IVS GRADING POLICYUndergraduate Programmes

Effective from January 2017(Applicable to student intake of Spring 2015 and onwards)

The changes made in this policy are based on decisions taken in 49th Academic Committee meeting held on October 20, 2016.

This policy supersedes all previous grading policies updated from time to time.

INDUS VALLEY SCHOOL OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE A not for profit degree awarding institution under Sindh Government Act No.XVI of 1994. Approved U/S 2(36)c of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

ST-33, Block-2, Scheme-5, Clifton, Karachi-75600, Pakistan. UAN: 111-111-487 Fax: 92-21-35861048 info@indusvalley.edu.pk www.indusvalley.edu.pk

Grading Policy (http://indusvalley.edu.pk/web/programmes/grading-policy/)

Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS), is a degree awarding institute. IVS offers two regular semes-ters in a year i.e. Spring Semester (January to May) and Fall Semester (August to December). Depending upon the need of the School, additional Summer and Winter programmes may also be offered, which will be notified beforehand.

The requirements for the undergraduate programme entail both studio and theory/lecture based courses over the length of the respective degree programme. The following grading system is applicable to all undergradu-ate academic programmes:

1. GRADING SYSTEM

Grading of assessments in all courses (theory and studio based) is done in terms of percentage marks using the following grading scale:

Objective Grading (only for theory courses)All assessments in a theory course are graded in terms of percentage marks. The final average percentage marks obtained by a student in a course is converted into a letter grade based on the above grading scale.

Subjective Grading (for studio and certain theory courses)For studio courses and certain theory courses, where subjective assessment is applied, the qualitative key assists the faculty to determine the numeric score. For example, if the quality of a student’s work matches the qualitative key for ‘B’ grade, then according to the above scale, the faculty will allot marks between a range of 75 to 79. The final average percentage marks obtained by a student in a course is converted into a letter grade based on the above grading scale.

The Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is then computed by the Academic Office based on the Grade Points associated with letter grades and credit ratings of the courses.

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

02

90 to 100 A 4.00 Outstanding and exceeds expectations85 to 89 A- 3.70 Excellent80 to 84 B+ 3.30 Very Good, manifests a clear grasp and understanding of all concepts and applications75 to 79 B 3.00 Good. Meets all criteria of assessment very well70 to 74 B- 2.70 Meets the criteria of assessment in varying degrees66 to 69 C+ 2.30 Adequate with Potential62 to 65 C 2.00 Adequate58 to 61 C- 1.70 Needs Improvement55 to 57 D 1.30 Poor/Barely meets criteria (in serious danger of Failing)45 to 54 E Unacceptable / Inadequate (Marginally Failing)1 to 44 0.00 Unacceptable / Inadequate (Failing)0 No submissionN/A I N/A Incomplete gradeN/A W 0.00 Withheld Grade is allotted when a student has a failed or incomplete component of a studio course containing two or more pre-requisite com ponents.

Qualitative Key% age Score

LetterGrade

GradePoints

Credit Hour is equivalent to a class time of 50 minutes for theory and 100 minutes for studio/ workshop / laboratory work per week for the duration of entire semester. A student is expected to put in a minimum of 100 minutes per credit hour for theory and 50 minutes per credit hour for studio courses outside the scheduled classes/studio time to ensure meaningful learning in any course.

Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by multiplying grade points obtained in each course by the number of credit hours of the respective course.

Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) is obtained by dividing the total Grade Points of courses taken during a semester by the total number of credit hours.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is obtained by adding all SGPAs of the 4 or 5 year programme and dividing the total by the total number of semesters.

1.1 Incomplete Grades

Grade “I” or "incomplete grade" can be given by faculty for studio or theory courses not completed due to any acceptable reason or any other justifiably unavoidable circumstances or for students who have received Special Consideration in course(s).

(i) The faculty in conjunction with the Head/Acting Head of the department after reviewing the case will allow the student to complete the assigned work within specified deadline (within two weeks into the following semester). Subsequently a letter grade will be awarded by the faculty. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the assigned work is completed within the specific deadline, failing which, the ‘I’ grade will automatically be converted to ‘E’ grade meaning ‘Fail’. (ii) A student can be awarded any grade in accordance to the grading policy based on the quality of the work.

1.2 Failure

Grade “E” (fail) is awarded when:

• The work is of inadequate / unacceptable quality • When no work has been submitted. • If a student is found guilty of plagiarism, cheating or academic dishonesty

The grade “E” has a zero GPA value.

1.2 (a) Theory:

(i) A student who has received an ‘E’ grade in a theory course(s) will be re-examined in that course at the end of the same semester. A student cannot get more than a ‘C’ grade in the remedial exam. (ii) No remedial exam will be offered if a student fails course(s) due to attendance being less than 75% (see below clause 2 on Attendance Policy). (iii) Remedial exam will also not be offered to those students who fail a course due to plagiarism, cheating or academic dishonesty. (iv) If a Student’s Grade Report contains ‘E’ in more than two theory courses, even after remedial, he/she will not be promoted to the next semester and will be asked to repeat the courses when offered next. The course fee for the repeated course(s) will be charged per credit hours at the prevailing rates.

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

03

1.2 (b) Studio

(i) A student who receives ‘E’ in any studio course will be considered fail and cannot be promoted to next semester (Also refer to clause 4.3(a)). (ii) A student who receives ‘W’ (withheld grade) due to a failed or incomplete component of a studio course will be given a resubmission of the failed component. A student who is unable to remove the W grade, will be considered fail. (iii) A student with ‘E’ or ‘W’ grades will have to repeat and clear the failed course(s) or failed component(s) of the course when offered next. (iv) The course fee for the repeated course(s) will be charged per credit hours at the prevailing rates. (v) A student with even one studio course failure at the end of the Foundation Year will not be promoted to second year (3rd semester).

2. ATTENDANCE POLICY

(i) Students are required to have a minimum of 75% attendance in each course including the final year thesis. (ii) Students are expected to be on time in all lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, lab/studio/practical session, professional placements and field trips. All late arrivals will be recorded and will constitute part of the student’s official profile in school records. (iii) A student will automatically receive ‘E’ grade (fail) if his/her attendance drops below 75%. Such students will also not be allowed to take part in the final exam / final submission.

2.1 Special Consideration

(i) Sickness, misadventure, or other circumstance beyond the student’s control may prevent the student from completing a course requirement or attending or submitting assessable work for a course, or may significantly affect performance in assessable work, e.g. formal end of semester examination/submission, class test, studio presentation, etc. (ii) All applications for exemption, from class attendance must be made in writing to the Head or Acting Head of the respective department

2.1(a) Note of Discretion

(i) Depending on the circumstances, IVS may take action to allow students to overcome the disadvantage, e.g. give additional assessment or extend a deadline. (ii) Merely submitting a request for Special Consideration does not automatically mean that the student will be granted additional assessment, nor that they will be awarded an amended result. For example, if there is a poor record of attendance or performance throughout a semester/year, in a course a student may be failed regardless of illness or other reason affecting a final assessment in that course.

2.1(b) Applications for Special Consideration are accepted only in the following Circumstances

(i) Where academic work has been hampered to a substantial degree by illness or other cause. (ii) Students are expected to give priority to their study commitments and any absence must clearly be for circumstances beyond their control. (iii) An absence from an examination/submission must be supported by a medical certificate or other document which clearly indicates that the student was unable to be present. (iv) An application for Special Consideration must be provided within 3 days of rejoining the School.

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

04

2.1(c) Requirements for Special Consideration

To give the School sufficient and appropriate information on which to base its decision about the request, the student must support the application with certified official documentation that contains at least the following key information:

(i) The dates/deadlines associated with these course requirements. (ii) The basis of special consideration request i.e. the nature of student’s misadventure, illness, etc. (iii) The date/s on which the student was seen by the professional/authority providing the official documentation. (iv) The date of the illness or misadventure or the dates of the period of time of the illness or misadventure.

2.1(d) Possible Actions of Special Consideration

If an application for illness or misadventure is approved, the following may ensue:

(i) No action will be taken if the student fails to provide sufficient documentary evidence of sickness, misadventure or any mitigating circumstance. (ii) No action may also be taken if the student has already passed the concerned course from assessment completed during session and it may not be deemed necessary to grant the student additional assessment. (iii) The deadline for assessment may be extended. (iv) Marks obtained for completed assessment tasks may be aggregated or averaged to achieve a grade. (v) A remedial may be given. Additional assessment may take a different form from the original assessment. If a student is granted additional assessment, the original assessment may be ignored at the discretion of the Course teacher. Consequently, a revised grade based on additional assessment may be greater or less than the original grade.

3. ASSESSMENT POLICY

IVS acknowledges that the development, implementation and marking of assessment activities are a fundamental part of learning. IVS recognizes the importance of employing a range of assessment techniques appropriate to these purposes and encourages the development of innovative and contextually relevant assessment tasks that facilitate achieving these goals.

3.1 Assessment

IVS aims to preserve scholarly values and foster curiosity, experimentation, creativity, critical appraisal and integrity, and to cultivate these values in its students.

a) Assessment should facilitate achieving the specified learning outcomes of courses and programmes. b) Enable the development of rules and procedures that facilitate the management of student assessment and related activities. c) Specify minimum requirements for design and delivery of assessments. d) It should not constrain the development of alternative or additional forms of effective assessment, provided such assessments are consistent with the principles stated in this policy.

3.2 Types of Assessment

Assessment is a fundamental part of academic life. Students will experience two types of assessment during their academic career at IVS. Some assessment is formative (e.g. critique) while others are summative.

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

05

3.2(a) Formative Assessment:

Formative assessment is intended to assist students to enhance their learning, for example by identifying weaknesses in their understanding and/or performance.

3.2(b) Summative Assessment:

The objective of summative assessment is primarily to pass judgment on the quality of a student's learning, generally in terms of assigned marks and grades.

3.3 Principle of Assessments:

a) Be inclusive and equitable. b) Be designed to allow students sufficient time for completion of each task. c) Be aligned to and consistent with the aims, desired learning outcomes and programmed activities of the course. d) Provide an appropriate number of assessable tasks, in a range of formats that are aligned with developmentally appropriate learning experiences, to evaluate students' progress. e) Include appropriate weightings according to the specific learning outcomes of the course. f) Be spread in terms of both load and intensity across the course and consistent with the overall credit value of the course. g) Recognize the importance of employing a range of assessment techniques appropriate to course purposes and encourages the development of innovative and contextually relevant assessment tasks that facilitate achieving these goals.

3.4 Scope of Assessment:

The scope of assessment applies to:

a) Assessment of all course works offered by the School. b) Students, academic and administrative staff of the School, with responsibility for designing, administrating and making decisions relating to assessment by or on behalf of the School.

3.5 Administration and Faculty Responsibilities

Administration and Faculty are responsible for ensuring that:

a) Appropriate advice about avoiding plagiarism is provided. b) No person should be involved in the setting or marking of assessment where a conflict of interest arises. c) Assessment items are kept safe. d) The outcome of any wholly summative assessment remains confidential to the student or student group and Faculty and Administration of the School. e) Appropriate processes are followed for the safe recording, transfer, storage, retrieval, communication and reporting of information on student achievement, including final course results.

3.6 Responsibilities of Students

Students have their part to play in the assessment process. Students also have responsibilities to ensure that they are aware of, and comply with, the assessment requirements that apply to them, and to report any anomalies or problems. IVS students are expected to: (i) Adhere to high standards of academic integrity and honesty at all times. (ii) Comply with the School’s plagiarism policy (refer to the IVS Code of Conduct).

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

06

(iii) Respect the rights of fellow students to learn in a safe and non-discriminatory environment. (iv) Respect the Schools’ Code of Conduct. (v) Note that the School emphasizes not only the knowledge content but also a range of attributes and the studio and classroom process, which will be assessed throughout their programme of study (vi) Strive to achieve the best results possible.

3.7 Course Assessment:

3.7(a) Studio Assessment

Studio work will be assessed by at least two persons following a precedent of jury systems (not exclusively). The final grade for work submitted will average of the grades awarded by the assessors. The panel assessing studio work will be expected to convene after the completion of the day's Critique, to award the grades.

3.7(b) Theory / Lecture Assessment

Assignments done for the theory / lecture based courses will be assessed by the individual faculty member concerned.

3.8 Semester Assessment Work completed during a semester will be taken into account when arriving at a final grade. a) The faculty will award percentage marks for all the assessments in a course according to the qualitative key assigned for letter grades as mentioned in the grading scale. The final average percentage marks obtained by a student in a course will be finally converted into a letter grade based on the same grading scale. b) The final grade for each course will be handed in to the Head/Acting Head of the department at the end of semester, on a standardized grade sheet. c) All cases with ‘E’ grades will be reviewed by the Head/Acting Head and the remedial (for theory courses) will be taken in the last two weeks. The Head/Acting Head of department will then review final grades after the remedial (for theory courses) and then hand in the list of final grades to the Registrar’s office at the end of semester. The Registrar’s office will then record the SGPA and CGPA and issue semester reports to the students. d) All cases with ‘I’ grades will be reviewed by Head/Acting Head of the department to complete the assigned work within specified deadline (maximum up to two weeks into the following semester). The final letter grade awarded by the faculty will be handed over to the Registrar’s Office by the Head/Acting Head.

4. PROMOTION / PROBATION / REPETITION4.1 Promotion4.1(a) Foundation Year

(i) All studio courses and LA theory courses in the Foundation Year will conclude at the end of each semester (Spring and Fall). (ii) A student who receives ‘E’ in any studio course at the end of 1st semester (Spring) will be considered fail and shall not promoted to 2nd semester (Fall). (iii) A Student may be able to repeat the failed courses during the Summer Semester (if offered) in order to proceed to the 2nd Semester (Fall). (iv) A minimum CGPA of 2.00 will be required at the end of foundation year (Fall Semester) for promotion in the second year (third semester)

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

07

4.1(b) 3rd to 7th Semester (9th Semester Architecture)

(i) A minimum CGPA of 2.00 is required to be promoted to next semester. (ii) A student who receives ‘E’ grade (fail) and/or “W’ grade (withheld) in any studio course will be considered fail and cannot be promoted to next semester. (iii) A student having more than two failed theory courses (including previously failed courses) at the end of any semester will not be promoted to next semester and will have to repeat that semester / year. (iv) Any student with even one failed theory course at the end of 7th semester / 9th semester (for architecture) will not be promoted into the final 8th semester / 10th semester (for Architecture).

4.2 Academic Probation (3rd to 7th Semester / 9th Semester for Architecture)

A student with a CGPA below 2.00 but not less than 1.80 or having an ‘I’ grade in any studio course will be placed on probation for the duration of the semester. The probation letter will notify the student that he/she will be required to repeat the semester unless his/her performance fulfills the prerequisites for promotion. A student will not be permitted 2 consecutive Academic Probations.

a) A student promoted on probation due to CGPA below 2.00 but not less than 1.80 must obtain the required CGPA of 2.00 to be promoted to the next semester. b) A student promoted on probation due to an ‘I’ (incomplete grade) in studio /theory will have to pass the course within two weeks into the following semester. c) A student cannot have more than 2 probations in an undergraduate programme. Whenever any student’s CGPA decreases below 2.00 but not less than 1.80, he/she will be on probation for the next semester. d) If a student is unable to obtain a CGPA of minimum 2.00 after being placed on Academic Probation, he/she will go back to previous semester. e) The student cannot be promoted to the final semester on probation (8th semester in case of Textile Design, Communication Design, Fine Art, Interior Design and 10th semester in case of Architecture Department). f) A minimum of CGPA of 2.0 is required for promotion to the final semester.

4.3 Repetition

4.3(a) Repeating a Semester / Year (i) A student, who fails any studio course(s) is required to repeat the same semester next year, but shall only be required to repeat the failed course(s). The student will only pay the fee per credit hour as per the prescribed fee rates at that time. (ii) If the student fails to obtain a minimum CGPA of 2.00 in the second academic probation he /she will not be given any further probation and will have to repeat the semester when offered next year. (iii) No student in the final year will be promoted in the final 8th semester/10th Semester (for Architecture) even with one failed theory or studio course. The student will have to repeat the 7th semester/ 9th semester (for Architecture) when offered next year.

4.3(b) Repeating a course for grade improvement

(i) A student may be allowed to repeat course(s) in which he/she has obtained Grade ‘C ’ or ‘D’. (ii) Students can repeat course(s) in regular semesters (Spring and Fall) or during Summer/Winter programmes (if offered). (iii) In case a student repeats the course for grade improvement, the old grade will be substituted with the higher grade (for CGPA calculation).

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

08

4.4 Change of Course(s)

A student, with the consent of the concerned Head/Acting Head, may be allowed to change or drop a course within first quarter after the commencement of a studio course and within first two weeks of the commencement of LA theory courses.

4.5 Disenrollment

At the end of each semester cases of all students on probation will be reviewed in detail to ascertain if the students need to be disenrolled / promoted on probation due to poor and unacceptable performance.

a) A student who drops out before completing the degree will be allowed to rejoin. b) Any re-admission will be subject to a detailed review by a panel comprising of the Academic Dean, Head/Acting Head of the concerned department, a member from BOS of the relevant department, a senior faculty member and the Registrar. Decision taken will be documented for future reference.

5. RIGHT OF APPEAL

Students who have failed or have been asked to repeat a semester have the right to appeal for re-assessment only on the basis of a proven administrative error.

5.1 Student Grievances against any Course Evaluation

a) An Academic/Grade Grievance Committee headed by the Dean of Academics, Head/Acting Head of the department, Senior Faculty Member, a neutral member from other department and Registrar will redress the grievances of the student. A student must approach the Head/Acting Head of the Department for a grievance on grade within 5 days of the receipt of the grade. The Head/Acting Head of the Department shall forward the grade grievance to the committee. It is mandatory on the Committee to hear both sides (student and the instructor), and give a final decision within 5 days or before the start of registration for the new semester whichever comes early. The decision of the Committee will be final. b) A Departmental Committee headed by the Dean of Academics, Head/Acting Head and Senior Faculty Members may be constituted to periodically review some assignments, to ensure uniformity in evaluation.

6. INTER DEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER STUDENTS

Inter Departmental Transfer of the students will be considered after receiving a written application at the end of the foundation year. Transfer shall be subject to minimum required grades, available space in the department and approval of concerned Head/Acting Head of Department. Additionally, student’s performance at the time of admission as compared to minimum level accepted for other students in the new department would be taken into account along with the current performance.

a) The transfer of a student(s), admitted on their second choice at the time of the admission will not be considered for transfer to any other department.

7. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Foundation Year students and students of all other semesters, whose SGPA is below 2.30 and 2.50 respectively at the end of the semester will not be entitled to receive any Financial Assistance. As soon as their SGPA increases to the required level restoration of Financial Assistance will be considered.

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

09

8. GRADUATION

To graduate from the School and qualify for the award of degree, the student must fulfill the following requirements:

a) The student must pass all the courses. b) The student must have a minimum CGPA of 2.00. c) The student must have a minimum grade of C in final year thesis and a minimum grade of D in both Dissertation and Internship.

8.1 Thesis Grading:

a) A Thesis grade of only ‘A’ will be considered as Distinction in thesis. b) A student requires a CGPA of 3.25 and above to get an overall Distinction at the end of semester 8 / semester 10 (for architecture). c) Students can be barred from appearing in the final jury in case: (i) The attendance of the student is less than 75% (ii) Sufficient evidence of developmental work leading to the final display of thesis is not shown and approved by the internal thesis advisor(s).

d) If the thesis advisor(s) feels that the student’s work is weak and not up to the mark despite satisfying the above two requirements, a letter informing the student about his/her weak academic position will be given. This letter must be signed by the student, in which he/she will either : (i) Voluntarily agrees not to appear for the thesis, or (ii) Decides to proceed with the thesis in any case

The advice of the mid-term internal jury should be made explicitly clear on the letter, and his/her file for the record. This advice will remain confidential and will under no circumstances be shared with the external jurors.

9. POLICY ON ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, work or statements as one’s own. This includes, but is not limited to, copying written answers verbatim from a book, taking articles or images from the internet or a research CD, cut/copy and paste” from an internet source, copying another student’s work, permitting another individual to copy your work, permitting another student to do someone else’s work, whether intellectually, creatively or physically).

If a student is found guilty of plagiarism, cheating or academic dishonesty, the arbitration committee is liable to impose any one or more of the following penalties in addition to reporting the matter to the parents /guardian:

a) For first offence, zero will be given in that assignment or course. b) For repeated offence, the student will be suspended for a specified period or can even be expelled from the School.

Umair SaeedRegistrar

IVS Grading Policy for intake of Spring 2015 and onwards (effective from August 2016)

10

CGPA 2.00