The CONSTRUCTOR Track is another important feature of Constructor University’s educational model. The Constructor Track runs orthogonal to the disciplinary CHOICE, CORE, and CAREER modules across all study years and is an integral part of all undergraduate study programs. It provides an intellectual tool kit for lifelong learning and encourages the use of diverse methodologies to approach cross-disciplinary problems. The CONSTRUCTOR track contains Methods, New Skills and German Language and Humanities modules.
Methods
Methods and skills such as mathematics, statistics, programming, data handling, presentation skills, academic writing, and scientific and experimental skills are offered to all students as part of the Methods area in their curriculum. The modules that are specifically assigned to each study programs equip students with transferable academic skills. They convey and practice specific methods that are indispensable for each students’ chosen study program. Students are required to take 20 CP in the Methods area. The size of all Methods modules is 5 CP.
To pursue IBA as a major, the following Methods modules (15 CP) need to be taken as mandatory modules:
- Methods Module: Applied Calculus (m, 5 CP)
- Methods Module: Applied Statistics with SPSS (me, 5 CP) or Methods Module: Applied Statistics with R (me, 5 CP)
- Methods Module: Qualitative Research Methods (m, 5 CP)
Furthermore, IBA students must choose either
- Methods Module: Econometrics (me, 5 CP) or
- Methods Module: Data Collection and Empirical Research Methodologies (me, 5 CP)
New Skills Modules
This part of the curriculum constitutes an intellectual and conceptual tool kit that cultivates the capacity for a particular set of intellectual dispositions including curiosity, imagination, critical thought, and transferability. It nurtures a range of individual and societal capacities, such as self-reflection, argumentation and communication. Finally, it introduces students to the normative aspects of inquiry and research, including the norms governing sourcing, sharing, withholding materials and research results as well as others governing the responsibilities of expertise as well as the professional point of view. Students in this study program are required to take the following modules in their second and third year:
- New Skills Module: Logic (m, 2.5 CP)
- New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation (m, 2.5 CP)
- New Skills Module: Argumentation, Data Visualization and Communication (m, 5 CP)
Furthermore, they must choose either
- New Skills Module: Linear Model/Matrices (me, 5 CP) or
- New Skills Module: Complex Problem Solving (me, 5 CP)
as well one of the following modules:
- New Skills Module: Agency, Leadership and Accountability (me, 5 CP) or
- New Skills Module: Community Impact Project (me, 5 CP).
German Language and Humanities Modules
German language abilities foster students’ intercultural awareness and enhance their employability in their host country. They are also beneficial for securing mandatory internships (between the 2nd and 3rd year) in German companies and academic institutions. Constructor University supports its students in acquiring basic as well as advanced German skills in the first year of the Constructor Track. Non-native speakers of German are encouraged to take 2 German modules (2.5 CP each), but are not obliged to do so. Native speakers and other students not taking advantage of this offering take alternative modules in Humanities in each of the first two semesters.