Overview
Biosystems Engineering (BE) is a field of engineering which integrates engineering science, design and fabrication/construction with applied environmental, agricultural, and other biological production systems. It represents an evolution of the agricultural engineering (application of the science and art of engineering to production, storage, and processing in agriculture) discipline applied to all living organisms. Therefore, Biosystems Engineering is the branch of engineering that applies engineering sciences to solve problems involving agriculture, environmental, and other biological production systems. According to the UNESCO Standards Classification of Education and Training (ISCED -F, 2013), Biosystems Engineering is broadly classified under code 07 (Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction).
The philosophy of the programme is to enhance industrialization and production efficiency, water and food security, and poverty reduction to achieve sustainable livelihoods and environmental well-being at the household and community levels.
The motivation to review the programme was prompted by first, the need to align the curriculum to the Statutory and Regulatory requirements to keep abreast with the rapid changes in the industry. Second, to incorporate the recommendations from the consultative forum of key industry stakeholders and universities that was held at ICIPE Center (Duduville) Kasarani, Nairobi in 1997; and later meetings held with the former Engineer Registration Board (ERB) now Engineers’ Board of Kenya (EBK) to align the programme with the EBK requirements.
The goal of this programme is to produce graduate biosystems engineers with requisite skills and competencies (design, innovation, and programming) acquired through the theory and practice of the engineering profession.
At the end of this programme, the learners should be able to:
- Apply the theory and practice of mathematics, and basic and engineering sciences to solve Biosystems Engineering problems.
- Conceptualize and conduct research in Biosystems engineering problems and communicate solutions.
- Design and synthesize efficient systems, components, engineering works, products or processes to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
- Work effectively with professional colleagues and the community, act ethically, and take responsibility for action taken within the limits of competence
- Demonstrate entrepreneurship, management, and decision-making skills.
Schedule of Intakes
The Department admits new students at the beginning of every academic calendar year (which is usually September)
Application Information
You will be required to enter some basic information, including your email address and to choose a password. We will then send you an email to the address you entered, so that we can validate your account. When you have clicked on the validation link (sent to you in the email), you will be able to log in to the application system using the "Login" box below
For instructions on how to apply click here
To apply online here
Contact of Support Persons
ENGINEERING BLOCK, FIRST FLOOR ROOM 112 & 113
TEL: +254204913522
EMAIL: uon-ebe@uonbi.ac.ke
Notable Alumni
Admission Requirements
Minimum Admission Requirements
The minimum entrance requirements as stipulated in Statute XXII of the University of Nairobi Statutes shall apply. In addition, the candidates must possess any of the following:
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a minimum aggregate of C+. Also, the candidates shall have obtained at least a C+ in the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/any group III/ any Group IV/ any Group V.
- A-level candidate with 2 principal passes in Mathematics and Physics and subsidiary levels pass in Chemistry with a credit pass in English at O-level.
- Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering or any approved subject area.
- Ordinary Diploma in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering or any approved subject area.
- Diploma from Science/Technical Teacher Training.
- Bachelor of Science /Bachelor of Education (Science) Degree from recognized institutions or any other relevant degree from a recognized institution.
Applicants from non-English speaking countries should produce a Certificate of proficiency in English (the equivalent of at least a Credit Pass at “O” Level).
Credit Transfer, Exemptions and Makeup
A candidate may be exempted from some course units and credit transferred from approved institutions subject to the following conditions:
- Request for exemption should be made in writing on admission to the Academic Registrar and must be accompanied by officially endorsed supporting documents including the institutions’ syllabuses for the relevant courses and the candidate’s official transcript.
- No candidate shall be exempted from more than one-third of the total number of units required for the course.
- Where there is doubt as to the equivalence of courses, a candidate may be required to sit and pass the applicable University of Nairobi examination in relevant course units.
- Payment of appropriate exemption fees and examination fees where applicable.
Schedule of Intakes
The Department admits new students at the beginning of every academic calendar year (which is usually September).
Application Information
Application for admission of self - sponsored students is done online and it is open throughout the year the requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided (University of Nairobi Online Application Portal)
Structure
Application Information
Application for admission of self - sponsored students is done online and it is open throughout the year the requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided (University of Nairobi Online Application Portal)
Mode of Delivery
- Face-to-Face Mode
This is through lectures and tutorials using notes, electronic presentations, instruction manuals, group discussions, practical laboratory demonstrations and fieldwork.
- Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning
In case of delivery through ODeL, special arrangements shall be made for the practical laboratory, field work and computing sessions. Where not feasible alternative arrangements will be made to do them on campus.
- Blended Learning
This is a hybrid of face to face with Open, Distance Learning and e-learning.
List of Course Units
This programme will lead to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science (Biosystems Engineering) in one of the following thematic areas:
- Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering
- Power and Machinery Engineering
- Food, Process and Structures Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
First- Year
| Course code | Course Name | Unit | Hours |
| Session 1 | |||
| CCS 001 | Communication Skills | 1 | 45 |
| CCS 008 | Elements of Philosophy | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 103 | Physics I | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 105 | Chemistry I: Physical & Inorganic Chemistry | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 111 | Fundamentals of Engineering Mathematics | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 113 | HIV/AIDS | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 8 | 360 | |
| Session 2 | |||
| FEB 102 | Economics | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 104 | Physics II | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 106 | Chemistry II: Organic & Analytical Chemistry | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 108 | Earth Science | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 112 | Calculus I | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 114 | Engineering Mechanics II (Dynamics) | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 116 | Fundamentals of Computing | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 7 | 315 | |
Second-Year
| Course code | Course Name | Unit | Hours |
| Session 1 | |||
| FEB 211 | Calculus II | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 213 | Computer Programming | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 223 | Electrical Circuits Theory | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 231 | Fluid Mechanics I | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 237 | Materials Science and Engineering | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 241 | Engineering Graphics | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 271 | Solid and Structural Mechanics I | 1.25 | 60 |
| 7.75 | 360 | ||
| Session 2 | |||
| FEB 212 | Differential Equations and Linear Algebra- | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 224 | Electrical Machines | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 226 | Thermodynamics I | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 232 | Fluid mechanics II | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 234 | Mechanics of Machines I | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 242 | Geospatial Engineering Fundamentals | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 246 | Electronics | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 7.25 | 330 | |
| Session 3 | |||
| FEB 240 | Workshop Orientation and Practice | 8 weeks | |
Third -Year
| Course Code | Course Name | Unit | Hours |
| Session 1 | |||
| FEB 301 | Instrumentation | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 303 | Environmental Science | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 311 | Principles of Law | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 313 | Complex Analysis and Differential Equations | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 321 | Thermodynamics II | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 323 | Soil Mechanics | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 325 | Solid and Structural Mechanics II | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 331 | Applied Fluid Mechanics | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 8.5 | 390 | |
| Session 2 | |||
| FEB 302 | Structural Design | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 304 | Introduction to Geoinformatics | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 312 | Numerical Methods for Engineers | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 314 | Geotechnical Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 316 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 322 | Thermodynamics III | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 324 | Mechanics of Machines II | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 383 | Construction Materials | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 8.25 | 375 | |
| Session 3 | |||
| FEB 340 | Engineering Practice | 8 weeks | |
Fourth-Year
| Course Code | Course Name | Unit | Hours |
| Session 1 | |||
| FEB 403 | Mechanical Design | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 407 | Operations Research | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 411 | Management for Engineers | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 421 | Thermodynamics IV | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 423 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 1.25 | 60 |
| FEB 425 | Irrigation and Drainage Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 441 | Power and Machinery Engineering I | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 461 | Processing and Structures Engineering I | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 8.25 | 375 | |
| Session 2 | |||
| FEB 406 | Principle of Agricultural Science | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 412 | Environmental Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 422 | Professional Practice | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 424 | Water Resources Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 442 | Principles of Electrification | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 444 | Power and Machinery Engineering II | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 462 | Processing and Structures Engineering II | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 8 | 360 | |
| Session 3 | |||
| FEB 440 | Industrial Attachment | 8 weeks | |
Fifth-Year
| Course Code | Course Name | Unit | Hours |
| Compulsory Courses | |||
| FEB 500 | Engineering Project Management | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 511 | Mechanization Management and Development | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 540 | Engineering Design Project | 2 | 90 |
| FEB 550 | Seminar | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 598 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 599 | Entrepreneurship | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 7 | 315 | |
| Common Electives | |||
| FEB 503 | Geo-information Systems | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 509 | Analogue and Digital Simulation | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 568 | Production Planning and Control | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 590 | CAD/CAM | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 597 | Elements of Precision Agriculture | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 515 | Environmental Law and Policy | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 581 | Mechanical Properties of Building Materials | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 591 | Computational Fluid Mechanics | 1 | 45 |
| Total | 8 | 360 | |
Thematic Courses:
| Course Code | Course Code | Unit | Hours |
| 1. Irrigation, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering | |||
| FEB 502 | Remote Sensing | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 514 | Environmental Monitoring and Control | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 516 | Soil Erosion Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 517 | Design of Waste Management Systems | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 521 | Hydrological Design | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 522 | Design of Irrigation and Drainage System | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 524 | Water Systems Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 525 | Applied Hydrology | 1 | 45 |
| 2.Power and Machinery Engineering | |||
| FEB 506 | Mechanical Vibrations | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 541 | Terrain and Farm Machinery Design | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 543 | Aquatic Machinery Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 544 | Forestry Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 546 | Energy Resource Engineering | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 547 | Transport Systems | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 589 | Combustion Theory | 1 | 45 |
| 3. Food, Process and Structures Engineering | |||
| FEB 517 | Design of Waste Management Systems | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 562 | Physical Properties of Biomaterials | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 563 | Plant Design and Material Handling | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 566 | Food Engineering Systems | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 583 | Reinforced Concrete Design | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 587 | Thermal Processing | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 593 | Matrix Structural Analysis | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 595 | Construction Management | 1 | 45 |
| FEB 588 | Experimental Stress Analysis | 1 | 45 |
Fees and Funding
- Tuition fees shall be KShs. 198,000.00 per semester.
- A refundable Caution Money fee of KShs. 5,000.00 shall be payable once upon registration as a student.
- Administrative fees (KShs.) per academic year shall be as follows:
|
Registration (p.a.) |
1,000 |
|
ICT Services (p.a.) |
5,000 |
|
Library fees (p.a.) |
4,000 |
|
Medical fee |
6,000 |
|
Student Identity Card |
1000 |
|
Activity fee |
2,000 |
|
Students Organization |
1,000 |
|
Examination fee (per unit) |
1,000 |
|
Caution fees (once) |
5,000 |
|
Quality assurance (once) |
1,000 |
|
KUCCPS Placement (once) |
5,000 |
The fees breakdown is as follows:
|
Year 1 |
Semester I |
Semester II |
Total |
|
Tuition Fees @80,000 per semester |
198,000 |
198,000 |
396,000 |
|
Registration (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
ICT Services (p.a.) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Library fees (p.a.) |
4,000 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
Medical fee (p.a.) |
6,000 |
0 |
6,000 |
|
Student Identity Card (p.a.) |
1000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Activity fee (p.a.) |
2,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Students Organization (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Examination fee (per unit) |
8,000 |
7,000 |
15,000 |
|
Caution fees (once) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Quality assurance (once) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
KUCCPS Placement (once) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Total (KES) |
237,000 |
205,000 |
442,000 |
|
Year 2 |
Semester I |
Semester II |
Total |
|
Tuition Fees @80,000 per semester |
198,000 |
198,000 |
396,000 |
|
Registration (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
ICT Services (p.a.) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Library fees (p.a.) |
4,000 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
Medical fee (p.a.) |
6,000 |
0 |
6,000 |
|
Student Identity Card (p.a.) |
1000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Activity fee (p.a.) |
2,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Students Organization (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Examination fee (per unit) |
8,000 |
7,000 |
15,000 |
|
Total (KES) |
226,000 |
205,000 |
431,000 |
|
Year3 |
Semester I |
Semester II |
Total |
|
Tuition Fees @80,000 per semester |
198,000 |
198,000 |
396,000 |
|
Registration (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
ICT Services (p.a.) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Library fees (p.a.) |
4,000 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
Medical fee (p.a.) |
6,000 |
0 |
6,000 |
|
Student Identity Card (p.a.) |
1000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Activity fee (p.a.) |
2,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Students Organization (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Examination fee (per unit) |
8,000 |
8,000 |
16,000 |
|
Total (KES) |
226,000 |
206,000 |
432,000 |
|
Year 4 |
Semester I |
Semester II |
Total |
|
Tuition Fees @80,000 per semester |
198,000 |
198,000 |
396,000 |
|
Registration (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
ICT Services (p.a.) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Library fees (p.a.) |
4,000 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
Medical fee (p.a.) |
6,000 |
0 |
6,000 |
|
Student Identity Card (p.a.) |
1000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Activity fee (p.a.) |
2,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Students Organization (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Examination fee (per unit) |
8,000 |
8,000 |
16,000 |
|
Total (KES) |
226,000 |
206,000 |
432,000 |
|
Year 5 |
Semester I |
Semester II |
Total |
|
Tuition Fees @80,000 per semester |
198,000 |
198,000 |
396,000 |
|
Registration (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
ICT Services (p.a.) |
5,000 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Library fees (p.a.) |
4,000 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
Medical fee (p.a.) |
6,000 |
0 |
6,000 |
|
Student Identity Card (p.a.) |
1000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Activity fee (p.a.) |
2,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Students Organization (p.a.) |
1,000 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
Examination fee (per unit) |
6,000 |
6,000 |
12,000 |
|
Total (KES) |
224,000 |
204,000 |
428,000 |
Summary of Fees:
|
Tuition fees |
KES 1,980,000 |
|
Administration fees |
KES 185,000 |
|
Total (over five years) |
KES 2,165, 000 |
Careers
Attachment Opportunities
1. Land Surveyors:
Land Surveyors are trained professional who works in Government and private sectors for construction companies and contractors. They measure the land accurately, click pictures, and note the distances and angles between them. An aspirant of Environmental engineering can become a land surveyor and focus on the land's environmental factors that need to be considered. The factors include soil type, vegetation, waterways, etc. One can become a Land Surveyor by doing a Civil Engineering course or an Environmental Engineering course.
2. Environmental Scientists:
Environmental scientists are specialists who use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect and improve the quality of the environment and human life. They advise the government and people about pollution hazards and coordinate with industries to reduce waste and develop new techniques in waste disposal. Environmental Scientists are Ecologists who research the environment's physical, chemical, and biological aspects. An aspirant should complete this Environmental Science or Environmental Engineering degree to become an Environmental Scientist.
3. Natural Resource Specialist:
Natural Resource Specialists are professionals who study, maintain, develop and conserve natural resources. They research the habitats, advance regulations on natural resource, evaluate environmental impacts, and aims to protect vulnerable animals and plants. Natural Resource Specialists are appointed by the Government or State agencies to conduct surveys and research about a particular field. An aspirant should complete this Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or Resource Management degree to become a Natural resource Specialist.
4. Environmental Consultant:
Environmental consultants are professionals who give expert advice about managing ecological issues. They indulge in detailed research and prepare a scientific report. The candidate must have technical expertise, scientific knowledge, and keen observational field skills to have a career as an Environmental Consultant. The candidates need to focus on the areas like control of pollution and noise, upshots of agriculture on wildlife and plants, and the sequel of waste management and recycling. An aspirant should have completed a degree in Environmental Engineering or Environmental Science and have a few years of experience to get this post.
5. Wastewater Engineer:
Also known as Sanitary Engineering, Wastewater Engineering is the study of enhancing sanitary methods of human communities by providing the extraction and disposal of human waste. Wastewater Engineers will plan, design, create, manage and repair the wastewater treatment plants. An aspirant should have completed an undergraduate degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. They are held responsible for the daily operations at water treatment plants and repairs.
6. Energy Efficiency Engineers:
Energy Efficiency Engineers is the study that uses the principles and tools of engineering to develop energy distribution systems. The primary purpose of energy efficiency is to use less energy for some tasks and produce the same results as when more power is used. Energy Efficiency Engineers will use the principles of Maths and Science to conserve energy and protect the existing sources. An aspirant should have completed Environmental Engineering or Energy Systems Engineering to have a career as an Energy Efficiency Engineer.
7. Geotechnical Engineer:
Geotechnical Engineering uses the principles of soil mechanics and rock mechanics to bring solutions to its engineering problems. The subject is most concerned about the engineering behaviour of earth materials. Expertise in Maths, Science and having good Geological knowledge is necessary for a Geotechnical Engineer. An aspirant should have a degree in Environmental Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering.
8. Environmental Compliance Specialist:
An environmental Compliance Specialist is also known as Environmental Compliance Officer. They are responsible for monitoring the Environmental Laws for land, water, gas, energy, etc., which are induced and ensures they are being appropriately followed in the companies, organisations, industries, agencies, etc. An aspirant should have an undergraduate degree in Environmental Law, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science or any associate field of study.
9. Water Treatment Plant Operator:
The primary role of the Water Treatment Plant Operator is to reduce waste and maintain water resources efficiently for drinking purposes. They also ensure proper care of the waterways like canals, reservoirs, sewage, etc. The other significant work of the workers is to conduct tests on the water quality. It is enough for an aspirant to complete his high school diploma to become a Water Treatment Plant Operator. However, it is preferred for the candidates to have a degree in Water Treatment, Waster Water Management, or Environmental Science.
10. Professor:
Lastly, an aspirant of Environmental Engineering can get into the teaching profession and give lectures on environmental and ecology topics. To become a professor in college, a candidate must complete his Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering or Environmental Science and clear the state and national level entrance exams. The professors assist the students in choosing their stream after completing Environmental Engineering.
Career Prospects
a) Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering
b) Power and Machinery Engineering
c) Food, Process and Structures Engineering
d) Environmental Engineering
Exam Regulations
Student Obligations
The learner is required to:
-
-
- Attend as many lectures in every course as possible and at any rate, not less than two-thirds of the lectures given in the course.
- Attend all workshops, computing and laboratory sessions. In case the learner misses any of these due to unavoidable circumstances e.g. sickness, he/she shall ask for remedial sessions.
- Participate actively in all class activities e.g. tutorial sessions.
- Complete and hand in all assignments, lab reports, computing exercises, design exercises, and similar assigned work.
- Take all prescribed quizzes, tests and examinations when they are offered.
- Engage in community service.
-
Lecturer Obligations
The lecturer is obliged to:
-
-
- Attend and deliver all scheduled lectures in a course. If he/she is unable to attend any lecture sessions, arrange with the learners for appropriate makeup.
- Avail to the learners the necessary tutorial problems and other assignments.
- Assess (mark) and discuss with the learners all assignments, labs, computer programmes and continuous assessment tests on time.
- Keep abreast of new developments in his/her field and update the teaching materials accordingly.
- Set and mark all examinations on time
- Be available for consultation outside class hours
- Counsel and mentor the learners.
-
STUDENT ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Formative Assessments
The learners shall be assessed (as appropriate for each course) through assignments, quizzes, laboratory reports, workshop exercises, computing exercises, reports of industrial visits and attachments, continuous assessment tests, term papers, oral presentations, projects reports and other related deliverables.
The marked scripts shall be returned to the learners in good time and discussed so the learners can take corrective action where necessary.
Summative Assessments
Except where stated otherwise, each course shall be examined by an end of semester examination. The final grade in each course shall take into consideration both the formative assessment results as well as the examination result.
The grading system will be as follows:
|
Score |
Grade |
|
70% and above |
A |
|
60 – 69% |
B |
|
50 – 59% |
C |
|
40 – 49% |
D |
|
0 – 39% |
E |
Attainment of Grade E means a student has failed the course and the student does not get academic credit for the subject. A student who obtains an E grade is allowed to remedy the situation by sitting for a supplementary examination at the end of the academic year or repeating and passing the course in the following academic year depending on the number of courses failed.
A supplementary examination will only be available to a student who has failed a maximum of four courses in the academic year. A pass in a supplementary examination will result in an overall E* grade in the subject.
Written Examinations
The current approved examinations regulations of the school of engineering and any subsequent changes by the Senate shall apply. The current regulations are as follows;
-
-
- Courses shall be evaluated in terms of course units. A course unit with laboratory/workshop exercises shall be defined as made up of four (4) contact hours consisting of lecture/ tutorial/ practical per week for 15 weeks, totaling 60 hours. A course unit without laboratory/workshop exercises shall be defined as made up of three (3) hours of lecture/tutorial per week for 15 weeks, totaling 45 hours.
- Courses that are spread over two semesters shall be examined at the end of the second semester.
- All courses taken in a given semester shall be examined by written ordinary examinations at the end of that semester unless otherwise specified.
- A written Ordinary Examination for a course unit, where it applies, shall have a minimum duration of two hours. A course with more than or less than 45 contact hours shall generally be examined for a duration proportional to the 2 hours for the one-course unit, such as:
-
45 contact hours - 2.0 - hours examination
60 contact hours - 2.5 - hours examination
90 contact hours - 3.0 - hours examination
The pass mark in each course shall be 40 per cent of the maximum mark possible in the course.
-
-
- Each course unit shall be graded independently out of a maximum of 100 marks (for 45 and 60 contact hour courses).
- The complete assessment of a course unit shall consist of continuous assessment tests, course/laboratory/field assignments and end of semester written examinations, with the three components ordinarily carrying 10, 20 and 70 marks out of 100 respectively.
- Where a course unit does not have any laboratory/field assignments, or coursework, the continuous assessment test and end of semester written examinations shall carry 30 and 70 marks out of 100 respectively.
- Where a course unit is examined entirely by coursework, or laboratory/ field assignments, such course unit shall carry all 100 marks.
- Where distribution of the marks for a course does not conform to (a), (c) or (d) above, the distribution of the marks for the course unit as approved by the Senate shall be followed.
- Where a course consists of more than or less than a one-course unit, the assessment in (a), (b), (c) and (d) above will be graded on a probate basis concerning the one-course unit.
- The final year project shall be considered as two course units.
-
To be allowed to proceed to the next year of study a candidate shall have obtained an aggregate mark of not less than 40 per cent and passed all examination units.
-
- A candidate who fails up to four units in a year of study shall be allowed to sit for supplementary examinations within three months.
- A candidate who fails the project in the final year of study shall be allowed to resubmit the revised project within three months. A candidate who fails the resubmitted project shall be allowed to repeat the year of study.
-
- Obtains an aggregate mark of not less than 40 per cent and has failed in more than an equivalent of four-course units but in not more than an equivalent of 8, or
- Obtains an aggregate mark between 30 per cent and 39 per cent inclusive and has failed in not more than an equivalent of 8-course units,
Shall on the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate, be required to repeat the year of study and attend classes in the failed units and take the examination in the failed course units at the next Ordinary University Examinations.
A candidate who:
-
- Obtains an aggregate mark of less than 30 per cent or
- Has failed in more than an equivalent of eight (8) course units, or
- Has failed the same course unit four times or
- Has failed to take prescribed examinations without good cause,
Shall on the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by the Senate, be discontinued from the course of study.
A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the supplementary examinations shall, on the recommendation of the Board of examiners and approval by the Senate, be allowed to repeat the year and sit the examinations in the failed course units at the next Ordinary University Examinations, subject to the provision of the regulation (a) (c) above.
-
- A candidate who fails to take prescribed examinations with good cause may be allowed by Senate on the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners to take Special Examinations at the next Ordinary University Examinations/ Supplementary Examinations.
- Examinations taken under this clause shall be treated following clause (7.1.5) and shall be graded in full.
- A pass obtained in the supplementary examination for a course following clause (7.1.6) shall be adopted as 40 per cent and will be entered as 40 per cent which will then be the mark entered in the candidate’s academic record.
- The mark adopted according to this clause shall be used to calculate a new aggregate mark for the candidate.
Project Assessment
Assessment for the whole course unit (FEB 540) is 100 per cent by coursework and oral presentations. The distribution of the marks shall be based assessment formats provided by the Department as shown below along the following anticipated deliverables:
- Concept Notes 5%
- Concept Paper 5%
- Full Project Proposal 10%
- Oral Seminar Presentation 20%
- Oral Examination Seminar 20%
- Final Design Project Report 20%
- Logbook Assessment 10%
The Final Design Project Report shall be assessed by the project supervisor and at least two Independent Internal Examiners knowledgeable in the field in which the project falls. And the Final Score shall be taken as the Mean of the marks awarded by the three (3) examiners. In case the individual marks awarded by the three Examiners differ by more than 20 %, then the External Examiner will moderate.
Before any examination paper is taken, it shall be moderated by an internal moderator nominated by the Departmental Board of Examiners from amongst the senior academic staff. The moderated paper shall be sent for external moderation by the external examiner. Likewise, the marked scripts shall be moderated by the same set of internal moderators and external examiner. Further moderation of the marks shall be undertaken by the Departmental Board of Examiners, the School Board of examiners (School of Engineering) and the College Academic Board (College of Architecture and Engineering) before sending it to the University Senate for approval.
Moderation of Examinations
There will be two levels of moderation of examinations
- Internal moderation: upon Lecturers setting the examinations, the Chairman of Department will identify suitable Lecturers within the department to internally moderate all the examinations before they are sent for external moderation.
- External moderation: The examinations will be sent to an external examiner appointed according to the rules of the university. The external examiner will review the examination papers before they are sat. Once the examinations have been marked, the External examiner will review the performance in the examinations and provide a report.
