Corona-Update: Examination periods in summer semester 2020 and start of lectures winter semester 2020/21

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The running summer semester has been negatively affected by the Corona pandemic. Familiar processes have been thrown off track and demanded a great deal of adaptation, spontaneity and flexibility from all members of the university. All this has also had an impact on the scheduling of the current and coming semester. For example, it is necessary to schedule the examination periods of the current semester differently than planned.

After weighing up all the advantages and disadvantages with the participation of various stakeholders, the following was determined for the examination periods of the Bachelor's and Master's programmes:

• A period of three weeks is set for the examination periods. This is necessary because the hygiene and protection measures in this semester require considerably more space and time. 
• For the postponed examinations from the second examination period of the winter semester 2019/20, an additional period will be offered during the lecture-free period.
• The registration periods will be shortened to two weeks and will each begin approximately four to five weeks before the respective examination period. These will be communicated as soon as possible on the central information pages of the examination administration. 
• The end of the lecture period is followed by a two-week special period (6.7 - 17.7.2020) in which face-to-face courses which could not be replaced by digital formats and which can only begin successively in the next few weeks (practical exercises in laboratories, practical sports exercises etc.) can take place.
• Due to the hygiene and safety measures and the resulting prolongation of classroom teaching, it will not be possible to completely avoid overlapping with the examination periods. The principle applies here that participation in examinations has priority and the resulting absences from classroom teaching may not be disadvantageously credited.

Examination periods in the summer semester 2020:

• 1^st examination period summer semester 2020: 3.8.-22.8.2020
• an additional examination period for winter semester 2019/2020: 7.9.-26.9.2020
• 2^nd examination period summer semester 2020: 5.10.-24.10.2020

The examinations are scheduled within these periods and, if possible, in coordination with the cooperating subjects. In special exceptional cases, individual examinations can be offered outside the above-mentioned periods.

The following faculties/institutes schedule their examinations differently from the central periods mentioned above:

Due to the very large amount of space required for attendance examinations, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences will offer staggered examination periods:

• 1^st examination period Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences: 6.7.-18.7.2020
• additional examination period for winter semester 2019/2020 for the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences: 24.8.-6.9.2020
• 2^nd examination period Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences: Use of the central 2nd examination period from 5.10.-24.10.2020

As usual, the Institute of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the Ostufer Technical Faculty will also offer its own examination periods:

• an additional examination period for winter semester 2019/2020: 6.7.-18.7.2020
• Examination period summer semester 2020: 7.9.-17.10.2020

The Faculty of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences offers individual examinations from 6.7.-18.7.2020; for further information please visit the website of the examination office.

The Faculty of Theology also offers examinations (especially examinations of the diploma programme) in the period from 6.7. to 18.7.2020.

The examination periods for medicine and dentistry are determined separately and published as usual on the websites of the study programmes.

Separate examination periods also apply to the law course of studies, about which you will be informed as usual.

You find an overview of the examination periods on the central information pages of the Examination Office (in German).

Lectures start winter semester 2020/21

The lecture period of the winter semester 2020/21 begins in accordance with § 101 Para. 3 Hochschulgesetz on 02.11.2020 and ends on 26.02.2021 (examination weeks: 15.2. - 27.2.21). The week before lectures begin (26.10. - 30.10.2020) can be used by lecturers as a preparation week and, for example, for voluntary introductory programmes with tutors.

We would like to thank all participants for having succeeded in developing a schedule for this complex challenge that takes into account the various requirements in the best possible way. We wish all students and teachers a successful examination period.

With best regards
The University Board