Education and Study Regulation

1- Academic YearThe academic year consists of two regular semesters (Fall - Spring) and a summer semester (optional). The duration of the regular semester is 15 weeks which are followed by two weeks for the final exams. The summer semester lasts for 6-8 weeks, followed by one week for the final exams.2- Academic CalendarThe academic calendar is issued by the Academy President before the beginning of the academic year. It includes the starting and ending dates of each academic year and the official holidays at the Academy.3- Starting Date of the Semestera. The first regular semester (Fall): Starts during September of each year.b. The second regular semester (Spring): Starts during February of each year.c. The summer semester (optional): Starts during June/July of each year.The Academy President determines the starting dates in accordance with official holidays.4- Education SystemThe Academy follows the credit hour system in all its colleges and institutes including the College of Dentistry.5- Educational ProgramThis consists of obligatory courses for the completion of the academic degree according to the status report for each educational program.6- Academic LoadThe academic load is the total number of weekly credit hours registered by a student per semester.7- CourseA course is a subject which is taught throughout a semester and is allocated a certain number of credit hours according to the educational program. A special code is assigned for each course indicating the educational department or division to which it belongs and the level of the course in the years of study.8- Credit Hour AchievedThis refers to the credit hours of any registered course which are successfully completed by a student and which are calculated as part of his/her educational achievement.It should be noted that:➢ one credit hour is equivalent to one contact hour in lectures.➢ one credit hour is equivalent to two contact hours in practical laboratory work.➢ one credit hour is equivalent to three contact hours in clinical training.❖ All teaching and learning methods either lectures, practical laboratory work or clinical training are performed by Professors, Assistant Professors and Lecturers. Also, Assistant Lecturers and Demonstrators are participating in the teaching process in association with the staff members.9- Course PointsThe points achieved by a student in any subject are calculated by multiplying the student’s grade in the course with the number of the credit hours of the course.10- Grade Point Average (GPA)This is calculated by dividing the points achieved by a student (according to the achieved grades) by the total number of registered hours. The GPA ranges between 0 to 4.0.11- TranscriptIt is a record showing a student’s academic path at the Academy and the courses he/she has studied in each semester, along with their codes, numbers, credit hours and grades. It also includes other transferred courses finished by the student in another university or another college at the Academy, together with the semester average and GPA.12- Pre-requisiteThis is a course which must be completed before registering other courses according to the educational program.13- ProbationThe student is placed under probation if he/she scores a GPA below 2.0 (i.e. less than 60%) in any regular semester, and this requires the reduction of his/her educational load to half-load (12 credit hours).14- UnderachievementThe student is placed under probation due to “underachievement” when his/her completion of the acquired credit course is below 50% of the total hours he/she is supposed to accomplish in the semesters he/she spent since his/her admission to the Academy. A maximum of double the academic years is allowed for finishing the study at the college of Dentistry at the AASTMT.15- Forced WithdrawalA student receives a forced withdrawal if he/she exceeds the absence percentage allowed in a given course according to the regulations.16- Academic AdvisorThe academic advisor is a staff member or a teaching assistant who is assigned the supervision of a group of students in addition to guiding and helping them in choosing what is appropriate to their abilities and interests. In addition, the academic advisor clarifies the plans, courses at the college for students so that they are able to take decisions to plan for their studies and achieve their aspired academic goals. A student should refer to the academic advisor to consult him/her as regards any educational issues.17- Orientation Program for New StudentsThe Academy organizes a program for new students at the beginning of their first semester which aims at familiarizing them with the education system and plans, course registration procedures, grading system, accommodation facilities, as well as their rights and responsibilities. This program also aims at familiarizing students with the various work opportunities available for the majors they choose to join.18- AccommodationAccommodation at the Academy dorms is optional for the students at the College of Dentistry.19- Academic IntegrityThe student abides by the codes of ethics and integrity in acquiring and presenting knowledge and documenting its original sources. Accurate data must be provided for previously published research and projects.20- Student Affairs CommitteeThe Academy President forms the Student Affairs committees at the beginning of each academic year. Their task is to look into the results of investigations conducted by the legal affairs regarding offenses committed by the students inside or outside the Academy. These committees conclude by issuing a justified recommendation to be presented to the Academy President for approval.21- Supreme Council of Educational AffairsIt is headed by the Academy President and includes the vice-presidents, branch heads, college deans, deans of educational affairs, student affairs and registration, as well as related heads of responsibility centers. The council formation is issued by the Academy President at the beginning of each academic year. The council’s mission is setting the educational strategy of the Academy and following up on all its educational aspects.