Master's programme in Applied Computer Science

In the Biosciences application subject of the master's degree programme in Applied Computer Science, the scientific fundamentals are expanded through interdisciplinary courses (e.g. biophysical, bioorganic, and bioinorganic chemistry). The in-depth practical course in bioinformatics (BI 309) is dedicated to interdisciplinary research at the interface between computer science and the biosciences.

Specialisations in the bachelor's programme are carried over in the master's programme.

In the engineering science application subject of the master's degree programme in Applied Computer Science, you will be offered advanced subject modules that incorporate computer science components to various degrees. The programme consists of three specialisations ("Construction & Production", "Energy & Process Engineering", "Mechatronic Components & Systems"). Examples for the assignment of courses in engineering informatics in these three areas of specialisation are:

1. Specialisation in construction and production:
   • II 301: System Development & Construction (4 ECTS points, winter semester)
   • II 304: Drive Technology II (4 ECTS points, summer semester)
   • II 305: Higher Finite Element Analysis (4 ECTS points, winter semester)
   • II 308: Manufacturing (theoretical specialisation) (6 ECTS points, winter and summer semester)
   • II 309: Manufacturing (practical specialisation) (5 ECTS points, winter and summer semester)
2. Specialisation in energy and process engineering:
   • II 302: Models & Simulation of Thermo-Fluid Dynamic Processes (6 ECTS points, winter semester
   • II 303: Energy Management (3 ECTS points, summer semester)
   • II 311: Fluid Mechanics (4 ECTS points, winter semester)
   • II 312: Heat & Mass Transfer (5 ECTS points, winter semester)
   • II 313: Process Engineering (Advanced) (5 LP, ECTS points, summer semester)
   • II 314: Engineering Mathematics III (5 ECTS points, winter semester)
3. Specialisation in Mechatronic Components and Systems:
   • II 306: Sensors (4 ECTS points, winter semester)
   • II 307: Components & Systems of Mechatronics (5 ECTS points, winter and summer semester)
   • II 310: Computer-Aided Measurement (4 ECTS points, winter semester)
     

This framework gives students a great deal of freedom in tailoring their studies in detail, which is a desirable feature of a research-oriented and independent form of studying, but on the other hand provides them with sufficiently clear guidance in their choice of subjects to prevent them from getting "bogged down" without an end in sight.

The Business Informatics application subject of the master's degree programme in Applied Computer Science offers advanced and in-depth modules from the fields of information systems management and business administration. During their studies, students develop the ability to reconcile their understanding of technical methods and concepts with an economic, customer-oriented perspective. In addition, the programme offers students the opportunity to work on research-related topics and take their own first steps as researchers.
 
Two components are offered, from which a minimum number of credits must be acquired:
 
Business Informatics (at least 24 ECTS points):

• Advanced Seminar in Information Systems Management
• Management of Digital Projects & Programmes
• IT-Governance
• Energy Industry in Times of Digitalisation
• Strategic Information Management
• Value-Oriented Process Management
• Introduction to Business & Information Systems Research
• Behavioural Economics & Information Systems
• …

Innovation management and marketing (at least 6 ECTS points):

• Dialogue Marketing
• Innovation Marketing
• Data Mining in Marketing with R
• Marketing Intelligence
• Auctions
• …

The remainder of the 30 to 45 ECTS points to be acquired in the application subject can also come from the numerous elective modules in the subject areas of business information systems, business administration, law, or economics. The module system of the application subject thus presupposes certain core elements on the one hand, but also gives students great freedom of choice. The model study plans provide guidance.

The master's degree is designed as a consecutive degree programme requiring knowledge of the basics in computer science, mathematics, and the application subjects of bio-, engineering, or business informatics taught in the bachelor's degree. While the bachelor's degree programme is characterised by a high proportion of compulsory modules to teach this foundation, the master's degree programme offers students the opportunity to specialize in an area of their own choice. To this end, the proportion of compulsory modules is low. The modules offered in the master's programme are designed with research in mind, and, wherever possible, have a direct connection to the lecturers' main research areas.

Basically, the master's programme can be divided into two phases.
 

• In phase 1 (1st and 2nd semesters), modules are offered in computer science and in the application subject (usually lectures and accompanying tutorials) to enable students to deepen their knowledge in both fields. Modules in mathematics are only offered as far as this is necessary for the specialisation modules.
   
  
• In phase 2 (3rd and 4th semester), methods from computer science and the application subject are applied to more scientifically demanding problems. The focus of this phase is on seminars, internships, and the master's thesis. This phase serves to further expand the interdisciplinary aspect of the programme. In addition, it plays a decisive role in achieving the skills goals of the master's programme.

The master's thesis constitutes the conclusion and highlight of the programme. It is the decisive component in achieving the skills goals of the master's degree programme and far exceeds the bachelor's thesis in ambition and scope. Through self-organised, planned, scientific work on the master's thesis, supplemented by working on challenging problems in their practicals, graduates are equipped both for an academic career and for taking on management positions.

Detailed information about the Certificate Program is available here.

120 credits must be acquired in the master's degree programme, 30 of which are allotted to the master's thesis. Of the remaining credit points, at least 30 each must come from computer science and the application subject. At least 12 further credit points are allotted to seminars and practical courses, which, if possible, should be held in an interdisciplinary manner between a computer science research group and one or more research groups from the application subject. The remaining credits can be acquired at the student’s own discretion.

In the master's degree programme, the mathematics sub-field of the bachelor's degree programme is omitted. If further mathematics modules are required, they are integrated into the application subject. The teaching of key competences is integrated into the subject modules like in the bachelor's degree programme.

In contrast to the bachelor's degree programme, the proportion of compulsory modules in the master's degree programme is much reduced. Students are free to extend their knowledge in an area of their own choice. The modules listed in Table 3 are only available in the master's degree programme if they were not chosen in the bachelor's degree programme. Model study plans ensure that modules are combined in a meaningful way.

In the master's degree programme, the computer science component does not follow a standardised curriculum, but is oriented towards the research focus of the lecturers. This allows students to specialize in an area of computer science of their own choice. The continuous training in programming and software development is continued and extended by tutorials accompanying lectures, as well as the master's internship (INF 303) and the master's thesis (INF 301). It is assumed that students will have already acquired extensive programming experience in the bachelor's degree programme and have mastered the methods of software engineering.

The concept of interdisciplinary education in the bachelor's programme is continued seamlessly in the master's programme.

This is achieved through interdisciplinary modules in the application subject, through the master's seminar (INF 302), the master's internship (INF 303), and the master's thesis (INF 301).

Interdisciplinary modules, which are jointly supported by lecturers from computer science or the application subjects, are explicitly identified in the model study plans, like in the bachelor's degree programme.

The requirements for admission to the master's programme with a specific field of application (Bioinformatics, Engineering Informatics, or Business Informatics) are a university degree in the Applied Informatics bachelor's programme at the University of Bayreuth in this field of application, or an equivalent degree.

Admission to the master's degree programme in Applied Computer Science involves the following steps:

1. (1) If you have a Bachelor's degree in Applied Computer Science from the University of Bayreuth with a specific application area (Bio-, Engineering, or Business Informatics), then you can enrol in the master's programme in the same application area. (Go to step 3.)
    
   
2. (2) If you have an equivalent degree, equivalence must first be confirmed by the examination board. See the homepage of the Student Administration Office in this regard. Please enclose confirmation of individual examination and academic achievements including grades in your application. After approval by the examination board, you may enrol for the master's programme. (Go to step 3.)
    
   
3. (3) If your degree certificate is not yet available, then a confirmation with individual grades of all examination and academic achievements completed by the registration date must be submitted. These academic achievements must comprise a total of at least 150 credits. (Go to step 4. or 5.)
    
   
4. (4) If you are already enrolled at the University of Bayreuth or have re-registered, you do not need to enrol again. In this case, go to changing or double enrolment. (Finished.)
    
   
5. (5) If you are not yet enrolled at the University of Bayreuth, please enrol for the master's programme online. Please note the official enrolment deadlines! To Enrolment (Finished.)

The programme can be started in either the winter or summer semester. It is possible to study part-time (e.g. over

The foundation acquired in the bachelor's degree programme and your application subject form the basis of the consecutive master's degree programme in Applied Computer Science.

In the master's programme, you can now further expand your specialised knowledge in bio-, engineering, or business informatics. The modules offered in computer science and your application subject are designed to be research-oriented. Most of them are directly related to the research focus of the lecturers. During your studies, you can expect scientifically challenging problems that you will deal with in seminars, internships, and, of course, in your master's thesis.

You will exercise your interdisciplinary skills by combining methods from computer science and your application subject. The successful master's degree equips you for attractive management positions in science and business.

 
*ECTS credits according to ECTS. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) facilitates the international comparability of coursework completed at European higher education institutions.

** You can only select one application area.

Professionals with your future qualification have excellent career prospects both in industry and in small and medium-sized enterprises, and in public administration.
 
In Bioinformatics , for example, your career could start in the pharmaceutical industry, in biotech, or in specialised software companies. But you can also develop and maintain databases, e.g. for large research institutions, for medical data analysis, or for purposes of academic research.

Engineering Informatics offers exciting challenges in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or process engineering.

In Business Informatics, tasks in the areas of digitalisation, IT controlling and IT management, or project management beckon Perhaps you will even advise companies and start-ups after your master's degree.

So many possibilities!