The examination regulations for Data Science

Explanations and important information on the current as well as the expiring examination regulations
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The examination regulations (PO) are one of the most important documents in the study program. It specifies the structure and scope of the study program, includes regulations for deadlines as well as the type and scope of examinations, defines compulsory and elective areas, and much more. The examination regulations are, so to speak, the law book of the study program.

Why is there more than one PO?

In case of changes in the study program, it may be necessary to create new examination regulations. Thus, it is possible that several POs exist for a study program - the current and the expiring ones. For students, the examination regulations with which one has been enrolled always apply.

The current examination regulations (2022)

The current examination regulations for the study program Data Science are the exam regulations 2022. These are valid for all new starters (both new students and students changing the study program) from 01.10.2022. This examination regulations are a joint one together with the bachelor study programs Computer Science, Software Engineering and Media Informatics. All paragraphs from §1 up to and including §33 apply to all 4 study programs. In the appendices 1 to 4, the individual, subject-specific specifications are described and presented in a table in each case. Annex 1 is relevant for the study program Data Science.

Exam regulations 2022

The curriculum

The specifications of the examination regulations regarding the compulsory and elective modules are shown as a study progress plan for a better overview. This plan does not show any deadlines or other concerns of the examination regulations. It only indicates which modules should be completed when and in what order, as well as where there is room for elective modules. The plan therefore serves as an orientation guide for the study program and can be individually adapted. Nevertheless, it is important to note that most modules are only offered once per year and that the orientation exam has a time limit that must not be exceeded.

Weitere Erläuterungen

Untenstehend findet Ihr nun zusammengefasst und alphabetisch angeordnet weitere Randbedingungen der Prüfungsordnung 2022, die Ihr unbedingt bei der Planung und der Umsetzung Eures Studiums beachten müsst.

Bei Fragen wendet Euch bitte an die Fachstudienberater oder die Studiengangsmanagerin.

In up to 2 cases, you can "exchange" a module from the elective area (regardless of which one) for another, if you have failed the exam. However, this is only possible if the examination entitlement still exists and the study program has not yet been completed.

The bachelor thesis generally forms the end of the study program. However, it can also be started before all modules have been completed. The students independently look for a topic in the department, work on it under the guidance of the examiner and finally submit a written elaboration on the topic. The processing time is 6 months. After submitting the written work, the student also gives a short presentation on the contents of the work. By the way, the bachelor thesis is taken into account with the factor 2 in the formation of the overall grade for the study.

Interdisciplinary key qualifications enable a small view outside of one's own studies. Here you can attend courses that are not otherwise integrated into your studies, such as language courses, courses on legal matters, etc. In the Bachelor's program you have to take 2 interdisciplinary key qualifications:

  • The "Bachelor Lecture Series Computer Science" is mandatory, because it contains important information about the study program, especially for first-year students. In addition, there is a mentoring and the professors of the department introduce themselves personally.
  • A second interdisciplinary key qualifikation is freely selectable from the university-wide offer.

The following time limits must be observed for the study program:

  • The orientation examination must have been passed by the end of the 3rd semester (including possible repeat attempts).
  • The study program must be completed after 12 semesters at the latest.

The orientation exam is the first temporal hurdle in the study program. Its purpose is - as the name suggests - to help students decide at an early stage whether they can successfully complete their studies or whether a change of direction would be advisable. Early means that the orientation exam must be passed by the end of the 3rd semester at the latest. The orientation exam includes the following modules in the Data Science program:

  • "Theoretical Computer Science I" (6 ECTS).
  • "Programming and Software Development" (9 ECTS).

If these two modules are passed, the orientation exam is also passed.

Compulsory subjects must be taken by all students - without exception. The compulsory subjects include the so-called basic modules, i.e. the absolute fundamentals of the subject, and the so-called core modules, which build on the fundamentals and deepen them. The compulsory subjects include

  • the basic modules
    • Einführung in Data Science
    • Datenstrukturen und Algorithmen
    • Mathematik für Informatikstudiengänge
    • Modellierung
    • Programmierung und Softwareentwicklung
    • Theoretische Informatik I
    • Theoretische Informatik II
  • the core modules
    • Data Warehousing, Data Mining, and OLAP
    • Grundlagen der Informationssicherheit
    • Information Retrieval and Text Mining
    • Informationsvisualisierung und visuelle Analytik für Data Science
    • Machine Learning
    • Numerische Grundlagen
    • Statistische und Stochastische Grundlagen
    • Theoretische Informatik III
    • Wissenschaftliche Methoden in der Informatik

The Data Science project offers the opportunity to deepen and apply the theoretically acquired knowledge in practice. During the project, teams of 5 to 12 students work together to solve a major problem in the field of Data Science. The result will be recorded in a scientific publication and documented on a poster during the project day, which takes place once a semester. You will receive information about registration etc. from the program manager.

The seminar offers a first opportunity to apply acquired knowledge and to build on it. Here, topics are assigned that have to be researched by the respective student, presented in a lecture and in a written paper. Therefore, the seminar should generally not be taken before the 4th semester, as otherwise the necessary basics are missing. In addition, the module "Scientific Methods in Computer Science" should be completed beforehand, since the knowledge imparted there is also used in the seminar. Further information about the seminars can be found here.

The elective area in the Bachelor Data Science comprises 2 catalogs: the catalog "Core Module Practical Computer Science" and the catalog "Supplementary Modules".

  • From the catalog "Core Module Practical Computer Science" one module has to be chosen from the existing ones.
  • Modules totaling 30 ECTS must be selected from the "Supplementary Modules" catalog. One module of this catalog can be replaced by an elective module from the Master's program.

The selectable modules can be found in the module handbook or in the C@mpus system.

It is important to note that there is a difference between exams and course achievements. Examinations have an upper limit of repetition attempts, course achievements do not. As a general rule, passed examinations (regardless of whether they are examinations or course achievements) cannot be repeated.

What is what:

  • Course achievements (no upper limit on retakes) comprise:
    • USL = ungraded course achievement
    • BSL = graded course achievement
  • Examinations (upper limit on retakes) comprise:
    • PL = examination performance (written or oral)
    • LBP = course-related examination

Here you will find the exact specifications of the examination regulations regarding the repetitions:

  • Each failed examination can be repeated once.
  • In up to 3 cases, a 2nd repetition of an examination performance is permitted. If this so-called third attempt is not passed (and only then), an oral continuation examination takes place, which decides on the continuation of the study program or its end.
  • Failed examinations must be repeated within 2 semesters.
  • The modules of the orientation examination can only be repeated once in writing. If this 2nd attempt is not passed, an oral continuation examination takes place, which decides on the continuation of the study program or its end.
  • The Bachelor thesis can only be repeated once.

Studienberatung Data Science

This image shows Katrin Schneider

Katrin Schneider

Dr.

Program Manager, Department Manager & Erasmus Coordinator of the Computer Science Department

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