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Information about the course of studies

Application Oriented Computer Science

at the

Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg

What is computer science?

Computer science deals with planning, modelling, design and implementation of complex systems and flows in software and/or hardware. This includes the entire development process, and also questions of communication, organisation, and motivation.

The areas of activity of computer scientists are many and varied. Today hardly a sector can manage without computer science, and also in everyday life we find computer applications everywhere. Computer scientists structure and analyze problems from different fields. They develop software systems, plan and coordinate projects. Mobile phones, computers, planes and cars wouldn’t work without software and algorithms.

Computer science doesn’t mean:
- nothing but programming and assembling of computers
- nothing but work with machines instead of people
- pure mathematics
- surfing in the internet
- design of websites

What is the profile of the courses of study “application oriented computer science” in Heidelberg?

You find courses of study in computer science at a lot of universities. Studying in Heidelberg means a solid application-oriented training in computer science with focus on applications in science and technology, but also in the arts. The aim of the program is to give students a solid fundamental knowledge in computer science with its theoretical and mathematical basis, and to train them in typical computer science methods with application in practice. This basic knowledge and these abilities enable graduates to react with flexibility to the quickly changing job profile of computer scientists. Multidisciplinary endeavours and research orientation provide the course with a special profile.

The bachelor course offers a wide basic knowledge which students can apply to complex problems. This includes the handling of data (e.g. efficient data structures and data bases), the development of automatic processes (e.g. efficient algorithms and simulation), the handling of complex computer structures (e.g. parallel computing), and the handling of complex development processes (e.g. project organization and software engineering tools). Concepts of theoretical computer science and applied mathematics are indispensable. The bachelor course offers a first examination which qualifies one for a job after only 6 semesters.

The master course is based on the bachelor examination. It enables students to gain more thorough knowledge of computer science applications. In particular, the course profits from the close cooperation with the Interdisciplinary Centre of Scientific Computing especially with regard to optimization and simulation of complex phenomena in science and technology. The master course comprises another 4 semesters. After this course the wide research spectrum of the university offers a great variety of possibilities for a doctorate.

What do computer scientists do in their job?

Graduates of computer science find a job wherever computer science plays a part, and that is almost everywhere in the age of computers. Career possibilities range from the communication industry, management consultancy, media business, emerging web service providers, insurance and banking companies, and public administration to all engineering sectors including mechanical engineering, process engineering, and electrical engineering. For applications in science and the arts computer science is becoming more and more important, such as geo information systems, genome analysis or linguistic analysis.

In this brochure female computer scientists write about their personal background and their actual work.

A lot of computer scientists are busy with software development. But you find them also working in project management, teaching, research, and training as well as in many other fields where they need technological and communicative know-how.

Which preconditions should I have?

- you should be interested in the application and use of computers
- you should enjoy abstract thinking
- you should have basic mathematical understanding
- you should be able to think logically and to work precisely
- you should be able to work in a team
- you should be able to communicate
- you should be able to organise
- you should enjoy contributing to the society with the help of computer science concepts.

The command of a computer language and of an operating system is not necessary at the beginning, but of course useful. This knowledge can be achieved in the first semester.

Very important is the knowledge of the English language. The documentation of software as well as scientific abstracts in computer science are almost exclusively written in English.

Below you find information concerning the topic of women and computer science.

What is the difference between bachelor and master courses and the classical diploma courses?

Bachelor and master courses are an actual alternative to the classical diploma courses. The majority of newly introduced courses are bachelor and master courses, but these courses are also offered parallel to the established diploma courses. It is the intention to adapt courses in Germany to international standards with these bachelor and master courses and to make mobility during education and afterwards on the job easier.

The diploma course is divided into two phases as a rule: the basic course which ends with the intermediate diploma and, based on this, the main course leading to the diploma. These courses form a unit, as the intermediate diploma does not qualify one for a job.

In this respect the training in the new courses is more flexible. The three-year long bachelor course corresponds to an extended basic course in the diploma study and leads to a first examination qualifying one for a job. The two-year long master course offers the possibility for more profound studies to students who are scientifically interested and qualified. The master examination which is comparable to the diploma is, as a rule, the precondition for postgraduate studies (for a doctorate) in computer science.

The demands in the bachelor course are thus comparable to the demands of the diploma course up to the sixth semester

In the bachelor and master courses examinations are mainly taken parallel with the courses. Performance is assessed by credit points according to the European Credit Point System. This standard European Credit Point Systems facilitates the international comparison of the individual performance of students as well as of the whole courses of study. It facilitates the possibility of stays abroad during the courses and mutual recognition of examinations.

How is the bachelor course in Heidelberg structured?

The 6-semester bachelor course leads to a first degree in computer science, qualifying one for a job. After having finished the training students are expected to have mastered the basics of application oriented computer science, to have an overall picture of the context of the individual disciplines and to have acquired necessary basics, and methodical and practical abilities needed for the job.

The lectures are related to the areas of core computer science (e.g. central areas of practical, technical and theoretical computer science), applied computer science, and mathematics, as well as a secondary subject. Possible secondary subjects include physics, mathematics, bio sciences, chemistry, earth sciences, linguistics, and economics.

The course of studies comprises a basic course of 4 semesters with 80 semester periods per week and a main course of 2 semesters with 30 semester periods per week (bachelor thesis included). In the basic course the curriculum is fixed to a large extend. Here training in core computer science and the transfer of basic mathematical knowledge take center stage. Mathematics plays an important part in the basic course as it is the basis for important parts of computer science and secondary scientific subjects. At the end of the basic course, students have to do a practical training in industry for 2 months.

Apart from the completion of basic knowledge the following main course of 2 semesters serves mainly for training in applied computer science and the secondary subject and for a deeper insight in an optional subject. The training in the secondary subject amounts to 10 semester periods per week. A software training for advanced students (as a rule during the fifth semester) where students work on an ambitious and preferably interdisciplinary project, or the required seminar in computer science, will lead to the topic of the bachelor thesis to be written in the sixth semester (time given for the work is 3 months).

The following table shows the structure of the bachelor course. Depending on offered classes and selected secondary subjects other options are possible:

(SPW = Semester periods per week CP = Credit Points according to ECTS)

With the selection of the optional subject students can specialize in focal areas offered in Heidelberg (image processing, data bank systems, optimization and simulation, parallel and distributed systems, software systems, technical computer science, theoretical computer science, and scientific computing) already in their fourth semester. The work groups of the institute can advise students on their options.

For more information see the examination regulations "application oriented computer science".

How is the master course in Heidelberg structured?

The 4-semester master course is based on the bachelor course as a rule. It is especially directed towards scientifically interested and qualified students and aims to complete their scientific education. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with more profound scientific methods and knowledge of computer science and are guided towards independent scientific work. In the first three semesters the course comprises compulsory optional subjects in core computer science and applied computer science, mathematics, and the secondary subject of 60 semester periods per week. In the fourth semester a master thesis has to be written. With this thesis students are expected to show that they are able to work independently on a problem of application oriented computer science by applying scientific methods. 

Women in computer science

On closer examination of the percentage of female computer science students in Germany we can gain the impression that “women” and “computer science” don’t go together. The number of female students in neighbouring countries show that it doesn’t have to be like this.

In the past, women had an important part in the history of information technology. At present this part is unfortunately decreasing. To make sure that future developments are widely supported by society it is important that especially women contribute their ideas and imagination. Here you find a list of female professors of computer science at universities and colleges, e.g. at the University of Heidelberg. Talk or e-mail to Mrs. Paech if you have questions concerning the course of studies. Here you can learn about the careers of female specialists in science and technology.

Here you find the plan of the University of Heidelberg to promote women. 

Why Heidelberg as university town?

Heidelberg is a students’ town with a lot of facilities for students and a high percentage of students from abroad. Renowned and involved professors work at the institute of computer science. We offer intense personal care during the course of studies. An early integration into our research activities is offered to interested students. We keep in touch with a lot of partners in industry in our region. Just as important are our international co-operations. For practical training and stays abroad we place our students in interesting positions.

How to apply for the bachelor course in Heidelberg?

The course of studies can always be started in the winter semester. 60 places for beginners are available every year. Due to the limited number of places students are selected among the group of applicants by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. Please send your applications for admission to the bachelor course application oriented computer science for the winter semester 2005/06 to the Studentensekretariat of the University of Heidelberg by

Friday, July 15, 2005.

The address is:

Studentensekretariat der Universität Heidelberg
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Postfach 10 57 60
D-69047 Heidelberg

The application forms can be downloaded from the internet or requested from the above address.  

How to apply for the master course in Heidelberg?

The course of studies can always be started in the winter semester. 30 places for beginners are available every year. The requirements for admission are established in the admission regulations.

The admission applications for the master course of studies application oriented computer science for the winter semester 2005/06 have to be sent to the office of the institute of computer science by

Wednesday, June 15, 2005. 

The address is: 

Office of the Institute of Computer Science
Attn. Karin Tenschert
Im Neuenheimer Feld 348
D-69120 Heidelberg

The application forms can be downloaded from the internet or requested from the above mentioned address.

Actual information about the course of studies “application oriented computer science” as well as persons to get in touch with can be found on the website of the faculty and institute of computer science. 

What should students from abroad know?

The language of instruction at the institute of computer science is German. Students from abroad can find all necessary information on the pages of the International Relations Office

 http://www.zuv.uni-heidelberg.de/aaa/english/info_hd_stud.htm

 Here you can find information about proficiency in German

 http://www.zuv.uni-heidelberg.de/aaa/english/info_hd_sprach.htm

 Here you can find information about the application procedure

 http://www.zuv.uni-heidelberg.de/aaa/english/info_hd_bewe.htm