Q1: What a student can do if he/she falls on the first probation?

A1: Consult your academic advisor to guide you on how to get out of probation.

Q2: Who should the student approach if he/she needs advice and the advisor is not available?

A2: You can approach your HoD who can give you a piece of advice or assign another advisor for.

Q1: When the absentee warning notice will be issued?

A1: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (B6 Attendance Policy, page17): 

An "Absentee Warning Notice" will be issued if a student is absent for:

•  More than 10% of teaching hours for courses with less than 75 total contact hours.
•  More than 5% of teaching hours for courses with 75 or more total contact hours.

An "Absentee Withdrawal Notice" will be issued and the student will be deemed to have withdrawn from the course with an 'FW' grade if a student is absent for:

•  More than 20% of teaching hours for courses with less than 75 total contact hours.
• More than 15% of teaching hours for courses with 75 to 150 total contact hours.
• More than 10% of teaching hours for courses with more than 150 total contact hours.

Q2: When an excuse of absence is accepted?

A2: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (B-6-1 General Guidelines on Students absenteeism, pages 19-21), excuse of absence is granted to all students due to:

• Illness as certified by a valid medical certificate.

• For absence due to illness to be excused, the original, official sick leave document must be presented to the course instructor(s) within two class meeting/contact days from the end of the leave period.)
• In case of hospitalization for a period of less than two weeks, the sick leave document must be presented to the course instructor(s) within two class meeting/contact days from the date of discharge from the hospital.
• In case of hospitalization for a period of two weeks or more, the sick leave document must be presented to the course instructor(s) within two weeks from the date of admission to the hospital.
• For medical appointments issued by government or private health care facilities, the student must inform the course instructor(s) in advance by presenting the official appointment slip. The student must also provide a proof of attendance of the appointment date.
• In case of repeated absence (more than two per semester) for compelling health reasons, the student must submit a medical report to the course instructor(s).

• Death of a first-degree relative (namely: parent, brother, sister, spouse or child) as certified by documented official evidence.

Absence due to bereavement of first – degree relative is excused when an official document to that effect is submitted to the course instructor(s) within 4 working days from the bereavement.

• Involvement in extra-curricular activities documented and approved by the Deanship of Students Affairs.

• Absence for extra-curricular activities will only be excused if it is requested in advance of the proposed absence.
• Approval for extra-curricular activities requires the approval of both the Dean of Student Affairs and the Dean of the student’s college.

• Any other special circumstance such as Haj, birth, accompanying a first degree relative for medical treatment etc. as certified by stamped passport copies or other official documents.

For Haj and Birth the following should be observed:

• Haj: A student shall apply for a Haj leave at least a month in advance, and can be awarded the approval once only during the period of study in the University. The Haj leave shall not exceed 10 working days.
• Birth: Female students due to delivery can be awarded a leave of 2 weeks from classes, and should be advised to postpone the semester in which they are due to deliver. The student should provide the birth documents within two weeks after delivery.

Q1: How can a course be substituted?

A1: A student must fill the substitution form (posted on the College Website), sign it by the advisor and HoD and submit it to the ADUGS office before the registration of course particularly if a core course is to be replaced. The student should also fill the form for replacing major electives courses before registering it especially for those registered from outside the College of Science. Up to three courses of the approved courses of the minor are counted as major electives. However, the department has the right to consider the already registered additional minor courses as major electives.

Q2: Can Major Elective from other colleges be registered?

A2: Major Electives must be taken from the College of Science, but if the student wants to take an elective from other college (3 courses at most), he/she must have an official acceptance from the Head of Department.

Q3: What happens if students do extra credits?

A3: It is possible to complete more electives courses than is required by they degree plan.  In this case graduating GPA will be calculated from those courses with the highest grade.  Unless specified in the degree plan extra credits in one category cannot be counted in another category.

Q4: Can a course that is not listed in the degree plan be taken?

A4: If students meet the registration requirements, they can take any course offered by the University.  However, courses that are not in your degree plan will not be counted towards your graduation requirements unless a course substitution form has been completed and approved.  The course substitution form must be approved before the course is registered.  Substitution of required courses is only approved under exceptional circumstances.

Q5: How to register in a course during a semester (without having the required prerequisite) to avoid waiting an extra semester to register in the same course? (this happens with courses offered at a particular semester only).

A5: In some cases, this is allowed with a permission from the Head of Department.

Q6: Can a course be dropped?

A6: A student has the right to drop courses 3 times. If the course is required, it should be repeated. If the course is a pre-requisite for another course it may delay your progress in your degree plan.

Q7: What if students take different courses from different departments in the College of Science?

A7: Introductory courses will be counted as college elective and other CoS courses will be counted as major electives.

Q1: When does a student achieve Distinction or Honours?

A1: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (C-9-1. Deans' List, page41):

• "Distinction": a student who achieves a semester GPA of 3.70 or higher with no grade below 'B'.
• "Honours": a student who achieves a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher with no grade below 'C'.

Q1: Whom shall a student consult regarding his/her degree plan?

A1: To understand the degree plan students have to consult their Academic Advisor.

Q2: Will students have completed their degree requirements when they have completed 122 credits?

A2: The credits completed in each category (University Requirements, College Electives etc) are more important than the total number of credits completed.  Degree requirements will be complete when students have completed all the necessary credits in each category.

Q3: Can courses listed in one category count towards another category?

A3: This is possible only when specified in the Degree Plan.  For example, once the minimum number of College Electives have been completed, College of Science Degree Plans state that extra College Electives may be counted as Major Electives.  Please note, University Requirements and Electives cannot be counted towards any other category.

Q4: What is the degree plan for a major X? and what are the prerequisites?

A4: Students can check the degree plan for a specific major on the College website.

https://www.squ.edu.om/science/Academic-Programs/Undergraduate-Programs

Q1: When can a student apply for FSP?

A1: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (C-6-1. Grades with Numeric Value, page33):

An 'FSP' may be awarded to a student who meets all the following conditions:

• The course should be a credit course and has a final examination
• All components of the course have been evaluated.
•  The student must pass all course components but failed the final examination.
• Student’s performance (marks/grades) in components other than the final examination is above class average in the concerned course.
• FSP form (posted on the college website) must be filled and sent to fatma2424@squ.edu.om to process the application.

Q2: When can student apply for a re-sit?

A2: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (D-3. ‘Re-sit’ Criteria for Graduating Students, page59):

A student can apply for “re-sit” exam if he/she is a graduating student who has already passed all degree requirements, but he/she failed one course in the last two semesters. The maximum grade awarded should not exceed a “C” grade. Re-sit form (posted on the college website) must be filled and sent to fatma2424@squ.edu.om to process the application.

Q3: What a student can do if he/she has two exams at the same day and time?

A3: Approach the office of the ADUGS.

Q1: When can a student apply for grade appeal and how?

A1: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (C-14. Grade Appeal, page53), students have the right to appeal against grades that they obtain in any course within 30 days from the official announcement of the results. He/She should fill the appeal form posted on the College Website and send it to fatma2424@squ.edu.om along with transfer reset of 5 Omani Rial to process the application.

Q1: How can a student apply for a major?

A1: Student applies via the SQU portal → major selection after fulfilling a major’s requirements.

Q2: What are the major requirements?

A2: Vacancies and Major Requirements for each major is posted on the College Website https://www.squ.edu.om/science/About/Assistants-Deans/Assistant-Dean-for-Undergraduate-studies/Choice-and-Change-of-Major-Criteria-Procedures

Q3: How can a student change their assigned major?

A3: A major can be dropped by:

• Dropping it within one week from assigning it to the students by filling the form of dropping a major and sending it to M.alyousf@squ.edu.om
• If the period of dropping a major is over and the student decided to change it, they apply for a change of major by the end of the semester announced by the ADUGS.

Q4: Can a student take the major they want immediately after finishing FP program?

A4: No, after finishing FP a student has to take LANC 2058 and 3 Introductory Science courses (Such as: CHEM2101, PHYS2101, MATH2107, BIOL2101, ERSC2101, COMP2101 and STAT2101) based on the criteria of the major he/she wants. After taking these required courses, they have to apply for a major online at the end of the semester. Each major (Department) has its own major requirements (Please look at the Major requirements in the College homepage, or visit the office of Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies).

Q5: When is the exact time for choosing the major and what is the procedure? 

A5: Once you fulfil the requirement for choosing a major. Students can apply by the end of each semester when it is announced by the office of the ADUGS.

Q6: How to request a major with no remaining seats ?

A6: A major with no vacancies can not be filled anymore. Students are advice to seek an alternative major.

Q7: What are the work opportunities of a major?

A7: A student can check work opportunities of each major in the book of specialization and job issued by the Center for Career Guidance

https://www.squ.edu.om/Portals/51/Majors_Booklets_2022/%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A8%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B5%D8%B5%20%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A9%20%D9%84%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%202022.pdf?ver=t2cB_06eLXMFu87RGjGnPw%3d%3d

Q8: How many seats are remaining in a specific major?

A8: Students can check Major Vacancies and Minimum Requirements to Apply for a Major on the College website.

https://www.squ.edu.om/science/About/Assistants-Deans/Assistant-Dean-for-Undergraduate-studies/Major-Vacancies

Q1: How to get minor in Business?

A1: After grades announcement, ADUGS announces the period for applying for a minor in Business. Major students of 2.75 and above CGPA can compete and they will be chosen according to the highest GPA and vacancies.

Q2: How can a student request minor assignment in their transcript?

A2: After fulfilling the requirements of a minor, they should fill a minor form posted on the College Website, sign it by the advisor, minor HoD, major HoD and the CoS ADUGS and submit it to M.alyousf@squ.edu.om for assigning it in the transcript.

Q3: Do students have to take a Minor?

A3: Taking a Minor is entirely optional, however, when a Minor is not taken, students are strongly advised to select their electives courses carefully so as so strengthen their degree.  Academic advisors can help with course selection.

Q4: If stuednts start a Minor, do they have to complete it?

A4: No.  The credits for a Minor come from either Required or Elective courses listed in the Degree Plan.  If students are unable to complete the credits required for the Minor, the credits that have been taken will be still be counted towards graduation requirements in the appropriate categories.

Q5: Some students need to complete more than 18 credits to earn their Minor, why is that?

A5: Only a maximum of two required courses (so a maximum of 8 credits) from the Degree Plan can be counted towards a Minor.  If the degree plan requires more than 8 credits from another Department, students may need to complete more than 18 credits from that Department to earn a Minor from that Department.

Q6: What is the requirement for a minor in X?

A6: Completion of 18 credits from a specific major requirement/elective courses with at least 2 GPA.

Q1: What is the difference between Students Exchange Program and Visiting Students Program?

A1: SQU has adopted Students Exchange Programs with a number of internationally recognized higher education institutions, through an exchange agreement while SQU has a system for visiting students, which allows Omani and Non-Omani students from recognized higher educations to take some courses in SQU or other international higher education institutions without a signed agreement between the two institutions.

Q2: Is the Students Exchange Program open for all SQU students?

A2: Yes as long as the following criteria is met:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50, in addition to completing 60 credits of their degree plan and not be in their final year.
2. Should apply in writing to their advisor and Head of Department by filling the form (/Portals/8/ADUGS-Forms/Outgoing Exchange and Visiting Student Application form last version (1).pdf?ver=n6ivthPxFnQPnXMcz-3VkQ%3d%3d).The request should be discuss at the Departmental Academic Curriculum Committee.
3. The request should be approved by the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies. 
4. The request should be forwarded to the office of International Cooperation to review the application and interview the students. The approved requests will be sent to the hosted university for approval.
5. An approved request for departure will go to the concerned College and t the Deanship of Admission and Registration.

Q3: Are the credits taken in the hosted university counted?

A3: Approved credits passed with a grade equivalent to at least “C” within the SQU system will be recorded as Transfer Credits (TC) and counted towards the credit total of the degree, but not calculated in the cumulative GPA.

Q4:What are the universities with which SQU has Students Exchange agreements? And what privileges will the students grantee?

A4: They are as follows:

Q1: What are the postponement regulations and procedure?

A1: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (B-7. Postponement of Study, page22):

A student may be allowed to postpone temporarily his/her study from the University for one semester renewable for a second semester. Extension of postponement beyond two semesters may be granted in exceptional circumstances. Supporting documentation from authorities such as Student Affairs, Student Counselling Centre or Health Clinics maybe required. To apply for a semester postponement, a student should submit no-objection letter signed by the guardian with a copy of her/his civil ID card to the ADUGS office.

Q1: Who is eligible to be registered in Summer semester?

A1: Summer semester registration is restricted to Sultan Qaboos University students in the following order of priority:

1. Students registered in the Foundation Program

2. Students whose degree plans include summer courses

3. Students who are expected to graduate by the end of the summer semester (9≥ remaining credits) or fall semester (27≥ remaining credits >16) depending on seat availability

4. Students who need to register key pre-requisite courses in their degree plans.

NOTE: PROB STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE REGISTERED IN SUMMER UNLESS THEY GRADUATE BY THE END OF SUMMER.

Q2:  What are the courses offered in summer semesters?

A2: Courses offered in summer semesters differ from one semester to another according to teaching resources available in each summer. THERE IS NO GARANTEE THAT A CERTAIN COURSE WILL BE OFFERED IN ANY SUMMER SEMESTER.

Q3? How many credits/courses a student can register in summer semester?

A3: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (B1-1 Summer Semester Registration, page13): 

- Students must register a minimum of five credits

- Students must register in two courses

- Students may register only one University Requirement or University Elective course

- Exceptions to the above regulations are:

a. Students registered in the Foundation Program or in training courses

b. Students who need courses to graduate by the end of the summer semester.

NOTES:

• Withdrawing a summer course(s) after the Drop/Add period deletes the summer registration and courses will be recorded on the student's transcript as “W”, “FW”, or “F” in accordance with the academic regulations
• CoS students are not allowed to repeat courses that they have passed during summer.
• A student who withdraws from a course in Spring will not be allowed to take the course immediately in the following Summer semester unless it is required for graduation in that semester.

Q4: How many credits a probation student can register in Fall or Spring semesters?

A4: Students on academic probation shall be required to reduce their load to a maximum of 12 credits and a minimum of 9 credits during a regular semester.

Q5: When can a student request an overload?

A5: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (C-8-2. For “Expected to Graduate” students, pages 38-40), the course load for students in their regular academic year is described as follows:

• Students with minimum cGPA of 3.00 (or 3.00 in the last two consecutive semesters):

• Student is expected to graduate within two semesters (Fall, Spring, or Spring, Summer). The extra load can be given in his/her last two semesters (or only one semester).
• The maximum course load should not exceed 23 credits during Fall and Spring semester.
• The maximum course load should not exceed 9 credits in Summer including Internship courses or similar courses.

• Students with cGPA between 2.30 and 2.99:

• Student is expected to graduate within two semesters (Fall, Spring, or Spring, Summer). The extra load can be given in his/her last two semesters (or only one semester).
• The maximum course load should only exceed the normal course load by up to 4 (0-4) credits, regardless of the total registered courses during Fall and Spring semester.
• The maximum course load should not exceed 9 credits in Summer including Internship courses or similar courses.

• Students with cGPA between 2.00 and 2.29:

• Student is expected to graduate within the current registered semester (Fall, or Spring, or Summer). The extra load can be given only in his/her last semester.
• The maximum course load should only exceed the normal course load by up to 4 (0-4) credits, regardless of the total registered courses during Fall or Spring semester.
• The maximum course load should not exceed 9 credits in Summer including Internship courses or similar courses.

• Students with cGPA of 2.00 and above, but on semester probation:

• Student is expected to graduate within the current registered semester (Fall, or Spring, or Summer). The extra load can be given only in his/her last semester.
• Allowed only an extra of (0-3) credits to a maximum of 15 credits in his last semester (Fall or Spring) regardless of the number of the courses registered.
• The maximum course load should not exceed 8 credits in Summer including Internship courses or similar courses.

Q6: How many times a student can repeat a course?

A6: As stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations, sixth edition, (C-12. Repeated Courses, page 52), a student must/may repeat courses according to the Undergraduate Academic Regulations as follows:

• Any failed (F, FW) course that is required in the degree program for two times only. In case a course is failed more than once, the student requires permission from the concerned HoD for course substitution.
• May repeat a course with grade of C or below for one time only. In all cases of repeated courses, all grades earned shall appear on the transcript but the most recent grade only shall be used in the calculation of the Grade Point Average (even if it is lower than the original grade).

        Q7: How can a student register a course as an audit student?

        A7: By submitting the add and drop form to the ADUGS during the add and drop period indicating its registration status as “audit”.

Q8: Can extra load be requested?

A8: Yes, students who are expected to graduate within their final current academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer) have the right to request for extra load through their academic advisor as stated in the Undergraduate Academic Regulations Book.

Q9: How to register if all sections are full? 

A9: Students can authorize the course in the add and drop period.

Q10: Why are Prob2 students the last group of students who register in courses? We face difficulties of having no seats available in many courses that we have to take in order to be able to fulfill the major requirements and get into our desired majors asap.

A10: Students on probation have the authority to register full course sections via prob 2 registration form during the period announced by the A&R (usually within a month before the add and drop). Delaying it to the add and drop will be the responsibility of the students as seats will be available to everyone.

Q1: What are the transfer criteria between SQU colleges?

A1: Please refer to the general transfer criteria between colleges posted on the Deanship of Admission and Registration Website: https://www.squ.edu.om/Portals/27/PDF%20folder/transferBcolleges22.pdf?ver=s6jggo0Ko9E9x1P_k4_-lA%3d%3d

Q2: How to transfer from College of Science to College of Education?

A2: The general transfer criteria between Colleges is available online on the website of Deanship of Admissions and Registrations.

Q3: What is the time needed to apply for transfer to another college (for example to medicine college)?

A3: Twice a year, the A&R announces for the period of transfer to another college.