Performance Criteria for the

National Diploma in Technology

(Semester System)
(NEW)

Institute of Technology
University of Moratuwa
Sri Lanka

September 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Evaluation of Performance 1
1.1 Participation in the program ..................................................................................... 1
1.2 Module assessment and performance evaluation ..................................................... 2
1.3 Credits ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Grading system ......................................................................................................... 3

2. Grdae Point Average (GPA) 5

2.1 Semester Grade Point average (SGPA) .................................................................... 5
2.2 Current Grade Point average (CGPA) ...................................................................... 5
2.3 Overall Grade Point average (OGPA) ...................................................................... 5
2.4 Non-GPA (NGPA) modules ……………………………………………………… 5
2.5 Unsatisfactory standing and academic probation ..................................................... 6
2.6 Academic concession and continuation of the program........................................... 6
2.7 Award of distinction, merit and pass ........................................................................ 7

3. Criteria for the Award of National Diploma in Technology (NDT) 8

3.1 Minimum and maximum residence time requirement .......................................... 8
3.2 Industrial training requirement ............................................................................ 8
3.3 Crdit requirements ................................................................................................ 8

4. Effective Date of Award 8

5. Division of Maritime Studies 9

5.1 Evaluation of Performance for Maritime Studies Division ................................. 9

Appendix 1 11

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Grade Point System 3

Table 2: Unsatisfactory Standing with respect to SGPA 6

Table 3: Award of Distinction, Merit and Pass 7

Table 4: Grades Point System for Maritime Studies Division 9

Table 5: Total Number of Credits for the NDT Program 11

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1. Evaluation of Performance

1.1 Participation in the program

1.1.1 The National Diploma in Technology (NDT) program is a three year full-time study
program. Any student who registers for the program must follow the four academic
semesters on a full-time basis during two academic years and complete the industrial
training requirement of two semesters (one year). (Appendix 1).
1.1.2 Satisfactory participation in the course is compulsory. A student is required to have a
minimum attendance of 80% in all three components; lectures, tutorial classes and
practical classes and is required to participate in all assignments including practical
work, tutorials, quizzes, presentations, mid-term tests, project work, training, camps,
field visits or similar activities to the satisfaction of the relevant Lecturer-in-Charge /
Module Leader.
1.1.3 A student who does not satisfy the requirements of clause 1.1.2 is deemed to have
unsatisfactory participation in the course.

1.1.4 It is the responsibility of the student to submit all compulsory module assignments,
course work, reports or any assigned activities before the deadline stipulated by the
Lecturer-in-Charge / Module Leader.

1.1.5 If a student is required to be away from academic work, he/she shall apply for leave
and obtain approval from the Board of Studies (BOS) prior to taking leave unless in an
emergency (in a case of emergency the student should forward the request of leave
within 5 days, personally or through an intermediary).

a. Leave for short duration

A student may apply for this category of leave, when he/she has to be away from
academic work for a short period of time for compelling reasons including but not
limited to conferences, competitions, sports, family commitments and medical grounds.
Minimum and maximum duration a student could obtain leave under this category is 2
working days to 15 working days per semester. It is the student’s responsibility to
consult the respective Lecturer-in-Charge / Module Leader in order to make
arrangements so that the leave obtained does not affect any of the student’s continuous
assessment requirements.

b. Leave for long duration

(i) A student may apply for this category of leave when he/she has to be away from
academic work for a long period due to medical reasons or circumstances
deserving compassionate consideration. Minimum duration under this category
is 16 working days. The maximum duration of leave a student could apply under
this category is a combination of two academic semesters subject to the limit of
one academic year.
(ii) Any approved leave for long duration will be added to the minimum period for
the completion of the Diploma (the minimum period of study will be extended
by adding the long duration leave).

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 (iii) Only leave for long duration granted under medical grounds will be added to
the maximum period for the purpose of awarding distinction/merit and the
maximum period for the completion of the Diploma.

1.2 Module assessment and performance evaluation

1.2.1 There are three types of modules in the Semester system:

a. Modules with Continuous Assessments (CA) and Final Examination (FE).
Marks allocated for CA will vary between 30% to 70% during the semester and
the FE marks will correspond with the CA % at the end of the semester.
b. Modules with only Continuous Assessments (CA).
CA (100%) during the semester. It is required that the last CA should be
conducted during the last two weeks of the semester.
c. Modules with only Final Examination (FE)
FE (100%) at the end of the semester.
1.2.2 The Examiner(s) and Moderator(s) for each module conducted in a semester will be
approved by the Board of Management (BOM) of the Institute of Technology
University of Moratuwa (ITUM) on the recommendation of the Board of Studies (BOS)
of ITUM.
1.2.3 The CA component shall be based on a specified combination of assignments including
practical work, tutorials, quizzes, presentations, mid-term tests or similar activities and
participation in any other course activity. The details of such activities will be informed
to the students before the commencement of each semester.
1.2.4 The weight of CA and FE components are used in the determination of the final grade
for each module as approved by the BOM. The weight of the module components will
be informed to the students at the commencement of each module by the Lecturer-in-
Charge / Module Leader. For repeat candidates, the current weight of each component
of the module should be used in determining the final grade.
1.2.5 Eligibility requirements to sit for FE component of a module;
(i) attendance requirement as stated in 1.1.2
and
(ii) participation in all CA components within a particular semester is compulsory.
A student who fails the CA components the first time shall be given another
opportunity within the semester by the Lecturer-in-Charge / Module Leader.
1.2.6 At the end of the semester the list of students who are eligible to sit for the FE of each
module will be sent to the Examination Division by the Lecturer-in-Charge / Module
Leader through the Head of the Division.

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1.3 Credits

Each module is assigned a credit value representing the workload of that particular
module.

(i) For a typical module extending over one semester of 15 weeks duration, one
credit is assigned for each hour of academic lectures per week or two to three
hours of course activities such as tutorials, laboratory work, field work or design
work per week.
(ii) The industrial placement of two semesters is assigned 12 credits (6 credits per
semester). Any additional length of industrial placement will not be assigned
additional credits.
(iii) The survey camp of two weeks or an equivalent work load is assigned two
credits.

1.4 Grading system

1.4.1 The NDT program follows the grading system published by the University Grants
Commission.
1.4.2 Letter grades based on the Grade Point system and corresponding descriptions as
illustrated in Table 1 will be used to determine the performance of each module.

Table 1: Grade Point System

Benchmark Percentage Grade Grade Point Description

80 and above A+ 4.0
75 to 79 A 4.0 Excellent
70 to 74 A- 3.7
65 to 69 B+ 3.3
60 to 64 B 3.0 Good
55 to 59 B- 2.7
50 to 54 C+ 2.3
40 to 49 C 2.0 Pass
39 and below F 0.0 Fail
(both FE and CA
components) I (I-CA, I-FE) 0.0 Incomplete
P - Pass for industrial training
N 0.0 Academic concession
NE 0.0 Not Eligible
AB 0.0 Absent

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1.4.3 The letter grades shall be used in determining the following criteria:

(i) Grade C or above is required to earn credits for a module

(ii) All candidates should pass a module by obtaining
a. at least 40% marks for each of the CA and FE components in type (a)
modules
b. at least 40% marks for the CA component in type (b) modules
c. at least 40% marks for the FE component in type (c) modules
as stated in section 1.2.1.
(iii) A student failing either CA or FE component receives an “Incomplete (I)” grade
(either I-CA or I-FE) for the module in the first attempt. Such a student has to
complete only the failed component as a repeat candidate in the next attempt. The
marks obtained for the "passed" component will be kept on record and will be used
to determine the grade after completing the repeat attempts.
(iv) A student failing both CA and FE components receives an F grade and must repeat
both components in order to upgrade the result.
(v) Grade N signifies an Academic Concession granted with the recommendation of
the BOS in the event a student is unable to sit for the FE and/or complete the CA
component due to illness or other compelling reasons accepted by the BOS.
(vi) The highest grade obtainable at a repeat or subsequent attempt is grade “C” except
in the following cases:
(a) When an Academic Concession has been granted for the particular module;
(b) When the BOS/BOM has granted approval for a particular module to be
upgraded or improved at a repeat attempt to a Grade higher than “C”, and has
specified the method of computing such grade.
(c) When a student receives “I-CA” in the first attempt (passing the FE of the same
module in the first attempt) and passing the CA component in the first repeat
attempt (second attempt).
(d) When a student receives “I-FE” in the first attempt (passing the CA of the same
module in the first attempt) and passing the FE component in the first repeat
attempt (second attempt).
(vii) The grades “F” or “NE” can be upgraded up to a “C” grade when a student
completes his/her examinations and obtain the upgraded grade before the relevant
Board of Examiners.

1.4.4 The Board of Examiners, appointed by the BOM, comprising examiners and
moderators of all the modules relevant to a particular semester of the program, will
meet at the end of that semester to decide on the performance and the academic standing
of each student registered for that particular semester.
1.4.5 The grade achieved for each module will be entered on the student’s permanent record.
Any subsequent upgrading to any grade will override the grade obtained at the previous
attempt in the permanent record.

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2. Grade Point Average (GPA)

2.1 Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA)

2.1.1 The calculation of the Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA) will be based on the
summation of Grade Points earned for all modules registered in a semester weighted
according to number of credits as given in equation (1). The modules awarded with
academic concession will be considered to have a zero weight until the student
completes the module.
∑ 𝑛𝑖 ×𝑔𝑖
𝑆𝐺𝑃𝐴 = ∑ 𝑛𝑖
(1)

where 𝑛𝑖 is the number of credits for the 𝑖 𝑡ℎ module in a given semester and 𝑔𝑖
is the grade points earned for that module.

2.1.2 The SGPA is rounded to the nearest second decimal place.

2.1.3 The SGPA is recorded in the Statement of Results that may be issued for each semester.

2.2 Current Grade Point Average (CGPA)

2.2.1 CGPA is the student's current standing in terms of all modules registered for credits up
to a given point of time weighted according to the grades assigned to each module.

2.2.2 A uniform weight is given for each semester for the calculation of the CGPA

2.3 Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA)

OGPA is the final standing of the student, calculated based on the CGPA of all the
registered modules.

2.4 Non-GPA (NGPA) modules

2.4.1 No grade point value is assigned for NGPA modules.

2.4.2 One semester of industrial training carries 6 NGPA credits. Any additional length of
industrial training will not carry additional credits, but may be considered as a
compulsory requirement for a specific field of specialization.

2.4.3 The grades earned for NGPA modules will not be taken for the purpose of calculating
the SGPA, the CGPA, the OGPA or for the award of pass, merit and distinction.

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2.5 Unsatisfactory standing and academic probation
2.5.1 Criteria for academic warning, academic probation and the follow up action by ITUM
are given in Table 2.
Table 2: Unsatisfactory standing with respect to SGPA

SGPA Range Follow up Action

<1.50 Academic Probation
1.50 – 1.99 Academic Warning
2.5.2 Academic Probation and/or Academic Warning may be withdrawn when the relevant
SGPA is upgraded to 2.00 or more.

2.6 Academic concession and continuation of the program

2.6.1 Academic concession

a. A student who misses FE of a module because of illness or any other compelling reason,
the student must notify in writing to the Deputy Registrar of the Institute or the
respective Head of Division (HOD) within 48 hours of the cause.

Further, the student should make an appeal with supporting documents (medical
certificate acceptable to ITUM Medical Officer/any other relevant document to HOD
for an academic concession within one week from the date of the examination. The
appeal will be forwarded to the BOS for a decision. The CA component of such a
module can be carried forward to the next examination as the first attempt. This module
will be considered to have a zero weight in the calculation of the SGPA until the student
completes the module.

b. In instances where a student misses a module activity such as a CA, the student should
submit an appeal with supporting documents to the Lecturer-in-Charge/ Module Leader
through the HOD within one week of the said module activity or on the first day the
student appears to continue academic activities of the said semester, whichever comes
first.

c. The procedure for appealing for Academic concession shall be as laid down in
Regulation 2.1 - Procedure for Academic Concessions framed under By-Law ITUM/02.

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2.6.2 Continuation to the next year of study.
a. A student will be allowed to proceed to semester 3 of the course provided that the
student has applied and has sat for the semester 1 and semester 2 examinations.
b. A student who receives “Academic Probation” in any three consecutive semesters (as
a result of failing to upgrade the SGPA) will not be eligible to register for semester 5
until the SGPA is improved as required.
c. A student who becomes not eligible (NE) for more than 2 modules in any semester
examination due to low attendance, will be issued a severe warning in writing by the
Deputy Registrar. If such a student becomes not eligible (NE) for more than two
modules in the following semester as well due to illness or any other valid reason
accepted by the BOS, he/she will be required to re-register for both semesters. The
total period of residence (the duration of academic semesters) in the first and the second
year should not exceed 03 years.
d. A student who has missed academic work (who has not participated CA and/or having
poor attendance) for more than 2 modules in any two consecutive semesters will be
discontinued from the course, unless his or her absence is due to an illness or other
compelling reason acceptable to the BOS.

2.7 Award of Distinction, Merit and Pass

2.7.1 Awarding of Distinction and Merit are determined based on OGPA and a
student should complete all the requirements within three academic years.
Table 3: Award of Distinction, Merit and Pass
Overall GPA Academic Standing

3.70 or above Distinction

3.00 – 3.69 Merit

2.00 -2.99 Pass

2.7.2 A student with exceptional circumstances, who has satisfied the OGPA requirement but
has taken longer than five academic years to complete the course requirements may be
deemed to be eligible for the award of the National Diploma in Technology (NDT) by
the BOM on the recommendation of BOS.

2.7.3 The results of a particular student shall be withheld, if the student has been charged
with an examination offence or a disciplinary offence of which the inquiry and the final
decision has not been concluded.

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3. Criteria for the Award of the National Diploma in Technology (NDT)

3.1 Minimum and maximum residence time requirement

3.1.1 NDT course is a three year full-time course. Any student who registers to
follow the course must fulfil residency requirement (the duration of academic
semesters) of a minimum period of four academic semesters in two academic
years.

3.1.2 A student will not qualify for the award of the Diploma if the requirements
given in sections 1 and 2 are not satisfied within five academic years from the
date of first registration, except when the student has obtained approval of the
BOM on the recommendation of the BOS of ITUM.

3.2 Industrial training requirement

3.2.1 The industrial training duration is two semesters (2 periods of six months each).
Students will be able to start industrial training after completing the required
academic residency and the credit requirements of the course. A student will
be assessed by a panel comprising of representatives from NAITA (National
Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority), ITUM and the relevant industry
at the end of each semester and should obtain “Pass” grade, to fulfil the
requirement for the award of the Diploma.

3.2.2 A student who undergoes industrial training should submit training reports and
daily diaries for both periods of training conducted in respective
establishments. A student who becomes unsuccessful at an assessment should
resubmit the training documents or repeat the viva or repeat the training as
prescribed by the Organization / Institution in charge of such training.

3.3 Credit requirements

A candidate should satisfy the following requirements to be awarded the NDT.

(i) A minimum Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) of 2.00.
(ii) Completion of any other mandatory requirements prescribed by the
ITUM.
(iii) Credit requirement specified in the curriculum for each discipline
approved by the Board of Studies (Appendix -1).

4. Effective Date of Award

The first day of the month following the satisfactory completion of the requirements
specified in the Section 3, as confirmed by the BOM of ITUM.

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5. Division of Maritimes Studies
5.1 Evaluation of Performance for Division of Maritime Studies
All the clauses in section 1 to 4 will apply to the students of the Maritime Studies
Division except clauses 1.1.2, 1.2.6, 1.4.2 and 1.4.3. Respective clauses should be
replaced by the following clauses.
5.1.1 Satisfactory participation in the course is compulsory. A student is required to have a
minimum attendance of 85% in all three components; lectures, tutorial classes and
practical classes and is required to participate in all assignments including practical
work, tutorials, quizzes, presentations, mid-term tests, project work, training, camps,
field visits or similar activities to the satisfaction of the relevant Lecturer-in-Charge /
Module Leader.
5.1.2 Eligibility requirements to sit for the FE component of a module;
(i) attendance requirement as stated in 5.1.1
and
(ii) participation in all CA components within a particular semester is compulsory.
A student who fails the CA components the first time shall be given another
opportunity within the semester by the Lecturer-in-Charge / Module Leader.

5.1.3 Letter grades based on the Grade Point system and corresponding descriptions as
illustrated in Table 4 will be used to determine the performance of each module.

Table 4: Grade Point System for Maritime Studies Division

Benchmark Percentage Grade Grade Point Description
80 and above A+ 4.0
75 to 79 A 4.0 Excellent
70 to 74 A- 3.7
65 to 69 B+ 3.3
60 to 64 B 3.0 Good
55 to 59 B- 2.7
50 to 54 C+ 2.3
49 and below F 0.0 Fail
(both FE and CA
components) I (I-CA, I-FE) 0.0 Incomplete
P - Pass in industrial training
N 0.0 Academic concession
NE 0.0 Not Eligible
AB 0.0 Absent

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5.1.4 The letter grades shall be used in determining the following criteria:

(i) Grade” C+” or above is required to earn credits for a module

(ii) All candidates should pass a module by obtaining
a. at least 50% marks for each of the CA and FE components in type (a)
modules
b. at least 50% marks for the CA component in type (b) modules
c. at least 50% marks for the FE component in type (c) modules
as stated in section 1.2.1.
(iii) A student failing either CA or FE component receives an “Incomplete (I)” grade
(either I-CA or I-FE) for the module in the first attempt. Such a student has to
complete only the failed component as a repeat candidate in the next attempt. The
marks obtained for the "passed" component will be kept on record and will be used
to determine the grade after the repeat attempt/s.
(iv) A student failing both CA and FE components will receive an F grade and must
repeat both components in order to upgrade the result.
(v) Grade N signifies Academic Concession granted with the recommendation of the
BOS in the event a student is unable to sit for the FE and/or complete the CA
component due to illness or other compelling reasons accepted by the BOS.
(vi) The highest grade obtainable at a repeat or subsequent attempt is grade “C+” except
in the following instances:
a. When an Academic Concession has been granted for the particular module;
b. When the BOS/BOM has granted approval for a particular module to be
upgraded or improved to a grade higher than “C+” at a repeat attempt, and has
specified the method of computing such grade.
c. When a student receives “I-CA” in the first attempt (passing the FE of the same
module in the first attempt) and repeating the CA component in the first repeat
attempt (second attempt).
d. When a student receives “I-FE” in the first attempt (passing the CA of the same
module in the first attempt) and repeating the FE component in the first repeat
attempt (second attempt).

(iii) The grades “F” or “NE” can be upgraded up to a “C+” grade when a student
completes his/her examinations and obtain the upgraded grade before the
relevant Board of Examiners.

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 Appendix 1

Total number of credits

Number of credits per each semester for each discipline is illustrated in Tables 5.
Table 5: Total Number of Credits for the NDT Program

Discipline Semester No. of credits Total no. of credits

GPA NGPA GPA NGPA
Chemical Engineering
I - Academic Semester 25
Technology
Electrical Engineering II - Academic Semester 25
Technology
Electronics & Telecommunication III - Academic Semester 25
Engineering Technology IV - Academic Semester 25 100 -
Information Technology
Marine Engineering Technology V - Industrial Training 06
Mechanical Engineering VI - Industrial Training 06 - 12
Technology
Polymer Technology 112
Textile & Clothing Technology

I - Academic Semester 25
II - Academic Semester 25
III - Academic Semester 24
Civil Engineering Technology IV - Academic Semester 24
100 -
IV A – Survey Camp 02
project base
V - Industrial Training 06
VI - Industrial Training 06 - 12
112
I - Academic Semester 26
II - Academic Semester 24
III - Industrial Training 06
Nautical Studies IV - Industrial Training 06
V - Academic Semester 25 -

VI - Academic Semester 25 100 12

112
100

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