M.Sc. Computer Science

Video: FIM Masters

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Degree awarded	Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Duration and credits	4 semesters; 120 ECTS credits
Starts in	April (summer semester) and October (winter semester)
Languages of instruction	German and English (the programme can be studied entirely in either language, or in a combination of the two)

About Computer Science

Computer Science is one of the drivers of technological progress in all economic and social spheres. When you graduate with an M.Sc. in Computer Science you are a specialist in at least one field of computer science who has a wide-ranging expertise in scientific methods.

Having completed this programme, you will be able to define, autonomously and comprehensively, computer science problems and their applications, structure them and build abstract models. Moreover, you will have the relevant knowledge to define and implement state-of-the-art solutions.

Features

A broad, international and relevant selection of modules
As a student, you will work on cutting-edge research projects
Excellent enterprise relations maintained by the chairs and institutes
Numerous partnerships with universities throughout the world
Double-degree programmes with INSA Lyon, ENSIIE Evry-Paris and SUP'COM Tunis and ENSI Tunis

Continuous technological change and innovations create new exciting lines of work in trade and industry, the services, financial and consulting sectors, in public administration, and in the field of scientific research. With this Master's degree you are qualified to take up IT-related executive positions or undertake independent research, e.g. as part of your doctoral study, laying the foundation for a career in academia.

Video introducing the degree programme

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You will choose modules from the following five subject areas:

1) Algorithms and Mathematical Modelling
2) Programming and Software Systems
3) Information and Communication Systems
4) Intelligent Technical Systems
5) IT Security and Reliability

1) Algorithms and Mathematical Modelling (AlgMath): This module group teaches you about determinstic and stochastic algorithms and how they are implemented, evaluated and optimised. You will acquire advanced knowledge of computer-based mathematical methods – particularly in the areas of algorithmic algebra and computational stochastics – as well as in-depth knowledge on mathematical modelling and complexity analysis of discrete and continuous problems.

2) The Programming and Software Systems (ProgSoft) subject area imparts modern methods for constructing large-scale software systems as well as creating and using software authoring, analysis and optimisation tools. You will also consolidate your knowledge of various programming paradigms and languages; moreover, you will explore the structure of language processing systems and learn to deal with parallelism in program routines.

3) In the module group Information and Communication Systems (InfComm), you will study the interactions of the classic computer-science subjects of information systems and computer networks. This specialisation presents an answer to the problem of increasing volume and complexity of worldwide information distribution and networks, and for the growing requirements on quality and performance of computer communication. You will also learn how to transfer database results to multimedia data.

4) Intelligent Technical Systems (ITS): This module group teaches you the necessary knowledge in systems theory, machine learning and signal and image processing to explore the theory and practical application of intelligent, self-learning systems.

5) IT Security and Reliability (ITSecRel): This subject area is concerned with the security and reliability of IT systems, e.g. in hardware circuitry, communication protocols or complex, networked application systems. To ensure the secure operation of these systems you will learn design methods, secure architectures and technical implementation of the underlying components.

Module catalogue: modules currently offered for the M.Sc. Computer Science programme

Academic requirements

To apply, you need to have an undergraduate university degree in computer science or a related discipline with a computer science component of at least 110 ECTS credits. You must be ranked among the best 70% of graduates within your cohort or the final grade for your first degree was 2.7 or better (according to the German grading scale; foreign grades will be converted once we receive your application).

Your degree must have been earned over a course of study of a standard length of three years or more. If you completed a four-year non-ECTS degree, the 110 ECTS credit requirement is deemed to be met if approximately two-thirds of your credit points were earned in computer science related modules/courses.

If you have not yet received your final results and certificates at the time of application, you may apply using your Transcript of Records or other preliminary transcript. If you are successful in your application, you must then submit your final transcript and degree certificate within 10 weeks after the first day of lectures.

As part of the application you must submit an English or German-language abstract/summary of your undergraduate dissertation/bachelor's thesis/final year project. If you did not write a dissertation/thesis as a formal part of your prior degree programme, you may instead submit an academic research paper or publication that demonstrates your ability to solve a scientific research problem independently.

Please note that we only recognise degrees awarded by universities with'H+' status in the Anabin database of the German Central Office for Foreign Education. You can check the Anabin database online or contact the International Coordinator of the faculty by e-mail if you do not understand German.

Language requirements

If neither your native language nor your language of instruction during your prior university education was English or German, then you will have to provide recognised language certificates for one or both of these languages. Depending on which language you want to primarily be taught in, you need certificates for:

German: You should provide proof of German language skills equivalent to level B2 CEFR.

and/or

English: You should provide proof of English language skills equivalent to level B2 CEFR, such as:
- TOEFL (score 567 paper-based, 220 computer-based, 87 internet-based, ITP 543 'silver' or better)
- IELTS (score 5.5)
- Cambridge English Language Assessment at level 'Advanced' (CAE) or 'Proficiency' (CPE)
- A first degree or secondary education completed exclusively in English also counts as proof of English-language proficiency.

Even if you plan to choose only modules taught in English, you also need German language skills at level A1 CEFR (beginner's level) or higher. If you do not meet this requirement at the time of application, you will have to complete a beginner's German course and provide a certificate by the end of your first year of study.

To be able to choose from all available subject areas in this programme, we recommend that all students should have good language skills in both English and German - i.e. level B2 CEFR or higher.

Application periods and deadlines

Application period for the winter semester:

15 April - 31 May (direct applications)
1 April - 31 May (applications via uni-assist e.V.)

Please use the interactive application guide to find out which application method you can use.

Application period for the summer semester:

1 November - 15 December

Apply now!

Video

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