Computer Science

Overview

This full-time Master's programme is taught entirely in English and has a strong research orientation — it is designed for motivated students with an interest in theoretical computer science and research. The standard duration is four semesters, which includes the completion of a Master's thesis. The curriculum is general and theory-focused while also allowing students to develop depth in selected areas.

The programme is organised around four research-based tracks that reflect the institute’s core competencies. Students are required to take courses in three of the four tracks and, in the second semester, select one of the four tracks as their primary area of focus. The institute maintains close collaborations with several well-known research centres in and near Bonn, giving students access to project groups and a wide range of topics for theses and research projects.

Requirements / key facts

• Full-time programme taught entirely in English
• Research-based profile; suited to students with talent and ambition for research
• Standard study period: 4 semesters, including the Master's thesis
• Programme structure: four tracks corresponding to the institute’s main research areas:
  • Algorithms
  • Graphics, Vision, Audio
  • Information and Communication Management
  • Intelligent Systems
• Students must cover three of the four tracks
• In the second semester students choose one track as their area of focus
• Strong cooperation with nearby research institutions, providing access to internal project groups and thesis topics, including:
  • Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (B-IT)
  • Research Institute for Discrete Mathematics
  • Fraunhofer Center Schloss Birlinghoven
  • Fraunhofer Center Wachtberg
  • Hausdorff Research Institute for Mathematics

Curriculum overview

The Master's curriculum is organized into four sub-curricula that reflect the Institute's main research areas: algorithms; graphics, vision, audio; information and communication management; and intelligent systems. The programme runs over a standard period of four semesters (including the Master's thesis). Teaching is delivered in semester-long modules, each completed by an exam, and presented as lectures, seminars, or laboratory courses.

Students earn credit using the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). To graduate they must accumulate 120 ECTS: a mix of taught modules across the research tracks, a supervised Master's thesis, and a short seminar connected to the thesis. After the second semester each student selects one of the four tracks as their primary focus; seminars and lab courses are intended to prepare students for the thesis and so are normally taken from that chosen area.

Key modules and learning outcomes

• Core areas (algorithms; graphics, vision, audio; information and communication management; intelligent systems) provide both theoretical foundations and advanced, research-oriented topics.
• Lecture modules deliver in-depth theory; seminar modules train literature review, presentation and scientific discussion skills; lab modules offer hands-on implementation and experimental practice.
• The programme develops abilities in independent research, problem formulation and solution, experimental design, and scientific communication — culminating in the 30‑ECTS Master's thesis that demonstrates mastery of the chosen focus.

Requirements (concise)

• Standard duration: 4 semesters (includes Master's thesis)
• Total required: 120 ECTS
• Modules: semester-long units; each completed by an exam
• Module types: lectures, seminars, labs
• Obligation: earn 88 ECTS from modules spanning at least three of the four tracks
• Specialisation: choose one track after semester 2; obtain between 31 and 61 ECTS from this chosen area
• Master's thesis: 30 ECTS
• Thesis seminar: 2 ECTS (accompanies the thesis)
• Seminars and labs are recommended to be taken within the chosen focus to prepare for the thesis

The programme’s research-oriented profile and close ties to prominent research institutes prepare graduates for careers in academic research and for pursuing a PhD. The emphasis on thesis work, labs and collaboration with institutes like Fraunhofer and B-IT gives students direct experience relevant to research roles.

Graduates are also well positioned for industry roles in software engineering, algorithm design, computer vision, AI/intelligent systems, and information & communication management. The combination of theoretical depth and applied research experience supports roles in R&D teams, specialist engineering positions, and technology consultancy.