A student enrolling for a four-year undergraduate degree spread over eight semesters (honours/honours with research) will have to study a combination of major and minor subjects besides multi-disciplinary, ability enhancement, skill enhancement and value-added courses based on the guidelines set by the UGC.
They have to undergo an internship too.
The major course denotes the subject in which the degree will be awarded, for instance a BSc (honours/honours with research) in physics.
Two St Xavier’s institutions — St Xavier’s College on Park Street and St Xavier’s University in New Town — which had declared they would offer four-year undergraduate courses even ahead of the state education department’s announcement of a switch to the four-year programme in state-aided colleges and universities, have uploaded the new curriculum.
A notice issued by the college says the minor subjects are those that are complementary to the major subject. If a student graduates with BSc (honours) in economics with mathematics and statistics, then mathematics and statistics will be regarded as the minor subjects.
The second minor is to be chosen by the student at the end of the semester II.
“We have uploaded the details so students get an idea of what they would be pursuing under the four-year programme...,” said Father Dominic Savio, the principal of the college.
He said multi-disciplinary courses refer to courses from other disciplines which all students are required to take with three introductory-level courses — one in semester I and two in semester II.
The ability enhancement courses include courses in Modern Indian Language (Hindi/ Bengali/ Alternative English) in semester 1 and compulsory English in semester III.
Skill enhancement courses are aimed at imparting practical skills, hands-on training and soft skills. Value-added courses consist of courses in environmental science, inter-religious studies and personality development.
A notice by St Xavier’s University says a student will be awarded four-year honours degree with a major discipline after completing 160 credits, including 80 credits in major.
A student will be awarded a three-year undergraduate degree with a major (exit option) after securing a total 120 credits including 60 credits in major courses.
“Students must know the recent curriculum change, from three years to four years...,” said Father Felix Raj, the vice-chancellor of the university.
The colleges affiliated to Calcutta University are awaiting guidelines from the university before they come up with their course structure.
The three autonomous colleges under the ambit of the Ramakrishna Mission are in the process of drawing up their syllabus.