Computer Science
Master of Science

Short description
The consecutive master's degree study program in computer science at the Heinrich Heine University builds on a previous successful bachelor's degree in computer science and is aimed at students interested in science.
This four-semester degree program with the Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree requires the "proof of special suitability" as an admission (application and aptitude assessment are made directly at the Heinrich Heine University) and can be started in the summer and winter semester.
Entry/Admission requirements
After successfully completing a relevant bachelor's degree in computer science at a university in Germany (or at an equivalent domestic or foreign educational institution), a master's program can be started. This requires a final grade of at least 2.5 in the Bachelor's degree or a very good Bachelor's thesis and an overall grade of at least 3.0. The four-semester degree program with the "Master of Science" (M.Sc.) as a degree can be started in the summer and winter semesters. Application and aptitude test are made directly at the Heinrich Heine University. The application deadlines are March 15th and September 15th.
Programme content
The Master's program builds on the bachelor's program and has a standard duration of four semesters. In contrast to the Bachelor program, the Master program is scientifically oriented. Participation in current research questions and projects - integrated into the working groups of the scientists of the institute - is therefore an important element of the computer science master's program in Düsseldorf. A successfully completed master's program enables both the entry into the scientific career through a doctorate and the entry into the economy, which has a high demand for highly trained computer scientists.
In terms of content, there is a clear focus and concentration compared to the bachelor's degree. The basics of the bachelor's program are specialized and deepened. Thereby, there is a great scope to set individual accents by the choice of different events and to arrange the study according to the own interests - in fact, not a single event is compulsory for all students!
The Institute of Computer Science of the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf currently consists of twelve working groups covering a broad spectrum. The focal points of the working groups are at the same time the topics in which a focus in the bachelor's or master's program is possible:
- Algorithmics for Hard Problems (PD Gurski)
- Algorithms and Data Structures (Prof. Wanke)
- Algorithmic Bioinformatics (Prof. Klau)
- Operating Systems (Prof. Schöttner)
- Computational Cell Biology (Prof. Lercher)
- Computational Social Choice (Jun. Prof. Baumeister)
- Data & Knowledge Engineering (Prof. Dietze)
- Databases and Information Systems (Prof. Conrad)
- Dialog Systems and Machine Learning (Prof. Gašić)
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (Prof. Haag)
- Computational Complexity and Cryptology (Prof. Rothe)
- Machine Learning (Prof. Harmeling)
- Computer Networks (Prof. Mauve)
- Software Engineering and Programming Languages (Prof. Leuschel)
- Technology of Social Networks (Jun. Prof. Graffi)
Precisely because the institute is rather small and young compared to the computer science faculties of many other universities, a teaching and learning culture becomes possible that is characterized by openness and transparency. The professors, professors and private lecturers are directly accessible to the students, we attach great importance to the direct contact between teachers and students.
Programme structure
The Master's program in Computer Science comprises achievements amounting to 120 credit points (CP) according to these study achievements:
Compulsory electives / Teaching units | Type | Subject-related semester | CPs (at least) | Weight factor for overall grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
Applied or Technical Computer Science | WP | 1-3 | 15 | 1 |
Theoretical Computer Science | WP | 1-3 | 15 | 1 |
Individual Research Project | WP | 2+3 | 20 | 0 |
Chosen Core Module | WP | 1-3 | 30 | 2 |
Individual Supplement | WP | 1-3 | 10 | 0 |
Master Thesis (6 months) including defense | MA | 4 | 30 | 2 |
Summe | 120 |
CE: Compulsory elective; MA: Master Thesis. The core of the study is focused on events that can be used in various fieldsoof practical, technical or theoretical computer science. Here courses can be selected from a wealth of offers according to personal preferences
The so-called project work, which is particularly special in this field in a computer science master's degree program, also plays a central role. Over a total of two semesters, our students participate in current research projects in which they work on and discuss central research questions in direct interaction with the scientists get to know computer science research "first hand". The project work conveys the methods and questions of science and leads to a master's thesis, in which over half a year, independently but with intensive personal support, a current scientific topic is worked on in order to finally acquire the degree of a "Master of Science".
Due to the close involvement of the students in the research work at the university, students are able to actively recognize their interests early on, to deepen their knowledge through appropriate choice of events and influence the research landscape by their work.
Is computer science a part of you and has the master's program in computer science at the Heinrich Heine University convinced you? Then contact us! We look forward to young talents!
Programme objectives/Career prospects
Computer scientists are in demand today in all sectors of the economy. This is not only due to the fact that information and communication technology is used practically everywhere and in ever-increasing measure: computer scientists are well-versed in the recording, analysis and structuring of contexts. These competences are combined with the ability to formulate and practically tackle problems and their solutions both abstractly and in practice. For this reason, computer scientists often work in interdisciplinary teams in which they build valuable bridges between theory and practice. The computer science master's program aims to train this problem-solving competence and to deepen it over the entire spectrum of the subject
Whether you need to be a programming ace for that, which can provide mathematical evidence in your sleep? Definitely not! Much more important are interest in complex contexts, fun in the puzzle, the tenacity to face even difficult challenges, and a certain basic mathematical and scientific understanding, as shown in the corresponding subjects in the bachelor's degree.
Winter semester
Summer semester
4 semesters
German
Admission-free with aptitude assessment in the application portal
Summer: 02.11.-15.03. / Winter: 02.05.-15.09.
16/07/2023 - 06/10/2023
01/07/2023 - 15/08/2023
Student Services Center (SSC)
Building: 21.02 / SSC
Phone +49 211 81‐12345
For questions regarding the course of studies and for examination issues:
Student and Examination Administration
Contact Examination Administration