FAQ by Enrolled Students
How can I register for examinations?
You have to register via RWTHonline. All available modules in the MI curriculum are listed there.
If a module is not listed in RWTHonline because it is offered by the University of Bonn, please consult the instructor on how to register manually.
Do I have to register for a retry exam?
Usually modules offer two exams per iteration. You can choose to register for the first or exam date. However, if you decide not to take the first exam date, you have no retry exam date in this iteration and may have to wait one year to take the complete module again.
If you did not pass the first exam and you want to attend the second exam date then you must register for the second exam date. Registration is not done automatically.
When can I register for exams?
Registration periods for exams are posted online in RWTHonline. They differ between exams; usually there is a central deadline for all first exam dates. Second exam dates allow registration up to 7 days before the exam.
How can I cancel/deregister from examinations?
You can deregister from an exam until three work days before the exam date. After that date you need a special medical certificate - a doctor's note. For more information, see the page on Deregistration at RWTH Aachen University.
How can I find a thesis?
You can search for thesis offers online on the various webpages of research groups and chairs. The experience shows that not all topics are published as available thesis projects and often the research assistants have topics ideas which are open and not yet published. Based on your interest your should be able to contact instructors, this includes Professors and assistants, directly and ask for open topics. In some cases you have suitable idea in mind and want to propose it yourself to research group.
Topics with industry are not common. Only in rare cases it works out that one finds two academic examiners who agree to a thesis in cooperation with industry. If you are interested in more applied industry related topics, try to find out which projects of research groups and chairs are in cooperation with industry. Often there are thesis topics related to the research projects in cooperation with industry.
Finally, you have to make sure to find two academic examiners (this includes Professors and some PostDocs with examination permissions). Your first examiner needs to be from the CS department of RWTH Aachen University or University of Bonn. They can also be from Fraunhofer FIT or IAIS if they have affiliation with either RWTH or Uni Bonn as well (e.g., Prof. Rose, Prof. Prinz). The second examiner can be any examiner from a university, but most often is also from the CS department of RWTH or Uni Bonn.
How can I register my thesis?
If you are required to take the bridging course or any other "Auflagen", you need to pass them before thesis registration (according to general examination regulation §3 para. 6)
You may register your thesis when you have achieved the following credits and they are shown on your transcript.
- one of two compulsory elective modules in the area of Practical Labs has been successfully completed,
- all compulsory elective modules in the area of Communication Skills have been successfully completed, and
- a total of 54 CP in examinations have been successfully completed
- For all students enrolled since Winter 2020, you need to pass the module component Scientific Integrity (online course offered every semester; see RWTHonline).
In total you'll need 60% of 90 credits, which translates to 54 credits.
To finish the program you'll need 120 credits as mentioned above.
Your first examiner needs to be from the CS department of RWTH Aachen University or University of Bonn. They can also be from Fraunhofer FIT or IAIS if they have affiliation with either RWTH or Uni Bonn as well (e.g., Prof. Wrobel, Prof. Rose, Prof. Prinz). The second examiner can be any examiner from a university, but most often is also from the CS department of RWTH or Uni Bonn.
Please note that in many cases you will have a supervisor (e.g., research assistant of the respective examiner), who will supervise you. They have no examiner role and can not be first or second examiner (except if they have examination priviledges by the examination board).
If you found a topic with a examiner, please contact the ZPA and ask for the registration form for your thesis.
Reminder: if the thesis is registered you'll have only 6 months to work on it.
Some examiners allow/require a reading phase before registration where you work up a proposal and present your thesis idea before start to work on it. This can take 2-8 weeks depending on the topic and supervisor.
Useful Links - During Your Studies
General:
Formal matters:
Exams and Theses:
Registration Cancellation & Withdrawal
Central Examination Office (ZPA)
Further information: