Computational Science and Engineering - Master of Science (MSc)

Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) stands for interdisciplinary computer-aided mathematical modelling and simulation of questions and problems of natural sciences and engineering, but also medicine and life sciences. Computer-aided simulations have become irreplaceable in research and development. Nowadays, new insights aren't merely founded on theoretical reflections and experiments but more and more on computer simulations.

The CSE Master's builds on the CSE Bachelor’s programme, yet is also an interesting advanced pathway for graduates with related Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Physics and similar areas of study. Bachelor's graduates aspiring to do the CSE Master’s programme should have knowledge and competences in applied mathematics, computer science and an area of natural sciences or engineering.

The CSE programme in Ulm features a strong connection to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Ulm. Numerous regional small and medium-sized businesses are leading in their fields on the world markets with their high-tech products. Modelling and simulation have become highly important for these businesses. Products and processes in development and production are becoming increasingly complex and the pressure is growing to develop faster and cheaper in order to maintain global market leadership, especially for regional small and medium-sized businesses.

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 summer and winter semester
Orientation offer Language of instruction
  • German, partly English
Admission
  • no restriction
ECTS credit points

120

Standard period of study (semester)

4

More about the course

The Master’s programme Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) is offered in cooperation with Ulm University of Applied Sciences and with the support of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Ulm. This cooperation unites the research orientation of the University with the practical approach of the University of Applied Sciences.

The study curriculum is based on the following three pillars: 

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering and Natural Sciences

The interdisciplinary component interweaves these disciplines.

Courses in Numerics and High-Performance Computing are compulsory while other areas can be emphasised individually. The curriculum offers a diversified compulsory electives catalogue with a great choice of specialisations across the entire spectrum of the faculties of Ulm University and Ulm University of Applied Sciences.

Study

Quality, not quantity

Manageable student numbers and a favorable student to teacher ratio ensure that you don't have to complete your degree in a setting of educational mass production. Crowded lecture halls and long waiting times for seminar places or final theses are not our thing. A personal atmosphere and ideal learning conditions are. 

Networks and business contacts

We offer you great practical relevance with a series of practice-oriented series courses, e.g.

  • Advanced CSE Project

The Scientific Computing Centre Ulm (Ulmer Zentrum für Wissenschaftliches Rechnen UZWR) has afforded the CSE programme numerous close and well established contacts. 

Entry into the Master's programme also available in the summer semester

The CSE Master’s programme allows you to begin your studies both in the winter or the summer semester, which means no unnecessary waiting times! The admission statute offers you flexibility even if you haven't fully completed your Bachelor's degree. 

CSE Master's Training Camp

Before each semester we offer a preparatory course with the aim to give all new CSE Master's students with their various Bachelor's backgrounds an equal footing for the upcoming compulsory courses. For more information on the CSE Master's Training Camp please click here (sorry available in german language only).

Attractive exchange programmes with international partner universities

Expanding you horizon, immersing yourself in different cultures – such experiences are more important than ever in the age of globalisation. We thus put a strong focus on the internationalisation of our programmes and strongly support semesters and internships abroad. Our cooperations with high-ranking partner universities offer fantastic opportunities for you to take your studies overseas. CSE students are double-enrolled and can access the exchange programmes of both Ulm University and Ulm University of Applied Sciences.  

The Master's programme in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) provides both a research-oriented and highly practical education. This pathway graduates practitioners with broad mathematical knowledge and interdisciplinary competences that enable them to tackle problems in the areas of mathematical modelling, optimisation and numerical simulation of real situations found in natural sciences and engineering.

Graduates also know how to:

  • grasp and independently model complex mathematical problems from natural sciences and engineering,
  • develop adequate numeric methods and efficiently apply them on high-performance computers,
  • interpret simulation results,
  • lead a research team and plan projects.

    •  

The CSE Master’s programme is suitable for

  • CSE Bachelor’s graduates 
  • graduates with a related Bachelor’s degree obtained at a German or foreign higher education institution in the areas of

- Mathematics
- Engineering
- Natural Sciences
- Computer Science
- Physics.

The CSE Master’s programme teaches in-depth knowledge in numeric simulation and high-performance computing. It also offers broad choices of specialisation within its compulsory elective areas of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science as well as Engineering and Natural Sciences. The interdisciplinary part interweaves these individual fields (see also Programme structure).

Study curricula

Programme structure

The CSE pathway is offered in close collaboration with Ulm University of Applied Sciences. This unique alliance combines the best of both worlds: the University's research orientation and the application orientation of the University of Applied Sciences.

The curriculum of the Master's programme schedules the following compulsory courses:

Compulsory modules

  • Numerical Optimisation
  • Mumerical Methods for Ordinary Differential Equations
  • High Performance Computing (I+II)
  • Advanced CSE-Projekt
  • Seminar in CSE
  • Additive Transferable Skills (ASQ)

Compulsory elective modules in the areas of...

  • ...Engineering and Natural Sciences (18-36 CP)
  • ...Computer Science (0-18 CP)
  • ...Applied Mathematics (6-24 CP)

You can choose these modules from the course catalogues of Ulm University and Ulm University of Applied Sciences. Each institution is responsible for their courses. This flexibility and range of choice allow you to set a very individual focus.

The CSE Master’s programme, like the Bachelor’s programme, is based on three main pillars: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering and Natural Sciences. It also offers great flexibility and choice of what you want to focus on. The compulsory elective modules allow you to prioritise areas that are of particular interest to you. However, a certain amount of credit points must be achieved in each area.

The following compulsory elective modules (compulsory electives catalogue) are offered: (Wahlpflichtkatalog):

The innovative concept of the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) pathway is based on a unique alliance between Ulm University, Ulm University of Applied Sciences and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Ulm. The collaboration between the universities creates a study offer that is both research-oriented and practical. Especially in research the universities of Ulm have been cooperating successfully with businesses from the region for quite some time. Internships and final theses are often done in enterprises in the area. An increasing need for simulation engineers is beginning to show, particularly in small and medium-sized businesses that specialise in mechanical engineering. Graduates thus have great career prospects on regional, national and international levels.

This cooperation provides some special features for our CSE students:

  • Affiliations of the Computational Science and Engineering programme at Ulm University: Faculty of Mathematics and Economics, at Ulm University of Applied Sciences: Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Economics  
  • Joint Commission
  • Enrolment both at Ulm University and at Ulm University of Applied Sciences
  • Lectures at Ulm University and at Ulm University of Applied Sciences
  • Extended choice of compulsory elective modules and additive transferable skills (ASQ) from both Ulm University and Ulm University of Applied Sciences
  • and more

The entrance requirements for the CSE Master’s programme is a Bachelor's degree in either Computational Science and Engineering or another degree programme with largely equivalent contents. Outstanding candidates with a degree in either Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences or Engineering obtained at a German or foreign higher education institution, or a qualification which is recognised as equivalent at the level of at least three years of study and knowledge in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Engineering that is equivalent in quantity and quality to that taught in the Bachelor's programme at Ulm University and Ulm University of Applied Sciences who fulfil the subject-specific requirements of the Master’s programme can apply as well.

For entrance requirements see: Admission statute Computational Science and Engineering

The Master’s programme Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) offers a variety of opportunities for you to spend some time abroad.

  • Semester abroad
  • Internship abroad

 

Semester abroad:

CSE offers via ERASMUS+ several exchange opportunities with partner institutions in other European countries. You can also choose locations outside of Europe. The Faculty of Mathematics organises an  exchange programme with universities in the USA with the additional option to obtain a second Master's degree. 

Internship abroad:

The International Office helps with the arrangement of internships abroad. 

For further information and contact persons see:

Click on additional specific information on CSE for further information on topics like

  • exam dates
  • compulsory elective module
  • seminars
  • final theses
  • FAQ

Jobs and career

The Master’s programme Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) at Ulm University in cooperation with Ulm University of Applied Sciences is designed to graduate prospective executives with the capacity for cross-disciplinary thinking. The strong connection to the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) Ulm creates a high interest in graduates of the CSE programme among smaller and medium-sized businesses in the region. Graduates are certainly sought after beyond the region as well.

Here are just a few examples of the broad range of career options:

  • leading positions in research and development teams in various sectors,
  • scientific research activities at universities and institutes,
  • method development
  • simulation software development,
  • teaching at higher education institutions,
  • and much more.

All of these professional areas can likewise be pursued on an international level.

A Master’s degree furthermore opens the door to a doctoral degree.

Contact

Further information on the Master in Computational Science and Engineering
 

 

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