Frequently Asked Questions about the Online Courses Offered this Summer (April – July 2020)

1. How many courses can I register?

You can register a maximum of three courses.

2. Is there any credit limit on course registration?

No. There is no credit limit on course registration. Limit is only on the number of courses.

3. Under which category these courses will be considered?

These courses will be considered under either University Elective (UE) or Programme Elective (PE)

4. Who will decide whether these courses be considered under UE or PE?

You should give the option to either the course either in UE or PE.

5. Is there any norms for making a decision whether the course should be in UE or PE?

Yes. If you have not yet completed the University Electives then you should opt these courses under
University Elective. If you have earned the maximum credits under UE, then you can prefer the
course to be considered under PE.

6. Can these courses be considered in lieu of my Programme Core?

No. These courses cannot be considered under programme core.

7. Can I substitute these courses for my UE / PE courses in which I have failed in the previous
semesters?

Yes. Upon successful completion of the course, you can place request for substituting the courses.

8. When shall I give the option for substitution?

After the declaration of the results of these online courses.

9. Are these courses available for all students or are there any restrictions?

Students of all programmes, years of admission can utilise this opportunity and register for the
courses. However, due to the nature and content of the courses your school will decide on the
probable subset of courses that are applicable to you. For example, the set of courses applicable to
B.Tech (Biotechnology) may not be applicable to the students of B.Tech (CSE).

10. Can students of non-engineering programmes avail this opportunity?

In principle, yes. As said earlier, your School Deans will inform you the appropriate list of courses.

11. Can post-graduate students avail this opportunity?

In principle, yes. If there are appropriate courses, it will be informed by your School Deans. However,
PG students have the opportunity of fast-track starting from the second week of July 2020 and also
the arrear option.

12. Can I opt this course under programme elective, even though it is not included in the
curriculum?
Yes. This is a one-time opportunity given and you can register the courses even though it is not listed
in your curriculum.

13. When does these courses commence?

All courses will commence on 15-04-2020. If there is any change in the date of commencement, you
will be informed. Please refer to the spotlight page of VTOP.

14. Is there withdraw / drop option for these courses?

There is no need for withdraw or drop option for these courses.

15. Can I discontinue the course at any point time, if I feel that the academic load is high?

Yes. You are free to discontinue. However, you are advised to use this one-time opportunity for
your benefit.

16. Should I inform anyone if I decide to discontinue the course?

There is no need to inform anyone if you decide to discontinue the course.

17. If I register for three courses and later I wish to continue with just one or two, can I do it?

Yes, you can.

18. How will be assessments be?

Assessments include online quizzes, assignments and Final Assessment Test. Final Assessment Test
will be a computer-based proctored examination. Assessment details are given in a separate
document. The document can be downloaded using the link in the VTOP spotlight page.

19. Can I know the FAT schedule?

FAT schedule will be informed in due course.

20. Where I can get updated information on these online courses?

Changes / updated information, if any, will be conveyed through email and the information will also
be available in the VTOP spotlight page.

21. How should I register for the course?

Course registration is through the google link sent by your school.

22. Whom should I contact for further queries regarding the online courses?

Please contact your School Dean for further clarifications.

23. Where can I get the syllabus for these online courses?

This will be shared by your School and the consolidated information will be available through the link
in the spotlight page of VTOP.

24. If I have already earned the credits or have registered for the courses during the Winter
Semester 2019-2020 under UE / PE, should I register for the online course?

No. You can continue with the course registered in the Winter Semester 2019-2020 / Winter
Weekend Intrasemester 2019-2020.
25. Will the grades appear along with the Winter Semester 2019-2020 courses?

The grades will appear along with the Special Term results and accordingly in the transcripts.

26. What if I have registered for the arrear examinations?

Please continue with the arrear examination option.

28. Can these courses be used as substitution if I get ‘N’ or ‘F’ grade in the Winter Semester 2019-
2020?

No. The substitution option is given for the courses in which you have already secured ‘F’ and ‘N’
grade in the previous semesters (as per your academic history).

29. Does substitution option be used if the content of the course in which I have failed to clear
during the previous semesters has no similarity to the online courses offered now?

Yes. Substitution can be requested.

30. What is the minimum mark for clearing the course?

As it is absolute grading, minimum of 50 marks should be secured. You can refer to our earlier
circular on the “Bioinspired design online course” for more details.

31. What if I fail in the course?

Grades will be considered only if you pass the course. Else it will not appear in your transcript or the
academic grade history.

32. Should I register for the same course at a later date if I fail to clear to clear the course?

No. Since the record will not be maintained, you are free to choose any course in the subsequent
semesters.

33. Will there be any clash with the online courses and the regular courses that will resume in June
2020?

The online courses are offered in asynchronous mode. Therefore the video material will be available
to you and you can refer to that at your convenient time. Therefore there is no chance of any clash
between these two modes.

34. Will these courses be considered as UE/PE even if it is registered for the first time?

Yes. It will be considered.

35. If I register for a three credit online course and if I prefer to substitute this for a four credit
course in which I have ‘F’ / ‘N’ grade during the previous semesters, what will be the credit I will
earn after completing the online course?

You will earn three credits. Similarly, if you register for a three credit online course and if you prefer
to substitute this for a two credit course in which you had secured ‘F’ or ‘N’ grade in the previous
semesters, you will earn three credit course upon successfully completing the online course.

36. Can I use these online courses for grade improvement?

Grade improvement option is not applicable.

37. What happens if at a later date it is found that the credits earned in the online course exceed
the minimum credit requirement?

It will not be recorded in your academic history. You will receive a certificate for successfully
completing the online course.

38. Is it compulsory to take the online course?

Though there is no compulsion, you are advised to utilise this one time opportunity and get
benefitted.

39. Does registering the online courses affect the maximum number of credits to be registered
during the Fall Semester 2020-2021?

No. It does not.

40. Do we need to pay for the online courses?

No. There is no fees for the online courses.

41. What is the duration of these online courses?

The duration of the course will be three weeks / per credit. Accordingly, a four credit course will be
of 12 weeks duration.