The Council of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschulrat),

Transcription

1 Translation of Academic Regulations for the Bachelor s Degree Programs in Business Administration and Business Law at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences This is a non-binding, unofficial translation of the original German version, Rahmenprüfungsordnung für Bachelor- und Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the ZHAW School of Management and Law takes no responsibility for any remaining omissions and/or mistakes. The legally binding document is the original German version, which shall prevail in any case of doubt or differences of interpretation. Please note that English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation or the Canton of Zurich. This document is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force. Original German version dated 9 January 008; Version The Council of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschulrat), based on 0 (c) of the Federal Act on Universities of Applied Sciences of April 007, decides the following: Section : General Requirements These General Examination Regulations regulate the requirements for Bachelor s and Master s degree programs offered by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW). They do not apply to programs of continuing education. Purpose reserved. Special regulations from agreements with other universities are The ZHAW Executive Board issues academic regulations which set out the requirements for individual degree programs and their performance assessments. These must be approved by the Council of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Fachhochschulrat). A course is a teaching unit which takes a maximum of one semester to complete. Academic Regulations Definitions a. Course their courses. The students are required to complete performance assessments in 4 A module is a teaching unit with a specific focus in terms of subject or content. It consists of one or several courses. b. Module A module takes a maximum of one semester to complete. The academic regulations may grant exceptions for practical teaching units such as internships or traineeships as well as for the Master s thesis. assessment. To complete a module, the students must pass a performance 5 Modules can be combined to form module groups. The module group performance is calculated based on a student s c. Module Groups

2 performance in the individual modules of that group. 6 The purpose of module categories is to: a. Structure a degree program s subject areas b. Distribute the available credits to areas of competency d. Module Categories Academic regulations can assign credits to module categories. 7 Module types include: a. Modules which must be completed by all the students of a degree program (compulsory modules) b. Modules of which a specified number must be selected from a list (compulsory electives) c. Modules which students may enroll in on a voluntary basis (electives) e. Module Types The academic regulations specify which modules belong to which module type and what requirements must be met to complete them. 7a ZHAW can offer interdisciplinary modules (related to two or more degree programs). The ZHAW Executive Board regulates the general conditions applicable to students taking such modules. 8 Academic achievement is calculated according to the guidelines provided by the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Interdisciplinary Modules Credit System One ECTS credit is the equivalent of 5-0 hours of student work. 9 A student who passes a module will be awarded the number of credits which have been assigned to it in the academic regulations. Award of Credits Section : Degree Program A. General Requirements 0 It is the students responsibility to a. structure their own learning throughout the degree program b. take note of the information made available to them The program management provides adequate student counseling for each degree program. A student s academic performance can be achieved by full-time or part-time study in accordance with the academic regulations. The same level of academic performance is required in both cases. Program Structure / Student Counseling Full- or Part- Time Study Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

3 The Dean of the school may issue program schedules. Program Schedules The program management issues module and course descriptions containing, in particular, the following information: a. Competencies to be acquired b. Number of credits to be awarded c. Admission requirements d. Requirements for passing the module/course e. Type, form, and scope of performance assessments The module and course descriptions are made publically available. Module and Course Descriptions 4 In order to be enrolled in a module, students must register by the registration deadline. By enrolling in a module, the students automatically register for its performance assessments and are thus required to complete them. Cases falling under 7 are reserved. Registration for Modules and Performance Assessments The students module registrations are processed and decided on by the program management processes once the registration deadline has expired. 5 During the registration period students may withdraw from a module without having to give a reason. Withdrawal from Modules The program management decides on withdrawals from modules after the registration deadline has expired. 6 After the registration deadline has expired, the program management decides whether the compulsory electives and electives will take place. If a module is cancelled, students are entitled to register late for other compulsory electives or electives and will be admitted subject to availability. 7 Up until four weeks prior to the start of the semester, students may apply for dispensation from a module or course and for their previous achievements to be taken into consideration. The program management will approve such an application in the following cases: Cancellation of compulsory electives and electives Consideration of Previous Knowledge/ Achievements a. If the student can produce evidence of sufficient knowledge of the module or course content b. If the student can produce evidence that the necessary achievement has been achieved elsewhere Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

4 If the dispensation from a particular teaching unit has been granted, the required performance assessments do not have to be completed. If a dispensation from a teaching unit has been granted, it will not be graded or taken into consideration in calculating the overall grade. 8 If a student changes to another ZHAW degree program, his or her achievements in accordance with the requirements for the new degree program will be transferred. These requirements may provide for the transfer of grades. 9 The academic regulations specify the period during which credits may still be transferred. 0 The program management is responsible for the content, performance assessments, and the performance evaluation of the modules. The admission requirements of a particular module are set out in its module descriptions. A course of studies is considered to have been terminated early if the student in question withdraws or is excluded from a degree program. Transfer to another Degree Program Transfer of Credits Module Coordinator Admission to Modules Early Termination Notification of a student s wish to withdraw from a degree program must be made in writing and submitted by the end of the previous semester. If such a notification is submitted late, the student must pay the semester fee. Students are entitled to take a leave of absence. The Office Undergraduate Programs must be notified by the student of his or her intention to take a leave of absence no later than four weeks prior to the start of the semester. Leave of Absence A leave of absence is for a minimum of one semester. Students may be absent for a total of four semesters throughout their course of study. Students remain enrolled in the ZHAW while they are on a leave of absence. The leave of absence does not count towards the length of the degree program. B. Bachelor s Degree Program 4 The ZHAW awards the academic degree of a Bachelor of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (UAS) (Zürcher Fachhochschule (ZFH)). Title of Bachelor 4 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

5 regulations. The details and the exact terminology are set out in the academic 5 Admission to a Bachelor s degree program is regulated by federal and cantonal university edicts. Admission a. In General requirements. The academic regulations may specify additional admission 6 In the case of prospective students who are not admitted without an entrance examination, The ZHAW may administer entrance examinations according to federal specification. b. Entrance Examination third party. The administration of entrance examinations may be delegated to a The academic regulations specify the details. 7 The academic regulations can provide special procedures for confirming the aptitude of prospective students. Aptitude Test institution. The administration of aptitude tests may be transferred to an external 8 A Bachelor s degree program is usually divided into a. an assessment level (approx. 60 credits) b. a main study program (approx. 0 credits) 9 The ZHAW awards the title of Bachelor to students who a. have acquired a minimum of 80 credits b. have acquired a minimum of 60 credits at the ZHAW c. have completed their Bachelor s thesis at the ZHAW Bachelor s Degree Programs Award of Bachelor s Degree C. Master s Degree Programs 0 The ZHAW awards the academic degree of a Master of the Zurich Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (UAS) (Zürcher Fachhochschule (ZFH) to students who have successfully completed a Master s degree program. The details and the specific terminology are set out in the academic regulations. Title of Master The ZHAW may collaborate with partner institutions to jointly offer a 5 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

6 Master s degree program and award a joint Master title. A prerequisite for admission to a Master s degree program is the completion of a Bachelor s degree program or an equivalent qualification. Admission The admission requirements for the Master s degree programs are set out in the academic regulations. They can provide special requirements and demand evidence of relevant knowledge and abilities if not already acquired in the course of a Bachelor s degree program. Individual cases are decided by the program management. The academic regulations set out the modules which have to be completed in a Master s degree program. The ZHAW awards the Master title to graduates of a Master s degree program who Master s Degree Programs Award of Master s Degree a. have acquired the required number of credits in the course of their Master s degree program b. have acquired at least one third of their credits at the ZHAW c. have completed their Master s thesis at the ZHAW 0 credits. To complete a Master s degree program, students must acquire 90 to Section : Examinations and Other Performance Assessments A. General Requirements 4 The performance assessments of courses and modules are completed in the form of individual or group work. Performance Assessments Performance assessments include, in particular: a. written or oral examinations b. written work (papers), exercises, and reports c. project work d. presentations e. the completion of courses of modules that are pass or fail only f. the qualification of a practical training unit g. status reviews (Standortgespräche) h. the Bachelor s thesis i. the Master s thesis The duties of examiners/experts are set out in academic regulations. 6 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

7 5 If a student has failed to attend/complete a performance assessment without a valid reason, he or she is considered to have failed it. If a grade is required, the student will receive a. Missed Performance Assessments a. Without Valid Reason If no grade is required, the student will be awarded a not passed. 6 If a student who has failed to attend/complete performance assessment can produce a valid reason, the performance assessment must be completed at the next possible occasion. Valid reasons include force majeure, illness, military service, accident, death, or a family emergency. b. With Valid Reason The program management must be notified at the earliest opportunity of the reason that has prevented the student from completing the performance assessment. In case of doubt, the program management will decide. If a student has completed a performance assessment, he or she may not afterwards justify the level of his or her achievement by any known or obvious obstacles that may have affected it. 4 If a performance assessment is interrupted, 5 and 6 (-) apply, or apply by analogy. 7 In cases where there is a valid reason why a student has missed a performance assessment, the program management may set a replacement assessment task and define how it must be completed. If no replacement assessment task is set, missed performance assessments that were missed for a valid reason must be completed at the next possible regular occasion. 8 The program management gives advanced notice of any resources whose use is permitted for completing a performance assessment. 9 A student who engages in dishonest behavior while completing a performance assessment is considered to have failed that performance assessment. If the performance assessment needs to be graded, he or she will be awarded a. Replacement Assessments (for performance assessments missed for a valid reason) Permitted Resources Dishonesty a. General Consequences Dishonest behavior includes the following: a. Making use of resources that are not permitted, by bringing them along or using them during an examination 7 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

8 b. Illicit sharing information during an examination c. Disobeying invigilators instructions d. Plagiarizing sources or using sources inappropriately In severe cases, the program management may declare that the student in question has failed the entire course, module, module group, assessment period, or degree program. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated. 40 If a graduate s dishonest behavior is discovered at a later stage, the Dean may, at the request of the program management, deprive him or her of his or her title or order one of the consequences in accordance with 9 () or (). 4 Performance is graded on a scale from 6 to. The following grading scale is used: a. 6 very good b. 5 good c. 4 sufficient d. insufficient e. poor f. very poor b. Dishonesty Discovered Later Evaluation System a. In General A performance assessment that needs to be graded is considered to be passed if the student has reached a 4. 4 Instead of a grade, a performance assessment may also obtain a pass or fail grade. 4 A course grade is calculated from the average of the performance assessments of a course that need to be graded. Quarter grades are permitted. b. Course Grades The course descriptions specify how the individual performance assessments are to be weighted within a course. 4 Module grades are calculated from the average of the course grades and a module evaluation, if applicable. Module grades are rounded to two decimal points. c. Module Grades and ECTS Grades The module descriptions specify how the individual course grades are weighted within a module. The academic regulations can provide for ECTS grades to be issued. 8 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

9 44 The module group grade is calculated from the average of the module grades of a module group. The module group grade is rounded to two decimal points. d. Module Group Grades How the module grades are weighted within a module group is set out in the academic regulations. If a student has passed a module group, all the modules of that module group are considered to have been passed. 45 The performance assessments of a module or a module group that has been passed cannot be repeated. 46 A student who has not passed a module must repeat the performance assessments of that module in accordance with the academic regulations. 47 is reserved. 47 The academic regulations can provide for resit exams or revision. The program management stipulates the details. Repetition of Performance Assessments a. Passed Modules b. Failed Modules Resit Exams and Revised Exams A resit exam or revision does not constitute a repetition. Furthermore, the regulations applying to performance assessments shall also apply to resit exams and revisions. 48 Modules can be repeated once. Repetition of Modules B. Bachelor s Level 49 A student s performance in the assessment period is assessed as a whole. The requirements for passing the assessment period are set out in the academic regulations. The format and the schedule of the module exams are also set out in the academic regulations. If a student fails the assessment period, he or she must repeat all the performance assessments of the compulsory modules he or she has failed, without prejudice to the requirements under Failed compulsory elective and elective modules may be repeated, provided these modules are offered at that time. 50 The academic regulations set out the requirements for passing the main study program. Assessment Period Main Study Program a. Successful Completion 9 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

10 5 The Bachelor s thesis may be produced by individual students or by teams of students. The requirements for starting a Bachelor s thesis are set out in the academic regulations. The requirements for the Bachelor s thesis itself are stipulated by the program management. The students are given due notice of these requirements. Details will be regulated by the thesis supervisor. 4 If a student s Bachelor s thesis is not accepted, he or she will have a year in which to write another. b. Bachelor s Thesis C. Master s Level 5 The requirements for passing the Master s level are set out in the academic regulations. 5 The Master s thesis must be written by each student individually. In justified cases, a Master s thesis may be written by a team of students. The requirements for starting a Master s thesis are set out in the academic regulations. The requirements for a Master s thesis are stipulated by the program management. The students are given due notice of these requirements. Details are regulated by the thesis supervisor. 4 If a student s Master s thesis is not accepted, he or she will have a year in which to write another. Successful Completion Master s Thesis D. Determining the Total Result 54 The successful completion of a degree program is determined by a final grade (Bachelor s or Master s grade). The final grade is determined from the module grades. It is rounded to two decimal points. The academic regulations set out the rules for calculating the final grade. 55 The academic regulations set out which modules or credits count towards the final grade. 56 Credits are for equivalent modules or modules with a similar content are only awarded once. In cases of doubt the program management will decide. 57 The ECTS grade is calculated for the students of one cohort of the same degree program who have successfully completed the program. The ECTS grade usually signifies the following: Program Completion Surplus Modules and Credits Credits for Equivalent or Similar Modules ECTS Grade 0 Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

11 a. A: the best 0% b. B: the next 5% c. C: the next 0% d. D: the next 5% e. E: the worst 0% 58 the transcript of records lists the titles, assessments, semesters, as well as credits earned for all modules completed at ZHAW. Transcript of Records Section 4: The Diploma 59 ZHAW awards the title of Bachelor or Master to students at the request of the program management once all the requirements listed in the general examination regulations and the academic regulations have been met. It issues a diploma and a degree certificate. 60 The diploma does not include any information on grades received. It is signed by the President of ZHAW and one other member of the Executive Board. 6 The degree certificate contains the following information: a. Modules completed as part of the degree program, including the credits awarded for them b. Achievements gained in another degree program or at another university and recognized by the degree program in question, including the credits obtained c. Module assessments d. Final grade Award Diploma Degree Certificate The degree certificate is signed by the school s dean and the head of the degree program. 6 In addition to the diploma, the student is also issued a diploma supplement providing a standardized description of the nature of the degree program in question. Diploma Supplement Section 5: Legal Remedy and Transitional Regulations 6 Decisions concerning a student s failure to pass an entrance examination, an aptitude test, or an assessment, or to gain a diploma, can be appealed. Module, module group, or course assessments are only appealable if Appealable Decisions Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the

12 they are the reason for a student s exclusion from the degree program. 64 These General Examination Regulations are effective as of March 008. They are binding for all degree programs from the date on which the academic regulations come into effect. Transitional regulations are set out in the academic regulations. Transitional Regulations Wissenschaften. It was prepared with all due care but the