Examination and Academic Regulations Master Informatics
Subject Examination Regulations October 29, 2013 incl. the modification of the Examination and Academic Regulations from November 5, 2014 and December 3, 2015
The following examination regulations only applies to students who started from winter term 2013/14 until summer term 2016:
Please note:
This English version is provided merely as a convenience and is not intended to be a legally binding document. The German version of the Examination and Academic Regulations for the Master’s Program in Informatics, part-time Master’s Program in Informatics (50 %) and part-time Master’s Program in Informatics (66%) at the Technische Universität München from October 29, 2013 incl. the modification of the Examination and Academic Regulations from November 5, 2014 is the official, legally binding version.
General Academic and Examination Regulations (APSO)
The General Academic and Examination Regulations of TUM are valid for all bachelor's and master's degree programs at TUM and define the framework for the more detailed design of the programs in the FPSO.
In accordance with Art. 13 (1) sentence 2 in conjunction with Art. 58 (1) sentence 1, Art. 61 (2) sentence 1 and Art. 43 (5) of the Bayerisches Hochschulgesetz (BayHSchG) [Bavarian Higher Education Act] the Technische Universität München issues the following Examination and Academic Regulations (Fachprüfungs- und Studienordnung, FPSO):
Introductory note on linguistic usage
In accordance with Art. 3 (2) of the German Constitution, women and men have equal rights. Any terms relating to persons and functions mentioned in the following regulations are equally valid for women and men.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Master´s Program
§ 34 Applicability, Academic Titles, Related Degree Programs
§ 35 Commencement of Studies, Standard Duration of Study, ECTS
§ 36 Eligibility Requirements
§ 37 Modular Structure, Module Examination, Courses, Course Specialization, Language of Instruction
§ 38 Examination Deadlines, Progress Monitoring, Failure to Meet Deadlines
§ 39 Examination Board
§ 40 Recognition of Periods of Study, Coursework and Examination Results
§ 41 Continuous Assessment Procedure
§ 42 Registration for and Admission to the Master’s Examination
§ 43 Scope of the Master’s Examination
§ 44 Repeat Examinations, Failed Examinations
§ 45 Coursework
§ 46 Master’s Thesis
§ 47 Passing and Assessment of the Master’s Examination
§ 48 Degree Certificate, Diploma, Diploma Supplement
II. Part-time Master´s Program in Informatics (50%)
§ 49 Applicability, Commencement of Studies, Standard Duration of Study, ECTS
§ 50 Examination Deadlines, Progress Monitoring, Failure to Meet Deadlines
§ 51 Registration for and Admission to the Master’s Examination
§ 52 Master’s Thesis
III. Part-time Master´s Program in Informatics (66%)
§ 53 Applicability, Commencement of Studies, Standard Duration of Study, ECTS
§ 54 Examination Deadlines, Progress Monitoring, Failure to Meet Deadlines
§ 55 Registration for and Admission to the Master’s Examination
§ 56 Master’s Thesis
IV. Final provision
§ 57 Entry into Force
Appendices
Appendix 1: Examination Modules
Appendix 2: Aptitude Assessment
Appendix 3: Curriculum
§ 34 Applicability, Academic Titles, Related Degree Programs
(1) 1These Examination and Academic Regulations for the Master’s program in Informatics (FPSO) complement the General Academic and Examination Regulations for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at the Technische Universität München (APSO) as amended.2The APSO shall have precedence.
(2) 1Upon successful completion of the Master’s examination the degree “Master of Science” (“M.Sc.”) is awarded. 2The academic title may also be used with the name of the university “(TUM)”.
(3) The Master’s program in Informatics and both part-time Master’s programs in Informatics are related programs.
§ 35 Commencement of Studies, Standard Duration of Study, ECTS
(1) Commencement of the Master’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München is possible in the winter or summer semester.
(2) 1The number of classes in required and elective subjects needed to obtain the Master’s degree is 90 credits (63 weekly hours per semester) spread over three semesters.2Furthermore, a maximum of six months (30 credits) is added for the completion of the Master’s thesis pursuant to § 46. 3The number of examinations in required and elective subjects to be completed in the Informatics Master’s program according to Appendix 1 (including the Master’s thesis) is a minimum of 120 credits. 4The standard duration of study for the Master’s program will be a total of four semesters.
§ 36 Eligibility Requirements
(1) Eligibility for the Master’s program in Informatics is demonstrated by
1. the following degrees:
a) a qualified Bachelor’s degree in Informatics or comparable programs obtained from a domestic university; or
b) an internationally recognized qualified Bachelor’s degree in the programs stated in lit. a) obtained from a foreign university; or
c) a qualified Diplom, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the programs stated in lit. a) obtained from a domestic Fachhochschule [university of applied sciences]; or
d) a Diplom, Magister, state examination or Master’s degree in the programs stated in lit. a) obtained from a domestic university; or
e) a degree obtained from a foreign institution of higher education which is equivalent to the degrees listed in lit. c) and d); or
f) a Diplom degree in the programs specified in a) obtained from a domestic Berufsakademie [vocational college] that corresponds to the criteria stipulated in the KMK-Beschluss [Decision of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education] of 29 September 1995; or
g) an accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the programs stated in a) obtained from a domestic Berufsakademie [vocational college];
2. an adequate knowledge of the English language; students whose native language or language of instruction is not English must demonstrate proficiency through an acknowledged language test such as “Test of English as a Foreign Language“ (TOEFL) (at least 88 points), “International English Language Testing System” (IELTS) (at least 6.5 points), or “Cambridge Main Suite of English Examinations” (Competence level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference); alternatively adequate language skills may be proven through a good grade in English (corresponding to at least 10 out of 15 points) awarded by a domestic higher education entrance qualification.
3. applicants who obtained their first degree in one of the following countries, must demonstrate specialized knowledge through a “Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test” or a “Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering” (GATE): China, Bangladesh, India, Iran, Pakistan; for applicants with a first degree from a country that is not a signatory state of the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region from 11 April 1997 (henceforth referred to as Lisbon Convention) a submission of the test pursuant to sentence 1 is recommended as it will be requested in case of substantial differences in regard to the competencies proven by the first degree pursuant to subsection 2; the request will not be necessary in case of degrees from the signatory states of the Lisbon Convention; details concerning the completion of the test will be announced in time on the webpages of the examination board.
4. passing of the Aptitude Test pursuant to Appendix 2.
(2) A degree is considered a qualified degree within the meaning of subsection 1 if such degree requires the successful completion of examinations that are equivalent to the examinations in the Bachelor’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München specified in subsection 1, no. 1, and correspond to the subjectspecific requirements of the Master’s program in Informatics.
(3) 1The assessment according to subsection 2 will be performed on the basis of the required modules of the Bachelor’s program in Informatics. 2If certain examination results are missing for the assessment, the Aptitude Test Committee pursuant to Appendix 2 no. 3 may require that the candidates demonstrate eligibility pursuant to subsection 1 by taking those examinations as additional Fundamentals Exams pursuant to Appendix 2 no. 5.1.3. 3The candidate must be informed thereof after review of the documentation during the first stage of the Aptitude Test.
(4) The comparability of programs, the subject-specific aptitude as well as the equivalence of degrees acquired from foreign institutions will be decided upon by the examination board in compliance with Art. 63 of the Bayerisches Hochschulgesetz [Bavarian Higher Education Act].
§ 37 Modular Structure, Module Examination, Courses, Course Specialization, Language of Instruction
(1) 1General provisions concerning modules and courses are set forth in §§ 6 and 8 of the APSO. 2For any changes to the stipulated module provisions § 12 (8) of the APSO shall apply.
(2) The curriculum listing the required and elective courses is included in Appendix 3.
(3) 1In addition to the courses taught in the German language a sufficient number of courses will be offered in the English language. 2It is therefore possible to pursue the Master’s program in the English language exclusively. 3Pursuant to § 5 Abs. 3 Nr. 11 of the Immatrikulations-, Rückmelde-, Beurlaubungs- und Exmatrikulationssatzung [§ 5 (3) no. 11 of the Statutes governing Enrollment, Re-Enrollment, Leave of Absence and Withdrawal] of the Technische Universität München of 30 March 2007, as amended, proof of proficiency in the German language is not required for enrollment.
§ 38 Examination Deadlines, Progress Monitoring, Failure to Meet Deadlines
(1) Examination deadlines, progress monitoring, and failure to meet deadlines are governed by § 10 of the APSO.
(2) 1At least one of the module examinations listed in Appendix 1 must be successfully completed by the end of the second semester. 2In the event of failure to meet deadlines § 10 (5) of the APSO shall apply.
§ 39 Examination Board
Pursuant to § 29 of the APSO the board responsible for all decisions concerning examination matters shall be the Examination Board of the Faculty of Informatics of the Technische Universität München.
§ 40 Recognition of Periods of Study, Coursework, and Examination Results
(1) The recognition of periods of study, coursework and examination results is governed by the provisions of § 16 of the APSO.
(2) 1Examinations that were successfully completed in the course of a semester abroad at a foreign institution of higher education may, up to a total of 18 credits, be recognized and counted as electives toward the Master’s examination if they, even if there is no corresponding module in the module catalog of the Technische Universität München, comply with the remaining requirements of the Informatics Master’s program and have a reasonable disciplinary connection to the contents of the Informatics Master’s program. 2The examination Board, in consultation with the international student advisers of the Faculty of Informatics, shall decide on the recognition of these examinations.
(3) Examinations and coursework completed in the course of a double degree program at another institution of higher education will be recognized without verification of equivalency if they comply with a “Learning Agreement” agreed upon by the international student advisers of the Faculty of Informatics.
(4) 1In case of a change from the Master’s program of Informatics to one of the part-time Master’s programs, a change between the part-time Master’s programs or a change from a part-time Master’s programs to the Master’s program of Informatics, the times of study will be counted ex officio. 2In case of a change from a part-time Master’s program to the higher part-time level or to the fulltime course of studies a prolongation of the examination deadlines will be granted by the examination board upon request.
§ 41 Continuous Assessment Procedure, Forms of Examination
(1) 1The module examinations will, as a rule, be taken concurrently with the program. 2Type and duration of module examinations are provided for in Appendix 1. 3In the event of divergence from those provisions, § 12 (8) of the APSO must be complied with. 4The assessment of the module examination is governed by § 17 of the APSO.
(2) Where Appendix 1 provides that a module examination is either in written or oral form, the examiner must inform the students in appropriate form, no later than the first day of classes, of the type of examination to be held.
(3) Upon request of a student and with the agreement of the examiners, examinations may be taken in a different language than the course language.
§ 42 Registration for and Admission to the Master’s Examination
(1) 1Students who are enrolled in the Master’s program in Informatics are deemed admitted to the module examinations of the Master’s examination. 2Also, a student is deemed admitted to certain individual module examinations if that student, during his/her consecutive Bachelor’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München, has taken additional examinations in accordance with § 46b of the Examination and Academic Regulations for the Bachelor’s program in Informatics of the Technische Universität München of 15 June 2012 in its current version.
(2) 1Registration requirements for required, required elective, and elective module examinations are stipulated in § 15 (1) of the APSO. 2The registration requirements for repeat examinations for failed required and required elective modules are stipulated in § 15 (2) of the APSO.
§ 43 Scope of the Master’s Examination
(1) The Master’s examination consists of:
1. the module examinations in the corresponding modules pursuant to subsection 2,
2. the Master’s thesis pursuant to § 46.
(2) 1The module examinations are listed in Appendix 1. 2In addition to the module examinations in required modules in the scope of 31 credits as set out in Appendix 1 A, module examinations of at least 53 credits in elective modules from the Informatics elective modules catalogue according to Appendix 1 B, module examinations of at least 6 credits in elective modules from the Support Electives modules catalogue according to Appendix 1 C. 3The selection of modules must be in compliance with § 8 (2) of the APSO.
§ 44 Repeat Examinations, Failed Examinations
(1) 1The repetition of examinations is governed by § 24 of the APSO. 2The repeat examination for a module examination administered at the end of the lecture period and not passed, as a rule must be taken no later than by the end of the first week of the lecture period of the following semester.
(2) Failure of examinations is governed by § 23 of the APSO.
§ 45 Coursework
1Instead of the examinations to be taken in elective modules pursuant to § 43 (2) sentence 2, successful completion of coursework may be required. 2In this case the number of credits to be earned through examinations in elective courses pursuant to § 43 (2), sentence 2 will be reduced accordingly.
§ 46 Master’s Thesis
(1) 1As part of the Master’s examination, each student must write a Master’s thesis pursuant to § 18 of the APSO. 2The Master’s thesis topic may be assigned and supervised by any full-time member of the Informatics professorial faculty of the Technische Universität München.
(2) Work on the Master’s thesis should commence after successful completion of all module examinations.
(3) Where the Aptitude Assessment Committee has made admission subject to successful completion of Fundamentals Exams pursuant to Appendix 2.
(4) 1The period of time between topic assignment and submission of the completed Master’s thesis must not exceed six months. 2The Master’s thesis may be written in either the German or the English language.
(5) 1The completion of the Master’s thesis consists of a written composition and a lecture on its content. 2The lecture does not affect the grading.
(6) 1If the Master’s thesis was not graded with at least “sufficient” (4.0), it may be repeated once with a new topic. 2The new Master's thesis must be registered no later than six weeks after the notification of the result.
§ 47 Passing and Assessment of the Master’s Examination
(1) The Master’s examination is deemed passed when all examinations required for the Master’s examination pursuant to § 43 (1) have been passed and a plus credits account of at least 120 credits has been achieved.
(2) 1The grade for a module will be calculated according to § 17 of the APSO. 2The overall grade for the Master’s examination will be calculated as the weighted grade average of the modules according to § 43 and the Master’s thesis. 3The grade weights of the individual modules correspond to the credits assigned to each module.
§ 48 Degree Certificate, Diploma, Diploma Supplement
1If the Master’s examination was passed, a degree certificate, a diploma, and a diploma supplement including a transcript of records are to be issued in compliance with § 25 (1) and § 26 of the APSO. 2Issuance in electronic format is not permitted. 3The degree certificate will be dated on the day when all examination and coursework requirements have been fulfilled.
§ 49 Applicability, Commencement of Studies, Standard Duration of Study, ECTS
(1) Unless stipulated otherwise, the regulations of the Master’s program in Informatics in section I apply.
(2) Commencement of the Master’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München is possible in the winter or summer semester.
(3) 1The Master’s program will be offered in the special form of a part-time Master’s program pursuant to Art. 57 (2) sentence 4 BayHSchG. 2The number of classes in required and elective subjects needed to obtain the Master’s degree is 90 credits (63 weekly hours per semester) spread over six semesters. 3Furthermore, a maximum of twelve months (30 credits) is added for the completion of the Master’s thesis pursuant to § 46.4The number of examinations to be completed in the part-time Master’s program in Informatics according to Appendix 1 is a minimum of 120 credits. 5The standard duration of study for the part-time Master’s program will be a total of eight semesters.
§ 50 Examination Deadlines, Progress Monitoring, Failure to Meet Deadlines
1Examination deadlines, progress monitoring, and failure to meet deadlines are governed by § 10 of the APSO 2Examinations should be taken in a timely manner so that the necessary credits account of 120 credits pursuant to § 47 (1) is achieved by the end of the standard duration of eight semesters for the part-time Master’s program. 3Students should acquire 15 credits per semester in order to meet the standard duration as set out in § 49 (3) sentence 5. 4Students are demanded to acquire at least 12 credits per semester in accordance to the selection rules. 5In this part-time Master’s program, pursuant to § 10 (4) sentence 3 in conjunction with subsection 3 sentence 3 APSO, the following credits are to be acquired according to the modules stipulated in Appendix 1:
1. by the end of the third semester at least 15 credits,
2. by the end of the fourth semester at least 30 credits,
3. by the end of the fifth semester at least 45 credits,
4. by the end of the sixth semester at least 60 credits,
5. by the end of the seventh semester at least 75 credits,
6. by the end of the eighth semester at least 90 credits,
7. by the end of the tenth semester at least 120 credits.
6In case the in sentence 4 no. 7 announced deadline is exceeded by an additional semester, the not yet performed module examinations are deemed definitively failed unless compelling reasons pursuant to § 10 (7) of the APSO exist.
§ 51 Registration for and Admission to the Master’s Examination
(1) 1Students who are enrolled in the part-time Master’s program in Informatics are deemed admitted to the module examinations of the Master’s examination. 2Also, a student is deemed admitted to certain individual module examinations if that student, during his/her consecutive Bachelor’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München, has taken additional examinations in accordance with § 46b of the Examination and Academic Regulations for the Bachelor’s program in Informatics of the Technische Universität München of 15 June 2012 in its current version.
(2) 1Registration requirements for required, required elective, and elective module examinations are stipulated in § 15 (1) of the APSO. 2The registration requirements for repeat examinations for failed required and required elective modules are stipulated in § 15 (2) of the APSO. 3In the part-time Master’s program, participation in modules and the corresponding examinations according to Appendix 1 is limited to a maximum of 20 credits per semester. 4For the registration, the student has to present the academic advisor a study plan with the scheduled modules until the beginning of the examination registration period. 5If the student wants to take more exams, he / she has to change to the part-time Master’s program with the higher level or to the full-time Master’ program in Informatics. 6In case of change of the study mode (either into one or between the part-time levels) failed examinations can be repeated once on the next possible date without considering the regular credit scope of the semester.
§ 52 Master’s Thesis
(1) 1As part of the Master’s examination, each student must write a Master’s thesis pursuant to § 18 of the APSO. 2The Master’s thesis topic may be assigned and supervised by any full-time member of the Informatics professorial faculty of the Technische Universität München.
(2) Work on the Master’s thesis should commence after successful completion of all module examinations.
(3) Where the Aptitude Assessment Committee has made admission subject to successful completion of Fundamentals Exams pursuant to Appendix 2 no. 5.1.3 sentence 2, students may not commence work on their Master’s thesis unless proof of successful completion of these Fundamentals Exams is provided.
(4) 1The period of time between topic assignment and submission of the completed Master’s thesis must not exceed twelve months. 2The Master’s thesis may be written in either the German or the English language.
(5) 1The completion of the Master’s thesis consists of a written composition and a lecture on its content. 2The lecture does not affect the grading.
(6) 1If the Master’s thesis was not graded with at least “sufficient” (4.0), it may be repeated once with a new topic. 2The new Master's thesis must be registered no later than six weeks after the notification of the result.
§ 53 Applicability, Commencement of Studies, Standard Duration of Study, ECTS
(1) Unless stipulated otherwise, the regulations of the Master’s program in Informatics in section I apply.
(2) Commencement of the Master’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München is possible in the winter or summer semester.
(3) 1The Master’s program will be offered in the special form of a part-time Master’s program pursuant to Art. 57 (2) sentence 4 BayHSchG. 2The number of classes in required and elective subjects needed to obtain the Master’s degree is 90 credits (63 weekly hours per semester) spread over five semesters. 3Furthermore, a maximum of nine months (30 credits) is added for the completion of the Master’s thesis pursuant to § 46. 4The number of examinations to be completed in the part-time Master’s program in Informatics according to Appendix 1 is a minimum of 120 credits. 5The standard duration of study for the part-time Master’s program will be a total of six semesters.
§ 54 Examination Deadlines, Progress Monitoring, Failure to Meet Deadlines
1Examination deadlines, progress monitoring, and failure to meet deadlines are governed by § 10 of the APSO. 2Examinations should be taken in a timely manner so that the necessary credits account of 120 credits pursuant to § 47 (1) is achieved by the end of the standard duration of six semesters for the part-time Master’s program. 3Students should acquire 15 credits per semester in order to meet the standard duration as set out in § 53 (3) sentence 5. 4Students are demanded to acquire at least 15 credits per semester in accordance to the selection rules. 5In this part-time Master’s program, pursuant to § 10 (4) sentence 3 in relation with subsection 3 sentence 3 APSO, the following credits are to be acquired according to the modules stipulated in Appendix 1:
1. by the end of the third semester at least 20 credits,
2. by the end of the fourth semester at least 40 credits,
3. by the end of the fifth semester at least 60 credits,
4. by the end of the sixth semester at least 80 credits,
5. by the end of the eight semester at least 120 credits.
6In case the in sentence 4 no. 7 announced deadline is exceeded by an additional semester, the not yet performed module examinations are deemed definitively failed unless compelling reasons pursuant to § 10 (7) of the APSO exist.
§ 55 Registration for and Admission to the Master’s Examination
(1) 1Students who are enrolled in the part-time Master’s program in Informatics are deemed admitted to the module examinations of the Master’s examination. 2Also, a student is deemed admitted to certain individual module examinations if that student, during his/her consecutive Bachelor’s program in Informatics at the Technische Universität München, has taken additional examinations in accordance with § 46b of the Examination and Academic Regulations for the Bachelor’s program in Informatics of the Technische Universität München of 15 June 2012 in its current version.
(2) 1Registration requirements for required, required elective, and elective module examinations are stipulated in § 15 (1) of the APSO. 2The registration requirements for repeat examinations for failed required and required elective modules are stipulated in § 15 (2) of the APSO. 3In the part-time Master’s program, participation in modules and the corresponding examinations according to Appendix 1 is limited to a maximum of 25 credits per semester. 4For the registration, the student has to present the academic advisor a study plan with the scheduled modules until the beginning of the examination registration period. 5If the student wants to take more exams, he / she has to change to the part-time Master’s program with the higher level or to the full-time Master's program in Informatics. 6In case of change of the study mode (either into one or between the part-time levels) failed examinations can be repeated once on the next possible date without considering the regular credit scope of the semester.
§ 56 Master’s Thesis
(1) 1As part of the Master’s examination, each student must write a Master’s thesis pursuant to § 18 of the APSO. 2The Master’s thesis topic may be assigned and supervised by any full-time member of the Informatics professorial faculty of the Technische Universität München.
(2) Work on the Master’s thesis should commence after successful completion of all module examinations.
(3) Where the Aptitude Assessment Committee has made admission subject to successful completion of Fundamentals Exams pursuant to Appendix 2 no. 5.1.3 sentence 2, students may not commence work on their Master’s thesis unless proof of successful completion of these Fundamentals Exams is provided.
(4) 1The period of time between topic assignment and submission of the completed Master’s thesis must not exceed nine months. 2The Master’s thesis may be written in either the German or the English language.
(5) 1The completion of the Master’s thesis consists of a written composition and a lecture on its content. 2The lecture does not affect the grading.
(6) 1f the Master’s thesis was not graded with at least “sufficient” (4.0), it may be repeated once with a new topic. 2The new Master's thesis must be registered no later than six weeks after the notification of the result.
§ 57 Entry into Force*)
1These Examination and Academic Regulations shall enter into force on 1 April 2014. 2They shall apply to all students who commence their studies in the Informatics Master’s program at the Technische Universität München as of the summer semester 2014. 3At the same time the Examination Regulations for the Master’s Program in Informatics of 15 June 2012, last amended by the Regulations dated 21 May 2013, shall cease to be in effect subject to the provision set forth in subsection 2.
*) This directive states the entry into force of the original examination regulations in the version of 29 October 2013. The point of entry into force of a modification results from the corresponding modification of the Examination and Academic Regulations.