A Very Warm Welcome to MSc Freshmen and Family 2012

Associate Professor Liu Yu Associate Chair (Research) 11 August 2012 presented by ORIENTATION for MSc Studies in School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE)

Outline 1.General Information 2.Option of Study 3.Grade Point Average (GPA) 4.Graduation Requirements 5.Academic Performance 6.Awards 7.Minimum Requirement for a MSc Student to Apply for CEE PhD Programme 8. Honour Code for Students

All MSc students can make use of the computers for study and assignments in CADD Lab II at Block N1-B2a-10, Level B2. 1.General Information CEE Website: Study room for MSc students in CEE: CEE-Graduate Studies Unit (GSU) at Blk N1-1a-33: Ms Wendy Chew Tel: Ms Peck-Leong Yoke Lin Tel: Ms Lim Kok Lian Tel:

All MSc students will be placed by default under the option 'By Coursework Only with a requirement of 10 courses (30 AUs) for completion. Eligible students can apply for Dissertation in lieu of 2 courses after the first semester : Completed at least 12AUs CGPA of 4.0 and above Agreed topic and supervisor 2. Option of Study

3. Grade Point Average (GPA) Term Grade Point Average (TGPA): TGPA represents the grade point average of all courses attempted in a term of study. TGPA = SUM of (Grade Point x AU for course attempted in the term) Total AU attempted in the term of study TGPA is the measure of your performance in a specific term

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): CGPA represents the grade point average of all courses attempted to date. CGPA = SUM of (Grade Point x AU for course attempted to date) Total AU attempted to date CGPA is the measure of your overall performance to date 3. Grade Point Average (GPA)

GRADE POINT SYSTEM Letter GradeGrade Point A+5.00 A A-4.50 B+4.00 B3.50 B-3.00 C+2.50 C2.00 D+1.50 D1.00 F0.00

(i)Successful completion of all requirements as prescribed by the programme of study Suggestion: Pls try to complete as many courses from your programme of study as possible in the first year of study (ii) A minimum CGPA of 2.50 is attained at the completion of the programme of study. 4. Graduation Requirements

Graduation versus Passing a Course Letter GradeGrade Point A+5.00 A A-4.50 B+4.00 B3.50 B-3.00 C+2.50 C2.00 D+1.50 D1.00 F0.00 Passing a course CGPA to graduate

Example 1 (a MSc student) Grade PointCumulative GPA Course 1A- (4.5) 2.6 Graduate ! Course 2B+ (4.0) Course 3B- (3.0) Course 4C+ (2.5) Course 5B- (3.0) Course 6C (2.0) Course 7D (1.0) Course 8B- (3.0) Course 9C (2.0) Course 10D (1.0) All courses have 3 Academic Units (AU)

Example 2 (a MSc student) Grade PointCumulative GPA Course 1B+ (4.0) 2.45 (cannot graduate because CGPA is below 2.5) Course 2B+ (4.0) Course 3B- (3.0) Course 4C+ (2.5) Course 5B- (3.0) Course 6C (2.0) Course 7D (1.0) Course 8B- (3.0) Course 9C (2.0) Course 10F (0.0) Course 11B- (3.0) Has to take more course(s) ! All courses have 3 Academic Units (AU)

Important Notes Zero grade point of every failed attempt of a course (i.e. F grade) is counted towards the computation of the CGPA. DONT FAIL CGPA = SUM of (Grade Point x AU for course attempted to date) Total AU attempted to date Students are not allowed to retake any courses except those with F grade One can pass all the courses but cannot graduate if CGPA < 2.5

Satisfactory In any term of study, a student is considered to be making satisfactory progress if he/she attains a minimum TGPA of Unsatisfactory Academic warning if TGPA <2.50 in any term of study. Termination of Candidature if TGPA <2.50 for the second consecutive term of study. 5. Academic Performance

Professional Engineers Board Gold Medal Guthrie Gold Medal Maritime & Port Authority Gold Medal Cum Cash Award 6. Awards For students doing exceptionally well:

7. Minimum Requirement for a MSc Student to Apply for CEE PhD Programme CGPA 4.0 or above

8. Honour Code for Students The Honour Code assumes the academic, intellectual and ethical standards which the University also expects of its students in every sphere of their activities. These standards are based on the following beliefs to which the University is committed: Truth, and the pursuit of truth which depends on absolute integrity of conduct among all members of the community; Trust which creates a climate of respect for the individual, and encourages self-respect which makes an individual worthy of trust; Justice which enables a fair and free society without which there is no public order and requires the identification, disciplining and education of those who violate these standards.

The following are instances of violations which students pledge not to commit and which could warrant disciplinary action: Cheating Bringing or having access to unauthorized books or materials (be it print or electronic) during an exam or assessment, or in any work to be used by the lecturer, tutor, instructor or examiner as a basis of grading. Plagiarism To use or pass off as ones own, the writings or ideas of another, without acknowledging or crediting the source from which the ideas are taken. Collusion Submitting an assignment, project or report completed by another person and passing it off as ones own; Preparing an assignment, project or report for a fellow student who submits the work as his or her own. (Collusion may or may not involve a monetary transaction.)

Falsification / Tampering Falsifying or tampering with documents and records in an attempt to mislead so as to help influence decision making. False Declaration False declaration on official documents with intent to provide misleading information; False declaration of documents with intent to gain financially. Unauthorised Access Accessing without consent, coercing or encouraging others into gaining access to another persons residence, room, office, filing cabinet(s), file(s), computer hardware/software or other equipment and items belonging to fellow student(s) or academic / non-academic staff or the University. Endangerment Any attempt to endanger another student or other students or member of the university community in any of the following ways: Acting in a manner that is detrimental to the reputation, dignity or interest of a fellow student, University academic or non-academic staff; Speaking or acting in a threatening manner; Causing bodily harm.

More details about Honour Code can be found at