Allama Iqbal Open University
TEMPLATES FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE
COURSES OFFERED ONLINE
Preamble: Higher Education systems globally have been undergoing a sea of
change not just due to the emergence of Covid-19 but because of the
emerging teaching, learning technologies that are easily accessible to young
scholars. Since its inception in 1972 AIOU has used a system of distance
delivery of education through sending printed reading materials, prepared
by the faculty and other discipline specialists, through postal services,
assigning a host of tutors to assist, guide and assess the learners about their
achieved proficiency of materials provided. The whole emphasis was on
acquisition of knowledge to the neglect of developing necessary cognitive
skills and application competencies. 21st century created global systems of
higher education that demand future generations of scholars to be
competent in knowledge, develop skills of independent learning and acquire
innovative competencies to effectively use their knowledge and skills to
become critical, creative and constructive human resources to transform
their societies.
The first two decades of this century has undergone a new “fourth
generation industrial revolution” based on advanced digital technologies
that is basically changing the way we teach, learn and assess the quality of
learning outcomes needed by a rapidly changing society. A growing number
of highly reputed universities in the world have followed the lead of MIT and
Harvard to openly provide their course to students all over the world through
the use of Cloud technologies and a number of search engines. AIOU scholars
and their teachers have to constantly learn the use of these advanced and
advancing digital tools to successfully participate in this revolution and
harness it for their development.
Transformative Actions at AIOU: Recently AIOU has been undergoing a
transformative process to become a state of the art higher education
institution through the use of advanced digital technologies and making
them available to all members of our scholarly community. AIOU has
developed a technology based Learning Management System (LMS), trained
all its faculty, course coordinators and widely spread regional centers’ staff
to facilitate the qualitatively improved online systems of delivering
education, using current and up to date learning materials and diverse
methodologies through which to foster development of critical, reflective
skills of knowledge and its creative and constructive application to solve
problems.
The AIOU ICT department has provided an augmented system of
servers to enable the effective implementation of the LMS. AIOU is also
acquiring a Campus Management System (CMS) to smoothly handle
admissions, finances, examinations and infrastructure to meet the needs of
its large number of students. AIOU already subscribes to Pakistan Education
Research Network (PERN). It provides opportunities for both faculty and
students to access most recent scholarly journals and research information
provided by them. Faculty will use PERN for constant upgrading of their
courses, students will gradually move away from relying only on the
prescribed texts but explore new research based information to complete
their assignments.
All AIOU faculty have been provided laptops with built in tools of
academic and scholarly research that will enable them to tap into PERN for
refining their curricula and using new, diverse methods of teaching. Most
students have access to smart phones and computers that enable them to
participate in a variety of scholarly activities. AIOU is negotiating with the
service providers for special low rate packages for phones and WIFI
connectivity.
Templates for Academic work (Undergraduate)
1. Each department will list undergraduate courses currently offered to
students, with course codes in four digits and course Title. All first year
courses will have numbers beginning with 1000 and ascending
according to the level of difficulty of the course; 2nd year courses will
begin with 2000; third year courses will begin with 3000 and 4th year
advanced courses will begin with 4000.
2. Currently there are more than 1900 courses on AIOU list of course
offerings. Each department Chair and faculty will put the old courses
in an archival repository. All new courses approved by the academic
approval process will be identified with the date when instituted.
3. The department will identify in addition to the required Core General
Education courses (27 cr. Hours at 1000 to 2000 level), a sequence of
courses that form a cluster in the Major area of studies (approximately
45-48 credit hours at all four levels), supporting Minor area of studies
approximately 24 credit hours at all four levels, Practical Field
Experiences, 15credit hours in Professional degree courses, Electives9
credit hours totaling minimum 120 credit hours in 4 years.
4. Level 5 undergraduate is first two years of approximately 60+ credit
hours leading to Associate Degree. Admission will be granted, on
merit, to students who have completed matriculation/SSC with
minimum of 50 % marks.
5. Level 6 undergraduate degree will lead to a 4 year Bachelor’s degree
on completing all the academic requirements as distributed in 3
above.
6. Each Faculty member responsible for the course will develop a
detailed course syllabus including the following sub sections:
a. Course description no more than 250 words,
b. List learning outcomes in a sequence including
theoretical/conceptual
Knowledge;
Conceptual/practical
cognitive skills; logical thinking to solve problems and
independent learning competencies.
c. List required reading materials and research articles from the
Web,
d. Detailed LMS activities and deadlines to be completed from the
2nd week to the last week of the semester,
e. List diverse teaching /methods used by the faculty and students,
f. Assessment scheme and weightage of activities according to the
LMS,
g. AIOU Plagiarism policy statement that will be followed in all
academic activities and assignments.
Level 5 Table of Learning Outcomes Leading to Assoc.Degree
National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in Pakistan
Key Student Learning Outcomes of Level 5*
1. KNOWLEDGE
-Theoretical
-Conceptual
 Possess theoretical and practical
knowledge supported by textbooks
with updated information, practice,
equipment and other resource on
basic level based on qualifications
gained at secondary education
level.
 Functional knowledge of Urdu and
English.
 Reflective thinking
 Social context of knowledge.
2. SKILLS
-Cognitive
-Practical
 Gain the skills
to use basic
level
theoretical and
practical
knowledge
acquired within
the field in the
same field of a
higher
education level
or in a field of
same level.
 Interpret and
evaluate data,
define
problems, do
analysis,
produce
solutions
based on proof
with
using
basic
level
knowledge
and practices
gained within
the field.
 Problem
solving
Skills through
application of
knowledge.
3. COMPETENCIES
Competence to
Work
Independently
and Take
Responsibility
Learning
Competence
Communication
and Social
Competence
the
 Conduct studies  Evaluate the  Transfer
acquired
ideas based on
at basic level
knowledge
the
basic
within the field
and
skills
at
knowledge
and
independently.
basic level
skills acquired
 Take
within
the
within the field
responsibility as
field with a
through written
a team member in
critical
and
oral
order to solve
approach,
communication
unexpected
determine
s in Urdu and
complex
and respond
English.
problems faced in
to
learning  Share
the
the applications
needs.
ideas
and
within the field.
 Direct
the
solutions
to
 Conduct activities
education
problems
towards
the
received to a
about issues
development of
higher
within the field
subordinates
education
with
within a project.
level in the
professionals
 Work
same field or
and
noncollaboratively in
to
an
professionals.
teams.
occupation
 Monitor
the
 Use knowledge
in the same
evolving
and skills to solve
level.
developments
practical
 Gain
in the field and
problems as a
awareness
communicate
technician and a
of
lifelong
with peers by
supervisor.
learning.
using a local
 Demonstrate
language.
use of skills  Use
acquired for
informatics and
occupational
communication
success.
technologies
with at least a
minimum level
of
Computer
Application for
data
processing and
Basic
Level
software usage
Knowledge.
Field
Specific
Competence
 Possess
social,
scientific,
cultural
and ethical
values on
the stages
of
gathering,
implement
ation on
and
release of
the results
of data
related to
the field.
 Possess
sufficient
consciousn
ess of
universality
of human
rights,
social
justice,
equality,
cultural
values and
also,
environmen
tal
protection,
worker's
health and
security.
 Demonstrat
ed
academic
integrity.
 Honesty in
occupation
al practice
*
Note: Admission requirement for Associate Degree is completion of
SSC/Matriculation/ F.A/F.Sc/A-Levels examination with more than 50% (Second
division)
Level 6 Table of Learning Outcomes leading to Bachelor’s
Degree
National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in Pakistan
Key Student Learning Outcomes of Level 6*
1. KNOWLEDGE
-Theoretical
-Conceptual
 Possess
higher
level
theoretical and practical
knowledge supported by
textbooks with updated
information,
practice
equipment
and
other
resources.
 Complete a required core of
General Education Courses.
 Bilingual proficiency in
Urdu and English.
 Logical persuasive critical
expression.
 Reflective thinking to solve
problems
2. SKILLS
-Cognitive
-Practical
 Use
of
advanced
theoretical and
practical
knowledge
within the field.
 Interpret and
evaluate data,
define
and
analyze
problems,
develop
solutions
based
on
research and
proofs by using
acquired
advanced
knowledge and
skills within the
field.
 Problem
solving
skills
through
application of
knowledge
acquired.
 Writing report
of innovative
research
activities
3. COMPETENCES
Competence
to Work
Independently
and Take
Responsibility
 Conduct
studies at an
advanced
level in the
field
independentl
y.
 Take
responsibility
both as a
team
member and
individually in
order to solve
unexpected
complex
problems
faced within
the
implementati
ons in the
field.
 Planning and
managing
activities
towards the
development
of
subordinates
in
the
framework of
a project.
 Work
collaborativel
y in teams.
 Interactive
problem
solving
 Appreciate
diverse
opinions
Learning
Competence
 Evaluate
the
knowledge
and skills
acquired at
an
advanced
level in the
field with a
critical
approach.
 Determine
learning
needs and
direct the
learning.
 Develop
positive
attitude
towards
lifelong
learning.
 Demonstra
ted use of
Urdu and
English for
profession
al
communic
ation ns.
 Efficient
use
of
scholarly
and
practical
tools
Communication and
Social
Competence
 Inform people and
institutions, transfer
ideas and solution
proposals
to
problems in written
and orally on issues
in the field.
 Share the ideas and
solution proposals
to problems on
issues in the field
with professionals
and
nonprofessionals by the
support
of
qualitative
and
quantitative data.
 Organize
and
implement project
and activities for
social environment
with a sense of
social
responsibility.
 Monitor
the
developments
in
the
field
and
communicate with
peers by using both
Urdu and English
 Use informatics and
communication
technologies with at
least a minimum
level of European
Computer Usage
Advanced
Level
software
Knowledge.
Field Specific
Competence
 Act
in
accordance
with
social,
scientific,
cultural
and
ethical values
on the stages
of gathering,
implementatio
n and release
of the results
of data related
to the field.
 Possess
sufficient
consciousnes
s about the
issues
of
universality of
human rights,
social justice,
equality,
cultural values
in a diverse
world and also,
environmental
protection,
worker's
health
and
security.
 Demonstrate
academic
integrity in all
academic and
practical
activities.
Note: Admission will be granted on merit to those who have completed secondary
school certificate examination or A level examination and fulfill the eligibility criteria
set by AIOU.
Graduate Level 7 Leading to Master’s degree: Minimum Credit hours
required for graduation: 30
1. Each department offering Level 7 graduate program will list all
Graduate level courses currently offered to the level 7 students. They
will be using Course Code beginning with the name of the department,
Course Code beginning with 5000/6000 in an ascending order, Course
title and date of approval of the course. The department will archive
older courses not offered in the last seven semester in a departmental
repository.
2. The Department will prescribe the details of the required advanced
coursework supported by electives chosen by the student. Those
opting for non-thesis degree will complete the 30 credit hours course
work with advice of graduate committee and the Chair of the
department.
3. Those opting for a thesis will need to select a research committee
headed by an academic advisor from the department, which will
approve the research proposal and present it to the appropriate
departmental committee. Student will earn up to 6 credit hours on
successful defense of the thesis in the department committee.
4. University deadlines related to the process of thesis completion will
be strictly enforced.
5. Two copies of the approved thesis will be presented to the
department,
6. Admission to the program will be based on merit to those students
who have completed the Bachelor’s degree with 3.0 CGPA from a HEC
recognized institution and have met all the AIOU admission
requirements.
7. AIOU provides scholarship/financial aid to outstanding students with
high academic grades.
8. Each graduate course faculty will develop a detailed Course syllabus
using the following template:
a. Course code, title, credit hours and schedule when offered in the
academic year,
b. Course description no more than 300 words,
c. List the Sequence of activities from the 2nd week to the last week
of the semester consistent with the LMS.
d. Details of grading policy of the instructor,
e. Teaching methods to achieve the learning outcomes listed in c
above,
f. List of required reading texts, articles in research Journals from the
Web,
g. Enforcement of university Policy on Plagiarism in all forms of
academic activities and assigned work.
Table of Learning Outcomes for Level 07 for Master’s Degree
National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education in Pakistan
Key Student Learning Outcomes of Level 7*
1. KNOWLEDGE
-Theoretical
-Conceptual
 Develop and deepen
knowledge in the same or
in a different field to the
proficiency level based
on
Bachelor
level
qualifications.
 Conceive
the
interdisciplinary
interaction which the field
is related with.
 Advanced knowledge of
research in the chosen
field.
 Recent development in
one’s related field of
study.
 Cognitive,
creative,
constructive skills for
research and reporting
results.
 Utilitarian
applied
research to solve socioeconomic problems
2. SKILLS
-Cognitive
-Practical
 Use
of
theoretical
and practical
knowledge
within the field
at
a
high
proficiency
level.
 Interpret the
knowledge
about the field
by integrating
the
information
gathered from
different
disciplines
and formulate
new
knowledge.
 Solve
the
problem faced
related to the
field by using
research
methods and
tools.
 Critical ability
to analyze and
synthesize
technical
knowledge
and apply it to
solve complex
problems.
3.COMPETENCE
S
Competence to
Work
Independently
and Take
Responsibility
 Independently
conduct
studies
that
require
proficiency in
the field.
 Take
responsibility
and develop
new strategic
solutions as a
team member
in order to
solve
unexpected
complex
problems
faced
within
the
applications in
the field.
 Demonstrate
leadership in
contexts that
require solving
problems
related to the
field.
 Apply
methods and
tools of inquiry
to
advance
useful
knowledge
impacting
socioeconomic
growth.
Learning
Competence
 Evaluate
knowledge
and
skills
acquired at
proficiency
level in the
field with a
critical
approach
and
direct
the learning.
 Ethical use
of
knowledge
created by
others.
 Fidelity
of
data
gathering
and its use
in technical
reports
 Complete
and report
an
innovative
research
project
to
positively
impact
society
 Present
reports
of
the research
activities to
peers and
other senior
scholars
Communication
and Social
Competence
 Communicate
current
developments
and studies within
the field to both
professional and
non-professional
groups
systematically
using written, oral
and
visual
techniques
by
supporting
with
quantitative and
qualitative data.
 Investigate,
improve
social
connections and
their conducting
norms with a
critical view and
act to change
them
when
necessary.
 Communicate
with peers by
using a foreign
language
proficiently.
 Use
advanced
informatics
and
communication
technology skills
with
software
knowledge
required by the
field.
Field Specific
Competence
 Audit
the
data
gathering,
interpretation,
implementation and
announcement
stages by taking into
consideration
the
cultural, scientific,
and ethical values
and teach these
values.
 Develop strategy,
policy
and
implementation
plans
on
the
issues related to
the
field
and
assess
the
findings within the
frame of quality
processes.
 Use
the
knowledge,
problem
solving
and/or
implementation
skills
in
interdisciplinary
studies.
 Be familiar with
professional
codes of conduct
and adhere to
them for academic
integrity.
Note: Admission will be granted on merit to those who have completed Bachelor’s
Degree Program with a minimum of 50 % marks/ CGPA 3.00 on 4 point scale, and fulfil
the eligibility criteria of AIOU to pursue Master’s degree.
Tasks Ahead:
AIOU Online Portal for all Undergraduate and Graduate Courses:
AIOU is in the process of developing an online informative Portal of all
currently offered undergraduate and graduate courses and their schedules
for students to make informed decisions before admission. The portal will
provide instructions/guidelines by teaching faculty and coordinators of each
course on successful completion of the requirements of the courses.
High Quality MOOCS for Core General Education Required Courses:
AIOU is planning to develop high quality Mass Online Open Courses
(MOOCS) in collaboration with outstanding faculty from ranked
national/international universities. AIOU will develop and deliver online
versions of the nine required Core courses for all level 5 &6 undergraduate
degrees offered by them. It will develop agreements with all universities to
offer these online courses as MOOCS. Given the recent budget cuts for
Higher Education Commission and universities this will be a cost effective
way to offer international quality courses by AIOU effective autumn
semester 2021 to students enrolled in partner universities and from other
countries in the region and overseas.