American University in Dubai

The American University in Dubai is the first and only American-accredited University in the Gulf. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education.

Classification of Students

A student’s level of standing or “classification” is based upon the number of credit hours completed. A student with fewer than 45 credit hours is a Freshman; with 45-89 credit hours, a Sophomore; with 90-134 credit hours, a Junior; and with 135 credit hours or more, a Senior.

Registration

Students at AUD are scheduled into classes on a one-to-one basis through their Advisor. Registration and pre-registration take place each term, and the Advisors are available daily throughout the year for counseling.

Students may request schedule changes within the designated Drop/Add period each term. No new classes may be added to a schedule after the Drop/Add period. Students whose fees are not current will not be allowed to register without written clearance from the University’s finance office.

A late registration fee (Dhs. 1,000) will be charged for those registering after the beginning of classes.

Academic Credit Hours

One unit of academic credit is awarded for each scheduled class hour (clock hour) per week, e.g. 5 hours academic credit is equal to 5 hours in the classroom per week. Therefore, for every 5 hours of academic credit awarded, the student receives 50 hours of instruction. All classes earn 5 quarter credit hours unless otherwise designated.

Computer Efficiency Examination

Students who believe that on the basis of computer proficiency acquired prior to joining university they should be exempted from taking CIS 101, are advised to contact the Liberal Arts Program Chair to arrange to take the AUD Computer Proficiency Examination. If exempted, the student will be required to substitute CIS 101 with another course in the Liberal Arts.

Eligibility for Foreign Language Study

Students educated in a language other than English or who have earned two years or more of high school credit in that language are not eligible to register for courses at the elementary level. Students desiring to study at an intermediate/advanced level (if courses are offered) should consult the Liberal Arts Program Chair to obtain authorization to register.

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Independent Studies

The American University in Dubai discourages "independent studies". An "independent study" is a student's teaching himself or herself a course (albeit under the guidance of an assigned faculty member) which is a part of the University's curriculum; and hence, scheduled with reasonable frequency.

This differs from "directed study", a term that does not appear in any of our official literature but which we designate to mean research or project work (or both) regarding a special topic of mutual interest to a student and faculty member. In this latter case, the University will ordinarily grant credit for one of its Special Topics or Senior Project courses.

Academic Affairs highly encourages directed studies, especially for students of exceptional caliber.

Double Concentrations

A student wishing to pursue a double concentration may do so by simply fulfilling the credit hour requirements for each. Credits hours do no double count; i.e., the same course (unless cross-listed in the Catalog) cannot count in two (or more) concentrations. Nor can courses double/triple count as Elective and Concentration courses.

Minors

The American University in Dubai does not formally offer Minor concentrations. Students should be aware, however, that it is commonly perceived that three courses beyond an introductory or principles course constitute a minor in any discipline.

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Audits

A student may audit a course at his/her discretion and with the permission of their advisor. An audited (i.e., not-for-credit) course may not be taken for credit at a later date. The normal fee schedule governs audited courses.

Classes

Undergraduate classes meet Sunday through Wednesday. Saturdays are reserved for field trips, guest lectures, tutorials, special projects, travel and make-up days. Day and evening classes are available.

The average lecture class size is 20 to 25 students; studio classes average 15 to 18 students. All classes are taught in English with the exception of foreign language classes.

Year 1 Required Courses

All entering students are required to take ENG 101 (Composition and Rhetoric), ENG 102 (Research and Advanced Composition), MTH 111 (Mathematics for the Arts) or MTH 120 (Decision Mathematics) or MTH 200 (Calculus of Business Applications), PSP 101 (Public Speaking) and CIS 101 (Introduction to Computers) during their first calendar year at the University. All design faculties highly recommend that students take History of Art I and II. (Math and Science courses for engineering students vary, and students should consult their advisors for Year I requirements). All eligible first year students must take UNV 101 (How to Succeed at University) during their first two terms.

Repeating a Course

Students are allowed to repeat a credit course only once. Failing a required course twice may be grounds for expulsion from the University. Such expulsion is at the discretion of the Chief Academic Officer. The new grade substitutes that previously assigned in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Normally a student may only withdraw from a course twice. The approval of the Chief Academic Officer is granted only in rare and exceptional circumstances and is required before a student is allowed to register again in a course from which he/she has previously withdrawn twice.

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Undergraduate Academic Standards

Students attending AUD are expected to meet certain academic standards, which stress the importance of successful performance. In order to maintain an academic status of good standing, students may not be on Academic Probation or Academic Exclusion. Students having difficulties in any of their classes are encouraged to seek individual assistance from their instructors, Dean/Chairs and academic advisors.

In order to remain in good standing, undergraduate students are required to have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

If/when a student changes programs/concentrations, the grades received in the former program/concentration continue to be calculated as part of the student’s cumulative GPA.

Graduation Requirements

In order to qualify for graduation in their last quarter of study at AUD, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

       - Minimum CGPA of 2.0;

       - Clearance by the Office of Academic Affairs that all program requirements have been met;

       - Clearance by the Student Financial Affairs Officer for all financial aid requirements;

       - Clearance by the Student Financial Affairs Officer for all financial obligations;

       - Clearance by the Library and Housing Department for all financial obligations (if applicable).

AUD will award degrees at the end of the academic quarter. A student may not request a diploma any earlier than the scheduled graduation date. For the purposes of graduation verification, the University will provide a transcript to the student until their diploma has been provided. Complete information regarding graduation activities can be found in the Student Handbook.

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Graduate Exit Interviews and Surveys

Each candidate for graduation must complete a series of exit interviews and surveys in order to be eligible for graduation. Graduate exit interviews and surveys will be conducted during the student’s final term. No student will be awarded his/her final degree or final transcript until this graduate exit process has been completed.

Graduation with Honors

Bachelor degree graduates who have maintained a record of outstanding academic achievement will be recognized as follows:

Summa Cum Laude - a student graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 or above.

Magna Cum Laude - a student graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 3.70 -3.89.

Cum Laude - a student graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 - 3.69.

Associate degree graduates with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher will graduate with Honors.

Request for Transcripts

A transcript is not considered official unless it is issued from the AIU campus at which the course work was taken.

Requests for transcripts from The American University in Dubai must be made by filling out a request form at the Registrar’s Office. The fee for each official transcript is 20 Dh.* The student should allow 2 to 4 working days for the processing of transcript requests. He/she must first obtain approval from the Finance office, the Library and the Director of Central Services (if applicable). Students can request special mail services at an additional cost.

Departments and Schools

The goal of AUD is to offer students the opportunity to prepare for a professional career, while providing a foundation in the Liberal Arts to provide students with a well-rounded education.

This purpose is pursued by faculty members who are highly qualified educators and practicing professionals and who are committed to the advancement of knowledge and the quality of the educational program through excellence in teaching, contributions to their profession and public service. Courses of study are offered five schools and departments and supported by the Division of Liberal Arts.

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Schools & Departments
 

School of Business

School of Engineering

Dept. of Information Technology

Dept. of Visual Communication

Dept. of Interior Design

Nokia Select Scholarship

Philosophy

Life is a puzzle, and without all the pieces you’ll never get a chance to see how beautiful the picture could be. Nokia believes that everyone should have the chance to make the most of their abilities. To help more people achieve this, Nokia has created the Nokia Select scholarship program, offering prospective AUD students the opportunity to continue their studies without financial burdens.

The Scholarship rewards academic excellence and acts as an incentive, to achieve greater scholastic heights, as well as a reward for hard work and outstanding achievement.

Eligibility and Renewal

The Scholarships are open to all prospective IT, Engineering and Business AUD undergraduate students. New applicants to one of AUD’s degree programs need to have at least an 85% grade average (or equivalent).

Selection Criteria

As academic performance is the most important prerequisite, it is expected that averages will be well above the minimum requirements mentioned above. In the case of a tie, academic letters of recommendation and TOEFL/SAT scores will be used.

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Coverage/Maintenance of Financial Aid

The scholarship entitles the student to tuition fees for each academic year (up to 4 terms / 60 credit hours) until graduation. He/she is then expected to maintain a good academic standard and to enroll in at least three successive terms, carrying a full load of academic credits (15 credit hours) each term. Failure to comply with any of the above could result in the withdrawal of the scholarship.

Application Procedures

New students must fill in the following AUD Application Package for the Nokia Select scholarship (Users Must Have Adobe Acrobat Installed ) no later than August 15 of each academic year, for in-school students the deadline is July 25.

General Instructions:

1. Read all sections of this kit.
2. Complete the Application Form.
3. Request official transcripts from appropriate institutions.
4. Distribute Reference Forms.

Admissions Criteria & Procedures

Students are admitted to The American University in Dubai on the basis of the Admissions Committee's assessment of their ability to pursue university level work as evidenced by their academic record and recommendations.

Requirements

Students seeking admission to the University under the Nokia Select program must submit the following:

A completed Application for Admission.

An application fee of AED 180.

An official high school/secondary school transcript (academic record) reflecting performance of a excellent academic standard, (85% or above) or five IGCSE subjects (averaging a minimum of 85% with at least 5 grade C subjects or above).

International TOEFL score of 550 (CAT 213) + TWE of 4.0 or above or a passing score on the University's English Placement Test; (International code for TOEFL is 0063; for SAT, 2688)

SAT or a passing score on the University's Math Placement Test.

Official letters of recommendation from two referees (high school teachers) stating the students' ability to successfully complete University work. Letters should be on letterhead, stamped and sealed.

3 passport-size photographs + photocopy of passport.

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Engineering Applicants

Engineering applicants in all disciplines are required to submit SAT verbal and quantitative scores.

H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Scholarship

Background and Objective

In May, 1999, on the occasion of the Second Commencement Exercises of The American University in Dubai held under his patronage, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defense, announced the creation of thirty-two scholarships for which prospective and current AUD students would be eligible. The University’s Administration has designated the scholarships to carry Sheikh Mohammed’s name, citing how His Highness’ gesture reflects a deep commitment to education as the driving force in the accomplishment of Dubai’s and the UAE’s public agenda. The H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarships have been conceived with the objective of rewarding academic excellence and responding to financial need; as such, they will act as an incentive and reward for superior scholastic performance, as well as an economic contribution to the acquisition of an American-accredited university degree.

Eligibility and Renewal

In order to be eligible for a Scholarship, a student must be either an applicant to one of AUD’s degree programs (undergraduate or MBA) or already enrolled as a degree candidate. High school applicants should have at least an 80% grade average (or equivalent). In-school undergraduates, transfer applicants, MBA applicants and MBA candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Selection Criteria

Academic Performance as determined by: high school average or GPA (earned either at AUD or, in the case of transfer students, at another accredited university). Academic letters of recommendation and TOEFL / SAT scores will be used in case of ties. It is expected that recipients will have earned an academic status well above the minimum required for admission or continuance in a degree program.

Financial Need as demonstrated by insufficiency of financial support to fund educational expenses.

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Coverage/Maintenance of Financial Aid

A Scholarship entitles the recipient to a waiver of tuition for one academic year (3 terms / 45 credit hours). The student must enroll for three successive terms and carry a full load of academic credit (15 hours) each term. Failure to do so may result in loss of the Scholarship. Separately, a student may lose his/her Scholarship if he/she fails to remain in good academic standing.

Application Process

In order to apply, a new student must fill out an AUD Application for The H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarships by August 15 of the Academic Year for which aid is requested and in-school students must submit it before July 25. Upon examination of a student’s academic status and the submission of updated documents, renewal of a Scholarship for existing holders will be reassessed once a year prior to the beginning of the Fall term.

Courses

For getting more information on courses alphabetically, you can visit the following web-site: http://www.aud.edu/courses/courses_a.htm

Admission

Undergraduate Requirements

A hallmark of AUD is its culturally diverse student population. AUD students come from many different countries and backgrounds and bring a wide range of viewpoints, special interests and talents to enrich the learning community.

Selection of students is based on an individual assessment of each applicant. An Admissions Committee determines acceptance to AUD. Final acceptance is not granted until the University has received all required admissions documents.

Admission Criteria

Pursuant to its Mission, The American University in Dubai desires to admit students to degree programs who possess appropriate credentials and demonstrated capacity or potential indicating a reasonable probability of successfully completing the educational programs offered by the University and meaningfully participating in the total educational program of the institution. To that end, the University will evaluate all students and make admission decisions on an individual basis. To assist the admissions personnel in making informed
decisions, an admissions interview may be required.

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First-time Students

AUD seeks well-rounded students who demonstrate a probability for success in the institution’s programs of study. To this end, AUD will take into consideration such factors as high school completion, recommendations from school or supervisory personnel familiar with the potential of applicants, leadership and student activity records, scholastic achievement test scores, evidence of school and community service, demonstrated potential for academic success or development, student work or employment records and distinctive talents or abilities possessed by applicants.

College Transfer Students or Adult Learners

AUD seeks students who can build on their previous university educational / employment experiences and move successfully to complete degree programs of study. In applicable academic programs, transfer credit may be accepted by AUD from any recognized institution. Courses accepted for transfer must be relevant to the program of study, and the content and outcomes must be considered as the equivalent to the courses and outcomes of the AUD degree program.

Requirements

Students are admitted to the University on the basis of an assessment of their ability to pursue university level work as evidenced by their academic record and recommendations.

Students seeking admission to the University must submit the following:

       - A completed Application for Admission;

       - Non-refundable application fee of AED 180 or $50;

       - A non-refundable reservation deposit of AED 2000, which is fully applied towards tuition fee, is required upon acceptance for admission. Due to the high number of applicants, students are requested to pay this deposit within two months of the start of term of entry. No application will be accepted after this date without the reservation deposit.

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       - An official high school / secondary school transcript (academic record) in the original reflecting a good academic standard, or five IGCSE subjects (grade “C” or above required); Proof of eleven years of schooling is required for students applying with IGCSE subjects. Students who seek UAE Ministry os Higher Education and Scientific Research attestation of their university degree should consult the Ministry for the requirements of high school attestation prior to commencing their studies at AUD.

       - International TOEFL score of 550 (CAT 213) + TWE of 4.0 or above (original report required) or the appropriate score on the University-administered Accuplacer Exam (English). (The international code for TOEFL is 0063);

       - SAT I or the appropriate score on the University-administered Accuplacer Exam (Math). (The international code for SAT is 2688) SAT I is required for Engineering applicants.

       - Official letters of recommendation from two referee’s (high school teachers) stating the student’s ability to successfully complete university work. Letters should be on letterhead, stamped and sealed;

       - Transfer students should submit official transcripts from all institutions from which transfer credit is sought. If an equivalent AUD course is identified, credit is granted for courses satisfactorily completed with a grade of "C" or above at another accredited/recognized college or university.

       - 4 passport-size photographs and photocopy of passport.

Transfer Students

In addition to the above, students transferring in to AUD should submit:

       - Official transcripts from which transfer credit is sought (Transfer Students must be in good academic standing [i.e., 2.0 CGPA or equivalent] at the institution from which they are transferring.);

       - Course descriptions for all courses for which transfer credit is sought (Students should be aware that they will be held responsible for any courses taken at AUD prior to receipt of required course descriptions.).

Regulations governing the awarding of transfer credit are contained on pages 65 of this Catalog. Transfer students should read these pages carefully.

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As previously noted, selection of students for admission into degree programs of study is based on an individual evaluation of each applicant’s capability or potential for successful completion of the program. To assist the institution in academically advising students, assessment of academic proficiency is required for all undergraduate first time applicants and transfer students who have not satisfied the institution’s English / Mathematics requirements. AUD will use the results of this assessment to determine appropriate academic placement and the need for developmental course work (see “Academic Proficiency” in the Academic Policies section of this Catalog).

Transients

Students joining AUD for one term or more with the intention of transferring credits back to their home institution (Transients) should submit the following documents:

       - an Application for Admission with application fee;

       - an official college transcript;

Transient students should seek academic advisement at their home institution to determine whether the courses taken at AUD are applicable to their degree program. Written approval should be submitted along with the application.

Study Abroad Program

The Study Abroad Program (SAP) is intended for visiting students who are currently enrolled in degree programs at other colleges or universities, but who wish to attend AUD for one or more quarters. The purpose of completing this AUD course work is to provide students with an international component to their formal education while fulfilling academic requirements that will transfer credit back to the home institution.

Study Abroad applicants must:

       - Complete a Study Abroad Program application for admission and submit a deposit (refundable);

       - Submit an official transcript from their home institution; and

       - Seek academic advice and approval at their home institution to determine those AUD courses which are transferable.

The Study Abroad Program is for students who attend institutions other than AIU. Students currently attending an AIU campus and interested in attending the Dubai campus should contact the Office of Academic Affairs of their home campus; or alternatively, the AUD Admissions Office. Information is also available in the US by calling 1-800-255-6839.

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Engineering Applicants

Standardized Testing

       - Freshman applicants must take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I). Students should have their scores for each time they have taken this test sent to AUD. It is highly recommended that this test be taken by November of the senior year of high school. A minimum combined schore of 1090 is normally required: min. Verbal (440) and min. Math (560).

       - A readiness to take MTH 202 (Calculus I) will be determined by the University-administered Accuplacer Exam. Students who have the equivalent of MTH 202 transferred from another recognized university will be exempted from taking this exam.

       - Engineering students who have the required SAT I score (Math 560), but fail to achieve the required score on the Accuplacer Math Exam, will be placed in MTH 190. Only after passing MTH 190 will these students receive acceptance into the School of Engineering.

       - Engineering students are required to take the University's Computer Proficiency Exam prior to their second term of enrollment at AUD. A student who fails the exam will be required to enroll in CIS 101 during his/her second term of residence. In such cases, CIS 101 credit will not count towards engineering program credit hour requirements.

Non-Degree-Seeking (NDS) Status

Students who do not fulfill the SAT I requirement prior to their term of entrance and are placed in MTH 190 or MTH 202 may be admitted provisionally with the status of non-degree-seeking(NDS). Failure to submit required SAT I scores within three terms of entrance will result in automatic cancellation of this provisional status. Students wishing to continue their studies at AUD may do so in discipline other than Engineering, provided they are accepted for admission into a new program. The University does not assume any responsibility for loss of credit due to the student's change of program (i.e., from NDS Engineering to another program).

If the student remains in Engineering, it should be noted that MTH 190 credit will not be considered as part of the Engineering program requirement.

Schedule effective beginning the fall term 2003.

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Tuition and Fees listed above are for the quarter/term