Master Study Programmes

Internal Regulations of VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava

Study and Examination Rules for master study programmes at VŠB-Technical University of Ostrava were registered by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports pursuant to the Article 36, Par. 2 of Act No.111/1998 on Higher Education Institutions and on the amendment and supplement to some other Acts (The Higher Education Act) under reference number 16 605/2007-30 on 21 June 2007

……………………………..

doc. Ing. V. Vinš, CSc.
Director of the Section for Higher Education Institutions

Study and Examination Rules
for Master Study Programmes
at VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava

Part 1
Introductory Provisions

Art. 1

Study in master programmes is provided pursuant to Act No. 111/1998 on Higher Education Institutions and on the amendment and supplement to some other acts (the Higher Education Act), as subsequently amended, hereinafter ”Act”.
VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava (hereinafter ”VŠB-TUO”) is authorized to provide accredited master study programmes. The list of these study programmes is posted on the official notice board of VŠB-TUO. The accredited master programmes are provided by the faculties or VŠB-TUO separately, or in cooperation with a university institute. The decision on master programmes provided by VŠB-TUO is made by the Rector, or Vice-rector if the rights and duties are given to the Dean or Vice-dean by the Study and Examination Rules. In case of such study programmes we consider a faculty as the VŠB-TUO, and the Department for University Study Programmes as the Department for Study Affairs.
The study in a master programme may also be provided in co-operation with education institutions abroad which offer related study programmes. Terms and conditions of such co-operation shall be stipulated by a contract made between the participating parties.
A master study programme is a follow-up to a bachelor study programme. Should it be required by the nature of a study programme, the accredited master study programme is not a follow-up to any bachelor study programme.
Graduates of master study programmes at VŠB-TUO are awarded the academic degree "inženýr" (i.e. ”Engineer” abbreviated as "Ing.", used in front of the name).

Part 2
Arrangement of Studies

Art. 2
Arrangement of the Academic Year

The length of an academic year is twelve (12) calendar months. The commencement of an academic year is specified by the Rector. Upon a discussion at the Rector Council he also specifies the beginning of the organized lecturing period and the obligatory schedule for the academic year at VŠB-TUO.
The schedule of the academic year specifies the beginning and end of lecturing periods, examination periods, vacations, practical trainings, and other academic activities.
The academic year consists of a winter semester and a summer semester, with end-of-term exams after the winter and the summer semester, and vacations.
The length of each semester is basically fourteen (14) weeks followed by at least five weeks of examination period. Should the semester be shorter, the following examination period may also be adequately shorter. Lecturing units are fixed in weekly time-tables. One lecturing unit lasts at least 45 minutes.

Art. 3
Study Programmes

Master study programmes provided at VŠB-TUO are offered as daily (full-time) studies, distance studies, or a combination of these, (hereinafter ”combined form of study”). The study programme in the daily (full-time) form of study is realized with the attendance of students on the premises of school. The study programme in the distance form is realized using the study supports for subjects taught: e-learning, contact with students via the Internet and direct contact with a teacher during his/her tutorial hours. The study programme in the combined form of study is the combination of the daily (full-time) and distance forms of study. The attendance of students of the combined form of study on the premises of the school/faculty must be given in the curriculum design.
The standard length of master study programmes is given in the List of Accredited Study Programmes and open to the public at the official notice board of VŠB-TUO.
Study programmes are usually subdivided into branches of study. The branches of study consist of systematically integrated subjects of study. The branch of study may be further divided into specializations or directions containing closely and systematically arranged subjects within the curriculum design of the branch of study.
The maximum length of study is the double period of the standard length of study from the first enrolment in the study programme to its graduation in the master study programme on the day of passing the final state examination. The standard lengths of study are given in the list of the accredited study programmes and open to the public on the official notice board of VŠB-TUO. In this period also all individual interruptions of studies are included.
Studies are also terminated if a student fails to complete his/her studies within the course of the maximum length of study as per Article 56 Par. 1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22 Par. 4 (b) of these Study and Examination Rules. This decision refers to Article 68 of the Act.
Master study programmes are usually follow-ups to a bachelor study programme of the same or similar study programme and branch of study. Students who have regularly finished different usually bachelor study programmes are given the curriculum design for the first year of study and conditions for admission by the Dean. The Dean evaluates the similarity of the completed study programme particularly by comparing the content of both study programmes using a credit evaluation of the subjects.

Art. 4
Study Programme Board

Study programmes which are realized by a faculty are approved by the Scientific Board. Individual study programmes are kept track of and assessed by the Study Programme Board. The Study Programme Board is concerned with the realization of study programmes in the accredited form, implementation of the credit system, change initiation, up-dating and modernizing of study programmes, the coordination of the effective involvement of departments, institutes and university institutions of VŠB-TUO (hereinafter ”department”) in the realization of study programmes, and an evaluation of the quality of realizing the study programmes.
The Study Programme Board of the faculty and the Chairman of the Study Programme Board are appointed by the Dean of a faculty at which the study programme is accredited, after authorisation by the Scientific Board of the faculty consisting of professors, associate professors, and distinguished professionals who significantly participate in the realization of the study programme. The length of the Board’s period in office is determined by the Dean.
The Study Programme Board makes proposals to the Dean of the faculty and the guarantors for individual study programmes who are chosen from professors and associate professors who significantly participate in the realization of the study programme, leads them methodically and coordinates their activities. The guarantors for individual study programmes and guarantors for individual branches of study are appointed by the Dean of the faculty, who determines the period of time for which they are appointed as well as their duties.

Art. 5

Curriculum Designs

Curriculum designs define the subject matter and its extent in the study programme realized by the faculty. They include study subjects according to years of study and semesters, the number of classes of the given subject, the evaluation criteria for credits, and set up the subjects and semesters when credits, graded credits and examinations are prescribed.
Curriculum designs for all study programmes are elaborated for each year of study of the standard length of study. Besides other information, the curriculum design also sets up the organization of individual forms of study and the suggested study schedule.
Subjects are compulsory, choice-compulsory and optional. Compulsory subjects are subjects which have to be attended by a student regularly. Choice-compulsory subjects have a certain relation with the branch of study and a student has a few offers to select. A student enrols in optional subjects from the list of subjects given in the study programme so that the requirements set by these Study and Examination Rules could be fulfilled.
Curriculum designs for master study programmes are arranged in such a way that the number of lessons does not extend 30 hours a week. Physical education, foreign languages, excursions and practical training are not included into this number. The maximal extent of classes in a combined form of study is 120 lessons in one semester.
In accordance with the curriculum design of a corresponding study programme (branch of study) and year of study the student sets up his/her individual curriculum design for individual years of study.

Art. 6
Credit System

For a quantifiable evaluation of the course of study a uniform credit system is used at VŠB-TUO. It has the following features:
1. one credit usually represents 1/60 of a student’s annual average load at a standard length of study, i.e. 30 credits in one semester and 60 credits in one academic year,
2. a specific number of credits is assigned to every subject so that the student can meet the requirements of the given subject with an average load rate,
3. the same credit evaluation is assigned to each subject in all study programmes and forms of study,
4. the student can only obtain an adequate number of credits after completion of the work required for the course of subjects as given in Art.18,
5. credits gained in the framework of one study programme are added up,
6. the obtained number of credits is the measure for quantifying the learning outcomes,
7. the student is awarded credits for a particular subject in the course of his/her study only once.
A student will be considered for the degree when he/she has obtained a number of credits which equals at least a multiple of 60 of the number of years of the standard length of study, in harmony with the study programme and curriculum design.
The credit system of VŠB-TUO is compatible with the European Credit Transfer System (hereinafter "ECTS") enabling the mobility of students within the terms of European educational programmes.

Art. 7
Individual Personal Curriculum Design

An individual personal curriculum design is approved by the Dean on the basis of a student’s application.
An individual personal curriculum design allows the student a specific organization of study on the condition that the subject matter and its extent given in the curriculum design of the relevant study programme are properly followed.
A student can also be released or sent out to study at another university, also abroad. The course of study at the university abroad is usually settled by an agreement about the study written out beforehand. In case the curriculum design in the study programme at an institution of higher learning abroad is equivalent to that at domestic faculty, the Dean will decide about the acknowledgment of the learning outcomes at the foreign university. Otherwise, the Dean will decide on the recommendation of the branch of study guarantor.

Art. 8
Educational Activities and Their Organization

Principally a student’s activity means self-study work assessed by teachers.
Teaching activities consist of lectures, seminars, tutorials, guided consultations, practical training, and field trips.
Lectures have an explanatory character and provide an essential basis of practical and scientific principles, methodology of the given disciplines and patterns for solving problems.
In seminars, great emphasis is laid upon the application of knowledge from lectures under a teacher’s supervision. An important part of this teaching form is the presentation of one’s own work results and discussion.
Tutorials are intended to especially acquire a good mastery of the subject matter presented in lectures or assessed for self-study. Specific types of seminars are laboratory work and work with computers. The tutorials may be conditioned by some homework, which is checked.
Guided consultations are intended to check homework assessed for a student’s individual preparation. They can also supersede seminars or other forms of teaching activities.
Practical training improves knowledge and abilities acquired by student’s own work at an appropriate workplace. It is a part of study programmes. The Dean or the teacher from the corresponding department outlines its organization, arrangement and course.
The purpose of field trips is to prove the students’ theoretical knowledge gained when learning some subjects. They are intended to introduce methods of work in practice and incorporated into the tuition of appropriate subjects or organized in blocks.
Except for organized teaching activities there exist also individual consultations for students’ personal needs.
Attendance at lectures is recommended. Attendance at other organized teaching forms which are completed by awarding a credit or a graded credit is compulsory to the extent stated by the head of the department, director of the institute or director of the university institution (hereinafter ”head of department”).
Lectures are conducted by professors and associate professors of the appropriate directions. On the Dean’s approval, senior lecturers and lecturers as well as outstanding professionals from other scientific workplaces or practice may also lecture. The contents of lectures must correspond to curriculum designs and subject programmes.
Seminars and tutorials are conducted by professors, associate professors, senior lecturers and lecturers as well as professionals from other scientific workplaces and practice. Lecturers and postgraduates delegated by the Dean may also participate in seminars and tutorials under supervision of university teachers mentioned above in paragraph 11.
A guarantor of the subject, who is responsible for the quality of the subject content, is appointed by the head of department. The subject content must be made public by a guarantor one week before opening the tuition and must include the following items:
1. a short survey of the subject content and its scheduling,
2. demands made on students during the semester, requirements for gaining a credit and general conditions and characteristics of the exams,
3. list of literature recommended for the study.

Conditions set for gaining a credit and taking an examination cannot be changed in the course of the semester.

Art. 9
Study Groups

Students are usually organized in study groups in the course of the study. The way the students are grouped is set by the Dean.
A student has the right to ask the Department for Study Affairs to be placed into another group if he/she has a serious reason for it. In case a subject is taught similarly by other teachers, a student may legally claim a change of a teacher within the capacity and schedule possibilities. This right can be enforced by means of a written application sent to the Department for Study Affairs within two weeks after the semester begins.

Art. 10
Pedagogical Consultant

An educational consultant is appointed by the Dean, if it is necessary for the teaching process.
A consultant should be aimed at:
1. informing and advising about the structure of an appropriate curriculum design, about the possibilities of choosing subjects, and consulting the possibilities of fields of study choice on a student’s request,
2. responding to students’ questions particularly concerning these study and examination rules, internal regulations of the faculty, programmes for study subjects,
3. informing the Dean about problems concerning tuition and study affairs,
4. making an application from some students’ on the Dean’s request,
5. co-operating with the Department for Study Affairs at the faculty and the responsible Vice-dean,
6. organizing students’ visits at department workplaces (laboratories, computer rooms, research workplaces) and in this way enabling students to get better acquainted with the faculty and its professional activities.

Part 3
Verification and Evaluation of Learning Results

Art. 11
Verification of Learning Results

Learning results are verified and continuously assessed in the course of study after completion of a process of learning a subject by awarding a credit, graded credit, passing an exam, or when the passed examination follows after awarding a credit.
The Dean sets the deadlines for allocating credits and graded credits after completion of a process of learning in subjects registered for a given semester or academic year, as well as deadlines for passing exams.
Records containing learning outcomes of students of each faculty as well as data in information system of VŠB-TUO (hereinafter ”information system) are kept at the Departments for Study Affairs which is also made responsible for them. On his/her request a student may receive the diploma supplement given out pursuant to the ECTS standards which documents successfully completed subjects.

Art. 12
Credits And Graded Credits

A credit or graded credit is given to a student for meeting the demands set by the programme of the subject.
Credits or graded credits are given by the teacher who teaches the appropriate subject or, in reasonable cases, by the head of a department or any person accredited by him/her.
Credits or graded credits are registered in a student’s book and the information system. The teacher confirms the credit by writing the word: "započteno", adds the point evaluation and his/her signature with the date of granting the credit. A graded credit is confirmed by entering the point evaluation and the grade according to the national classification grading (Art.13 Par. 6) and adding his/her signature with the date of its granting.
A student who has failed to gain a credit on the given date can, in reasonable cases, be allowed to fulfil the demands for its granting by the teacher of the course on an alternative date but within the time limit as given in Art. 11 Par. 2. For serious reasons the Dean may permit any other later date for meeting the requirements of a credit within the academic year.
A student who has failed to gain a credit may ask the guarantor of the course to check up on such decision. The Deans decides whether or not a credit and graded credit are granted; such decision is final.
The learning outcomes of a course completed by a credit or graded credit are immediately transferred by a teacher to the information system. The learning outcomes are registered at the department which guarantees the tuition of the course from the end of the examination period following the tuition of the given course at the latest. The way how these learning outcomes will be passed on and stored within a faculty is set by the Dean. Written records on the learning results and granted credits are filed at the department for a period of time corresponding to the maximal length of study as given in Art.3 Par. 4.
The credit which is to be granted after a process of learning a subject followed by an examination has to be granted before taking the exam at the latest.
In case VŠB-TUO or a faculty safeguards the data stored in the electronic information system to protect it against intervention of an unauthorized person, the printout of these data officially certified by the university or faculty may be considered the statement of the credits and graded credits granted.

Art. 13
Examination

An examination tests the student’s knowledge of a subject matter stated in the documentation of the course and presented in the course at the level corresponding to the completed part of the study and the student’s ability to apply this knowledge in a creative way. The teacher evaluates the standard of the student’s competence and quantifies it by assessing points and the adequate classification grade.
The examination can be written, oral or both written and oral (hereinafter ”combined”). Examinations are not public, they can also be taken in front of an examining board. In case of a combined examination a student must pass both parts. The conditions under which the student may take an examination are set in the curriculum designs.
Terms and place, the way of registration to an examination as well as the examination form must be released well in advance and the information system of VŠB-TUO must be especially used.
In the case a student fails an exam, he/she has the right to repeat it. Examination in one course can be retaken twice at most (the 1^st retake, the 2^nd retake). If a student fails the 2^nd retake, he/she must repeat the course. The examiner enters the result of the exam as ”nevyhověl” (failed) both in the student’s book and the information system.
Examinations and retakes are taken with the teachers who have taught the course, exceptionally, with other teachers from the subject-guaranteeing department (hereinafter ”examiner”), appointed by the head of department. Depending on the situation in the department, the head can assign more teachers to examine one subject. On a student’s or examiner’s request an official examining board for a retake may be set and appointed by the Dean.
The results of the examination are quantified by means of a point system compatible with ECTS, by awarding points and marks according to the national grading scheme. The entry in the student’s book is written in words. The entry in the information system is expressed by means of the corresponding numbers. They are granted in harmony with the national grading scheme and the ETCS classification is shown in the following table:

*Point quantification in the interval*	100-91	90-81		80-71	70-61		60-51	50-0
*ECTS grade*	A	B		C	D		E	F
*Point quantification in the interval*	100-86		85-66			65-51		50-0
*National grading scheme*	excellent		very good			good		failed
	1		2			3		4

If the successfully completed examination was evaluated without any point quantification but only using the national grade or the ECTS grade, the point quantification will be granted according to the table which will be particularly used to calculate the weighted study mean:

*ECTS grades*	*Point quantification*	*National grading scheme*	*Point quantification*
A	95	excellent	93
B	85	very good	75
C	75	good	58
D	65
E	55

Examinations and retakes are usually held during the examination period set by the schedule for a given academic year. Upon agreement with the examiner, a student can sit for the examination even during the vacations or in the course of the semester, but maximally up to the deadline given in the schedule for the particular academic year. Examiners set the dates for examinations in individual subjects well in advance and in a sufficient number. The student sits for the exam on a given date and the exam is usually taken within the space of a single day.
The student is allowed to cancel the examination 24 hours before its beginning at the latest. A student who excuses him/herself from the examination is considered in the same way as if he/she did not sign up at all. A student who excuses him/herself after the examination has started or who does not appear at the examination at all without any excuse, or a student who violates the examination rule in a serious way, is marked ”nevyhověl” (failed). On the grounds of serious problems, especially on account of health, the student can apologize subsequently, however, not later than five days after the date of the exam. It is within the power of the examiner to judge the relevance of the student’s excuse.
The examiner records the result of the examination immediately into the information system. During the teaching period and examination period the teacher keeps the record of the successfully completed examinations. The teacher is also responsible for the correct registration of the results into the information system of VŠB-TUO. The way how these results will be passed on and stored within a faculty is set by the Dean. After the end of the examination period the results of examinations are to be kept at the department for a period of time corresponding to the maximal length of study as given in Art.3 Par. 4.
Learning outcomes acknowledged at another institution of higher learning are recorded in the register of study in correspondence with the ECTS together with the name of this institution of higher learning.
In case VŠB-TUO or a faculty safeguards the data stored in the electronic information system to protect it against intervention of an unauthorized person, the printout of these data officially certified by the university or faculty may be considered to be a statement of examinations passed.

Art. 14
Study Mean

The weighted study mean serves as a criterion for the assessment of the quality of a student’s learning outcomes (hereinafter ”VSP”). VSP is figured out for every student and for every academic year as well as for the entire course of study before the student takes the final state examination.
VSP is calculated as follows:

where n is the number of courses completed in the period under evaluation
CP_i is the number of credits for i^th courses completed with an examination or marked credit
B_iis point quantification of a student in the i^th completed course.

For those students who have completed a part of their studies before the credit system was introduced, VSP is assessed for the whole course of study as a weighted mean from the study mean of the part of course of study completed before the credits have been introduced and from the weighted study mean of the course of study completed after the credits have been introduced. The weights are numbers of credited grades in both groups. Contested cases are solved by the Dean.
VSP is particularly used:
1. when granting a scholarship if it is set by the Scholarship Rules of VŠB-TUO or by an internal regulation of a faculty,
2. for general evaluation of the study as given in Art. 27,
3. when deciding about a selective type (particularly when distributing into branches of study within the study programme, study abroad).

Part 4
Course of Study

Art. 15
Enrolment in Studies

An applicant admitted to studies pursuant to the Entrance Proceeding Rules of the VŠB becomes a student on the day of his/her enrolment. The enrolment takes place at the faculty that provides the pertinent study programme on the date stated by the Dean.
After the applicant enrols in studies, matriculation is held within 30 days after the lessons in the first semester start. Matriculation is organized by the faculty and one part of it is the students’ matriculation oath
The student is entitled to attend lectures, tutorials, seminars, training courses, practical trainings, laboratory practicals, consultations, to join field trips, to gain credits and take examinations.

Art. 16
Enrolment in a Higher Class

The student enrols in a higher class under the circumstances that he/she has met all the demands stipulated by his/her personal curriculum design and by these Study and Examination Rules for the elapsed part of study as given in the study programme.
If a student does not appear at the enrolment on a fixed date and does not apologize in writing within 5 days after this date, giving a proper reason for his/her absence at the enrolment or if his/her apology is not acknowledged by the Dean, he/she is considered to have failed to meet the requirements specified in the study programme, and thus the his/her studies are terminated as per Article 56, Par.1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22, Par. 4, letter b). For the decisions made refer to Article 68 of the Act.
After the student enrols in a higher class, his/her personal curriculum design set up according to Art. 17 becomes valid for the given year of study.
The Department for Study Affairs of the faculty where the student is enrolled as per Article 15, Par.1 is responsible for his/her enrolment in a higher class, checks the correctness of courses the students have enrolled in, and carries out eventual changes in the student’s personal curriculum design.

Art. 17
Setting the Personal Curriculum Design

The student sets his/her personal curriculum design for the winter and summer semester of the individual years of studies. In his/her curriculum design for the year of study he/she registers for the courses in the following order: compulsory, choice-compulsory, voluntary, using especially the information system and in harmony with the regulations set up in the curriculum design of the study programme (branch of study) as well as these Study and Examination Rules to get the prescribed number of credits as per Art.6, Par.1.
In the period of time beginning with the sixth week and finishing after the twelfth week of the semester the Dean assigns a period of at least two weeks for creating the personal curriculum design for the forthcoming semester.
Courses conditioned on prerequisites (hereinafter conditional courses) are to be taken at first in the semester after the prerequisite course has been passed, whereby a successful completion of the prerequisite course is a necessary condition for the student to be permitted to take the examination after completing the follow-up course.
The number of students for individual choice-compulsory and optional courses is limited and set by the heads of the course-guaranteeing departments before the creation of the personal curriculum design begins.
The student can change the choice-compulsory and optional courses only if the given course has not been opened because of numbers determined by the Dean or in case the student has not been chosen for this course because of a surplus number of applicants or he/she does not satisfy the entrance conditions. The student is obliged to complete the changes in his/her personal curriculum design for the forthcoming semester in the fourteenth week of the current semester at the latest.
The personal curriculum design in its final form is confirmed by the guarantor of the branch of study or study programme, respectively. The confirmed student’s personal curriculum design becomes obligatory. Changes in the student’s personal curriculum design are carried out at the Department for Study Affairs at the faculty after they have been confirmed by the guarantor of the branch of study or study programme, respectively.
Changes in the student’s personal curriculum design, caused by the overlapping time- table, have to be carried out within the first two weeks of the semester.
A student who is repeating his/her year of study acts in accordance with regulations as per in Art. 19, Pars. 10 and 11.

Art. 18
Completing a Course

Courses are completed by granting a credit, graded credit, by passing the examination after granting a credit, if required.
On completing a subject the student obtains credits for the enrolled courses. The student completes the course if he/she gets at least 51 points out of 100 points. The maximum 45 points can be granted for all activities during tutorials in courses completed by an examination. Terms and conditions for individual courses are specified in curriculum designs.
A course completed with a credit is confirmed by entering this in the student’s book and in the information system.
A course completed with an examination is confirmed by passing the examination. A course completed with a credit and examination is confirmed by granting the credit with the prescribed number of points followed by passing the examination. The final result of the course is given as the total sum of points obtained at the exam and points obtained in tutorials.
A course completed with a graded credit is confirmed by meeting the requirements set for its granting using a100-point scale for its evaluation.
The student completes a course regularly if he/ she completes it as per Par. 1 and thus obtains the assigned number of credits. Courses the student has already completed cannot be enrolled in again with the exception of cases as per Art. 19, Par. 10.
In case the student has not successfully completed a compulsory course, he/she must enrol in it again.
The student can enrol in a particular course twice at most, rules permitting the student to enrol in a course for the third time are given by the Dean.

Art. 19
Checking the Course of Study and Conditions for Proceeding the Studies

The course of studies is checked at delimited phases as given in the curriculum design of the study programme - semester, academic year.
The checking techniques are specified in the study programme documentation.
Learning results are verified by the Department for Study Affairs of the faculty in case of students of the full-time and combined form of study after every academic year, in the case of full-time students of master study programmes which are follow-ups to a bachelor study programme also after the first semester.
When checking the course of study, the student of a master study programme which is not a follow-up to bachelor studies must achieve at least 16 credits to be allowed to continue the study. A student in a repeated 1^st year of study must meet all requirements set for the first semester before his/her learning results after the winter semester are checked, otherwise he/she is excluded from studies as per Article 56, Par. 1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22, Par. 3 letter b).
When checking the course of study after the completion of a year of study, a student who did not meet all requirements of the given year of study must achieve at least 40 credits set in the curriculum design of the particular year of study and fulfil all commitments given for the previous year of study to be provisionally enrolled in the higher year of study. When enrolling for the higher year of study the student must also fulfil the duties given by the personal curriculum design of the lower year of study which have remained unfulfilled, whereby the credits he/she has obtained will be recognized. To improve his/her learning results the student may ask for a new fulfilment of assessments for gaining a credit. Students in the repeated year of study follow Articles 10 to 12.
The student who has met all requirements set for the particular year of study or conditions for repeating it can be enrolled in the following academic year.
The date and organization of the enrolment according to Par. 6 are set by the Dean.
In exceptional and reasonable cases, especially in case of illness, and based on the student’s properly substantiated application, the Dean can award an exception from conditions given for enrolment in the higher year of study or for repeating the year of study.
In the case the student has failed to meet the requirements needed for his/her enrolment in a higher year of study, he/she is allowed to repeat the year or another part of study as per Article 52, Par. 1 of the Act and Par. 1 (hereinafter ”year of study”). The same year of study may be repeated only once.
In a repeated year of study the student is obliged to fulfil both the hitherto unfulfilled duties set in his/her personal curriculum design for the previous year of study and those for the repeated year of study. The student is allowed to enrol again in courses contained in his/her personal curriculum design for the repeated year of study the learning results of which he wishes to improve. If the student enrols in courses in order to improve his/her learning results, the former learning results of these courses are thus cancelled and the student is obliged to attend and complete the courses once again. The student is allowed to change the arrangement of choice-compulsory and optional courses only on the approval of the guarantor of the branch of study or study programme, respectively.
In case the student’s duties in the repeated year of study set as per Art. 19, Par.10 do not exceed 60 credits, the student is allowed to also enrol in courses given for the higher year of study, however, the total student’s duties must not exceed 60 credits. The obtained credits are included in the assessment for the higher year of study.

Art. 20
Interruption of Studies

Studies in a study programme can be even repeatedly interrupted. The interruption of studies is permitted by the Dean on the basis of the student’s letter of application. The minimum length for interruption of studies is one semester, the maximum length for a continuous interruption is one year. The interruption of studies is entered in a student’s book. During the period of interruption the applicant loses his/her student´s status.
Except for serious reasons and especially because of ailment, the interruption of studies is possible at first after the successful completion of the first semester.
The maximum total length for interruption of studies is a period of time which together with the standard length of studies does not exceed the maximum length of studies as per Art. 3 Par. 4.
Upon expiration of the period of interruption the person, who has interrupted the studies, is again eligible to enrol in studies. If the person fails to enrol on a given day and does not apologize in writing within five days, this is considered as failing the requirements specified in the study programme as per Article 56, Par. 1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22, Par. 4, letter (b). In legitimate cases the Dean may remit the delay of the term. If the reasons for the interruption have passed, the Dean may terminate the interruption of studies even before the expiration of the period of interruption at the request given in writing by the person who has interrupted the studies.
In case the curriculum design has been changed in the course of the interruption of studies, the Dean may prescribe different examinations and an adequate period for passing them.

Art. 21
Quitting the Studies

If a student decides oterminate the studies, he/she is obliged to send a letter of quitting the studie to the Dean.
The date of termination of studies as per Article 56, Par.1 (a) and Par. 2 of the Act corresponds to the date of delivery to a faculty of a written statement of terminating the studies a student is enrolled in.
A person who has stopped his/her studies is obliged to appear at the department for study affairs of the faculty within 5 days after the date of sending the written statement to hand back his/her student’s book in case it had been given to him/her at the enrolment. He/she also submits a document proving that all obligations towards VŠB-TUO have been settled. After it, the student’s book shall be closed and he/she shall be given a record of exams completed or a document of studies.

Art. 22
Termination of Studies

Proper completion of studies consists of graduating in the applicable study programme. The date of completion corresponds to the date of passing the final state examination or the last part of it.
Completion of studies and acquisition of an academic degree are documented by means of the higher education diploma with the given study programme and branch of study which are issued, together with the diploma supplement, by VŠB-TUO and given to graduates.
Graduates of study programme realized in co-operation with an institution of higher learning abroad are awarded the academic degree pursuant to the law, and possibly also the academic degree of the institution of higher learning abroad in accordance with the legislation of the particular country. The documents on studies include the name of the co-operating institution of higher learning as well as the fact that the foreign academic degree awarded is the common degree awarded at the same time also at the institution of higher learning abroad.
Studies are also terminated in the following cases:
1. A student has decided to quit his/her studies as per Art. 21,
2. A student has failed to meet the requirements specified in the study programme as per Study and Examination Rules
3. The study programme accreditation has been withdrawn,
4. The study programme accreditation as per Article 80, Par. 4 of the Act has expired,
5. A student has been excluded from studies as per Article 65, Par. 1, (c) or as per Article 67 of the Act.
The date of termination of studies as per
1. Par. 4, letter a) corresponds to the date of delivery of a written statement of terminating one’s studies to the faculty the student is enrolled in,
2. Par. 4, letter b) is the date the resolution on the termination of studies comes into effect. The resolution becomes effective on the day following the term for submitting a request for review expires in vain, one day after the student has surrendered the right for this request in writing, or on the day following the date of delivery of the Rector’s written resolution on the terminating of studies.
3. Par. 4, letter c) is the date of expiration of the term stipulated in the decree of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (hereinafter referred to as ”the Ministry”),
4. Par. 4, letter d) is the date on which VŠB-TUO announced the cancellation of the study programme.
5. Par. 4, letter e) is the date the resolution on the exclusion from studies comes into effect.
In case the decision as per Par. 4, letters c), d), VŠB-TUO is obliged to secure the student a possibility of continuing the studies in the same or similar study programme at the same or similar institution of higher learning.
A student who terminated his/her studies as per Par. 4, is provided with a record of completed exams or the document on studies issued by the faculty.
A student who stopped the studies adheres adequately to Art. 21, Par.3.

Part 5
Proper Completion of Studies

Art. 23
Final State Examinations

Studies in master study programmes are completed by a final state examination. A defence of a diploma thesis is an integral part of the final state examination in master study programmes.
A student may take the final state examination after he/she has met all requirements given in the curriculum design of the appropriate study programme and these Study and Examination Rules, has submitted his/her diploma thesis and has registered for the final state examination. In case a student fails to submit his/her diploma thesis and fails to register for the final state examination within the maximum length of study as per Art. 3, Par.4 the studies are terminated as per Article 56, Par. 1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22, Par. 4, letter b). The decision made is subject to Article 68 of the Act.
Parts and individual subjects or themes of the final state examination are stipulated in the study programme that also determines their order. The total length of the final state examination should not exceed one hour.
The final state examination is held on the terms stated by the Dean and its course and declaration of results are public. The way of registering for the final state examination as well as its organization is set by the Dean.
If the student does not appear at the final state examination on a given day and does not apologize in writing, giving the reason for it within five days, he/she is marked ”nevyhověl” (”failed”). In serious cases and especially because of ailment, the Dean may remit the delay of the term.
A student, who in the given academic year met all requirements, however, did not pass the final state examination as a whole or just its last part, may ask the Dean to interrupt his/her studies in the following academic year until the date of the final state examination or the date needed for finishing the diploma thesis at the faculty. The final state examination must be passed within two years after the end of the academic year in which the student had a claim to pass it as per Par. 2. If the student fails to pass this final state examination, his studies will be terminated as set in Article 56, Par. 1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22 Par. 4, letter b). The decision made is subject to Article 68 of the Act.
The final state examination or any of its parts may be repeated once. When repeating the final state examination, the student will repeat the particular part in which he/she was marked "nevyhověl" (”failed”).

Art. 24
Examining Board for the Final State Examination

The final state examination takes place in front of an examining board. The board for the final state examination has five members at least, it consists of a chairman, vice-chairman and other members. It is possible to appoint several examining boards for the same study programme (branch of study).
The chairman, vice-chairman, and other members of the examining board are appointed and released by the Dean. Those are professors and experts approved by the Scientific Board of a faculty. The Ministry is entitled to appoint outstanding experts in the appropriate branch to become other members of the examining board.
An examining board is directed by its chairman or vice-chairman, in case that the chairman is not present. The board has a quorum if three members plus the chairman or vice-chairman are present. In case of a tie vote, the chairman, or vice-chairman in case the chairman is not present, has the casting vote.

Art. 25
Final State Examination Marking

Individual parts of the final state examination and the final state examination as a whole are marked: "výborně" (excellent), "velmi dobře" (very good), "dobře" (good) and "nevyhověl" (failed). Marking for the final state examination is discussed at a closed session of the examining board.
The resulting mark of the final state examination is set by the examining board on the basis of the evaluation of all its parts, including the defence of a diploma thesis. Should any of the parts of the final state examination be marked "nevyhověl" (failed), the total result of the final state examination is marked "nevyhověl" (failed).
A student who was marked ”výborně” (excellent) and ”velmi dobře” (very good) in individual parts of the final state examination as per Art. 23 Par. 3 and has achieved an average evaluation in the final state examination up to 1.50 inclusive, has passed the final state examination on the combined result - "výborně" (excellent).
In case the student has passed all parts of the final state examination, the result of the final state examination is set by an average evaluation as given in the table below:

*Average from the evaluation of the parts of the final state exam*	*Combined result of the final state exam*	*Evaluation*
1.00-1.50	excellent	Partial evaluation must not be ”good” and ”failed”
1.51-2.50	very good	Partial evaluation must not be ”failed”
2.51-3.00	good	Partial evaluation must not be ”failed”
	failed	1x ”failed” at least

Only that part/those parts of the final state examination is/are repeated which was/were marked "nevyhověl" (failed). In case the defence of the diploma thesis was marked "nevyhověl" (failed), the examining board will decide whether a new diploma thesis will be set as a condition to repeat the final state examination.
The Dean ordains a student an alternative date for the final state examination in case:
1. The student failed to submit his/her diploma thesis on time, however, this fact was properly explained in writing and his/her excuse was accepted by the Dean,
2. The student did not appear at the final state examination or its repetition on a given date, his/her absence, however, was properly explained in writing within five days and accepted by the Dean.
If a student does not appear at the final state examination without any explanation, or the explanation itself has not been accepted, this is considered as if the student were marked "nevyhověl" (failed) in the final state examination. An excuse is sent to the Dean who finally decides about its legitimacy.
The Dean will set a date for repeating the final state examination if a student has acted in the following ways:
1. He/she failed to submit the diploma thesis on a given date and he/she did not apologize properly,
2. He/she did not appear at the final state examination on a given date and did not inform anyone appropriate about his/her absence in writing within five days,
3. His/her defence of the diploma thesis or some other part of the final state examination was marked "nevyhověl" (failed).
A student who failed to submit the diploma thesis on time even when repeating the final state examination, or who did not apologize for not appearing at the final state examination or whose defence of a diploma thesis or any other part of the final state examination were marked "nevyhověl" (failed), is terminated from studies as per Article 56, Par.1 (b) of the Act and Art. 22 Par. 4, letter b). This decision refers to Article 68 of the Act.
Minutes are kept on the final state examination. There the course and evaluation of the defence of the diploma thesis and other parts of the final state examination as well as the combined result are given. As enclosures to the minutes the opinion/opinions assessed by one or more opponents of the diploma thesis as well as the evaluation assessed by the head of the diploma thesis are attached. The minutes of the final state examinations are deposited in the University Archive.

Art. 26
Diploma Thesis

In the diploma thesis, a student proves his/her ability to solve a problem assigned to him, the capability to present the problem both in oral and written forms, and to defend his/her individual viewpoint when solving it. A diploma thesis differs from the final bachelor thesis in the character of the assigned problems and in the extent and depth they are drawn up. The work on diploma thesis is a part of the study programme.
Topics for diploma theses are assigned on the basis of the diploma head’s proposals and announced by the heads of departments always at the beginning of the academic year. Topics for diploma may also come from proposals made by students (Article 62, Par. 1 (f)of the Act). The topics, the way how they are made public and the student’s choice of a diploma thesis are determined by the Dean.
Assignments to diploma thesis include a brief characterization of problems to be solved and objectives to be reached, basic literature and the name of the head of such diploma thesis. The head of a diploma thesis may also be a person who is not employed at VŠB-TUO.
The head of a diploma thesis and its opponent appointed by the head of the department will write a review to this thesis. The student is entitled to get acquainted with these reviews at least three days before the defence takes place. If needed, the head of department can appoint more opponents.
The defence begins with the student’s presentation of the main results contained in his/her diploma thesis, after it he/she makes statements to the comments given in the reviews by the head of the diploma thesis and the opponent or opponents. Then a discussion follows.
Submitting the diploma thesis the author agrees with its publication pursuant to the law, without any regard to the result of the defence.
The diploma thesis, submitted at least five working days before the defence takes place, must be open to the public at the seat of the department where the defence will take place and where the final state examination will be arranged. Everyone is allowed to make extracts, printouts and copies at his/her own expenses. The head of the department responsible for the organization of the final state examination arranges for a person to record it and has to make use of this possibility.
VŠB-TUO sees to the non - profit publication of diploma theses with the passed defense together with the opponent’s reviews and results of the defense through the database of qualifying papers, which is administered by the University Library and supported by the information system.
Should the assessment of a diploma thesis emerge from co-operation with other legal or non-legal persons and be focused on the current topics of their working, research and business activities, a student’s work, based on sensitive data rendered by such a co-operating person, has to be contained in a separate report kept at the department where the topic of the diploma thesis was assessed and this report is then cited in the diploma thesis. The introduction to the diploma thesis includes a declaration made by a representative of the legal or non-legal person announcing that he/she accedes to publishing the diploma thesis.
Provisions as set in Pars. 7 – 9 are applied unless special legal regulations concerning intellectual property or business secret determine otherwise.

Art. 27
Combined Results of Studies

Combined results of studies are marked as follows:
1. "passed with honours",
2. "passed",
3. "failed".
The student has "passed with honours" ("prospěl s vyznamenáním") in the case he/she has reached VSP, calculated as per Art. 14, a minimum of 84 points throughout the whole master study programme and his/her performance at the final state examination was marked ”excellent” ("výborně"). VSP is calculated by rounding up to two decimal numbers (5 is rounded up). The student can correct the point result of 83.00 - 83.99 by passing two subjects again at most, if the standard length of study is up to three years, four subjects if the standard length of study is five years.
Graduates who completed their studies "with honours" ("s vyznamenáním") are handed a VŠB-TUO diploma "with honours" ("s vyznamenáním").

Part 6
Students

Art. 28
Student’s Rights and Duties

The Student’s rights and duties are stipulated in Articles 62 and 63 of the Act, internal regulations of VŠB-TUO and the faculty. The decisions made on the student‘s rights and duties are amended in Article 68 of the Act.

Art. 29
Student - Faculty Communication

If a student does not come upon being called forth to discuss questions pertaining to the course of study or other important facts by a given date, in spite of being invited in writing by a registered letter during a semester or an examination period, or his/her excuse was not accepted, his/her behaviour can be understood as a disciplinary misdemeanour as per Article 64 of the Act.

Art. 30
Way of Compensatory Delivery

If a student has not received the resolution on matters given in Article 68 Pars. 3 (a) to (e) of the Act either personally at the Department for Study Affairs of the faculty or it could not take the form of personal delivery to the last declared address, the presentation of this decision on the official notice board of the faculty or the official notice board of VŠB-TUO for 15 days is considered as a compensatory delivery. The last day of this term is the day of the delivery.

Part 7
Concluding Provisions

Art. 31
Concluding Provisions

The Study and Examination Rules for master study programme at VŠB – TUO from 28 April 2006 registered by the Ministry under reference number 11817/2006-30 are invalidated.
These Study and Examination Rules were approved as per Article 9 Par. 1, (b) of the Act by the Academic Senate of VŠB-TUO on 22 May, 2007.
These Study and Examination Rules come into effect as per Article 36 Par. 4 of the Act on the day of their registration by the Ministry.
These Study and Examination Rules come into force on 1 September, 2007.

prof.Ing.Tomáš Čermák, CSc., in his own hand
Rector

1) e.g. Act No. 121/2000 On Copyrights And Rights Connected With Copyright and the amendments and supplement to some other acts.
Sections 17 and 20 of the Commercial Code

Master Study Programmes

Study and Examination Rules for Master Study Programmes at VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava

Study and Examination Rules
for Master Study Programmes
at VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava