Courses, Examinations, Grading

Study is directed by national regulations of partner universities. CDE is following the ECTS grading scale, please refer to CDE conversion table of grades.

The programme contains the following course types:

Lecture courses (VO) provide an overview of a subject or one of its sections and its theoretical approaches and present different doctrines and methods. Contents are primarily presented in the style of a speech. A lecture course is not continuously assessed, attendance is not compulsory but highly recommended.

Type of exam: Teacher and peer assessment of individual assignments, optionally presentations and portfolio entries, plus overview tests.

Tutorial courses (UE) aim to help students acquire, practice and perfect practical skills and knowledge of the subject or one of its topics. A tutorial course is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory

Type of exam: Assessment of individual lab assignments plus overview test. Presentation of focus topic with peer and teacher assessment.

Lecture and tutorial courses (VU) combine the theoretical introduction to a subarea with the teaching of practical skills. A lecture and tutorial course is not continuously assessed, attendance is not compulsory.

Type of exam: Teacher and peer assessment of individual assignments, optionally presentations and portfolio entries, plus overview tests.

Lecture with introductory seminar courses (VP) combine a theoretical introduction to a subarea with the active participation of the students to impart basic knowledge and skills in academic work.

Type of exam: A lecture with introductory seminar course is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory.

Field trip courses (EX) are intended to promote and exemplify specialised knowledge beyond the classroom. A field trip course is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory.

Type of exam: Submission of summary.

Introductory seminar courses (PS) are research-oriented courses constituting the pre-stage to seminars. Students actively participate in practical and theoretical work to acquire basic knowledge and skills in academic research. An introductory seminar course is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory.

Type of exam: Presentation of seminar (project) paper with peer and teacher assessment.

Seminar courses (SE) are advanced academic courses to acquire more in-depth knowledge, to discuss and reflect academic issues through active participation on the part of the students. A seminar course is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory.

Type of exam: Presentation of seminar (project) paper with peer and teacher assessment.

Interdisciplinary project courses (IP) utilise approaches and methods from different disciplines, linking thematic areas and combining theoretical and practical aspects. An interdisciplinary project course is a continuous assessment course, attendance is compulsory.

Type of exam:  Submission of several individual and group mini-projects aiming at orientation, social environments and geomedia / geospatial communication. These projects serve as assignments graded from a combination of peer and teacher assessment.

Type of exam: Report, certificate of completion

All courses with the exception of type VO require course attendance and are continuously assessed. Lectures (VO) are assessed based on a single written or oral exam at the end of the course.

All modules listed in the CDE curriculum can be assessed through module or individual course exams (or combinations thereof) at the discretion of course instructors, nonwithstanding stated continuous assessment requirements. The teachers of courses shall, at the start of each semester, inform students appropriately of the objectives, contents and methods of their courses, and of the contents, methods and criteria of course assessment and examinations. For examinations which are executed in a single phase, examination dates shall always be set at the start, middle or end of each semester.

latest update: August 5, 2025