Policy Title: Policy defining Minor and Major Changes to be incorporated in the

BDS Courses and Program

Purpose: To define and categorize the changes to be incorporated in the courses
offered by the BDS Program of Prince Nourah Bint Abdurehman University,
College of Dentistry.

Applicability (Scope): BDS Program

Detailed Policy The technological advancements in pedagogical techniques and scientific

Statement advancements in the field of dentistry are rapidly occurring, which
necessitates changes in the contents, learning outcomes of the courses as
well as dental programs. To regulate these changes, it is important to
define the category of the changes. In broader perspective, the changes in
courses are categorized into two i.e. Minor Changes and Major Changes

 Minor Changes: The minor changes refer to changes to

courses that will not significantly impact students or the
learning outcomes of the program. These changes may
include:

• change of course sequencing and/or a course delivery method.

• Updating course content to maintain relevant curriculum (i.e.,
textbooks, assessments).
• Changes in the Course Contents provided it doesn’t affect the
course learning outcome
The minor changes can be made at the Department Level but these would
be subjected to approval by a committee of experts. Textbooks update
have to be approved at the department level then submitted to college
board for approval.

 Major Changes: A major change is a more substantial change

to the course and the program that typically will impact
students learning outcomes SLOs. These changes are
incorporated to address the external factors such as
advancement in the field, changed job market requirements,
government regulations etc. The examples of major changes
are:

• Changes in the Course Learning Outcomes

• Changes in the Program Learning Outcomes
 • changes to course pre-requisites, co-requisites; and/or
• changes to course numbering and titles;
• Changes in Study Plan
• changes to number of courses, credits, semesters and/or hours
of delivery
• Changes in Field Experience Specifications.
The major changes are made at the Department Level then raised to
program committee, quality assurance committee and college board
respectively.

Training The Department Chairs, Course directors and contributors as well as Vice
Assumptions: Deans would be provided necessary training to identify and handle minor
and major changes at the courses and program levels.
Prepared by: Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
Next Review Date: May 17th 2020
Documents None
superseded by this
document:
Office of Origin: Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
Policy Approval College Board, PNU College of Dentistry
Authority:
Relevant forms: Program Specification
Program Report
Program Learning Outcomes
Course Specifications
Course Reports
Field Experience Specifications
Filed Experience Report
Curriculum
Getting Help Vice Dean for Quality and development
Implementation The implementation will be made at the department level.
Procedures
Enforcement With effect from 2019
Key Words: Major Change, Minor Changes,
Program Specification
Program Report
Program Learning Outcomes
Course Specifications
Course Reports
Field Experience Specifications
Filed Experience Report