Computer Science and Software Engineering

The Curriculum at a Glance
The curriculum of the Computer Science and Software Engineering master program is divided into four semesters and takes two years to complete. Each semester is composed of a mixture of core technical content, project/seminar work, management & leadership education and academic skills work, leading to a master’s thesis that can cover academic research, industrial applications or developments towards a start-up.
The modules are grouped into several domains, as outlined in the Schematic Study Plan.
In order to graduate, students take out of these modules a total of 120 ECTS with

• Technical CORE Modules: 45 ECTS,
• Management Modules: 15 ECTS,
• Leadership / Academic Skills Modules: 15 ECTS,
• Capstone Project: 15 ECTS,
• Master Thesis module: 30 ECTS.

If of interest, students can replace 5 ECTS of Technical CORE Modules by a Research Project module.

Schematic Study Scheme

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All students take 15 ECTS of lecture modules from the Software Engineering subject area. It is also mandatory to take at least one main content module (5 ECTS) from Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence each.   
 
The software engineering area exposes a broad range of methodological and systematic approaches for developing software and related applications in a professional environment. All three main content modules are mandatory. At least one further core module can be taken to make this area the specialization of a student.

In the Cybersecurity specialization, Cryptography is the entry module into the field. This content is complemented by extended courses on security methods, tools and technologies both on system and on network level.

The Artificial Intelligence specialization covers a spectrum of the field ranging from methods in machine learning over (symbolic) artificial intelligence techniques up to applications in cyberphysical systems.

To equip students with market-relevant management skills they take modules in the fields of product development, marketing and change management. All modules are mandatory for the program.

Success in industry and research is further strengthened with a set of Leadership and Academic Skills Modules. All modules below have to be taken in order to graduate.

To explore the full development process of a software application with relation to the areas of specialization of the program, all students take the three modules of the Capstone Project. It is highly recommended to take the three modules in their numerical order, to gain full experience of the project. Students with a strong drive towards academic research can replace in their third semester one Technical CORE Module by the Research Project, which is carried out in one of the research areas of the Faculty.
The master studies are concluded by a 6-month Master Thesis, which extends over the fourth and final semester.