Kernstudium

English translation: compulsory credits/courses/studies

19:19 Nov 14, 2019
German to English translations [PRO]
Social Sciences - Education / Pedagogy / University
German term or phrase: Kernstudium
I am having a bit of a hard time finding the U.S. English word for Kernstudium as opposed to Grundlagenstudium.

For "Grundlagenstudium", I find "core curriculum", which - as I understand it - is the general education (math, science, English) you take before taking the courses specific to the major, and that is what I believe "Kernstudium" refers to, but some quick searches have resulted in "core studies" for Kernstudium, which I am not happy with, because it is the same thing as core curriculum according to this site: https://www.edglossary.org/core-course-of-study/

Info: This is for a German Bachelor's degree course and the target audience is U.S.

Any suggestions are welcome. I am thinking "major courses", but it could be seen as too general (suggestions ALL the courses in the major, including the ones that are part of the core curriculum).
Robert Dunn
United States
Local time: 17:37
English translation:compulsory credits/courses/studies
Explanation:
I believe 'Hauptfach' is commonly used for 'major'.
It may be that this refers to studies/courses that are compulsory within a major, rather than referring to the concept of the major itself, i.e. you must take X, Y and Z for a degree to be accredited as a given major - in a Linquee entry it appears to be used that way. Perhaps your context provides clues in that direction as well.
Selected response from:

Simon Vigneault
Canada
Local time: 18:37
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
2 +2compulsory credits/courses/studies
Simon Vigneault
4compulsory / core curriculum
0412 (X)
3core classes
Michael Martin, MA
4 -1elective curriculum /studies /classes /courses /modules
Chris Pr
2 +1core modules (Grundlagenstudium) vs. specialization courses (Kernstudium)
Ramey Rieger (X)


Discussion entries: 12





  

Answers


33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +2
compulsory credits/courses/studies


Explanation:
I believe 'Hauptfach' is commonly used for 'major'.
It may be that this refers to studies/courses that are compulsory within a major, rather than referring to the concept of the major itself, i.e. you must take X, Y and Z for a degree to be accredited as a given major - in a Linquee entry it appears to be used that way. Perhaps your context provides clues in that direction as well.


Simon Vigneault
Canada
Local time: 18:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Manie van den Heever
2 hrs

agree  Chris Pr
68 days
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37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
core classes


Explanation:
I am aware that this could be confused with the "core curriculum" you explained above, when viewed in isolation. We just have to make clear that here, by contrast, we're talking about core classes within a specific program of study, not prerequisites from the "core curriculum" or general education classes.

Compare with this:
"Classes combine studies in performance, technology, production, theory, and history into a unified program of study. In addition to discipline-specific concentrations, all performing arts students at Clemson take core classes within the major that give each student the tools to be successful in a wide variety of performing arts professions." https://www.clemson.edu/caah/departments/performing-arts/abo...

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 17:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 178
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42 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
compulsory / core curriculum


Explanation:
I haven’t heard it often but am pretty sure it means courses that are compulsory for all degrees in that faculty. For example, pedagogy courses for all trainee teachers. Core curriculum would also work in this context.


0412 (X)
United Kingdom
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
elective curriculum /studies /classes /courses /modules


Explanation:
To differentiate between the two, the terms 'compulsory' and 'elective' are sometimes used.
Can also be adapted to "core" and "elective", when preferred.

Example:
"Type of course unit: Compulsory"
"Type of course unit: Elective"
https://www.hs-karlsruhe.de/fileadmin/hska/ENGLISH/studienga...

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Note added at 4 hrs (2019-11-14 23:38:38 GMT)
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"5 compulsory modules of the chosen specialisation with 30 ECTS; 5 elective modules of the chosen specialisation with 30 ECTS;"

https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/37289.html

Chris Pr
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:37
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Haigo Salow: Not all elective classes are core classes.
9 days
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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +1
core modules (Grundlagenstudium) vs. specialization courses (Kernstudium)


Explanation:
https://www.jacobs-university.de/study/undergraduate/program...

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 22:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 109

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  D. I. Verrelli: Sounds reasonable. I also would consider something like "Foundational studies" for Grundlagenstudium, as I suppose that it forms the basis/support for the more specialised studies in the Kernstudium. (Spelling "specialization" OK for U.S. audience.)
47 days
  -> Also good!
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