Computer Science (Master of Science)

The technological developments of the past 20 years have changed our daily lives. Smartphones, navigation devices, search engines or data streaming have become indispensable in our everyday lives. Self-directed robots, autonomous vehicles, computers that learn to understand images or mind-controlled prostheses are our future.

We teach you the practical and theoretical skills you need to work on these and other innovations. The international master’s degree program in computer science is aimed at foreign and German students with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a similar subject. The curriculum is very flexible and offers many choices so that you can develop yourself individually and prepare for a career in science or business.

Computer science in Freiburg offers the following concentrations:

• Cognitive technical systems:
  e.g. Robotics and autonomous intelligent systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, image processing and computer graphics

• Cyber-physical systems:
  e.g. Verification and analysis of hardware and software systems, software development and programming languages, embedded systems

•  Information systems:
  e.g. Theoretical and applied algorithms, networks and distributed systems, data management and communication, bioinformatics
  
  

Prerequisites

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, math, or in a closely related field. Very good command of mathematics and theoretical computer science (e.g. differential equations, linear algebra, analysis, formal languages, formal grammars, Turing machines, decidability, complexity theory, logic, automata, algorithms and data structures, operation systems, computer networks, computer architecture).
• English language proficiency level C1 (= IELTS 7.0, TOEFL 95 or Pearson PTE Academic 65).

Facts and Figures

Fees and Cost

Application

Curriculum

The Master's degree program in Computer Science has a very flexible curriculum. There are few mandatory subjects and a lot of electives.

First of all, students have to choose one or two key courses. Key courses are courses which introduce the students to the research areas of the Department of Computer Science and lay the basis for the specialization area to be chosen. The following key courses are offered:

• Algorithm Theory (every winter term, always in English)
• Image Processing and Computer Graphics (every winter term, always in English)
• Databases and Information Systems (every winter term, always in German)
• Software Engineering (summer term 2018 in English, summer term 2019 in German)
• Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (summter term 2018 in English, summer term 2019 in German)
• Computer Architecture (summer term 2018 in German, summer term 2019 in English)

After that, students can focus in one of the following three specialization areas:

• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Information Systems
• Cognitive Technical Systems

In the last semester, students work on their master’s thesis. They are expected to tackle an actual research question in close cooperation with a professor and his/her staff. 

Possible occupational fields

Computer science is one of the most versatile study fields. There are hardly any life areas left, that do not involve any computing. Computer scientists can work for example in

• Software development
• Energy supply
• Media / entertainment industry
• Medicine or biotechnology
• Education
• Automotive industry
• Logistics
• Police
• Banking and finance

Syllabus and Examination Regulations

Please note: Only the latest version is listed here. Older versions can be found in Module Handbooks and Exam Regulations under Studies and Teaching.

• Online syllabus in HISinOne (Please note, loading might take some time)
  
• Exam and admission regulations (in German)
• Exam regulations (unofficial version in English - not legally binding)

Contact Persons

Do you have any questions concerning the application and admission procedure? Please contact the program coordinator:

	Georges-Köhler-Allee 101 Room 101 02 013a Phone: +49 761 203 8340 E-Mail: admissions@imtek.uni-freiburg.de
Ms. Ursula Epe

For questions pertaining to the curriculum, please contact the academic advisor:

	Georges-Köhler-Allee 101 Room 101 02 013a Phone: +49 761 203 8169 E-Mail: studienberatung@informatik.uni-freiburg.de
Ms. Martina Nopper

Testimonial

 "When I searched for options to study my Master’s in computer science, I found the University of Freiburg, which in this field is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany. Freiburg’s Department of Computer Science is renowned for winning several international robotic competitions, and yes, the same researchers who have won these competitions are the ones that teach the students in Freiburg."

Christian Herrera Salazar

Particularities about this study program

Flexible Curriculum

The master’s degree program in computer science has a very flexible curriculum. There is not a single course in the curriculum that the students have to take. Instead, students are always provided with several options from which they can freely choose. In this way, each student can build their study plan according to their individual interest.

Lecture Recordings

Many lectures are recorded and made available to students online so they can revisit and listen to the lecture once they have missed a class or when they are preparing for the exam..

Smart, Micro, Green – Engineering in Freiburg

Smart – stands for robots that act independently, for computers that learn to interpret images or algorithms that become faster and smarter. Simply put, smart stands for computer science.

Micro – is meant literally here. The tiniest technical systems emerge that inconspicuously take on complex tasks in everyday life, medicine and industry. Without even knowing it, you are constantly dealing with microsystems. They make our lives healthier, safer, more comfortable, more versatile and, to say the least, easier.

Green – Freiburg is known worldwide for being the Green City. Since 2015, the Faculty of Engineering has been active from an engineering perspective with its own department for sustainability research. How can renewable energy be generated, fed into the grid and stored? How do we develop materials and systems that are produced and used in an energy- and resource-efficient way and that can adapt optimally to difficult environmental conditions or disasters?

Studying engineering in Freiburg always means that you benefit from all three areas of research, no matter which area you choose. Smart, micro and green technologies are becoming more and more in demand - acquire the necessary competencies to solve the social and technical questions of the future as engineers and computer scientists!

Further Information

Website of the Department of Computer Science

Orientation manual for new students (PDF)

PDF flyer of the study program