Program structure

Program structure

General questions regarding program structure and specialization for all IIS-students

Can I do the language course abroad?

Yes, you can. But, as for other courses, you need a learning agreement.

Can I take a course that is unrelated to my study program?

Yes this is possible. For IIS students starting from winter term 2021/22 it is possible to choose any FAU module worth 5 ECTS (or more) that you would like to study as part of the Studium Generale. Please have a look here for more information.

For IIS students starting before winter term 2021/22, this is not possible

Do I have to take my courses in any special order?

No. It is completely up to you in which order you choose your courses. Past experience has shown that it is best to take courses from the individual introduction at the beginning of your studies. In addition, there are occasional courses that require other courses. If this is the case, it will be referred to on the chair page. It should also be noted that, from experience, students with a management background in particular tend to learn the basics of computer science in their first semester before taking more in-depth computer science courses.

How can I choose to study a specialization?

Please have a look here for more information.

How can I take a language course?

Depending on your study start, students can or have to take a language course. More information regarding e.g. offered languages can be found in the module handbook. If you have further questions, you can also refer to the FAU Sprachenzentrum, which is responsible for this module.

How can I transfer my achievements (e.g. Electives –> Core Courses)?

If you need to transfer your achievements (e.g, to transfer some Electives to the Core Courses), you need to submit all of the following documents:

  • Transcript of Records
  • Enrolment Certificate

Please use the form linked below.

Link to the form: https://www.win.rw.fau.de/iis-help/iis-contact-form/transfer-of-achievements-e-g-electives-core-courses/

Where can I find more information on the modules?

Please have a look here for more information.

Which courses am I allowed to take as an IIS-student?

This is regulated in the module handbook. Please have a look here for more information.

Which program structure applies to me?

Please have a look here for more information.

Specific questions regarding program structure and specialization for study start between 2018 and 2020

Can I also take a course as part of the Studium Generale?

No. Unfortunately, this is only possible for students with a study start in/after 2021.

Do I also have to take courses as part of “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”?

No, students with study start before 2021 have no “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”-section within their program structure. Please have a look at your module handbook for more information on your program structure.

Is a language course mandatory for my program?

Yes, it is. All students with a start start between 2018 and 2020 have to acquire foreign language skills worth 5 ECTS. Please have a look at the module handbook and the FAU Sprachenzentrum for more information.

What is the difference between “Core Courses” and “Electives”?

All IIS-students with study start before 2021 have the differentiation between “Core Courses” and “Electives” as part of their program structure. Core Courses are a (large) subset of courses within the sections “Information Systems” and “Informatics”. You are obliged to complete exactly one Core Course in each section of both Information Systems and Informatics, totaling to a number of six Core Courses. Every Core Course also counts as Elective if you have already completed a Core Course in the respective area. Please make sure that your transcript of records in campo lists exactly one Core Course per area. If you need a module to be shifted between the Core and the Elective section of an area and shifting is in accordance with the program structure, please use the form linked below.

Link to the form: https://www.win.rw.fau.de/iis-help/iis-contact-form/transfer-of-achievements-e-g-electives-core-courses/

Which seminars can I take?

Students with study start before 2021 have to take the “Seminar International Information Systems”, worth 5 ECTS. As part of the curriculum, this course is mandatory. The good news, however, is that you can choose from a variety of seminar topics. Please have a look here for more information.

Specific questions regarding program structure and specialization for study start in/after 2021

Do I have to take a language course?

No, students with study start in or after 2021 can take a language course voluntarily. Please have a look here for more information on your program structure.

Does my program structure also have the differentiation between “Core Courses” and “Electives”?

No, the differentiation between “Core Courses” and “Electives” only affects students with study start before 2021. Please have a look at your program structure for more information.

What are “Interdisciplinary Qualifications” (15 ECTS)?

Students with study start in or after 2021 have to take “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”, worth 15 ECTS. These 15 ECTS can be filled with language courses, any courses and seminars. Please have a look at your module handbook for more information.

Which seminars am I allowed to take?

Students with study start in or after 2021 can take both the “IIS Research Seminar”, worth 5 ECTS and the “IIS Project Seminar”, worth up to 10 ECTS. As part of the curriculum, neither of these seminars is mandatory. According to the program structure, both of these are part of “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”. You can choose from a variety of seminar topics. Please have a look here for more information.

Can I do the language course abroad?
Yes, you can. But, as for other courses, you need a learning agreement.
Can I take a course that is unrelated to my study program?
Yes this is possible. For IIS students starting from winter term 2021/22 it is possible to choose any FAU module worth 5 ECTS (or more) that you would like to study as part of the Studium Generale. Please have a look here for more information. For IIS students starting before winter term 2021/22, this is not possible
Do I have to take my courses in any special order?
No. It is completely up to you in which order you choose your courses. Past experience has shown that it is best to take courses from the individual introduction at the beginning of your studies. In addition, there are occasional courses that require other courses. If this is the case, it will be referred to on the chair page. It should also be noted that, from experience, students with a management background in particular tend to learn the basics of computer science in their first semester before taking more in-depth computer science courses.
How can I choose to study a specialization?
Please have a look here for more information.
How can I take a language course?
Depending on your study start, students can or have to take a language course. More information regarding e.g. offered languages can be found in the module handbook. If you have further questions, you can also refer to the FAU Sprachenzentrum, which is responsible for this module.
How can I transfer my achievements (e.g. Electives –> Core Courses)?
If you need to transfer your achievements (e.g, to transfer some Electives to the Core Courses), you need to submit all of the following documents: Transcript of Records Enrolment Certificate Please use the form linked below. Link to the form: https://www.win.rw.fau.de/iis-help/iis-contact-form/transfer-of-achievements-e-g-electives-core-courses/
Where can I find more information on the modules?
Please have a look here for more information.
Which courses am I allowed to take as an IIS-student?
This is regulated in the module handbook. Please have a look here for more information.
Which program structure applies to me?
Please have a look here for more information.
Can I also take a course as part of the Studium Generale?
No. Unfortunately, this is only possible for students with a study start in/after 2021.
Do I also have to take courses as part of “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”?
No, students with study start before 2021 have no “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”-section within their program structure. Please have a look at your module handbook for more information on your program structure.
Is a language course mandatory for my program?
Yes, it is. All students with a start start between 2018 and 2020 have to acquire foreign language skills worth 5 ECTS. Please have a look at the module handbook and the FAU Sprachenzentrum for more information.
What is the difference between “Core Courses” and “Electives”?
All IIS-students with study start before 2021 have the differentiation between “Core Courses” and “Electives” as part of their program structure. Core Courses are a (large) subset of courses within the sections “Information Systems” and “Informatics”. You are obliged to complete exactly one Core Course in each section of both Information Systems and Informatics, totaling to a number of six Core Courses. Every Core Course also counts as Elective if you have already completed a Core Course in the respective area. Please make sure that your transcript of records in campo lists exactly one Core Course per area. If you need a module to be shifted between the Core and the Elective section of an area and shifting is in accordance with the program structure, please use the form linked below. Link to the form: https://www.win.rw.fau.de/iis-help/iis-contact-form/transfer-of-achievements-e-g-electives-core-courses/
Which seminars can I take?
Students with study start before 2021 have to take the “Seminar International Information Systems”, worth 5 ECTS. As part of the curriculum, this course is mandatory. The good news, however, is that you can choose from a variety of seminar topics. Please have a look here for more information.
Do I have to take a language course?
No, students with study start in or after 2021 can take a language course voluntarily. Please have a look here for more information on your program structure.
Does my program structure also have the differentiation between “Core Courses” and “Electives”?
No, the differentiation between “Core Courses” and “Electives” only affects students with study start before 2021. Please have a look at your program structure for more information.
What are “Interdisciplinary Qualifications” (15 ECTS)?
Students with study start in or after 2021 have to take “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”, worth 15 ECTS. These 15 ECTS can be filled with language courses, any courses and seminars. Please have a look at your module handbook for more information.
Which seminars am I allowed to take?
Students with study start in or after 2021 can take both the “IIS Research Seminar”, worth 5 ECTS and the “IIS Project Seminar”, worth up to 10 ECTS. As part of the curriculum, neither of these seminars is mandatory. According to the program structure, both of these are part of “Interdisciplinary Qualifications”. You can choose from a variety of seminar topics. Please have a look here for more information.

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