Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Please account for the (strict) registration deadlines which coincide with the official Rückmeldezeitraum (more information here).

• Who can participate in AISA Training?
  Participants need to be affiliated with the University of Stuttgart. Specifically, this includes:
  • Bachelor and Master students at the University of Stuttgart
  • Researchers employed at the University of Stuttgart
  • Doctoral researchers registered at the University of Stuttgart
• Can the certificate be obtained "online only"?
  No, the certificate is based on on-site lecture with the University of Stuttgart being a so-called "Präsenzuniversität". A pure online participation is not possible.
• How do I register?
  It is necessary to register for the AISA program via our website. This allows you to be admitted to AISA on C@mpus at the beginning of a semester. You can then register for individual courses there. Please also refer to the process visualization on the course catalog page.
• How do I find information about course schedules?
  You can find all course schedules and registration deadlines on the C@mpus platform or the ILIAS page for each individual course.

• What happens if I fail an exam?
  Nothing. You can take the exam again as long as you are a member of the university. It does not affect your normal degree studies.

• Do I have to pay for AISA credentials?
  No. So far, it is completely free for members of the University of Stuttgart.

• Do I have to take all modules for a credential in one semester?
  No, you can flexibly plan the modules according to your schedule. You only have to finish them while you are a member of the University of Stuttgart.

• Can I change the modules I want to take after registering?
  Yes, you may adjust your selected coursesthe modules for your chosen credential at any time.

• I have no or only a limited background in computer science and programming. How can I prepare for the courses? What prior knowledge is generally good for the AISA program?
  The preparation needed depends on the specific course you select. The courses are categorized as beginner or advanced, providing insight into the recommended skill level. Furthermore, courses are classified into fields such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), Software Engineering (SE), and Application (X), which may help in understanding the focus and depth of each course. For additional information, please review the prerequisites listed in each module description on C@mpus. If no prerequisites are provided, consider contacting the instructors directly or consulting the module handbook of the Computer Science or Software Engineering Master's program, where detailed course descriptions are available. It’s generally helpful to have a basic understanding of Python programming. For a thorough introduction, you can refer to the official Python tutorial or this alternative Python tutorial (by w3schools).

• Can I also register for the courses as a bachelor’s student?
  Yes, course enrollment requires student status, and bachelor’s students are also eligible. However, many courses are primarily offered within master’s programs, such as Computer Science and Software Engineering. Therefore, it’s recommended that bachelor’s students first review the prerequisites for each module on C@mpus or in the module handbooks of these master’s programs.
• Are the courses online or in person?
  That depends on the individual course. Some require attendance at the exercises, and others can be completed entirely online. Please refer to the module descriptions in C@mpus and the module handbook for the master’s degree program in Computer Science or Software Engineering, and, if necessary, contact the teachers if you are in doubt.
• Do I have to take the exams for the modules?
  Yes. They are the prerequisites to get the credentials. You must take the standard exams for each course.
• Can I finish the credentials after I leave the university (exmatriculation)?
  No. You have to be a member of the university to receive an AISA credential.
• Can I use modules in AISA and my normal degree program? Can courses from the degree program be credited to AISA or from AISA to the degree program?
  No. Only one module from your regular degree studies may also count toward AISA (applicable only for the Certificate of Advanced Studies and Diploma of Advanced Studies).
• Is it possible to receive a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) if a student cannot complete all 36 ECTS credits required for the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) by the end of their program, provided all CAS requirements are met? Can a student step down from DAS to CAS or from CAS to Microcredential?
  Yes, stepping down from DAS to CAS or from CAS to Microcredential is possible. You will need to contact us first to confirm your intended change. Once you submit your grade overview and meet the relevant requirements, we’ll issue the highest certificate you qualify for.
• What types of projects are available as AISA study projects? Are these projects practice-oriented or theory-oriented?
  AISA projects are currently offered in the form of a hackathon. In this event, participants work through the full process of developing a machine-learning pipeline for a specific application. Teams begin by collecting and preprocessing data and then train models tailored to the task. Once trained, models are applied to real-time data to enhance areas like user experience, engagement, or system performance.
• How do I register for the AISA Study Project and the AISA Interdisciplinary AI Software Project?
  Registration is completed through the C@mpus system, where enrollment grants automatic admission to the corresponding ILIAS course. All relevant information and updates about the project are provided on ILIAS and C@mpus, ensuring that participants receive everything needed for a successful start in the project.
• Can AISA training be recognized as a possible elective module in the master's degree program?
  No, there is currently no possibility for AISA training to be recognized as an elective module in the master’s degree program.
• Is it possible to complete courses and examinations while on a leave of absence for a semester due to an internship (leave of absence with fee exemption)?
  

  No, if you are on a leave of absence for a semester, you are not permitted to attend courses or take exams during this period.

• If I register, am I required to complete the AISA program as part of my degree, or can I withdraw in case of an emergency?
  Completing the AISA program is independent of your main degree requirements and does not impact them. If you decide not to continue with AISA, you have the option to deregister from the program once per semester.

• What are the deadlines for the poster session for the AISA Study Project and the Interdisciplinary AI Software Project?
  The specific deadlines will be communicated through official channels, with submissions generally scheduled toward the end of the semester. Please keep an eye on updates in ILIAS and C@mpus for the specific submission dates.

• If I already completed the AISA Study Project in its previous format (with a project task assigned by AISA scientists), do I need to repeat it?
  No, if you successfully completed the AISA Study Project in its previous format, you do not need to repeat it.

• What is the process for requesting my official credentials once I complete the requirements?
  After fulfilling all necessary requirements, email your transcript of records to aisa-info@uni-stuttgart.de, specifying the name of the certificate you’ve completed (e.g., Microcredential, CAS, DAS). Once reviewed, your official credential will be issued.