Examination Regulations for the consecutive Master s degree programme Industrial and Network Economics (MINE) of the Faculty Economics & Management at the TU Berlin dated 14.02.2007 On the basis of Art. 31 in conjunction with Art. 71 (1) no. 1 of the Law on higher education institution in the Land Berlin (Berliner Hochschulgesetz BerlHG) in the version dated13.02.2003 (GVBl [Law and Regulatory Gazette] pg. 82), last amended by the 11 th Amendment Act dated 06.07.2006 (GVBl pg. 713), the Council of the Faculty Economics & Management has resolved to adopt the following Examination Regulations for the Master s degree programme Industrial and Network Economics (MINE) at the Technische Universität [Technical University] Berlin. Table of Contents I. Graduation, curriculum and examination structure 2 Art. 1 Academic degree, purpose of the masters examination.. 2 Art. 2 Curriculum and examination structure, modules and ECTS-LP, standard study period 2 II. Testing methods and academic performance 3 Art. 3 Testing methods. 3 Art. 4 Oral module examination.. 3 Art. 5 Written module examination. 4 Art. 6 Test equivalent academic performance..... 4 Art. 7 Proof of academic performance. 5 III. Examination registration and assessment and re-examination 5 Art. 8 Module examination registration... 5 Art. 9 Assessment of individual examination performances. 7 Art.10 Repeating module examinations.. 7 Art.11 Absence, withdrawal. 7 Art.12 Cheating, breach of regulations. 8 IV. Structure and extent of Master s examination 8 Art.13 Admission criteria and process. 8 Art.14 Extent and type of examination 10 Art.15 Master s final examination.. 11 Art.16 Supplementary modules 12 V. Final grade, certificate. 13 Art.17 Final grade and overall assessment.. 13 Art.18 Certificate, report, certification. 13 VI. Fundamentals of examination organisation.. 15 Art.19 Examination board. 15 Art.20 Authorised examiners, assessors 16 Art.21 Acknowledgement of study times, academic and examination performance. 17 Art.22 Invalidity of the master s examination. 17 Art.23 Entitlement to data processing and insight into examination files.. 18 VII. Final provisions.. 18 Art.24 Entry into force. 18 1
I. Graduation, curriculum and examination structure Art. 1 Academic degree, purpose of the master s examination (1) On the basis of passing the Master s examination, the Technische Universität Berlin confers the academic degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) through the Faculty Economics and Management. (2) The Master s examination in the Master s programme Industrial and Network Economics marks the completion of the course. (3) The Master s examination should determine whether the student has achieved the qualification goals specified in the Study Regulations. Art. 2 Curriculum and examination structure, modules and ECTS-CP, standard study period (1) The course is divided into modules. (2) The grade of the modules is specified in performance credits according to the European Credit Transfer Systems (ECTS). One ECTS credit point (ECTS-CP) corresponds to 30 hours of work by the student. (3) The total number of credits to successfully complete the programme is 120 ECTS-CP. (4) The standard period of study, which includes writing the Master Thesis, is four semesters, whereby one semester is set aside to complete the Master Thesis. Semesters of leave are not counted according to the regulations of the Technische Universität on the rights and duties of students (OTU). If study periods according to Art. 21 are counted, the respective terms change accordingly. (5) The Master s examination consists of examinations in the individual examination modules as well as the Master Thesis. A module examination is written using the methods specified in Art. 4 to Art. 6. (6) Modules can be allocated to the examination sections. After registering for examinations in modules within the total scope of an examination, no additional modules can be taken in this examination section. (7) In the core examination section, it is precisely specified which modules (core courses) must be taken. In elective examination areas, the students can generally freely decide which modules to take from those being offered at the scientific universities in Berlin and Brandenburg (elective modules). In the examination section Markets & Technology, the freedom to choose is limited, according to Art. 11 (5) of the Study Regulations, to modules in which knowledge in mathematical methodology, engineering methodology and/or knowledge about network industries (traffic, telecommunication, energy, water/wastewater, waste management, health etc.) and infrastructure markets is acquired. (8) A module may not be taken several times nor in several examination sections. In the framework of the Master s programme, no module may be taken that had already 2
been taken by the student during undergraduate studies. This does not apply to additional modules taken in the context of the Bachelor s Degree. The same class may not be taken in more than one module. Within the scope of the Master s programme no class may be taken that was already taken by the student in the context of the Bachelor s Degree. This does not apply to classes taken in the context of additional modules during undergraduate studies. (9) The right to take an examination lasts until the end of the 6 th semester that follows the semester in which the student enrolled, provided the examination criteria required for the respective examination module was met before enrolment. II. Testing Methods and Academic Performance Art. 3 Testing methods (1) The test performance for the Master s examination is provided by the following test methods: oral module examination (Art. 4), written module examination (Art. 5) and examination-related achievement (Art. 6) as well as the Master s final paper (Art. 15). (2) In special justifiable individual cases, the Examination Board, at the examiner s request, can permit the testing method specified for the course in these Examination Regulations, the Study Regulations or according to Art. 7 (4) of the Study Regulations in the study guide / internet information offer to be changed. In doing so, it must be ensured that the students are informed of this immediately. Art. 4 Oral module examination (1) In the oral examination the candidate should prove that she or he has acquired the necessary knowledge in the examination section. (2) The oral examinations are conducted by an examiner in the presence of an observer. (3) In the context of the oral examination, written work to a reasonable extent may also be set as long as this does not override the oral character of the module examination. (4) Content, results and progress of the oral examination must be recorded in a testing protocol which must be signed by the examiner and the observer and included in the examination file. The result must be given to the candidate at the end of the oral module examination. (5) The examination can be suspended by the examiner for an important reason. A new examination date must be set in such a manner that the examination can take place as soon as the reason for suspension falls away. The already available test results can be accepted. After an examination has been suspended, it is not necessary to reregister for the examination. The reasons that led to the suspension of the examination are reported to the Examination Board. (6) Oral module examinations are open to members of the university unless the candidate objects. The examiner can limit the audience number. The University s public access, 3
however, does not extend to giving advice on examination results or making them known to the candidate. (7) Oral module examinations are held as an individual exam or in groups of at most 5 students. At the request of the student an individual examination should be conducted. (8) The test duration per candidate is at least 15 minutes and a most 60 minutes. It can be exceeded with the candidate s consent. A group examination according to clause (7) may not last for more than 180 minutes. Art. 5 Written module examination (1) In written module examinations students should prove that they have acquired the knowledge needed to qualify by being able to recognise typical problems from the module and find ways to solve them in limited time and with limited tools. (2) The written module examination must generally be assessed by two female examiners, two male examiners or one female and one male examiner. (3) The time allocated to completing the written examination should not exceed 240 minutes. For written examinations that carry up to 6 ECTS-CP, the time allocated to complete the written examination should not exceed 120 minutes. (4) The examiner decides which tools are allowed to be used during a written module examination. A list of permitted tools must be announced together with the notification of the examination date or no later than 4 weeks before the examination date. (5) The results of the examination should be announced immediately, but at most eight weeks after the final examination date, and the class projects made available for temporary inspection. Art. 6 Examination-related achievements (1) In Examination-related achievements students should be able to provide examination performance continuously and in different manners. In addition, examination-related achievements should make it possible to adequately adapt the method of examination to the teaching and learning material. (2) Examination-related achievements are rendered in the form of written drafts, written assessments, reports, presentations, participation in projects, recorded practical work, consultations or examination talks in the context of one or several classes. (3) Type, scope and weighting of examination-related achievements as well as the process to transmit module grades are determined by the examiner for the respective examination module and announced to students at the beginning of the first class of a module. 4
Art. 7 Proof of academic performance (1) Academic performance is rendered and graded, in particular, in the form of class projects, written work, reports, presentations, recorded practical work or consultations in the context of the respective class. (2) There is no limit on how many times an academic performance can be repeated. (3) Proof of academic performance can be a perquisite to register for module examinations in the context of the Master s examination according to Art. 8 (10). III. Examination Registration, Assessment and Re-examination Art. 8 Module examination registration (1) For the first registration for an examination, Art. 13 must be taken into account. For the registration of repeat examinations, Art. 10 (5) must be taken into account. (2) The registration for oral module examinations must be performed by the students after coordinating the examination date with the one or those entitled to examine, before the examination date at the relevant office at the University s Central Administration. Oral examinations must take place within three months of registration; if the student is responsible for missing the date, the examination will be considered not passed. The examiner and the candidate can agree on exceptions with the consent of the Examination Board and extend the deadline. (3) Registration for a written module examination generally occurs through participating in tested class work. The examination date is set by the examiner and will be published in the University in good time, however, no later than four weeks before the examination date. The person responsible for the module can determine that an announcement of participation (participation notice) in the corresponding subject is a requirement to participate in the tested class work; this participation notice, however, does not constitute registration in terms of the Examination Regulations. The participation notice is made by the student according to the instructions of the person responsible for the module. In order to make the participation notice, a time span of at least two weeks must be allowed for, which may not end more than two weeks before the date of the tested class work. The person responsible for the module can specify that the participation notice can be made electronically (e-mail, internet and the like). (4) If students participate in the tested class work of a module that can be taken as a core module or an elective module according Art. 11 (2) and (3) of the Study Regulations or, following a resolution by the Examination Board, as a module in the examination section Markets & Technology according to Art. 11 (5), it is required that the module is taken in the respective examination section. If a module can be taken in several examination sections, it shall be allocated provided the student is not given information to the contrary when registering - to the first possible examination section from the following list: Economics core course sector, Economics field course sector, examination section Markets & Technology, examination section Free choice area. Otherwise, deviating from Art. 8 (3) sentence 1, written examinations in the elective modules must in principle be registered for in advance at the responsible 5
office of the University s Central Administration. Advance registration of a written examination in an elective module at the responsible office of the University s Central Administration is not necessary if before completing the final examination the request to take an examination has been declared; then exam registration occurs through the corresponding declaration. (5) Students participating in a written examination without first having met the requirements according to these Examination Regulations will not have their examination performance assessed. In this case, it is also not important whether participation was terminated. (6) A module examination in the form of examination-related achievements starts no earlier than the day of registration; students must have registered in sufficient time before taking the first test exercise. The date registration closes is set by the examiner by taking sentence 1 into consideration and generally published at the University at the start of the class or classes the modules are based on. (7) Registering for a module examination in the form of examination-related achievements generally occurs at the responsible office of the University s Central Administration. When the examiner has made a corresponding announcement, students register with the examiner. The examiner compiles a list of participants in the module who want to take an examination, and refers them to the responsible office of the University s Central Administration. Here the person responsible for the module can determine whether an announcement of participation (participation notice) is required for the respective subject. The participation notice must be executed by the student in accordance with the guidelines from the person responsible for the module. There must be a minimum time span of two weeks that may end at the earliest two weeks before the first part of the examination-related achievements. The person responsible for the module can specify that the participation notice is made electronically (e-mail, internet and the like). (8) For module examinations in the form of examination-related achievements, the person responsible for the module can determine that analogous to clause (7) a participation notice is required for individual examination exercises in the respective subject. (9) When registering for an examination in a module that includes several classes and offers options of combining classes, it must be indicated which classes the student is taking or has taken in the framework of the module. (10) The person responsible for the module can specify in the module description to be made public according to Art.7 (4) or the Study Regulations that proof of performance according to Art. 7 must be acquired and submitted as a requirement for registering for and participating in an examination. (11) Should there be more than one person responsible for an examination module, the candidate has the right to select an examiner from among them. For an important reason, in particular, in the event of an undue examination load placed on a selected examiner, the Examination Board can nominate another examiner upon justified request from the Faculty Council or the examiner, or issue a rule on the distribution of examination candidates among the individual examiners. 6
Art. 9 Assessment of individual examination performances (1) Each individual module examination is assessed by the respective examiner by awarding a grade and the associated judgement according to the following key: Table 1: Grades for assessing examination performances Grade Judgement 1.0; 1.3 very good = an excellent performance 1.7; 2.0; 2.3 good = a performance well above average 2.7; 3.0; 3.3 satisfactory = a performance that corresponds to the average requirements in all respects 3.7; 4.0 Adequate = a performance that still meets the requirements despite errors 5.0 not passed = a performance with significant errors that does not meet the requirements (2) The responsible office at the University s Central Administration must be informed of the assessment of a module examination. (3) The examination has been passed successfully if at least the grade adequate has been awarded. Examinations that are not awarded a grade of at least adequate have not been passed and can be rewritten according to Art. 10. Art. 10 Rewriting module examinations (1) Module examinations that have not been passed can be rewritten once. Second repeat examinations are possible with regard to one or several modules with an overall score of at most 12 ECTS-LP. The Examination Board can also grant a second rewriting for additional modules upon justified request from the candidate. (2) Rewriting a module examination that was passed is not permitted. (3) Unsuccessful attempts at other universities or in other study courses of the Technische Universität must be taken into account. (4) Repeat examinations must be written within twelve months after the date of the failed examination. (5) Repeat examinations must be registered with the relevant office of the University s Central Administration. (6) In the event that the study course or the university are changed, the Examination Board decides on the time within which a repeat examination must be written. Art. 11 Absence, Withdrawal (1) Students have the right to withdraw from an examination they registered for without giving reasons. The relevant office of the University s Central Administration and the 7
examiner must be notified of this withdrawal in writing at least three workdays before the intended examination. (2) If a student is absent on an examination date without valid reason, or if she or he withdraws less than three days before the intended examination or after the start of the examination without a valid reason, or if the Master Thesis is not submitted on time, the examination in this module or the Master Thesis shall be considered not passed. (3) If the withdrawal or absence is based on health reasons, this must be reported to the relevant office of the University s Central Administration with a medical certificate within five workdays of the examination date. (4) Should other reasons be asserted for the withdrawal or absence, this must be reported to the Examination Board in writing within five workdays of the examination date, which decides whether to accept the reasons. (5) If the reasons are accepted, a new date will be set. Already existing examination results must be credited in this event. Art. 12 Cheating, breach of regulations (1) If a candidate tries to influence the result of her or his examination performance or that of another candidate through cheating or using tools that are not permitted, the examination in this module is considered not passed and can be rewritten in terms of Art. 10. If an action only becomes known after the end of the examination, Art. 22 applies accordingly. (2) If the candidate disrupts the proper course of the examination, she or he can be excluded by the respective examiner before the examination is continued. The examination in this module is then considered not passed and can be repeated in terms of Art. 10. If the candidate has been excluded from continuing the examination, she or he can demand that this decision is checked immediately by the Examination Board. The candidate must be informed of the decision by the Examination Board immediately. Unfavourable decisions must be communicated to the candidate immediately and justified. IV. Structure and Scope of the Master s Examination Art. 13 Admission requirements and procedure (1) Before providing the first examination performance, the student must make application for admission to the Master Thesis at the relevant office of the University s Central Administration. The following documents must be attached to the application, unless they are already available to the relevant office of the University s Central Administration: 1) a declaration by the student that she or he understands these Examination Regulations as well as the Study Regulations, 2) a declaration by the student stating whether she or he previously failed or finally failed an examination in the same or a related study course at a scientific 8
university in the scope of the university framework act, or whether she or he is has pending examination proceedings, 3) proof of enrolment in the Master s degree programme Industrial and Networks Economics at the TU Berlin, 4) possibly credit confirmations according to Art. 21, 5) a list of classes or modules that are part of the Bachelor s degree and have been tested. (2) Admission may only be refused if 1) the documents according to clause (1) are not complete, 2) the student is not enrolled at the Technische Universität Berlin in the Master s degree programme Industrial and Network Economics, 3) the student finally did not pass the diploma or Master s examination in a business sciences or related study course at a scientific university that falls within the scope of the university framework act, 4) the student is involved in a examination process in a business sciences Diploma or Master s study course or a related study course at a scientific university that falls within the scope of the university framework act, 5) the right to write the examination has expired. (3) Admission to the Master s examination is considered granted when proof of all admission requirements according to clause (1) have been provided to the relevant office of the University s Central Administration and there are no reasons for rejection according to clause (2). If the student cannot submit the necessary documents according to clause (1) in the prescribed manner, without being responsible for this, the Examination Board can permit her or him to submit the respective proofs in another way. 9
Art. 14 Scope and type of the Master s examination The Master s examination includes academic and test performances in the following examination sections or modules: Table 2: Examination sections, modules and module examinations in the Master s degree course Industrial and Network Economics (MINE) Examination section Economics Core Courses Module ECTS- CP Method of testing Σ ECTS- CP 4 modules each earning 6 ECTS. The modules are listed in the Study Regulations 4 6 ECTS According to the module description 24 Economics Field Courses Modules in this offer of the economic as well as legal departments. The elective modules are listed in the Study Regulations. Modules with a total of 30 ECTS must be taken According to the module description 30 At least one Seminar (test method: examination-related achievements with a scope of 6 ECTS-CP must be taken Markets & Technology The elective modules are limited in the Study Regulations (modules in which competence in mathematical methods, engineering methods and/or competence in network industries (traffic, telecommunication, energy, water/ wastewater, waste management, health etc.) and infrastructure markets acquired; the elective modules are determined by the Examination Board.) One or several modules must be taken with a total scope of 12 ECTS According to the module description/s 12 Free Choice Courses The free choice modules are limited in the Study Regulations (Modules from the offer at TU Berlin as well as other scientific universities in Berlin and Brandenburg) One or several modules with a total scope of 12 ECTS must be taken According to the module description/s Student Research Project The elective modules are listed or limited in the Study Regulations 12 Examination-related achievements 12 Master Thesis Master Thesis 30 Master Thesis 30 Total 120 ===== 10
Art. 15 Master thesis (1) The Master thesis is part of the Master s examination. The Master thesis is included in the overall grade with a weighting of 30 ECTS-CP. (2) The Master thesis must be applied for through the relevant office of the University s Central Administration. A prerequisite for admission to a Master thesis is that a scope of 45 ECTS-CP is achieved with successful examinations. (3) The topic of the Master thesis includes a conceptual formulation, which can be completed and presented by the candidate independently by using scientific methods within the timeframe envisaged in clause (7). (4) The candidate has the right to propose a supervisor as well as a topic. The Master thesis can be supervised by any student with a right to sit examinations according to Art. 20 (1). Aside from the supervisor another assessor must be named when registering the Master thesis who must be specified in coordination with the supervisor. (5) The topic of the Master thesis must be connected as regards content to the Master s programme Industrial and Network Economics. If the Master thesis is to be supervised by a person who is not a member of the Faculty Economics & Management, this must be approved by the Examination Board. (6) The Examination Board issue the topic through the relevant office of the University s Central Administration at the supervisor s recommendation and after consulting with the candidate, and record the date of issue. (7) The time for preparation is 6 months. On the basis of a justified application and hearing from the supervisor, the Examination Board can make an exception and extend the time for preparation by 3 months. In special cases of hardship (prolonged illness, pregnancy and the like) an additional appropriate extension should be granted. (8) The topic of the Master thesis can be returned once during the first month of the preparation period. (9) The Master thesis must contain a declaration by the candidate that they completed the Master thesis independently. At the same time sources used have to be named. Quotes from other works must be marked as such. (10) The Master thesis must be prepared according to the supervisor s guidelines in German or in English. With the consent of the supervisor and the Examination Board, the Master thesis can also be written in a different language. If the Master thesis is written in a foreign language, it must contain a short synopsis in German. (11) After completion, the Master thesis must be submitted in duplicate to the relevant office of the University s Central Administration which puts the time of submission on record and passes the thesis on for appraisal and assessment. Master theses that are not submitted in time are assessed with a grade of 5.0. Should valid reasons be asserted for the late submission, Art. 11 (4) applies accordingly. (12) The Master thesis must be assessed immediately, but no later than within a period of 3 months after submission, by the supervisor and a second assessor. Assessments are made in accordance with Art. 9 (1). If the judgements of the two assessors deviate, 11
the grade awarded for the Bachelor s degree is specified as the arithmetic mean of the two proposed grades, provided both assessors have awarded a grade of at least 4.0. When calculating the grade, only the first decimal point is taken into account; all other decimal points are deleted without rounding. If only one of the assessors proposes a grade of 5.0, the Examination Board will demand the judgement of a third assessor and determine the grade by taking the third assessment into account. (13) If the Master thesis is assessed as not sufficient and considered not passed according to Art. 11, it can be repeated once. A change in supervisor for the work in the event of repetition is permitted. Art. 16 Additional modules (1) In the context of the Master thesis, the student can sit examinations in examination modules (supplementary modules) other than those prescribed in these Examination Regulations that are offered by the Technische Universität Berlin and other universities and higher education institutions of equal standing within the framework of the University Act; this also includes equally recognised higher education institutions and universities abroad. (2) At the student s request, the results of these examinations are recorded in the certificate, however, not taken into account when calculating the overall grade. (3) Students must register for an examination in a supplementary module before registering for the last prescribed examination performance. V. Overall Grade, Certificate Art. 17 Overall grade and overall assessment (1) An overall grade is assigned to the Master thesis. (2) The overall grade is the weighted arithmetic mean of the grades in the individual examination modules and the Master thesis. The grades of the module examinations and the Master thesis are included with the weight of the scope of ECTS-CP in the calculation of the overall grade. When calculating the overall grade, only the first decimal point is taken into account; all other decimal points are deleted without rounding. (3) The overall grade is allocated according to the following table: Table 3: Overall grade and overall judgement Overall grade Judgement 1.0 1.5 very good 1.6 2.5 good 2.6 3.5 satisfactory 3.6 4.0 sufficient 4.1 5.0 not passed 12
(4) The overall grade is shown as a relative grade on the ECTS assessment scale. The ECTS assessment scale divides the students according to statistical aspects. Successful students receive the following ECTS grades that explain the student s relative cut-off and are recorded in the Diploma Supplement. The reference group should comprise a minimum size and is determined by the Faculty accordingly. Table 4: ECTS grades ECTS grades Relative cut-off A the best 10% B the next 25% C the next 30% D the next 25% E the next 10% (5) If taking a module with which the total scope of ECTS-CP is exceeded in one examination section, the ECTS-CP achieved above the required minimum for the respective examination section are not taken into account when calculating the overall grade. In this case the last module taken in the respective examination section is only taken into account proportionately. Art. 18 Certifications, transcript, degree certificate (1) After successfully completing the Master thesis, a transcript will be issued by the relevant office of the University s Central Administration immediately after receiving the judgement of the last examination performance in the framework of the Master s examination. The following is included in the transcript: 1) the name of the study course, 2) the examination modules with module title, module grades and the judgement, the respective scope of ECTS-CP, 3) topic, grade, judgement and supervisor of the Master thesis, The examination modules must be allocated to the respective examination section on the transcript. (2) The certificate carries the date of the last examination performance and must be signed by the chairman of the Examination Board; it bears the seal of the Technische Universität Berlin. (3) If examination performances to be specified in the transcripts were not achieved in a study course at the Technische Unversität Berlin, this will be indicated in the transcript. (4) In addition to the transcript on the Master examination, a degree certificate will be issued by the relevant office of the University s Administration Centre stating the award of the academic degree Master of Science. This certificate is signed by the President of the Technische Universität and the Dean of the Faculty Economics & Management and bears the seal of the Technische Universität Berlin. 13
(5) In addition to the transcript and the degree certificate a diploma supplement is issued that contains information on the content and form of the qualification acquired with the academic degree in English. (6) When handing out the degree certificate, the right to bear the academic title Master of Science (MSc) is acquired. (7) The transcript and the degree certificate contain the statement that the examination performance has been provided in accordance with the provisions of these Examination Regulations. (8) Certifications on the successful completion of examination performances are issued by the relevant office of the University s Central Administration. Certifications on the successful completion of academic performance are issued by the respective supervisor. (9) If the student has definitely failed the Master s examination, the relevant office of the University s Central Administration will issue her or him a certification on request which contains the academic performances achieved and their grades as well as the examination performances rendered and their marks as well as the examination performances still missing from the Master s examination, and shows that the Master s examination has not been passed. (10) A transcript on the Master s examination according to clause (1) is not issued and an academic degree according to clause (6) is not awarded if academic performance and examinations have only been achieved successfully in half the Master s examination and the recognised performances and examinations were already part of a course of studies that was completed with an academic degree. In this event, the student receives a certification according to clause (8) sentence 1 which shows that she or he has met the requirements of these Examination Regulations with the additional work in conjunction with the previous degree course. Sentences 1 and 2 do not apply to agreements on bi- and multi-lateral programmes with other countries. VI. Principles of the Examination Organisation Art. 19 Examination Board (1) The Faculty Council of the Faculty Economics & Management appoints the members of the Examination Board for the Master s degree programme Industrial and Network Economics, which is composed as follows: three professors that teach Industrial and Network Economics in the Master s programme, an academic associate who teaches Industrial and Network Economics in the Master s programme, a student enrolled in the Master s degree programme Industrial & Network Economics. 14
(2) According to Section 73 (2) BerlHG, the representatives of each status group on the Faculty Council have the right to nominate members of the Examination Board as well as their deputies. (3) The Examination Board elects the Chairperson from among the professors on the Examination Board. Professors who are not voted chairperson become deputies. (4) According to Section 49 BerlHG, the members term of office is two years. With a majority vote by its members, the Faculty Council can appoint a new Examination Board prior to the end of the term of the existing Examination Board. (5) The Examination Board is responsible for all matters connected with the Examination Regulations, in particular, for 1) the organisation of examinations 2) recognising study times as well as academic and examination performances 3) compiling the examiner lists and assessor lists 4) decision on examinations of equal value in a different form if a student possibly with a doctor s certificate can verifiably show that he or she is not able to write an examination in the prescribed form, completely or partially, due to longer or constant disability or impairment; the same applies to academic work. (6) The Examination Board can by resolution transfer responsibilities to their chairperson, except in cases concerning fundamental matters. The person concerned can object to decisions based on a transfer. This objection must be presented to the Board for decision. Members of the Examination Board may not assume these responsibilities if they themselves are participants in examination matters. (7) The Examination Board reports its activities to the Faculty Council on a regular basis. It makes recommendations to improve the Study, Examination and Admission Regulations. (8) Members of the Examination Board have the right to attend examinations and inform themselves fully of the compliance with the Examination Regulations. (9) Decisions taken by the Examination Board are communicated to the Head of the relevant office of the University s Central Administration by complying with the rules of data protection if it is necessary for their work or third party rights are affected. (10) Members of the Examination Board and their deputies are subject to the official duty of confidentiality. If they are not in public service, they must be sworn to secrecy by the Chairperson. (11) The Examination Boards meets at least once at the start of its term of office. Examination Board meetings are convened by the chairperson either when necessary or at the request of one of the members of the Examination Board. (12) For individual case decisions by the Examination Board, the person concerned must be given the opportunity to be heard. 15
Art. 20 Authorised examiners, assessors (1) Authorised examiners according to Section 32 BerlHG are professors as well as associate professors. Deviating from this, faculty members who have not passed Habilitation (state doctorate), Lehrbeauftragte (comparable to adjunct assistant professor) and persons with professional and educational experience can be authorised as examiners by the Faculty Council. (2) The Examination Board appoints the examiners by assigning them a specific examination module; this task can also be performed by the Faculty Council. Only persons who teach in the field that the examination covers may be appointed as examiners unless there are compelling reasons to reject them. (3) The Examination Board may only appoint persons who have a university degree and are competent in the subject of module examination as assessors; this task can also be performed by the Faculty Council. Assessors are not entitled to make decisions. They must make sure that the examination progresses properly. (4) The examiners and the assessors are subject to the official duty of confidentiality. If they are not in public service, they must be sworn to secrecy by the Chairperson. Art. 21 Recognition of study times, academic and examination performance (1) Academic and examination performances of equal value that were completed at another institution are recognised as academic and examination performances according the Art. 6 of the Regulations of the Technische Universität Berlin on the rights and duties of students (OUT). The Examination Board determines which academic and examination performances are of equal value. (2) A Master thesis that was written at another university or an equivalent higher education institution within the jurisdiction of the Universities Framework Act can be recognised by the Examination Board. (3) If it cannot be established whether the academic and examination performances provided at another institution are of equal value according to Art. 6 (4) OUT, the Examination Board decides whether a supplementary examination should be taken. The equivalence agreements approved at the Conference of Ministers of Cultural Affairs and the Conference of University Rectors as well as consultations in the context of university partnerships must be complied with. If these are not available, the Examination Board decides in consultation with relevant office of the University s Central Administration. For the rest, the Central Office for Foreign Education can be heard in the event of doubts regarding equal value. (4) Supplementary examinations merely serve to clarify whether the student possesses the minimum knowledge required. If the judgement on the performance in the supplementary examinations is not sufficient, this is considered not passed; it must then be written as a regular module examination in terms of these Regulation. (5) To register for supplementary examinations the provisions of Art. 8 apply accordingly. (6) Grades from recognised academic and examination performance are to be recognised when determining the grade provided the grading systems are comparable and included 16
in the calculation of the overall grade according to these Examination Regulations. If the grading systems are not comparable, the notice passed will be recorded. Art. 22 Invalidity of the Master s examination (1) If the candidate cheated during an examination or breaches the Regulations according to Art. 12 and this fact only becomes known after the certificate has been presented, the Examination Board can subsequently correct the grade accordingly, in consultation with the Faculty Council, and declare the entire examination or parts thereof as not passed. The rules of the remonstrance process are referred to. (2) If the requirements for admission to the Master s examination have not been fulfilled without the candidate trying to conceal this, and this fact only becomes known after the certificate has been presented, this lack is remedied by awarding a pass on the examination. (3) If the candidate gains admission by deceitful means, the Examination Board will decide in consultation with the Faculty Council on the withdrawal of admission. (4) The candidate should be given an opportunity to speak before a decision is taken. (5) The incorrect certificate must be returned and possibly a new one issued. A decision according to clause (1) or clause (2) must be finalised within a deadline of five years after gaining knowledge of the fact. (6) Clauses (1) to (4) applies accordingly for other certifications. (7) The provisions on the withdrawal of an academic degree remain unaffected. Art. 23 Entitlement to data processing and insight into examination files (1) The Student Data Regulations apply to the collection and deletion of data. (2) Within a year after completing a module examination, the student is granted insight into her/his written examinations, the examiners comments in connection with these as well as the examination records upon request. VII. Final Provisions Art. 24 Coming into effect These Examination Regulations become effective on the day after publication in the official bulletin of the TU Berlin. They apply to students who enrol in a study programme from the winter semester 2007/2008. 17
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