- What is the duration of a semester and an academic year?
A semester consists of 15 weeks and an academic year consists of two semesters. - What are the degree programmes offered at FAS?
A detailed list of degree programmes offered at FAS, USJ can be found here. (https://science.sjp.ac.lk/undergraduate-courses/). - How can I select a subject combination to follow?
All students except those following BSc Honours Degree in Food Science and Technology and BSc Honours Degree in Sports Science and Management should register for the BSc Degree programme selecting a combination of three subjects.Subject combination available for students entering through the Biological Science and Physical Science streams of G.C.E. Advanced Level be found in the “Degree Programmes and Examination Regulations” booklet
(https://science.sjp.ac.lk/examination-regulations-booklet-20192020/ ) - I entered the FAS directly through UGC from a special window. Should I register for selecting a subject combination?
No. If you entered through a special window to follow B.Sc. Honours in Food Science and Technology or B.Sc. Honours in Sports Science and Management, you do not have to register for a subject combination. - How long do I have to decide the subject combination? Is it possible to change the combination after registering?
You have to register for a subject combination during the Orientation Programme. Instructions for selecting subject combinations will be provided during the Orientation Programme.
You can change the subject combination only during the first two weeks of the first academic year.
Those who wish to change the combination should submit an application to the Dean within the first two weeks of the academic year. The Dean will approve such changes only after considering all such applications. - What are the areas of specialties offered in FAS Honours Degree Programme?
A list of Specialization Areas offered in the Honours Degree Programme can be found here (https://science.sjp.ac.lk/undergraduate-courses/).These information can also be found in the “Degree Programmes and Examination Regulations” booklet (https://science.sjp.ac.lk/examination-regulations-booklet-20192020/). - How can I enter the Human Biology Degree Programme offered by the Medical Faculty?
At the end of the first year, a limited number of candidates will be selected for the Human Biology Degree Programme by the Faculty of Medical Sciences, based on the academic performance during the first year. - Where can I find the course subjects and the credit values I have to follow after registering to a particular combination?
Information about the subjects offered by FAS (including the minimum cumulative credit values) can be found here (https://science.sjp.ac.lk/undergraduate-courses/).
All relevant information about the subjects conducted by each Department are included in the Faculty Prospectus. - What is meant by FST 362 1.0 Sensory Analysis?
Each course unit has a code and a name. The code indicates the subject of the unit, the year, its serial number and the credit value. Serial numbers 1-49 are assigned for BSc Degree course units and numbers 51-99 are assigned for BSc Honours Degree course units.
- What are Non-credit Compulsory Course Units?
Course units which should be followed by all candidates to obtain a minimum specified grade at the examination, however, not counted in the calculation of GPA
Example: English - How many courses should I complete to have a BSc Degree? Is it different from BSc Honours degree?
You should register for course units with a minimum total credit value of 90.0 and a maximum total credit value of 99.0 to complete the BSc Degree programme.
In contrast, you should register for course units with a minimum total credit value of 120.0 and a maximum of 126.0 to complete a BSc Honours Degree Programme. - How can I register for course unit examinations?
You should submit an application for registration giving details of the course unit examinations you intend to sit for during the semester to the Registrar through the Dean at the end of the fourth week of the semester or before any date prescribed by the Faculty. - Does the final grade only depend on the written exam paper at the end of the semester?
Your performance at each course unit will be assessed by a combination of one or more written examinations, practical examinations, oral examinations, reports, presentations etc. The assessment structure and the grading mechanism for each course unit shall be communicated at the beginning of the course unit. - What is the minimum mark for “A” grade? Is grade point value different for “A” and ‘A+’?
The tentative mark ranges for A and A+ grades are 70 and 85, respectively. (However, mark ranges for a particular course unit may be decided by the examiners of the respective course units, based on the marks distribution).
The grade point value for both A and A+ grades is 4.0.
Information about all grades and grade point values can also be found in the “Degree Programmes and Examination Regulations” booklet. (https://science.sjp.ac.lk/examination-regulations-booklet-20192020/) - What is the least grade I need to have to pass an exam?
You are considered to have passed an examination if you scores a C grade or better. - How do we calculate the GPA?
Your GPA will be calculated using the following formula and rounded to the second decimal.
- What is the required least grade for a practical course unit?
You should obtain at least a D+ grade for each of the compulsory practical course units in order to qualify for a Degree. - Is it compulsory to pass the English Course?
Yes. You should obtain at least a C grade for Compulsory English in order to qualify for a Degree. - Do I need to have 4.0 GPA to be able to receive a First Class?
You should obtain a GPA of 3.7 or higher to receive a First Class. - What is meant by ‘Effective Date’ of my degree?
The effective date of a Degree shall be determined as the day following (except Sunday) the last date of the Final Semester Examination. - Can I retake an exam if my GPA is below 2.00? If so, how many times can I retake the same course unit if I fail to get a ‘C’?
If you obtains a C grade (GPA: 2.00) or below in an examination, you can sit for the same examination in 03 further occasions only, as a repeat candidate.
The highest grade given to a repeat candidate is C+. - Is there a fee for repeating candidates?
Repeat candidates repeating 1st and 2nd year course units should pay a repeat examination fee of Rs. 100/= per course unit, subject to a maximum of Rs. 500/= per semester, at the time of application for repeat examinations.Repeat candidates repeating 3rd and 4th year course units should pay a repeat examination fee of Rs. 100/= per course unit, subject to a maximum of Rs. 700/= per semester, at the time of application for repeat examinations. - What is the procedure I should follow if I am unable to sit for an exam for medical reasons?
If you fail to sit for an examination based on medical reasons, you should submit a medical certificate for approval of the Faculty Board (Refer Student Hand Book (https://www.sjp.ac.lk/students_old/student-hand-book/) for more details: Section 9.7 Submission of medical certificates for failure to attend examinations).If your medical certificate is approved by the Faculty Board you should sit for the examination on the next immediately available occasion, which will be considered as your first attempt - From where can I check my exam results?
Examination results can be accessed at pes.sjp.ac.lk. In addition, the Heads of the relevant Departments will inform the results of Course Unit Examinations by notice at Department level. - Within how many years should I complete my BSc degree?
You should complete the BSc Degree Programme within six academic years, commencing from the initial year of registration. - What are the conditions to be eligible for the Higher Degree Diploma?
Candidates who fail to satisfy the criteria to obtain the BSc Degree within five academic years will be eligible for an SLQF Level 4 Higher Diploma. A candidate must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Higher Diploma in Applied Sciences.- Complete a minimum of 60 credits out of which a minimum of 40 core credits including compulsory units from first and second year courses, and a minimum of 10 credits from third year courses, at the completion of 90 credits
- Maintain a Grade Point Average of not less than 2.00 for the course units worth 60 credits selected by the student under conditions specified above
- Obtain a D+ grade or higher for the compulsory courses during the first two years
- Should have been registered for the first three years and have followed course units
- Do all lectures conduct in complete English? Can I communicate in Sinhala during lectures?
The medium of the Degree Programmes of FAS is English. However, in order to facilitate easy comprehension of lectures in Chemistry, Zoology, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, lectures will be conducted in English medium supplemented with Sinhala explanations during the first year.The above subjects from second year onwards and all other subjects from first year onwards will be conducted entirely in English medium. - During examinations, can I write my answers in Sinhala?
Papers will be set only in English and you will have the choice of answering in Sinhala or in English in the first year excluding Polymer Science and Technology. From second year onward, you have to answer in English.
