BSc Bioinformatics - Regulations

A well balanced programme
REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOINFORMATICS
(BSc[BioInf])

(See also General Regulations)
BMS1Admission to the Degree
To be eligible for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics, candidates shall
  1. comply with General Regulations;
  2. comply with the Regulations for First Degree Curricula; and
  3. satisfy all the requirements of the curriculum in accordance with the regulations that follow and the syllabuses of the degree.
BMS2Length of Study
The curriculum shall normally require six semesters of full-time study, spreading over three academic years.
BMS3Completion of Curriculum
To complete the curriculum, candidates shall
  1. satisfy the requirements prescribed in UG3 of the Regulations for First Degree Curricula and a further 3 credits of courses in English language enhancement.
  2. complete satisfactorily not less than 180 credits of courses, in the manner specified in the syllabuses, which shall include credits from all core courses in accordance with the syllabuses.
BMS4Selection of Courses
  1. Candidates shall normally take not less than 24 and not more than 36 credits of courses in each semester, unless otherwise permitted or required by the Board of Studies.
  2. Candidates shall have to satisfactorily complete the prerequisite courses in order to enrol in succeeding courses, unless with exemption granted by the course coordinators of the courses concerned.
  3. Candidates with unsatisfactory academic progress may be required by the Board of Studies to take a reduced study load.
  4. Candidates shall select their courses in accordance with these regulations and the guidelines specified in the syllabuses before the beginning of each academic year.
BMS5Assessment and Grades
  1. Candidates shall be assessed for each of the courses which they have registered for, and assessment may be conducted in any one or any combination of the following manners: written examinations or tests, continuous assessment, laboratory work, field work, project reports, or in any other manner as specified in the syllabuses.
  2. Grades shall be awarded in accordance with UG5 of the Regulations for the First Degree Curricula.
  3. Written examinations shall normally be held at the end of each semester unless otherwise specified in the syllabuses.
  4. Candidates who fail in any core course may be required by the Board of Studies to repeat the same course in a subsequent semester, and/or to be re-assessed at a time and in a manner specified by the Board. The grades for all attempts made by a candidate will be recorded in his/her transcript.
  5. Candidates shall not be permitted to repeat a course for which they have received a grade D or above for upgrading purposes.
BMS6Discontinuation
A candidate will normally be recommended for discontinuation of his/her studies if
  1. his/her semester GPA is unsatisfactory (<1.0 ) for any academic year; or
  2. he/she has failed in a core course three times; or
  3. he/she has passed less than 30 credits of courses for any academic year.
BMS7Absence from Examination
Candidates who are unable to be present at any examination of a course because of illness or other special circumstances may apply for permission to present themselves for examination at some other time. Any such application shall be made on the form prescribed within two weeks of the first day of the candidates' absence from any examination.
BMS8Advanced Standing
  1. Advanced standing in a course of study may be granted to candidates who have successfully completed a similar course at other universities or comparable institutions. The amount of advanced credits to be granted shall be determined by the Board of Studies, in accordance with the following principles:
    1. a minimum of two years of study at this University shall be required before the candidate is considered for the award of the degree; and
    2. a minimum of 120 credits shall be gained in this University.
  2. Advanced credits granted to a candidate shall not be included in the calculation of his/her cumulative GPA.
BMS9Degree Classification
The degree of BSc (BioInf) shall be awarded in five divisions:
  1. First Class Honours
  2. Second Class Honours Division One
  3. Second Class Honours Division Two
  4. Third Class Honours
  5. Pass