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eingeschleuste Gene
Stilrisiko
Feb 13, 2009 15:01
15 yrs ago
40 viewers *
German term

Prüfungszeugnis - but what level of qualification

German to English Other Certificates, Diplomas, Licenses, CVs Certificate
Hope someone can help me with this please... I am translating a Prüfungszeugnis which states that the student in question passed a Diplomprüfung im Studiengang Biologie and that she was issued with a Diplomarbeit and also safely completed 3 other course modules, but I still cannot work out what level of degree -I presume it was a Masters but shouldn't there be something specifically stating that? There is no indication of how long she studied for - all I can see is Prüfungszeugnis and Diplomprufung im Studiengang Biologie. Help please!
Proposed translations (English)
4 +6 Detailed results of the degree examination
5 -1 Diploma
2 Diploma of Proficiency [in Biology]
References
What a "Diplomprüfung" is about:

Discussion

Charles Stanford (asker) Feb 13, 2009:
Dreaded diploma I was not going to conjure up the number of semesters out of thin air - honest!! I just thought it was important not to "underqualify" her and a "diploma in biology" to my British layman's ear is a pretty dodgy sort of qualification. You can get diplomas for afternoon hedge-trimming workshops. LittleBalu's helpful link shows that at least 10 semesters are involved - so I really do not think I could have used Diploma in Biology....you are probably right that it is clear to the academic world, Jochen, but I think I have to have a little bit of cultural sympathy for the reader and assume that they need a bit more than just "diploma".
Darin Fitzpatrick Feb 13, 2009:
Degree equivalency redux Please see my comments here: http://www.proz.com/kudoz/german_to_english/human_resources/...

It would be fine to list the number of semesters if that were evident from the document you are translating, but since it is not evident, it is incorrect to assume that this particular Diplomprüfung represents any specific number of semesters. You say you cannot work out the level of degree -- nor should you! Any judgment of equivalency is the duty of the person using the document.

Proposed translations

+6
1 hr
Selected

Detailed results of the degree examination

Here’s how I usually deal with this: I translate Diplom as Degree and add the German title plus the number of semesters in brackets i.e.

Diplom: Degree in Biology [“ Diplom-Biologe” ;10 (or whatever) university semesters. ]
Diplomprűfungszeugnis: “Detailed results of the degree examination”
Diplomarbeit:” degree paper”

I do lots of work for the Canada immigration authorities and the International Credential Evaluation Service, where including the German original title in brackets is a requirement.
Peer comment(s):
agree Ulrike Kraemer : gute Lösung
29 mins
danke!
agree franglish : 'Degree' inthe UK, yes//sorry, forgot the 'also'
1 hr
ja, in US/CAN auch
agree Anita Cassidy (X)
1 hr
danke
agree Darin Fitzpatrick : Exactly right for the term listed. Also to include the original title, but since the number of semesters is not given, do not assume any specific amount.
1 hr
yes, if -as is the case here- the number of semesters is not known, don't add anyting to that effect.
agree Derek Gill Franßen : =)
2 hrs
:-))
agree Lancashireman : Good solution indeed. I seem to recall similar debates in the past on KudoZ, with German colleagues declaring that their ‘Diplom’ was, of course, equivalent to an MA or MSc. Apparently, there is no equivalent to the lowly BA/BSc in German Higher Ed.
3 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you Johanna"
50 mins

Diploma of Proficiency [in Biology]

I would call it, matches the vagueness of the German
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-1
9 mins

Diploma

A Diploma in Biology. That's how it's called.

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Note added at 28 mins (2009-02-13 15:30:46 GMT)
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At least the academic world would understand. I reckon that you're translating this for a university admission in the UK, so yes, it will be understood. In that case you should especially avoid translating it with MSc, because technically it is no Master's degree.

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Note added at 1 hr (2009-02-13 16:08:03 GMT)
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The Diplom is seen as an equivalent to a Masters, but so is the German Magister, which in turn is inferior to a Diplom under German academic rules.
Note from asker:
It sounds a bit funny to an English-speaker though I reckon. I have got diplomas from 2 week summer courses.... I presume it is a bit more than that. Would an English speaking readership understand what level of studies she had reached with a "Diploma in Biology" - perhaps I am making too much of a deal out of it, but how many semesters are involved for example?
You may well be right about it being for a university in the UK Jochen. Bit of a risk though. When you say that it is not the same as a Masters, in what sense do you mean that?
Peer comment(s):
disagree Ulrike Kraemer : Sorry, but I beg to differ. As Charles said, you can get a diploma for a 3-week course. Wer die Diplomprüfung in Biologie besteht, der ist Diplom-Biologe. Ich bin Diplom-Übersetzerin, habe aber mit Sicherheit mehr als ein "diploma in translation".
17 mins
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Reference comments

29 mins
Reference:

What a "Diplomprüfung" is about:

Hi Charles,
here's a reference giving you some information on the "Diplomprüfungsordnung für den Studiengang Biologie an der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster" (in German):

http://www.uni-muenster.de/Rektorat/abuni/ab81902.htm

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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-02-13 17:56:40 GMT)
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See Ken's comment below regarding "stupid" questions ... ;-)
Note from asker:
Thanks LittleBalu. Have had a good look and am beginning to feel that it might have been a bit of a stupid question, but cannot wipe it off now. Ten semesters I see. Thank you so much
Thanks Ken, you old charmer!!!
Peer comments on this reference comment:
agree Ken Cox : Good ref. And for Charles: there's no such thing as a stupid question. Ignorant maybe, but then we can't all know everything ;-)
2 hrs
If we did, who would need KudoZ? ;-)
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