Computer Science - Master of Science (MSc)

The goal of the master's programme in computer science is to train tomorrow's information technologists to be able to independently apply scientific methods in the conception, design and implementation of information systems.  Graduates have full command of the latest techniques in the area of practical and theoretical or technical computer science and possess deep knowledge of the relevant core fields of information technology. In addition, our students have acquired specialized knowledge in areas such as databases and information systems, distributed and embedded systems, formal methods of software engineering, data protection and IT security as well as human-computer interaction (HCI). Basic knowledge of personnel management and other soft skills (time management, foreign languages, presentations, moderating) serve to round out the technical knowledge of our graduates.

Key data

Type of programme

Master of Science (MSc)

Type of study
  • full-time
Study curriculum

Information on the study curriculum

Application

Information for applicants

Start of programme
  • each winter and summer semester
Language of instruction
  • German, partly English
Admission
  • no restriction
ECTS credit points

120

Standard period of study (semester)

4

Contact

Prof.Dr. Birte Glimm

Prof.Dr. Birte Glimm
Prof.Dr. Birte Glimm
Vice Deans
University Ulm
Office of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology
Albert-Einstein-Allee 11
89081 Ulm

More about the course

Study

A green campus, several first places in university rankings, numerous research prizes and dedicated lecturers – that's Ulm University in a nutshell. What we value the most, however, is to provide a professional environment with a human touch. Students are able to find their way around quickly and receive substantial support right from the beginning. An active and lively exchange between students and professors is not only desirable but quite common here.

Keen on getting a taste of <link en/research/ - - "Opens internal link in current window">research</link> as soon as possible? Our interdisciplinary projects provide exciting insights!

We are fortunate to have numerous renowned companies close by in the Science City. For example, <link en/in/driveu/ - - "Öffnet internen Link im aktuellen Fenster">driveU</link> is a cooperation between the Daimler Research Centre and Ulm University focused on research and development of autonomic driving ('driving a car without a driver'). The results of such collaborations frequently enrich our teaching.

Graduates coming from Ulm University are fit for the job market! Interdisciplinary research and practical exercises together with presentations from economy and industry prepare our students for their careers.

This master’s degree programme in computer science builds on the knowledge acquired in a bachelor course; a broad, modularised selection of lectures and projects in very diverse fields enable students to choose a concentration in a specific area of computer science. Students also acquire additional skills in an applied elective field. This course finishes up with a master’s thesis, in which students work independently on a current topic in their field of specialisation. Here, as with project work or in their activities as an assistant, students have the opportunity to work in international research teams at the University.

Knowledge: Graduates will have acquired profound and broad knowledge in the areas of mathematics, information science and the natural sciences. They are enabled to perform independent scientific work and to exhibit leadership and responsibility in both a professional setting and in society at large. Our engineers approach new findings in their field with a critical awareness.

Skills – Graduates are able to:

  • analyse and solve scientific problems, even when they are unusually or insufficiently defined and reveal conflicting specifications.
  • abstract and formulate complex problems emerging from new or developing areas of research.
  • apply innovative methods of basic science problem solving as well as to develop new scientific methods.
  • develop approaches and solutions to complex and at times unusual questions, and where necessary apply knowledge from outside disciplines.
  • create and develop new work, products, processes and methods.
  • use their scientific judgement as information scientists to work with complex and possibly incomplete information and to recognise and deal with contradictions.

Competence – Graduates possess the competence to:

  • recognise what information they will need and to locate and acquire such information.
  • plan and execute theoretical and experimental studies.
  • critically evaluate and draw conclusions from data.
  • study and evaluate the application of new and emerging technologies.

Beyond the bachelor’s qualifications, master’s graduates are also able to:

  • methodically classify and systematically combine knowledge from diverse areas and deal with complexity.
  • quickly and systematically acquaint themselves with new tasks.
  • systematically reflect upon the overarching consequences of their work as computer scientist and to incorporate this reflection into responsible actions.
  • critically question existing methods and where needed to develop these methods further.

The master’s programme is divided into four areas: the core subject, the specialised subject, one project and the applied subject. For the applied subject the same subjects are offered as in the bachelor's programme. Additionally, there are transferable skills modules (ASQ), a seminar and a ('free') module that can be chosen from the entire course catalogue of the University. The core subjects Practical and Applied Informatics (PAI), Theoretical and Mathematical Methods of Informatics (TMI) and Technical and System-Oriented Informatics (TSI) teach the fundamentals of their respective fields. 36 credit points (ECTS) must be achieved in this section. The following combinations are possible:
- 12 up to 24 ECTS from PAI and 36 ECTS from TSI or TMI
The core modules usually amount to 6 ECTS so that two modules from one subject can be combined respectively. This guarantees high combinatorics while maintaining simple structures.

Certain modules from the specialised subject of the bachelor's programme can be taken in the master's programme as well. This requires, however, that no exams have been completed for these modules during the bachelor's degree and that they are fundamental modules which are not offered in the specialised subject of the master's programme. This regulation is in support of the idea that students can take foundational introductory modules in certain areas of Computer Science in the third and fourth semester of study. With a smart choice of majors in the bachelor's and master's programmes you can thus tailor your education to be broad and in-depth at the same time. You can, for example, emphasise the area of Artificial Intelligence during your bachelor's degree and specialise during your master's degree in Process Management and Databases or Embedded Systems. This is also true for the applied subject: Students who prefer a broad education can choose a new applied subject; others can deepen their learnings from the applied subject they took during the bachelor's degree. Another advantage is that students can further develop foundational competences in a specific area from their bachelor's degree. Students who completed their bachelor's degree at another higher education institution with a different course offer can also be included. They receive an introduction into their chosen subject. After the first semester of the programme, all master’s students can be taught on the same advanced level.
Subsequent to the core education you can choose from nearly all important areas of Computer Science in your specialised subject. An essential element of the Computer Science master's programme at Ulm University is the practical education in the form of a project. Several project modules or even seminars can be bundled as a project. Another option is to complete two projects or one big project in a team or alone. The programme concludes with a six month long master’s thesis.

Application and practice orientation

A so-called applied subject complements the subject-specific programme. Applied subjects are almost exclusively disciplines in which Computer Science plays a particularly important innovative role.

•        Biology, Chemistry, Physics

•        Mathematics, Economics

•        Electrical Engineering, Psychology, Pedagogy

•        Medicine

•        Philosophy

Almost any undergraduate programme at Ulm University can be chosen as an applied subject. All information on study objectives, contents or credit points can be found in the module handbook.

Semester abroad? Why not! Our exchange programmes offer various opportunities to meet people from different cultures and improve your language and intercultural skills. It is well worth your time to go abroad and expand your horizon, both on a personal and professional level.

The many international students on our campus also create an international flair.  The <link en/io/ - internal-link "Öffnet internen Link im aktuellen Fenster">International Office</link> is here to support both incoming and outgoing students. The International Office offers international prospective students who wish to apply for a German-taught study programme at Ulm University, <link en/io/degree-phd/prospective-students/preparatory-course/ - internal-link "Öffnet internen Link im aktuellen Fenster">a preparatory course</link>.

Career opportunities

The University of Ulm is located in the heart of a region whose companies possess a strong technological and industrial orientation both in its immediate vicinity as well as in the surrounding areas. You will find medium-sized companies that are global leaders in their respective markets as well as local subsidiaries and headquarters of major global concerns such as BMW, Bosch, Cassidian, Continental, Daimler, EADS, IBM, Liebherr, NSN, Porsche, Siemens or Zeiss. These companies maintain their international leadership position by closely following trends in scientific research in order to develop cutting-edge innovative products. As a result, they compete for graduates in their high-demand technological fields.

Regardless of their chosen subspecialty, all graduates of the Master’s Programme in Computer Science of the University of Ulm will encounter excellent career opportunities both locally and internationally. The university maintains a robust working relationship with the aforementioned and other companies and students of the engineering sciences have many opportunities to acquire practical experience through voluntary internships and work-study positions. Many students at the University of Ulm choose to write their master’s thesis on topic of current research and development directly related to their practical experiences.

The majority of our students are seeking to garner a position in research and development at local and international companies. They come to the University of Ulm because they recognise that our programme’s broad training and methods-oriented approach will provide them with optimal prerequisites and opportunities for reaching their goals. Many candidates also find employment in management, production optimisation, application and distribution.

The demand for highly-trained graduates of the engineering and information sciences currently far outpaces supply, such that virtually every graduate is sure to find employment.

With their methods-oriented and scientifically broad training, graduates of the engineering and information sciences of the University of Ulm are also optimally positioned to pursue careers in university research and doctoral studies. The master’s degree is the gateway to careers at institutions of higher learning, universities and research institutes.

Campus life

Accommodation
Financing your studies
Studying with child(ren)
Studying with a disability

International students, researchers and guests will find all necessary information for their stay at the Ulm Universty at International Office

Fachschaft Informatik
Studienkommission
Dean of Studies: Prof. Dr. Birte Glimm
Subject-specific student advice: Dr. Markus Maucher
Auslandsstudium: Professor Dr.-Ing. Frank Slomka, Ph.D Sabine Habermalz (Erasmus, International Office), Daniel Kanzleiter (BW Austauschprogramme, International Office)

Online-Adressbuch der Universität