Dear students,

Due to the coronavirus crisis, the University is currently operating on an emergency basis. There will be no face-to-face teaching or in-person exams. The start of courses for the 2020 summer semester has been postponed to 20 April 2020.

The teaching staff in the Marine Sciences Department are making every effort to ensure that all degree programmes can be completed during the 2020 summer semester. In particular, we are working intensively to replace face-to-face teaching with equivalent online courses. Particular attention is being paid to ensuring that compulsory modules can be completed without any loss of time wherever possible. Where necessary, we will assess whether parts of modules that cannot be covered by online courses can be replaced by other teaching formats. In some cases, however, this will not be possible if it means that the fundamental qualification and competence objectives of a module cannot be achieved. This may apply in particular to modules in which internships are a key component. In such cases, we will ensure that alternative dates for the relevant module components are offered as soon as possible once the university reopens. Information on the current schedule of courses will be made available to students via StudIP as soon as possible. Similarly, alternative dates for examinations that have been cancelled due to the current situation will be announced in good time, so as to ensure that all students have sufficient time to prepare. Where passing an examination is a prerequisite for continuing with or enrolling on a module, this requirement will be temporarily waived if the relevant examination has not taken place due to the coronavirus crisis.

We are aware that individual students may face difficulties regarding the normal progression of their studies and obtaining their degree on time. The course counsellors for the respective degree programmes will do their utmost to support affected students in resolving such issues. If necessary, students should contact the course counsellors by email. Questions regarding individual courses or modules should be clarified with the respective lecturers or module coordinators. In the event of more general issues, the programme committees or programme coordinators for the respective degree programmes may also be contacted directly. Where appropriate, the student bodies should also be involved in resolving any outstanding issues.

The impact of the coronavirus crisis on studies can cause considerable stress for students. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the Psychological Counselling Service (uol.de/pbs, https://studentenwerk-oldenburg.beranet.info/), which offers support in such cases.

Please also note the information for students provided by the University of Oldenburg (uol.de/info-coronavirus), which is updated regularly.

Thorsten Dittmar
Heinz Wilkes
Oliver Zielinski