KTU General Information
APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) - Rules and Regulations
B. Tech. Programme Structure
- B. Tech. / B. Tech. (Honours) programme in all branches of study is structured on a credit based system following the semester pattern with continuous evaluation allowing flexibility for students to decide on the duration of programme completion.
- The duration for the B. Tech. /B. Tech. (Honours) programme in all branches of study, will normally be 8 semesters.
- The maximum duration shall be six academic years spanning 12 semesters.
- Each semester shall have 72 instructional days, followed by end semester examinations.
- A student can opt for B.Tech. (Honours) at the end of the fourth semester.
- The curriculum of any branch of the B. Tech. programme is designed to have a minimum of 180 academic credits and 2 additional pass/fail credits, for the award of the degree.
- The University follows Credit System and Credits are apportioned among the following knowledge segments.
Knowledge Segments Credits
- Basic Sciences 10 [8 Theory+ 2 Labs]
- Mathematics 16
- Humanities 9
- Basic Engineering 29 [25 Theory +4 Labs]
- Professional Engineering 89 [80 Theory +9 Labs]
- Electives 15
- Seminar 2
- Comprehensive Viva 2
- Design Project 2
- Project 6
Total Academic Credits: 180
Student’s Activities 2 [Audit-Pass/Fail]
Total credits for B.Tech. Degree: 182
Credits are assigned to courses based on the following general pattern.
- One credit for each lecture hour per week for one semester
- One credit for each tutorial hour per week for one semester
- One credit for each laboratory/ practical session of 2 or 3 hrs, per week for one semester
- In a semester normally up to six lecture based courses and three laboratory/practical courses, carrying a maximum credit of 26, could be offered.
- University may allow students to transfer credits they have earned at other Universities and Academic Institutions, as per the guidelines given by the Academic Committee and approved by the Board of Governors.
- Student Activities Points:
To be an engineer capable of competing globally, in addition to technical knowledge and skills, students should develop excellent soft skills, nurture team work and leadership qualities and have an entrepreneurial and trail blazing outlook. To achieve this, in addition to academics, students are to actively engage in co-curricular and extracurricular activities. For such activities, points are allotted. On getting a minimum of 100 activity points the student passes the course and earns 2 credits which do not count for the CGPA but mandatory for the award of the degree. Listing of these activities and the maximum points that could be earned by engaging in them are given at the end.
Course Code and Course Number
Each course is identified by a course code and a three digit number. The two letter code refers to the department offering the course or the knowledge segment of the course. The knowledge segment code is used when the course is to be offered by different departments either individually or together but having the same syllabus and course plan. Course Number: MA 101 - This refers to a course in Mathematics with the course number 101. Course Number: BE 102 - This refers to a course in Basic Engineering.
Course Number is a three digit number and the first digit refers to the Academic year in which the course is normally offered, i.e. 1, 2, 3, or 4 for the B. Tech. Programme of four year duration. Of the other two digits, the last digit identifies whether the course is offered normally in the odd (odd number), even (even number) or in both the semesters (zero). The middle number could be any digit. For eg:
- MA 101 is a course in Mathematics offered in the first semester.
- EE 344 is a course in Electrical Engineering offered in the sixth semester.
Examination
- At the end of the semester, end semester examination will be conducted in all lecture based courses offered in the semester and will normally be of three hours duration, unless otherwise specified. Supplementary examinations shall be conducted during summer vacation after the even semester examination and before the commencement of the next odd semester, for students who are eligible and have registered for the same.
- Students, who have completed a course but could not write the end semester examination for valid reasons like illness or personal exigencies, are allowed to write the supplementary examination or the end semester examination at the next opportunity and earn the credits without having to register for the course again provided they meet other eligibility criteria.
- The main eligibility criteria for the end semester examination are attendance in the course, internal marks and no pending disciplinary action. The minimum attendance for appearing for the end semester examination is 75% in each course. Further, the internal evaluation marks in the course should be 45% or above. Students who do not meet these eligibility criteria are awarded an FE grade and have to register for the course again.
- Students who could not write the end semester examination due to health reasons or other exigencies can register for the supplementary examination, with the approval of the Principal provided they have 45% or above marks in the internal evaluations for the course. Candidates who received F grade can also write the supplementary examination. Grades awarded in the supplementary examination will be taken as the end semester grades in these courses.
Course Registration and Enrolment
It is mandatory for students to register for the courses they want to attend in a semester. Students admitted freshly to the first semester, are advised to register for all courses listed for the semester. However they do not have to enroll for the semester. All other students are required to register and enroll for the courses they desire to take in the coming semester. They have to enroll for these courses at the beginning of the new semester, based on the previous semester results. This allows them to make changes in the list of courses already registered for. Before enrolment, students should clear all dues including any fees to be paid and should not have any disciplinary issues pending. The dates for registration and enrolment will be given in the academic calendar. Any late registration or enrolment, allowed up to 7 working days from the stipulated date, will attract a late fee. A student can withdraw from a course or substitute one already registered by another on valid reasons with the approval of the faculty advisor. However this has to be done within seven working days from the commencement of the semester. The maximum number of credits a student can register for in a semester is limited to 28.
Course Completion and Earning of Credits
Students registered and later enrolled for a course have to attend the course regularly and meet the attendance rules of the university and appear for all the internal evaluation procedures for the completion of the course. Credits for the course are earned only on getting a pass grade in the composite evaluation. For students admitted under lateral entry scheme, credits for the first and second semester courses are deemed to have been earned from the Diploma programme. Their eligibility criteria for registering for higher semester courses will be same as that for the B.Tech. programme.
Academic Evaluation of Courses
University follows a continuous academic evaluation procedure. Academic evaluation procedure and corresponding weights are as follows:-
- For theory courses: -
1/3rd weightage for internal evaluation and 2/3rd for end semester examination. For convenience, the maximum marks for internal evaluation and end semester examination for theory courses are fixed as 50 and 100 respectively unless otherwise specified through internal circulars for any particular examination.
Scheme of evaluation is as follows:-
- Two internal tests each of 20 marks and of one hour duration. (Internally by the College)
- Tutorials/Assignments/Mini Projects carrying 10 marks. (Internally by the College)
- End Semester examination carrying 100 marks. (Conducted by the University)
All the above evaluations are mandatory requirements to earn credits. Students who have missed either the first or the second test can register with the consent of the faculty and the Head of the Department (HOD) concerned for a retest which shall be conducted soon after the completion of the second test, but before the end semester examination. The re-test will cover both first and second test course plans. Those who have missed both the tests are not eligible to appear for the end semester examination. However if one misses both tests due to medical reasons or other personal exigencies, based on genuine evidence, a single test of 2 hour duration for 40 marks will be conducted covering the whole syllabus, before the end semester examinations. Decision on this will be taken by the Principal and verified by the external academic auditor.
- For Laboratory /Practical /Workshop courses
- Practical records /Outputs 60 marks (Internally by the College)
- Regular class Viva 10 marks (Internally by the College)
- Final written test/quiz 30 marks (Internally by the College)
All the above assessments are mandatory to earn credits. If not, the student has to complete the course/assessments during his free time in consultation with the faculty members. On completion of these, grades will be assigned.
In case the Practical /Laboratory/Workshop courses are not completed in the semester, grade I (incomplete) will be awarded against the course and the final grade will be given only after the completion of the course/assessments. 30 marks for final written test /quiz in the evaluation of laboratory /practical courses in 3 to 8 semesters shall be awarded by conducting one end semester internal practical examination.
- Comprehensive Examination
As students appear for placements from seventh semester onwards, comprehensive examination is to be completed in the sixth semester. This examination will be a written cum oral examination covering broadly all courses so far completed. This examination consists of two parts. Part one a written test and the other an oral one. The written examination shall be objective type of 1 hour duration and shall have 50 marks and is to be conducted by the concerned department. Chairman of the oral examination board shall be a senior faculty in the department and the members include two other faculty members of the department and an external expert from another academic institute or an industry. Oral examination shall carry 50 marks. Comprehensive examination may be conducted any time during the 6th semester with sufficient notice given to the students.
- Seminar
Each student has to give a seminar on a professional topic of current interest in consultation with the faculty member in charge of the seminar in the Department. Students have to prepare a detailed report on the topic of the seminar and submit it to the teacher concerned. The seminar is to be of 20 minutes duration with another 5 minutes given for questions and answers. All students in the class have to attend the seminar without fail. Evaluation will be based on the report, seminar presentation as well as on the ability of the student to answer the questions put forward. Faculty member in charge of the seminar and another faculty member in the department nominated by the Head of the Department are the evaluators for the seminar. Distribution of marks for the seminar is as follows.
Marks for the report: 30%
Presentation: 40%
Ability to answer questions on the topic: 30%
- Design Project
Each student or a group of students has to take up a design project. The project topic could be arrived at in consultation with any faculty member in the department. The Evaluation of the project is to be done in two stages. Two project progress evaluations each carrying 20 marks and a final report evaluation and presentation of the project for 60 marks. The project supervisor and two other faculty members from the same or any other department, nominated by the Head of the Department form the evaluation board.
- Final Semester Project
Students, either individually or in a small batch not exceeding four, have to do a project approved by their faculty supervisor. Evaluation scheme is given below:-
- Two progress assessments 20% by the faculty supervisor/s
- Final Project Report 30% by the Assessment Board
- Project presentation and Viva 50% by the Assessment Board
If the project work is not completed satisfactorily, the student has to put in more work and appear again for assessment on a specified date, not earlier than one month after the first evaluation. If the student fails in the project, a fresh registration for the project for one semester is mandatory. The project assessment board shall consist of the following members:
Chairman: Head of the Department
Members : Project supervisor/s of the student
One faculty member from the Department
One faculty member from a sister Department
An external expert, either from an academic/research institute or industry
Course Committees and Class Committees
These committees are to be in place in each college affiliated to the University.
- Course Committee
This is for common courses (electives are excluded) offered to students admitted for the B. Tech. programme irrespective of their branch of study. Each of such courses will have a course committee constituted by the Principal of the college. The chairman of the course committee shall be a senior faculty member not offering the course.
Members:-
-
All teachers offering the course.
-
Four student representatives nominated by the Principal.
- Class Committee
Beginning from the third semester, all branches of study will have class committees for every semester constituted by the respective Heads of Departments. The chairman of the committee shall be a senior faculty member who does not offer any course during that semester.
Members:-
-
All faculty members teaching courses in that semester.
-
Two student representatives nominated by the head of the Department.
The course committees and class committees shall meet at least thrice in a semester – the first at the beginning of the semester, the second and the third after the first and the second internal tests respectively. Both committees should monitor the conduct of the courses, adherence to the course plan and time schedule, completion of the syllabus, standards of internal tests, evaluation process and difficulties faced by the students and take suitable remedial actions at the appropriate time. At the end of the semester, the committee should meet without student representatives to review the conduct of the course and finalize the internal assessment marks and approve them.
Eligibility for writing the end semester examination and for grading
Students with 45% or more marks in internal assessment in a course shall only be permitted to write the end semester examination in that course. Those with less than 45% internal marks shall be awarded FE grade and have to register for the course again. A student should have a minimum of 45% marks in the end semester examination to be eligible for grading in a course. Otherwise he/she will be considered to have failed in the course and an F grade will be awarded.
Internal marks given to the students who got 45% marks or more in the end semester examination shall be regulated in line with the end semester examination performance. Internal mark percentage shall not exceed 25% over the end semester mark %. (For example if the end semester mark % is 45, then the maximum internal mark % is to be 45+25 = 70 %.)
In case the student writes the supplementary examination, the mark got in that will be taken into consideration for regulating the internal marks. Those who have more than 45% marks in the end semester examination are awarded the grade based on both internal assessment and end semester examination marks. A student earns credits for a course if the grade is P or above.
Award of Grades
Grading is based on the percentage (%) marks obtained by the student in a course, as mentioned below. The grade card will only give the grades against the courses the student has registered. Semester grade card will give the grade for each registered course, Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) for the semester as well as Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Grades and Grade Points followed by the University is as follows
|
Grades
|
Grade Point (GP)
|
% of Total Marks obtained in the course
|
|
O (Outstanding
A+ (Excellent)
A (Very Good)
B+ (Good)
B (Above Average)
C (Average)
P (Pass)
F (Fail)
FE
I
|
10
9
8.5
8
7
6
5
0
0
|
90% and above
85% and above but less than 90%
80% and above but less than 85%
70% and above but less than 80%
60% and above but less than 70%
50% and above but less than 60%
45% and above but less than 50%
Less than 45%
Failed due to eligibility criteria
Course Incomplete
|
| |
|
|
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SGPA and CGPA are calculated based on the above grading norms and are calculated as follows:
SGPA = Σ(Ci×GPi)/ΣCi
where Ci is the credit assigned for a course and GPi is the grade point for that course. Summation is done for all courses registered by the student in the semester. Here the failed courses are also accounted.
CGPA = Σ(Ci×GPi)/ΣCi
where Ci is the credit assigned for a course and GPi is the grade point for that course. Summation is done for all courses registered by the student during all the semesters for which the CGPA is needed. Here the failed courses are also accounted. CGPA of all courses passed may also be given. CGPA for the B.Tech. programme is arrived at by considering all course credits that are needed for the degree and their respective grade points.
Eligibility to Continue
A student has to earn a minimum number of credits in a semester to be eligible to register for the new courses offered in the next semester. In 1, 2 and 3 semesters if this requirement is not met, the student is to be forewarned and allowed to continue to the next semester. However to register in the 4th 6th and 8th semesters this requirement will be strictly implemented. Summer courses are offered to those who do not satisfy this norm after the 2nd, as well as 4th, semesters. Students who do not meet this requirement are not permitted to register for new courses in the higher semesters. They have to register for the failed courses in normal semesters in which they are offered subject to the limitations imposed by the ordinances and course timetable. Action plan, for dealing with course arrears in theory courses at the end of each semester to continue with the programme, is given below. Faculty advisors shall monitor advice and support the students in this. Students should be informed about the minimum cumulative credits requirement to register for higher semester courses.
Eligibility Criteria for Registering for Higher Semester Courses:
|
Semester
|
Allotted Credits
|
Cumulative Credits
|
Minimum cumulative credits required to register for courses in column 1
|
|
First
|
24
|
24
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Second
|
23
|
47
|
Not insisted
|
|
Third
|
24
|
71
|
Not insisted
|
|
Fourth
|
23
|
94
|
26 credits from S1& S2
|
|
Fifth
|
23
|
117
|
Not insisted
|
|
Sixth
|
23
|
140
|
71 credits from S1 to S4
|
|
Seventh
|
22
|
162
|
Not insisted
|
|
Eight
|
18
|
180
|
117 credits from of S1 to S6
|
Revaluation and Grade Improvement
There is no provision for improving the grades. The student can apply for revaluation of the end semester examination after the results are published. The answer scripts already valued by two examiners will not be revalued again.
Eligibility for Award of Degree
The award of B. Tech. / B. Tech. (Honours) degree shall be based on the recommendation of the Academic Committee and the approval of the Board of Governors and in accordance with the academic regulations, if any, issued for the said purpose by the University. A student will be eligible for the award of B. Tech. Degree of the University on satisfying the following requirements.
-
Earned credits for all the core courses and the Project.
-
Earned the required minimum credits as specified in the curriculum for the branch of study.
-
No pending disciplinary action.
Break of Study
A student is permitted to have a break of study.
-
In case of accident or serious illness needing prolonged hospitalization and rest.
-
In case the student has a bright idea and would like to initiate a start-up venture or develop a new product.
-
In case of any personal reasons that need a break in study.
For break of study due to illness, student should submit all necessary medical reports together with the recommendation of the doctor treating him giving definite reasons for break of study and its duration. Before joining back the student should submit the fitness certificate from the doctor who treated him.
Students who want to initiate a start-up venture or a product development, have to submit a project report, clearly indicating the purpose, action plan, technical details, funding details and future plans to the college Principal. The Principal shall evaluate the proposal by constituting an expert team consisting of a technocrat and a bank executive and take an appropriate decision based on the team’s recommendation. In the semester system followed by the University, break of study for an academic year is preferred over a semester break
Students who want a break in study due to personal reasons shall convince the Principal on the genuine need for it by giving authentic evidence for the same.
Academic Discipline and Malpractices in Examinations
Every student is required to observe discipline and decorous behaviour. Any act of indiscipline, misbehaviour and unfair practice in examinations will be referred to the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC). Malpractices in examinations shall be viewed seriously and any such incident observed or reported by a faculty member or an invigilator associated with the examinations shall be reported to the Principal who in turn shall refer it to DAC. On the basis of the report and evidence available or gathered, DAC shall immediately initiate an enquiry giving the concerned student a chance to explain his/her case. Based on this the committee shall recommend the course of action in line with the guidelines formulated for this by the Controller of Examination of the University and forward it to the Principal for action. Actions are to be based on the severity of the offence and are to be dealt with, on a course basis. Guidelines on this shall be given by the Controller of Examination which is to be followed by the Disciplinary Action Committee of the college.
The student may appeal to the Grievances and Appeals Committee for a relook on the matter. Based on the committee’s report, the Principal shall take a final decision on the matter. DAC shall be headed by a department head and shall have three other faculty members drawn from different departments as members. The report given by the college DAC and the action taken by the Principal shall be intimated to the Controller of Examination of the University. The Controller of Examinations shall refer the case to the Examination Monitoring Committee. The Controller of Examination will consider the same as a Review.
Ragging
Ragging of any nature is a criminal and non-bailable offence. Involvement in ragging shall lead to stringent punishment, including imprisonment as per the law of the land. A student, whose involvement in ragging is established, shall be summarily dismissed from the college. Each student of the Institute, along with his/her parent, is required to give an undertaking in this regard and the same is to be submitted at the time of registration.
Student Activity Points
Activities that a student can engage in and the maximum quantum of points that can be earned from them are listed below.
National Level Activities
|
Code
|
Name of Activity
|
Max. Activity Points
|
Minimum Duration
|
|
NA1
|
NSO
|
70
|
Two Semesters
|
|
NA2
|
NCC
|
70
|
Two Semesters
|
|
NA3
|
NSS
|
70
|
Two Semesters
|
College Level Activities
Additional 20 points are given for CA3/CA7 if the achievement is at the national level.
|
Code
|
Name of Activity
|
Max. Activity Points
|
Minimum Duration
|
|
CA1
|
Active Member/Office bearer of Professional Societies (Student Chapters)
|
30/40
|
Four Semesters
|
|
CA2
|
Elected Office Bearer of Student forums
|
30
|
Two Semesters
|
|
CA3
|
Member/Captain-College Athletic/Games teams
|
20/30
|
Two Semesters
|
|
CA3
|
Executive Member of Student Clubs
|
20
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Two Semesters
|
|
CA4
|
Volunteer for important College functions
|
20
|
Two Semesters
|
|
CA5
|
Committee member/Organizer of Tech Fest/Cultural Fest/Conference
|
20/30
|
Two Semesters
|
|
CA6
|
Placed within top three in Paper presentation/debate/cultural competitions etc
|
30
|
|
|
CA7
|
Placed within top three in State level Sports/Games
|
30
|
|
Entrepreneurship
|
Code
|
Name of Activity
|
Max. Activity Points
|
|
EA1
|
Any Creative Project Execution
|
40
|
|
EA2
|
Awards for projects
|
60
|
|
EA3
|
Invitation of Start-ups
|
60
|
|
EA4
|
Attracted Venture Capital
|
80
|
|
EA5
|
Filed a Patent
|
80
|
|
EA6
|
Completed Prototype Development
|
80
|
Self Initiatives
|
Code
|
Name of Activity
|
Max. Activity Points
|
|
SA1
|
Attend a National Conference
|
20
|
|
SA2
|
Attend an International Conference
|
30
|
|
SA3
|
Published/got an award for a technical paper
|
30/40
|
|
SA4
|
Organiser of student level technical conf/competition
|
30
|
|
SA5
|
Foreign language skills
|
50
|
|
SA6
|
Online courses taken and completed
|
50
|