|
AHRS: Attempted Hours are the credit hours that the student is registering for.
EHRS: Earned Hours are hours of courses in which the student achieved a passing grade, including courses with pass/fail grades. The earned hours (not attempted) are counted to determine the student's class and graduation.
QHRS: Quality Hours are hours of courses which are graded, excluding pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory courses.
QPTS: Quality Points are points allotted to each course, which are the result of multiplying the credit hours of the course by the points assigned to each grade mentioned above.
GPA: Grade Point Average is the quotient obtained by dividing the total quality points by the total quality hours i.e. 25.7/14 = 1.83.
A "C" average (2.00) is required to graduate from the American University in Cairo. Likewise, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required in majors and minors.
Grades of pass/fail, S, U, I, and W are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average. Decimals beyond 2 places are truncated, not rounded up, in computing the grade point average.
Incomplete Work
In very rare cases, undergraduate students who are unable to complete a course may be permitted to continue work in that course beyond the examination period. Any professor submitting an incomplete grade must supplement this submission with a form to the Office of the University Registrar (copies to the instructor, and the student) giving the following information:
- Reason for the incomplete.
- The material which is lacking.
- Action necessary for removal of the incomplete.
In such a case, a grade of I, for "incomplete," is assigned. The students must make arrangements with the professor to complete the course within one month after the beginning of the new academic session, whether they are in school or not. Failure to complete the course within one month after the beginning of the new academic session causes the grade in that course to be recorded as F, signifying failure.
If students have one incomplete grade, their academic load limit the following semester will not be affected. If they have more than one incomplete grade, the credit hours of the incomplete will be included in their academic load for the following semester.
Students who receive an incomplete grade(s) while on warning due to a deficiency in their overall grade point average will not be allowed to register the following semester. If, however, they complete their incomplete work before the end of the late registration period, and are academically eligible, they will be allowed to proceed with registration.
Class Attendance
Attendance and participation in class and laboratory sessions are essential to the process of education at AUC. Students benefit from the lectures and discussions with their teachers and fellow students. If they fail to attend class, they fail to take advantage of an educational opportunity. For this reason students are expected to attend class regularly; there is no system of permitted absences. The instructor in each class determines the effect of absences on a student's grade in that class. General guidelines followed at AUC include:
- Any absence may affect the student's grade.
- Instructors need not give substitute assignments or examinations to students who miss class.
- In the event a student misses more than three weeks of classes during a semester for any reason, or the equivalent of three weeks in the summer session, an instructor may:
- Give a grade of 'F' for the course;
- Ask the student to drop the course if the absences occur before the last date for dropping classes; and/or
- If two of the three weeks of absences are caused by proven illness or other emergency, the student may be granted a grade of I, for incomplete work, and allowed to finish the coursework by the end of the first month in the following semester.
A doctor's certification of a serious illness may be brought to the attention of the university physician, who will inform the Office of Student Affairs. The OSA staff will then contact the student's instructors to inform them of the expected length of class absence.
Repeating Courses Under the Course Repeat Policy
Effective Spring 2002, all students pursuing an undergraduate degree may repeat a course one time for the purpose of improving a grade. This policy is limited to a maximum of twelve (12) semester credits during the entire undergraduate career of a student, and to courses taken at AUC within the previous two years. All course repeats must be done at AUC. The course being retaken must be the same course first taken, unless that course is no longer offered at AUC, or during the two-year period. In such a case, only the department that offered the same course may substitute another course with approval of the major department.
A student cannot have the privilege of repeating a grade of "F" under this policy if the "F" is received for academic dishonesty.
If a student repeats a course, the credit from the first attempt will not be applied to meeting the AUC graduation requirements. No student will be permitted to repeat more than 12 credits under this policy.
Students are advised that repeating courses under this policy does not result in the removal of the original record or grade from their transcripts. The second grade is recorded and computed in the grade point average and the earlier grade is disregarded in calculation of the grade point average. The repeat course form is available in the Office of the University Registrar. The completed form must be submitted to the University Registrar's Office by maximum the twelfth week of the term in which the course is being repeated.
Students who have already repeated 12 units prior to Spring 1995 have used up their course repeat option. Their transcripts will not be altered retroactively.
Retaking Courses Outside of the Course Repeat Policy
A student who has exhausted the "Course Repeat Policy" privileges may still repeat a course in which D+, D or F was earned. No additional course credit will be applied to meeting AUC graduation requirements, but both grades for that course will be calculated in the Grade Point Average.
Honors
The university awards honors to students who do superior work. Full-time students who earn a grade point average of 3.50 or above for the previous semester are placed on the dean's honor roll. This distinction is noted on the student's academic record.
Graduation honors are awarded to students who have maintained a superior grade point average throughout their college careers:
- Students who enter the university as freshmen or sophomores earn honors (Cum Laude) if they graduate with a cumulative average of 3.4, high honors (Magna Laude) with 3.6, and highest honors (Summa Laude) with 3.8.
- Students who enter the university with transfer credits of 45 hours or more receive graduation honors if they earn a cumulative average of 3.5, high honors if they earn a grade point average of 3.7, and highest honors if they earn a grade point average of 3.9.
Probation/Warning
Students who fail to meet the academic standards established by the university will be placed on probation. The probation period provides the student with an opportunity to correct the deficiency, but that period may last for no more than two regular semesters. Failure to achieve the required standard by the end of the probation period disqualifies the student from further attendance at the university.
Students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better at the end of a semester will be placed on probation. Students who fail ENGL 100 will be placed on warning.
In the above cases, a notice will be sent to the student with a copy to the student's parents or guardian. The notice will include a statement of what is required to avoid dismissal from the university. To be allowed to continue for the following semester students on probation must show satisfactory improvement during the first semester of their probation period (i.e. achieve at least a 2.0 semester GPA).
Students placed on probation for a deficiency in their cumulative GPA must limit their academic load during their probation period to four courses with a maximum of 13 credit hours per semester. The permissible load for students taking ENGL 100 is a maximum of 7 credit hours per semester. It is the responsibility of the adviser to follow up on the student's performance and academic load.
Students who fail to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 in their major at the end of any semester following their declaration of major will receive a probation warning letter from the Office of the University Registrar, with a copy to the student's parents or guardian.
Students will have two semesters to clear the deficiency in their major. If by the end of the two semesters the deficiency is not corrected, they will be discontinued unless accepted in another major.
Students on probation/warning for any of the above deficiencies are not allowed to participate actively, or represent the university, in co-curricular activities, such as teams, clubs, plays, and university competitions. They may not be nominated for the Student Union.
Dismissal
To avoid dismissal, students on probation must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 within two semesters.
A student who fails ENGL 100 twice in two regular semesters and a third time in a Summer session will be dismissed from the University and must wait one full semester before applying for readmission. The student must score high enough on the AUC ELPET for direct admission to the Writing Program since s/he will not be allowed to take ENGL 100 for a third time during a regular semester
Planned Educational Leave of Absence
Students at The American University in Cairo may apply for a Planned Educational Leave of Absence. A Planned Educational Leave of Absence is defined as a planned interruption or pause in a student's regular education during which the student temporarily ceases his or her formal studies at AUC while pursuing other activities that may assist in clarifying the student's educational goals. The intent of the policy is to make it possible for a student to suspend his or her academic work, leave the campus without jeopardizing his or her rights and privileges, and later resume his or her studies with a minimum of procedural difficulty. A student who is approved for a planned leave will be considered as maintaining his or her status as a continuing student.
Planned educational leaves may be granted for a variety of reasons or projects, but certain characteristics must be contained in any request for a leave:
- The leave must have a definite purpose relevant to the student's overall educational objectives and goals.
- The request must be for a specific period of time which should not exceed 3 regular semesters for students pursuing an undergraduate program.
- The student must plan to return to AUC at the conclusion of his or her leave.
The following regulations apply to the planned educational leave:
- An application for a Planned Educational Leave of Absence and additional information can be obtained from the Office of the University Registrar.
- The student must obtain the approval of his or her faculty advisor, the department chair of his or her major (or, in the case of an undeclared student, the Freshman Advisor), and the University Registrar.
- The student should be in academic good standing at the time of the leave request. The leave application must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar by the start of the final examination period of the semester immediately preceding the requested leave. The Office of the University Registrar will notify the leave applicant of the status of the request after all of his or her final grades have been submitted.
- The student may cancel a leave of absence as late as the first day of classes of the term for which the leave has been requested. However, the deadlines for payment of the term bill and the penalties for late payment apply in such cases.
- A degree student who discontinues active enrollment in degree studies without being granted a leave of absence, or a student granted a leave who does not return to active study at the close of the period of approved absence, will be considered to have withdrawn from the University and must apply for readmission and be subject to the regulations and requirements then in force.
- The right to use university facilities is suspended while the leave is in effect, with the exception of library privileges subject of the approval of the department of major.
- A Planned Educational Leave of Absence is counted as part of the time limitations. A student returning from an approved leave remains under the requirements of the catalog that he or she was following upon the declaration of major.
- Any academic credit during a Planned Educational Leave of Absence is accredited by AUC only if permission is granted in advance by the University Registrar.
Withdrawal from the University
Students who are unable to complete a semester because of illness or other emergency may be given permission to withdraw. They must acquire a withdrawal form from the Office of the University Registrar, obtain signatures as indicated on the form, and return the completed form to the Office of the University Registrar. Deadline for withdrawal from the university is one month before the last day of classes.
Withdrawal grades will be recorded for each course when the student receives permission to withdraw. The grades are either WP, meaning that the student was doing satisfactory work at the time of withdrawal, or WF, meaning that the student was not doing satisfactory work at the time of withdrawal. No academic credit is given for courses from which students withdraw.
Students who withdraw from the university and later wish to return must apply for readmission. Readmission is not granted automatically. (See the "Admissions" section of the catalog.)
Transcripts
Students who have graduated or who withdraw from the university in good standing are entitled to one free student transcript of their academic record. No transcript of academic record will be issued during the examination, registration, or graduation periods. Academic transcripts will not be issued when unsatisfied financial obligations to the university exist.
Non-degree Academic Regulations
Since non-degree students are usually seeking credit for transfer to other institutions, not all of the academic regulations in the previous section are applicable to them. They will be primarily concerned about the academic regulations of their home institutions to ensure that they receive maximum possible credit for their AUC work.
Non-degree students should note the sections pertaining to registration, change of courses, academic load, grades, probation, incomplete work, class attendance, and transcripts in the undergraduate section as appropriate.
Foreign students who wish to transfer their ALU (Arabic Language Unit) special program credits towards a degree in a regular AUC program should get the approval of the ALU Director. However, those wishing to transfer credits to their home universities should check these universities' policies before coming to Cairo.
Academic Integrity Policy
Preamble: Valuing the concepts of academic integrity and independent effort, the American University in Cairo expects from its students the highest standards of scholarly conduct. The University community asserts that the reputation of the institution depends on the integrity of both faculty and students in their academic pursuits and that it is their joint responsibility to promote an atmosphere conducive to such standards.
- Academic dishonesty is not acceptable in an institution dedicated to learning or in any society. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
- Cheating: using unauthorized notes, aids, or information on an examination; altering a graded work prior to its return to a faculty member; allowing another person to do one's own work and submitting it for grading.
- Plagiarism: submitting material that in part or whole is not one's own work; submitting one's own work without properly attributing the correct sources of its content.
- Fabrication: inventing or falsifying information, data, or citation; presenting data gathered outside of acceptable professorial guidelines; failing to provide an accurate account of how information, data or citations were gathered; altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures or authorizing false information on an official academic document, grade, letter, form, ID card, or any other university document; submitting false excuses for absence, delay or illness.
- Multiple Submissions: submitting identical papers or course work for credit in more than one course without prior permission of the instructor.
- Obtaining or Attempting to Obtain Unfair Advantage:
- gaining or providing access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by an instructor;
- Stealing, defacing, or destroying library or research materials which can deprive others of their use;
- unauthorized collaboration on an academic assignment;
- Retaining, possessing, or circulating previously used examination materials without the instructor's permission;
- Obstructing or interfering with another student's academic work; or
- Engaging in any activity designed to obtain an unfair advantage over another student in the same course.
- Offering bribes to staff or any university employee to effect a grade change, or gain unfair advantage over other students
- Unauthorized Access: viewing or altering in any way computer records, modifying computer programs or systems, releasing or distributing information gathered via unauthorized access, or in any way interfering with the use or availability of computer systems/information.
- Aiding and Abetting: providing material, information, or other assistance which violates the above Standards for Academic Integrity; providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity.
- Impersonation: impersonating or allowing to be impersonated by another individual during classes, examination or other university activities.
- Threatening harm: threatening, effecting, or encouraging bodily, professional or financial harm to any faculty, staff, administrator or student who has witnessed or reported a violation of the Code of Ethics.
The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action as severe as dismissal according to procedures delineated in section II.
- An instructor has full authority to deal with an academic dishonesty incident within the context of his/her course. Disciplinary action may cover the range from reprimand to "F" for the course grade. The instructor may also recommend suspension or dismissal from the University.
The instructor's action on incidents of academic dishonesty must be communicated to the student(s) involved as well as to the Student Affairs Office and/or the office responsible for monitoring academic integrity by her/him within two weeks of the time the instructor became aware of the incident.
All cases of academic dishonesty are to be immediately reported to the chair of the Academic Integrity Committee and to the Chair of the instructor's department. In the case of a recommendation for suspension or dismissal, the Academic Integrity Committee will meet promptly to investigate, and submit a recommendation to the Provost, who is the final authority.
All students involved in academic dishonesty will receive an official letter of warning from the University administration, a copy of which will remain in the students' file in the department as well as in the Student Affairs Office and/or the office responsible for monitoring academic integrity.
- Once the Academic Integrity Committee has given a hearing to the student and submitted its recommendation to the Provost, no further appeal may be made unless substantial new evidence is presented to the Chair of the Academic Integrity Committee, who will evaluate the evidence and reopen the case if deemed necessary.
|
