scope approximately corresponds to subject (course) which student enrolled, teacher can recognize the exam in completeness if he estimated that student, through done and passed program, acquired knowledge and skills in an extent which is enough for recognition of exams. With recognition of exams recognized is also grade with which student is graded at the exam. Number of points of recognized exam is defined in accordance with ECTS rules. If there is a difference in teaching curriculum of passed subjects, defined is the appropriate difference of a subject or part of a subject for which student is obliged to take examination and pass. Student is obliged, in his further education at University, to pass the defined difference of exams and to acquire the number of credit points predicted for enrollment into next study years in accordance with regulations of these rules. After the finalization of procedure for recognition of passed exams student, who came from other degree course, is defined status of a student at University. Article 24. Students moving from other Universities is done in accordance with Bolognia principles and ECTS system of points. Student submits the request for moving against verified teaching curriculum of passed subjects (just for students outside the University) and certificate about passed exams at University the latest fifteen days before commencement of classes. Student who is moving is obliged to submit until the defined term the following: withdrawal from University from which he is leaving, original documents and index (record book). Decision about approval for moving is made by dean. Article 25. Student has a right to spend some certain time during the degree course (semester or study year) at other higher education institution in country or abroad, through international programs for exchange of students or on the basis of bilateral agreements between universities. In accordance with the contract which student concludes with University he is recognized achieved umber of points. Exchange of students does not mean issuing of diploma, i.e., acquiring the degree by University at which student is staying if, with the contract, concluded between universities, issuing of common diploma, i.e. recognition of degree is not defined. 8
Article 26. With the request for staying at other higher education institution submitted are the original documents predicted with ECTS rules for change of place for studying, and specially the following: - Form for registration of a student at other higher education institution; - Contract about studying at other higher education institution - Transcript of grades - Informative package. Forms of documents from the item one of this article are printed out with these rules and make its integral part. Article 27. Tasks in relation with administrative and academic aspects of ECTS (informing the students, assistance at preparation of documents, assistance at including guest students into education program) are performed by ECTS coordinators of degree programs at Faculty. Article 28. Student who stayed at other university can return to degree program of University which he started and regulations of these rules are applied at his status. Adjournment of status of a student Article 29. Rights and obligations of students can be in adjournment because of the reasons predicted with these Rules and Rules of University. Upon the cessation of reasons because of which student requested adjournment, student continues with degree course according to valid education program. Article 30. Rights and obligations of student are in adjournment: For time indicated in positive by state body; During pregnancy period and until a child is 1 year old; Because of constant hospital treatment in duration of at least one semester (which is proved with confirmation and medical documentation); 9
If he enrolls the same degree program of university abroad, according to procedure which is predicted with ECTS rules about enrollment at other university (only obligations are in adjournment); Because of special reasons of personal nature. Article 31. Request for adjournment of rights and obligations is submitted before the commencement of adjournment and after enrolled study year at which student will use that right. Exceptionaly, request for adjournment on the basis of hospital decision or pregnancy can be submitted during a study year. Decision upon the request for adjournment of rights and obligations of student is made by dean of organization unit. Continuation of degree course after exclusion Article 32. Aftr expiration of a period for which student is excluded student has a right to continue with degree course. Decisions upon the request by student are made by dean of Faculty. If new enrollment is approved, student is obliged to continue with degree course according to degree program which is valid in study year in which student continues with degree course. EVALUATION OF WORK OF STUDENT Controling the work of student Article 33. Work and knowledge of student is controlled and graded continuously during semester and at the final exam. Teacher of a subject is obliged to introduce, at the first class, the students with the forms of controlling the work, terms for knowledge testing, character and contents of the final exam, structure of the total number of points and way of forming the grade. Students are given the points for each separated way of work checking and grade for knowledge in accordance with ECTS rules. 10
Article 34. Teacher is obliged to announce to students the results about the number of achieved points after each testing, as well as the total number of points which student achieved from beginning of classes in public. In the structure of total number of points, at least 50% must be predicted for activity and knowledge testing during semester. Upon the request by student teacher is obliged to explain in details the grade for his work. Article 35. Presence at lectures and exercises is obligatory for all students. Teachers and collaborators keep the evidence about presence of students at classes which, at the end of semester, they send to student administration. Evidence from item 2 of this article is kept in unique way for every subject. Students can justify their absence with suitable justifications which they send to student administration at University. Student who does not fulfill the obligations which are predicted with the Statute and this Rule book can not take the examination. The final exam at subjects (courses) Article 36. Teacher of subject is obliged to introduce, at the first class, students with way of taking the final exam (in a written form and oral), as well as with the terms for final exams (the basic ones and makeup exams). The final exam can, in structure of points, be evaluated with the most 50% of the total number of points. Grading Article 37. Teacher of subject writes the results of testing the work and knowledge of student during classes into booklet of work of a student. After finishing with the classes and after the final exam teacher defines the total number of achieved points and he forms the final grade for each student. Teacher writes the total number of achieved points and the final grade into the common list of students and sends the same one to assistant dean for classes of organization unit. Grades which are verified by principal of Department are written into evidence booklet of a student. Grading and evaluation is done in accordance with ECTS scale of grades: A, B, C, D, E and F. 11
Article 38. Passing grades are: A, B, C, D and E, and according to ECTS scale they have the following meaning: 10 (A) (extraordinary success with insignificant mistakes) has 95 200 points, 9 (B) (above the average, with some mistakes) has 85 94 points, 8 (C) (average, with noticeable mistakes), has 75 84 points, 7 (D) (generaly good, but with significant lacks) has 65 74 points, 6 (E) (satisfies minimal criteria), has 55 64 points, 5 (F, FX) (does not satisfy minimal criteria and needed is much more work) less than55 points. In case that neither of students achieve 95 points, which means the minimum for grade 10, scale from the previous item can be corrected according to the best achieved success at the first examination term. Article 39. Ways of knowledge testing of student can be in a written form, oral and practical. Testing of knowledge is according to rule conducted in a written form and the same one is done through test or written work. Results of written part of an exam must be announced within five days from day of taking the exam with obligatory announcement of a term in which student can have an insight into his work. All ways of knowledge testing are open to public. Written exams of student are kept until the end of study year. Higher education institution is obliged to organize and define the terms for taking the exams so that student can be burdened with at most one exam on the same day. Article 40. The final exam in accordance wih teaching curriculum is made within the last week of classes or in the first week after finished classes. Student who does not pass the fiinal exam can take the makeup exam from the subject which he did not pass at the end of one semester, i.e., study year. Between the final and makeup exam academic personnal will, against consultations with students, and according to need, agains giving the remedial instructions, help student to prepare himself for taking the makeup exam. Article 41. 12
If less than 50 % students passed the exam who regularly attended the classes and who passed the final exam, teacher is obliged to make consultations with students before makeup final exam. Article 42. Student did not pass the exam if he did not win the minimal number of points which teacher predicted for passing grade in accordance with teaching curriculum. If student did not win the minimal number of points for passing grade even in makeup term he must register for reattendance of classes in the next study year. Taking the examinations in front of Commission upon the request by student Article 43. Student who is not satisfied with achieved grade at the exam can, within 24 hours after announcement of a grade, request in a written form to repeat the exam in front of Commission. Request for repeating the exam from the item (1) of this article must be explained. Dean, i.e., director of higher education institution appoints the chairman and two members of commission within 24 hours from receipt of request from the item (1) of this article if he sees that the request has basis for doing so. Teacher of a subject with whose grade student was not satisfied can not be chairman of commission, and one member of commission must be a teacher of other subject, but from the same or similar field. Dean, i.e, director of higher education institution defines the term for taking the exam within three days from day of submitting the basic request by student. In case of request from item 1 of this article, written exam or written part of exam will not be repeated in front of commission, but commission will exmine and grade again the existing written work, while repeating the oral exam or oral part of exam in front of commission is obligatory. Commission is also giving grades for other activities which sudent had been doing during the realization of classess. Commission defines the grade on the basis of written exam and work during classes, if exam is being taken just in a written form, and decision is made with majority of votes. Complaint can be lodged against decision by commission and the same one is submitted to dean within 24 hours from announcement of decision by commission. Student can request exam in front of commission the most two times during one study year. 13
Article 44. In case that teacher of particular subject is unable to give the final exam, organization and final exam is given to another teacher from the same or similar field by dean or appointed is the commission. Commission has at least three members. Article 45. Teachers from the same or similar fields can be appointed in commission. Commission makes decision about grade with majority of votes. Decision by commission is final. Commission sends to dean of faculty minutes about progress of exam and grade. (Moving to next study year) Article 46. Student can transfer the most six six (E)CTS study points credits into the next year of degree course within one cycle of degree course, or the most one not passed exam if the same one holds more than six (E)CTS study points credits. Student who is repeating study year is obliged to attend again the realization of classess from the subjects which he did not pass. Student who did not fulfill his obligations from the contract about regulation of mutual rights and obligations towards University can not enroll the next semester or year until he fulfills taken over obligations. Verification of semester and study year Article 47. Verification of semester and study year is obligatory for all students. On the basis of verified semester and study year defined is the number of (E)CTS study pointscredits which student achieved. Preparatory school of English language 14
Article 48. At higher education institutions faculties of International Burch University organized are clasess of Preparatory school of English language in duration of one year, i.e., two semesters. Article 49. Duration of Preparatory school of English language lasts one year, i.e., two semesters after which organized is the final exm. Article 50. Students who pass the final exam acquire conditions for attendance at the first year of regular degree course in accordance with teaching curriculum. Article 51. Exam for testing the knowledge from English language is possible to be organized at the end of the first semester of Preparatory school of English language for students who have more advanced knowledge of English language. Article 52. Students who do not pass the final exam which is organized at the end of school year or at the end of the first semester, prolong their status for one more cycle which is described with the above stated articles. Article 53. Students of Preparatory school of English language have status of full time students and they are registered in registry book of students of department which students indicate in registration material upon enrollment at higher education institutions faculty of International Burch University. Article 54. Registration into student registry book is done with the remark student is attending the classess at Preparatory school of English language. 15
The final paper (diploma paper) Article 55. The final paper (diploma paper) represents the independent professional analysis of the certain problem. With the final (diploma paper) student proves that he overwhelmed the subject which is given to him on the basis of knowledge which he acquired during degree course, that he analysed the subject according to predicted methodology, that he knows how to use literature and terminology, as well as to state it correctly. Article 56. The theme of the final (diploma) paper is selected from obligatory subjects which are included in degree program. Possible themes of the final (diploma) papers are proposed by teachers of particular subjects. Exceptionaly, student can be approved the theme of the final (diploma) paper which he himself proposes, with previous consultation with teacher at which he wants to do the final (diploma) paper. Literature is stated with each theme of the final (diploma) paper. Article 57. The final (diploma) paper is registered to competent service at Faculty. Student acquires right to register the final (diploma) paper when burdening of the subjects (courses) and predicted burdening, on the basis of the final (diploma) paper, does not exceed 30 ECTS points. Registration of the final (diploma) paper includes the following data: Name of theme, Subject (course), Date of registration form and signature of mentor. Filled and signed registration form is verified and put into file of student. Article 58. In study year teacher can take maximally 10 (ten) final (diploma) papers for degree programs from social sciences. Article 59. Student can change the theme of the final (diploma) paper just once within 30 days from day of approving the first theme. 16
Article 60. Student writes the final (diploma) paper on his own. Teacher is obliged to control the work of student, help him with giving the advices and saying him what literature to use. Article 61. Stdent forms the final (diploma) paper in concept with all accompanying parts. Concept is given to teacher for his insight and examination of the same one. Student is obliged to act according to instructions and remarks given by teacher, otherwise paper is being given back for further analysis. Teacher is obliged to examine the paper and to return it back with a comment at latest within three weeks from day of handing over the paper. Article 62. After passed final exam student can within 10 days check in competent service at Faculty the possible discrepancies in his own evidence booklet. Student hands over at least 5 (five) copies of the final (diploma) paper to competent service of university unit. After handing over the paper in requested number of copies, upon the proposal by mentor, dean forms the commission and scheduled is the defence. Commission consists of mentor, chairman and at least one member. Data about defence are announced at notice board of organization unit. At least 5 (five) days must pass from day of handing over the paper until its defence. Article 63. Covers of the final (diploma) paper include the following text: At the top: INTERNATIONAL BURCH UNIVERSITY faculty place In the middle : Name and surname of student. Title of paper. Subtitle: FINAL PAPER (DIPLOMA PAPER) At The bottom: Place, year. Article 64. 17
The first sheet: At the top: INTERNATIONAL BURCH UNIVERSITY faculty In the middle: Title of paper. Subtitle: FINAL PAPER (DIPLOMA PAPER) Row below (left): Subject. Name and surname of mentor Row below (right): Name and surname of student, Direction, Identification number. At the bottom: Place, month, year. Article 65. Content of paper is analysed through the following chapters: 1. Introduction; 2. Content; 3. Text of paper, divided into logic chapters and subchapters. At the end of paper given are conclusions, list of literature and sources in accordance with adopted standard, list of enclosures, tables, pictures, diagrams and other. Article 66. Defense of the final (diploma) paper consists of the oral statement of results of a paper and explanation of separated conclusions, as well as answers onto questions set by commission in relation with results of a paper and conclusions. If student does not satisfy at the defence of the final (diploma) paper he has a right to request to be allowed to select new theme within the same or another subject. The final (diploma) paper and defence are estimated with the unique grade exexcellent (A) or insufficient (B). Grade is given with the majority of votes of members of commission. DOCUMENTS ABOUT STUDY Diploma Article 67. Diploma about finished first cycle of degree course is signed by dean and Vice Chancellor. Supplement of diploma is signed by dean. Diploma is handed over at solemn ceremony and the same one can exceptionally be handed over in other circumstances. Other documents Article 68. 18
Students are sending all requests and demands to competent service at Faculty in a written form. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL REGULATIONS Application of studying rules Article 69. These rules are applied from generation of students who are enrolling into the first study year 2008/09. Article 70. Student of generation (with average of grades A and B) from the item 2 of this article can take the exams in January, July and September term. These studying rules at the first cycle degree course are the integral part of Rules of Faculty. Article 71. Managing board is authorized for the interpretation of the regulations of these Rules and other general acts of University. Coming into force Article 72. These studying rules come into force on day of their making Sarajevo 17.12.2008. Deliver to: 1x Faculties 1x Archive 1x Notice board 1x www.ibu.edu.ba Vice Chancellor 19
Hüseyin Padem, Ph.D 20