Undergraduate Regulations
Academic Regulations have been laid down by the Northern Cyprus Educational Trust to govern and guide the functioning of Eastern Mediterranean University(EMU). An official copy of the Academic Regulations can be obtained from the University Bookstore upon request ; a summary of the main regulations of interest to students is given below.

 

Admissions

Application for Admission
An applicant for admission to one of the undergraduate programs of E.M.U must satisfy the following requirements:

a. The applicant must submit a certified copy of a Secondary School Diploma or the equivalent, demonstrating that s/he has satisfactorily graduated from secondary school; and must arrange for other relevant certified documents, such as transcripts or detailed mark sheets, to be released to E.M.U.

b. An applicant who is not a citizen of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) or of the Republic of Turkey (TR) is in addition required: I) to have achieved an overall secondary school performance approved by the department to which admission is sought; ii) to supply two letters of recommendation; and iii) to supply financial guarantees that sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses are available.
 

c. Applications who are citizens of the TR are placed through the Turkish National University Entrance Examinations; citizens of the TRNC are required to sit for the E.M.U.entrance examination. Application for the entrance examination constitutes application for admission to E.M.U. 

Admission Categories

Applicants will be granted admission in two categories:

a. Admission to the English Preparatory Year Program 
The majority of newly admitted students who have just completed secondary school studies spend their .first Academic Year at E.M.U. in the English Preparatory Year Program. The main objective of this program is the development of proficiency in the use of English so that the student will be adequately prepared to undertake university-level studies conducted in the medium of English. A further objective is to help the student adjust to the E.M.U. environment and develop the self-discipline and habits of study that will be essential for success in the university’s programs of study.
 

b. Admission Directly to Freshman Level
Any student admitted to E.M.U. who can demonstrate proficiency in English deemed adequate for university-level studies may be permitted to register directly for freshman classes without enrolling in the English Preparatory Year Program.
 
 

Registration
 

The Academic Advisor
Each student at the University is assigned an Academic Advisor who assists the student with matters related to scheduling , course selection , registration , and related matters. The advisor is usually a faculty member in the academic department in which the student is enrolled.

Although the advisor plays a key role in the student’s progress through University studies , it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to meet all University requirements , and it is the responsibility of the Office of the Registrar to ascertain and certify that these requirements have been met.

Students must obtain their advisors approval for the following transactions: registration , selection of core and elective courses, adding courses to the schedule, dropping or withdrawing courses from the schedule.
 

 

Registration Procedures

Immediately prior to the commencement of classes each semester, certain days are designated for formal registration, as indicated on the academic calendar. The registration procedure is initiated by paying the tuition and fees prescribed for that semester. At this time, all students are advised and given class schedules. Students must register for all mandatory courses offered in the Fall and Spring semester of the freshman year. Students in probational standing may register for a normally mandatory course only with the approval of the Chair of the Department. 

All registration activities must be performed by the students concerned. Registration by proxy or mail is not accepted.
 
 

Late Registration

Students who have not completed formal registration processes by the scheduled period may be permitted to register late, if and only if the delay has been involuntary. Permission to register late will be considered and finalized by the Faculty or School concerned.
 
 

Registration Adjustment

a. Adding Courses to the Schedule
With the approval of their Academic Advisor and the Chair of the Department, students may request the addition of courses to their schedule up until the end of the tenth class day of a regular term. Such reuests will be granted if: a) the maximum allowable student course load would not be exceeded; b) the added courses can be scheduled along with the student’s other requests.
 

b. Dropping Courses from the Schedule
With the approval of his/her Acedemic Advisor and the Chair of the Department, a student may drop courses from his/her schedule during the first two weeks of classes in a regular term.
 

c. Withdrawing from a Course
Course withdrawal may take place not later than the end of the eleventh week of the semester, with the approval of the Academic Advisor and the Chair of the Department. A student who withdraws from a course will receive a notation of “W” on his/her transcript. This notation means that no credit is permitted for this course in the assessment of the student’s overall performance.
 

 

Transfers
 

Transfer from another Academic Institution
A student who has completed at least one term of an equivalent program at another university or equivalent institution, may apply for transfer to a program at E.M.U. Such an application will be sympathetically considered provided the applicant: a) has not been dismissed from that institution , either on academic or any other grounds; b) has an adequate knowledge of English; and c) provided the quota for transfer students has not been exceeded in the program applied to.

A student may be exempted from courses in his/her chosen program at E.M.U., on the basis of having completed equivalent coursework at the other institution; decisions concerning equivalence and comparability will be made by the relevant department at E.M.U.

Transfer applications can only be made for entry to the second, third,fourth or fifth academic terms, and thus the student is required to complete at least one-half of the total course load requrement at E.M.U.
 

 

Transfer within the University
At the time of a student’s admission to E.M.U., transfer from one program to another is permitted once only, if the student has successfully completed at least one term of study in a department other than the English Preparatory School; and provided that the quota for transfer students has not been exceeded in the program applied to. It is necessary, however, for the student to apply to and be accepted formally by the new department. Such internal transfers are only possible from a four-year program to another four-year program; and from a two-year program to a two-year program. A student who is eligible to continue his/her four-year degree program, may transfer to a two-year diploma program with the consent of the Director of the program concerned. A two-year diploma program student who graduates with a cumulative grade-point average above a certain limit may transfer to a four-year degree program, with the consent of the Faculty or School concerned.
 

 

 

Course-Load and Assessment
 

The Academic Year
A student’s annual academic activities normally take place in an academic year consisting of two periods of study of at least 16 weeks each, including the schedule of final examinations. These two periods of study are reffered to as the Fall and Spring semesters.

Normally there is a two-week break between the semesters. Summer Sessions may be offered in the period between academic years.

First, Second, Third, and Fourth-Year students are designated “Freshmen”,”Sophomores”,”Juniors”, and “Seniors” respectively.
 

 

The Academic Term and Semester 
Semester is a unit of time in the academic calendar. According to the Educational By-Laws of Eastern Mediterranean University, the duration of a semester cannot be less than 80 working days, which is about 16 weeks. The normal duration of a four-year program is 8 semesters, and for a two-year program it is 4 semesters.

The academic term refers to the actual registered position of a student in semesters within his or her departmental program of study(i.e. curriculum). In general, the academic term for a regular student corresponds to the number of semesters covered within the student’s departmental program. For an irregular student, the academic term is determined by the relation of the credit-hours specified in the student’s departmental program to the cumulative credit-hours attempted.
 

 

The Semester Course
Part of a curriculum where credits can be earned towards a degree or diploma is earned in units called “courses”. Courses ordinarily consist of two to four hours of instruction and, where appropriate, laboratory or tutorial work, for each week of the Fall or Spring semester. For the Summer sessions, the weekly course loads are doubled.
 

 

Mode of Assessment
An EMU student begins serious and carefully directed work for each registered course from the first day of classes. This process of concentrated development continues throughout the term and formally concluded with the final examination.

The mode of assessment of a student’s work is continuous; that is, the evaluation process also commences with the student’s performance in the first class session. A final grade in a course involves a total evaluation of the work for that semester and is based on a number of factors: participation in classroom activities, quizzes, reports, laboratory work, in-term examinations, and the final examination.
 

 

The Credit-Hour
Courses offered for academic credit at EMU are described in terms of a whole number index that is proportional to the academic involvement measured in hours which is assumed to be required of a student. This index is termed the "credit-hour", and it is a measure of academic work.

For each course, one credit-hour is equivalent to the total of one lecture hour per week; plus any additional time that may be required for preparation and reports outside of class; plus any required laboratory or tutorial work, each hour per week of which is generally considered equivalent to one-third of a credit-hour.

Thus a course consisting of both lecture and laboratory/tutorial sessions, and meeting for 3 lecture hours and 2 laboratory/tutorial hours weekly would be assigned 4 credit-hours, and would receive a credit rating of “(3,2) 4”, where the first digit indicates the weekly lecture hours, the second digit the weekly laboratory/tutorial hours, and the last the credit-hours associated with the course. 
 

 

The Course Load
A course load is defined as the number of credit-hours for which a student is registered.

The average course load for EMU students varies between 15 and 23 credit-hours, depending upon the program chosen. During a Summer Session, students usually carry loads from 3 to 8 credit-hours. The normal course load is indicated in the program of a department.

A student may be allowed to reduce this load by the equivalent of one course, or increase it by the equivalent of two courses, with the approval of his/her Academic Advisor and the Chair of the Department. However, when the course load is reduced, the student is required to take the corresponding course missed at the next available opportunity.

A student who is in his/her last academic term before graduation may be permitted to register for course loads deemed appropriate by his/her Academic Advisor, and with the approval of the Chair of the Department.
 

 

Part-Time Students
A student who for personal reasons cannot complete a program in the prescribed period and registers for a course load of less than 12 credit-hours, may be permitted with the consent of the Faculty and approval of the Office of the Rector, to register as a Part-Time Student. The tuition fee payable in this case is proportional to the course load taken.
 

 

Special Students
A student who does not register in any program, but who is permitted to attend some lectures, is given the status of Special Student.

No diploma or degree is conferred upon such a student, but successful students receive a certificate prepared by the Registrar's Office. Permission for this status is considered by the Chair of a Department or the Director of a diploma program, together with the Registrar. Such students are required to possess at least a Secondary School Diploma in order to be eligible, and attend no more than two courses per semester. Tuition fees are proportional to the course load taken.
 

 

 

Grading and Scholastic Evaluation
 

Faculty members have the responsibility of providing the University with an individual evaluation of the work of each student in their classes. Grade reports are normally received in the Office of the Registrar immediately after the final examination period for each term, and end-of-course grades are entered on each student's academic record at the close of each term.
 

 

End-of-Course Grades and Grade-Points

Twelve categories of scholastic achievement, ranging from "superior" to "failure" (A,A-,B+,B,B-,C+,C,C-,D+,D,D-,F), are recognized as valid end-of-course grades. These grades are indexed on a scale of "0-4" and termed "Grade-Points".

Five other symbols are used. "W"(withdrawn), indicates withdrawal from a student has been authorized to delay completion of coursework past the normal end-of-term, the symbol "I"(incomplete) may be employed temporarily in lieu of an academic grade until a formal grade is reported. Avhievement in a non-credit-hour course is indicated by the symbols "S"(satisfactory) or "U"(unsatisfactory). In the case of repeated coursework, the last grade earned is considered the offical course grade. The symbol "NG"(Nil Grade) indicates poor attendence and/or a failure to complete assigned work (including exams).

The letter grades are indexed to Grade-Point equivalents as follows: A=4.0; A-=3.7; B+=3.3; B=3.0; B-=2.7; C+=2.3; C=2.0; C-=1.7; D+=1.3; D=1.0; D-=0.7; F=0.0; NG=0.0. No grade-point equivalent is assessed for the notations I,W,S, and U.
 

 

Credit Earned
A student earns a credit based on the level of his/her achievement in a course. The credit earned is the product obtained by multiplication of the "Credit-Hour" and the "Grade-Point: obtained.
 

 

The Grade-Point Average (GPA)
A student's academic achievement for each term is expressed numerically by an index reffered to as the "Grade Point Average" (GPA). The GPA is obtained by: (1) calculating credit earned for each course; (2) adding these results for all courses in the term to obtain the total credits; (3) dividing the total credits by the total credit-hours attempted. The GPA so obtained can range from 0.00 to a maximum of 4.00. A student's GPA is calculated and reported to two decimal places.
 

 

The Cumulative Grade-Point Average (CGPA)
A student's overall academic archivement is expressed numerically by an index reffered to as the "Cumulative Grade-Point Average" (CGPA). The CGPA is obtained by: (1) adding credits earned in each term completed; (2) adding credit-hours attempted in each term completed; (3) dividing the total credits earned by the total credit-hours attempted.

When a course is repeated, the last credit earned and, if changed, the new credit-hour, are substituted in place of the previous values. 
 

 

Conditions for "I" and "W" Grades
 

a. The Incomplete (I)
The "I" grade is a temporary reporting symbol, indicating that the student is authorized additional time to submit or complete work. The student must have presented an academically acceptable explanation to his/her instructor stating why the work was not completed within the time limit specified by the instructor.

The time for replacing an "I" with a normal grade must not be later than one week before the first day of registration to the following semester. If a student re-registers for a course for which s/he has previously been assigned an "I", or fails to complete the required work, the "I" grade will automatically convert to an "F" and will be treated as an "F" grade.
 
 

b. The Withdrawal (W)
A grade of "W" is used to indicate offical withdrawal from a course not later than the elevanth week in a regular semester. A "W" grade has no effect on scholastic computations. A student's eligibility for a "W" grade is forfeited if, at the time of intended withdrawal, his/her unexcused absence exceeded one fifth of the total lecture or laboratory meetings to date.
 

 

Correction of Grades
Once recorded in the Office of the Registrar, grades may be corrected only if a written statement is submitted to the Registrar by the instructor and approved by the Chair of the Department concerned, certifying that the first reported grade is in error.

A student who feels strongly that s/he has received an in-term grade that is improper, has the right of formal appeal. The student must promptly discuss the matter with the instructor of the course within three days of the announcement of grades. If, following discussion with the instructor, the student still feels that the grade is improper, s/he may, within the following three days, present the case to the Chair of the Department. The appeal is considered by a committee appointed by the Chair of the Department, and a decision is reached within one week of receipt of the appeal; this decision is final.

If end-of-course grades are in question, then the time limit for a student to discuss the matter with his/her instructor is extended until the last day of registration for the following semester.
 

Examinations
 

a. Schedule of Examinations
The Registrar of the University is charged with preparing and distributing a schedule of examinations well before the examination period designated for each term. The design objective for the schedule of final examinations is for each student to have one examination scheduled each day, starting with the first day and continuing uninterrupted until examinations have been taken in all courses. To the greatest extent possible,the number of students with multiple examinations on a single day is reduced to the lowest figure. Individual conflicts that may arise from the schedule should be reconciled with the asistance of the Registrar. An alternative to an examination may be employed for certain courses with the approval of an Academic Dean or Director.
 

b. Examinations in Degree and Diploma Programs
For each course, a minimum of one in-term examination, a final examination, and any number of quizzes/tests are held. Students are given detailed outlines of each course, which also include information on the grading system and the relative weights of the examinations. Final examinations are held at least three days after termination of classes.
 

c. Examinations in the Preparatory Year Program
For each course a number of in-term examinations, any number of quizzes, and one end-of-term examination are held. The Director of the Preparatory School informs students at the beginning of each term as to how many in-term examinations will be held.
 

 

Academic Evaluation
 

Evaluation of a Course 
A course is said to have been successfully completed if a student in any scholastic status, except dismiss, obtains a grade of A, A-, B+,B,B-,C+,C,C-,D+,D or S. A course in which a student receives a grade of D-,F,NG or U is not considered to have been satisfactorily completed, and the student is required to repeat such a course in the next semester that it is offered.
 

 

Scholastic Status

a. Satisfactory (S) Status
In order for a student to be considered successful at the end of a semester, his/her GPA must be at least 2.00 out of maximum possible achievement of 4.00.

b. Honor and High Honor Students
In order for a student to be considered successful at the end of a semester, his/her GPA must be at least 2.00 out of a maximum possible achievement of 4.00. A student who having taken a normal course load has obtained a semester GPA between 3.00 and 3.49 is designated an "Honor Student"; a student who obtains a semester average between 3.50 and 4.00 is designated a "High Honor Student".
 

c. Probational Status (First Academic Warning)
i) Four-Year Degree Programs: A student enrolled in a degree program will receive an Academic Warning if in a given semester s/he obtains a CGPA lower than the required minimum semester CGPA described below:
 

At the end of the first (freshman) year

or the second academic term...........  1.15

At the end of third academic term.....1.35

At the end of the fourth academic term...1.95

At the end of the fifth academic term....1.70

At the end of the sixth academic term....1.80

At the end of the seventh academic term..1.90
 

ii) Two-Year Diploma Programs: A student enrolled in a diploma program will receive an Academic Warning if in a given semester s/he obtains a CGPA lower than the required minimum semester CGPA described below:

At the end of the first year

Or the second academic term...............1.30

At the end of the third academic term.....1.65

A student who receives an academic warning will remain on probation and will be treated as such until s/he CGPA is raised to the limits stated above.

A student on probation will receive a special attention and be treated as follows:

i) The semester following the first academic warning, a student will not be allowed to register for more than two new courses. The student, therefore will also be asked to repeat the courses which s/he had already taken in the previous semesters and received the grades F,NG,D- and/or if necessary, the ones with the grades D,D+ or C-.
 

ii) The semester following an academic warning if a student's probational status still continues (i.e., if s/he receives another academic warning for that semester too) then the student will be asked to repeat courses already taken in the previous semesters, only. These students are not allowed to register for any new courses. The courses with F,NG,and D- grades are to be repeated first. The student may also be asked to repeat courses which s/he already completed with D,D+, and C- grades.
 
 

c. A student who receives an academic warning in two consecutive semesters may also be advised to choose from one of the following two options:

i) The option to transfer to another program in the University, subject to the limitations of student contingencies and to the approval of the concerned Faculty or School Council. (Within this framework, transfer from a two-year program to a four-year program is not permissible.)
 

ii) The option to take a paying leave of absence from the University for one or two semesters.

d. A "last academic warning" is issued to a student who fails to meet the limits for three consecutive semeters

e. The semester following the "last academic warning", 'f the student's probationary status still continues s/he will be dismissed from the program for which s/he is registered.

 
 

Graduation
 

A student is entitled to graduate if s/he: (I) Satisfactorily completes all required courses, laboratory studies, reports and summer training with a CGPA of 2.00 or higher; and (ii) Attains a sum of credit-hours amounting to at least the minimum required for graduation. If at the time of his/her graduation a student has achieved a CGPA of 3.00 or greater, this will be indicated on his/her graduation Diploma/Certificate and official transcript as follows: students with a CGPA in the range 3.00-3.49 "Honors"; students with a C.G.P.A. in the range 3.50-4.00 "High Honors".

Graduation is conferred by the University Senate upon the request of Faculties and Schools. The Diplomas/Certificates are prepared by the Office of the Registrar, and describe the name of the program, the date of graduation, and the degree or title obtained.
 
 
 

Additional Regulations

Attendance Requirements
The University believes that the benefits of academic studies come not only from independent study and the preparation of materials for formal grading, but also from participation in class and laboratory activities. Regular attendance of EMU students is therefore required in all courses for which they are registered. University regulations do not permit unexcused absence or tardiness.

For flagrant violation of the spirit of regular class attendance, an EMU faculty member may report an "NG" grade whenever unexcused absence are excessive. Such action may be taken when the number of unexcused absence exceeds 20% of the total class/laboratory hours scheduled for the course. This regulation is not considered punitive, nor will it be so administered. Students should be aware, however, that course grades can be adversely affected through absence, whether excused or unexcused.
 

Leave of Absence
A student who has a compelling excuse for having a break from University studies for a period of time, may appeal for leave of absence. This period may not exceed four semesters during a course of study for a degree.

Appeals are made in writing to the Chair of the Department at the beginning of each semester and are considered within five weeks of the commencement of classes. Medical cases are dealt with separately. Permission for leave of absence must be approved by the Office of the Rector upon request by the Dean/Director of the program concerned.
 

Withdrawal from the University
A student who finds it necessary to withdraw from the University must initiate withdrawal procedures with the Office of the Registrar. The official withdrawal procedure requires that the student obtain clearances from the Registrar, the Library, the Bookstore, Student Housing, and the Accounting Department.
 

Student Transcript of Academic Record 
At the end of each semester, the EMU student is provided with a copy of his/her academic record. The accuracy of these records is of the utmost importance, and errors or suspected errors should be brought to the immediate attention of the Registrar. This record is issued for the information of the student, and should not be submitted as an official college record to individuals, institutions, or agencies outside the University.

An official transcript of a student's entire academic record will be provided upon submission of a written request from the srudent to the Registrar. The official transcript will be mailed by the Registrar to the intended recipient and cannot be handed directly to the student. Neither grade reports nor transcripts will be furnished to any outside agency without a written request from the student. Every official transcript issued by the University must be complete and unedited; the University will not certify partial academic records.
 

Summer Sessions
Summer Sessions are organized mainly to help students with low scholastic achievement, and may be registered to for credit with the approval of the Department concerned. These sessions are normally held before the Fall semester and form periods of intensive study which last for eight weeks. Any number of courses may be offered, although this is based on student demand, as reflected by pre-registration procedures.

A student may register for any summer course through the registration procedure outlined above for a normal term. The scholastic achievement is graded in the same way and only included in the CGPA calculations at the end of the following semester.
 

Summer Training
Students are encouraged to take part in industrial work/organizations relating to their fields of study. The "Summer Training Office" organizes such participation locally or abroad. This may be required as part of the fulfillment of certain programs, and students are required in certain programs to complete two Summer Training sessions with durations of not less than 30 working days each.
 

Disciplinary Matters
The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to an academic community. It is expected that both teachers and students will honor these principles. In the event of academic dishonesty or behavior that may damage University functions, disciplinary actions as described in the "Disciplanary Regulations" may be enforced by the Disciplinary Committee of the University.