Examination Regulations of the University of Stuttgart for the Master s Program Information Technology (INFOTECH) As of...

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1 Examination Regulations of the University of Stuttgart for the Master s Program Information Technology (INFOTECH) As of... According to 34 para. 1 No. 3 of the Landeshochschulgesetz from January 01, 2005 (GBl. 2005, p. 1), the Senate of the University of Stuttgart has passed the following Study and Examination Regulations for the Master s Program Information Technology (INFOTECH) on... The Rector of the University of Stuttgart has approved of this statutes in accordance with 34 para. 1 No. 3 of the Landeshochschulgesetz on..., fn.... Table of Contents Preamble I. General Information 1 Purpose of the Examination 2 Master s Degree 3 Credit Point System and Modules 4 Formal Length and Structure of Study Program, Credit Points 5 Outline of Studies and Examinations 6 Examination Deadlines 7 Examination Board 8 Examiners and Co-Examiners 9 General Admission Requirements 10 Module Examinations, Program and Examination Achievements 11 Language of Instruction 12 Program Achievements and Course-Accompanying Examinations 13 Oral Examinations 14 Written Examinations 15 Evaluation of Program and Examination Achievements, Module Grades 16 Absence, Withdrawal, Deception, Violation of Regulations 17 Passing and Failure 18 Repetition of Examinations 19 Transfer of Study Periods, Program and Examination Achievements II. Master s Examination 20 Purpose of the Master s Examination 21 Type and Scope of the Master s Examination 22 Master s Thesis 23 Calculation of the Final Grade and Final Grade Report 24 University Degree and Master's Certificate III. Final Clauses 25 Inspection of Examination Documents 26 Invalidity of an Examination 27 Coming into Effect and Transitional Regulations Appendix: Summary of Module Examinations Preamble The Study and Examination Regulations for the Master s Program Information Technology (INFOTECH) describe the curriculum of the degree program and the organization of examinations. It sets the rules and standards and serves as legal basis for a uniform implementation of the course of studies and the evaluation of program and examination achievements. It is directed at the students as well as at the examiners and all corresponding institutions at the University of Stuttgart.

2 I. General Information 1 Purpose of the Master s Examination The Master s examination provides a further professional qualification. It serves to establish whether the students have grasped the field of Information Technology (INFOTECH), are capable of applying scientific methods and knowledge and have acquired the specialist knowledge necessary for entering an occupation. All modules necessary for successfully completing the degree program are conducted in English, except for the Elective Modules designated as German in the curriculum. 2 Master s Degree (1) After passing the examination, the University of Stuttgart grants the academic degree Master of Science ( M. Sc. ). (2) The study program is consecutive. 3 Credit Point System and Modules (1) During the studies credit points have to be earned. They are a quantitative measure of the students workload during their studies. On average, 30 credit points have to be earned per semester. This corresponds to a workload of approx. 900 hours. The earning of credit points requires a successful participation in the courses or a successful provision of certain course achievements. It also requires the candidate to pass the corresponding module examination or partial examination. (2) The study program is divided into modules. After passing the module examination or the partial examinations, the credit points for the corresponding module will be distributed. The modules contain courses that are coherent in content with a duration of one, but no more than two semesters. 4 Formal Length and Structure of Study Program, Credit Points (1) The standard period of study is 4 semesters. This includes the module examinations and the Master s thesis. (2) 120 credit points have to be acquired for successfully completing the Master s program. 30 credit points are allotted to the master thesis and 90 credit points to the course work and examinations during the studies. (3) Credit points can only be earned with program and examination achievements in which a grade of at least sufficient (4,0) or passed successfully ( mit Erfolg teilgenommen ) was achieved. The distribution of credit points to the individual basic and specialization modules is regulated in the Appendix of this Examination Regulation. 5 Outline of Studies and Examinations (1) The Master s examination consists of module examinations taken during the course of studies and the Master s thesis. Courses are offered during all 4 semesters. (2) The students have to earn 27 credit points from basic modules, 30 credit points from indepth modules and 33 credit points from specialization modules. 30 points are earned with

3 the Master s thesis, so that the students have to earn a total of 120 credit points in 4 semesters. The basic, in-depth and specialization modules are listed in the appendix of these Examination Regulations. The basic modules include subjects from the areas of Mathematics (9 credit points), Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (altogether 18 credit points) and represent the basis of the interdisciplinary Master s program INFOTECH. The in-depth modules consist of 5 modules of altogether 30 credit points. The specialization modules consist of further subject-specific modules (18 credit points), an advanced internship (6 credit points), a seminar (3 credit points) and further modules to acquire interdisciplinary key qualifications (6 credit points). All modules are determined by the student's committee and offered in the module handbook in subject-specific catalogs. (3) The basic modules are determined by the examination board with the collaboration of the responsible professors in consideration of specific previous knowledge and the selected area of specialization. Students can propose modules. Every student is assigned an advisor who helps to create a curriculum that contains all elective modules that have to be taken besides the basic modules. The curriculum has to be approved by the examination board. (4) Additional modules can be taken. However, the credit points from additional modules cannot be included in the Master s examination (cf. 21 para. 2). 6 Examination Deadlines (1) The right to take examinations in the Master s program INFOTECH expires if the Master s examination was not successfully completed within 8 semesters, unless the candidate is not responsible for the failure to meet the deadline. The Examination Board will decide on this upon the examinee s request. (2) Expectant mothers are not allowed to take examinations during the last six weeks before childbirth unless they expressly agree to take the examinations. A written application has to be submitted to the Head of the Examination Board and can be withdrawn by the student anytime. Women in childbed are not allowed to take examinations during the first eight weeks after childbirth. For mothers who have had a medical premature or a multiple birth this period extends to twelve weeks, in case of premature births additionally to the period that could not be used pursuant to sentence 1. In the event of the death of the child, the mother can take examinations before the end of those periods upon explicit request as long as there are no medical objections. She can submit a revocation of this application at any time to the Head of the Examination Board. (3) Any student who is living in the same household as and caring for a child under the age of eight which is their charge, is entitled to take certain examinations after the corresponding deadlines passed. The Head of the Examination Board decides on the extension of the deadline upon the candidate s request. Deadlines for repeat exams can only be extended by up to two semesters. The period for writing the master's thesis can only be extended according to the deadline mentioned in 22 para. 5. The entitlement expires with the end of the semester in which the conditions mentioned in sentence 1 are no longer valid. The period in (1) has to be extended by a maximum of 6 semesters per child if the conditions specified in sentence 1 were met in this period. The entitlement expires at the latest with the end of the semester in which the child completes its eighth year. Students have to provide the corresponding evidence. They are obliged to communicate any changes in their circumstances immediately. (4) Any student who, without being unable to study, is, due to a longer illness or a longer or permanent disability unable to attend lectures or complete the expected study achievements,

4 is entitled to complete individual examinations after the deadlines provided by the examination regulations. The Head of the Examination Board decides on the extension of the deadline upon the candidate s request. Deadlines for repeat exams can only be extended by up to two semesters; furthermore the extension period cannot exceed two years. The student has to provide the necessary evidence, in particular medical reports; in case of doubt, the university can request a medical report by a certain physician. The students are obliged to communicate any changes in their circumstances immediately. (5) An occupation of at least one year as elected member of any committee provided by law or statutory institution of the university or the Student union can be disregarded up to one academic year in the determination of examination deadlines; the Rector decides on this upon the candidate s request. 7 Examination Board (1) The Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology constitutes an Examination Board for the organization of and all other tasks assigned by these Examination Regulations. The Head of the Examination Board, his or her representative and the other members as well as their representatives are appointed by the Faculty Council (Fakultätsrat) of the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The Examination Board consists of: 1. three professors from the Master s program INFOTECH 2. the Course Directors of the Master s program INFOTECH 3. two scientific employees 4. two students (in an advisory capacity) Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Only a professor or extraordinary professor and his or her representative in terms of No.1 can be Head of the Examination Board. As a general rule, the Head of the Examination Board conducts the business of the Examination Board. Beyond this, the board can assign certain revocable responsibilities to the chairperson. (2) The voting members are elected for a period of three years; the student members are elected for a period of one year. (3) The Examination Board makes sure that the terms of these Examination Regulations are observed. It submits regular reports on the development of the examination and study periods and the distribution of the final grades to the Faculty. The Examination Board has to make sure that the study and examination results can be achieved within the periods specified in these Examination Regulations. For this purpose, the students have to be informed in time about the kind and number of the required study and examination achievements as well as the dates at which they have to be produced. (4) The members of the Examination Board are entitled to be present at the examinations. (5) The members of the Examination Board and their substitutes are sworn to secrecy. The members must be sworn to secrecy by the chair, if they are not members of the public service. (6) Negative decisions by the Examination Board or its chairperson must be immediately communicated in writing to the candidate, stating the reasons; advice on the right to appeal shall be attached. Objections to these decisions can be submitted to the Head of the Examination Board in written form within one month after notification. If the Examination Board fails to redress the appeal, it has to be submitted to the Prorektor/ the Prorektorin Lehre und Weiterbildung for decision.

5 8 Examiners and Co-Examiners (1) The Examination Board appoints the examiners. The appointment can be assigned to the Head of the Examination Board. The examiner appoints the co-examiner. (2) In general, examinations that are not course-accompanying have to be conducted by professors and university or private lecturers (Hochschul- oder Privatdozenten), as well as by academic employees and lecturers for special purposes, who were authorized to conduct examinations. Academic employees or holders of teaching permits and teachers for special purposes can only be appointed as examiners in exceptional cases if not enough professors and university or private lecturers are available as examiners. (3) In general, the lecturer who taught the course will be appointed as examiner for program achievements (Studienleistungen) and course-accompanying examinations (lehrveranstaltungsbegleitende Prüfungen). (4) Co-examiners have to have at least a Master s degree or an equivalent degree in Computer Science, Informatics or Software Engineering. Co-examiners have to have at least a Master s degree in a subject area relevant to the topic or an equivalent degree in this or a related subject area. (5) 7 para. 5 applies equally to the examiners and co-examiners. (6) The examinees have to be informed in time about the examination dates and the names of the appointed examiners. There is no legal right to the assignment of a specific examiner. 9 General Admission Requirements (1) To module examinations and to the Master s thesis can be admitted, who 1. is enrolled as student of the Master s program INFOTECH at the University of Stuttgart at the time of the registration for the examination, 2. has fulfilled the admission requirements of the specific examination and 3. has submitted the curriculum approved by the Examination Board according to 5 para. 3 when registering for basic modules. 4. has not lost the right to take examinations in the Master s program INFOTECH or in a related study program at a university or college of equal standing in Germany. In case of a related study program, this only applies for the loss of the right to take examinations in examinations or modules that are also required in the Master s program INFOTECH. Related study programs are Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering or Computer Architecture and Computer Engineering. The Examination Board decides which further study programs are regarded as related. (2) The application for admission has to be submitted for each module examination in the required form to the Examination Office. If they have not already been submitted to the University of Stuttgart, the application has to include the following documents: 1. evidence that the admissions criteria listed in para. 1 No.1-4 are met 2. a statement whether the candidate has already failed a Master s examination or an examination in a related study program according to para. 1 No. 4 or whether he or she is currently involved in an examination procedure in such a study program. (3) If the candidate is unable to provide the documentation required, the Examination Board may allow the candidate to provide other evidence.

6 (4) If the documentation is incomplete at the time of application, the admission to the examination can be granted on the proviso that the missing documents will be submitted before the examination takes place. The examiner has to make sure that all application documents have been submitted before evaluating the examination. (5) The Examination Board decides on the admission to examinations. If the admission has not been declined by the Examination Office within one month after receiving the request, the candidate is considered as admitted. (6) The admission can only be declined if 1. the requirements listed in para. 1 are not fulfilled 2. the application is incomplete according to para the candidate has lost the right to take examinations in the Master s program INFOTECH or in a related study program according to para. 1 No. 4. at a university or college of equal standing in Germany or is currently involved in an examination procedure in such a study program. (7) The deadlines for the examinations will be announced by the Examination Office. 10 Module Examinations, Program and Examination Achievements (1) Each module examination consists of one or more program achievements (Studienleistungen) and/or examinations. (2) Program achievements are 1. certifications of successful participation in courses required for admission to examinations (Vorleistungen), 2. non-graded evidence of achievement (nicht benotete Leistungsnachweise) 3. graded evidence of achievement (benotete Leistungsnachweise) (3) Examination achievements are 1. written examinations, 2. oral examinations, 3. course-accompanying examinations. (4) Examinations which are not a part of a course can be taken during a leave of absence (Beurlaubung), program achievements and course-accompanying examinations cannot. (5) If the candidate can prove, by submitting a medical certificate, that he/she is unable to complete an exam as a whole or in part in the prescribed manner, due to a lasting or permanent physical injury or disability, the Head of the Examination Board may give permission to complete the exam during an extended period of time or in a different manner. The same applies for course achievements. 11 Language of Instruction In general, courses are conducted in English. On prior notice, courses can also be conducted in another language. In this case, the program and examination achievements have to be provided in the other language. 12 Program Achievements and Course-Accompanying Examinations

7 (1) Program achievements and course-accompanying examinations are taken concomitant to the studies within the corresponding course. They consist of written or oral examinations (e.g. seminar paper, oral presentation), or successful participation in practicals. (2) The expected date as well as the form and scope of the program achievement or courseaccompanying examination have to be announced to all students attending the lecture by the lecturer at the beginning of the semester. 13 Oral Examinations (1) In the oral examinations, the candidate has to demonstrate that he/she is aware of the fundamentals and interrelations of the examined field of study and can categorize specific aspects within these correlations. (2) Oral examinations that are not course-accompanying are conducted by one examiner in the presence of an observer familiar with the subject either as group examinations or as individual examinations. (3) The duration of an oral examination is at least 20 minutes but no longer than 60 minutes. If the exact duration of the examination is not given in the appendix of these Examination Regulations, it is fixed by the Examination Board on the suggestion of the examiner and has to be published in the course handbook. It has to be announced to the students at the beginning of the semester. (4) In general, the oral part of the re-examination has to be conducted as individual examination. If it is nevertheless scheduled as group examination, it has to be conducted as individual examination upon request of the candidate. (5) The fundamental topics and the results of the oral examination are to be recorded in writing and have to be signed by the examiner and the observer. The result of the examination will be determined by the examiner in consultation with the observer and has to be communicated to the candidate immediately after the examination. (6) Students of the same study program may attend oral examinations as listeners, insofar as space permits. The admission does not cover the discussion and notification of the examination result. For important reasons or upon application of the candidate, the public can be excluded from the examination. 14 Written Examinations (1) In the written examinations, the candidate has to demonstrate the ability to identify problems and find solutions using methods of his/her study subject in a limited time and with limited access to resources. (2) Written examinations that are not course-accompanying have to be evaluated by at least one examiner. The evaluation by a second examiner is required if the first examiner rates the examination as failed (in German "nicht ausreichend") in case of a re-examination. In this case one of the examiners has to be a professor or an associate professor. The final grade is then determined from the arithmetical mean of the individual grades ( 15 para. 2 No. 4). The assessment should be completed within four weeks. (3) The duration of written examinations is at least 30 minutes but no longer than 180 minutes. If the exact duration of the examination is not given in the appendix of these Examination Regulations, it is fixed by the Examination Board on the suggestion of the

8 examiner and has to be published in the course handbook. It has to be announced to the students at the beginning of the semester. (4) Written examinations can be replaced by oral examinations, if the candidates are notified at least four weeks before the examination on the Institute s notice board. 60 minutes of written examination can be replaced by 15 minutes of oral examination. (5) Written examinations can be conducted completely or partially with the multiple-choice method. The corresponding examiner is responsible for the topic and the evaluation. The examination questions have to provide reliable results. 15 Evaluation of Program and Examination Achievements, Module Grades (1) Program achievements according to 10 (2) No. 1 und 2 will be evaluated with the grade participated successfully ( mit Erfolg teilgenommen ) or participated without success ( ohne Erfolg teilgenommen ). The former is at least equivalent to the grade ausreichend (4,0). (2) The grades for examination achievements and graded program achievements are determined by the respective examiner. The following grades are admissible: 1 = sehr gut = excellent performance 2 = gut = performance which is significantly above average; 3 = befriedigend = average performance; 4 = ausreichend = performance that is sufficient despite deficiencies; 5 = nicht ausreichend = insufficient performance. For a more differentiated grading of program and examination achievements, the numerical grades can be increased or decreased by a value of 0,3; the grades 0,7, 4,3, 4,7 and 5,3 are not admissible. If examinations are graded independently by more than one examiner, the grade is determined from the arithmetical mean of the individual grades according to para. 3 No. 3. (3) If a module consists of several graded program and/or examination achievements, the grade is determined from the weighted average of the individual examinations. The weights of the individual program and examination achievements are defined in the course handbook. Only the first decimal is taken into account in the calculation; all other decimals are deleted without truncation. (4) The module grades are: for a result up to 1,5 = sehr gut, for a result from 1,6 up to 2,5 = gut, for a result from 2,6 up to 3,5 = befriedigend, for a result from von 3,6 up to 4,0 = ausreichend, for a result above 4,0 = nicht ausreichend. The module grade calculated according to para. 3 is specified in brackets. 16 Absence, Withdrawal, Deception, Violation of Regulations (1) Failure to attend an obligatory examination will result in the grade nicht ausreichend ; the same result is obtained if the student withdraws without cogent reasons after the examination has begun, or if in the case of written examinations the results are not achieved within the allotted time. A withdrawal from a registered examination is possible up to 7 days before the examination date without justification. This is not possible for course-accompanying examinations and re-examinations, which have to be repeated at the latest by the next offered examination date.

9 (2) Plausible reasons for a late withdrawal or failure to attend must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Examination Board and the examiner before the examination date. In case of failure to attend for reasons of ill health, a medical certificate must be submitted to the Head of the Examination Board immediately (usually within three working days). The medical certificate must state that the candidate is unable to take the examination and indicate the estimated duration of the illness. As far as the observation of the deadline for the first registration to an examination, the repeating of examinations, the reasons for absence from examinations and the observation of times allotted for achieving examination results are concerned, an illness of a child for which the candidate is responsible or the care for a close relative have the same status as the candidate's own illness. If the Head of the Examination Board accepts the student s reasons, the candidate must take the examination at the next possible date provided that no separate date will be fixed; partial examination results have to be recognized for the grading of the examination. If the Head of the Examination Board does not accept the student s reasoning, the examination result will be graded nicht ausreichend (5,0). (3) If a candidate, who was fully aware or negligently ignorant of a reason for withdrawal took an examination, a subsequent withdrawal for this reason is not possible. Negligent ignorance is particularly given when the candidate did not immediately clarify any indications for a potential illness. (4) If a candidate attempts to improve the examination result by deception or by using means which are disallowed, the module or Master Thesis, respectively, will be graded "nicht ausreichend (5,0). The penalty mentioned in the first sentence can also be applied if means which are disallowed have been used after the handing out of the examinations. A candidate disrupting the proper course of an exam may be excluded by the examiner. In this case the examination is graded nicht ausreichend (5,0). In severe cases the Examination Board can exclude the candidate from further examinations. 17 Passing and Failure (1) A module examination is passed, if all individual examinations and all program achievements according to 10 para. 2 have been graded with at least ausreichend (4,0), and if all preliminary and ungraded achievements according to 10 para. 2 No.1 and 2 were passed successfully. (2) The Master s examination is passed, if the Master s thesis is graded with at least ausreichend (4,0) and if all related module examinations are passed. (3) If the candidate failed in a module examination or the Master s thesis, a written notification will be issued, including instructions about available legal remedies and information on whether and to what extent the module examination and the Master s thesis can be repeated. In case of module examinations, the announcement of the examination result can also take place in a different manner. (4) If the candidate failed at the final attempt of the Master s examination, he/she can apply to the Examination Office for a certificate listing all passed course achievements and examinations and their grades as well as the non-passed course achievements and examinations. It will also indicate what course achievements and examinations are missing and that the candidate failed in the Master s examination. 18 Repetition of Examinations

10 (1) Program and examination achievements that have been graded with at least ausreichend cannot be repeated. (2) Failed examination achievements can be repeated once. (3) A second repeating of examination achievements is only possible in three cases. A second repeating of the Master s thesis is not possible. (4) If the second repetition of a written examination is graded with nicht ausreichend (5.0), an oral re-examination of about minutes is scheduled. This does not apply for the cases listed in 16 para. 1 No.1 und para. 4 as well as 18 para. 5 No.2. In this case, the result of the oral re-examination can only be ausreichend (4,0) or nicht ausreichend (5,0). 13 applies for the course of the oral examination. (5) Failed examinations must be repeated at the next scheduled examination date. Failure to take the examination at the next possible examination date will result in the grade nicht ausreichend (5.0). If cogent reasons for not taking the exam exist, the Head of the Examination Board can permit the withdrawal according to 16 para Transfer of Study Periods, Program and Examination Achievements (1) The Head of the Examination Board is responsible for the credit of program achievements and examinations results. Doubtful cases can be referred to the Examination Board for decision. (2) Program achievements and examination results from other degree programs at the University of Stuttgart or at other universities and at state or state-recognized universities of cooperative education in Germany can be credited, if equivalence is ascertained. Equivalence is to be ascertained, if the period of study, study achievements and examination results largely conform in content, scope and demand to those of the module at the University of Stuttgart. If certain program achievements and examination results necessary for the recognition of achievements are missing, the Examination Board can schedule supplementary examinations. The help of the responsible professor can be requested to check the aforementioned requirements. If agreements between the Federal Republic of Germany and other states concerning the mutual recognition of equivalencies in higher education (equivalency agreement) favor foreign students in deviation from No. 1, the regulations of the equivalency agreement take precedence. The credit of achievements can be refused if more than one half of total credit points of the Master s examination or the Master s thesis are to be credited. (3) For study periods, program achievements and examination results in state-approved distance studies, para. 2 applies, accordingly; para. 2 also applies for study periods, program achievements and examination results at other higher education institutions, in particular at Fachschulen, Ingenieursschulen and Offiziersschulen of the former German Democratic Republic. (4) Failed program or examination achievements in comparable or other degree programs are taken into account ex officio if these achievements are part of the Master s examination in the Master s program INFOTECH. (5) If program achievements and examination results are accepted, as far as the grading system is compatible, the grades will be transferred and included in the calculation of the final grade according to 16. In case of non-compatible grading systems, the remark passed ( bestanden ) is entered; the grade will not be and included in the calculation of the

11 module grade and the final grade. The acknowledgement may be noted in the certificate. (6) Fulfillment of the conditions contained in para. 2 and 3 results in the right of acknowledgement. The acknowledgement of study periods, program achievements and examination results is effected upon request. The candidate has to file his request within two semesters of his enrollment or return from studies abroad, a later application is not possible. The applicant has to submit all necessary information and documents concerning the achievements to be recognized. The burden of proving that an application does not meet the conditions for a recognition is born by the authority carrying out the recognition procedure according to para. 1. (7) Study periods from a previous study program are credited according to the acknowledged achievements. The placement into a certain semester is the result of the extent of the acknowledged achievements. II. Master s Examination 20 Purpose of the Master s Examination In the Master s examination, the students demonstrate their ability to independently solve technical and scientific problems in their field beyond the scope of their Bachelor s program using pertinent methods. 21 Type and Scope of the Master s Examination (1) The Master s examination consists of 1. the modules listed in the Appendix of these Examination Regulations, 2. the Master s thesis. (2) In the Master s examination, an examination can be taken in up to two additional modules. Upon the candidate s request, the result of these examinations has to be listed in the certificate. However, additional modules are not included in the calculation of the final grade. 22 Master s Thesis (1) In the Master s Thesis, the candidate demonstrates his/her ability to independently solve a problem from the area of Information Technology within a given time limit using technical and scientific methodology and to present the results properly. With the Master s thesis, 30 credit points are earned. (2) The Master s thesis can be issued by professors, university or private lecturers (Hochschul- oder Privatdozenten), furthermore by each scientific employee authorized to conduct examinations in accordance with the legal requirements. (3) The topic of the Master s thesis can be issued if the candidate has obtained at least 78 credit points and, if the admission was subject to certain conditions, if all conditions were met. The student has to start working on the Master s thesis, or ask the head of the Examination Board for a topic not later than one month after he has earned 90 credit points. The head of the Examination Board has to make sure that the candidate gets a topic for the Master s thesis in time, or the Master s thesis will be graded nicht ausreichend (5,0), unless the candidate is not responsible for the delay. The Head of the Examination Board will make this decision upon request. The candidate has to notify the Examination Office immediately

12 after the topic of the Master s thesis has been issued by the examiner or the Head of the Examination Board. Topic and date of issue have to be recorded. The topic can be returned only once within the first four weeks after issue. (4) The Master s thesis has to be completed at the Faculty of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the University of Stuttgart. The Head of the Examination Board will make decisions on exceptions upon request. (5) The Master s thesis must be completed within a period of 6 months. The examiner has to limit the kind and scope of the topic in such a way that the Master s thesis can be finished within the aforementioned period. For reasons beyond his/her control, the candidate may request an extension of the allotted time by up to 3 months by the Examination Board. (6) In general, the Master s thesis has to be written in English. Upon the candidate s request, the examiner may also permit a language other than English. In this case, the thesis has to contain an abstract in English. Apart from printed text, the Master s thesis may contain multimedia-based contents saved on electronic data storage media if this is required by the topic and if it has been permitted by the examiners. (7) Within the processing period according to para. 5, 3 bound copies of the completed Master s thesis have to be handed to the examiner. In addition, one electronic copy has to be submitted. The time of submission has to be recorded. If the Master s thesis is not submitted in time, it will be graded nicht ausreichend (5,0), unless the candidate is not responsible for the delay. The Head of the Examination Board will make this decision upon request. Upon submission of the Master s thesis, the candidate must affirm in writing that 1. he/she has independently composed the thesis, 2. has used no sources other than those indicated, and has appropriately declared all citations 3. that the submitted Master s thesis was neither completely nor in substantial parts subject of another examination, 4. the work was neither completely nor in parts published before, and 5. the electronic copy is consistent with the other copies. (8) An oral presentation of minutes with subsequent discussions on the content of the Master s thesis is part of the thesis. (9) The Master s thesis is evaluated by at least two examiners, one of whom is the examiner who issued the topic according to para. 2. One of the examiners has to be a professor or an associate professor of the University of Stuttgart. The examiners grade the Master s thesis according to the grades listed in 15. The oral presentation and subsequent discussion are part of the grade. The grade of the Master s thesis is calculated from the average of both individual grades. The assessment should be completed within two months. (10) The Master s thesis can be repeated once, if it has been graded nicht ausreichend. In case of repetition, the topic of the Master s thesis can only be returned within the deadline defined in para. 4 if the candidate has not made use of this possibility during the first Master s thesis. The repetition of the Master s thesis has to be registered at the Examination office within 8 weeks after the announcement of the examination result. If the candidate fails to register the thesis in time, it will be graded nicht ausreichend (5,0), unless the candidate is not responsible for the delay. 23 Calculation of the Final Grade and Final Grade Report (1) The final grade of the Master s examination is calculated from the average of the module grades, of which the Master s examination is composed, as well as the grade of the Master s

13 thesis, in each case weighted with the number of credit points of the corresponding module or the Master s thesis. 15 para. 3 and 4 both apply for the calculation. (2) In case of outstanding results (final grade of 1.2 or above) the grade "excellent with distinction" is awarded. (3) If the candidate has passed the Master s examination, he/she receives a final grade report. Apart from the final grade, the single module grades and the grade of the Master s thesis are listed in the final grade report. The final grade is given as decimal grade with one position after the decimal point. The final grade report is signed by the Head of the Examination Board. It bears the date of the last program achievement. The final grade report is issued in German and English. (4) The University issues a Diploma Supplement (DS) describing the profile of the degree program according to the Diploma Supplement Model of the European Union/Council of Europe/Unesco. 24 University Degree and Master's Certificate (1) Due to the passed Master s examination, the university degree Master of Science (abbreviated: M.Sc.) will be awarded. (2) The candidate obtains a Master s certificate along with the final grade report bearing the date of the final grade report. It certifies the award of the university degree according to para. 1. The Master s certificate is issued in German and English. (3) The Master s certificate is signed by the Dean of the Faculty 5 - Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, and by the Rector of the University of Stuttgart and bears the seal of the University of Stuttgart. III. Final Clauses 25 Inspection of Examination Documents (1) Upon the candidate s request, he/she is granted the opportunity to inspect the written examinations, the corresponding evaluation of the examiners, and the examination records within one year after the end of the examinations. (2) A corresponding request has to be submitted to the Head of the Examination Board in written form. 26 Invalidity of an Examination (1) If the candidate has been cheating in examinations and if this fact becomes known only after the final grade report has been handed out to the candidate, the respective grade can be corrected retroactively. The board may declare the module examinations as nicht ausreichend and the Master s examination as failed ( nicht bestanden ). (2) If the requirements for admission to an examination have not been fulfilled, without any intent to deceive on the part of the candidate, and if this fact becomes known only after the final grade report has been handed out to the candidate, this deficiency is remedied by passing the examination. If the candidate gained admission by intentionally deceitful means,

14 the module examinations may be declared as nicht ausreichend and the Master s examination as failed ( nicht bestanden ). (3) The candidate has to be given the opportunity to make a statement before the board takes a decision. (4) The incorrect final grade report is to be confiscated and a new one is to be issued if applicable. Together with the final grade report, the Master s certificate has to be confiscated, if the examination was declared as failed ( nicht bestanden ) because of deception according to para. 1. Decisions according to para. 1 and para. 2 No. 2 are not possible later than five years after the date indicated on the final grade report. 27 Coming into Effect and Transitional Regulations (1) These Examination Regulations come into effect as of October 01, At the same time, the Examination Regulations of the Master s Program Information Technology (INFOTECH) as of June 09, 2009 (Bulletin No. 20/2009) expire. (2) Students who have started their studies before these Examination Regulations come into effect can complete their studies according to the old Examination Regulations, but not later than September 30, 2017, or submit an irrevocable written request for change into the new Examination Regulations to the Examination Office. The request has to be submitted before October 31, Stuttgart, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfram Ressel (Rector) Appendix: Summary of Module Examinations No. Module Compul sory / Elective Semester Program Achievemen t Kind/Length of Examination CPs Basic Modules 1 Advanced Higher Mathematics C x P EA 9 2 Computer Science CE x EA 9 3 Electronics and Communication CE x EA In-Depth Modules 4-8 Compulsory Elective Modules (5 modules of 6 CPs) CE x x EA 6 NG EA 6 P EA 6 G EA 6

15 Specialization Modules 9-11 Elective Modules (3 modules of 6 CPs) E x x EA 6 NG EA 6 P EA 6 G EA 6 12 Practical Laboratory Work CE x CAE 6 13 Seminar CE x G 3 Interdisciplinary Key Qualifications 14 Non-Technical Compulsory Module CE x x x G EA 6 Master s Thesis 15 Master s Thesis C x Explanation of abbreviations: C = Compulsory module; CE = Compulsory elective module; E = Elective module P = Preliminary Achievement/Vorleistung; NG = not graded; G = graded EA= Examination Achievement; CAE = Course-Accompanying Examination 2. Before choosing the in-depth or specialization modules, one of the four areas of specialization listed in the module handbook has to be selected. 3. For each area of specialization, 5 compulsory elective modules of altogether 30 CPs have to be selected as in-depth modules. In the scope of the specialization modules, one practical laboratory work, one seminar and three elective modules of 6 CPs each have to be completed successfully. The eligible compulsory elective modules and elective modules and the assignment of the modules to the areas of specialization can be found in the module handbook. 6. The semesters in which a module should be taken a marked by an x. 7. If only EA is given in the column Exam/Length, the length of the examination is not regulated and the type and scope of the examination given in the module handbook If only CAE is given in the column Exam/Length, kind and scope of the examination will be announced by the lecturer at the beginning of the semester.