The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Semester scheme for degree courses approved

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 28, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Semester scheme for degree courses approved

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, APRIL 27. The Bangalore University Academic Council today approved the semester scheme for all B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. degree courses conducted by its affiliated colleges from the academic year 2004-05.

The courses will be run over a period of three years (six semesters).

According to the approved regulations and scheme of examination, the subjects of study under the Faculty of Sciences are combinations of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Zoology, Botany, Statistics, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Computer Science, Home Science, and such other subjects that may be permitted by the university from time to time.

Combinations of the subjects offered under the Faculty of Arts, as per the regulations, are: History, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminology, Ancient History, Archaeology, Linguistics, Music, Journalism, Geography, Anthropology, Mathematics, Statistics, and other subjects permitted by the university from time to time.

Languages: Besides, under Part I, the students will be required to study two languages including English and any one of the following languages: Kannada, Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, or Urdu. Foreign nationals will have to study English and any one of the Indian languages, or Persian, Arabic, Optional English, French, German, Latin, Russian, or Japanese.

Candidates who obtain at least 40 per cent marks (35 per cent in theory) in the aggregate in theory, practical, and internal assessment put together in each subject will be eligible for a pass. Classes and ranks will be declared on the basis of the aggregate marks obtained by the candidates in the optional subjects in all the six semesters of the degree courses taken as a whole. However, only those candidates who have passed each semester examination in the first attempt will be eligible for award of ranks. Only the first 10 ranks will be notified.

Candidates will be permitted to improve the results of the whole examination or those of any semester or any subject within 30 days of publication of results.

A candidate who joins the 1st semester of a degree course should complete it within six years from the year of joining. If not, the student will have to join the course afresh, according to the regulations.

Training for teachers: The university has set aside Rs. 20 lakh under its outreach programme for training teachers in the new semester courses and examinations. "Any teacher from any college under the university could approach us, and we will train them on a priority basis," the Vice-Chancellor, M.S. Thimmappa, said.

For law students: The Academic Council allowed candidates of the old scheme LL.B. course to clear their pending subjects in the May 2004 examinations provided the date of their admission to 1st year LL.B is within the 10-year limit stipulated by the university.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law had stated that the candidates who were admitted in the academic year 1994-95 and thereafter could be permitted to take the May 2004 examinations. Those who were admitted during 1994-95 should complete the course before December 2004.

Since the old scheme had been abolished by the university, students within the 10-year period could take the equivalent subject in the new scheme and appear for the examination.

The matter caused a stir at the Academic Council meeting on Tuesday, with the Registrar, Anup Pujari, terming the provision of the 10-year rule as "retrograde."

He said the university had scrapped the rule in its 2002 circular and replaced it with a regulation that the failed student should clear a subject in three attempts.

Mr. Pujari said the High Court had appreciated the university's circular. Going back to it now would be a retrograde step, he felt.

However, many Council members wanted the candidates to be given another chance to clear their failed subjects.

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