Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka is located in the village of Vantharumoolai, 17 km to north from Batticaloa and about the same distance to south from Valaichchenai. The University lies on both sides of the Batticaloa-Colombo main road.

The Faculty of Science was set up when the Batticaloa University College was established on 1st August 1981.

The Faculty consists of five Academic Departments, namely, 

• Department of Botany 
• Department of Chemistry
• Department of Mathematics
• Department of Physics
• Department of Zoology.

The Faculty offers Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Zoology as Principal subjects for the degree programmes.

The Faculty offers the following degree programmes:

• Bachelor of Science (General) - BSc(General)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Botany - BScHons(Botany)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry - BScHons(Chemistry)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Computer Science-   BScHons(ComputerSc)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematics -BScHons(Mathematics)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics - BScHons(Physics)
• Bachelor of Science Honours in Zoology - BScHons(Zoology)

English is the medium of instruction in the Faculty, since the inception in 1981.

Continues assessment is a series of class assignments and other forms of in-class assessments. All continuous assessments conducted shall be taken into computation, but the weight for different types of assessment (i.e. not equal weight for assignment, quizzes, open book exam, spot test, etc.) shall be decided by the Lecturer in-charge and expected to be announced to the students at the beginning of the course.

Candidates must pass the G.C.E (Advanced Levels) examination with Z Score above the required level. The entry rules are laid down in the Students Handbook issue by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the relevant year. The student registration is done through the UGC of Sri Lanka.

Prospective students should apply to University Grants Commission (UGC). Foreign students also can apply who have fulfilled the entry criteria prescribed by the UGC.

The Orientation Programme for new students consists of intensive courses in “English” and “IT” in addition to various activities to orient students to the degree programme and University life. The aim of the two intensive courses is to bring all students to a common level in English and IT knowledge so that the students are prepared to follow courses when the academic programme starts.

The Degree of Bachelor of Science (General) programme is of three academic years duration and a student should have obtained a minimum of 90 credits for the award, and the Degree of Bachelor of Science Honours programmes are of four academic years duration and a student should have obtained a minimum of 120 credits for the award.

The Faculty of Science conducts courses under a semester-based course unit system.  An academic year is divided into two semesters, identified as the first semester and the second semester of a particular academic year such that each semester is of 15 weeks of academic activities. 

An academic year consists of two semesters with approximate schedule given below: 

Orientation -   2 Weeks  

First Semester 1 - 15 Weeks 

Study leave -   2 Weeks 

Examination -   4 Weeks 

Vacation -   2 Weeks

Second Semester - 15 Weeks 

Study leave -   2 Weeks 

Examination -   4 Weeks 

Vacation -   6 Weeks

The present curriculum under the semester system retains the strong commitment to interdisciplinary study and offers students more flexibility.

The study BSc and BScHons degree programmes are carefully designed by sequencing course units and the core of the curricula of these study programmes are through courses from Principal Subject Area, and the remaining course units are covered from Auxiliary, Enhancement (EN) and Supplementary (SP) courses. The Auxiliary and Enhancement courses are compulsory for all students and Supplementary courses are elective.

Evaluation system of a course consists of Formative (Continuous) and Summative (End Semester) Assessments/ Examinations. Moreover, the evaluation has been based on the Grade Point Average (GPA).

What is End Semester Examination? 

The End Semester Examination (summative assessment) shall take the conventional form of a final examination at the end of semester, which may be closed book and shall account for 60 - 80% of the total grade.

Continuous (Formative) assessment usually account for 20 - 40% of the total grade. Formative assessments may consist of mid-semester examinations, quizzes given in class, take-home assignments such as papers or problem sets, in-class presentations by students, projects, etc.

All continuous assessments conducted shall be taken into computation, but the weight for different types of assessment (i.e. not equal weight for assignment, quizzes, open book exam, spot test, etc.) shall be decided by the Lecturer in-charge and expected to be announced to the students at the beginning of the course.

Each student is assigned to a lecturer for frequent attention. The areas of attention students receive are academic matters, financial difficulties, family problems, romantic involvements, harassments and abuse, career guidance, or any other matter that a student may need guidance. The information shared with the lecturers are absolutely confidential and the student identities will not be revealed to anyone. The lecturers are supposed to ‘own these students’ and the lecturers are called ‘Mentors or Academic Councilors’. The process is called mentoring. There are about 10-15 students assigned to each lecturer for mentoring.

The University provides hostel facilities to all the eligible students during the entire three or four years of study from all the Faculties. The University has a medical center, sports and recreational facilities, post office, banks, student clubs/societies, cafeteria facilities, religious places of worship for all the major religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam) etc.

The Faculty offers taught masters degrees with research component: MSc in Science Education and MSc in Environmental Science, for which application are invited by open advertisements.

The Faculty of Science also offers research degree programmes: Degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The fields of study in which students will be registered for these programmes depend on the availability of supervision and facilities in the particular field