Computer Science

The Master's programme conveys specific expertise in key areas of computer science including theoretical foundations, practical skills and knowledge about application areas. As part of a selectable study focus, embedded systems and visual computing students gain in-depth knowledge and can chose from a wide-ranging catalogue of modules. In addition, students acquire non-technical skills ranging from presentation techniques, team work to management and leadership skills.

(1) Study Focus Visual Computing
The term visual computing comprises all computer science disciplines handling images and 3D models, i.e. computer graphics, image processing, visualisation, computer vision, virtual and augmented reality, video processing. Further related fields are pattern recognition, human computer interaction and machine learning. Visual computing systems deal with one or more of the following aspects: acquisition, processing and analysis of visual information, e.g. in the form of images and videos, but also originating from medical image acquisition technologies, and rendering of visual information, e.g. the generation of images from visual or other data. Application areas include but are not restricted to quality control, medical image processing and visualisation, autonomous robotics, multimedia systems, movie and television industries, and computer games.

(2) Study Focus Embedded Systems
The variety and number of embedded systems have grown significantly during the last years. This segment has become by far the most important one in the computer market with applications such as consumer electronics, industrial control and transportation systems. Transportation systems such as automotive electronics are of particular interest, because of stringent timing and dependability requirements that act as technology catalysts. The embedded systems market is expected to grow significantly over the next decade, and it is expected that many embedded systems will be connected to the Internet and form cyberphysical systems.

In both study foci, students benefit from the close collaboration between electrical engineering and computer science and a tight link to research projects conducted in both disciplines at the University of Siegen. For embedded systems, both disciplines contribute to courses on the specific knowledge including key areas such as hardware/software design, computer architectures, real-time systems, dependability, security, operating systems, modelling and application areas (e.g., automotive, industrial control). In the context of visual computing, the tight link to sensor development is an essential added value, including key areas like face detection, online range data processing with range cameras such as the Kinect, and multimodal pattern recognition.

University of Siegen participates and leads research projects in healthcare, automotive, industrial control, avionics and home automation. Master's students are welcome to become involved in these projects (e.g., Master's thesis, student projects), and excellent students get the opportunity to pursue a PhD in one of these projects in Siegen, e.g. as a member of the Research Training Group "Imaging New Modalities".

Educational organisation

The Master's programme Computer Science at University of Siegen includes different types of modules.

Core modules convey a broad spectrum of relevant topics for computer science including theoretical, practical and technical computer science. Practical modules convey basic practical skills such as capabilities in software and hardware development as well as practical activities that are close to future occupational areas. The practical modules establish key qualifications that are required for team work in typical projects of the information technology industry.

Specialised modules convey profound scientific knowledge in the area of embedded systems or visual computing. Specialised modules can be chosen out of a comprehensive catalogue of modules. The specialised modules build on top of the core modules and focus on expertise in an area that is typically the foundation for the student projects and the Master's thesis.

The Master's programme for Computer Science is structured as follows:
1. Four out of five core modules (5 CP each): Logic, Embedded Systems, Parallel Processing, Computer Graphics, Computer Architecture.
2. Practical modules: one seminar (5 CP), one project group (20 CP)
3. Nine specialised modules (5 CP each)
4. Master's thesis (30CP)

For the study focus embedded systems, the following specialised modules are offered (5 CP each): Information and Communication Security (two modules), Communication Engineering, Embedded Control, Estimation Theory, Information Security (two modules), Storage Technologies, Stochastic Models, Telematics (two modules) Digital Communication Technology (two modules).

For the study focus visual computing, the following specialised modules are offered (5 CP each): Computer Graphics (two further courses), Visualisation, Virtual Reality, Multimedia Retrieval, Synthetic Aperture Imaging, Pattern Recognition, Machine Learning, Statistical Learning Theory, Machine Vision.

The project group is a group work in teams of four or more students. The main goal is to work consistently on a large-scale project for two semesters, dealing with all aspects of this kind of projects including project management, concept design and evaluation.

Study abroad unit(s)

There are no integrated abroad units, but students are encouraged to takes courses at partner universities.

Forms of assessment

Assessments are in the form of written or oral examinations for core and specialised modules. Practical modules are assessed with a final presentation which may include a documentation. The Master's thesis results in a written thesis which has to be defended in a presentation with additional discussion.

Course objectives

The vocational field of graduates in computer science includes research, development, operation and maintenance of complex systems for information processing. The demand for graduates in computer science on the labour market is continuously high.
The course objectives are to enable students for both a leading position in industry as well as an academic career. Students learn all relevant theoretical concepts in either study focus, and they will make many practical experiences on the individual level as well as in team constellations. Furthermore, students will prove their ability to work independently in a research context. At the latest with their Master's thesis, they will be qualified and able to tackle as yet unsolved research related problems.
Graduates of computer science at the University of Siegen are in a pole position for their career in industry and academia. The University of Siegen benefits from intensive collaboration with local industry as well as leading German and international companies (e.g., automotive, avionics, semiconductors, factory automation, sensor technology). The University of Siegen participates in numerous international and national research projects where it collaborates with other universities and research organisations.

Language requirements

English language proficiency certificate: TOEFL iBT: min. 87 or IELTS: Band 5-6. The TOEFL code number for the University of Siegen is 8429.

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science or electrical engineering
The minimum grade of the Bachelor's degree is "satisfactory" (3.0). The responsible board of examiners will make the decision on the equivalence of degrees acquired at other higher education institutions or in other degree courses and on the suitability for the Master's programme.

Enrolment fees

Approx. 250 EUR per semester for a public transport ticket (valid for six months in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia), social services contribution and students' activities

Costs of living

The city of Siegen is one of the German cities with very moderate costs for accommodation, but it has excellent living conditions. Living expenses including accommodation and health insurance range from 650 to 750 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

Siegen hosts a large number of mid-size industrial companies in electrical and mechanical engineering, some bigger examples being SMS and Achenbach Buschhütten. A lot of smaller but very successful and quickly growing high-tech companies are located here as well, examples of these being PMDTechnologies and Asentics, which are spin-off companies from the university.
As a result employment chances are very good for part-time student co-workers during semester breaks and full time co-workers after completion of studies.

Arrival support

Personal support after arrival is provided by the staff of the Department International Student Affairs, a tutor, or an experienced programme member.

Services and support for international students

All international students are supported by the Department International Student Affairs, a tutor, and experienced members of the individual programmes.

Accommodation

German universities usually do not have campus systems like the universities in some other countries where students can find accommodation directly on university property. Therefore, students must find rooms on their own. Rooms in private accommodation cost 280 EUR on average. Rooms in student residences cost between 220 and 400 EUR. Direct support for finding suitable accommodation is offered by the Department International Student Affairs.

Detailed information concerning general accommodation can be found at:
http://www.uni-siegen.de/start/studium/studentisches_leben/wohnen.html.en?lang=en

Our International Office (http://www.uni-siegen.de/isa) will also provide you with further information about private accommodation.