THIRUVALLUVAR UNIVERSITY

CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM (CBCS)

BACHELOR DEGREE COURSES
UNDER THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE (B.Sc.)
(Effective from the Academic year 2008- 2009)

REGULATIONS
CBCS
Choice-Based Credit System is a flexible system of learning. ‘Credit’ defines the quantum of
contents / syllabi prescribed for a course and determine the number of hours of instruction
required. The distinguishing features of CBCS are the following:
It permits the students to:
 learn at their own pace
 Choose electives from a wide range of elective courses offered by the departments of
the affiliated colleges
 undergo additional courses and acquire more than the required number of credits
 adopt an inter - disciplinary approach in learning
 make best use of the expertise of available faculty

1. Eligibility for Admission:

Candidates for admission to the first year of the Degree of Bachelor of Science Courses, shall
be required to have passed the Higher Secondary Examinations (Academic or Vocational
Stream) conducted by the Government of Tamil Nadu or an Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate of the Thiruvalluvar University.

Provided that candidates for admission into the specific main subject of study shall also
possess such other qualifying conditions as may be prescribed by the University in the
Regulations governing respective courses of study. (Annexure - III )

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2. Eligibility for the Award of Degree:
A Candidate shall be eligible for the award of the Degree only if he/she has undergone the
prescribed course of study in a College affiliated to the University for a period of not less
than three academic years and passed the examinations of all the Six Semesters prescribed
earning 140 credits (in Parts-I,II,III,IV and V).

3. Duration:
a. Each academic year shall be divided into two semesters. The first academic year shall
comprise the first and second semesters, the second academic year the third semester
and fourth semesters and the third academic year the fifth and sixth semesters
respectively.
b. The odd semesters shall consist of the period from June to November of each year
and the even semesters from December to April of each year. There shall be not less
than 90 working days for each semester.

4. Course of Study:
The main Subject of Study for Bachelor Degree Courses shall consist of the following.
PART - I TAMIL /OTHER LANGUAGES
PART - II ENGLISH
PART - III CORE SUBJECTS
ALLIED SUBJECTS
PROJECT/ELECTIVES WITH THREE COURSES
PART - IV
1. (a). Those who have not studied Tamil up to XII Std. and taken a Non - Tamil Language
under Part - I shall take Tamil comprising of two courses (level will be at 6th Standard)
(b). Those who have studied Tamil up to XII Std. and taken a Non - Tamil Language
under Part - I shall take Advanced Tamil comprising of two courses.
(c). Others who do not come under a / b can choose non - major elective comprising of
two courses.

2. SKILL BASED SUBJECTS (ELECTIVE):

Four courses are to be offered. The papers are to be accommodated in the second / third
year of study for UG courses.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
4. VALUE EDUCATION
PART – V EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
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 5. Extension Activities:
A Candidate shall be awarded a maximum of 1 Credit for Compulsory Extension Service.
All the students shall have to enroll for NSS / NCC/ NSO (Sports and Games) Rotract /
Youth Red Cross or any other service organization in the college and shall have to put in
Compulsory minimum attendance of 40 hours which shall be duly certified by the Principal
of the college before 31st March in a year. If a student LACKS 40 hours attendance in the
First year, he / she shall have to compensate the same during the subsequent years.
Students those who complete minimum attendance of 40 hours in One year will get Half
Credit and those who complete the attendance of 80 or more hours in two years will ONE
CREDIT.
Literacy and population Education Field Work shall be compulsory components in the above
extension service activities.

The following assessment procedure will be followed for Internal Marks:

Continuous Internal Assessment (CIA) Test

S. Reg Name Test I Test II Test III Marks Marks Assignments Marks Total
No No Marks Marks Marks for converted /Seminars (5) for Rounded
for for 75 for 75 200 to 20/30 Records (10) 25/40 to Marks
50 for
25/40

Test I : One hour duration for 50 marks (Two Units of the Syllabus)

Test II : Two hours duration for 75 marks (Four Units of the Syllabus)

Test III : Three hours model test for 75 marks (Total Syllabus)

Total marks 200 Theory Practical

Test marks to be converted to : 20 marks / 30 marks
Assignments / Seminars : 5 marks / -
Records : - / 10 marks
Total : 25 marks / 40 marks

In the Column Rounded to 25/40, any fraction may be rounded to the next number.

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6. Requirements for proceeding to Subsequent Semester:
i. Candidates shall register their names for the First semester Examination after admission in
the UG Courses.
ii. Candidates shall be permitted to proceed from the First Semester up to Final Semester
irrespective of their failure in any of the Semester Examination subject to the condition
that the candidates should register for all the arrear subject of earlier semesters along the
current (subsequent) Semester subjects.
iii. Candidates shall be eligible to go to subsequent semester, only if they earn, sufficient
attendance as prescribed therefor by the Syndicate from time to time. Provided in case of
a candidate earning less than 65% of attendance in any one of the Semesters due to any
extraordinary circumstances such as medical grounds, such candidates who shall produce
Medical Certificate issued by the Authorised Medical Attendant (AMA), duly certified
by the Principal of the College, shall be permitted to proceed to the next semester and
to complete the Course of study. Such Candidates shall have to repeat the missed
Semester by rejoining after completion of Final Semester of the course, after paying the
fee for the break of study as prescribed by the University from time to time.

7. Requirements to take the University Examinations

a) A candidate will be permitted to take the University Examination of any Semester, if
i) he / she secures not less than 75% of attendance out of the 90 instructional days during-
the Semester.
(In the case of married women students the minimum attendance requirement shall be 55%
of the total instructional days.)
ii) he / she earns a Progress Certificate from the Head of the Institution, of having
satisfactorily completed the prescribed Course of Study in the subjects as required by these
Regulations, and
iii) his / her conduct has been satisfactory.
Provided that it shall be open to the Syndicate or any authority delegated with such powers
by the Syndicate to grant exemption to a candidate who has failed to earn 75% of the
attendance prescribed for any valid reason(s) subject to the usual conditions.
b) A candidate who has secured attendance less than 75% but 65% and above shall be
permitted to take the Examination on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution to
condone the lack of attendance as well as on the payment of the prescribed fees to the
University.

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8. Passing Minimum:
A Candidate shall be declared to have passed the whole examination, if he/she passes in all
the papers and practicals wherever prescribed / as per the scheme of examinations by
earning 140 CREDITS in Parts - I,II,III,IV and V. He/She shall also fulfill the extension
activities prescribed earning one Credit to qualify for the Degree
In fixing the passing minimum marks, the following will be observed:
(a). There shall be no Passing Minimum for Internal.
(b). For External Examination, Passing Minimum shall be of 40% (Forty Percentage) of the
maximum marks prescribed for the paper for each Paper/Practical/Project and Viva-voce.
(c). In the aggregate (External + Internal), the passing minimum shall be of 40%.

Grading:
Once the marks of the CIA and end-semester examinations for each of the course are
available, they will be added. The mark thus obtained will then be graded as per details given
below:

Marks Grade Point Letter Grade Class

100 7.00 H First Class with

Distinction

90-99 6.00 O First Class with

Distinction

75-89 5.50 D First Class with

Distinction

60-74 4.75 A First Class

50-59 4.00 B Second Class

40-49 3.50 C Third

Below 40 3.00 F Fail

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From the second semester onwards the total performance within a semester and continuous
performance starting from the first semester are indicated respectively by Grade Point
Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). These two are calculated by
the following formulae:

n
∑ C¡ G¡
i=1
GPA = -------------
n
∑ C¡
i=1

Where ‘C¡’ is the Credit earned for the Course i in any semester; ‘G¡’ is the Grade point
obtained by the student for the course i and ‘n’ is the number of courses passed in that
semester.
CGPA = GPA of all the courses starting from the first semester to the current semester.
Note: The GPA and CGPA shall be calculated separately for the following three parts:
For purposes of declaring a candidate to have qualified for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts/
Science/ Commerce / Management / Literature in the First Class / Second Class / Third
Class or First Class with Distinction, the marks and the corresponding CGPA earned by the
candidate in part III alone will be the criterion, provided he / she has secured the prescribed
passing minimum in LCs and ELcs.
Grade in Part IV Extension shall be shown separately and it shall not be taken into account
for classification
The marks for the course on “Environmental Studies” will be given in a separate certificate.

9. Classification of Successful Candidates:

PART – I TAMIL / OTHER LANGUAGES:
Successful candidates passing Examinations for the Language and securing the marks (i) 60
percent and above and (ii) 50 percent and above but below 60 percent in the aggregate shall
be declared to have passed the examination in the First and Second Class, respectively. All
other successful candidates shall be declared to have passed the examination in the Third
Class.

PART – II ENGLISH:
Successful candidates passing Examinations for English and securing the marks (i) 60 percent
and above and (ii) 50 percent and above but below 60 percent in the aggregate shall be

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declared to have passed the examination in the First and Second Class, respectively. All other
successful candidates shall be declared to have passed the examination in the Third Class.

PART – III consisting of CORE SUBJECTS, ALLIED SUBJECTS, PROJECT / ELECTIVES

Successful candidates passing Examinations for Core Courses together and securing the
marks (i) 60 percent and above and (ii) 50 percent and above but below 60 percent in the
aggregate of the marks prescribed for the Core courses together shall be declared to have
passed the examination in the First and Second Class, respectively. All other successful
candidates shall be declared to have passed the examination in the Third Class.

PART – IV: (consisting of sub items 1 (a), (b) and (c), 2,3 and 4) as furnished in the
Regulations 4 Part IV supra.

PART - V EXTENTION ACTIVITIES:

The only credit earned for Part V Extension activities of a Successful Candidate SHALL
NOT BE taken into consideration for Classification / Ranking / Distinction.

10. RANKING:
Candidates who pass all the examinations prescribed for the course in the First Appearance
Itself alone are eligible for Ranking / Distinction;
Provided in the case of Candidates who pass all the examinations prescribed for the course
with a break in the First Appearance due to the reasons as furnished in the Regulations 7.
(iii) supra are eligible for Classification / Distinction.
The marks obtained in improvement examinations will not be taken into consideration for
Ranking.

11. The Medium of Instruction and Examinations

The medium of instruction and Examinations for the papers under Part I and II shall be in
the language concerned. For Part III, the medium of instruction and Examination shall be
English / Tamil.

12. Submission of Record Notebooks for Practical Examinations

Candidates taking the Practical Examinations should submit bonafide Record Note Books
prescribed for the Practical Examinations. Otherwise the candidates will not be permitted to
take the Practical Examinations. However, in genuine case where the students could not

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submit the record notebooks may be permitted to take the Practical Examinations provided
the Head of the Department concerned certifies that the candidate has performed the
experiments prescribed for the Course. For such of those candidates who do not submit
Record Books, zero (o) marks will be awarded for record notebooks.
In case a candidate fails in the Practical Examination the marks awarded for the record at the
time of first appearance for the Practical Examination should be made available by the
University to the Examiners at the subsequent appearance by the candidate.

13. Improvement of marks in the subjects already passed

Candidates desirous of improving the marks secured in a passed subject in their first attempt
shall reappear once within a period of subsequent two Semesters. The improved marks shall
be considered for classification Distinction but not for ranking. If there is no improvement
there shall not be any change in the original marks already awarded.

14. Additional Degree

Any candidate who wishes to obtain any additional UG Degree not involving any practical
shall be permitted to do so and such candidate shall join a College in the III year of the
Course and he / she will be permitted to take the Examinations only in Part III by granting
exemption from taking Part I, Part II Examinations and the common allied subjects if any,
already passed by the candidate. A candidate desirous to obtain an additional UG Degree
involving practicals shall be permitted to do so and such candidate shall join a College in the
2nd year of the Course and he / she be permitted to take the Examination only in Part III, by
granting exemption from taking Part I, Part II Examinations and the common allied subjects if
any, already passed. Such candidates should obtain exemption from the University by paying
the prescribed fee, in force from time to time.

15. Evening College

The above Regulations shall be applicable to the candidates undergoing the respective
Courses in the Evening Colleges also.

16. Checklist for Inspection

a. Qualification for
i. Teaching Faculty : as prescribed by the UGC and the University
ii. Technical Faculty : as prescribed by the UGC and the University
iii. Laboratory Staff : as prescribed by the UGC and the University

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b. Infrastructure Facilities
i. Building : Number of Classrooms with specifications: 3 rooms measuring 20’x25’
Number of Staff rooms: One measuring 20’x20’
ii. Furniture : One pair of table / chair per student
iii. Laboratory @ 10 Sq. ft. per student

17. TRANSITORY PROVISION:

Candidates who have undergone the course of study prior to the academic year 2008-2009
will be permitted to appear for the examinations under those Regulations for a period of two
years i.e. upto and inclusive of April / May 2012 Examinations. Thereafter, they will be
permitted to appear for the examination only under the Regulations then in force.

PATTERN OF QUESTION PAPER

Part - A (50 words)
To Answer 10 questions 10 x 1 marks = 10 marks

Part - B (200 words)

To Answer 5 questions out of 7 questions 5 x 5 marks = 25 marks

Part - C (500 words)

To Answer 4 questions out of 6 questions 4 x 10 marks = 40 marks

Total = 75 marks

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 ANNEXURE - III
ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION TO THE FOLLOWING COURSES

1. B.Sc. MATHEMATICS
Candidates for admission to the first year of the Degree Course of Bachelor of Science shall
be required to have passed the Higher Secondary Examinations (Academic or Vocational
stream) conducted by the Government of Tamilnadu with Mathematics as a subject of study
or an Examination accepted as equivalent thereof by the Syndicate of Thiruvalluvar
University subject to such other conditions as may be prescribed.

2. B.Sc. PHYSICS
Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course shall be required
to have passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic) with
Mathematics and Physics conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu or an Examination of
any other University accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such
other conditions as may be prescribed.

3. B.Sc. CHEMISTRY
Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree in General Chemistry
Course shall be required to have passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination
(Academic) conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu with Chemistry as a subject of
study or other Examinations accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject
to other conditions as may be prescribed.

4. B.Sc. INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY (VOCATIONAL STREAM)

Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree in Industrial Chemistry
Course (Vocational stream) shall be required to have passed the Higher Secondary
Course Examination (only Academic) conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu in the
relevant subjects or other Examinations accepted as equivalent thereto by the
Syndicate subject to other conditions as may be prescribed.

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5. B.Sc. BIOCHEMISTRY
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry shall be required to
have passed the Higher Secondary Examination (10 + 2 year) conducted by the
Government of Tamilnadu, or an Examination accepted as equivalent there to by the
Syndicate, subject to conditions as may be prescribed. Candidates should have studied
one of the following Subjects at the +2 level.
1) Biochemistry
2) Biology (Zoology + Botany)
3) Zoology
4) Botany
5) Chemistry
6) Biotechnology
7) Nutrition and Dietetics
8) Nutritional Biochemistry
9) or Any other subject related to Biosciences.

6. B.Sc. ZOOLOGY
Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course shall be required
to have passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination with Zoology / Biology as
one of the subjects conducted by the Government of Tamilnadu or any other
Examination accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other
conditions as may be prescribed.

7. B.Sc. MICROBIOLOGY
Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course shall be required
to have passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu in the relevant subject or other Examinations
accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as
may be prescribed.

8. B.Sc. PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

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Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course shall be required
to have passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Government of Tamilnadu or any other Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subjects to such other conditions as may be
prescribed.

9. B.Sc. BIOTECHNOLOGY
Candidates for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology shall be required
to have passed the Higher Secondary Examination (10 + 2 year) conducted by the
Government of Tamilnadu with a minimum of 50% of Marks in the aggregate in the
Academic Stream of any Science group or an Examination of any other University
accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to conditions as may be
prescribed.

10. B.Sc. NUTRITION, FOOD SERVICE MANAGEMENT AND

DIETETICS
Candidate for admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course shall be required
to have passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu or any other Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as may be
prescribed.

11. B.Sc. COMPUTER SCIENCE

Candidate seeking admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course should have
passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu with Mathematics / Business Mathematics /
Statistics / Computer Science as a subject or an Examination of any other University
accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as
may be prescribed. Such candidates shall be permitted to take the B.Sc. Degree
Examination of this University after the completion of the Course of three Academic
Years in this University / Colleges affiliated to this University and shall qualify for
the B.Sc. Degree.

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12.B.Sc. GEOLOGY
Candidates seeking admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course should have
passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu with or any other Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as may be
prescribed. Such candidates shall be permitted to take the B.Sc. Degree Examination of
this University after the completion of the Course of three Academic Years in this
University / Colleges affiliated to this University and shall qualify for the B.Sc.
Degree.

13. B.Sc. VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Candidates seeking admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course should have
passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu or any other Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as may be
prescribed. Such candidates shall be permitted to take the B.Sc. Degree Examination of
this University after the completion of the Course of three Academic Years in this
University / Colleges affiliated to this University and shall qualify for the B.Sc.
Degree.

14. B.Sc. PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Candidates seeking admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course should have
passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu with or any other Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as may be
prescribed. Such candidates shall be permitted to take the B.Sc. Degree Examination of
this University after the completion of the Course of three Academic Years in this
University / Colleges affiliated to this University and shall qualify for the B.Sc.
Degree.

15. B.Sc. INFORMATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT

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Candidates seeking admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course should have
passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu, Diploma Course in Computer Science / IT /
Electronic and Communications and Civil or any other Examination accepted as
equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as may be
prescribed. Such candidates shall be permitted to take the B.Sc. Degree Examination of
this University after the completion of the Course of three Academic Years in this
University / Colleges affiliated to this University and shall qualify for the
B.Sc. Degree.

14. B.Sc. SOFTWARE COMPUTER SCIENCE

Candidate seeking admission to the first year of the UG Degree Course should have
passed the Higher Secondary Course Examination (Academic or Vocational)
conducted by the Govt. of Tamilnadu with Mathematics / Business Mathematics /
Statistics / Computer Science as a subject or an Examination of any other University
accepted as equivalent thereto by the Syndicate subject to such other conditions as
may be prescribed. Such candidates shall be permitted to take the B.Sc. Degree
Examination of this University after the completion of the Course of three Academic
Years in this University / Colleges affiliated to this University and shall qualify for
the B.Sc. Degree.

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