Graduate Program

Course Description

The MBA program consists of 48 credit hours that include 42 credit hours of course work and 6 credit hours for internship followed by an internship/project paper. The breakdown of the total credit hours is as follows:

Course, Internship	Credit Hours
Foundation Courses	12
Core Courses	15
Elective Courses	15
Internship	6
Total	48

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction for the entire program is English. It is, therefore, indispensable to adopt text and references, set questions, take examinations, and prepare reports in English only.

Academic Year and Semesters

An academic year, following the English calendar year, comprises two semesters: January – June and July – December.

In a semester 30 class sessions are held in 15 weeks with two class sessions in a week for each course. Each session is for 1 hour and 20 minutes of duration. All class lectures, tests, mid-term examinations, and other activities are performed during the class sessions. The rest of the time is accounted for holding the final examination and semester recess before the next semester commences.

Duration of the Program

A student admitted into the MBA program must earn the degree within three consecutive academic years. Each student will select a topic for internship in consultation with the Guide/Supervisor approved by the Supervision Committee. Throughout the semester the student will build up the theoretical framework in consultation with the Supervisor along while carrying out out the normal course load. After completion of the final examinations of the last semester, the student shall complete the internship program and submit the report within 12 weeks.

Study Hours and Course Load

A million dollar question is how much a student should study (read), on the average, per day, if s/he takes one course of three credit hours in a given semester. The answer is based on two rules of thumb:

i. For a course of 3 credit hours, there should be 30 class sessions, each session holding for one hours and a half, and

ii. A student must study on the average three hours for a course of 3 credit hours.

Note that if a student takes five courses in a semester s/he must study 15 hours per week.

Degree Requirements and Award

A student must meet the following requirements to earn an MBA degree:

• Complete all the required courses and the Internship Program successfully.

• Earn a minimum CGPA of 2.50 with no “F” grade in any course.

• Free from any disciplinary charges or actions against the student.

• Clear up all the dues and liabilities to the University including the Department.

A student must apply in a prescribed form to the Registrar for the award of the degree and pay requisite fees for provisional/final certificate, transcript, and for participation in the convocation, if applicable. The application must be recommended (countersigned) by the Chairman of the Department indicating that all the requirements for the award of the degree have been duly completed. University of Dhaka awards the degree on the recommendation of the Department of Marketing.

Administration of the MBA Program

The MBA program is administered by a four-member “MBA Program Committee” headed by the Program Director and including three other faculty members, two from the Department of Marketing and one is external member. This committee also acts as the Examination Committee for the MBA Program. The Program Director acts as the Chairman of the Examination Committee. The Program Director presides over the meetings of the Committee. In the absence of the Program Director, the senior most member of the Committee acts as the Program Director.

The MBA Program Committee is constituted and acts according to the guidelines prescribed by the Academic Committee of the Department. The Committee performs the following functions:

i. Checking course outlines and looking after the development of course outline prepared by the course teacher/instructor, and suggesting required changes to fulfill the objectives of the courses offered;

ii. Planning and coordinating the activities of the Program;

iii. Monitoring the Program of the progress;

iv. Submitting periodical reports to the Academic Committee of the Department,

v. Arranging for the defense of the project/papers;

vi. Performing any other tasks for smooth functioning and development of the Program as determined by the Academic Committee of the Department

vii. In case of any grievances expressed by any student within one week of the publication of provisional results regarding the grade s/he received in any course, the Committee reserves the right to arrange for reexamining the scripts of the said student and accordingly report it to the Academic Committee.

Admission of Students and Related Issues

Eligibility for Admission

Only 4-year BBA graduates of the Department of Marketing, University of Dhaka are eligible for the admission into the MBA Program. The number of students in each section of MBA program will be determined by the Department concerned.

Academic Advising

Each student is attached to the Academic Advisor who performs certain functions:

• To provide counseling and guidance in career planning of a student.

• To help understand the rules and regulations pertaining to the Program.

• To assess strengths and weaknesses of a student for determining the courses a student should take to meet the degree requirement.

• To advise which course(s) should be taken by the student in a given semester while maintaining the course sequence.

Students are always encouraged to contact their Advisors for any problem, academic or otherwise.

Evaluation and Grading of Students

Class Attendance

• 75% and above: Eligible to sit as a regular student

• 60 – 74%: Non-Collegiate will be allowed to sit for the examination with a fine of Tk. 5,000/-

• Below 60%: Not allowed to sit for the examination & may seek re-admission in the program.

It is mandatory for all students to attend all classes. However, at least 75% class attendance is required to sit for the final examination. The responsibility of the student is to keep the course instructors informed of the absences from class sessions in case of emergencies

Each course instructor shall submit the class attendance register to the office during the class break week to determine the eligibility of the students to sit for the final examination

To encourage students to attend classes, 5% weight of the grade in each course may be earmarked for attendance in the class. The basis for awarding weight on attendance may be considered proportional to the number of class sessions attended. However, if a student is permitted to sit for the final examination on special ground, in spite of failing to meet the 75% attendance requirement, zero will be assigned for attendance in the relevant course.

Fairness in Tests, Examinations, Assignments and Reports

Students are strictly forbidden from adopting unfair means in assignments, tests, examinations, project work, term papers, etc. The following acts or activities shall be considered an adoption of unfair means in examinations and in other contexts:

• Communicating with fellow students for obtaining help (e.g., talking, eye contact, signaling, body language, etc.),

• Copying from another student’s script or report or paper,

• Copying from printed matter, hand-written script, writing on desk or mobile phones, or palm of hand, or from other incriminating documents,

• Possession of any incriminating document, whether used or not,

• Any approach in direct or indirect form to influence a teacher concerning grade, and

• Any- other unruly behavior which is disruptive of the academic discipline/program.

Students adopting unfair means in all kinds of tests, assignments and examinations shall be treated according to the University rules. Adoption of unfair means may­ result in an ‘F’ grade in the course and or dismissal of the student from the program and expulsion from the University.

Make-up Tests and Examinations

Students are required to attend all tests, assignments, and examinations as scheduled. Make up tests and examinations may be arranged for a student who could not take those for medical or other compelling/unavoidable reasons acceptable to the course teacher. A student has to apply for make-ups indicating reasons with proof for not taking the scheduled examinations. A student seeking a make-up examination must pay the requisite fees.

Student Evaluation

The performance of a student in a course is evaluated in terms of numerical scores earned by a student in class attendance, tests, assignments, examinations, case analysis, and presentation that are cumulated out of 100 as stated below:

Activities	Weight
Mid-term Tests (2)	30
Class Attendance	5
Class Participation	5
Case Analysis and Presentation	5
Assignment, Term Paper, etc.	15
Final Examination	40
Total	100

Grading Systems:

The total score earned by a student according to the weight as stated above is then converted into a letter grade as follows:

Numerical Marks (%)	Letter Grade	Grade Point
80 and above	A+	4.00
75 to less than 80	A	3.75
70 to less than 75	A-	3.50
65 to less than 70	B+	3.25
60 to less than 65	B	3.00
55 to less than 60	B-	2.75
50 to less than 55	C+	2.50
45 to less than 50	C	2.25
40 to less than 45	D	2.00
less than 40	F	0.00
…………..	I	Incomplete
…………..	W	Withdrawn

Exemption (E) and Make-up Courses

Students with 4-year BBA degrees get exemption of a maximum of 4 foundation courses (12 credit hours). The student receiving exemption of a course, his/her transcript will show a grade ‘E’ against that course.

Retake (R)

A student earning an ‘F’ grade in a course shall be required to pass the same by retaking the course on payment of requisite fees offered in the subsequent available semester. A student earning a grade of A- or less may also opt to improve the grade by retaking the course when available in the next semester on payment of requisite fees. However, a candidate cannot retake any course after graduation. In such case, the concerned student shall have to apply to withhold his/her graduation to the MBA Supervision Committee.

In the above situation, the transcript will show credit hours, grade, and R (Retake) against the retaking course. Students will be allowed to retake a course only once. In order to retake a course, the student must apply to the MBA Supervision Committee at least 4 weeks before the commencement of the semester. Any application for retaking a course will automatically lead to cancellation of his/her earlier grade.

Withdrawn (W)

Withdrawal from the program for a definite period of time may be considered if permission is sought from the MBA Supervision Committee keeping his/her earlier semester grades intact. But s/he will have to complete the program within three academic years from his/her date of admission.

Grievances

In case of any grievance by any student regarding the result (grade) of any course, s/he must submit an application to the Program Director within one week of the publication of provisional results. The MBA Program Committee reserves the right to arrange for reexamining the script(s) of the course in question and the resultant decision shall be deemed final.

Academic Standing, Probation and Dismissals

To remain in good academic standing a student must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.50 at every stage of the program. Any student failing to earn a minimum SCGPA of 2.00 will be dismissed from the program. However, a student obtaining a SGPA of less than 2.00 only in the first semester may seek fresh admission with the next batch.