Registration
Credit System
Credit System
Undergraduate Courses
_Credit Requirements
130 credits including at least 40 credits from one’s major TOEFL score of 560 (or its equivalent)
_Credit Information
One credit is normally earned by attending one hour of lecture per week for the entire semester. To complete the undergraduate course in four years, students generally take 12 to 24 credits every semester.
Students have a maximum of six years to complete their undergraduate course.
For more information regarding courses and credit hour designations,
please contact the ART: Tel. 2361/6, Fax. +82 42 350 2360.
_Credit Transfer
The maximum number of transferable credits earned from other universities is 66. Those credits will be recognized by KAIST departments (divisions) if they are equivalent to the courses offered within the program of study the student is currently undergoing at KAIST.
Master’s and Ph.D. Courses
_Credit Requirements
Master’s degree: Students must earn at least 36 credits, of which 24 or more must be course credits. M.S.-Ph.D. joint program: Students must earn at least 72 credits, of which 42 or more must be course credits.
Doctorate program: Students must earn at least 72 credits, of which 42 or more must be course credits and 30 or more research credits. Credits earned from a previous master’s course at KAIST may be used to fulfill the Ph.D. course credit requirement.
_Credit Information
One course credit is normally earned by attending one hour of lecture per week for the entire semester. Research credits are normally earned by doing thesis research and attending seminars and lab experiments. One research credit is equivalent to three hours of research work per week for the entire semester.
Generally, students take 9-12 credits (including research credits) every semester.
Students working for Master’s degrees have a maximum of five years to complete their course, and those for the doctoral degrees have a maximum of seven years. For more information, please contact and ART: Ext # 2361/6, Fax. +82 42 350 2360
_Dissertation
For graduation, each Master’s program student must complete 12 credits on thesis and research while 30 credits are required for the M.S.-Ph.D. joint program or doctorate program students.
Below is the guideline for thesis:
| Degree | Dissertation Review Committee | Key Criteria |
| Master’s | Three KAIST faculty members, including at least two full-time professors. | Problem solving ability is the main criteria. A 2/3 majority approval is needed for awarding the degree. |
| Doctorate | Five KAIST faculty members, including one representing a field other than the one from which the degree is sought. | Creativity is the main criteria. A 2/3 majority approval is needed for awarding the degree. Dissertation should be published in an international journal. |
_Credit Transfer
A maximum of 12 credits earned from other graduate schools are transferable to the master’s program in KAIST and a maximum of 18 to the doctoral program. Those credits will be recognized by KAIST departments (divisions) if they are equivalent to the course work and research offered within the program of study the student is currently undertaking at KAIST.
Grading System
KAIST uses the “A-B-C-D” grading system. A+ is one’s highest achievable result.
| Letter Grade | Explanation | Grade Point |
| A+, A0, A- | Outstanding Performance | 4.3, 4.0, 3.7 |
| B+, B0, B- | Superior Performance | 3.3, 3.0, 2.7 |
| C+, C0, C- | Satisfactory Performance | 2.3, 2.0, 1.7 |
| D+, D0, D- | Minimal Pass | 1.3, 1.0, 0.7 |
| F | Fail | - |
| W | Withdrawn | (not counted) |
Note that A+ is equivalent to 4.3 points of GPA while universities in some other countries have lower or higher maximum GPA points (4.0 or 4.5). Remember to check and convert your scores in formal documents.
Certificates
Certificates
There are various ways to have academic certificates issued for you.
_ At the Academic Registrar's Team
Certificate Types (Korean/English):
Official transcript, enrollment, graduation/degree conferment, expected graduation/degree conferment, course completion
_ Via vending machine
Certificate Types (Korean/English): official transcript enrollment. Location :
1st floor, Creative Learning Building (E11) (available 24 hours)
_ Long distant/postal issuance
You need to contact Academic Registrar’s Team for special arrangement.
--Basic fee is 500 won per copy. Course completion certificates for master’s and Ph.D. programs cost 1,000 won per copy. Educational payment certificates are issued free of charge.
Course Registration
Academic Calendar
The Spring Semester runs from the beginning of February to May and the Fall Semester from the beginning of September to December. Limited numbers of courses are offered during the Summer and Winter Semesters.
For detailed schedules, please check the full academic calendar announced at the start of every academic year.
Don’t forget to register for courses before the end of the previous semester.
Regular Enrollment
You can apply for the next semester’s courses by visiting KAIST Web site during the given period at the end of each semester. The application period is announced in school calendar.
If you missed this period, you still have a chance to apply for the classes during the add/drop period (the first two weeks of new semester). Remember that some popular courses will be full quickly, so the earlier you register, the more possibility you secure your position.
_Enroll online
Online application at http://kaipa.kaist.ac.kr or the CAIS System
Note that these require a portal access which you can obtain after finishing academic registration
Exchange students are invited to visit
http://webcais.kaist.ac.kr/devsso/lecture/lecture_elist.php
_Procedure
- Choose classes listed on the homepage (CAIS Web Service > Academic service > Opening courses).
- Apply to classes on the homepage/CAIS. - Print out completed application form.
- Obtain guidance professor’s signature and submit the form to the Department
office/interdisciplinary programs office.
Add/Drop Courses
You have the option of changing your schedule during the first two weeks of the semester (that's between September 1-12 for this semester). Use KAIPA to change your schedule and print out a sheet detailing the changes made, and then take this sheet to your Undergraduate advisor to receive a signature, then take the sheet to the academic registrar team.
The official withdrawal period for courses is between September 16-26 for this fall semester. However, for those who enrolled after 2007, the withdrawal period is extended to just before the midterm exams. You can withdraw from any course before midterms. However, you do not receive your scholarship unless you have completed 12 credits during the previous semester, so take care to leave at least that many courses.
Instead of being able to drop any course before the midterm, it is possible to retake a class (after receiving a grade other than W) only 3 times in your lifetime. And you can take the same course to completion only twice. Therefore it is a good idea to drop a course if you feel you are going to receive a D or an F. But, don't overdo it. (This system resulted in mass withdrawals from courses in the spring of 2008 – over 100 students withdrew from CS101 Programming.)
_Period: within two weeks from the beginning of a new semester
_Procedure
- Decide to add/drop courses on the KAIPA system (http://kaipa.kaist.ac.kr)
- Complete add/drop in KAIPA System.
- Print out completed add/drop form
- Obtain signature of course professor and supervising professor, and then
- Submit form to department/interdisciplinary programs office.
Withdrawal from Courses
_Period: within four weeks after the beginning of the semester for undergraduate students
and nine weeks for graduate students in every semester
_Procedure: same as the procedure for add/drop courses
Note that the grade of an withdrawn course is not included in the grade point average; students are given a “W” (withdrawal) on their transcripts.
Select courses from http://kaipa.kaist.ac.kr
Make-up Courses
_Registration Procedure: (same as the regular registration) Check “Make-up Course”
mark if you are registering for make-up courses.
- Students must repeat the course and earn credit if the required course’s grade is “F” However, students can repeat up to three courses regardless of grades.
- Make-up course’s final grade replaces the original grade, but it cannot exceed B+.
_Payment for make-up courses: Amount: 50.000 won for 1 credit.
(Example: 3 credits: 50,000 won x 3 = 150,000 won)
Academic Warning
If you have been attending KAIST for at least a year, and get a GPA of less than 2.0 in one semester, you will receive an academic warning. Three academic warnings in a row result in expulsion. (Not counting winter or summer semesters.) However, it is possible to request a hearing within 15 days of expulsion to explain your position; expulsion can be cancelled once. If you have a cumulative GPA of 1.0 or less, you will be expelled. In this case too it is possible to request a hearing within 15 days of expulsion to explain your position.
Credit Recognition Exams
For some of the mandatory general and elective courses, you can take exams at the beginning of a semester to obtain credit for the class (instead of attending lectures). There will be a short period at the beginning of each semester (about 3 days) during which you can sign up to take such credit recognition exams.
Academic Support
Tutoring Services
_Qualification
a. Korean/non-Korean undergraduate freshmen having trouble keeping pace with their undergraduate courses
b. Undergraduate non-freshmen with an average GPA of below 2.5
c. Non-Korean freshmen can apply for up to two courses for a maximum of two semesters.
_Fees (per class; a maximum of 24 hours for a class) Undergraduate freshmen and Korean non-freshmen with an average GPA of below 2.5 should pay 150,000 Korean won (i.e. 6,250 Korean won per hour); 150,000 won is subsidized by KAIST.
Undergraduate Student Advisor
Each undergraduate student at KAIST is assigned with an undergraduate advisor, a professor who is to serve as a sort of guidance counselor. After registering for a major, a professor from that major will become your Undergraduate Advisor. Your Undergraduate Advisor may give you much help and advice, and you will need his/her signature when altering your course schedule.
Language Support
Korean Language Courses
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers Korean Basic Course I & II for international students. It is obligatory for international undergraduate students to take the Korean Basic I in the first semester. Graduate students are not required to take the Korean language course but IITA, KRF, NIIED scholarship students are must take this course before graduate.
Other Language Support Available
_KAIST Language Center
The KAIST Language Center provides language education programs in both Korean and English. Students and researchers can take advantage of these language courses, special programs, English proof-reading services and Korean-English translation services.
The Language Center regularly offers free language courses (English and Korean) for students. Family members of international students can take free Korean courses at different levels at the KAIST Language Center.
For more information, contact the Language Center home page:
http://lang.kaist.ac.kr/english/
_English Clinic
English Clinic is offered by KAIST's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. You can check in free tutorial sessions with English professors for two or three times per week. It’s really helpful for improving your English converSat.ion and writing skills. For further information, please contact: http://kefl.kaist.ac.kr/
- KI House has volunteer Korean tutors. You can arrange for a one-on-one or group tutoring with KI House members.
- DaeHeung Baptist Church offers free Korean class (1 student/1 tutor) on Sunday and offers free local tour once a month. If you are interested, go to the KAIST Main Gate at 11:30 a.m. every Sunday.
- Hanbit church (next to KAIST West gate) also offers free Korean learning class for foreigners at weekends.
- There also are many local students who are willing to tutor you in Korean or to have a “mutual tutoring” arrangement with international students.
Libraries
KAIST Daejeon campus has two major libraries. The Science Library (E9) has many books and magazines in English and other languages. There also are a cafe and a bookstore on the first floor.
The undergraduate branch library (N10) has reading rooms and seminar rooms. Book photocopy service is available there at reasonable price. There are some computers in the library but they are not very powerful to work with (in searching books, for example), so it’s advisable to bring your own notebook computer to work there.
Science Library
Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 24:00
Sat: 09:00 - 17:00
Sun: 13:00 - 20:00
Undergraduate Branch Library
During semester: Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 24:00 Sat: 09:00 - 17:00
During vacation: Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 18:00 Sat: 09:00 - 13:00
_Closed on Sundays but the study area is open 24 hours a day.
In order to access photocopy and printing services at the two libraries, students need to use copy/printing cards, which can be purchased at the photocopy store inside the library.
IT on campus
IT on campus
All facilities in KAIST, including laboratories, offices, dormitories, libraries, and even lecture rooms are provided with internet connection. In your dormitory, you can find a memo which stats IP address for your own computer in order to access internet in your dorm room. If you need to obtain an IP address for your computer other than dormitory, please ask ICT team (http://ict.kaist.ac.kr).
Wireless connection is available in all buildings. You will be asked to fill in an online form with your ID number if it is the first logging in. The SSIDs for Wireless connection are usually “KAIST_IPv4” or “KAIST_IPv6”. If you have any problem with setting up Wireless connection, please ask ICT team.
There are several places in the campus where you can use public computers with internet connection for free:
_WooriCafe at 1st floor of Undergraduate Library (N10), 9AM-5PM weekdays
_1st & 2nd floor of Undergraduate Library (N10), 24 hours
_1st floor of Bio & Brain Engineering Division Building (E16), 24 hours
_BookCafe in Science Library (E9), when BookCafe is open
_1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor in Science Library (E9), when Science Library is open
_EVE-room in Computer Science Division Building (E3-1), 9AM-6PM for non CS-Major students
Beware that most of the public PCs are installed with Korean Language Windows XP, except the ones in Woori Cafe (N10)
How to get licensed software (KFTP)
KAIST provides licensed software for students, like Microsoft Office or HancomOffice, for free. Inside the campus you can download most of them through the KAIST Software Hub (http://kftp.kaist.ac.kr). Some software, like Windows XP, is available through each department office. Instead of using illegal copies through internet, try to use those licensed software.
Important Websites
KAIST Portal
The most important website for all KAIST students. General notices are provided through this website. It is strongly recommended to check the Portal daily to update on all the useful and critical information, such as scheduling for power stoppages, course registrations, and so on. Also, through the Portal, you can access your KAIST e-mail account, WebCais (on-line credit checking system), and the Group Study Room Booking system.
KAIPA : KAIST Course Registration Service
Before the beginning of the semester, you must register for the courses you want to take. This registration process goes through KAIPA. During the course registration change period, you can register for another course or drop the courses you don’t want to take, through this website.
ARA : KAIST On-line Forum, BBS
Buying & Selling used books and other things, discussions about KAIST, sharing information about recent movies - all those on-line conversations pass through ARA. Most of the topics in ARA are written in Korean, but you’re free to post an article in English. ARA started about 20 years. It is KAIST's oldest on-line forum.
LKIN : KAIST Course Knowledge Sharing
When you need to check up on a professor’s reputation or course evaluation score, LKIN is the best place to go. It provides useful comments on each courses and professors by students. Also, the Student Course Evaluation Score, gathered at the end of the each semester officially, is also provided. Finally, you can design your next semester’s course schedule with just a few clicks. Every semester the LKIN team updates the course table scheduler according to the course catalogue.
Other useful websites inside KAIST
http://library.kaist.ac.kr (Library and licensed journals)
http://kds.kaist.ac.kr (Dormitory registration system)
http://kisa.kaist.ac.kr (KAIST International Student Association)
http://msa.kaist.ac.kr (Muslim Student Association)
http://kacha.kaist.ac.kr (KAIST Chinese Student Association)
http://faq.kaist.ac.kr (KAIST FAQ system)
Useful websites outside KAIST
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr (The Korea Herald, an English Newspaper)
http://endic.naver.com (Korean-English online dictionary)
How to use Portal site (installing Active-X, ...)
To use KAIST Portal site, to read general notices, you must need some Active-X installed to your web browser. Usually those Active-Xs are automatically installed; otherwise you have to install them manually. In order to install Active-X, go to http://workflow.kaist.ac.kr. In a few second you'll see a notification which suggests you to install Active-X controls. While using KAIST Portal, beware that you need to install all Active-X controls to use it. If it never works, download https://portal.kaist.ac.kr/workflow/KaoniComponent.exe, and install it, and run "C:\Program Files\Common Files\KaoniComponent\register_auto.bat". (Start Menu-> Run -> ...)