There is some
confusion to the Student in BS, BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) Programs.They are all
the same no difference between them.
The reference
and news about the University of Karachi that related to this topic which clear
the all confusions.
There is some
confusion in the University of Karachi (KU) over the Higher Education
Commission (HEC)’s decision to continue the Bachelor of Science (BS) programme
after the varsity announced that the students of BS, BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons)
would study the same course in the coming academic session.
KU had
started the BS programme, a four-year academic course equal to MA and MSc,
after the HEC’s pressure and cancellation of BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MA and MSc
courses in 2007, but the varsity has decided to give more options to new
candidates in the coming academic sessions so they could also apply for the
degrees of BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MA and MSc.
The
varsity reverted its decision amid protests of the first batch of BS students,
who claimed that they have failed to fulfil the requirements of the
international degree and are also facing difficulties in obtaining jobs in the
local market.
The
matter was put before the KU Academic Council, which decided that the varsity
would continue the BS, BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) courses so that the students
have more options.
However,
it is unclear if there would be separate classes for BS students or if they
would study with BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) students.
It was
decided that the credit hours of BS students would be reduced from 138 to 126,
and the credit hours of BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MA and MSc would be increased
from 120 to 126.
It was
also decided that the students of BS, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MA and MSc would
study the same course.
The
teachers of the varsity are concerned because some subjects were added in the
BS programme with the approval of the KU Academic Council, but these additional
subjects it were removed without prior approval of council.
The BS
students of the Arts discipline would have to study some introductory Science
courses, whereas those enrolled in the Science discipline would have to study
some introductory Arts courses, added the teachers.
They
said there would be no distinction between local and international degrees if
the students of BS, an international course, would also study the courses of BA
(Hons), BSc (Hons), MA and MSc.
If
these additional courses are not necessary for BS students, then why did the
varsity impose these subjects on the first batch of BS students in 2007, they added.
KU
Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi said reduction in credit hours
means reduction in courses.
She
said when the HEC had started the BS programme, it had told KU that the varsity
could set credit hours between 126 and 138, and the academic council had
approved 138 credit hours.
She
also said when the council approved 138 credit hours, the varsity decided to
add some optional subjects, and this was KU’s self-imposed condition.
She
further said when the varsity decided to run both local and international
courses, KU decided to increase credit hours of BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MA and
MSc from 120 to 126, and the credit hours of BS was reduced from 138 to 126.
Kazmi
said with the reduction in BS credit hours, KU had asked deans of all faculties
to call a meeting of chairpersons of all departments and decide which subjects
should be removed.
She
said the chairpersons of the departments concerned, after consultation with
senior professors of their respective departments, have prepared a list of those
subjects that are unnecessary and were made compulsory after the academic
council had decided on 138 credit hours for the BS programme.
Therefore,
she added, the varsity has removed the extra subjects. “Why was the last batch
of BS students forced to study these extra subjects is a matter of grave
concern, though,” Kazmi said.
She
said this not only caused ambiguities, but also increased the cost of study. KU
had to hire extra teachers and arrange for extra rooms for teaching these
subjects that have no link to the students’ majors, Kazmi said.
For
example, she added, BS students of Islamic Learning were asked to study
Environment Sciences and Statistics, both of which have no link to their major,
and as a result, the students have failed to pass these extra subjects.
