Introduction

Once you've registered with the college, you can think about deciding what courses you want to do. This can be a little daunting after spending the last few years being told what to do. But this time it's up to you. The best thing to do is have a look at the choice you have and think about what you might like to do. The most important thing is that you get enough credits to pass the year.

What DCU requires

So that we don't spend all our time partying and having too good a time, DCU have laid down rules. Erasmus is not just about partying. This year is also a step towards fourth year. In order to pass third year, DCU requires you to:

1. get six credits, which roughly corresponds to six courses and complete a project
2. OR you can spend one semester at the university and get 3 credits, spend 5 months in a placement and complete a project.

Credits

The six credits correspond to a passed semester at DCU or 3 courses that last the full year. For example when you do a course that lasts the whole year and requires you to do an exam or presentation, you will be awarded two credits for this course. You must clarify with DCU that the courses you are doing are acceptable. Although you can choose the courses yourself DCU requires you do do courses that relate to the ACL degree. Therefore you are obliged to get one programming credit (e.g. Java, Prologm, C++, Perl etc.) and one language credit. The other credits should be either language , programming or computational linguistic related credits. We recommend that you don't get too adventurous. Although many lecturers in Germany are English- speaking most are German. That means that you will be lecturer in German. At the beginning (depending on your level of German)it can be a difficult to understand what they are saying. If you are familiar with the subject then it's already a little easier.

Here are a list of links to the differentComputational Linguisticsfaculties

Different Credits in Germany

When choosing subjects, sometimes it's quite difficult to know if you are choosing one of the right level. Beside the course title you might see 'Proseminar' or 'Hauptseminar'. So what do they mean and what do you choose?. Well since you can choose any subjects you want, it's better to have some idea of the level before you're in too deep. A 'Proseminar' course should be less complicated than a 'Hauptseminar'. These courses are usually aimed at 1st or 2nd year students. 'Hauptseminar' courses are courses that students must complete before they do their final exams. A 'Kompaktkurs' is an intensive course and it may last for up to a week.

The Placement

Not many of the past students have chosen this option. The reason is that there is not always a suitable software firm in the town you are in. The placement corresponds to INTRA i.e. what the CA3s do while we are having fun on Erasmus. The placement has two advantages. First of all you get paid well and money is nice. Secondly the experience looks good on your CV. If you plan on doing the placement, the first step is to get your three credits in semester one. One credit must be a programming credit, one a language credit and the last one can be any CL related credit. The placement lasts for 5 months. If you are interested in doing it, then you need to find yourself a position with a computer NLP oder translation company. If you want to do the placement then you will need to get approval from DCU. DCU will also want to know what kind of experience you gained. Sometimes software companies only want students to test newly developed software You should try to avoid getting stuck with mundane tasks and cease the opportunity to achieve something.

Click here for list of the addresses of software firms where ACL students have worked.

The Project

Before you go on Erasmus, DCU provides you with a brochure with information on the year. The third year project is the first major project that you have to write. If you don't have a clue what you are going to write about then don't worry. You're probably not the only one. The best advice that we can give you us - 'DO NOT AVOID THE PROJECT' - it is possibly the worst thing to do and puts you under even more pressure. This project should be the groundwork of your fourth year project. Since your project will either be accepted or not you should try and do it right the first time round. This will also take more pressure off in fourth year.

Click herefor a list of project suggestions