Academic Orientation Guide

1. Faculty of Information & Communication Technology (FICT) Academic Orientation Guide Student’s Academic Guide for Flexi-course structure

2. Your Next Immediate Task • Get your course structure. • For foundation students, STPM, UEC, and ‘A’ level. • Admission dept. has pre-registered you, no need for you to register your class. • Get your time table from FICT office notice board. • Go to class since you have paid your bill already. • For transfer students (KTAR, colleges). • See your HoD or academic advisor to plan your semester, register your units with add/drop form. • After that make your time table from FICT office notice board. • Go to class. • If you add any new subject, new bill will be out in week #3. • Check your bill online in student portal and pay again.

3. Sample Course Structure • Will be explained in detail.

4. Time Table • For Year 1 Trimester 1, please copy from the FICT (block A177) notice board. • For foundation students, STPM, UEC, and ‘A’ level • Please copy the right one according to your degree. • For transfer students (KTAR, colleges). • You have to “make” your time table after you have talked to your HoD or academic adviser.

5. Sample Time Table (top half) • For Year 1 Trimester 1, please copy from the FICT general office (block A177) notice board.

6. Sample Time Table (bottom half)

7. Time Table (top half) Explained You have a class UCCM1333 on Monday at 12pm to 2pm at room EDK1 (L) = Lecture (P) = Practical or lab (T) = Tutorial (T1) = Tutorial group 1

8. Time Table (second half) Explained This subject has 3 hours of lecture & and 1 hour of tutorial Unit code Unit/subject title This class is taken by students of…. Lecture is taught by Prof Ponansky

9. Learn to Get Around UTAR • For those who are new to UTAR Kampar: • Get a map and know the room numbers. • Know where your labs, tutorial rooms, and lecture halls are located. • Know your time to travel between blocks. Block B Block A Block E Block D Block G Question: If you have a class at EDK1, do you know where is it?

10. Your #1 Objective in UTAR - FICT Graduate with a degree !!! But how ?! The following is a guide to help you to achieve this objective.

11. Steps to Graduate • Follow the 4 “simple” steps to reach your objective: • Get your course structure • Do this SOON !! • Register and go to classes • Do this SOON !! • Will do this in the beginning of every semester • Check your result and progress • Will do this at the end of every semester • Prepare for graduation • Industrial training & final year project

12. Step #1 Get your course structure.

13. What is a course structure ?! • This is the first phrase that you need to know in order to graduate. • Course Structure is • a table that shows you all the subjects that you need to take in order to graduate. • It is different for every degree programs • Because each degree programs has different subjects/units. • Please DON’T refer to the wrong one. • Networking students don’t go and get the computer science course structure.

14. Sample of CS course structure • CS = Computer Science

15. Sample of IA course structure • IA = Information System Engineering

16. Sample of IB course structure • IB = Business Information System

17. Sample of CN course structure • CN = Communication & Networking

18. Sample of CT course structure • CT = Computer Engineering

19. Course Structure – Important !!! • Learn how to read a course structure !! • If you finish all the subjects/units in the course structure with a passing grade. • YOU GRADUATE !!! • You only change course structure if you change your degree program. • Course structure is a “contract” between the university & YOU. • It won’t be changed as long as you are admitted to a particular program, at a particular semester. • Same course structure follows you until you graduate (even that you take 5 years to graduate) • Same degree program may have different course structures (together with the rules) depending on the semester you join UTAR • For example: Jan 2008 networking (CN) students and Jan 2011 networking (CN) students have a different course structure . • Same rules associated with the course structure

20. How to get your course structure? - 1 • Log in to www.utar.edu.my Click here

21. How to get your course structure? - 2 • If you don’t have a login name and password, get one as soon as possible.

22. How to get your course structure? - 3 Click here

23. How to get your course structure? - 4 Click here

24. How to get your course structure? - 5 • Enter your selection

25. How to get your course structure? - 6 • Click on the correct structure that belongs to you !! • UCCN110101 = CN Year 2011 Jan 1st • ULCN090501 = CN Year 2009 May 1st Click here

26. How to get your course structure? - 7 • Quick Quiz for CS students: Which one do you choose?

27. Answer • None of the given one.

28. Your Structure Code – Jan 2011 • UCIA110101 for IA students • UCIB110101 for IB students • UCCS110101 for CS students • UCCN110101 for CN students • UCCT110101 for CT students

29. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 1 • Each degree can be completed in 3 years • Each year there are 3 trimesters • 2 long trimesters and 1 short trimester • Long trimesters • Jan semester and May semester • 14 weeks of class • 1 week of study week (basically holiday) • 2 weeks of final exam. • 2 to 3 weeks of break • Short trimesters • Oct semester • 7 weeks of class • 1 week of study week • 2 weeks of final exam • 3 weeks of break

30. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 2 Unit credit hour Unit code Unit “type” Unit title

31. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 3 • Unit code = • Determine the “ownership” of the unit, normally by a department of a faculty • More for the administrative purposes of the university • UCCD1003: “U” = bachelor; “C” = FICT; “D”=CS; ‘1’ = Year 1 • The last alphabet ‘A’ = IA, ‘B’ = IB, ‘D’ = CS, ‘E’ = CT, ‘N’ = CN • Unit title = description of the unit • Unit may have similar title but different code • For example, both Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering offers an unit with the same title: • ULEG4183 DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING • UCCE3053 DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING • Unit type = Major, minor or compulsory • To be elaborated in the “Step #2: Register for classes”

32. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 4 • Credit hours • Unit credit hours • Degree credit hours • The sum of all units credit hours within a course structure • Typically 120 hours or 123 hours • If a degree have more credit hours, it means the degree has more units, and it takes longer to graduate. degree credit hour

33. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 5 • Credit hours • Unit credit hours • A typical unit has 3 credit hours • The higher the unit credit hour, the “longer in time” and more “complex” the unit will be • E.g. UBMM1011 (1 credits) is “much simpler” than UCCC2214 (4 credits) • Degree credit hours • 120 credits / 3 credits = 40 units (max)

34. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 6 electives Pre-requisites

35. A simple Guide to Course Structure - 7 • Pre-requisites • A unit that you MUST take prior to the desired subject • For example, in order to register for UCCD2003, you must take UCCD1013 first. • Electives • You have the flexibility to choose units from a “group of units” • Normally for technical specialization • Required to discuss with your academic advisor

36. Changing course structure.. • If you want to change course structure, you need change to another degree program (or vice-versa). • Please note that you need to pay RM200 (course transfer fee), in order to transfer to a new degree program.

37. Flexi vs Fixed Course Structure • Fixed course structure • The number units taken in a semester has been pre-determined by the university. • You have to take those units at a particular semester whether you like it or not. • Flexi course structure • The number units taken in a semester is determined by the students (meaning YOU). • Of course, there are rules and regulations on the number of units that you can take.

38. Step #2 Register for class

39. Allowable credit hours in a semester? 4. Academic Load (2) Full-time students who are not on probation shall be allowed to register for a maximum of 21 credit hours and a minimum of 1 unit in a 14 lecture-week trimester and a maximum of 12 credit hours and a minimum of 1 unit in a 7 lecture-week trimester. (3) Full-time students on Probation shall be allowed to register for a maximum of 15 credit hours and a minimum of 1 unit in the 14 lecture-week trimester and a maximum of 6 credit hours and a minimum of 1 unit in the 7 lecture-week trimester. (6) Students who did not register for at least 1 unit in a trimester must apply for leave of absence for that trimester, provided if it is a teaching trimester. Taken from: UTAR Regulation II: COURSE REGISTRATION, REFUND OF FEES, LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND WITHDRAWAL FROM STUDIES

40. Allowable credit hours explained • In a typical long semester (14 weeks) • Maximum 21 credit hours (about 7 units) • Minimum 1 unit • 1 credit hour to 6 credit hours, typically 3 credit, • 6 credits hours if you have industrial training • In a short semester (7 weeks) • Maximum 12 credit hours (about 4 units) • Minimum 1 unit (same as the above) • Refer to your course structure: (unit -> credit hours conversion) • More than 90% of all the units = 3 credits • UBMM1011: Sun Zi’s Art of War = 1 credit • The only 1 credit hour unit in the whole course structure • USCC10X2: Co-Curricular units = 2 credit • Project II and Industrial Training = 6 credits • Project II is in Year 3 • Industrial training occupies a whole semester (either long or short) • Some technical units = 4 credits

41. The things you need to do in Step #2 • Plan the units that you are going to take • Meet your academic adviser (or Head of Dept) • Course registration screen • Plan your time table • Register class • Pay your bill. • Go to class for the semester, then take your final exam at the end of the semester.

42. 1. Plan the units that you are going to take • Question: How many units should I take? • Answer: • As previously stated, you are allowed to take between 21 credits (7 units) and 1 unit (typically 3 credits). • Depending on your “ability” and “mood”, you can take 9 credits in a semester (easy life), but it will take longer to graduate (your choice). • You have five years to finish your degree program beginning at the time you officially registered to the degree program. • E.g: For all of you joining Jan 2011, you have to graduate before Dec 2015. • Do your “credit” math if you want to have a easy time in UTAR. Part II – Duration of Study 4. Maximum Duration of Study (1) The maximum duration of study is the period arrived at by adding a period of two years to the normal duration of study. Taken from: Regulation III : ADMINISTRATION OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

43. 1. Plan the units that you are going to take • Question: Which units should I take? • Answer: • As this moment, depending on whether you are previously: • A foundation student (from UTAR, MMU, etc) • a UEC or STPM student • a transferred students from other institution (e.g • Before you do any planning, please get your course structure ready FIRST.

44. 1. Plan the units that you are going to take • Question: Which units should I take? • Answer: • For foundation students, UEC, STPM students: • Follow your course structure. • For all the Y1T1 students (Year 1 Trimester 1), the university has “pre-registered” the units for you based on your course structure. (ONLY for this semester). • Starting Y1T2, you have to plan and register the class for yourself (with the help of academic advisor).

45. 1. Plan the units that you are going to take CT CN IA The faculty may have registered these units for you Y1T1 students IB CS

46. 1. Plan the units that you are going to take • Question: Which units should I take? • Answer: • For transferred students (KTAR, & other colleges): • You NEED to consult your (HoD) head of department (or academic advisor). • Your NEED your HoD’s help to plan your 1st semester. • It is a case by case basis.

47. 2. Meet Your Academic Advisor • Who is my academic adviser (or Head of department)? • Answer: • Academic advisor is a lecturer who helps you to plan your courses/units. • Look for the name of your adviser or ask the faculty office. Click here

48. 2. Meet Your Academic Advisor • Case study example: • A transferred student has • UCCD1003, UCCD1203 and UCCN1003 transferred. • Academic advisor may give advice to the students to take: • UCCD1023, UCCD1133, UCCD1013, UCCM1333, and UCCM1353 and MPW2133 (total 18 credits).

49. 2. Meet Your Academic Advisor • Guideline to select your units: • Select “major” units that are pre-requisites to other units FIRST !! • E.g. UCCN1003 Data Communication and Networks, for CN students. • E.g. UCCD1003 Programming Concepts and Design for all IT students • If you don’t take these units first, it will DELAY your graduation. • Select “technical” units that are not offered in every semester FIRST !! • Select “minor” units over “compulsory” units first. • “Fill in the credits” with “compulsory” units LAST !! (if you have nothing else to take)

50. 2. Meet Your Academic Advisor • Question: If I can select units “here and there”, why do I need the course structure. • Answer: • Remember that you HAVE TO pass all the units in the course structure in order to graduate. • Though you are allowed to take units “ahead” of your semester shown in the course structure by taking maximum allowable credit of 21 hours, the course structure is a good guide that will allow you to graduate in 3 years. • For Y1T1 students, it is ADVISABLE to try out the 18 units first, you MAY NOT be able to cope.