ASIIN. Information for Universities

Transcription

1 ASIIN Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften, der Informatik, der Naturwissenschaften und der Mathematik e.v. Information for Universities Requirements and Procedural Principles for the Accreditation of Bachelor s and Master s study programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics

2 Contents Page 1. Introduction The Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics Accreditation Principles and Requirements of ASIIN Basic Principles Accreditation goals Object of accreditation General requirements for study programs conferring Bachelor's and Master's degrees Demand Structure and duration of the study Study program profiles, classifications and awarding of Bachelor s and Master s degrees Guiding principles and educational aims Admission requirements and transitions Modularization, credit point system, practicals, additional curricular requirements Special forms of study: Dual study options, internationally-oriented study programs, project-based study programs, distance and online study programs Institutional and organizational environment Quality assurance Requirements for study and examination regulations Subject-specific requirements Admission to careers in the higher levels of the civil administration for graduates of Master s study programs at universities of applied sciences The course of an accreditation procedure Possible results of the procedure Obligations of the applicant APPENDIX Application procedure Suggested breakdown for application documents from universities and universities of applied sciences Quantitative data accompanying suggested breakdown for application documents from universities and universities of applied sciences Form for the Module handbook Form for Personnel manual

3 Requirements and procedural principles for the accreditation of Bachelor s and Master s study programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics 1. Introduction The introduction of Bachelor s and Master s study programs at German universities primarily pursues the following goals: To enhance a greater variety of study programs, ensuring their quality, and providing transparency To encourage the internationalization and international compatibility of German university-level education and to promote applications by suitably qualified foreign students or other persons from abroad who are interested in studying To support the completion of an integrated Higher Education System throughout Europe To improve the global marketability of graduates from German universities To allow a more flexible adjustment of the study programs to the requirements of the national and international market To open up additional options for further training and education as part of lifelong learning and To make a contribution towards complying with the regulations for the standard period of study. The accreditation of these study programs is intended to ensure that the quality standards with regard to specialised subject contents are met by all types of universities and to promote the further development and continuous improvement of training and education in the study programs to be accredited. In addition, a check is made to ensure that the range of courses provided can be studied within the standard period of study. On the one hand, the aim of this accreditation is to guarantee high standards of teaching and studies, together with equivalency of the education with regard to section 9 2 of the higher education framework act (HRG 1 ). On the other hand, special profiles of the individual technical universities and universities of applied sciences are to be promoted. The accreditation process is carried out by independent agencies that for their part are accredited by the Accreditation Council that has been set up in accordance with the resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (Kultusministerkonferenz KMK) adopted on 3 December The Accreditation Council defines the requirements for the accreditation of these agencies and the study programs. 1 Hochschulrahmengesetz. 3

4 2. The Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics The non-profit Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics (ASIIN) defines the procedures and requirements for the assessment of study programs in these specialist areas on the basis of the standards set by the conference of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (Kultusministerkonferenz KMK) and the Accreditation Council. It checks whether the accreditation standards and procedures that have been drawn up are in accord with German laws and ordinances and the relevant applicable European directives. ASIIN negotiates and concludes agreements with other national and international accreditation institutions regarding collaboration with each other and mutual recognition of the accreditation procedures and criteria, together with the accredited study programs. ASIIN was accepted as a provisional member within the Washington Accord with effect as of 11 June 2003, becoming the first non-english-speaking accreditation agency in mainland Europe to do so. Membership within the Washington Accord is a major step forward for our members and customers alike as part of our efforts over many years to obtain international recognition for accredited engineering study programs as a prerequisite for the professional mobility of German engineers. As a founding member of the European Standing Observatory for the Engineering Profession and Education (ESOEPE), ASIIN promotes in addition the goal of cross-border recognition of degrees and similar qualifications in this field and thus of professional mobility also on the European continent on the basis of these qualifications. 2 Furthermore ASIIN is working hard towards achieving comparable reciprocal recognition in the fields of the Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Informatics. The operational work on quality assurance and optimization within ASIIN is organized as follows: two independent Accreditation Commissions are set up by the Executive Board of ASIIN and are formed with a one-third parity shared out between representatives from (technical) universities, from universities of applied sciences and from business/industry as well as students and international consultants. These Accreditation Commissions define the basic principles and quality standards for the accreditation set up Technical Committees that have the same type of one-third parity as described above for - the development and continuous monitoring of field specific criteria for the accreditation - examining the accreditation reports produced by the audit teams, - formulating field specific questions for the accreditation as well as designating and training the auditors appoint experienced auditors and audit teams at the suggestion of the Technical Committees for the study programs to be accredited help to set up a pool of qualified experts and auditors 2 More information on the Washington Accord, ESOEPE and the international network of ASIIN can be found on our Webpages under International Activities. 4

5 accredit the study programs on the basis of the audit reports and the comments of the Technical Committees. Currently two Accreditation Commissions (AC I for study programs in Engineering and Informatics, AC II for the field of the Natural sciences and Mathematics) and a total of 13 Technical Committees with the following designations have been set up: 1. Mechanical Engineering/ Process Engineering 8. Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences and Landscape Preservation 2. Electrical Engineering/ Information Technology 9. Chemistry/ Technical Chemistry 3. Civil Engineering/Surveying 10 Biosciences/Pharmacology. 4. Informatics 11 Geoscience. 5. Physical Technologies, 12 Mathematics Materials and Processes. 6. Industrial Engineering 13 Physics. 7. Business Informatics The Technical Committees listed above cover all the fields of study within Engineering, Informatics, the Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The interplay between the meeting of members, the executive board, headquartes unit and the expert working level with the audit teams, technical committees and the accreditation commissions can be illustrated graphically as follows: ASIIN General Assembly ASIIN Experts ~ 400 auditors from industry, universities and scientific organisations Coordination group of German (technical) universities Coordination Industrial group federations and of German umbrella universities of organisations applied of trade unions science organisations Technical and scientific associations and professional organizations Technical Committees 1/3 representatives from universities/universities of applied science, industry respectively Auditteams Technical Committees 1/3 representatives from universities/universities of applied science, industry respectively Auditteams every member group nominates 3 representatives to the Board on appoints recommendat of TC appoints Accreditation Commission I (Engineering & Informatics) on appoints recommendati of TC appoints Accreditation Commission II (natural science & mathematics) administrates ASIIN-Board 12 Persons appoints ASIIN Headquaters (Chief Executive Office) Fig. 1: Organizational structure of ASIIN. 5

6 All the committees with ASIIN that are involved in the accreditation are formed with a onethird parity shared out between representatives from technical universities, from universities of applied sciences and from business/industry; no criteria can be agreed upon or study programs accredited if any one of these groups votes unanimously against them. 3. Accreditation Principles and Requirements of ASIIN 3.1 Basic Principles The accreditation procedure developed by ASIIN is based on the rules laid down by the higher education framework act (HRG), further accreditation-specific criteria for decision within the individual German states, the decisions of the German Rectors Conference (German Universities Association) (HRK 3, 6 July 1998) and the KMK 4 of 3 December 1998 and 5 March 1999, its Decision on the future development of quality assurance across universities and German state boundaries in Germany of 1 March 2002 and the Statute for an accreditation procedure that cuts across universities and German state boundaries in the versions of 24 May 2002 and 19 September 2002 for the introduction of accreditation procedures for Bachelor s and Master s study programs. In addition to these, the Federal State Common Structural Requirements as per section 9 of the HRG for the Accreditation of Bachelor s and Master s Study Programs are to be noted by ASIIN as well as the relevant decisions and guidelines of the Accreditation Council. Finally, the question of access to careers in the civil administration at a higher level for university graduates must also take into account the relevant decisions of the Minister of the Interior and of the KMK issued on 6 June 2002 and 24 May 2002 respectively. 5 The accreditation procedure of ASIIN is guided by the principles of quality, objectivity, transparency and validity. It not only takes into consideration the increasing differentiation and diversification of the study programs on offer at (technical) universities and universities of applied sciences, but also the quality standards demanded by the growing intensive global competition in the field of education. ASIIN lays down general and field specific requirements for the assessment of study programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, which prepare qualified graduates for working successfully in their chosen professions in these fields. The procedure focuses on setting and monitoring general and field specific input- as well as output-orientated standards that are based on the KMK recommendations and their further development by the Accreditation Council. They have been defined and further refined in dialogue with national and international scientific organizations, the conferences of deans of departments of universities and the conferences of deans of departments of universities of 3 Hochschulrektorenkonferenz. 4 Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (Kultusministerkonferenz KMK). 5 The above-mentioned documents can be found on ASIIN Website under Documents. 6

7 applied sciences, technical and trade associations, and experts from business and industry. The goal is to create as much diversity as possible in the area of higher education in Germany, while at the same time ensuring high levels of quality, transparency and comparability of the services offered, as well as the processes, resources and equipment necessary to achieve this. The accreditation procedure of ASIIN applies to different fields of study, all types of universities and all German states and is oriented towards international standards. In keeping with internationally accepted standards accreditation is granted for a limited period of time, which is currently five years. After the expiration of this term, the university must apply for re-accreditation, which entails an evaluation and a thorough check of the study program and its objectives, and how they are being implemented. The re-accreditation process inquires into whether the required educational and quality standards are being reached (output orientation) and surveys the success rate in the job market of graduates of the degree programs. 3.2 Accreditation goals The accreditation procedure of ASIIN is part of an accreditation system that: ensures that graduates of accredited study programs receive qualifications that enable them to be successful in their chosen professions, promotes the further development and ongoing improvement of the program, accepts varying educational concepts, thereby allowing a high level of diversity, supports constant innovation in education, forms the basis of ongoing quality improvement of education, ensures transparency of comparable study programs, and promotes national and international mobility. The universities and universities of applied sciences applying for accreditation are responsible for proving that their courses of study fulfil the standards set down by ASIIN and that they attain the formulated educational goals in the sense of an optimization of the program`s output. In addition, the studyability of the range of courses is examined against the background of the amount of working time available to the students. 3.3 Object of accreditation The object of an accreditation procedure, at present, covers study programs that are either offered as consecutive courses, which grant first a Bachelor s and then a Master's degree, or as individual courses, which grant either a Bachelor s or a non-consecutive or a continous education Master's degree. Furthermore, diploma study programs for which there are no (longer any) framework regulations for final examinations are also subject to accreditation. In the future doctoral study programs and courses that conclude with a state examination will also most likely be subject to accreditation in the view of the KMK. On the basis of a positive accreditation, the ministries of education of the respective state are giving authorization to the Bachelor s or Master s study program. 7

8 ASIIN accredits in response to applications from government approved public or private universities, study programs conferring degrees that qualify graduates to enter their chosen profession, compiles and publishes a list of accredited study programs, makes efforts to achieve worldwide recognition of the accredited study programs. A study program with a degree from a German university can only be accredited as a rule by ASIIN if at least half of the study had been completed at a German university and the degree is granted by the university in question. In the case of participation of this non-accredited study programs at foreign universities, ASIIN places great value on whether the foreign universities are represented in a competent form in the audit. In addition at least one peer of ASIIN must visit the partner university to gain an impression of the quality of the corresponding course of study. The titel of a study program should only be English if a substantial portion of the lectures and seminars, etc., are held in English. In case of application for accreditation from foreign universities a certificate of equivalency is issued if ASIIN quality standards are met; a separate accreditation list is kept for these study programs. This certification of substantial equivalency attests that the foreign study program satisfies ASIIN quality requirements that are applied to German universities and universities of applied sciences alike. 3.4 General requirements for study programs conferring Bachelor's and Master's degrees Demand There must be sufficient demand among the students applying for the study program to be accredited, a documented medium- and long-term demand in the job market, and specific career opportunities for the relevant graduates. The universities and universities of applied sciences are required to maintain a file of alumni and statistics on the whereabouts of their graduates so that reliable information on the success of these graduates on the labor market can be obtained as part of a re-accreditation procedure. The success of these graduates on the labor market is a central indicator for the assessment of the quality of the study program offered Structure and duration of the study The framework act for higher education (HRG) makes a basic distinction between Bachelor s and Master s study programs in accordance with section 19 of the HRG and between diploma and Master s study programs in accordance with section 18. A structural mixing of the two study programs is to be excluded in accordance with the structural requirements of the KMK, but this does not exclude a partial joint use of individual study options in the two separate systems leading to graduation. 8

9 Bachelor s and Master s study programs can be held both at universities and equivalent institutes of higher education as well as at universities of applied sciences. The setting up of a Bachelor s or Master s study program thus does not presuppose the existence of a complementary Master s or Bachelor s study program respectively. The standard period of study for Bachelor s and Master s study programs are given in section of the HRG and are a minimum of three and a maximum of four years for Bachelor s and a minimum of one and a maximum of two years for Master s courses. The variation with a seven-semester Bachelor s study program followed by an associated threesemester Master s qualification is also possible. In the case of consecutive courses of study, the total required study time at a university can not exceed five years. The KMK has furthermore stated in its structural requirements that shorter standard period of studies are possible on the basis of special organizational measures regarding the study. From the point of view of ASIIN this covers in the first instance study programs that are organized in trimesters. According to the KMK as a rule it is necessary to provide proof of having obtained a study volume of at least 180 ECTS credit points to obtain a Bachelor s degree. According to international requirements as a rule a total of 300 ECTS credit points are required to obtain the corresponding consecutive Master s degree while including the preceding course of study. Otherwise the number of ECTS credit points to be gained in the Bachelor s or Master s study programs depends on the various standard period of studies that are possible within the requirements of the framework act for higher education. The structural requirements of the KMK likewise include guidelines on the scope of the degree examination work that must be a mandatory constituent of a Bachelor s and Master s studies program: ASIIN has defined its minimum requirements as 12 credit points against the background of the stipulated corridor for the Bachelor s work set by the KMK. Regarding the scope of the work for a Master s there is as a rule a range of credit points; the specific scope of the degree examination work in the various academic cultures within the disciplines is defined in addition in the subject-specific supplementary notes Study program profiles, classifications and awarding of Bachelor s and Master s degrees Study program profiles Each university can define its specific profile through an emphasis on particular course contents or interdisciplinary approaches, through forms of teaching and learning or by the interlinking of research and teaching. According to the structural requirements of the KMK it is necessary to distinguish between a more application-oriented and a more researchoriented profile when accrediting a Master s study program. According to the KMK Bachelor s study programs must convey scientific basic principles, methodological skills and 9

10 qualifications related to the professional field in question. No allocation is made to the profile types more application-oriented and more research-oriented. 6 For ASIIN each of the profiles must be a scientific study that endows the ability to carry out scientific work using scientific methods, conveys theoretical and analytical abilities and places graduates in a position where they can tackle new conditions in an open and creative way. At the same time both profiles convey the mandatory personal key qualifications such as communicative and social skills and the ability to act on one s own responsibility in preparing oneself for professional tasks. Another factor to consider is that graduates from both profiles should have access to doctoral studies. Only the suitability of the applicant should be considered in the admissions of doctoral study programs and not whether the Master s degree had been obtained at a university or a university of applied sciences. For ASIIN the two profiles are nonetheless distinguished by their weighting of these differing components. The crucial factor for the allocation of the profile is therefore the design and composition of the curriculum which must be reviewed for the specific subject in each accreditation. In the following definitions of terms ASIIN returns, among other things, to the descriptors that the Accreditation Council has developed together with the agencies for these two study program profiles that can be applied for in equal measure by universities and universities of applied sciences. More research-oriented study programs Research-oriented study programs must be based on academic principles and fundamental- and methodology-oriented. It imparts theoretical knowledge oriented towards the current state of research in the relevant subject and the methodological and system skills that enables students to recognize and solve complex problems by themselves and thus expand the boundaries of their knowledge. The curriculum developes on a reasonably comprehensive fundamental base the competences for problem-solving in practical situations and for theory-based or application-related research. Furthermore the students gain analytical, constructive and creative skills for creating and further developing working methods and complex systems. Here the imparting of interdisciplinary knowledge and the ability to integrate scientific processes from different fields of specialization plays an important role as well. More research-oriented study programs and degrees profit overall on a long-term basis from the unification of research and teaching at the offering departments. The teaching is to be done by teachers who above all can make use of their own active research in addition to any actual working experience, depending on the subject. Ideally the students would be brought in at an early stage into ongoing research projects as part of degreerelated project or examination work. 6 See also the Federal State Common Structural Requirements as per section 9 2 of the HRG, the decision of the KMK on

11 As part of the identification of a research-oriented profile, ASIIN will take in particular as a yardstick the scientific qualifications of the staff (education, scientific publications, work as experts, patents, work in the further development of scientific research and teaching, participation in conferences, interdisciplinary and internal scientific cooperation), the extent to which they are responsible for carrying projects with third party funding and the support of recognized institutions for furthering scientific research, contacts with industrial firms as part of research and development work, the managing of research institutes and groups, etc. The universities and the various departments involved in the study program must prove adequate research resources from which students can profit and which go beyond the requirements of the actual teaching. The following are thus to be taken into consideration in the first instance: Libraries with an adequate stock of the relevant research literature, equipment for laboratories regarding larger machines and test benches, the provision of suitable computer hardware and software and if applicable, inter-institutional agreements on the use of resources at other locations as well, etc. More application-oriented study programs A more application-oriented study program must not only be based on academic principles but also be oriented to practical application. The curriculum based on reasonably comprehensive fundamentals of technical knowledge that are covered in greater detail in specific areas and a comprehensive knowledge of methodology developes the competence for problem-solving in practical situations on the basis of the current state of knowledge with regard to the various theories in science and practical needs. A more application-oriented study program imparts transferable knowledge in connection with professionally-relevant key qualifications. It is subject-oriented and aims towards a professional career field. Consequently the curriculum primarily covers the application of the knowledge for professional career-related and application-related problem-solving, using case studies and project work to support needed skills. An important factor for the teaching staff is maintaining this application knowledge by intensive contacts with companies. The degree examination is to be developed against the background of practical problems and the application orientation must be shown through actual questions that had been resolved in cooperation with industry. The following factors play a major role in the identification of an application-oriented profile: the teaching is primarily represented by teachers who in addition to their scientific qualifications have at their disposal relevant experience in the application of scientific knowledge and methods in actual practice. Of prime importance is experience gained in a career field outside the university in the implementation of scientific knowledge in actual everyday practice, a constant renewal of technical skills through scientific work (R&D projects, expert appraisal and certification work, involvement in subject-related further education and training, work with patents, etc.). The technical departments and teaching staff responsible for the study programs must prove: intensive contacts to and cooperation arrangements with companies or institutions that are professionally relevant, suitable equipment for practical work related to this field of study (workshops, laboratories, etc.), application-related teaching materials (such as models) and evidence of contacts or cooperation arrangements for practical work accompanying the course of study. 11

12 General curricular requirements of ASIIN for a Bachelor s study program The following curricular breakdown for orientation purposes provides guidelines from which it is possible to deviate in suitably justified cases (precise details and further differentiation will be given in the subject-specific supplementary notes). Mathematical-natural-scientific fundamentals (MNF): min. 20% of the whole. Subject-specific fundamentals (SSF): min. 25 % of the whole. Subject-specific deepening (SSD): min. 15 % of the whole. Interdisciplinary content (IDC): approx. 15 % of the whole. Final degree examination work: at least 12 credit points Practical project corresponding to the relevant scope stipulated in the subject-specific supplementary notes. Regarding further curricular requirements for the quality of Bachelor s programs, we refer to the following input- and output-oriented quality criteria (for the latter see 3.4.4, , etc.) and also to the subject-specific supplementary notes Classification of Master s study programs according to the structural requirements of the KMK of 10 October 2003: Consecutive, non-consecutive and continuing education Master s study programs According to the structural requirements of the KMK of 10 October 2003, it is necessary to determine (when setting up a Master s study program) as to whether this involves a consecutive, non-consecutive or continuing education study program. This allocation is to be verified as part of the accreditation. Consecutive Bachelor s and Master s study programs are courses that build on one another in terms of their contents. Usually these programs fall into the categories of a timeframe of either or years and do not exceed an overall duration of 5 years of required study time for being awarded a Master s degree (this also includes 7-semester Bachelor s and 3-semester Master s study programs). The Master s study program can be a continuation of the Bachelor s course covering the topics in greater depth or in an interdisciplinary fashion, in the latter case, as long as the subjects involved are related. Bachelor s and Master s study programs can be consecutively studied at different universities, also at different types of higher educational institutions, and also with phases of professional work in between the first and second degree. Non-consecutive Master s study programs are Master s courses that in terms of contents do not build on a preceding Bachelor s study program. They should comply with the requirements (sections 1.3 and 1.4 of the structural requirements of the KMK) for consecutive Master s study programs and lead to the same level of qualification and the same entitlements. The equivalency of the requirements is to be determined in the framework of the accreditation. Continuing education Master s study programs usually presuppose suitably qualifying professional work experience of no less than one year after graduating with a qualifying degree. The contents of the continuing education Master s study program should take into consideration and be linked to professional working experience. The university in question 12

13 must show the link between professional qualifications and the type of course being offered when drawing up a continuing education Master s study program. Continuing education Master s study programs correspond to the requirements (sections 1.3 and 1.4 of the structural requirements of the KMK) for consecutive Master s study programs and lead to the same level of qualification and the same entitlements. The equivalency of the requirements is to be determined within the accreditation. Furthermore the field specific criteria regarding the curricular requirements for Master s programs are referred to Degrees Here too the relevant KMK requirements of 10 October 2003 must be complied with. On the basis of the above, Bachelor s and Master s study programs are separate courses that lead to separate degrees being awarded. Consequently only one degree can be awarded for successfully completing a Bachelor s or Master s study program. Bachelor s and Master s degrees as per section 19 of the HRG cannot thus be awarded together with a degree or similar qualification from a diploma or a Magister study program as per section 18 of the HRG; and vice versa. According to the graduation system stipulated in section 19 of the HRG, the master s degree is awarded on the basis of a further university degree for professional qualification (section 19 3 clause 1 of the HRG). Consequently a Master s degree can only be gained if a first university degree for a professional qualification has already been obtained. This therefore excludes basic study programs that directly lead to the gaining of a Master s degree after four or five years. There is no provision for differentiating between types of Bachelor s and Master s degrees given on the basis of the length of the required study time. Thus the same degrees are awarded for three- and four-year Bachelor s study programs. The same applies to Master s degrees that are completed in one or two years. Logically, the same also applies to 7- semester Bachelor s and 3-semester Master s study programs. Bachelor s degrees with the additional title Honours (B.A. hon. ) are excluded. The differentiation between the degrees likewise does not distinguish between profile types more application-oriented and more research-oriented on the Bachelor s level. In the field of the natural sciences the titles of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) are provided in the fields of the natural sciences, mathematics, informatics, medicine, agriculture forestry and nutrition. In engineering the applicant can choose between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)/Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)/Master of Engineering (M.Eng.). With regard to interdisciplinary study programs the marking of the degree depends on the subject area that is dominating within the course; in engineering and economics for this depends on the focus of the content of the study program. The guiding principle for ASIIN is: The title must correspond to the content. Additional titles for particular subjects may not be appended to the name of the degree in question. However, Master s degrees that differ from the above-listed designations may be 13

14 applied in the case of further education study programs and non-consecutive Master s study programs. The degrees may also be issued in a German version (such as Bakkalaureus ). Designations that are a mixture of terms from different languages may not be used (such as Bachelor der Wissenschaften ). Detailed information on the study program that is the basis of the degree must be included in the mandatory Diploma Supplement Guiding principles and educational aims Study courses should not only serve the purpose of knowledge transfer, but also of acquiring the skills needed for acting successfully and purposefully in one s chosen profession and for lifelong learning. The study program to be accredited should, by teaching students fundamental, specialist and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, serve to pass on methodological and personal skills. Engineers, (natural) scientists and computer scientists are chiefly active in an international, interdisciplinary and highly competitive environment in which people, technology, companies and society interact. Therefore it is important that the degree courses develop an awareness of social and ethical responsibilities and give students the opportunity to obtain the necessary key qualifications. These include basic skills in economics, ecology, ergonomics and law as well as the ability to organize oneself and one s projects, to work in a team, and to deal properly with criticism and conflict. In addition, students must be trained to think in interdisciplinary contexts and taught to act strategically and to think in a business-like manner. In parallel to this, students must be encouraged to gain qualifications in foreign languages so that graduates can also be active within an international context. The problem-solving abilities and skills to be acquired through the study must be clearly and concisely defined. All the required skills described above must be taken into account. On the basis of the description of the skills to be acquired, it is necessary to show by what specific means within the curriculum (the contents and forms of the teaching) the above-mentioned qualifications can be gained. Since the focus of the imparting of key qualifications is the ability to deploy communicative and interdisciplinary skills, interdisciplinary project work with regular presentations by the students can function as a suitable model. In addition the university must explain for what professional field the students of a Bachelor s/master s program are being trained for (see also section 3.3.1) Admission requirements and transitions Checking the prerequisites for admission is a constituent part of every ASIIN accreditation. The admission requirements for Bachelor s degrees formulated by the university must ensure that the students selected possess the required knowledge and skills. Admission requirements can include: general/subject-specific entrance requirements for higher 7 The requirements of a Diploma Supplement on the basis of the agreed HRK example can be found on the ASIINWebsite under in the Aktuelles/Akkreditierungsdokumente section. 14

15 education/ professional qualifications; work experience; foreign language skills; aptitude tests. In the case of Master s study programs the character of the Master s degree must be emphasized as a further degree and should therefore be dependent on special admission requirements. The entrance requirement for a Master s program should be a qualifying Bachelor s degree or similar qualification. The suitability of the applicant should be taken into consideration regarding the question of admission to a Master s course, but not whether a Bachelor s degree has been obtained at a university of applied sciences or a university. While entrance examinations can be dispensed with in the case of consecutive Master s study programs, special admission requirements are needed in particular for interdisciplinary and hybrid Master s programs and as a rule for internationally-oriented degree courses for students from different cultures and countries. The program organizers must show in their application which procedures are being introduced to ensure that different levels of entry qualification are brought into line with one another. Transitions between the study programs as per section 18 of the HRG and the Bachelor s and Master s study programs as per section 19 of the HRG are possible according to the general rules on transfers of credits. Any details are to be covered in the examination regulations if they are not already part of the relevant national stipulations Modularization, credit point system, practicals, additional curricular requirements The following curriculum requirements are demanded of all study programs to be accredited: The study program must fulfil the academic, fundamental and application-oriented requirements. The courses, research and development and practicals must be well coordinated. The study program should promote the international exchange of students. Important preconditions to achieve this goal are the modularization of degrees, the introduction of a credit point system, international cooperation schemes, etc Modularization of the study program It is necessary to provide proof as part of the accreditation of a Bachelor s or Master s study program that the course of study has been modularized and has a credit point system. This is intended to promote the national and international mobility of students. Modularization means the splitting up of the study contents on a topic and time basis into testable units that are complete in themselves and are given credit points. The contents of a module are to be scaled in such a way that as a rule they can be taught within one semester or one year. In principle, modules are to be terminated with examinations. The size of a module should be between 4 and 8 credit points; exceptions can be made if they can be justified. With regard to the decision of the KMK Overall structural requirements for the introduction of credit point systems and the modularization of study programs of , ASIIN requires for each module proof which knowledge and methodological skills are being attained by the student and why the selected teaching method can efficiently ensure this increase in skills. The university department making the application must describe the contents and 15

16 time-frame of the modules in the form of a so-called module handbook on the basis of the following scheme (see also the document in the Appendix, section 9.4). a) Designation of the module and any associated teaching as well as the persons responsible for the module and the teaching (see the Appendix) b) Definition of the learning goals (knowledge and skills that the students should be able to exhibit on successfully completing the module and actions that they should be in a position to carry out). The learning and qualification goals are to be oriented towards an overall qualification that is to be defined. c) Teaching contents with a listing of the primary recommended literature and the aims of the modules. What technical, methodological, practical and interdisciplinary contents are to be conveyed so that these learning goals are attained? d) Form of the knowledge transfer, (e.g. lecture, tutorial, seminar, independent study, homework, project work, etc.) In principle, various forms of teaching should contribute towards reaching the target qualification. e) Conditions for participation (e.g. by stipulating background reading material, knowledge, skills or prior modules). What knowledge, skills and abilities are required for successful participation, what modules must have successfully been completed already? f) Purpose within the university degree course system (i.e. where does the module fit within its designated subject and how does it fit together with the modules in other subjects) g) Criteria for proof of academic achievement for the module (e.g. oral or written examination, test, interview, presentation) h) Scope of the module and how often it is available (e.g. every semester, every year, only on demand) i) Amount of work required: The total amount of work required and the number of credit points to be gained must be stated for each module. Credit points as certification of a study work load and grades as proof of academic achievement are to be listed separately Introduction of a credit point system The existence of a credit point system is an absolute necessity for successful accreditation. Credit points are a way to measure the average amount of work that is expected from students, which assumes a work load of 30 hours for the student in order to gain a credit point on the basis of the decision of the KMK of According to the KMK, the total work load to be expected may not exceed 900 hours per semester and 1800 hours per academic year, including studies in the recess period. This gives a figure of 30 credit points per semester. The working time is made up of both compulsory attendance and self-study time. Compulsory attendance means being present at a lecture, an exercise, a seminar or a practical. Projects and examination work also require to a certain extent compulsory attendance. Self-study includes preparation time, time to solve the problems set and for assessment afterwards, learning the material and exercising various skills. Depending on the type of module, compulsory attendance and self-study time have a varying relationship to one another. Teaching sessions lasting for 45 minutes are counted as a full hour, since it can be assumed that a time of around 60 minutes is required by the students due to the timetable for the teaching in question, changing the room, and asking the lecturers 16

17 questions. 8 A credit point system must be institutionalized on the basis of the modularization that fulfils the following characteristics that are embedded within the examination and study regulations: a) The credit point system must be an accumulation system. This means that credit points must be defined and given for all modules and that intermediate and final examinations are substantially replaced by accumulating the credit points stipulated in the examination and study regulations. It is permissible to have individual additional examinations on the materials in several modules. b) The credit point system must also be a transfer system to simplify a transfer to other universities inside and outside Germany. For that reason the calculation of the credits per module must be done on the basis of simple and transparent rules as per the ECTS. This also ensures that the work load for the students remains within acceptable limits. c) The examination required to gain credit points must be done as part of the studies and checked as a test of performance in accordance with the criteria set out in the examination regulations. This also means that the examination must take place close in time to the attendance of the respective module. d) Grades for credit points can be composed of the results of intermediate examinations and an examination that concludes the module. The weighting is to be made known before beginning the module. e) In the event of failure to meet the criteria for awarding the credit points in question regulations concerning repeating examinations (number of attempts, time allowed) must be laid out in the examination regulations. f) It is necessary to stipulate when a student must register for proof of academic achievement of credit points and until when a registration is possible. g) It is necessary to stipulate by when the results of all the proof of academic achievement for a module must be made known. This deadline must be such that sufficient time is given for preparation for retaking the examination. h) Practicals supervised by the university are an integral part of the BA/MA degree course (as opposed to pre-degree practicals) and therefore have to be taken into account in the credit point system. In this context however, preconditions for the awarding of credit points such as tutoring by a university teacher, precise integration into the curriculum, and proof of the individual capabilities of the student in a manner that can be tested are to be considered. i) The Bachelor or Master s degree course must be completed by a final thesis for which credit points are awarded in accordance with the time period stipulated (see above). 8 Working on the basis of 24 credit hours per semester for sake of argument, a teaching session for 4 credit hours is given 5 credit points (4 credit hours * 30 credit points/24 credit hours = 5 credit points). However, this simple calculation can only be used for an initial orientation, because there are specific considerations regarding the work load to be expected for each individual taught course. 17

18 Additional curricular requirements for Bachelor s and Master s study programs The following points must be complied with for a successful accreditation: Mandatory teaching sessions and examinations must be offered in a rhythm that is close to the timing for the admission of students so as to prevent the time required for the study from being unduly prolonged. Mandatory lectures must be supplemented by a reasonable number of exercises, seminars, laboratory sessions, projects, etc. There must a sufficient number of opportunities for exercises in small groups and also for contacts vis a vis a practical environment. The work load from mandatory and optional compulsory teaching sessions must be set such that the students concerned have sufficient time available for additional studies at their own initiative. Adjustment and link programs for foreign students and for students from other study programs must be offered when necessary. Foreign-language teaching must be offered A sufficient choice of subjects must be offered for every optional compulsory field of study Special forms of study: Dual study options, internationally-oriented study programs, project-based study programs, distance and online study programs Dual study options In the case of accreditation of dual study programs, the relative weighting of theoretical education and practicals is of crucial importance for an ASIIN accreditation. If the amount of theoretical education is reduced excessively to below the critical limit of six semesters, international recognition of the Bachelor s degree in question is placed at risk and the distinction between training as an engineer and as a technician is blurred. For that reason many of our foreign cooperation partners do not count these practicals towards the credit points. ASIIN takes a differentiated position and makes the crediting of practicals dependent on the quality of the (university) tutoring and the meaningful integration of the practicals into the curriculum Internationally-oriented study programs In the case of internationally-oriented study programs, in which a high percentage of foreign students is enrolled and in which English is used frequently, ASIIN devotes special attention within the accreditation process to intensive tutoring of the students and to the quality of the linguistic knowledge, and looks in particular for strict admission requirements and a technical homogeneity of the student clientele in terms of the subject Project-based study programs The corresponding arrangements of the ECTS system that have been suitably adapted are applied for the accreditation of study programs that are primarily based on the method of problem-based learning and on projects. 18

19 The following guidelines apply for the design of the project-based study programs: The projects must be carried out at the university. The projects may only make up a certain portion of the teaching sessions, which is defined in the Field Specific Criteria. A document must be produced for re-accreditation that certifies that the requirements for a consecutive study program have been fulfilled. Above all this documentation must give conclusive answers to the following concerns and questions, to which the accreditation self report should already have given detailed information: 1. As a result of the task-dependent incorporation of teaching units into the projects, the teaching portion of the study program is not clearly visible and thus cannot easily be assessed by an audit team. It should show how technical knowledge is gained in width and depth and not just in points related to the project through the projects. 2. It is necessary to illustrate to what extent knowledge can be acquired by the students themselves despite the deadline pressure of the projects and to what extent it is conveyed by preparatory and/or a subsequent review of the work in the teaching sessions. 3. It is necessary to not only define the educational goals of the projects but also as far as possible the contents of the teaching. Otherwise it is not possible to tell what type of study program it actually is. 4. It should show through what examinations and tests related to the project work guarantee formal verification of the knowledge and ability that have been gained. 5. It is necessary to document that sufficient time and space remain free to adequately increase the depth of technical and methodological competence despite the necessity for reaching the project goals within the stipulated period of time. A precise description of the amount of time expended on tutoring must be created and it must be shown, how the tutoring in this form is provided by the departments which are in general subject to a heavy work load, and how this can be guaranteed in the future Distance and online study programs The rules described above apply for these types of study programs as well. Special weight in the application for accreditation is placed on the illustration of equivalency to programs that require an actual physical presence (work load, compulsory attendance, communication of key qualifications, etc.). During the accreditation visit it is necessary to ensure that the students in question can be contacted and questioned by telephone at least Institutional and organizational environment As part of the accreditation, the institutional and organizational environment plays a decisive role in addition to the quality of the study program. In order to ensure a high standard of quality, an adequate capacity and competence of the teaching staff together with adequate resources at the institution in question are of central importance. 19

20 The staffing levels must be adequate to cover the minimum range of courses on offer, guarantee the teaching commitments involved, and to adequately tutor the students, i.e. the university must show that the study program is guaranteed in the long term and will not be overtaxed. For that reason a detailed listing of the overall teaching work load running over two semesters must be supplied, to include import and export or similar valid forms of calculation. In this listing the expected attendance must also be shown for each teaching session. In the case of study programs that are heavily dependent on importing teachers, written statements on the import capacities of other departments must also be documented. The academic staff must demonstrate suitable academic and international qualifications, adequate practical and didactic experience, and evidence of continuous professional development. For example, this can be shown and certified through R&D projects (differentiated by finished ones, ones still running, and projects that have been applied for but not yet approved), the amounts of third party funds that have been obtained, the number of publications, work done in training successors in the field of science (number of doctorates and post-doctoral qualifications), experience in professional work outside the university, collaboration with national and international professional and scientific organizations (expert certification work for the DFG and other groups funding research, in assessment processes, as publishers or members on the editorial boards of scientific journals, etc.), technology and knowledge transfer, being in charge of practical projects, teaching qualifications, further education programs for scientific personnel at universities and the intensity of the participation. The non-scientific academic staff should also be suitably qualified. The qualifications profile must be provided in the form of the so-called staff handbook (a typical excerpt from a staff handbook is shown in the Appendix under section 9.5). In addition, an adequate number of positions for non-professorial teaching staff and for scientific graduate and undergraduate assistants must be made available for each study program. The staffing policy (current budget), i.e. personnel and physical resources and investment funds, must allow the program to be carried out over the whole period covered by the accreditation. Evidence of sufficient physical resources must be indicated by the following points: Funds for teaching within the current budget, such as - permanent facilities (lecture halls, seminar rooms, laboratories), - an adequate and fixed level of resources and apparatus (basic equipment, specific laboratory equipment, teaching aids, computer equipment, library). Investment funds for the past three years that have supported the program. In addition, a medium-term financial plan must show how the program will be financed Quality assurance Internal quality assurance for a study program is just as indispensable as external monitoring by a peer review. For that reason, as part of the accreditation procedure the quality of the study programs must be ensured through measures regarding the quality of the process, structure and results. This can be done, among other things, by the following measures: 20

21 documentation of the education process, monitoring of the implementation of the study program, carrying out evaluations in a systematised way during the course of the study program especially through the appropriate participation of students with discussions and following up the evaluation results, continuous evaluation of the success rate of the study program (e.g. through surveys of graduates and employers), establishment of set procedures for the further development of the study program. An adequate career advisory service and student advisory service must also be available for the students Requirements for study and examination regulations The study and examination regulations must ensure that the accreditation criteria are complied with. In particular, they may not contain any stipulations that are in contradiction with the accreditation criteria. The examination regulations must ensure also outside of the seminars, projects and laboratories also that in addition to the ability of recalling facts subject-specific working and procedural forms and the underlying knowledge, methods and ways of thinking are tested. Oral tests should be used to an adequate extent to ensure this. The examination regulations should ensure that the written work is supplemented as a rule by a colloquium so that it also tests that the performance of the student is due to his or her own efforts. The same applies to the thesis for a Bachelor/ s or Master s, whereby the tutor must take part in the colloquium and the result of the colloquium must be taken into consideration in the overall grade awarded. The examination regulations must stipulate that at least one examiner of the final examination must come from the group of professors responsible for the study course being offered. Considerably more than half of all the modules must be taken into consideration when calculating the final grades, measured in terms of the number of credit points. For a consecutive Master s study program the examination regulations must require that the students study without exception other modules than those that they already covered in their previous Bachelor s course. The structural requirements of the KMK of 10 October 2003 further stipulate that the examination regulations must indicate within four-year Bachelor s courses those modules that correspond to the passing of an intermediate examination in accordance with section 15 1 clause 2 of the HRG. 4. Subject-specific requirements Additional binding requirements, specific to the study program and the subjects offered, can apply to individual study programs. These are given in the Field Specific Criteria for the specific subject and can be called up in the Internet under 21

22 5. Admission to careers in the higher levels of the civil administration for graduates of Master s study programs at universities of applied sciences According to the agreement of the KMK with the Standing Conference of the Ministers of the Interior of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany, Master s degrees acquired from universities of applied sciences also open up admission to careers at higher levels within the civil administration if this has been stated in the accreditation and agreed upon between a representative brought in from the Ministry of the Interior and the representative from actual practice within the audit team. A stipulation of this type must be applied for by the university together with the accreditation and the result is to be noted on the accreditation certificate of ASIIN. For ASIIN a positively accredited Master s study program at a university of applied sciences thus opens this form of admission. However, in practice this mechanism has not been applied automatically until now. 6. The course of an accreditation procedure If the responsible approval authorities have reserved the right to decide on the participation (this is mostly restricted to the checking whether the study program to be accredited fits into the state development plans and whether financing can be secured; many German states also require a copy of the study and examination regulations), the application for accreditation should be passed on from these authorities to ASIIN to ensure for the universities that the procedure is carried out properly. The applicant can find all the main information on how the actual accreditation procedure is handled from the so-called signpost that can be found under Procedure. The following is a brief summary of the three phases of the procedure: Phase 1 University Submits an inquiry with all essential information required in advance to the ASIIN headquarters. This information includes the accreditation questionnaire and a brief overview of the contents of the study program that clearly shows the contents of the program. The accreditation questionnaire can likewise be called up from our Website under Procedure and sent electronically to ASIIN headquarters. In this printed form the applicant is asked to indicate the Technical Committee that is responsible overall, to provide suggestions for the technical areas of the auditors, and if applicable in the case of applications for a Master s degree, to apply for an additional examination for admission to a career in the higher levels of the civil administration. ASIIN Receives and formally examines the inquiry; the preliminary information is viewed at the 22

23 headquarters and by the Technical Committees involved regarding responsibility, number of auditors required, etc. On the basis of this information the headquarters prepare an offer for the accreditation procedure (time-frame and costs), together with a request for a statement that the costs of the accreditation are payed for on the part of the applicant/university administration. Phase 2 University Applies for accreditation with an agreement to bear the costs or by signing accreditation contract. Production of a self-report in accordance with the guidelines. Before the self-report is finally handed in, ASIIN offers a meeting at ASIIN office to check the report for formal completeness and to discuss it together with the person responsible for the program. ASIIN (audit team)/ ASIIN University On the suggestion of the Technical Committees ASIIN sets up a capable audit team under the leadership of a head auditor. The applicants are informed of the members of the audit team. If there is any suspicion of prejudice, the applicants can ask for the auditor(s) to be changed. The audit team makes an intensive check at a technical level after receiving the self-report and informs the persons responsible for the program of any questions and comments in advance of the visit in person. The audit team makes a 1½-day visit in person to the department in question. Submits a rough draft of the audit report to the university applying for accreditation to check for completeness/correctness. Comments and, if necessary, corrects any errors and/or adds to the rough draft of the auditors. If applicable, initial reactions to any given conditions and recommendations. Phase 3 ASIIN Examination and assessment of the report within the responsible Technical Committee, followed by a subsequent decision on the accreditation by the ASIIN Accreditation Commission. The latter makes its decision on the accreditation and the headquarters inform the university applying for accreditation and, if applicable, the proper authority. The final accreditation report is handed over only to 23

24 the university and the Accreditation Council. Publication of a tabular summary in the Internet. 7. Possible results of the procedure In principle accreditation of a study program is granted for a limited period of time. This period of time is calculated to allow at least one degree program to be carried out to completion and to make initial statements of the study success of the program evaluated (as a rule, an accreditation is given for a period of 5 years). The accreditation procedure can have the following results: 1. Accreditation without reservations for the full accreditation period of 5 years. 2. Accreditation with reservations and thus only for a limited period (fulfilment of certain conditions necessary by a certain deadline). If the requirements are fulfilled within the set time (the audit team and the Technical Committee will determine whether the conditions have been complied with), the accreditation is then extended for the full accreditation period of 5 years. 3. Initial refusal. In this case the university or university of applied sciences has another opportunity to be heard by the accreditation commission. 4. Final refusal. The Accreditation Council is notified of a refusal of this type. 8. Obligations of the applicant When the application for accreditation is handed in, the applicant is required to confirm that the application has not already been made to another accreditation agency for accreditation. The applicant is also required to state to what extent an application of another type and with different contents has already been handed in once before for accreditation. If there have been major changes within the period of the accreditation in the provision of resources or in the curricular scope of the accredited study program, this must be communicated to ASIIN which will in turn check whether the requirements for accreditation are still being complied with. As the applicant, the university has the right to dispose of the accreditation report as it wishes and can pass it on in oral and written form, in electronic form through computer systems (e.g. on diskette, CD-ROM or through the Internet) or to third parties. However, in such cases the meaning and content of the report may not be changed at all. 9. APPENDIX 9.1. Application procedure The self-report made by the applicants forms the basis of the entire procedure. The suggested breakdown is intended to give assistance in putting together the information required and in providing a qualitative presentation of the institution and the study program. At the same time it is the basis for an objective, transparent and valid appraisal, enabling the auditors to make comparisons. In this function it reflects the information requirements 24

25 needed for an appraisal of the subject/content, which can be met in a number of ways depending on the study program to be accredited. It is important that the application has an inner consistency and coherence, guided by the following basic questions: In which institutional environment is the new study program to be carried out? Why is the new study program to be set up? What are the educational aims of the program? With what resources, in what manner, and with what perspective for the graduates is the program to be implemented? How is the required standard of quality to be achieved and guaranteed? Accordingly, the application is divided into two main sections: the first section deals with the study program itself and serves to show demand, educational aims and their realization. The second section is to illustrate the institutional environment of the study program for which the application has been made. The application must take into account definitely all the subject-specific supplementary notes for each of the study programs and subjects. The application should not exceed 30 pages in length, not including the appendix. The self-report is to be submitted in bound form (corresponding to the number auditors commissioned + one copy for the headquarters) signed with the legally binding signature of the university making the application and with one additional version of the documents in electronic form. 25

26 9.2 Suggested breakdown for application documents from universities and universities of applied sciences 1 Study program 1.1 General information on study programs This section should introduce the planned study program. The reasons for setting up the study program are of central importance. This section should give a clear idea of the orientation of the study program. This includes, on the one hand the orientation towards a specific demand from interested persons or a target group of students, on the other hand the orientation towards demand from the job market or the specific career opportunities envisaged for graduates of this program. Sources should be cited if possible. The internationalization of the department and the job market, potential innovations and regional requirements should also be taken into account. In the introductory phase of the modular study programs in particular, the application should outline opportunities for the transition from established Diploma study programs Formal details Name of the study program Assignment to one of the profiles in accordance with section of the Requirements and Procedural Principles (this only applies to a Master s program) Degree to be awarded (see also the details given in section ) Standard period of study Date of commencement for the study program Target numbers/teacher-student ratio Fees/remuneration (e.g. in the case of Master s programs as a further training program) Reasons for setting up the program Demand among prospective students Positioning of graduates in the job market Demand among the professional field Transition from/to the former qualification system Cooperation arrangements concerning the study program at hand Internal cooperation (interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary); Presentation of a time table of the teaching staff where teaching imports and exports in relation to the study program are documented External cooperation with other institutions/non-academic institutions (including international cooperation) 26

27 1.2 Educational aims This section should outline the targeted qualification profile of graduates of the study program. Joint applications for Bachelor s and Master s study programs require a separate explanation for each degree. An essential structural parameter for consecutive study programs consists of modularization together with a credit point system. The manner in which each module contributes to the desired educational aims must be outlined and it must also be shown how these modules are taken into account in the credit points system. Bachelor s and Master s degrees have to qualify graduates to enter their chosen respective professions. The application should explain to what extent the outlined aims of the study program meet this requirement. To this end the relevant professional fields for this study program must be described and it has to be illustrated how the curriculum conveys to the students the capability for typical areas of work for the professional fields in question Overall aims of the study program Illustration of the qualifications to be gained through the study (capabilities, skills) Aims of the individual modules (summarized in the module handbook) Relation to practical work, research, practicals, interdisciplinary cooperation; whether the degree qualifies graduates to enter the chosen profession 1.3 Entry and admission requirements (divided into Bachelor s and Master s programs) Admission requirements are governed by the German state laws on higher education (Hochschulrecht). The admission requirements for a Master s program are formulated and decided upon by the university or university of applied sciences itself. This section is intended to show what the admission requirements are, i.e. which criteria are set for selecting students for the study program in question. Please detail each program separately when making joint applications for Bachelor s and Master s programs Admission requirements General/subject-specific requirements for university level entry/relevant professional training Placements, work experience Foreign languages, knowledge of the German language Assessments of suitability Admission requirements (selection criteria) 1.4 Curriculum In addition to presentation in text form, it is advisable to show also the curriculum in the form of an overview. The data can be presented as one overview in the case of joint applications for Bachelor s and Master s programs. This overview must be supplemented in an appendix by a module handbook in which there must be a uniform and detailed illustration of the learning goals and material plans for all the modules. In addition, the inner coherence of the overall curriculum must be illustrated within the application and the 27

28 understanding of the optional compulsorymodules the sense of a specific profile has to be described Type of course taught (full-time, part-time, advanced training/continuing education, based on multimedia/telematics) Structure (subjects on offer, compulsory/core subjects, optional compulsory field of s tudy, subsidiaries, specialization, modularization) Number of credit hours and credit points, compulsory attendance, self-study Orientation national / international (lectures in foreign languages, semesters abroad, link programs for foreign students) Credit points for studying and examination performance Examinations (oral, written, other) Study and examination regulations Diploma supplement 1.5 Personnel involved in the study program This section begins with an overview of the personnel involved in the study program. This also includes teaching staff imported from other institutions. Vacant posts should be listed with their denomination Constitution form (professors; contract teachers; academic collaborators; fulltime/part-time academic, technical and administrative employees; quality and number of jobs) Counselling time (study counselling, consulting hours, tutorials, mentor programs) Retraining courses for the teaching staff 1.6 Quality assurance measures Accreditation is intended to assure the quality of the teaching and study and thus to ensure national and international recognition of the degrees from the study programs. Quality assurance will play a crucial role in the international competition rapidly developing between universities. In this section the universities involved should outline the measures and processes envisaged for quality assurance of the study program. Controls for the quality of the current study program should be taken into account, as should controls for the success of the study program. Monitoring the success of the study program is particularly important for re-accreditation. A functioning tutoring system and the type of student counselling must be documented also. A mandatory, standardized procedure with ongoing securing of the results has to be introduced in particular as a quality assurance measure. This includes a uniform questionnaire for all modules which is used for an independent assessment by the students. In the assessment a neutral committee must ensure that the results are implemented in a system towards quality improvement Evaluation during the study program (e.g. survey of students) Evaluation of the success of the study program (e.g. survey of graduates) Reconciliation and further development of the teaching and examination plan (e.g. by study commissions) 28

29 2 Institution Each study program is influenced considerably by the resources available to it and therefore by the department offering the study program. Personnel and physical resources are not merely quantitative factors. Rather it is more important how they are employed and how they interact in a greater context. Particularly in the case of an ex-ante accreditation, which is unable to refer to empirically established figures from the students, teachers and graduates, the feasibility of implementing a proposed study program has to be estimated in key parts by inquiring after the actual figures. An ex-ante guarantee of quality standard is possible only if the procedure is able to measure to what extent the planned concepts can be implemented in an objective, transparent and valid manner. Here the institution is an important indicator. 2.1 General information on the institutions involved In this section the institutions involved in setting up the study program or those supporting the study program are to be introduced. The aim of the presentation is to give an idea of the institutional and organizational framework of the new program. As regards the academic personnel of the institutions involved, the lists should be made for those posts directly involved in the study program. It should be made clear where the specific qualifications of the teaching staff for this program are seen to lie. The indicators listed in the suggested breakdown are to be taken as guidelines only Description of the institutions (departments involved, laboratories, scientific background) Committees related to the teaching in the study programs to be accredited (commissions, dean of studies, etc.) Research facilities, focus of research activities, R&D activities in relation to the study programs to be accredited Study programs, courses and degrees (including opportunities for further study) in relation to the study programs to be accredited Special strengths in teaching and research Academic personnel for the course Denomination/title of post Academic titles Involvement in teaching (credit hours by course and mode of teaching, e.g. lecture, seminar, etc.) If applicable, professional qualifications If (intending to be) involved in a Master s program, please state in addition: Main publications in the past five years, cooperation with industry/professional field patents, inventions, research projects, technology transfer, honorary awards, Membership in professional and academic associations Contract teachers, other special professorships, non-academic personnel 29

30 2.2 Resources This section should provide information on the spatial, physical and financial resources and premises that are available for the study program to be accredited. First and foremost, quantitative data is required that also provides information on the current situation, such as the situation for capacity utilization and institution-specific environmental factors. The planning must be set out plausibly using the available resources Resources for teaching (current budget) Personnel resources (teaching appointment, guest speakers, student assistants, etc.) Physical resources (excursions, equipment maintenance, teaching materials, etc.) Investment funds (purchase of equipment, computer equipment, etc.) Premises (lecture halls, seminar rooms, student workplaces, etc.) Investment resources for major equipment purchased over the last three years or due to be purchased. 2.3 Support for teaching and studying Supporting teaching and studying by physical and personnel resources is crucial for the implementation and concretization of the educational goals. The electronic data processing facilities must be listed, including hardware, software, investment resources, rooms, access opportunities and the supervision of students using the equipment. It is important to describe the purposes for which the students have use of the data processing facilities. If the resources are being shared by several departments, this must also be indicated. The same applies to the description of the provision of literature and laboratory equipment. If fixed organizational structures are available for the course as regards the practical relevance of the study program, these too should be indicated. The measures for providing guidance for current and prospective students should also be included in this section Data processing facilities Data processing equipment, (reinvestment, programs, program support, maintenance) Supervision of students/qualifications of the personnel Accessibility, number of computers/pools, opening times, etc Description of tasks carried out by students on PCs (workstations) Restrictions/hindrances Library/literature/media services Stock of publications (monograph titles, periodicals, etc.) Other media (maps, microfiche, audio) Purchasing/responsibility, coordination, etc Accessibility for students/electronic access Qualifications of the personnel Workplaces for students Restrictions/hindrances 30

31 2.3.3 Provision of laboratory facilities/equipment Equipment and technical status Supervision of students/qualifications of the personnel Accessibility, workplaces, opening times Restrictions/hindrances 2.4 Students and graduates of the institutions involved (presentation and interpretation of data) This section should present the quantitative data and provide an interpretation of it First year students listed by study programs Students listed by number of semesters and study programs Graduates (successful preliminary, intermediate and final examinations) Student-teacher ratio Please indicate the target figures for new study programs. Appendix A) Resolution of department/faculty and senate B) If applicable, admissions regulations and regulations governing fees and remuneration C) Teaching capacity assessments D) Official statement from the Ministry 31

32 9.3 Quantitative data accompanying suggested breakdown for application documents from universities and universities of applied sciences Source data for curriculum analysis sub-point 1.4 Curriculum: List of the lectures with an allocation of the scope to the subject groups: Mathematical-scientific fundamentals (MSF) Subject-specific fundamentals (SSF) Subject-specific deepening (SSD) Interdisciplinary content including basics of economics (IDC). The contents making up the curriculum should be laid out in tabular form as shown below to make it easier to analyse whether these correspond with the guideline values given in section above. If the allocation of the contents of individual subjects to the subject groups is made transparent, this makes it easier to decide whether the study program is an engineering study program and thus is included rightly on the ASIIN list of engineering study programs (this is important with regard to international recognition by FEANI and the Washington Accord). Table 1 Date: Seq. No. 1 List of teaching sessions ECTS credit points Teaching session MSF SSF SSGD IDC Total Grand total Percentage proportion

33 Source data for sub-point 1.5 Personnel involved in the study program Table 2 Staff of the teaching section by type of position, allocated planned positions and active persons (the W pay scales are to be taken into consideration) Table 2: Personnel involved in the study program Professorship Professorship Professorship Professorship Professorship Type of Position Planstellen Beschäftigte Anteil Anteil(e) Hochschuldozent/in (C2) bzw. Stellen- insgesamt am an anderen äquivalente Studiengang Studiengängen Wissenschaftliches Personal auf Dauer (A13 - A15, IIa) Oberassist./Obering. (C2) Wissensch. Assistent/in (C1) FwN (IIa) LfbA (einschl. Lektor/in) Außerplanmäßige Professuren, Honorarprofessuren, externe Lehrbeauftragte Sonstige Sum academic personnel technical personnel Sonstige (Angest., Arbeiter/in) Sum non-academic personnel (Proposal to designate BAT groups IVB to IIA in the case of academic staff on a fixedterm basis). FwN: LfbA: Positions to promote the up-and-coming academics Assistants for special tasks Proportion of the study program: Proportional contribution of the listed positions for the relevant study program. 33

34 Source data for sub-point 2.2 Resources Table 3 Resources: Funds for teaching Table 3: Funds for teaching Funds for teaching staff budget material expences investment budget large scale investments Source data for sub-point 2.4 Students and graduates of the institutions involved Table 4 First year students over the past three years, listed by study programs Table 4: first year students Degree/ Academic year 2001 Academic year 2002 Academic year 2003 Academic year2004 Course Sum First year students (by subject): Students (by subject) in the first semester in the allocated study program. Table 5 Students listed by study programs and number of semesters Table 5: Students listed by study programs and number of semesters Degree/ Students in subject related semesters Course RSZ 1) ges. WS 02/03 WS 03/04 WS 04/05 WS 05/06 WS 06/07 WS 07/08 1) total number of students in standard period of study Students: Students are counted as persons registered for a study program who are in the relevant winter semester. Guests and incidental students and study colleagues are not to be listed among the students; according to the official statistics, in the same way those on vacation or sabbaticals are not to be listed among the students. 34

35 Type of degree: A distinction is to be made between Bachelor s and Master s with profiling details. Table 6 Graduates of the study programs Table 6: Graduates of the study program Degree Course Academic year 2003 Academic year 2004 Academic year 2005 Academic year 2006 Sum Graduates: a first degree. Graduates are counted as those students who passed a final examination within the academic year (= examination year) for 35

36 9.4 Form for the Module handbook Study program: Designation of module: abbreviation, if applicable sub-heading, if applicable Teaching sessions, if applicable Semesters: Person(s) responsible for the module: Lecturer: Language: Allocation to the curriculum: Form of teaching/credit hours: Amount of work required Credit points: For all study programs (also ones coming to an end) in which the module is taught Study program, direction of study if applicable, optional/mandatory, semesters Details of credit hours and group size, broken down by type of teaching (lecture, exercise, practical, project, seminar, etc.) estimated amount of work required split between required attendance and self-study Preconditions: Educational goals/capabilities Main question: What skills should the students attain? Content: Study and examination performance: Forms of media: Literature: 36

37 9.5 Form for Personnel manual Name Position n.n. Assessment and designation of the teaching area Academic record Work record Appointment Year Post-doctoral thesis Year Doctorate Year Degree Year Work Period University University University University Employer Name of the project or main focus of the research R&D projects over the past 5 years Duration and any other details as applicable Partners, if applicable Details on financing Cooperation with industry over the past 5 years Patents and industrial property rights Project designation Partner(s) no partners without project details, no project details without partners Description Year Selected, more recent publications from a total of around (give total number): Publications Author(s) Titles Further details as applicable Publisher, place, date of publication and name of journal, volume, edition, page numbers Work in professional organizations over the past 5 years Organization Function Period Leave out any memberships that had no function 37

38 9.6 Sample timetable for on-site audits Evening before By 17:00 Arrival of the group of auditors 17:00 Preliminary meeting of group of auditors Site visit Key points: analysis of the accreditation application; unanswered questions; subjects for on-site discussions 08:30 Introductory talks with those responsible for the study program attended by the university directors Key points: 09:15 Break, internal discussion developmens plans of the university; position of subject within the context of the institution; profile and development perspectives of the subject as seen by the university directors Studying, teaching and research in the universities involved; personnel planning; cooperation with other institutions; development perspectives; resources; communication and coordination; organization of the study program and teaching management; quality assurance 09:30 Initial talks with those responsible for the study program Key points: educational aims; curriculum; course of the study program; course content and teaching methods; advising and supervising students; organization of examinations; success of the study program; relevance to the job market 10:30 Break, internal discussion 10:45 Talks with the teaching staff of the study program Key points: 12:00 Break for midday snack, internal discussion curriculum, course of the study program; course content and teaching methods; advising and supervising students; retraining courses for lecturers 13:30 Talks with students at various stages of the study program and the student representatives (particularly in the case of re-accreditation) 38

39 Key points: educational aims and study program; course content, organization and course of the study program; examinations, advising and supervising students, working conditions; periods of study abroad 14:30 Break, internal discussion 14:45 Tour of the universities involved Provision should be made here for one-to-one talks with members, directors and administration of the institutions involved in order to raise any unanswered points, make queries or add any other points. 16:00 Final talks with those responsible for the study program Key points: Summary of the impressions of the day by the audit group; opportunity for additional explanation or clarification if anything is unclear by those responsible for the study program. 17:00 End 39