Each module consists of one or more courses, which in turn can be made up of lectures, seminars, practical exercises or excursions. The modules of the degree program, the exact module composition and the course content are shown in the module catalog and in the study planner in “HohCampus”. The modules are described there in the respective teaching language. Please also refer to the module descriptions to find out what prior knowledge is required for each module and how you can prepare for it before you start your studies. It is the student's responsibility to work out the prerequisites for participation in the individual modules. The room and time of the courses are described in the course catalog, which is available online before the start of each semester. A quick link for creating a timetable is available on the HohCampus student portal: hohcampus.uni-hohenheim.de/en/hohcampus-help-schedule. Registration on the e-learning platform ILIAS is required for all modules. The link to the individual course on Ilias can usually be found with the courses in the course catalog.

The University of Hohenheim offers two different types of modules: unblocked modules and blocked modules. Unblocked modules correspond to a workload of 6 credits and blocked modules to a workload of 7.5 credits.

• Unblocked modules are based on 4 contact hours per week for the whole semester period. They end with an exam at the end of the semester.
• Blocked Modules are composed of 3 weeks of daily instruction (usually 5 hours per day) followed by one week of individual preparation, ending with a final exam at the end of the 4th week. Blocked modules correspond to a higher workload than unblocked modules, and are therefore worth 7.5 credits. However, mixing blocked and unblocked modules in one semester it is not recommended, as lectures and lesson follow-up may overlap significantly.

A typical semester consists of 30 credits, and is either composed of 5 unblocked modules, (6 credits each) or 4 blocked modules (7.5 credits each). Typically, the modules are completed in the first three semesters, followed by the Master’s thesis in the fourth semester. However, the examinations regulations allow a certain degree of flexibility. For details, refer to uni-hohenheim.de/en/examination.

Each Master’s program consists of compulsory and elective modules; some study programs also include semi-elective modules. The credits of each module correspond to the workload and not to the category, i.e. an elective module with 6 credits has the equal weight as a compulsory module with regard to the final average grade.

1. Compulsory Modules

   … are the modules providing the core knowledge of the study program. Those modules have to be completed to obtain the M.Sc. degree.

2. Semi-elective Modules

   ...are modules covering a wider range of content related to the aim of the study program. In some programs, a defined minimum number of modules out of a pool of semi-elective modules have to be chosen and completed. The Master’s program in Agricultural Economics requires students to complete at least five semi-elective modules.

3. Elective modules

   ...are modules chosen by the individual students, according to their interests. They are the modules outside of a program’s compulsory modules, which contribute to the final total of 90 ECTS credits required for the achievement of an M.Sc. degree. They can be chosen from all Master’s modules offered by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Hohenheim. On request, subject-related Master’s modules offered from other faculties or other universities can also be chosen.
   Note: Bachelor’s modules cannot be chosen as elective modules.

4. Additional modules

   …are modules taken out of individual interest beyond the 90 ECTS coursework credits required for the completion of the degree. Credits from additional modules will not be included in the calculation for your final average grade. But, on request to the examination’s office, they can be shown on your final transcript.

Another special case of an elective module, which is worth highlighting:

• English for Scientific Purposes (3000-420)

This module consists of four English courses of C1 level at the language center Hohenheim. You can choose from several courses and workshops and they can stretch over several semesters.
After completing the four courses/workshops you have to write an exam to obtain the UniCert III certificate. This module counts as an elective module and is the only way language courses can be recognized for your studies apart from the portfolio module. The detailed explanation is found in the module catalog under module code 3000-420

Some modules can accept only a limited number of participants due to space constraints or supervision regulations. It is necessary to register for such modules in advance. See also: uni-hohenheim.de/en/registration-for-modules .

If the number of participants is limited, this will be stated under the “comments” (“Anmerkungen”) section of the module description. Please check before lectures start, whether the modules you have chosen have a limited number of participants or not. (uni-hohenheim.de/en/module-catalogue). Each module is set up as a course on the e-learning platform ILIAS (ilias.uni-hohenheim.de). You have to register there and see how the spots for each course are allocated. Further instructions and information, e.g. how to contact the relevant lecturer or to join the waiting list are also available there. Generally, students for whom the respective module is compulsory or the last module that needs to be completed to finish a degree program will always be admitted. If you have not yet enrolled by the end of the registration period and do not yet have access to ILIAS, please contact the responsible lecturer by e-mail and ask for registration.

For blocked modules with a limited number of participants in block period 1, the registration starts at least two weeks before the start of the lecture period and ends eight days before the lecture period. For all other modules with a limited number of participants, the registration period starts at least one week before the start of the lecture period and ends at the end of the first week after the start of the lecture period.

Students earn ECTS-Credits for the workload associated with each module (1 ECTS-Credit = 30 h workload). A module of 6 credits corresponds to a workload of 4 SWS (4 weekly semester hours / 56 total contact hours). A module of 7.5 credits corresponds to a workload of 5 SWS (5 weekly semester hours / 70 total contact hours). In addition, each credit requires preparation time, summing up to a total work load of about 180 hours for one module of 6 credits and 225 hours for one module of 7.5 credits.

The M.Sc. program has a requirement of 120 credits in total (90 credits from course work, 30 credits for the Master’s thesis).

Each module and each course have a specific code. Example: 4902-440 Economics and Environmental Policy.

The first four digits represent the respective institute and the department or study field (i.e. of the responsible person / course instructor). The next three digits correspond to the type of module and the term, as well as the course.

4902 - 440 = institute number (490 Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics “Hans Ruthenberg Institute”)
0002 - 000 = department within the institute (2 corresponds to the 2nd letter in the alphabet: B
                     -> department 490b International Agricultural Trade and Food Security)
0000 - 440 = module designation:
    01 - 40 modules for Bachelor’s students
    41 - 80 modules for Master’s students
    81 - 90 modules for doctoral candidates
0000 - 011 = course 1 of a module (1 - 9 courses possible)

0 at the end of the code indicates that it is the module name. 1, 2 or 3 as last digit indicate that it is a course (sub-unit) within a module (tutorial, exercises, lectures, etc.)

The module 4902-440 Economics and Environmental Policy consist of four courses:
1.    4902-441 Basic Microeconomics
2.    4902-442 Environmental Policy
3.    4902-443 Exercises to Basic Microeconomics
4.    4902-444 Exercises to Environmental Policy

Note: It is important to check for the times and venues of all couses that belong to a module!

In every semester there are two designated examination periods, and students can choose in which period they want to write the exam. The examinations of the blocked modules are held at the end of the
respective block period; those for the unblocked modules are held in the two examination periods that follow the lectures. The first examination period starts directly after the end of the lecture period, the second examination period takes place shortly before the lecture period of the next semester starts.

Students have to register for the examinations of each semester at the examination office using HohCampus. The registration must take place during the time period announced at the examination office. When you have to register for an examination depends on whether it is a blocked or a non-blocked module. More information on examination periods and dates, deadlines for registration, withdrawal, and resits is given at the homepage of the examination office.

Please note: the ILIAS registration is only for participation in the module and is NOT a registration for the examination!

It is important to note that students are allowed to change the designation of modules (e.g., from additional to elective or vice-versa) only once throughout their entire study period. Consequently, most students opt to request this change shortly before completing their degree, as they will have access to the most information and can make better-informed decisions based on their completed modules.

More info

Credit Point System

With each completed module, students earn credits for the workload associated with each module. Our M.Sc. programs have a requirement of 120 credits in total. The credit point system used in our M.Sc. programs is fully compatible with the European Credit Transfer System, ECTS. The examination result is expressed in grades and marks. The highest score is 1.0 [grade A]. A score of 4.0 [grade D] is required for passing.

The final score is calculated as an average score weighted according to the credits achieved in all modules and the thesis.

The final, weighted average of received scores results in a final grade for the Master’s degree according to the table below:

between 1,0 and 1,5 = very good (A)
between 1,6 and 2,5 = good (B)
between 2,6 and 3,5 = medium (C)
between 3,6 and 4,0 = pass (D)

Additional and non-graded modules will not be included in the calculation of the final average grade.

The Master’s thesis shows that the candidate is able to work independently on a problem in the field of your M.Sc. program within a fixed period of time by applying scientific methods. The exam consists
of a written (thesis) and an oral (defense) part. The written part of the Master’s thesis has to be completed within a period of six months and accounts for 30 credits. It is usually written during the fourth semester. Thesis work includes a literature review, new and original data derived from field work, a period of writing-up and, finally, a presentation. The candidate has to defend the essential arguments, results, and methods of the thesis in a colloquium of 30-45 minutes.

There are several possibilities for finding the right reviewer and the right topic. Sometimes you can find them from the homepage of the department or institute, or you can talk directly to a professor.

The Master’s thesis has to be registered at the latest at the start of the seventh semester. Otherwise it is graded "fail" (F; mark 5.0).

If there is evidence of plagiarism in a written examination, i.e. a term paper, seminar paper or Master's thesis (i.e. copying texts or parts of texts without citing them appropriately), this is considered as a cheating attempt  and the respective examination performance is to be graded "fail" (F; mark 5.0). A declaration (available at: agrar.uni-hohenheim.de/en/plagiarism) and an unencrypted digital text document has to be attached to homeworks, presentations, and to the Master’s thesis.

After successful completion of all modules as well as the thesis, the student is awarded the degree "Master of Science" (M.Sc.). This degree entitles to continuing with a Ph.D./doctoral program if the total
grade is above average.