CHAPTER 3
GENERAL INFORMATION
3.1 Academic Year
The academic year of the University is divided into 2 semesters each of 15 weeks’ duration.
Written examinations are held either after the 15th week of each semester or at the end of the
academic year depending on the Programme of Studies and are usually of two-three weeks’
duration.
3.2 Programme of Studies
A Programme of Studies is an approved curriculum, which leads to an award upon successful
completion.
A Programme of Studies (e.g. BSc (Hons) Mathematics or BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering) is
made up of a specified number of modules, which are drawn from one discipline or field of study
or more and which often combine core modules with a range of electives from which students can
choose. Each of the modules carries a certain number of credits.
3.3 Modules
A module refers to any discrete and relatively self-contained course unit for curriculum option,
each of which is likely to be characterised by a particular content and structure, specific methods
of delivery (a combination of lectures, tutorials, practicals and independent learning, or a set of
learning-teaching materials) and a particular approach to assessment. It is a subset of a
Programme of Studies.
Each module usually consists of an equivalent of 45-90 contact hours comprising lectures,
tutorials, laboratory/field work, etc. Students are, however, expected to put in additional work
through private study, library work, etc. Each module normally carries 3-6 credits, unless
otherwise stated.
Each module can either be taught in one semester (semester module) or throughout two semesters
(yearly module).
Each module has a unique code of 4 or 5 digits, #1#2#3#4 or #1#2#3#4(#5), representing normally
the following:
#1: Year (y), where 1 y 5, for undergraduate programmes. For postgraduate programmes, #1 =
6 or 5 (for some postgraduate modules).
#2: Semester (s), where 1 s 2; s=0 if module is on offer during both semesters. Some modules
may carry digit 3 or 4 corresponding to third or fourth semester.
#3 #4: Module number (01-99).
(#5): Weighting (w), where w = 1, 3 or 5 depending on the module status (Introductory,
Intermediate or Advanced). It gives an indication of the notional degree of difficulty or academic
attainment expected by the student.
For example, the module CIVE 1101(1) is normally offered in year 1 semester 1, and carries a
weighting of 1.
However all modules offered at postgraduate level have the same weighting (w=1).
Some modules are denoted by suffix Y after the fourth digit in the module code, e.g. CSE
1001Y(1). These modules, termed yearly modules, are taught over a period of two semesters and
are examined at the end of the second semester only. There are however continuous assessments
over the period of two semesters.
Some module codes have an ‘R’ at the end (e.g. FREN 2006Y(3)R). These denote modules,
which contain a strong research component and/or a course in research methodology.
Module codes having an ‘l’ at the end (e.g. DFA 1200l) denote modules delivered by mixed mode
and having 10 hours face-to-face interaction with a tutor for each credit. Thus a student will have
thirty hours face-to-face interaction with a tutor for a module carrying three credits.
Modules can be of different types as shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Types of Modules
Core Elective/Optional General Education Module
(GEM)
Module that is essential in a particular Module for which the student Module meant to enhance the
Programme and must be passed by the has a choice to register. In case student’s knowledge. In most
student on the Programme. of failure, the student can Programmes, the student has
either retake the module or to pass in a certain number of
register for another GEMs to be eligible for
elective/optional module that is award of degree. Faculties/
on offer unless otherwise Centres will indicate the
stated. GEMs on offer each
semester/year.
Self-Study Independent Study Audit
Under special circumstances, a One elective in the form of Students who wish to follow
student may be allowed to complete a project may be offered to specific module(s) or are
maximum of 12 credits for an students who have already advised to do so by a
undergraduate programme and a earned at least 75 credits for Department/ Centre may
maximum of 6 credits for a undergraduate Programmes audit same (i.e. such modules
postgraduate Programme by Self- and 27 credits for postgraduate are not examinable for them).
Study. There will be no formal Programmes subject to However, such modules do
lectures but laboratory work will be recommendation by not carry any credit nor any
conducted, if necessary. Assessment Department and approval by grade but would appear in
will be based on laboratory work Faculty/ Centre/ CILL Board. their transcript subject to
and/or assignments as well as tests This elective will carry 3 satisfactory attendance.
and examinations. Self-study modules credits and may be completed
will be supervised. (to read in in a maximum of 2 semesters.
conjunction with section 3.3.1) Grade S, U or X will be
awarded for Independent
Study.
Given resource constraints and critical mass consideration, the University does not bind itself to
offer any specific elective in any Semester/Year.
3.3.1 Procedures for processing requests for Self-Study Modules
(i) Students’ request may be made to the Head of Department/Programme
Coordinator/Dean/Administrative Officer.
(ii) Request should be channeled to Programme Coordinator who consults programme
structure and seeks views of the Department concerned and a resource person is
nominated.
(iii) Recommendations of the Department together with the name of proposed resource person
should be sent to the Faculty/Centre/CILL Board for approval.
(i) If the recommendations are approved, the student should be informed and letter copied to
programme coordinator, Head of Department/s, and resource person concerned. As far as
possible, the resource persons should be full-time academics.
(v) If the resource person is a part-time lecturer, the programme coordinator should send a
request through the Head of Department to the Dean and Vice-Chancellor for approval of
15 contact hours.
Note: A module can be offered on self-study mode only when it has been phased out and
no alternative and/or equivalent module will be run.
3.4 Regulations of a Miscellaneous Nature
3.4.1 Module Registration
(i) Online module registration will be open two (2) weeks before the start of the semester
and kept open till the end of week 2 after the start of the semester for all students except
year 1 students.
(ii) The deadline for late module registration/de-registration shall be the end of week 7 of the
semester.
(iii) Students will be responsible for ensuring that they register for the correct modules and
that the details entered for the module registration are correct by the time of the deadline.
(iv) Students will be individually informed of their module registration status through an
automatic confirmation, through their email.
(v) Programme Coordinators will verify that students have registered for modules by
accessing the report which is generated on-line.
(vi) An administrative/penalty fee of *Rs1,100/ per module which is charged for late module
registration/de-registration *will be increased as from next academic year to act as a
deterrent and discourage students from going beyond the normal 4 weeks deadline for
module registration.
*All concerned will be notified in due course.
3.4.2 Module Change/Withdrawal
Application for change of module(s) or withdrawal from module(s) could only be considered
within four (4) weeks from the start of the semester.
It is to be noted that under the credit system, students who have not withdrawn officially from
module(s) within the deadline and who do not sit for the examination(s) in question will be
deemed to have failed the module(s). As such, their CPA and GPA will be adversely affected.
3.4.3 Exemption from Module(s)
Application for exemption from module(s) for the whole Programme of Studies could only be
considered within two (2) weeks from the start of the academic year/beginning of the Programme
of Studies.
An Administrative Fee of Rs1,100/- per module will be charged for the processing of requests for
exemptions. No refund of tuition fees will be granted for exempted modules, with the exception
of UoM modules. Similar/equivalent modules from UoM or other institutions will not be
considered for refund.
Application for exemption on a piece-meal basis would not be entertained.
Exemption would be granted for not more than 50% of the taught modules, excluding the
project/dissertation, constituting a Programme of Studies.
The student must have scored at least a grade ‘C’ in the relevant module.
The general principle governing exemption would be that the Exemption Committee of the
relevant Department/Centre should be satisfied that there are no significant differences in the two
syllabi in terms of level and depth of coverage and assessment.
A module cannot normally be exempted when the time lapse between the date when the module
was passed and the date when exemption is being claimed for that module exceeds 7 years.
Note that the grade and/or mark previously obtained for
(i) all exempted UoM module(s) will be considered in the computation of the Cumulative
Point Average (CPA), Grade Point Average (GPA) and the Level/Year Point Average
(LPA/YPA) to determine the student’s academic standing.
(ii) all exempted module(s) taken/passed from local/international institutions (other than
UoM) will not be considered in the computation of the Cumulative Point Average (CPA),
Grade Point Average (GPA) and the Level/Year Point Average (LPA/YPA) to determine
the student’s academic standing. Only the credits earned will be accounted for.
3.4.4 Change of Programme of Studies (after one Academic Year)
Students who wish to apply for a new programme after one year of study may do so by applying
in the next academic year. They will have to compete to obtain a seat on the new programme.
3.5 Interruption of Studies
A student could be allowed to interrupt studies for a period of two (2) semesters, renewable for
one more period of up to two (2) semesters, under emergency (unforeseeable) grounds, e.g.
medical, or non-emergency (foreseeable) grounds, e.g. professional obligations or financial
constraints, subject to approval by Faculty/ Centre/ CILL Board and the Teaching and Research
Committee. However, these semesters would be considered as semesters completed with regards
to the maximum period allowed for the Programme of Studies. To be eligible for interruption of
studies, students should have successfully completed at least one (1) year of study in the
appropriate Programme of Studies.
Evidence in the form of certified/ valid documents supporting the grounds (emergency and non-
emergency) for interruption of studies should be produced wherever applicable and obtainable.
The deadline for applying for an interruption of studies on non-emergency grounds is end of
week 8 of any semester.
In case of interruption of studies in the final year, a student must submit a new dissertation or
project.
3.6 Progress from Year to Year
(i) Pre-requisite (PR), Pre-requirement (PQ) and Minimum Requirement (MR) where
applicable, should be strictly followed.
(ii) Termination of Registration
Registration would be terminated if
(a) the CPA of a student remains below 40 for two consecutive registered semesters, unless
decided otherwise by Senate (applicable to students following Programmes of Studies
abiding by semester regulations); or
(b) the CPA of a student remains below 40 at the end of an academic year and s/he has
already repeated one year of study, unless decided otherwise by Senate (applicable to
students following Programmes of Studies abiding by yearly regulations).
Refer also to Section 2.2.
(iii) Interruption of Studies
Under special circumstances a student could be allowed to interrupt studies for a period
of 2 semesters, renewable for one more period of up to two semesters (Refer to section
3.5 above).
(iv) Specific Rules
These rules are applicable to certain Programmes of Studies/ Faculties/ Centres. Consult
relevant Faculty/ Centre Handbooks for further information.
3.7 Facilities
3.7.1 First Aid
The First Aid Post of the University is open to all staff and students. It offers services including
general nursing, first aid, nutrition and dietary advice and sexual health information. The opening
hours are from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
AM Community Community
Nutritionist
9.00 – 12.00 Health Nurse Health Nurse
Gynaecologist
PM Community
Alternate Psychologist
1.00 – 3.00 Physician
weeks
Any emergency case encountered after 4.00 p.m. is referred to La Clinique Mauricienne, Réduit.
3.7.2 Library (Refer to Chapter 15)
The opening hours of the library are as follows:
Weekdays 8.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Saturdays 8.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
(The opening hours may change on the decision of the Chief Librarian).
3.7.3 Sports and Games
The Sports Unit provides a wide range of activities comprising indoor and outdoor games. Most
of the activities are carried out in the University Campus (Students’ Centre, Maryse Justin multi-
purpose stadium and University multi-purpose Gymnasium). A calendar of sports and games
activities is drawn up each academic year and students willing to take part in such activities may
contact the Sports Organiser at the Sports Unit.
A Sports Committee chaired by an academic staff oversees the sports and games activities.
A Sports & Activity Week organised by the Students’ Union is normally held in the 9th week of
the second semester.
3.7.4 Student Counselling Unit
Students who have difficulties in studies, personal problems, traumas and conflicts between peers
which may affect their studies are referred to Acting Assistant Registrar, Admissions and Student
Records Office (ASRO). Based on individual cases, these students are offered advice on
regulations, when necessary they are referred to psychologists, family counsels, psychiatrists and
if needed to Faculties Programme Coordinators and Lecturers for individual consideration. Much
care is taken to deal with such matters in all confidentiality.
3.7.5 Students’ Union (Refer to Chapter 19)
The Students’ Union was established in 1971 and is the official organisation of the students of the
University. It is the centre of the students’ non-academic activities. In addition to acting as
representative body in all matters of the students, the Students’ Union also promotes and provides
for the welfare and the social, cultural and educational activities of the students.
A wide variety of clubs and societies, affiliated to the Students’ Union, have been set up to meet
the educational, cultural, social and recreational affiliations of the University students. Interested
students should contact the Students’ Union Office or consult the Students’ Union webpage.
3.7.6 Cafeteria
A fairly spacious cafeteria is situated in the University Campus, providing amongst others hot
meals, vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus, tea/coffee and pastries.
3.7.7 Photocopy and Laser Printing
Photocopying facilities are available to students against payment at the Students’ Centre and
library.
On the other hand, laser printing facilities are available to students against payment at the Centre
for Information Technology and Systems (CITS). Free printing facilities are available to students
at the 5th Floor CAL Lab Academic Complex Tower Block and at the Lab 2B, Faculty of
Agriculture (students are advised to bring along their printing papers).
3.7.8 Book fair and Banks
Book fairs are often held on campus selling a range of university textbooks and other materials.
Two banks are located on the campus providing a host of facilities including ATMs.
3.8 SWEP
The University of Mauritius Student Work Experience Programme (SWEP) was launched in 1999
in order to help University students acquire meaningful skills and experience from the world of
work and thus enrich their academic training. SWEP is a 6-8 week training programme in an
industry or organisation during the long vacation (End May to end July). It is designed to expose
students to short work placements, real life tasks and activities, which are vital elements in
today’s competitive business environment. In principle, it is meant for students following
Programmes of Studies, which do not provide for industrial training/placement.
3.9 Industrial Placement/ Practical Training/ Practicums/Hospital Placement
All four-year Programmes of Studies at the Faculty of Engineering include an Industrial
Placement whereby students are attached to the industry for a minimum period of 20 weeks.
Practical Training or Placements are also included in other Programmes of Studies offered by
other Faculties/ Centres (refer to Information on Programmes Handbook(s)).
Please refer to “Guidelines for Processing of Examination Results at UoM”
3.10 Work-Based Learning (WBL)
The Work-Based Learning Project has been designed to offer all undergraduate students credit
bearing work-based learning experience of a minimum of six (6) weeks’ duration in each
academic year. This will enable the students to engage in real work-related activities and develop
competence in stipulated core skills. Six (6) credits are allocated to work-based learning in lieu of
Electives and GEMs in all undergraduate programmes. The performance of the students in work
settings will be assessed progressively at levels 1, 2 & 3 using an assessment tool and portfolio
specifically designed for this purpose. Successful students will accrue the allocated credits. This
will enhance the undergraduate students’ fitness for practice, purpose and award, thereby
enhancing their employability and employment prospects by bridging the theory-practice gap.
Work-Based Learning Mentors will be responsible for the facilitation, support and assessment of
the work-based learning.
Please refer to “Guidelines for Processing of Examination Results at UoM”
3.11 Mode of Delivery
A range of modalities (face-to-face lectures, mixed mode/blended distance/on-line education,
seminars, workshops, study visits, practicals, use of ICT and other modern technology) is utilised
to maintain and enhance the effective delivery of modules.
Most modules are delivered on a face-to-face basis. However, some modules are delivered by
mixed mode (distance education or on-line education). These are indicated by letters D.E. and
O.E. respectively in the “Information on Programmes” Handbook(s).
QA Updated on 08.10.14
