Pflichtwahlkurs

English translation: required elective

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Pflichtwahlkurs
English translation:required elective
Entered by: Johanna Timm, PhD

21:54 Dec 16, 2001
German to English translations [PRO]
Education / Pedagogy
German term or phrase: Pflichtwahlkurs
From a diploma (chemistry).

Client explained as follows:



Beim "Pflichwahlkurs" bin ich mir nicht so sicher...


Das ist ein Zusatzpraktikum, das beim einem fortgeschrittenen
Chemiker (d.h. einem Doktoranden) durchgeführt wurde, also nicht
im Laborsaal, sondern als Hilfskraft für einen Promovenden in dessen Labor. So ein Praktikum musste in einem der Hauptfächer (Organik, Anorganik, Physikalische Chemie,Technische Chemie) durchgeführt werden. Deshalb einerseits Pflicht- andererseits Wahl (das Fachgebiet). Hmm. hilft
das irgendwie weiter?
pds
required elective
Explanation:
Pflichtwahlkurs is a standard term in German education circles, e.g. high school as well. Your client gave you a very nice explanation.
In college these courses come under the heading required electives, in your case you could call it required elective lab course.
Selected response from:

Dietrich Herrmann, MD, PhD, MBA
Germany
Local time: 16:56
Grading comment
I thought it a bid odd and thus was reluctant to translate it as required elective etc. But as you suggested it as well I'll go with it.
Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +1required elective
Dietrich Herrmann, MD, PhD, MBA
4 -1required course
Nils Andersson (X)


  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
required elective


Explanation:
Pflichtwahlkurs is a standard term in German education circles, e.g. high school as well. Your client gave you a very nice explanation.
In college these courses come under the heading required electives, in your case you could call it required elective lab course.


    own experience in Germany and the US
Dietrich Herrmann, MD, PhD, MBA
Germany
Local time: 16:56
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
I thought it a bid odd and thus was reluctant to translate it as required elective etc. But as you suggested it as well I'll go with it.
Thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Nils Andersson (X): required elective is an oxymoron
7 mins
  -> Not more than Pflichtwahlkurs. Look it up in a college course catalog,

agree  Ulrike Lieder (X)
8 mins

agree  Dr. Fred Thomson: Hi Doc! Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Oh well, what can you expect from us educators.
4 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
required course


Explanation:
Or required class, or required subject.



Nils Andersson (X)
United States
Local time: 08:56

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Ulrike Lieder (X): While "required elective" may sound like an oxymoron (as does Pflichtwahlfach), it is absolutely correct. (I know it from my own experience teaching at a leading US university)
2 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search