Approved by
RECTOR:
(Prof. Ph.D. Zapryan KOZLUDZOV)  
Academic Council Minutes No 9/11.04.2016

• This curriculum was developed under the Ordinance on the state requirements for the acquisition of higher education and educational qualification degrees (Bachelor, Master and Specialist) of 2002, and as of the 2004/2005 academic year, it also complies with Ordinance No 21 of 30.09.2004 on the adoption of a credit transfer and accumulation system in the higher education institutions. It was elaborated by a committee involving the heads (or authorized representatives) of departments, it was subject to discussion within each department, accepted by the Faculty Council and approved by the Academic Council.
• The curriculum reflects the results of the educational project of the European Commission TUNING Educational Structures in Europe for development by representatives of over 140 university educational standards in higher education of a united Europe, according to the Bologna process. A member of the working group on mathematical sciences was FMI of Plovdiv. Development standards were reflected in the regulations of the EU Member States.
• The curriculum has a clear link to the mission, goals and objectives of the Strategy for the development of Plovdiv University (2011-2020). In particular, the curriculum is in line with the mission to conduct quality university training in the specialty, helps maintain the objective FMI and Plovdiv University are leading educational center in the specialty, to reform education based on modern information and communication technologies and to enhance the quality of education, inclusive orientation and maintain high competitiveness of FMI and PU specialty.
• The curriculum was updated in October 2013 under the project of the European Social Fund: BG051PO001-3.1.07-0009; №D01-3609 / 19.02.2013, "Improving the quality of training in informatics and ICT at FMI in PU through the creation and implementation of a sustainable model for updating the curricula, according to the EU's strategy for growth" Europe 2020 "and the requirements of the labor market." This curriculum was developed jointly with the Bulgarian Association of Software Companies - BASCOM and Cluster ICT Plovdiv - Plovdiv ICT Cluster.
• This update is in line with the international standard ISO / IEC TR 19759: 2005 (SWEBOK) and "strategic requirements of the software industry for the reform of the education system" of professional organizations in the field of ICT: BASCOM, Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies - BAIT, Bulgarian Web Association, ICT Cluster, the European Software Institute - Center Eastern Europe, Telecommunications Association. The update gives practical training to meet the requirements of the labor market and to increase the competitiveness of students.
• One academic year consists of three trimesters (Autumn, Winter and Spring). 
• Each trimester, contact hours are spread over 10 weeks for full-timers and 3 weeks for part-timers.
• The curriculum contains mandatory courses which are fundamental for the speciality.  Elective courses add to the specialisation of students’ training in a related field of study chosen by students. Optional courses provide students with knowledge in various fields, such as mathematics, business, law, psychology, modern languages, etc.
• If a student has taken exams in more elective courses than required, they are duly entered in the Diploma. Optional or elective courses can also be ones which are not on the curriculum, but in which the student has taken exams at FMI of Plovdiv University (or at another faculty or university in case of transfer), as well as during specialisation in the country or abroad within academic exchange programs.
• Each program ends with either a written State Exam or thesis defense. 
• Assessment takes place either during exam sessions following each trimester or during continuous assessment throughout a trimester. The main form of examination is a written examination (incl. Electronic version), ending with a discussion with the student when forming the final assessment and communicate the reasons for it.
• One ECTS credit equals 25 hours of student workload astronomical or 33⅓ hours student workload. Student workload includes lecture and extracurricular work.
• Comparison of traditional and ECTS estimates given in the following table:

KEY: CH – contact hours; L – lectures; Lw – lectures per week; Se – seminars; Sw – seminars per week; L - labs; Lw - labs per week; SS – self-study; T – total;  C – ECTS credits; TA – type of assessment; AY – academic year; Tr – trimester; Tn – trimester number;  E – exam; CA – continuous assessment; A – Autumn, W – Winter, S – Spring