The M.A. (5-Year Integrated) and M.Sc. (5-Year Integrated) programmes of the University of Hyderabad combine pre-graduate and post-graduate studies. They are trans-disciplinary, cutting across several disciplines.
Integrated learning
In the first two years, the Science programme has courses in physical, mathematical, chemical and life sciences. Students begin their specialization towards a degree in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Life Sciences or Earth Sciences. This prepares them for interdisciplinary learning in the future as well.
Similarly, the humanities, economics and social sciences take courses in all disciplines for the first three years, providing students with a broad and transdisciplinary view before they begin their specialization in the fourth year. In addition, being housed together in the CIS, students have free and out-of-class interactions between the sciences, social sciences and humanities. They debate and have discussions in informal club activities which enrich their understanding of other disciplines.
Extra Courses and Credits
A student can take courses over and above those stipulated for a semester and can accumulate extra credits in a given semester.
In addition to regular courses, the following extra courses are offered in either odd or even semester, based on availability of faculty resources: Introduction to Music; Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish, Arabic); NSS-01 – Personality Development and Community Service.
These courses cannot be taken in lieu of regular subject credit courses.
Audit Course
There is a provision for auditing one course in each semester. Students who desire to audit a course over and above the number of courses prescribed have to choose from among the courses offered by different departments in that semester and inform the CIS in writing. Courses thus audited should also be indicated in the registration forms along with other courses opted for that semester.
Only one extra or audit course is allowed per semester during the 3rd to 6th semester, provided there is no clash in class timings.
Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
The University also runs a number of Fundamental and Elective courses every semester. Students are allowed to take a Fundamental or Elective course cutting across discipline boundaries. Some elective courses have prerequisites, which need to be adhered to.
Tutorials
On the basis of requests from a sizeable number of students for additional guidance in coping with subjects, the Heads and Deans of participating Departments and Schools provide tutorial support for small groups, subject to availability of human resources.