department of informatics

FAQ: About studies

 

Why study at Fribourg?

The principal advantages of studying at Fribourg are:
  • The user-friendly atmosphere: the number of students in lectures and exercises is not normally very high.
  • The bilingualism: situated at the frontier of the French-speaking and German-speaking cultures and in a bilingual canton, the University of Fribourg is the only bilingual French-German university in Europe.
  • Its geographical position: at the foot of the Swiss prealps, this medieval town offers many cultural, sports and group activities. The some 10'000 students at the University represent almost one third of the town’s population.
  • Its international character: 18% of the students (representing more than 100 countries) and 35% of the professors come from outside Switzerland. The University actively participates in the international organizations of university cooperation thus offering students many exchange possibilities, whether cultural or simply human.
  • Interdisciplinary : The University of Fribourg is composed of five faculties: the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science (including medicine) and can offer many possibilities of interfaculty and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What is the Bologna system?

Due to a credit transfer system, established in all of the countries signatory to the Bologna Declaration, student marks can be exchanged between universities. This allows you to follow courses for one or more semesters at another university that applies this system.

 

What is an ECTS credit?

The Bologna system defines the credit unit ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). One  ECTS credit is the equivalent of 25 to 30 hours of work by a student. These credits are validated once you pass the corresponding examination. If a course is worth 5 ECTS credits, you will have to carry out 125-150 hours of work for that course. These hours include the time spent on exercises, personal work and preparation for the examination. In the end, when you have passed the examination, you obtain the 5 ECTS credits.

 

What is a Bachelor, a Master and a Doctorate?

At Fribourg, all the study programmes conform to the Bologna Declaration of 1999, a pan-European project signed by Switzerland. The study programmes are subdivided into two parts: an initial three years of basic university training (180 ECTS credits) leading to the award of the title « Bachelor »  followed by a second period of one and a half to two years of study (90 - 120 ECTS credits) giving the right to the title «  Master ». It is possible to obtain a Bachelor degree at one university and the Master degree at another. The award of a Master opens the way to future research leading to a doctorate. 

 

Is it possible to study for a few semesters abroad or at another Swiss University?

Of course its possible due to the Bologna Declaration and the ECTS credit system.

 

What is the best personal profile for studies in informatics?

A student wishing to study informatics should ideally possess the following:
  • Scientific curiosity and an attraction to technology
  • Be good at logical reasoning
  • Be capable of team work
  • Be able to learn individually and independently
  • Be open to the world and other disciplines

Do I need to have experience in informatics in order to be able to study informatics or business informatics?

Its not necessary to have any prior knowledge about informatics – you will learn it all from the beginning. 

 

Does one have to be good at mathematics to become an informatician?

The skills acquired at secondary school should be sufficient in order to pass the basic mathematics course. Exercises are carried out in groups giving you the possibility to discuss any problems with fellow students. Nevertheless, there are tutors available ready to help you and answer any questions.

 

How should I choose minor subjects?

Informatics can be applied to many other disciplines so it is quite useful to have skills in another field. The award of a Bachelor in Informatics, requires complementary studies in a subject according 60 ECTS, or two subjects each according 30 ECTS. These subjects may be freely chosen, depending on your own interests, from any of those disciplines taught at the University of Fribourg. 

What is the difference between business informatics and informatics with economics as a minor?

The first thing to note is that there is no minor available in economics, but rather four specialisations in the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, namely:
  • business management
  • political economics
  • information management
  • media and communication
available as minors according either 60 ECTS or 30 ECTS.
The courses in "business informatics" gives students the possibility of bridging the link between informaticians and managers by combining the training of the two profiles, using the tools and methods specific to information management.
The courses in "informatics" coupled with a minor in "business management" will give an informatics specialist the possibility of obtaining worthwhile experience in business management.

 

Do I need a personal computer to be able to study informatics?

Not necessarily; a  good number of computers are accessible in the public PC rooms which are open all week from Monday to Saturday. Nevertheless, if have your own computer (a portable is a good idea) this could make your work more simple.

 

Can I have a part-time job during my studies?

The studies for a Bachelor normally entail a minimum of three years and those for the Master an additional year and a half. The weekly timetable only requires a presence of 15 - 20 hours. For as long as you respect the set deadlines, personal work can be carried out where and when you wish. Thus it is quite possible to have a small part-time job without lengthening the normal time required.
University studies are considered to be a full-time occupation. For students who are well organized a second occupation that takes up about 20% of their time may be considered reasonable. If you have problems in financing your studies it would be a good idea to discuss with your study advisor a possible increase in the time taken to achieve them.
Under certain circumstances study grants may be available  - information is available at the Service for Social counselling and financial assistance.