Important Information about Course Progression and Program Changes
Our bachelor's program follows a structured sequence of courses that must be taken in the prescribed order, as each course builds on prior material. While most students follow this sequence without issues, some do not complete their courses for various reasons. This can cause several problems:
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Access to higher-level courses
To ensure students are adequately prepared for second- and third-year courses, as well as the bachelor thesis (taken in the final term), we enforce entry requirements as stated in the respective course plan. If you failed both the exam and the re-exam in a previous course, a lot of work is required to catch up. This case is assumed in our entry requirements: We deny further progression, if we consider that the repetition of several earlier courses would be far too stressful in combination with working on the new courses. As admission rules are based on completed courses for a transparent and equal treatment, this also affects you, if you “just forgot” about a minor hand-in. -
Program Structure Changes from HT2026
Starting in HT2026, certain courses (FYSA22, FYSA13, FYSA14, FYSB21, FYSB23) will be replaced by new courses with a different content arrangement. Students following the standard program timeline will not be affected, but those taking a break may need to transition between old and new courses. Transition rules will be established, but they only apply to fully completed courses. Incomplete courses may become problematic, as labs and assignments might no longer be available, and re-exams will only be offered for one additional year. If you do not complete an old course in full, any partial progress may no longer count towards the degree, requiring you to take the new replacement course.
Recommendations for a Smooth Study Experience
To avoid complications, we strongly advise you to:
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Complete all mandatory course components (e.g., hand-ins, labs) on time to prevent incomplete courses.
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Do not postpone an exam, as you intent to get a better grade. The time your studies take are generally more relevant than the grades (in contrast to your experience from high-school). And real-life-experience tells, that you actually may not find more time to study before the next exam date.
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If you miss a lab due to illness, contact the lab assistant immediately to arrange a replacement or swap with another student if possible.
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Plan your schedule carefully. Avoid committing to work, travel, or other activities until you are sure there are no mandatory course dates, including labs. Be aware that Re-exams are often scheduled on Saturdays.
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Keep the August re-exam period free from vacation or work until you are sure that you passed all exams already.
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Seek support if needed. If you face repeated difficulties with exams, contact the study advisor early for guidance on study techniques and exam anxiety management.
By staying on track with your coursework and planning ahead, you can ensure a smoother academic journey.
February 2025, Andreas Wacker