How degrees are structured
DWIUST uses a credit-based, outcome-based curriculum, aligned with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and North American semester credits. Programs combine major (core) courses, minors, general education, multidisciplinary and skill-based courses, electives and practical work, so you can choose a major, a minor, a double major, an honors degree, an honors degree with research, or an interdisciplinary combination.
| Qualification | Credits | Usual length |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (general) | 120 | 4 years |
| Bachelor's degree with honors | 132–140 | 4 years |
| Bachelor's degree with honors and research | 140–150 | 4–5 years |
| Master's degree (coursework) | 30–36 | 2 years |
| Master's degree with thesis or research | 36–48 | 2 years |
| Integrated accelerated master's | 30 | 1 year after an honors degree |
| Professional master's | 35–45 | 1.5–2 years |
| Ph.D. after a master's degree* | 48–60 | 3–5 years |
| Ph.D. after an honors bachelor's degree* | 72–90 | 5–6 years |
| Undergraduate diploma | 30–60 | 1–2 years |
| Postgraduate diploma | 12–30 | 9 months–2 years |
| Undergraduate certificate | 9–36 | 3 months–1 year |
The general framework. Each program's exact credits and length are set when it is approved. *Ph.D. programs are planned for a later phase of DWIUST's development.
What a general bachelor's degree contains (120 credits)
| Part of the degree | Credits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Major (core) courses | 48–60 | 40–50% |
| Minor courses | 18–24 | 15–20% |
| General education and foundation | 18–24 | 15–20% |
| Multidisciplinary courses | 9–14 | 8–12% |
| Skill-based or vocational courses | 6–12 | 5–10% |
| Open electives | 6–9 | 5–8% |
| Internship, project or seminar | 3–6 | 2–5% |
Registration and course load
You register before the start of each semester, choosing courses with your academic advisor's approval and following your program's degree plan. Meeting your advisor each semester before registration is mandatory, and no registration is final until you have accepted and signed the Honor Code.
- Full-time: at least 15 credit hours a semester for undergraduates.
- Maximum: 18 credit hours a semester, or 20 with the Dean's approval.
- Add/drop: during the first 10 days of the semester, with no fee. After that you can withdraw with a “W” grade until the 12th week.
- DWIUST may withdraw a course if too few students enroll.
Attendance
Regular attendance is expected in every class, and each course syllabus sets its own attendance rules.
- Excused absences: illness (with a doctor's note), a death in the immediate family, religious observances and University-sponsored activities. Tell your lecturer in advance where you can.
- More than three unexcused absences may lower your final grade by up to two letter grades.
- Missing more than 30% of classes may mean withdrawal from the course with a WF (Withdrawn Failing) grade.
Assessment
Your work is assessed throughout the semester, not only in the final examination. Continuous assessment (assignments, quizzes, presentations, lab work, projects and a mid-semester test) usually counts for 30–50% of a course grade, and the end-of-semester examination or final project for the rest. In bachelor's courses that combine theory and laboratory work, the final score is 70% theory and 30% laboratory.
Grading: undergraduate courses
| Grade | Marks | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A (Excellent) | 90–100% | 4.00 |
| B (Good) | 80–89% | 3.00 |
| C (Satisfactory) | 70–79% | 2.00 |
| D (Passing) | 60–69% | 1.00 |
| F (Failing) | Below 60% | 0.00 |
| I (Incomplete) | — | — |
| W (Withdrawn) | — | — |
Your grade point average (GPA) is your total grade points divided by the total credit hours attempted.
Grading: master's courses
| Grade | Marks | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A (Excellent) | 90–100% | 4.00 |
| B (Good) | 80–89% | 3.00 |
| C (fails for graduate credit) | 70–79% | 2.00 |
| F (Failing) | Below 70% | 0.00 |
| I (Incomplete) | — | — |
| W (Withdrawn) | — | — |
- The minimum passing grade is B (3.00). A grade of C or F does not count toward the degree.
- You may repeat at most two courses in which you get a grade below B, and each only once.
- A thesis or capstone project may be graded S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory); a U must be put right as your program specifies.
Academic standing: undergraduate
| Standing | GPA | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Good standing | 2.00 or higher | Continue without restriction. |
| Academic probation | 1.50–1.99 | Advised to take fewer courses; a meeting with your academic advisor is required. |
| Academic suspension | Below 1.50 for two semesters in a row | Suspended for one semester; you must apply for readmission. |
| Academic dismissal | Below 1.50 after reinstatement | Permanent dismissal from the University. |
Academic standing: master's
| Standing | GPA | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Good standing | 3.00 or higher | Continue without restriction. |
| Academic probation | 2.50–2.99 | Raise your GPA to 3.00 within two semesters (one year of full-time study). |
| Academic suspension | Below 2.50 for two semesters in a row | Suspended for one semester; readmission needs a formal appeal. |
| Academic dismissal | Below 2.50 after reinstatement | Permanent dismissal from the graduate program. |
Class by credit hours
| Class | Credit hours completed |
|---|---|
| Freshman | 0–32 |
| Sophomore | 33–64 |
| Junior | 65–96 |
| Senior | More than 96 |
Graduation requirements
Bachelor's degree
- Complete all required courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
- Earn at least 120 credit hours.
- Meet any program requirements, such as an internship or capstone project.
- File a graduation application by the deadline in your second-to-last semester.
Master's degree
- Complete all required courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00, and no grade below B in a core course unless it was repeated successfully.
- Earn your program's minimum credits (usually 30–48, including any thesis or capstone).
- Meet any program requirements, such as a comprehensive examination, internship, thesis or capstone.
- File a graduation application by the posted deadline, usually two semesters before you plan to graduate.
Academic integrity: the Honor Code
The foundation of DWIUST's academic community is no lying, no cheating, no stealing.
- Plagiarism: presenting someone else's work as your own, including using AI to produce assignments without proper attribution.
- Cheating: copying in examinations, using unauthorized aids, or collaborating beyond what is allowed.
- Fabrication: falsifying data, citations or laboratory results.
- Helping others break the Honor Code, for example by knowingly letting someone copy your work.
Violations may lead to a zero for the work, failing the course, suspension or expulsion. All cases go to the Academic Integrity Board. Student conduct & policies