Talk on ''Result Credit Points and Units/Examination conduct'', presented by Cornelius Ellah on behalf of the Examination unit, Department of Mass Communication, CRUTECH, on the occasion of the Department's orientation exercise for fresh intakes (2014/2015 session).

by Cornelius Ellah

Introduction:

The Examination unit of the Department of Mass Communication, CRUTECH, is pleased to welcome all newly admitted students into this department. We congratulate you on this feat, trusting that you all merit your admissions. Our findings indicate that several candidates applied to study Mass Communication in CRUTECH. Yet, few were offered admission letters. Equally, we noticed that some who were offered admission to study Mass Communication, did not possess the basic requirements for acceptance in this course. Thus, they were rejected by this department. We have every reason to assume that all newly admitted student seated here today, deserves to study Mass Communication. In addition, we assume that all of you passed qualifying examinations such as WAEC, NECO and Unified Tertiary Institutions' Matriculation Examination, UTME, on merit. Having passed such qualifying examinations ''on merit'', we assume that you do not need further orientation on ''examination conduct''.

Nevertheless, please permit us to bore you with a brief rehash on the subject of examination conduct, especially as it applies to CRUTECH and this department. Before then, we need to acquaint you with this University's grading system.

Result Credit Points and Units.

The following scoring and grading system are approved by the University Senate for the evaluation of students' examinations:

Score                           Letter Grade               Grade Point.

70-100                         A                                  5

60-69                           B                                  4

50-59                           C                                  3

45-49                           D                                  2

40-44                           E                                  1

0-39                             F                                  0

The above points are applicable for 1 credit unit courses, only. This means that there are multiplied by 2, for 2 credit units' courses. Thus, A would attract 10 points for such courses, B would get 8 points, C would fetch 6 points, D would earn 4 points, while E would fetch 2 points, accordingly. All core courses in this department are 2 credit Units, apart from Research Project which is 6 credit units.  The core courses must be taken and passed by all students before they can be awarded a degree.

Meanwhile, elective courses are in two categories: those offered in the department and those chosen from another Department in or outside the Faculty.  Students are expected to select elective courses to meet specified credit hours. They are not expected to exceed 24 credit hours, except in the final year where they must apply and receive Senate's approval, if that limit must be exceeded. Students should consult their academic advisers in making choices of electives.

It should be noted that all departmental courses are coded as MAC followed by four digits; the first digit represents the year, the second digit represents the semester, the last two represent the course.

Award of Degree

The following categories of degrees are awarded by this University:

First Class (4.50-5.00 CGPA ); Second Class Upper (3.50-4.49 CGPA); Second Class Lower (2.40-3.49 CGPA); Third Class (1.50-2.39 CGPA); Pass (1.00-1.49 CGPA). CGPA is abbreviation for Cumulative Grade Points Average. It is obtained by dividing one's total or cumulative credit points by one's total or cumulative credit units.

This means that your points would start counting, when you write your first examination, this semester. You need to start earning good grades, if you hope to obtain a good degree. Unfortunately, nobody has ever earned a First Class degree from this department. We hope that one of you would break this apparent jinx.

It is pertinent to add that this programme of study normally lasts a minimum of 4 years. Where a student fails to graduate within this minimum period, an extension of not more than half the statutory duration may be allowed. Therefore, a student may spend a maximum of 6 years for this programme. Thereafter, the student may be advised to withdraw from the University.

In this vein, it is prescribed that for a student to be in good standing, he or she must have a CGPA of not less than 1.00 at the end of each year of study. A student whose CGPA is below 1.00 at the end of a particular year of study, shall earn a period of probation for one academic year. This period is given to the student to improve his or her performance. The student resumes the regular academic rhythm, if at the end of probation the CGPA gets back above 1.00. Such a student graduates one year behind his or her peers.

It is equally necessary to mention that a student whose CGPA is still below 1.00 at the end of the probation year shall be advised to withdraw from the University or change to another department, where possible.

Examination Conduct in CRUTECH and in the Department of Mass Communication

In CRUTECH, examinations questions are set by course lecturers and administered in examination halls by such lecturers. Obviously, examination rules require that all candidates must conduct themselves with decorum.

Usually, candidates are required to answer 3, out of 5 questions. Courses that have practical components attract 70 examination marks, while class assignments or test attract 10 marks. 20 marks are reserved as maximum scores for practical, in such courses.

On the other hand, courses that do not have practical components are assigned 70 examination marks and 30 marks for continuous assessment (tests and assignments).

This department adopts the University's stance of zero tolerance for examination malpractice.  Specifically, the department does not condone bribery (otherwise known and addressed by students as ''sorting''). Neither does it tolerate acts of impersonation in examination halls. Equally, the department prohibits the use of what students refer to as ''micro chips'', or other forms of extraneous aids, in examination halls. Please do not indulge in any of these. You would be punished, if you disobey our simple instructions on examination conduct. Acts of indiscipline or insubordination usually invite recommendations for punitive action by the department's disciplinary committee.  Such punitive action may lead to Senate's recommendation of withdrawal   of such violators from the University, depending on the gravity of offence.

It is hoped that you are all here to stay. It is hoped that you would all graduate successfully. May God bless your desires in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

N/B: The Examination Unit acknowledges this Department's Students' Handbook, for some inputs in this presentation.