General Information about the Programme

Final degree

Master of Science in Computer Science

Language of Instruction

English
(Students with sufficient knowledge of German may attend courses offered in German as well.)

Duration of the programme

2.0 years

Beginning of the programme

October

(You can NOT start in summer!)

Admission

Please see our Admission and Application page.

For general conditions of admission to RWTH Master Programmes see How to apply for Admission to RWTH Master Programmes.

Goals of the programme

While a Bachelor degree in Computer Science typically qualifies a person to participate in large software projects, the Master degree provides the skills needed for leadership. Graduates of the Software Systems Engineering programme can be expected to be technically innovative, to work as system architects, and to manage large projects. Students who succeed in their Master degree will also have the necessary qualifications to pursue a doctoral degree.

Formal entrance requirements

A candidate should have a first degree (Bachelor of Science or Engineering) in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Informatics, or other closely related discipline, awarded by an internationally recognised university-level institution. Candidates should have also performed above average in their undergraduate studies, and be able to speak and write fluently in English (TOEFL 550/217 computer-based). See English Language Requirements for RWTH Master Programmes for further information. Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements but who have sufficient knowledge of German are also eligible to apply (see German Language Requirements for further information).

Special entrance requirements

The candidate should have a substantial background in computer science and mathematics. Typically this would include courses in the following areas:

Calculus, Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics and Logic, Probability Theory, Fundamentals of Computer Programming, Computer Architecture, Data Structures, Analysis of Algorithms, Programming Languages, Computability and Complexity Theory. In addition, an applicant should have at least two advanced undergraduate courses on specialised topics such as Distributed Systems, Information Systems, Operating Systems, and Compilers.

General description of the programme

This programme focuses on the design and implementation of complex software systems, including their embedding in technical and socio-technical systems. The design of the programme takes full advantage of the environment offered at RWTH as one of the leading universities of technology in Europe. A student will achieve knowledge in both theoretical and practical computer science, which will allow her or him to adapt quickly to the changes in this constantly evolving field. In addition, the student will gain the ability to understand the depth and inter-disciplinary skills needed by taking courses and writing a thesis in an area of specialisation.

The majority of the courses are taught in English. There are, however, a few courses taught in German.

Structure of the programme (table)

This programme consists of a core curriculum and an area of specialisation. The core curriculum spans both

• Theoretical Computer Science
  Complexity Theory, Logic, Theory of Parallel Processes, Compiler Construction
• Practical Computer Science
  Programming Languages, Communication and Distributed Systems, Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Speech and Image Processing

The student is required to cover both subfields, which typically means taking three courses in each of the two subfields. In addition, a mandatory course on the management of large software system engineering projects is also required.

The area of specialisation, which consists of courses combined with a seminar and a master thesis, can be one of the following: formal systems engineering, software engineering, high-performance computing, distributed systems engineering, information systems engineering, or embedded/intelligent system engineering. Other specialisation, in co-operation with disciplines such as Biology, Medicine, and Engineering, can be arranged. The master thesis typically occupies the final six months of the programme and can be written in industry or at the university.

The course contents are structured according to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Each student will be assigned a professor from the Computer Science Department as a personal mentor.

Career prospects

Computer scientists have been in great demand in the past, and this trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The ability to design and implement large computer software systems in an inter-disciplinary environment opens the avenue to management and leadership positions. It is these latter aspects that distinguish this programme from other master programmes in Computer Science.

For further information please contact

Dipl.-Inform. Stefan Schiffer
RWTH Aachen
Lehr- und Forschungsgebiet für Informatik 5
Ahornstraße 55
52056 Aachen
Germany

Tel.: +49 241 80 21 534
Fax: +49 241 80 22 321
e-mail: sse AT kbsg DOT rwth-aachen DOT de