MSc in Global Software Development
What is it about?
M.Sc. in Global Software Development is a modern software development programme with strong relevance to industry. The programme lasts 1.5 years. It is completely taught in English and places special emphasis on project work and intercultural teams.
The programme seeks to prepare graduates for careers as developers, who are able to participate in conception and realization of complex, distributed software systems in a global team. Successful applicants hold a first or undergraduate degree in computer science or a closely related discipline.
Programme structure
The programme is completely taught in English. The first two semesters are organised in five layers: infrastructure, programming, technology, methodology and application (in intercultural teams). The programme offers one course per layer and semester, apart from the layer methodology, which consists of two modules every semester. The third semester is dedicated to writing the Master's Thesis, as well as attending two seminars - a scientific master seminar and a seminar focussing on intercultural communication. The Master's thesis may be written in English or German.
Academic calendar for students who have a 6 semester degree:
Programme structure (PO 2018, modified in 2020)
Programme structure (PO 2018)
Academic calendar for students who have a 7 semester degree:
Programme structure (PO 2018, modified in 2020)
(the 2. or 3. semester can be completed at a partner university abroad)
Programme structure (PO 2018)
(the 2. or 3. semester can be completed at a partner university abroad)
Examination regulations
The examination regulations including the module description (module manual) are staged on the websites of the examination office (select PO M.Sc. Global Software Development, only available in German). Please find an English translation (preliminary version, legally non-binding) here.
Course contents
The programme places special emphasis on project work and intercultural teams. To encourage the development of communication and presentation skills, students present their work in written and oral form, both individually and in groups.
The lecture series offers lectures of (foreign) visiting professors, presentations of research projects held by PhD students/postgraduate students and workshops about soft skills.
One of the following modules must be choosen as elective course:
- Advanced Big Data
- Cryptography - Theory and Applications
- Intercultural Project Management
- Research Project
- Software Development Project
- Special Topic of Global Software Development
- User Centered Development
Professional Prospects
The international programme seeks to prepare graduates for careers as software developers, who are able to participate in conception and realization of complex, distributed software systems in a global team.
Successful graduates will be:
- fluent in multiple programming languages
- able to work in a broad range of software development processes (e.g. agile, model driven, test centered, user centered)
- experienced with web infrastructure and web service technology
- experienced with multi-layered client-server applications
- able to work with multi-threading
- sensible for usability and accessability.
