Karadeniz Technical University

Karadeniz Technical University (KTU), founded on May 20, 1955, is the fourth oldest university in Turkey and the first established outside İstanbul and Ankara. On September 19, 1963, the university formally established its foundational faculties: Natural Sciences, Civil Engineering-Architecture, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, and Forestry. Educational activities began on December 2, 1963. Since its inception, the university's campus has expanded significantly, evolving into a green space that includes woodlands, playing fields, and facilities for social, cultural, and sports activities.

The university continued to grow with the addition of the Faculties of Earth Sciences and Medicine in 1973. A secondary campus, located 12 km from the main site, was developed to house the Faculty of Education, which offers programs across a wide range of teaching disciplines. Recent expansions include the establishment of the Faculties of Communication and Dentistry.

ECTS credit allocation

ECTS credits for each course at Karadeniz Technical University are calculated based on the actual student workload. This process involves several steps, including defining the objectives and learning outcomes of each course, identifying the activities required to achieve these outcomes on a semester basis, and estimating the time needed for both in-class and out-of-class activities. To ensure accuracy, course directors (lecturers and instructors) provide initial estimates, which are then validated through surveys conducted with successful students after completing the course. The average values, excluding outliers, are used to produce a more reliable estimate.

The total time required for all courses in a program is then summed up to determine the true workload for a semester, which typically ranges from 750 to 800 hours over a 17-week term, including the exam period. This total workload is proportionally distributed among the courses in the program to calculate their respective ECTS credits, equating to approximately 25 hours of workload per credit. However, in the faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, the student workload is significantly higher due to the extensive laboratory and clinical exercises, as well as dental model production requirements in the Dentistry program.

Research and application centers

Source:

History of Atatürk's Principles and Reforms Research Center