An Indicator-based Approach to Environmental and Resource Management in a Globalised World - Implementing Environmental and Resource Management - page 309

23.3 The Bologna Process at BTU Cottbus

At BTU Cottbus internationalisation started in 1998 with the implementation of
the ERM Bachelor programme, followed by the Master programme in 1999. New
regulations for all Bachelor and Master Programmes offered at BTU were intro-
duced in 2004 8 and since 2009 all courses at BTU are offered under the new sys-
tem. Diploma degrees are no longer awarded. This is to be regarded as a spin-off
effect of the early implementation of the ERM courses.
Since then ERM has become a recognised consecutive study programme all
over the world. Eight international study programmes are offered at BTU and 476
international students are enrolled (as of 2010). One programme is offered as joint
degree with four other universities (Eurohydroinformatics and Water Manage-
ment). With the introduction of the ERM PhD-programme in 2004, the implemen-
tation of new PhD regulations with a focus on science-oriented accompanying
studies and the publication of the above mentioned series of topics the focus has
shifted from teaching and education to the integration of scientific research. The
ERM PhD programme was among the first structured PhD programmes in Ger-
many and can be regarded as trend setting for the future development of graduate
studies (see Mersch and van Rebber 2010).

23.3.1 Study Structure in International Programmes

Quality indicators of an international study programme are summarised in Table
23.1 . Likewise the estimated degree of fulfilment is indicated in column 2. The
formal requirements of the Bologna process are all met by the ERM programmes.
This is true for the ECTS credit system, bilingual transcripts, diploma supplement
and online documentation of the syllabus (module descriptions 9 ). However, even
though all classes are given in the English language, the English proficiency of
some teachers is still being criticised by students during regular course evalua-
tions.

Table 23.1. Quality indicators international study programmes at BTU

Indicator Degree of fulfilment

ECTS credit system fully implemented ***

All mandatory courses in English ***

Bilingual transcripts ***

Diploma supplement ***

Online-documentation of syllabus ***

Excellent language proficiency of teachers **

*** good, ** satisfying, * to be improved

8

Available under http://opus.kobv.de/btu/volltexte/2007/215/pdf/abl151_05.pdf

9

Available under http://www.zv.tu-cottbus.de/moveron/admin/portal.php