Education Planning and Common Courses Coordination Office
This is an annex to the decision of our University Senate dated 12.08.2025 and numbered 2025/19.
Revision-Amendment-Approval: Board of Trustees Decision dated 24.09.2025 and numbered 2025/06.
Republic of Türkiye
ISTANBUL SABAHATTIN ZAIM UNIVERSITY
CENTRAL EDUCATION PLANNING COORDINATION IMPLEMENTATION PRINCIPLES
PART ONE
Introductory Provisions
Purpose
ARTICLE 1 – (1) The purpose of these Implementation Principles is to determine the working principles regarding the authority and responsibilities of the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Central Education Planning Coordination Office; and to regulate the principles and processes for the effective planning, execution, coordination and evaluation of educational activities.
Scope
ARTICLE 2 – (1) These Implementation Principles cover the processes related to the preparation of weekly course schedules and education planning for the formal undergraduate and graduate education programs conducted within Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.
Legal Basis
ARTICLE 3 – (1) These principles have been prepared in accordance with Article 13/b of Higher Education Law No. 2547 and other relevant legislative provisions.
Definitions
ARTICLE 4 – (1) In these Implementation Principles:
a) Academic Unit: refers to the faculties, departments, and the Graduate Education Institute affiliated with the University,
b) Administrative Staff: refers to administrative unit employees involved in the Coordination Office's activities,
c) Coordination Office Representatives: refers to academic or administrative representatives appointed by the faculties,
d) Coordination Office: refers to the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Central Education Planning Coordination Office,
e) Board: refers to the executive board of the relevant academic unit,
f) Vice Rector: refers to the Vice Rector responsible for educational activities,
g) Rector: refers to the Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
h) Senate: refers to the Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Senate,
i) University: refers to Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University,
shall have the meanings set out above.
PART TWO
Structure, Duties and Working Principles of the Coordination Office
Structure of the Coordination Office
ARTICLE 5 – (1) The Central Education Planning Coordination Office operates under the Rectorate, chaired by the Vice Rector responsible for educational activities.
(2) The Coordination Office is composed of academic or administrative representatives appointed from each faculty of the University.
(3) Relevant administrative staff undertake the secretarial and executive duties of the Coordination Office.
(4) Representatives are determined upon the proposal of the faculty deanships and the approval of the Rectorate.
Duties
ARTICLE 6 - (1) The duties of the Coordination Office are as follows:
a) To coordinate the preparation of weekly course schedules in inter-faculty coordination,
b) To contribute to appropriate planning by taking into account the capacity and usage efficiency of physical facilities such as classrooms, laboratories and lecture halls,
c) To evaluate processes such as opening groups, splitting courses, and assigning instructors according to numerical criteria and needs,
d) To plan and monitor the availability of elective courses,
e) To evaluate course planning and change requests from academic units and ensure their feasibility,
f) To develop institutional recommendations related to education planning,
g) To carry out the necessary planning processes in line with the University's academic calendar.
Working Principles
ARTICLE 7 – (1) The work of the Central Education Planning Coordination Office is carried out under the chairmanship of the Vice Rector responsible for educational activities, through meetings held when necessary and written communication.
(2) Meetings are held prior to course planning periods or at other times deemed necessary by the Coordination Office.
(3) Coordination Office members are obliged to attend the meetings to which they are invited.
PART THREE
Course Planning and Implementation Principles
Formation of Course Groups at Undergraduate Level
ARTICLE 8 – (1) In order for an undergraduate course to be divided into groups, the total number of students enrolled in the course must be at least 80.
(2) Each course group is planned to consist of at least 40 students. If this number cannot be reached, the course is conducted as a single group.
(3) If different group structures are required for the theoretical and practical parts of the course, each is evaluated separately.
(4) The number of groups is determined upon the proposal of the executive board of the relevant academic unit and the approval of the Coordination Office.
(5) In mandatory cases (laboratory capacity, practical courses, etc.), groups of fewer than 40 people may be opened with a justified board proposal and the approval of the Coordination Office.
Course Groups at Graduate Level
ARTICLE 9 – (1) The group structure of courses belonging to graduate programs is determined by taking into account the number of enrolled students, upon the proposal of the executive board of the relevant institute and the approval of the Coordination Office.
Opening of Elective Courses
ARTICLE 10 – (1) In order for an undergraduate elective course to be opened, the number of students enrolled in the course must be at least 12.
(2) Elective courses that fall below this number are not opened, or are conducted by merging them with another course that is suitable in terms of content.
Daily and Weekly Course Planning
ARTICLE 11 – (1) Courses exceeding three hours in duration must be split within the daily course schedule.
(2) Whether courses of three hours or less in duration are split is left to the discretion of the relevant faculty.
Planning of Course-Free Days
ARTICLE 12 – (1) Weekly course schedules at the department level are planned, where possible, so that at least one day is left free of courses.
Daily Course Load
ARTICLE 13 – (1) Faculty members may teach up to three different courses per day, for a total of up to six hours.
Allocation of Time for Scientific Studies
ARTICLE 14 – (1) In the weekly course schedules of full-time faculty members, it is essential, where possible, that one day per week be left free in order to allow time for scientific research.
PART FOUR
Miscellaneous and Final Provisions
Cases Not Covered by These Principles
ARTICLE 15- (1) In cases not covered by these Implementation Principles, the provisions of Higher Education Law No. 2547, other relevant legislative provisions, decisions of the Council of Higher Education, and Senate decisions shall apply.
Entry into force
ARTICLE 16- (1) These Implementation Principles shall enter into force on the date they are adopted by the Senate.
Execution
ARTICLE 16 – (1) These Implementation Principles shall be executed by the Rector.