technical university of liberec - Technická univerzita v Liberci

Technical University of LiberecBrief HistoryThe history of the Technical University of Liberec goes back to1953 when the Technical College of Mechanical Engineeringwas established. The foundation of the University was a logicalresult of the long-term economic and cultural development ofthe region where textile and textile machinery products hadbeen traditional. From the start, the College offered academicprogrammes in areas of Mechanical Technology, Design andConstruction of Textiles, Glass and Ceramics Machinery etc.The first Halls of Residence and University refectory wereconstructed between 1955 and 1960. In 1960, the Collegewas divided into two faculties: the Faculty of MechanicalEngineering and the Faculty of Textile Engineering. Between1990 and 1995, another four faculties were founded: the Facultyof Education (in 1990), the Faculty of Economics (1992), theFaculty of Architecture (1994), the Faculty of Mechatronics andInterdisciplinary Engineering Studies (1995) and the Institute ofHealth Studies (2004).For more information see http://www.tul.czAcademic YearThe Academic year is divided into two terms (semesters); thewinter and the summer term. Each includes approx. 14 weeksof courses and 5 weeks of examinations.Winter term: October - FebruarySummer term: March - JuneThe months given above are approximate. Exact dates mayslightly differ.Vacations are in July, August and September.Degree Schemes1. The University offers Bachelor courses leading to the degreeof Bc. equivalent to B. Sc. or B.A. (in Czech called „bakalář“).The studies are more practical than other courses providedby the University. Bachelor studies are concluded by theFinal State Examination, part of which is the bachelor thesisdefence. Standard duration of regular daily studies is threeor four years.2. Another type of courses offered by the University arecourses leading to the degree of Master, equivalent toM.Sc. or M.A. (in Czech Mgr. - „magistr“ or „inženýr“). SomeBachelor degree programmes are designed as the firststage of the Master degree programme which may follow.This allows students to make career decisions while stillstudying. They can either graduate as Bachelors or continueand obtain a Master degree. Other students enter Masterprogrammes from the very beginning. Master studies aremore theoretical and after five or six years of regular dailystudies they are concluded by the Final State Examinationand the diploma thesis defence.3. The University offers also postgraduate Doctoral coursesleading to the degree of Ph.D. (in Czech „doktor“). These arecompleted by the State Doctoral Examination and doctoralthesis defence. Standard duration of doctoral studies isthree years.Distance EducationThe University also provides various types of distanceeducation for charge through the Distance Education Service.Courses for trainers of manual workers, for graduates fromsecondary schools of pedagogy or teachers and workers ineducational institutions and courses focused on marketingare offered.A special counselling centre for disabled people was foundedas part of the Distance Education Service.AssessmentStudy assessment comprises mid-term, end-of-term and othertests, credits, classified credits and oral examinations.At present, two systems are used for assessment of students:1. the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) which wasdeveloped by the Commission of the EU in order to providecommon procedures to guarantee academic recognitionof students abroad. The students must acquire a certainnumber of credits every academic year. In the ECTS, 60credits represent the workload of an academic year ofstudy.47