SAKARYA UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
PART ONE
Aim, Scope, Basis and Definitions
Aim
ARTICLE 1 – (1) The aim of these regulations is to define the procedure and principles regarding registration, education, examination and evaluation in Associate’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree programs at Sakarya University.
Scope
ARTICLE 2 – (1) These regulations contain the provisions related to undergraduate education, examinations and evaluation carried out in the faculties, schools, vocational schools and Conservatory of Sakarya University.
Basis
ARTICLE 3 – (1) These regulations are based on the 14th, 43rd , 44th , 45th and 49th Articles of Higher Education Law 04.11.1981 dated, 2547 numbered and 5th , 6th and 7th Articles of Higher Education Law 19.11.1992 dated, 3843 numbered.
Definitions
ARTICLE 4 – (1) The terms below refer to the following:
ç) Education unit: Related faculty, school, conservatory and vocational school,
ğ) Vocational School: Vocational Schools affiliated with the University,
ı) Senate: Sakarya University Senate,
PART TWO
Final Registration, Re-registration, Advising, Undergraduate Student Transfer and Double Major
Final Registration
ARTICLE 5 – (1) To register to the related program, students are required to be placed to the program by Student Selection and Placement Centre (OSYM). Students are not allowed to be registered to any other higher education institution. However, the requirements for the students of Faculty of Fine Arts, School of Physical Education and Sports and State Conservatory are determined by the Senate.
(2) The candidates placed in undergraduate programs register on the dates declared. Candidates with acceptable excuses can register through notarized authorization on the condition that it is in compliance with the provisions above. Candidates who do not complete registration within the period cannot become a student of the University.
(3) Final registration dates, required documents and procedures are announced by the related boards of the University. The candidates who fulfil the requirements finalize the enrolment.
Tuition Fees
ARTICLE 6 – (1) As it is stated in the part c of the 46th article of Higher Education Law, 2547 numbered, ECTS credit total per semester is used as a base for calculating tuition fee or fee for each course when the course is taken for the third time or more.
(2) When the registration for a course is done for the third time in given time, the student has to pay fifty per cent of the exact fee as an extra in addition to the tuition fee. When the registration is done for the fourth time, the extra payment is one hundred per cent of the fee. When the registration is done for the fifth time or more, the fee is calculated as three hundred per cent of the fee.
(3) When the education is completed in given time, the tuition fee for each extra course is calculated as one hundred per cent of the fee determined according to Article 6, Clause 1. When the registration is done for the second time, the payment is two hundred per cent of the fee. When the registration is done for the third time, the payment is three hundred per cent of the fee. When the registration is done for the fourth time or more, the fee is calculated as four hundred per cent of the fee.
(4) When additional course is taken because of completing minor or major degree education in given time, tuition fee for each course is calculated as one hundred per cent of the fee determined according to Article 6, Clause 1. When the registration is done for the second time, the payment is two hundred per cent of the fee. When the registration is done for the third time or more, the payment is calculated as three hundred per cent of the fee.
(5) Excluding preparatory class students, evening program students who are successful and are among top 10% students, pay the tuition fee which is same amount for morning program students.
(6) Excluding preparatory class students, morning program students who are successful and are among top 10% students, pay half of the tuition fee.
Advising
ARTICLE 7 – (1) An academic advisor for each student is appointed by the suggestion of Head of Department and decision of the related board.
(2) The advisor strives to guide students and assists them in solving problems related to their educational process. Based on the same regulations, re-registration, course registration, course add-drop procedures are completed by advisor approval.
(3) The advisor, who will not be in the university during registration time because of a valid excuse, has to inform Head of Department. A temporary advisor is assigned and it is announced for students and related units by Head of Department.
Student ID card
ARTICLE 8 – (1) Students who are registered in accordance with Article 6 are given an identity card with a photo of the student on it by the University Rectorate.
Re-registration and Course Registration
ARTICLE 9 – (1) Students complete re-registration and course registration procedures online with approval of advisor on the first three days of registration week declared in Academic Calendar in accordance with the procedures determined by the Senate and University Administrative Board. Some adjustments are done related to the courses on the fourth day. On the fifth and sixth days, registration can be done for open courses instead of elective courses do not open. However, the student cannot drop the course which is registered and open.
(2) The semesters which the students do not re-register and the semesters which students take partial courses are calculated in education period. The students who do not re-register in time are not entitled to student rights.
(3) Students are required to register to all courses in the semesters. Students who repeat the courses of previous terms or take courses first time have to register to these courses firstly. If the courses are the ones of different semesters, students register to the courses of the current semester on the condition that they start to take the courses of previous semesters. Total ECTS credit of courses to which students will register cannot exceed 1/3 of total ECTS credit of the semester in which students register.
(4) Bachelor’s Degree students can take course from upper classes on condition that their cumulative grade point average is 3.00 or above and ECTS credit total of courses to be registered do not exceed one-third of ECTS credit total in the semester to be registered. Course grades of students who take courses from upper classes are calculated in cumulative grade point average.
(5) (Paragraph is removed)
(6) In Associate’s Degree programs including practical training in the business field, cumulative grade point average of the students is required to be at least 1.80 for student placement in the field. Students who do not have these requirements cannot start the workplace training until they fulfil the conditions.
(7) Students who cannot re-register because of their excuses apply for re-registration to the related head of department/program in the first week of the semester. Students whose excuses are accepted by the executive board of education unit complete re-registration and course registration procedures on the dates declared in academic calendar. The student is responsible for the course registration process.
(8) Course registration is not possible for overlapping courses. However, student can take the overlapping course from other program with his application, approval of the department and decision of executive board. Credit payment of courses taken from different program is made according to Clause e in the 44th Article in Law numbered 2547.
(9) The student can withdraw from a compulsory course with approval of advisor on the dates declared in academic calendar.
Undergraduate Student Transfer and Double Major
ARTICLE 10 – (1) Undergraduate student transfer admission and registrations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on Student Transfer between Associate Degree and Undergraduate Programs in the Higher Education Institutions, Double Major, Minor and Credit Transfer between Institutions, published at the Official Gazette 24/4/2010 dated and 27561numbered. Lateral transfers are limited to the placements declared previously and related procedures are carried out by the boards of relevant education units based on Article 17 which is stated in these regulations.
(2) Students of vertical transfer are placed by Student Selection and Placement Centre and they are subject to the provisions of the Regulation on Student Transfer between Associate Degree and Undergraduate Programs in the Higher Education Institutions, Double Major, Minor and Credit Transfer between Institutions.
(3) For the registration and the procedure of Double Major, the provisions of the Regulation on Student Transfer between Associate Degree and Undergraduate Programs in the Higher Education Institutions, Double Major, Minor and Credit Transfer between Institutions are applied. Registration for Double Major is limited with the quota determined by the related boards and credit transfer procedures are conducted by the boards of education units based on Article 17.
Recognition of Prior Learning
ARTICLE 11 – (1) Procedures of Recognition of Prior Learning and credit transfer are carried out with reference to Sakarya University Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Transfer Procedure Regulations.
PART THREE
Education Principles
Academic Year
ARTICLE 12 – (1) Each academic year consists of the fall and spring semesters including 14 weeks. Final examinations are excluded in this education period. The starting and ending dates and examination periods of each semester are determined and announced by the related boards of the University.
(2) Summer School can be opened with the decision of related boards and approval of Senate. The relevant legislation provisions are valid for Summer School.
Period of Study
ARTICLE 13 – (1) The maximum period of study for students studying at the undergraduate programs of the University is seven years for Bachelor’s Degree programs, four years for Associate’s Degree programs, excluding one-year language preparation program.
Education Programs
ARTICLE 14 – (1) Course credits are determined by the Senate regarding student studying hour, credit range based on higher education qualifications framework for the field and diploma level of related program. Course credits are calculated within the frame of principles determined by the Senate regarding learning outcomes, theoretical and practical course hours and studying hours for other student activities.
(2) Courses in education programs include theoretical courses, practises, laboratory studies, workshops, thesis, projects, internship, workplace training and so forth. Courses can be compulsory or elective.
(3) The medium of instruction of the University is Turkish. Programs in foreign language can be offered for the students who have proficiency. For programs in foreign language, some issues like course taking, application, examination and other procedures are organized by Senate principles or regulations prepared based on these provisions.
(4) Course distribution by semesters and years in education period, weekly practice time, credit values and conditions are determined by the decision of related boards. Conditional course is applied one academic year after the decision taken.
(5) Students are supposed to take all compulsory courses and elective courses in education program and they are expected to succeed them.
(6) Education plans and weekly schedules are presented to the Senate with relevant board decisions. After approval of the Senate, education plans are announced in academic calendar. Organizations related to elective courses are carried out by the Senate.
(7) Internship studies and work place training are carried out by the units according to the principles of each program.
Quality Process
ARTICLE 15 – (1) Quality assurance applications for development of education process and other issues related to the education are determined by the Senate according to the principles specified by Higher Education Council.
PART FOUR
Course Principles, Examinations and Grading, Grade Objection
Course Definition and Practice
ARTICLE 16 – (1) Course coordinator is appointed by the related board for each course. For university common courses, the coordinator is appointed by the Senate; for common courses of education units, s/he is appointed by boards of units and for the courses which are given in groups, s/he is appointed by boards of departments. Course coordinator decides course definition and practice information by receiving the opinions of all lecturers. The methods which will be used in measurement and evaluation activities are determined by the Senate.
(2) Measurement and evaluation methods to be used in the courses are declared before re-registration week. For a course, at least four measurement activities one of which is midterm exam are required to be completed in a semester. Date of midterm exam is announced by the education unit.
(3) Students have to attend 70% of theoretical courses and 80% of applied courses such as laboratory studies or workshop. Students who have not attended courses are announced by the relevant faculty member in the final week of the semester and these students cannot take final exam. Attendance-required activities for distance education students are determined by the department and announced in the first week of the semester.
(4) On condition that the Senate approves, some courses of morning and evening programs are offered through distance education.
(5) Measurement and evaluation procedures of courses which have same code in department/program are carried out together. The process of measurement and evaluation for the courses which are carried out with common code in Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree programs is determined by the Senate.
(6) Final examination programs are prepared by the related executive board and announced at least two weeks before the examination period begins. Exams are held in given time and place based on Sakarya University Exam Regulations.
(7) Faculty members are supposed to announce the results of student evaluations in two weeks from the evaluation/examination date.
(8) (Paragraph is removed)
(9) Two copies of semester success list are delivered by the lecturer to the head of department in a week from the examination date. One of the lists approved by the head of department is left in the department and the other one is delivered to Student Affairs Office in two days.
Grading
ARTICLE 17 – (1) Level of success at each course is determined by the grades given during the semester and the final exam grade. Contribution of the grades given during the semester to success grade cannot be less than 40% and more than 60%. The students whose grades are less than 40% become unsuccessful. Regarding class success level, statistical distribution of grades and class average, process of gaining success grades is determined by the Sakarya University Relative Evaluation Regulations. Grades and coefficient are presented in table below.
| Level of Success | Letter | Coefficient | Score |
| Excellent | AA | 4.00 | 90-100 |
| Very Good | BA | 3.50 | 85-89 |
| Good | BB | 3.00 | 80-84 |
| Satisfactory | CB | 2.50 | 75-79 |
| Passing | CC | 2.00 | 65-74 |
| Barely Passing | DC | 1.50 | 58-64 |
| Conditional Failure | DD | 1.00 | 50-57 |
| Failing | FF | 0.00 | 49 and below |
| Exempt | MU | -- | -- |
| Absent from final exam | GR | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Not Attended | DZ | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Sufficient | YT | -- | -- |
| Insufficient | YZ | -- | -- |
ç) A student who does not attend the course gets DZ which stands for FF in grade point average.
Cumulative Grade Point Averages
ARTICLE 18 – (1) In the calculation of Cumulative Grade Point Average, the number of grade points obtained from each courses is multiplied with their ECTS credit values and the total sum is divided by the total ECTS credits of these courses.
(2) In the calculation of Grade Point Averages, process is expressed by rounding the values after comma. In rounding numbers, the second digit after comma is not changed if the third digit is 0-4, but it is increased if the third digit is 5-9.
(3) The last grade received by students is valid for the courses taken by them to increase their grade point averages. The courses which are not taken by students are not calculated.
(4) Internship Practice and Professional Training courses are assessed by YT/YZ grades and they are not calculated for grade point average.
Grade Objection
ARTICLE 19 – (1) The student can object to the examination result in five days after the results’ announcement on the internet by handing in his/her petition to the Head of Department or through student information system. The lecturer examines the studies which contribute to the success grade again, evaluates the objection in a week and reports the result in written way to the Head of Department. If a mistake is found, the success grade is evaluated again and the result is finalized by the executive board of related education unit. Objection results are announced by Head of Department. The student can raise an objection to the Rectorate in 15 days from the announcements of results. Those who cannot object in time lose the objection right.
Examination Documents
ARTICLE 20 – (1) Every type of exam documents are kept in accordance with Higher Education Standard File Plan.
Honors and High Honors Students
ARTICLE 21 – (1) Students whose grade point average is between 3.00 and 3.49 are recommended for a degree with “Honors” and students whose GPA is between 3.50 and 4.00 are recommended for a degree with “High Honors”. These students are required not to receive a disciplinary punishment and they have to achieve all the courses they take.
(2) The list of Honors and High Honors students is announced at the end of each term by relevant education unit. Certificates of achievement are given to the students by education units.
PART FIVE
Single Course, Graduation and Diploma
Single Course Exam
ARTICLE 22 – (1) Single Course Exam is provided for the students who do not achieve 2.00 as grade point average although they have passing grades from all courses or single course which they get FF or GR by attending the classes. This right is valid for one time in an education period and the exam is held on the date declared in academic calendar.
(2) The right for single course exam is not offered for the students who cannot increase their grade point average to 2.00 even if they get the highest grade (AA) in single course exam.
(3) Single course exam is not applied for the practical courses like final project or directed study.
(4) Students apply to the units in which they study in written way until the date declared in academic calendar. After examination, the related unit reports the course for which the single course exam will be held to the Student Affairs Office.
Graduation and Academic Degree
ARTICLE 23 – (1) A student who is successful in all studies of his/her department or program, and who gets at least 2.00 grade point average by completing 240 ECTS in Bachelor’s Degree or 120 ECTS in Associate Degree, is regarded as a graduate student and he/she is given a diploma mentioned in Article 24 of these regulations.
(2) The students who want to continue their education despite providing graduation conditions in order to increase grade point average have to apply to Head of Department with a petition until the final day of final examination.
(3) In graduation, the transcript which shows courses, credits, grades and degrees taken by the student and diploma supplement are given to the student.
(4) Students who provide the conditions of early graduation can graduate in shorter time than the standard education period.
(5) Graduate degree in graduation certificate is demonstrated as below;
a) “Excellent” for those who get 3.50 (included) - 4.00
b) “Good” for those who get 3.00 (included) - 3.49 (included). Graduate degrees of students who graduate with lower degrees are not indicated.
Diploma
ARTICLE 24 – (1) Bachelor’s Degree Diploma is given to the students who complete their education with success in registered Faculty, School or State Conservatory of Sakarya University.
(2) Associate’s Degree Diploma is given to the students who complete their education with success in registered Vocational School of Sakarya University.
(3) Graduation and diploma procedures are carried out according to Sakarya University Diploma and Certificates Senate Principles.
PART SIX
Various and Final Provisions
Disciplinary Affairs
ARTICLE 25 – (1) Student disciplinary procedures are carried out according to the 54th Article of Higher Education Law numbered 2547 and the provisions of Higher Education Institution Student Disciplinary Regulations published in the Official Gazette 13.01.1985 dated, 18634 numbered.
Exchange Programs
ARTICLE 26 – (1) Student exchange and internship programs are conducted between the University and a higher education institution in the country or abroad within the frame of collaboration protocols. As part of exchange program, students can study in other university for one or two semesters.
(2) Course selection and credit transfers of exchange students are organized by related boards.
(3) Exchange programs are carried out in accordance with Sakarya University Student Exchange Program Senate Principles.
(4) Course grades of students who study in the departments offering double degree are presented in their transcripts.
Withdrawal from the University
ARTICLE 27 – (1) Students who want to withdraw from the University apply to Student Affairs Office in written way. Upon their application, a document showing the educational status and the documents delivered in registration time are given to the students. Students who withdraw from the institution on their own request lose their student rights.
(2) The registration of the student who is not alive according to the registry office is deleted.
Regulations Annulled
ARTICLE 28 – (1) Sakarya University Bachelor’s Degree Education and Examination Regulations published at the Official Gazette 26/5/2003 dated and 25119 numbered and Sakarya University Associate’s Degree Education and Examination Regulations published at the Official Gazette 27/5/2003 dated and 25120 numbered are repealed.
Additional or Limitless Examination Right
TEMPORARY ARTICLE 1 – (1) Students who are offered additional or limitless examination rights until the date these regulations come into force can have these rights till the end of 2012-2013 Academic Year.
Workplace Education
TEMPORARY ARTICLE 2 – (1) Workplace education in Associate’s Degree programs is not valid for the students registered before 2011-2012 Academic Year.
Transitional Provisions
TEMPORARY ARTICLE 3 – (1) The first clause of 18th Article of these regulations is applied to the students registered in 2010-2011 and before (except preparatory class students, vertical transfer students and the students registered based on the law numbered 6111), from the beginning of the 2012-2013 Academic Year.
Validity
ARTICLE 29 – (1) These regulations come into force on the date of their issue, from the beginning of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Execution
ARTICLE 30 – (1) The provisions of these regulations are executed by the Rector of Sakarya University.
CHANGES IN THE REGULATIONS
25/11/2012 Sunday No: 28478
Official Gazette
From Sakarya University:
REGULATION FOR MAKING CHANGES IN SAKARYA UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1 – Item c is added to the first clause of 4th Article in Sakarya University Undergraduate Education and Examination Regulations, published at the Official Gazette 27/8/2011 dated and 28038 numbered, and the following items are organized according to this one.
“c) Final exam: The final exam and make-up exam taken at the end of the fall/spring semester and summer school”
ARTICLE 2 – The 8th Clause of Article 16 of the same regulations is repealed.
ARTICLE 3 – These regulations come into force on the date of their issue.
ARTICLE 4 – The provisions of these regulations are executed by the Rector of Sakarya University.