VU
Virtual University of Pakistan
Federal Government University

Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication (4 year program)

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication strives to provide students with a creative, diverse, and challenging academic environment that encourages risk-taking and promotes an examination of human values, cultural differences, and social questions and to prepare students for areas in the print and telecommunications media sectors. BS Mass Communication is offered with major in:

  • Print Media

  • Electronic Media

Objectives

After completing the BS Mass Communication, the students will be able to:

  • Learn latest trends in mass media as to how latest technology has changed the meaning of communication for us;

  • Analyze critically the contents of both print & electronic media as per their selected major subjects;

  • Develop a practical understanding of field through internship and specialized project;

  • Become media professional;

Eligibility Criteria

Intermediate (12 years of education)/ A- Level or equivalent qualification with at-least 45% marks

Note

 

  • Candidates having ‘A’ level or Deeni Asnad or foreign qualification are required to provide equivalence certificate from IBCC or HEC, Islamabad as applicable.

  • Candidates having less than 45% marks in Intermediate or equivalent qualification will be eligible for admission after the successful completion of “Zero  Semester”.

BS Lateral Entry Admission:

Applicants with a 2-year Associate Degree in the same discipline (from an HEC-recognized institution) will be able to join the 5th semester of a BS program. Those with an Associate Degree in a different discipline or a conventional BA/BSc degree (annual system) must complete a bridging semester/deficiency semester to address academic deficiencies.

The minimum admission eligibility is a 2.00/4.00 CGPA for Associate Degree holders (semester system) or 45% marks for BA/BSc or equivalent (annual system), along with meeting the University’s general admission criteria based on 12 years of education. The University may set higher standards for specific programs.

Assessment Criteria

The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, on-line quizzes, Graded Moderated Discussion Board (GDB), mid-term and final-term exams. The mid and final term exams are conducted at VU’s designated exam centers and usually count for 80 to 85% of the total marks for a course.

Award of Degree

To become eligible for the award BS (Mass Communication) degree, the students are required to complete prescribed 134 credit hours with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 out of 4.

Project / Internship / Practicals

w.e.f. Batch 2504

Rules for Final Year Project:

Capstone project will be of 03 Credit hours based on research, and will be offered in 8th semester. It will be a graded course; and if a student fails to qualify of the Capstone Project, the “F” grade will be awarded to the student.

In order to enroll Capstone Project, students must have:

  1. Achieved a CGPA of 2 or higher
  2. Earned 112 or more credit hours.
  3. Passed STA630-Research Methods course.
  4. Students will submit a detailed write-up of the research project and will give a viva presentation. Only those students will be called for viva presentation, who will pass the written work.

 

Rules for Internship/ Fieldwork

  1. In Internship Report (MCMI619: Internship Report), students are required to complete 6-8 weeks internship in any media organization, Ad Agency or PR department. Students shall get Internship Completion Certificate issued by concerned organization.
  2. Students will submit a detailed internship report and will give a viva presentation.
  3. In order to enroll the Internship course, the student must earned 82 or more credit hours.

Scheme of Study

Total Credit Hours 134
Total Semesters 8
Duration 4 Years


BS (Mass Communication) Course Selection Rules
Semester No. 1
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS101 Introduction to Computing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ENG101 English Comprehension Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM101 Introduction to Mass Communication Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MGT502 Organizational Behaviour Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
PAK301 Pakistan Studies Required 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
VU001 Introduction to e-Learning Required 1 (Theory:1, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 2
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
ENG201 Business and Technical English Writing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM401 Fundamentals of Public Relations Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MGT211 Introduction To Business Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC101 Introduction to Sociology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
URD101 Urdu Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
ETH202 Ethics (for Non-Muslims) Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
ISL202 Islamic Studies Elective 2 (Theory:2, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 3
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
GSC101 General Science Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM301 Communication skills Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM601 Media Management Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MGT301 Principles of Marketing Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MTH100 General Mathematics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 4
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
ECO401 Economics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM304 Mass Media in Pakistan Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCMP310 Journalistic Writing Required 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1)
MTH302 Business Mathematics & Statistics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
SOC401 Cultural Anthropology Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 5
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
MCM431 Development Communication Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM511 Theories of Communication Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM604 International Communication Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM610 Mass Communication Law & Ethics Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MGT503 Principles of Management Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
STA301 Statistics and Probability Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 6
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
MCM520 Contemporary Mass Media Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCMI619 Internship Report-Mass Communication Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCMP501 Advertising for Print and Electronic Media Required 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1)
MCMP517 Online Journalism Required 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1)
SOC610 Electronic Media & Virtual Community Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
STA630 Research Methods Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 7
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
CS204 Cyber Law Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
IT430 E-Commerce Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM499A Final Year Project Required STA630
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM611 Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Media Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCMP531 Community Journalism Required 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1)
PSC201 International Relations Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
 
Semester No. 8
Course Code Title Type Pre Requisite Credit Hours Specialization
MCM499B Final Year Project Required MCM499A
3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCM620 Specialized Project Required 3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)
MCMP311 Reporting and Sub-editing Elective 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1) Print Media
MCMP411 Introduction to Broadcastings Elective 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1) Electronic Media
MCMP514 Feature & Column Writing Elective 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1) Print Media
MCMP515 Radio News Reporting & Production Elective 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1) Electronic Media
MCMP516 TV News Reporting & Production Elective 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1) Electronic Media
MCMP532 Magazine Journalism Elective 3 (Theory:2, Practical:1) Print Media
 


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