FAQs

Is attendance required?

Yes! This will be an in-person seminar, and active participation will raise your final mark. In few exceptions the material can be caught up individually from home, but absence has to be justified in advance.

Is the seminar graded?

Yes! The seminar will be graded by (1) active participation in classroom interactions and (2) a final poster presentation. The final grade will yield 5 credits.

Do I need to commit to a thesis topic?

No! You will have the chance to develop different research questions throughout the seminar. We will focus on methods for computational ethology, but you can also change your final thesis topic after the seminar.

Where can I find help?

Please approach the lecturer after the seminar for any questions, issues or concerns. But make sure to consult the information provided in this handbook before writing unnecessary emails!

What about Covid-19?

Unfortunately, the effects of the pandemic still determine life on campus, and the situation keeps changing so rapidly, that we need to stay flexible. As for the winter term 2021/22, in-person seminars are allowed at the Ruhr-University Bochum with proof of vaccination (or 3G regulation), regular ventilation in seminar rooms, keeping a distance of at least 1.5m between students and surgical face masks to be worn inside RUB buildings.

Nevertheless, this seminar has been deliberately designed to be interactive enough to be used as a tool for independent learning from home, in case the seminar has to be moved online.