Communications and Computer Engineering - Bachelor of Science (BSc)

The Communications and Computer Engineering pathway combines essential contents of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The fundamentals of hardware, for instance Communications Technology and Control Engineering, Communications Engineering and Information Theory, High-Frequency Technology and Electronics are complemented with software fundamentals like System Programming, Computer Networks and Architecture and Operating Systems.

Key data

Type of programme

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

Type of study
  • full-time
Study curriculum

Information on the study curriculum

Start of programme
  • each winter semester
Orientation offer Language of instruction
  • German
Admission
  • no restriction
Enrolment

Information for enrolment

ECTS credit points

180

Standard period of study (semester)

6

More about the course

Information technology, security of hard- and software, communications technology, computers, robots, the internet of things, embedded systems, human–machine interface, clouds: The common thread of these and many other leading-edge technologies and developments is the fact that they cannot be managed by information technology or computer science nor electronics or electrical engineering alone. The technologies of today’s information society reside at the intersection between electrical engineering and computer science. Their development thus requires the expertise of professionals who are at home in both worlds – communications and computer engineers fill this niche perfectly.

Study

The Engineering pathways at Ulm University enjoy an excellent ratio between teaching staff and students. Classes and tutorials are organised in small groups. We actively encourage study groups and offer additional support in the form of learning lounges and electronic communication and learning platforms to help our students ease into this versatile programme, especially during their first semesters. Students, professors and assistants have established a trusting rapport. Teaching staff and student tutors from higher semesters are highly engaged and keenly interested in the success of each individual student.

  • Small teaching and study groups
  • Excellent hard- and software equipment in research and teaching laboratories
  • Comprehensive e-learning catalogue
  • Participation of institutes with strong third-party funds in national and international technology research projects ensuring a high practice orientation in teaching
  • Research projects funded by industry and academia with annual budgets worth several million euros

Leading-edge topics in research and teaching:

  • embedded and distributed systems
  • information and communications technology
  • secure information systems
  • human–machine interaction
  • vehicle systems

An outstanding industrial environment that is home to many medium-sized businesses, some of which are global leaders in their areas, as well as big global players like BMW, Bosch, Airbus, Continental, Daimler, IBM, Liebherr, NSN, Porsche, Siemens or Zeiss.

Graduates of the Communications and Computer Engineering bachelor's programme are qualified for both a science-oriented master’s programme at a university as well as professions that prioritise the conception and development of complex communications and computer systems. This includes systems in the areas of embedded systems, communications technology and technical computer science.
The programme teaches analytical, creative and constructive skills in the fundamental core subjects at the intersection of traditional electrical engineering and applied computer science and information systems.
The Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science components build the foundation for the advanced understanding of these core subjects. The programme emphasises the core subjects around Communications and Computer Engineering. As communications and computer engineer you will have command of the general essentials of electrical engineering and information technology. The acquired terminologies, methods and ways of thinking will enable you to gain competence in more specialised areas.

You will be familiar with the characteristics and use of electronic components. You will be able to design digital circuits and compare the pros and cons of their implementation. You will have an understanding of the theoretical expression of deterministic and stochastic signals and can analyse linear time-invariant systems. You will know essential methods of modern high-frequency transmission technologies and can analyse and develop computer networks. You will be able to analyse and assess characteristics of computer architectures and have an understanding of the interaction up to the operating systems level. You will know particularly the specific requirements of embedded systems and how to develop them.

The compulsory elective module gives you the opportunity to combine subjects from Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. This module places a special emphasis on subjects at the interface between these two disciplines, which serves to eliminate the classical separation of subjects. Upon graduation you will have expanded your knowledge and qualifications in several areas of information and communications technology, bio-information technology, technical computer science and distributed systems.

Additional qualifications in the areas of business management, English language, presentation techniques and soft skills like team spirit and communication enable you to independently carry out and present projects in the field of communications and computer engineering. Within the scope of a bachelor’s thesis in the final phase of the programme you have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to gather, evaluate and interpret information from literature in order to solve a problem and express and argue topic-related positions and problem solutions.

Practice-oriented projects, an optional industrial internship and additional transferable skills round up this professional education that qualifies you for entry positions in research and development, production, maintenance or sales.

Upon graduation from this pathway you will have a broad knowledge and comprehension of the fundamentals of Communications and Computer Engineering. You will have a critical understanding of the main theories, principles and methods based on the latest technical literature and be able to apply this knowledge to understand and construct IT systems. You will also have the capacity to freely expand your knowledge through further learning processes.

The Communications and Computer Engineering bachelor’s programme has a clearly defined curriculum with increased options to individually combine subjects in the later semesters.

The programme has a strong focus on the basic subjects from the disciplines of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, for instance General Electrical Engineering and General Computer Science, Analogue and Digital Circuits, Electronic Components, Signals and Systems, High-Frequency Technology, Computer Architecture and Networks, Embedded Systems and Operating Systems, with complementary modules from Mathematics and Physics. The compulsory elective module allows you to delve deeply into one area of concentration, or alternatively, to develop competences in one of the minor subjects Mathematics or Economics.

Of particular value is the component of additional transferable skills, for example, English language, presentation techniques, team spirit and communication. Within the scope of a bachelor’s thesis you have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to conduct scientific work under supervision. 

The credit points system for the Communications and Computer Engineering bachelor’s programme is as follows:

Overview credit points (Bachelor of Science)

 

CP

Core subjects Electrical Engineering

 

56

Core subject Computer Science

 

56

Mathematics

 

30

Compulsory elective modules

 

12

Project Microcontroller

 

5

Ergänzungsmodule

 

6

Präsentationstechniken   3

Bachelor’s thesis

 

12

Total

 

180

 

The world is coming together – that is also and particularly true for the world of science. International experience is an increasingly important asset to successfully compete in the job market. Students at Ulm University can apply for one or two semesters abroad with numerous universities – both in Europe as part of the ERASMUS+ programme and at universities outside of Europe.

Ulm University offers a variety of opportunities to go overseas and has established exchange programmes with over 100 universities in 26 countries. Visit the website of the International Office for more details. The Engineering Faculty has partner universities in Europe, Canada, Australia and the USA, among others. The International Office or the Engineering ERASMUS coordinator Prof. Carl Krill PhD (carl.krill(at)uni-ulm.de) are happy to provide further information.

Depending on your goals, you may find the following links helpful: Semester abroad


Internship abroad


Writing your final thesis abroad

Berufsaussichten

The education and expertise of German engineering are highly regarded around the world. Communications and Computer Engineering graduates thus enjoy excellent career opportunities in Germany and abroad.

Communications and computer engineers are qualified to work in all areas of research and development, project management, production optimisation and the application and sales of modern information technology and communications systems. The interdisciplinarity of this education prepares you to work anywhere in computer-aided production, hardware/software co-design, development of embedded systems, security of embedded and information systems up to information and communication technology as well as all areas of development of modern technical systems. Employment can be found in software development, automotive industry (e.g. driver assistance systems), networked production all the way to telecommunications and medical engineering.