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:

provides an overview of a subject or one of its sub-areas and its theoretical approaches and presents different teachings and methods. The contents are mainly presented in lecture style. Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.

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

serves the acquisition, testing and optimization of practical skills and knowledge in the field of study or one of its sub-areas. Course participation is continuously assessed and attendance is mandatory.

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

lectures with integrated tutorial combine the characteristics of the course types VO and UE in a single course.

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

supports experiential and applied learning outside of classrooms and is focussed on active learning through contact with real world phenomena and experiences. Course participation is continuously assessed and attendance is mandatory.

Type of exam: Submission of summary.

Pro-seminar (PS) is a scientifically oriented course in preparation for seminars. Students acquire fundamental knowledge and skills for scientific research through practical as well as conceptual work. Course participation is continuously assessed and attendance is mandatory.

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

is a graduate level scientific course. It serves the acquisition of advanced expertise as well as the discussion and reflection of scientific topics based on active participation of the students. Course participation is continuously assessed and attendance is mandatory. The focus of each seminar will be outlined in the course description (e.g. supervision semi-nar, empirical seminar, project seminar, interdisciplinary seminar, …).

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

integrates approaches, concepts and methods from various disciplines for holistic problem solving across disciplines, including practical as well as conceptual synergies. Course participation is continuously assessed and attendance is mandatory.

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: March 13, 2025