Basic Matters Concerning Academic Studies

Course Subjects and Credit Calculation Methods

Courses at Kochi University are categorized into: (1) First-Year Courses, (2) Liberal Arts Courses, and (3) Major Courses. Of these, courses (1) and (2) are offered as part of the general education curriculum, while course (3) is offered as part of the major curriculum.
The types of classes are as follows:
1) Lectures: A class format centered on instruction by the instructor.
2) Seminars: A class format centered on student-led learning.
3)Practicum: A class format centered on students learning through hands-on experience or working with actual objects, or on acquiring practical skills and techniques.
4) Laboratory: A class format conducted through experiments.
5) Practical Training: A class format conducted through practical training.
The university’s credit system is structured such that one credit represents 45 hours of learning, comprising (1) the time spent in class with an instructor and (2) the time spent by students on preparatory study and review outside of class before and after the session.
For each course, the university sets the number of class hours based on this standard of 45 hours of study per credit: for lectures and seminars, within the range of 15 to 30 hours; and for practical training, experiments, and practical skills, within the range of 30 to 45 hours.
Based on this, our university conducts at least 15 hours of instruction per credit for lectures and seminars (30 hours for certain seminars) and at least 30 hours for practical training, experiments, and practical skills. The remaining time, up to 45 hours, is designated for students’ independent study (preparation and review). However, for practical skills courses involving individual instruction in fields such as the arts, the time required per credit is determined separately.Furthermore, courses such as graduation theses, graduation research, and graduation projects are conducted independently of the class hour requirements outlined above.
The following is a standard example of how credits are calculated.

Course Categories	Number of credits	Number of class hours	Guidelines for the number of hours of independent study by students	Total
Lectures and seminars	1 credit	15 hours	30 hours	45 hours
	2 credits	30 hours	60 hours	90 hours
Practical Training, Experiments, and Hands-On Skills	1 credit	30 hours	15 hours	45 hours
	2 credits	60 hours	30 hours	90 hours

For the purpose of determining credit hours, the university considers one 90-minute class period to be equivalent to two hours of study time. Both the first and second semesters consist of 15 weeks each, excluding exam periods. For example, a two-credit course requires 60 hours of independent study in addition to 15 weeks of 90-minute classes (30 hours). 

Course Registration and Grading

Course registration is required to take courses and earn credits. When registering, please note that some courses are restricted to specific academic years or classes, and there are courses that must be completed as required credits in order to graduate.
Additionally, credits will not be awarded for courses taken without prior registration. With the exception of a few courses, course registration is conducted via the Academic Information System KULAS (online).For new students, a "KULAS Operation Orientation" will be held during the April course registration period; please be sure to attend.
Our university offers an integrated educational program combining general education and specialized education. Since the curriculum varies depending on the year of admission, please do not blindly follow the advice of upperclassmen; if you have any questions, be sure to check with the office of your respective faculty. For more details, please refer to the "Course Guide" for general education and each faculty.

As a general rule, grades for courses are evaluated on a 100-point scale based on exams, reports, and other assignments conducted each semester. A score of 60 or higher is considered a passing grade, and credits are awarded. The grading criteria are outlined in the table below. Since grading methods vary by course, please refer to the “Grading Method” section of the syllabus.Some courses may be graded on a pass/fail basis.
Please note that all registered courses are subject to grading. Grades will be assigned even in the following cases unless the course registration is canceled within the designated period.
① If the student does not meet the eligibility requirements (attendance of at least two-thirds of the total class hours)
② If the student withdraws from the course midway through the term
③ If the student is registered for the course but has not attended a single class

Grading Criteria

Pass/Fail	Review	Rating	Criteria
Passed	Hide	90–100 points	Achievements that demonstrate a thorough understanding and mastery of the knowledge, skills, and concepts outlined in the learning objectives, and that far exceed the standard level of achievement
	Yu	80–89 points	Achieving results that exceed the standard level of attainment, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the knowledge, skills, and concepts outlined in the learning objectives
	Good	70–79 points	A grade indicating that the student has understood and grasped the knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking outlined in the learning objectives, is able to apply them to assigned tasks, and has achieved a level of proficiency generally considered standard.
	Yes	60–69 points	A grade that indicates the student has understood and grasped the knowledge, skills, and ways of thinking outlined in the learning objectives, even though their performance falls below the standard level of achievement
Failed	Not allowed	59 points or less	Grades that indicate the student has not demonstrated an understanding or grasp of the knowledge, skills, and concepts outlined in the learning objectives, and are therefore deemed insufficient for earning course credit

Grade evaluation results can be viewed by obtaining an "Individual Transcript" via the Academic Information System KULAS, the e-Portfolio, or the automatic certificate issuance machine after the deadline set by the university for each semester. This allows you to check your grade points (0–100) and evaluation (Excellent, Good, Fair, Pass, Fail).
The dates for the release of grades for each semester will be announced on the official bulletin board and the KULAS web bulletin board at the end of each semester.
Please note that courses graded as "Fail" will not appear on the "Official Transcript."
In addition, as a general rule, "Individual Grade Reports" are sent to parents once a year, around mid-March, to notify them of their child’s grades. *Undergraduate students only

GPA

Our university uses the GPA (Grade Point Average) as one method of evaluating students' academic performance.While there are various methods for calculating GPA, our university uses a method called "functional GPA," which calculates the GPA for eligible courses using the following formula. However, for courses in which a student receives a failing grade of 59 points or less, the calculation "course score minus 55" is uniformly set to zero. Additionally, the GPA is rounded to the nearest hundredth.

The GPA calculated using the method described above is used in various contexts, such as determining which students qualify for special exemptions from the maximum credit limit based on academic excellence, establishing academic standards for tuition waivers, and identifying students facing academic difficulties at an early stage. Leaving courses registered but not attended will lower your GPA. If you decide not to take a course, please be sure to complete the withdrawal procedure by the withdrawal deadline.

Double enrollment

If you take the same course, or a course that is considered equivalent even if it has a different name, this constitutes “double counting.” In such cases, the credits earned will be recognized as credits for only one course toward graduation requirements. For details, please refer to the “Course Catalog” for General Education and your respective faculty.

Maximum number of credits

The maximum number of credits you may register for each semester is 22. This limit is set to ensure that students can properly complete the required courses, and you may not register for more than this maximum number of credits.
However, courses offered in an intensive format are generally not subject to this credit limit. Additionally, students recognized as high achievers may apply to register for more than the maximum number of credits.

Make-up exam

If you are unable to take a scheduled exam for a valid reason, you may be eligible to be evaluated through a makeup exam or similar arrangement, provided you submit a request in advance (or, if you were unable to do so in advance, within one week after the exam has ended). For details, please refer to the "Course Guide" or similar materials.

Appeals Regarding Grade Evaluations

If you believe there has been an error in your grade evaluation—such as a clerical mistake—or if you believe the evaluation deviates from the learning objectives or grading criteria outlined in the syllabus or during class, you may contact the instructor or the academic affairs office within the designated period (typically 5 to 7 days, depending on the faculty or department offering the course) after grades are posted.Furthermore, if you are not satisfied with the response to your inquiry, or if you do not receive a response within the designated period, you may file an appeal. For details, please refer to the "Course Guide" or other relevant materials.

Special Absence

If you are unable to attend class due to the death of a family member, teaching practicums, or other academic reasons, your absence will not be counted as regular attendance; however, it will be taken into consideration when determining your eligibility to take exams. In such cases, please notify the Academic Affairs Section of your respective faculty within the Student Services Center or the General Education Office (the Student Affairs Office at the Okayama-Toyo Campus, or the Academic Affairs Office within the Monobe General Affairs Office at the Monobe Campus). The same procedure applies for requests for class accommodations due to extracurricular activities.

Student Guidelines for Course Registration and Exams

Please approach classes and exams with a serious and responsible attitude. In particular, regarding academic evaluation, anyone found to have committed academic dishonesty during exams or other assessments will, as a general rule, be subject to disciplinary action. Severe measures may be taken, such as invalidating not only the specific course but all courses taken during that semester.

Please be sure to read the guidelines below.

Class Cancellations Due to Weather Conditions, etc.

[Handling of Classes and Scheduled Exams When Weather Warnings or Evacuation Orders Are Issued]
In the event of a potential disaster caused by a typhoon or similar weather conditions, the University has established the following guidelines for the handling of classes and scheduled exams (hereinafter referred to as “classes, etc.”) to prevent accidents involving students.
Please check television, radio, the internet, and other news sources to confirm the issuance and lifting of warnings and orders. From 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., students are responsible for determining whether classes are canceled based on the procedures outlined below. Information regarding class cancellations will be announced after 8:30 a.m. via the “Kochi University Academic Information System (KULAS)” and the “Kochi University website.” Please note that announcements may also be made the day before classes are likely to be canceled, so please be sure to check these sources.

1. Classes and Other Activities During the Issuance of Weather Warnings and Evacuation Orders

Weather warnings are issued by the Kochi Regional Meteorological Observatory, while evacuation orders and similar directives are issued by municipalities.

Decisions regarding class cancellations and other measures will be made on a campus-by-campus basis.

Campus Name	Areas under a weather advisory	Areas where evacuation orders have been issued
Asakura Campus	Kochi City	Asakura Elementary School District, Kochi City
Oko Campus	Kochi City or Nankoku City	Okutoyo District, Nankoku City
Monobe Campus	Nankoku City or Konan City	Nankoku City, Nissho District

*Classes will be canceled if a storm warning is issued. 

Storm Warning	Handling of Classes, etc.
Announced at 7:00 a.m.	Morning classes are canceled
Announced between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.	All classes scheduled for the remainder of the morning are canceled
Announced after 11:00 a.m.	All afternoon classes and other sessions will be canceled
Lifted by 11:00 a.m.	Afternoon classes will be held as scheduled

If a special warning (for heavy rain, strong winds, heavy snow, or blizzards) is issued, classes will be canceled.

Special Alert	Handling of Classes, etc.
Announced at 7:00 a.m.	All classes and other activities are canceled (even if the cancellation is lifted, classes will remain canceled for that day)
Announced after the start of the workday	All classes and other activities are immediately suspended; classes are canceled (and will remain canceled for the remainder of the day even after the suspension is lifted)

*Classes will be canceled if an evacuation order or emergency safety directive is issued.

Evacuation Orders and Emergency Safety Measures	Handling of Classes, etc.
Issued at 7:00 a.m.	All classes and other activities are canceled (even if the cancellation is lifted, classes will remain canceled for that day)
Issued after the start of the workday	All classes and other activities are immediately suspended; classes are canceled (and will remain canceled for the remainder of the day even after the suspension is lifted)

 2. If returning home is deemed unsafe after classes have been canceled, students may be instructed to remain on campus.

 3. As a general rule, classes will not be canceled when other types of weather warnings are issued. However, even if classes are not canceled, students should prioritize their personal safety based on conditions in their local area. Please consult the Academic Affairs Office regarding special provisions for absences or makeup exams in such cases.Furthermore, if classes are canceled, measures such as make-up classes or rescheduling of regular exams will be implemented. For details, please refer to the “Agreement on the Handling of Classes and Regular Exams When Weather Warnings, Evacuation Orders, etc. Are Issued or Declared.”

Promotion

In the School of Medicine and the School of Community Collaboration, students must be certified for advancement to the next academic year.
In the School of Medicine (Department of Medicine) and the School of Community Collaboration, students cannot advance to the next academic year unless they have completed the required courses and earned the necessary credits. Similarly, in the School of Medicine (Department of Nursing), students must complete the required courses and earn the necessary credits to advance to the second year and beyond.
For details on the required courses and credits for each department, please refer to the “Guide for Medical Students” and the “Course Catalog for the School of Community Collaboration.” 

Early Graduation / Fall Graduation

Students who have been enrolled at the university for three years and are determined to have earned the required credits for graduation with excellent academic standing may be granted early graduation upon application. For details, please refer to the “Course Guide” or similar documents issued by each faculty or department.
Students who have been enrolled for four or more years, have completed the required courses and earned the necessary credits, and have met the graduation requirements set by their faculty or department may be granted graduation in the fall (September) upon application.
Students wishing to graduate in the fall (September) should notify the Academic Affairs Section of the Student Services Center, the academic affairs office of their respective faculty, or the academic affairs office at the Monobe Campus in April. The application period will be announced via posted notices.
Please note, however, that these regulations do not apply to students in the Faculty of Medicine. 

Support for issues related to classes and assignments

If you encounter any difficulties with classes or assignments, please use the “office hours” set by your instructor to ask questions or seek advice. In addition, the university offers various support services tailored to the specific types of issues you may face with classes or assignments. For more details, please visit the “Support for University Studies” section on the Student Support Division’s website at the Center for Learning and Innovation.

Support for academic challenges due to disabilities or medical conditions

Notice to Students

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