Rules for lessons and examinations in PhD courses

The accomplishment of teaching and examinations for PhD courses at the University of Agder (UiA) is regulated by laws and regulations with complementary rules.

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The information which follows is a translation of corresponding information written in Norwegian. If dispute arises as to the interpretation of this information, the Norwegian version takes precedence.

The most important regulations etc are:

Other relevant laws, regulations and guidelines can be found in "reglementshåndboka" (the regulation handbook, written only in Norwegian).

In addition, all teaching and assessment should be in accordance with the approved curriculum including teaching for the PhD programme.

The most important rules that subject teachers, students and administration need to deal with in addition to the curriculum, are listed here:

  • As a rule the oral parts of examinations and tests shall be open to the public. Exceptions may occur when considerations for the examination or test arrangements indicate otherwise. The board may make exceptions. (U&H-loven, Section 3-9 (3))
    Note that the time and place of the examination is established and advertised by the Examination Office. (Examination Regulations, University of Agder, Chapter 6)
  • The student is entitled to an explanation of the marks awarded for his or her performance. At oral examinations or assessments of practical skills, a request for such an explanation must be made immediately on notification of the mark. (U&H-loven, Section 5-3 (1))
  • Appeals may not be lodged against marks awarded for oral performance or the like which, owing to the nature of the test, cannot be re-examined. (U&H-loven, Section 5-3 (5))
  • For assessment of the coursework component of the PhD programme, external examiners should normally be used (Examination Regulations, University of Agder, §37, 4)).
    Note that it is the Faculty Board itself (i.e., the Faculty Board can not delegate), which appoints examiners and adopt any exceptions to the main rule about the use of external examiners of the coursework component of the PhD programme. (Examination Regulations, University of Agder, § 37, 9) and 10))
  • Examinations in the theoretical courses in the coursework component will be assessed as Pass or Fail, and a Pass is equivalent to a grade B or better (Supplementary regulations for the two PhD programmes).
  • If examinations taken previously are to be used as part of the coursework component, documentary evidence must be provided to show that satisfactory results were achieved. Examinations taken more than 5 years before admission can normally not be included in the educational part. (Supplementary rules for both of the two PhD programmes)
  • If a candidate fails one of the examinations in the coursework component, an examination retake is only permitted the next semester. (Supplementary rules for both PhD programmes).

The following conversion table is processed in the Faculty Board 05.10.09 (TR-sak 49/09) and recommended by the National Council for Technological Education for use in technological education:

Grade

percentage range

A

90 to 100

B

80 to 89

C

60 to 79

D

50 to 59

E

40 to 49

F

39 points or less

According to the above percentage grading system the limit to fail should remain at 80 % points for PhD courses in Mobile Communication Systems.

The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions' (UHR) recommendation of the "%-poengmetoden" can be read in its entirety at (in Norwegian): http://www.uhr.no/documents/Prosentpoengmetoden_2006_rev.pdf

Published by PhD Coordinator <phd-ictSPAMFILTER@uia.no> 27/04/2012
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