Daniel WaschnigYou will come across different types of courses as you progress through your studies.
A distinction is generally made between courses that are assessed by a final examination and courses that are subject to continuous assessment.
- Lecture course (German abbreviation VO): These are courses in which the instructors primarily convey knowledge by lecturing. The examination takes place in the form of a one-off (written and/or oral) examination. Lecture courses are concluded by passing the examination and course attendance is not mandatory.
Courses with continuous assessment (mandatory attendance)
Courses that are subject to continuous assessment do not involve a single examination; instead, assessment is based on several written and/or oral components. The individual assessment components and their weighting towards the final grade are announced before the start of the course.
- Integrated lecture (VI): In these courses, a lecture component is inextricably combined with a linked course, tutorial, introductory seminar or seminar component, and both are assessed together.
- Exercise (German abbreviation UE): Exercises are courses in which specific assignments, problems and projects are completed in order to deepen and apply the content of the associated lecture course.
- Practical class (German abbreviation KS): Practical classes serve the acquisition, development and deepening of theoretical, methodological and practical competences.
- Introductory seminar (German abbreviation PS): These are preparatory courses preceding the seminar which serve to teach and advance academic discourse; they address core topics in the field by means of presentations, discussions and concrete analytical work. As a rule, students must complete a written assignment as part of the introductory seminar.
- Seminar (German abbreviation SE): Seminars are research- or theory-oriented courses aimed at advanced students and serve the purpose of reflection and discussion of specific scientific topics. As a rule, students must complete a written assignment as part of the seminar.
- Practical placement/internship (German abbreviation PR): Research and industrial placements are intended to complement academic education and pre-professional training by covering practical and professional aspects of the degree programme. Particular emphasis is placed on working on specific tasks and projects. In project-based placements, students carry out small-scale applied research or development work, preferably in teams, taking into account all necessary steps. In most cases, a reflective written report must be submitted at the end of the placement.
- Excursion (German abbreviation EX): Excursions enable students to build on the knowledge they have acquired so far by exploring the academic aspects of their course in real-world contexts outside the university.
- Tutorials (German abbreviation TU) and work placements (German abbreviation PX) are not courses. In tutorials, students receive support, advice and guidance from fellow students (tutors) regarding the academic, organisational and social demands of their degree programme. Attendance is not compulsory and, as there is no assessment, no ECTS credits are awarded. The work placement is a course component carried out as a subject-related activity in a company, in public administration, in a non-profit organisation or in a non-university research institution. Furthermore, the work placement may also be completed as a research placement at a university.
Der Beitrag What are the different types of courses? erschien zuerst auf University of Klagenfurt.