BSc in Applied Computer Science
What does it cover?
In recent decades, computer science has increasingly become a key technology and has found its way into virtually all areas of modern life. The enormous influence of computer science has become particularly evident in the impressive development of the internet and mobile communication. Global networking is today the basis of modern corporate communication, logistics and the media.
Computer scientists work in a wide range of different fields. Today, there is hardly a single area where IT is not used. Computer scientists structure and analyse problems from various sectors. They develop hardware and software systems and plan and coordinate projects.
Why choose this programme?
People who want to study computer science should enjoy solving logic puzzles and have a good understanding of mathematical problems. Students do not need to have taken an advanced maths course. As computer scientists nowadays work almost uniquely as members of a team, you need to be a team player, demonstrate adaptability and have good social skills. A good knowledge of English is an advantage because most of the specialist literature is in English. No previous knowledge of computer science is required. All foundational principles are taught in the initial semesters.
How is the programme structured?
In the first three semesters we give you a sound technical and scientific grounding and lay foundations in Business Administration and in presentation and communication technologies. In the fourth and fifth semesters you can choose from a broad range of compulsory elective subjects. In addition, you take one of the following specialisations:
• Embedded Systems
• Internet Engineering
• Digital Media
• Business IT
Specific tasks also introduce you to special IT application fields, which means that you can gear your studies to your own personal interests. Each specialisation lays the foundation for this profile in two compulsory specialisation modules (one in the fourth and one in the fifth semester). In addition, four supplementary compulsory elective modules can be chosen from a list of modules for each specialisation. Three of these four modules must be in the chosen specialisation. The remaining module can be chosen freely.
In the project, students put into practice the specialised knowledge that they have acquired in their specialisation studies and at the same time learn the importance of project management methods and of teamwork. The seminar focuses on the independent acquisition of new specialised knowledge in selected areas of computer science (probably in the selected specialisation subject) and its presentation so that students are given an introduction to academic research (as well as to appropriate methods to use in preparing the Bachelor’s thesis).
In the sixth semester you first complete an internship with a company or an institution and then write your thesis. Throughout the entire study programme, the teaching sessions are supplemented by lab sessions, practical work and project work. In addition, some courses are run in conjunction with practice partners, meaning that theory is immediately put into practice.
| 1st semester | 2nd semester |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Mathematics for Computer Science | Algebraic Basics of Computer Science |
| Technical Principles of Computer Science | Algorithms and Data Structures 1 |
| Programming 1 | Programming 2 |
| Media Design | Web Applications |
| Business Administration 1 | Business Administration 2 |
| Communication Networks and Protocols | Digital Technology and Computer Systems |
| 3rd semester | 4th semester |
|---|---|
| Software Engineering 1 | Software Engineering 2 |
| Operating Systems | Algorithms and Data Structures 2 |
| Fundamentals of Database Systems | Automata Theory and Formal Languages |
| Distributed Systems | Elective Subject 1 |
| Soft Computing | Elective Module 1 |
| Presentation and Communication | Elective Module 2 |
| 5th semester | 6th semester |
|---|---|
| IT Security | Internship (12 weeks) |
| Seminar | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Bachelor Project | Colloquium |
| Elective Subject 2 | |
| Elective Module 1 | |
| Elective Module 2 |
Academic profile
Graduates should:
- know how embedded systems, as compared to conventional computer systems, work and are structured and the special features of mobile systems;
- be able to assess areas of use and applications of mobile embedded systems;
- be able to develop systems and applications;
- have a mastery of typical tools, technologies and concepts for the design and development of systems with mobile components.
Specialisation and compulsory elective modules
| Specialisation modules (5 credits) | |
|---|---|
| Microcontroller Programming | Embedded Networking |
| Compulsory elective modules (4th/5th semester, 5 credits each) | |
|---|---|
| Special Topics in Internet Engineering/Embedded Systems | Development and Operation of Internet Services |
| Mobile Communications | Sensors and Actuators |
| Network Administration | Computer Graphics on Mobile Devices |
| Planning and Implementation of Network Projects | Robotics |
| Software Development for Embedded Systems | |
Academic profile
The specialisation in Internet Engineering allows students to acquire specialised skills, abilities and knowledge from their future field of employment in the public and private networks sector (internet, intranet, WLAN, VPN, etc). They are equipped to successfully implement scientific methods and techniques in order to solve current problems in network design, in developing and introducing mobile applications and in various internet services used in the professional sphere.
Graduates are thus able, for example, to:
- design, implement and manage internet/intranet technologies, systems and services
- design secure IT applications and networks
- design and develop software for networked, internet/intranet-based multimedia and cooperative systems
- develop, programme and run distributed and innovative internet/intranet-based applications
- recognise and analyse user requirements in terms of the development, introduction and management of internet/intranet systems, develop improvement concepts and implement them successfully
Academic profile
Graduates who have specialised in Digital Media:
- are familiar with the properties and possible uses of different types of media;
- have sound basic knowledge of electronic publishing, hypermedia and multimedia programming as well as of 3D modelling and animation;
- are able to plan, design and implement a complex audio-visual project independently;
- have acquired the required interdisciplinary skills in Applied Computer Science and the basic principles of media didactics enabling them to develop and assess learning systems in today’s e-learning environment;
- are familiar with important theoretical bases for the use of visualisations in explanatory and learning processes, are able to design visualisations to depict complex issues and can implement them using appropriate tools.
Specialisation modules
- Computer Graphics (4th semester)
- Audio and Video Production (5th semester)
List of compulsory elective modules (4th/5th semester)
- Special Issue in Digital Media
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Visualisation
- Digital Image Processing
- Media Didactics and E-Learning
- 3D Modelling and Animation
- Interactive Graphics Systems
Academic profile
Graduates should be able to:
- assess the structure, functionality and implementation of business administration systems;
- adapt complex systems to applications (e.g. for controlling, sales), develop them further and maintain them;
- compile and formalise user requirements, transform them into concepts and convert them into applications;
- present complex application systems, train users in them and introduce and establish them in teamwork.
Specialisation modules
- Database Technologies (4th semester)
- Business Processes and ERP (5th semester)
List of compulsory elective modules (4th/5th semester)
- Special Topics of Business Information Technology
- Cost Accounting and Logistics
- Management and Marketing
- Controlling and IT Controlling
- Principals of Economic Policy
- Development of E-Business Systems
Where does it lead?
As an interface between humans and computers and between business and society, computer science offers excellent career prospects. The inclusion of IT in every part of our lives is virtually unstoppable. Computer scientists work in numerous branches in a wide range of different sized companies. They are in demand in all sorts of corporate sectors: sales, quality management, hard and software development or consulting. The wide range of fields of application offers computer scientists diverse employment opportunities and the possibility of specialising in their own areas of interest, using their specialist knowledge to acquire a distinctive professional profile.
Possible areas of employment are:
• Software development and programming
• Design and implementation of IT infrastructures and networks
• IT consulting
• Networks and operating systems
• Embedded systems
• User service and support
• Database development and administration
• Application development and ERP system customisation
• Development of multimedia applications or multimedia products
• Audio and video editing
• Learning system development
