POLICY NAME: ACADEMIC MINORS
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
An undergraduate minor is a cluster of courses taken in a field of study outside the student’s major. The minor consists of a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework beyond the requirements of the major and is intended to broaden the student’s knowledge beyond the immediate field of study. Minors offered by the various academic units are listed in the appropriate sections of this Catalog. In addition to pursuing a major, a student is permitted to pursue up to two minors. Students declaring a double major are not permitted to pursue a minor. Students interested in pursuing a minor should consult the Catalog section of each school for a detailed description of requirements and other information pertaining to each minor.
Students planning to declare a minor are required to complete the Minor Declaration Form, obtain the necessary approvals, and submit the form to the Registrar’s Office. The Minor Declaration Form is available at the Academic Advising Division. Only students enrolled in a major at AUD or those who graduated from AUD with a major (see below) may pursue an AUD minor. For students currently enrolled in a major, notation of the minor will appear on the transcript not earlier than completion of the student’s undergraduate degree requirements. For students completing a minor after graduation, notation of the minor will appear in a separate section of the transcript following their undergraduate program completion record. No reference to the minor will be made on the diploma.
A minimum of nine credits counting toward the minor must be taken at AUD. Internships and pass/fail courses may not count toward a minor. Courses counting toward the minor must be completed with an overall minor CGPA of 2.00 or higher. Academic units may set higher academic requirements in the specified minor.
Students are required to consult with the head of the academic unit offering the minor regarding specific restrictions or requirements pertaining to the minor they wish to pursue.
POLICY NAME: ACADEMIC PROGRAM/MAJOR CHANGES
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
Students may change their program of study at any time with the approval of the Dean, Associate Dean or Chair of the new program. It is the prerogative of the new department to set the conditions (if any) for approving these changes. Students are advised to discuss changes with the appropriate Academic Advisor as these may cause a delay in graduation. Formal notification of an unapproved change is forwarded to students in writing by the office of the Registrar. All approved changes are reflected in the students’ degree audits in the term following the approval of the changes.
POLICY NAME: MAJOR GRADE POINT AVERAGE (MGPA) REQUIREMENT IN MAJOR
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
In order to be granted a major within a degree program, the student must achieve an MGPA of 2.0 or higher in the courses comprising the major. Students should consult the academic programs sections of the Undergraduate Catalog for specific requirements (e.g., MGPA higher than 2.0 required in some programs.)
POLICY NAME: COMPLETION OF A DECLARED MINOR AND GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
A student who declares a minor is expected to complete all minor requirements no later than completion of his/her degree program requirements. Grades earned on minor courses will be included in the CGPA calculation that determines eligibility to graduate.
In case a student has completed all degree program requirements in time for graduation but still has not completed all courses required for a minor, the student has two options:
POLICY NAME: AUD GLOBAL SEMINARS
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
An exciting opportunity exists for students at AUD to earn academic credit toward their degree by participating in AUD-sponsored courses abroad. Previously offered under the name International Study Tour, Global Seminar destinations have included New York, Paris, Milan and Florence. A student may only receive credit (three hours) toward graduation for one global seminar. In order to register for a second global seminar, a student must obtain the written approval of the Dean of their School. Academic credit will be granted and a grade assigned for the second global seminar, but not in fulfillment of degree requirements.
Withdrawals from Global Seminars are not permitted. AUD Global Seminars carry the code CABR. Professional Elective credit for global seminars may be granted subject to assessment and approval by the head of the academic unit in which the student is enrolled and the Provost and Chief Academic Officer, if the travel itinerary, the assignments and learning outcomes sufficiently justify granting Professional Elective credit.
Students taking AUD Global Seminar courses are evaluated by a letter grade.
POLICY NAME: DECLARATION OF PROGRAM/MAJOR
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
All undergraduate students must declare both their choice of a degree program and, if applicable, major prior to their Junior year (i.e., by the completion of 60 credit hours). Undecided students must do so online https://registrar.aud.edu/. Students wishing to change their degree programs and/or major must do so online https://registrar.aud.edu/.
POLICY NAME: DIRECTED STUDY
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
Directed study (DS) is a non-classroom learning activity undertaken for credit by one student or a small number of students (not to exceed three) at their request. Extending over a full academic term, DS is guided, supervised, evaluated and graded by a full-time faculty member.
Besides (or as a condition for) approval by the supervising faculty member, minimum CGPA and other academic performance requirements may apply before a student is approved to undertake DS. Approval by the academic unit housing the relevant discipline is also required.
DS covers a significant area of a discipline that is not covered in any of the regular course offerings listed in the Catalog. It involves readings, research, applications and other activities to be undertaken independently by the student(s). Typically, prior discussions will have taken place between the student(s) and a faculty member who is expert in the area of interest and is prepared and available to direct the study.
DS is conducted in accordance with a syllabus which specifies a course code reflecting the discipline, number (400 level), objectives, readings, learning outcomes and a weekly schedule of topic coverage, activities, assignments, etc., as well as evaluation and grading. The syllabus must also specify whether DS credits will count towards a major.
Students whose major is offered by the school housing the discipline of the DS, but is different from that discipline, will be awarded professional elective credit, or general elective credit if they have already completed all professional electives in their program. Students completing a major in another school will get general elective credit for the DS.
DS credits may count towards a minor, subject to the conditions and requirements set by the academic unit offering the minor.
A student may take no more than two DS course equivalents for a total number of credits not exceeding six. Academic units may set lower limits on DS.
POLICY NAME: DIRECTED STUDY VS. SPECIAL/SELECTED TOPICS
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
DS is undertaken as a non-classroom learning activity at the request of one student or few students. By contrast, special/selected topics courses are classroom courses initiated by departmental curriculum committees, not by students.
DS is not intended for piloting a new course as a first step towards possible future addition of the course as a regular offering in the Undergraduate Catalog. By contrast, special/selected topics courses are intended expressly for that purpose.
POLICY NAME: ELIGIBILITY FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
Students educated in a language other than English or who have earned two years of high school credit or its equivalent in that language (regardless of the grade received) are not eligible to register for courses at the 101 level. Students desiring to study at a more advanced level (i.e., 102 and above) should consult the Arts and Sciences Dean to obtain authorization to register.
POLICY NAME: ENGLISH AS A PREREQUISITE
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
University-level competency in English is instrumental in student success at AUD. Where ENGL 101/102 are indicated as specific prerequisites to a course, the prerequisites will be rigorously enforced. Furthermore, even if not stated as a prerequisite, students are advised not to register for a 300 or 400 level course without completing ENGL 102. It is likewise advisable that students complete ENGL 101 prior to registering for 200 level courses unless it is recommended that the course be taken concurrently with ENGL 101. The completion of ENGL 101/102, required by all academic programs, will help students complete program-specific course work successfully. Students should consult their academic advisor if they have any questions.
POLICY NAME: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD recognizes the challenge of attending a university for the first time and supports the success of all new undergraduate students through a first year experience program. The program includes a comprehensive campus Orientation, workshops, and a course on university success. The UNIV 100 (The University Experience) course helps to maximize a student’s ability to benefit from higher education and to ease his or her transition into the university environment.
UNIV 100
To be successful at The American University in Dubai, students need to understand and adapt to the standards, approaches and expectations of the American university system. Because these may differ significantly from the standards, approaches and expectations that incoming students have experienced in previous educational institutions, it is important for AUD to facilitate the socialization process. Therefore, all students entering The American University in Dubai* are required to take UNIV 100 (The University Experience). In this course, first year students are introduced to the structure, norms and expectations which underpin American education and which guide the university’s assessment of student performance. These aspects of American education give priority to critical thinking, oral and written communication skills, goal-directed behavior, personal initiative, ethics and cultural tolerance. In essence, UNIV 100 enables students to adopt the posture of “student-as-a-professional” and to reach their full potential during their tenure at AUD and beyond. All eligible first year students must complete UNIV 100 (The University Experience) within their first two terms in residence.
Attempting to delay UNIV 100 is not an option, and students who do so may face dismissal from the university.
* Except those who have completed five courses (semester basis) and three courses (quarter basis) at a recognized college or university and/or have taken an equivalent course.
POLICY NAME: MULTIPLE MAJORS
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
A student may choose multiple (i.e., more than one) major within a degree program. Any course listed in this Catalog under more than one major may be used to satisfy the requirements of each major under which it is listed. This reduces the credit-hour burden for students pursuing double or triple majors, while essentially preserving the specialization represented by each major. Credit hours are not, however, applied more than once in the calculation of total hours earned.
POLICY NAME: REQUIRED ARTS AND SCIENCES COURSES (INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTAL)
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
All candidates for an AUD degree are required to complete successfully ENGL 101 (Composition and Rhetoric), ENGL 102 (Advanced Composition and Research), ENGL 103 (Introduction to Literature), COMP 101 (IT and Innovation in Today’s World) or ENGG 140 (for Engineering students only); and depending on their Major and placement test results - MATH 101 (Mathematics for the Arts), MATH 200 (Calculus for Business); MATH 205 (Calculus for Architecture), MATH 210 (Calculus I) within their first 60 credits earned.
Math requirements for Engineering and Architecture students vary, and students should consult their advisors for Years I and II sequencing.)
If applicable, ENGL 100 (Developmental English), MATH 090 (Beginning Algebra), and MATH 100 (Foundational Mathematics for Engineering) must also be successfully completed. See p. 22 for completion of Developmental Studies Courses Policy.
POLICY NAME: RETURN AFTER GRADUATION TO DO A MINOR
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD graduates may apply to do one or more minors up to five years after graduation. Acceptance into a minor is conditional on satisfaction of all minor pre-requisites and other requirements. Upon completion, the minor will be reflected in the transcript in a separate section at the bottom.
POLICY NAME: SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, ART AND DESIGN LAPTOP INITIATIVE
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
The School of Architecture, Art and Design at AUD acknowledges laptop computers have become an integral part of the commercial industries related to the programs offered by the School. To advance computing skills required to enter and succeed in today’s competitive job market, School learning objectives require all students to own a laptop when they begin their second year. This will greatly enhance the learning process and will address instances of limited availability of or access to AUD supplied computers and software. The complete Laptop Policy is available in the AUD Student Handbook.
POLICY NAME: STUDENT EXCHANGE ELIGIBILITY
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
Students wishing to participate in an AUD-sponsored exchange program, must meet the following criteria:
POLICY NAME: PERIODIC EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC STANDING
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
All students must maintain satisfactory academic performance in order to remain enrolled at AUD. Academic standing is evaluated periodically by measuring each student’s cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Students are expected to meet minimum CGPA requirements in order for their academic performance to be considered satisfactory. Undergraduate students are required to maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.0 throughout their enrollment in order to be in good academic standing. A student’s CGPA will be reviewed at the end of each academic term after grades have been posted to determine whether the student is in good academic standing.
If a student changes his or her program or major, the grades received in the former program or major continue to be calculated as part of the student’s CGPA.
Academic Warning and Academic Probation
POLICY NAME: THE ACADEMIC APPEALS PROCESS
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
Appeals of Academic Suspension and Academic Dismissal
A student may appeal to have a suspension or dismissal reversed. This appeal must be filed on-line (https://registrar.aud.edu/) by the date reflected on the Academic Calendar.
Denied appeals of suspension result in a period of forced absence from the university. Following this absence (suspension), the student may request to return to the university. This request must be filed online by the date reflected on the Academic Calendar.
Applications for Readmission from Academic Suspension
Students may apply online https://registrar.aud.edu/) by the date reflected on the Academic Calendar. The student should attach a letter detailing his or her activities during the suspension period and should explain why the student believes his/her academic performance will improve in the future. Other required documentation should be provided online.
Although students who are academically suspended from AUD often choose to take courses at other institutions to improve areas of weakness or to indicate seriousness of continued academic pursuits, they will not receive transfer credits for those courses upon their readmission to AUD.
Processing Timeline for Academic Appeals
POLICY NAME: APPLICATION OF GRADES AND CREDITS/REPEATING A COURSE
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
The chart in the GRADING SYSTEM POLICY describes the impact of each grade on a student’s academic progress. For calculating rate of progress (see below), grades of F (Failing), W (Withdrawal), and I (Incomplete) are counted as credits attempted, but are not counted as credits successfully completed.
A student may repeat a course either to replace a failing grade with a passing grade or to try to improve a passing grade achieved the first time the student took the course. A previously passed course may be repeated only once. A previously failed course which is repeated and failed again may be retaken only one more time, for a total of three attempts. In the case of students who have been accepted to the university as degree candidates (including those whose programs are “undecided”), failing and/or withdrawing a required course (other than developmental courses) three times may be grounds for dismissal. Such dismissal will be determined by the Dean, Associate Dean or Chair of the Academic unit housing the student’s degree program (Arts and Sciences in the case of undecided students). When a student registers for a course the third time, he or she may only do so subject to the conditions set by the appropriate Dean, Associate Dean or Chair.
A course in which a grade of C or higher is received may only be repeated within one year from receiving the initial grade or as soon as the course is offered again if it is not offered during this one year period. A student who has completed all degree requirements will not be allowed to repeat courses for the purpose of improving grades.
When a course is repeated, the best grade received is calculated into the CGPA. The lower grade(s) will be followed by an asterisk (*) indicating that the course has been repeated. Both original and repeated credits will be counted as attempted credits in rate of progress calculations.
In the case of repeating a course from which the student has previously withdrawn, a W remains on the student’s transcript, while the new grade (also shown on the transcript) substitutes for the W in the calculation of the CGPA.
In order to receive credit, the student must repeat any required course in which a grade of F or W is received.
POLICY NAME: EARLY ALERT AND MID-TERM ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT:
Early Alert
The university alerts the students by the 4th week of the Fall and Spring semesters if the student’s overall perceived or actual performance in any course is considered unsatisfactory or would lead to an unsatisfactory result. The instructor does this electronically. The online report is communicated with the student’s academic advisor and provides reasons for the student’s poor performance as determined by the instructor so that the advisors can follow up and support the student.
Mid-term Academic Assessment
The university informs the students by the 8th week of the Fall and Spring semesters and by the 4th week of the Summer terms when the student’s grade in any course is less than C. Students are requested to discuss their academic standing with the related professor and meet with their academic advisor and academic support coordinator for support needs.
POLICY NAME: GRADING SYSTEM
POLICY CATEGORY: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
POLICY STATEMENT*:
Grade reports are issued to students at the completion of each semester/term. Grades are based on the quality of work as shown by written tests, laboratory work, term papers, and projects as indicated in the course syllabus. Earned quality points are calculated for each course by multiplying the quality point value for the grade received for the course times the credit hour value of the course. For example, a three credit course with a grade of B would earn nine quality points [credit value of course (3) times quality point value of B (3)]. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by dividing the total earned quality points by the total attempted credits.
Letter Code | Description | Included in | Quality Points | ||
Credits Earned | Credits Attempted | CGPA | |||
A | Excellent | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.00 |
A- | Very Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.70 |
B+ | Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.30 |
B | Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.00 |
B- | Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.70 |
C+ | Satisfactory | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.30 |
C | Average | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.00 |
C- | Below Average | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1.70 |
D+ | Poor | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1.30 |
D | Poor | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1.00 |
F | Failing | No | Yes | Yes | 0.00 |
I | Incomplete | No | Yes | No | n/a |
AU | Audit | No | No | No | n/a |
P+ | Passing with Distinction | Yes | Yes | No | n/a |
P | Passing | Yes | Yes | No | n/a |
Grade** | Repeat | No | Yes | No | n/a |
TC | Transfer | Yes | No | No | n/a |
IP | In Progress | No | No | No | n/a |
W | Withdrawal | No | Yes | No | n/a |
I |
An incomplete (I) is issued no sooner than the last two (2) weeks of the semester to a student who has satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of the course work, but for nonacademic reasons beyond the student’s control, he or she is unable to meet the full course requirements on time. The course instructor issues this grade, subject to approval by Dean, Associate Dean or Chair, and the Provost and Chief Academic Officer. The incomplete coursework must be completed before the end of the Drop /Add period of the subsequent semester the student is enrolled in. If the student does not complete the work within the stipulated time, the incomplete is changed automatically to the grade of F. An incomplete must be processed at the time of the concession (e.g., authorized suspension of attendance, accepted tardiness/non-completion of assignments for serious medical conditions or exceptional personal circumstances). The university does not grant incompletes retroactively. Students should apply for an incomplete through the online system at https://registrar.aud.edu/ |
AU |
No credit is given for audit (AU) classes, nor is the grade included in the student’s academic average. Students must receive written approval from the Dean, Associate Dean or Chair to audit a class, or classes, prior to the first day of the semester. Instructor approval may be required for some courses. |
IP |
This symbol is used in lieu of a grade when an Internship or a Field Experience is still in progress. It is assigned at the end of the academic term of registration for the course, and in subsequent semesters/terms, until the Internship or Field Experience is completed, submitted, evaluated and a final grade is assigned. No credits are awarded for an Internship or a Field Experience while it is in progress. |
W |
A student is allowed to withdraw officially from a course no later than the end of the tenth week of the semester (end of the fifth week in a summer session). The W is calculated in Satisfactory Academic Progress but is not calculated in the CGPA. The university does not grant withdrawals retroactively. W is used to denote withdrawal of students in the case of dismissal by a Conduct Council. |