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Examinations: Types of exams

Online Examinations (Virtuelle Prüfungen)

According to the general part of the exam guidelines, study and exam performances can also be taken by using “new media” if the conditions are fitting. The Board of Examiners decides if this is permissible. The principles of a fair examination procedure have to be followed. This may also involving reviewing the test taker’s identity and reviewing the examination standard (such as reviewing permitted aids, guarantee of supervision, …).

Colloquia (Kolloquium)

The word colloquium comes from the Latin word colloqui, which means ‘to discuss’ or ‘to confer’, which became loqui, which means ‘to talk’ or ‘to speak’. In a colloquium, participants discuss certain topics and scientific problems, especially in preparation for an exam or as a forum for listening to guest speakers.
The colloquia (Kolloquia) were designed for bachelor’s and master’s degree students.
Workload: 90 hours
ECTS: 3 ECTS 

Oral exams (Mündliche Prüfungen)

The oral examinations are intended to demonstrate that the student recognizes the interrelationships within the field being examined and can categorize specific problems and issues within these interrelationships. The duration of an oral exam is set out in the Examination Rules and can also be seen in the exam schedule. In oral examinations the student will be informed about the result immediately after the exam. 
Oral examinations are:

  • oral exams
  • Presentation: In an oral presentation the student should demonstrate the s/he is successfully able to discuss a specific subject from a special field in the form of a presentation. An oral presentation should not take less than 15 minutes bus also not exceed 90 minutes.
  • Colloquia (Kolloquium)

Practicals (Praktikum)

Practicals are a typical form of teaching in the natural sciences. In these disciplines, practicals provide students with the opportunity to apply subject-specific methods, conduct experiments and collect data. Practicals allow students to acquire practical and methodological skills in the subject of study. Students are required to work more independently in practicals than in other classes.
Practicals (Praktika) were designed for master’s degree students.
Workload: 180 hours
ECTS: 6 ECTS  

Projects - Bachelor's degree (Projekte)

Projects allow students to learn how to critically analyze complex problems and develop solutions in groups. Students learn how to put the theoretical knowledge and skills they have gained in their studies into practice in the form of an actual work situation. Projects are open in structure, problem-based and strongly application-oriented. They promote students’ communication and cooperation skills through teamwork. Each team works on an entire research topic that is either original, one they have chosen or has been assigned.
Students are required to conduct scientific work in a project, which also helps to prepare them for writing a final thesis later. Projects are listed in the Course Overview, or students can design their own projects in co-operation with a supervisor. 
Projects (Projekte) were designed for bachelor’s degree students.
Workload: 180 hours
ECTS: 6 ECTS 

Projects - Master's degree (Projekte)

Similar to projects for bachelor’s degree students, team projects allow master’s degree students to learn how to critically analyze complex problems and develop solutions in groups. Students learn how to put the theoretical knowledge and skills they have gained in their studies into practice in the form of an actual work situation. Projects are open in structure, problem-based and strongly application-oriented. They promote students’ communication and cooperation skills through teamwork. Each team works on an entire research topic that is either original, one they have chosen or has been assigned.
Students are required to conduct scientific work in a project, which also helps to prepare them for writing a final thesis later. Projects are listed in the Course Overview, or students can design their own projects in co-operation with a supervisor. 
Team projects (Teamprojekte) were designed for master’s degree students.
Workload: 480 hours
ECTS: 16 ECTS

  

Foundation Seminars (Proseminare)

Foundation seminars (Proseminare) provide students with a foundation in certain topics. Instead of teachers preparing the learning material and presenting it to the class, students are expected to study on their own and present certain topics to the rest of the class in required presentations. After these presentations, students are expected to take part in discussions in which they reflect and offer constructive criticism. Students are also required to write a paper (Hausarbeit) about their presentation topics after the seminar is complete. Teachers act as advisors and also lead the discussions in foundation seminars. Foundation seminars are lead by one or more teachers, who are not required to be habilitated (they generally have a PhD or a master’s degree).
Foundation seminars (Proseminare) were designed for bachelor’s degree students.
Workload: 90 hours
ECTS: 3 ECTS

 

Written exams (Schriftliche Prüfungen)

During written examinations the student should demonstrate that within a limited period and with limited resources, s/he can identify a problem and find ways of solving a problem using the standard scientific methods applicable to his/her subject. The duration of written exams is fixed in the examination rules and can also be seen in the exam schedule. Written examinations are:

  • Written exams: The permissible resources will be announced by means of a notice sufficiently in advance.
  • Reports: In a report the student should demonstrate that s/he is able to successfully deal with a specific subject from a special field in written form.
  • Protocols: In a protocol the student demonstrate in written form that s/he is able to prove that s/he has successfully taken part in a seminar, project or internship.

 

Advanced Seminar (Seminare)

Advanced seminars are classes in which subjects can be explored in more depth than in foundation seminars (Proseminare). As in foundation seminars, instead of teachers preparing the learning material and presenting it to the class, students are expected to study on their own and present certain topics to the rest of the class in required presentations. After these presentations, students are expected to take part in discussions in which they reflect and offer constructive criticism. Students are also required to write a paper (Hausarbeit) about their presentation topics after the seminar is complete. Teachers act as advisors and also lead the discussions in advanced seminars. As experts in their fields, they help students learn how to conduct their own research, lead the discussions and provide background information.
Advanced seminars (Seminare) and graduate seminars (Hauptseminare) are different from lectures in that students learn how to work independently through exercises, discussions and presentations.
Advanced seminars (Seminare) were designed for bachelor’s and master’s degree students.
Workload: 120 hours
ECTS: 4 ECTS