2.

0 THE PROFESSIONAL MASTER OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

DEGREE

2.1 Admission Requirements

2.1.1 General Requirements for Application

The admission policy includes a very strict selection procedure based absolutely on merit i.e.,
performance solely in the admission test; the students are required to appear at the qualifying
examinations, consisting of a written and an oral test.

2.1.2. Eligibility For Admission

Admission is open to prospective candidates, either Bangladeshi or foreign nationals, who
have at least a Bachelor/Graduation degree or its equivalent from any recognized university
or at least a four year MBBS/Engg./B. Arch./B Pharm./BDS degree from other institutions
recognized by the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Education,
Government of Bangladesh such as medical colleges, engineering universities/colleges,
police staff college/defense college, marine institute, agricultural universities/colleges or
a Master’s degree with graduation in Pass Course.

No candidate with a third division/class or GPA/ CGPA less than 2.5 at any stage of
academic degree will be eligible to apply. Government officials, professionals from disaster
and emergency management, environment, development, health, gender, population, and
other viable fields with practical experiences are encouraged to apply. Students who have
appeared in their Undergraduate final or master’s final examination with Degree/Pass Course
graduation or its equivalent may also apply with conditions that they will have to submit their
certificates within the timeframe given by the Admission Committee of the Institute.

Candidates who have passed at least five (5) papers in GCE “O” level and two (2) papers of
“A” level/ GED may also apply. Such candidates should obtain at least a B grade in five (5)
papers and C grade in two (2) papers of the seven (7) papers at “O” and “A” levels/GED.

For candidates from foreign universities, eligibility will be determined by the equivalence
committee of the University of Dhaka as per admission rules; students from foreign
universities “might” be exempted from written admission test depending upon their
performance at graduate level; the discretion of the Admission Committee of the Institute will

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decide on this. However, they will have to produce at least three letters of recommendations
from referees in the relevant field of study.

2.2 Application Procedure

Application form along with information brochure is available at the Office of the Institute on
payment of fees. The filled-in application form should be submitted to the Office of the
Institute before or within the date mentioned in the circular.

2.3 Selection of Students

2.3.1 Structure of the Admission Test

The admission test is designed to evaluate an aspirant’s analytical ability, quantitative
aptitudes, critical reasoning, and linguistic competencies. The students will be notified by
IDMVS about the date and venue of the admission test to be held at the University of Dhaka.
The admission test comprises 100 marks, of which 90 will be for Written Examination and 10 on
oral test. A total of 40 (Forty) students will be admitted into the MDM Program, of which some
positions are reserved for Professionals, and some are reserved for successful Postgraduate
Diploma (PGDDM) /Training certificate holders of IDMVS on the basis of merits. The
admission test will focus on the following three parts:

a) Quantitative Aptitude: The quantitative part is aimed at evaluating the candidates’

aptitudes in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry in the form of mathematical comparison,
problems, etc. The questions will most likely include the followings:

Arithmetic: Percentage, proportions, ratios, fraction, interest, simplifications, etc.

Algebra: Factors, series, functions, linear equations, graphs, etc.

Geometry: Coordinates geometry, loci, straight lines, angles, triangles, parallelograms,

rectangles, squares, spheres, circles, areas, volumes, perimeters, planes, etc.

b) English Language: Questions in the MCQ part of this section will test the candidates’
knowledge and understanding of English grammar, syntax, comprehension, etc. Writing
skills, structural writing, short essay, comprehensive, précis, paragraph writing, sentence
correction, etc.

c) Critical Reasoning and Analytical Ability

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This part consists of two sections. The first tests the candidate’s general knowledge and the
second focuses on the candidate’s analytical ability, logical reasoning, and ability to
synthesize information to arrive at logical conclusions. Descriptive, analytical, and
quantitative questions of various types might be asked.

d) Two-paragraph writing in the native language and/or in English is compulsory to evaluate

the student`s narrative writing capacity, contemporary knowledge, and language skill.

2.3.2 Marks Distribution of Admission Test/Qualifying Examination

Topics Marks
English Language and Grammar (MCQ) 20
Quantitative Aptitude (MCQ) 20
Critical Reasoning and Analytical Ability (MCQ) 30
Contemporary and Relevant issue-based Paragraph (Written) 20
Subtotal (90)
Viva Voce 10
Grand Total 100

The duration of the written test will be eighty (80) minutes. Only the successful students who
qualify in the written test will be called for viva voce/oral examination.

2.3.3 Final Selection and Registration

The final selection of a student will be determined based on the performance in the written
test and viva voce examination. Applicants, finally accepted to the MDM program, should
obtain the prescribed form for admission to the University from the office of the IDMVS and
submit the completed form along with three (3) passport size and two (2) stamp size
photographs with other required documents within the stipulated time. Candidates who
complete the above formalities must pay the required fees as determined by the Institute’s
office. Enrollment in MDM is conditional to the completion of all admission procedures,
including payment of all fees to the office of the Institute.

2.4 PMDM Curriculum

The one-and-a-half-year PMDM Program comprises a total of 1600 marks, which will be
reflected and distributed into 48 credit hours. Important to note, after each semester until 3rd,
all students are required to appear at their semester-end oral examinations.

First Semester: (500 Marks, 15 Credits)

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Second Semester: (500 Marks, 15 Credits)

Third Semester: (600 Marks, 18 Credits)

Semester and Distribution of Courses

The distribution of course units, marks, and credit buildups for PMDM go as follows:

2.4.1. First Semester

Five (5) course units are taught in the first semester in order for the students to understand the
necessary basics.

2.4.2 Second Semester

In the second semester, four (4) compulsory and one (1) area courses are offered. Among an
array of diverse Area courses, students are free to pursue their choicest ones. These five (5)
courses are made mandatory for all students, which provide a functional basis for analytical
skills and a ground for consolidating the most important issues in disaster management.
Important to note that, Area courses might be replaced/introduced based on the
requirements/demand of the program and subject to course teacher`s availability.

2.4.3. Third Semester

In the third semester, two (2) mandatory courses are taught to “all” students. Students are
divided into Thesis and Non-thesis groups based on their performance at first and second-
semester final examinations (decided by the Academic Committee of the Institute) and their
specific research interests.

For Thesis Group, every student under a supervisor will conduct an independent research on a
specific problem; the thesis comprising 200 marks (containing 6 credits) is to be accomplished
through field visits, data collection, data analyses, structured scientific writing, and a viva
voce. Besides thesis, the students are required to select an elective courses from the offered
area courses. On the other side, a students of Non-thesis group shall select either research
monograph or internship options along with two electives from the offered area courses. At the
end of this semester, all students from both Thesis and Non-thesis groups will have to appear in
the Comprehensive Examination (written and oral).

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2.5 Administering the Program
1. The Institute will provide a semester calendar before the beginning of a semester indicating
the duration of class teaching, dates of Midsemester examination, date of submission of
assignment/term paper, duration of the preparation week, dates for the semester final
examinations and commencement of the next semester.

2. At the beginning of a semester, the assigned course teacher/instructor will provide the
students with a course outline comprising the objectives, contents, and academic activities
and schedules (teaching approaches such as labs, practical, case studies, field work, lecture,
presentation etc.) related to the course, required texts to be followed, the dates for
Midsemester examinations and submission of term paper (s)/home assignments(s).

3. All Semester Final Examinations will be conducted by the Institute, with the assistance of
the Office of the Controller of Examinations, University of Dhaka.

4. The Controller of Examinations, University of Dhaka will be responsible to publish the

result and issue the certificate/transcript of the Semester Final Examinations of the Program.

5. All students will have to fill in the examination entry form, provided by the Controller of
Examinations, University of Dhaka on payment of dues, for appearing at the Semester Final
Examination of the Third Semester.

6. The Controller of Examinations, University of Dhaka will publish the cumulative results of
the PMDM Program and provide transcripts showing course-wise grades and the Cumulative
Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the candidates for the degree concerned.

2.6 Evaluation And Grading Process

(a) Evaluation and grading will be determined on the basis of an overall evaluation of
student’s performance in Midsemester examination, Semester Final Examination, term
paper(s)/home assignment(s), class attendance and active participation in the discussion
class/tutorial class/group presentation/class test.

The Distribution of Marks for Theoretical Courses is as follows:

Schemes Marks Distribution (%)

Class attendance 5%
Active participation in the discussion class/tutorial 10%
class/group presentation/Class Test

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 Midsemester examination (duration of 75 minutes) 20%
Term paper(s)/Home assignment(s) and Presentation 15%
Semester Final Examination (duration of 3 hours) 50%
TOTAL 100%

Marks Distribution of Courses which Combines Theoretical with Practical will be divided as
follows:

Sessional - 25% Distribution (%)

Class attendance 5%
Active participation in the discussion class/tutorial 10%
class/group presentation/Class Test
Midsemester examination (duration of 50 minutes) 10%
Practical - 25%
Attendance 5%
Practical/Field work 20%
Semester Final Examination 50%
TOTAL 100%

Marks Distribution of for Thesis/Dissertation course (3rd semester) students [Thesis Group]
will be divided as follows:

Thesis Distribution (%)

Thesis Writing 150 Marks
Defense 50 Marks
Total 200 Marks

• Supervisor meeting reports and all raw data collected from the field must be
submitted before the defense
• Article Publication/submission for publication in peer-reviewed / impact factor
journal collaboration with the supervisor is a must to achieve the degree
• Thesis will be offered to top 10% of students based on previous semester results or
gathering CGPA 3.50 in previous semester. In exceptional cases Academic Council
will take the decision.

Marks Distribution of for Research Monograph/Internship course (3rd semester) students

[Non-Thesis Group] will be divided as follows:

Research Monograph Or, Internship Distribution (%)

Report Writing 75 marks
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 Viva-voce 25 Marks
TOTAL 100 Marks

2.6.1 Class Attendance

Class attendance carries only 5% marks of the course, but this part is very important to get a
chance for attending semester final examination.

The course Teacher/ Instructor will maintain the Class Attendance Registrar and submit it to the
Director at the end of class. A student will have to attend at least 75% of the classes held in a
course to be eligible to sit for the Semester Final Examination. However, students with
attendance of 60% to 74% will be treated as Non-collegiate with a financial penalty,
and below 60 percent as Discollegiate students. Holding below 60% attendance students’
application will be scrutinized in the AC meeting for giving and special permission to
attend final examination.

Attendance range (in percent) Marks

90% and above 5.0
85% to less than 90% 4.5
80% to less than 85% 4.0
75% to less than 80% 3.5
70% to less than 75% 3.0 with financial penalty
65% to less than 70% 2.5 with financial penalty
60% to less than 65% 2.0 with financial penalty
55% to less than 60% 0 not allowed to attend examination
50% to less than 55% 0 not allowed to attend examination
45% to less than 50% 0 not allowed to attend examination
Less than 45% 0 not allowed to attend examination

2.6.2 Class Test, Midsemester Examination, and Term Paper

1. Students will appear at a Class Test carrying 10% marks after a partial completion of the
course

2. The course Teacher/Instructor will take a Midsemester examination, carrying 20% marks
of the course

3. Before the end of the course, the students will submit a Term Paper/Assignment
comprising 15% marks

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