Dear returning and new students,
The upcoming winter semester will continue to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. For now, it is impossible to predict how the pandemic will unfold. Despite the easing of restrictions announced by the Bavarian State Ministry and the demand for more face-to-face teaching, extensive distancing and hygiene rules continue to apply, considerably reducing the space available for classes.
Regrettably, this has made it impossible for us to conduct regular classroom-based courses in the winter semester. As a result, nearly all large courses (especially lectures, exercise courses and tutorials) will be held online only. Some smaller-scale courses may be held in classrooms or face to face with an online option. Lecturers will provide timely information on the type and structure of the event on their websites and on Stud.IP. We will compile and align this information to make it easier for you to plan your studies when the semester starts.
We would be delighted if you opted for one of our degree programmes as a first-year student. In addition to the standard study programme, we will provide you with additional opportunities to help ensure your start at the University of Passau is a success. Aside from our induction events and the activities organised by our Student Committee during Orientation Week, such opportunities will include offerings made available by us and the Student Committee in the course of the semester.
At least some of these courses will take place face to face while all others will be held online. This also specifically applies for our new bachelor's programme 'Digital Transformation in Business and Society'. Furthermore, we hope to be able to give you full access to the library when the semester starts.
We are unable to provide you with any guidance on whether you should remain physically present in Passau over the entire duration of the winter semester 2020-21 or not because this depends on your personal circumstances. You should expect most of the courses at the School of Business, Economics and Information Systems to be taught online in this semester. Even so, you should be willing and able to come to the University of Passau for individual events or examinations. In addition to the courses taught entirely as lectures, we would like to make as many offerings available to you on campus as possible.
We are planning to start the lecture period at the School of Business, Economics and Information Systems on 2 November 2020 and continue through to 12 February 2021. As usual, this will be followed by an examination period lasting around four weeks.
We look forward to having you with us in the winter semester. Until then, make sure you keep healthy and safe through the summer.
Executive Board of the School of Business, Economics and Information Systems
Note: The Business, Economics and Information System Students’ Committee also posts information updates via Facebook www.facebook.com/fswiwiup and Instagram http://instagram.com/fswiwi_passau/.