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Study Plan for the Consecutive Master’s Course of Studies "Computer Science" at the University of Kaiserslautern
from 05. 06. 2013
New in this version:
- Specialization area "Verification" has been changed.
- Minor subject Physics has been changed.
- Modules of Prof. Stricker.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Objectives of the Course of Studies
3. Study Modules and Types of Impartment of Knowledge
4. Duration and Scope of the Course of Studies
5. Organization of the Course of Studies
6. Master's Examination
7. Study Schedule
Appendix: Study Schedule
Appendix 1. Blocks of the Master’s Course of Studies
Appendix 2. Chronological Organization of the Master’s Course of Studies
1. Introduction
This study plan informs on objectives, structure, duration, scope, examinations and the envisaged study modules of the consecutive Master’s course of studies "Computer Science". It contains proposals for a purposeful sequence of the study modules. In particular, it regulates the selection options in the field of specialization representing the focus of studies.
2. Objectives of the Course of Studies
The consecutive Master’s course of studies “Computer Science” deepens and extends the technical basis acquired in the Bachelor Course of Studies “Computer Science” in the area of fundamentals, systems, and applications. In particular, this improves the abilities for planning, designing and realization of information systems as well as the professional qualification.
When studying, the impartment and application of deepening knowledge in a larger partial area of computer science is being focused. Thus, the students are being taught up to the cutting edge of this particular partial area. The successful Master's degree qualifies the candidates of the course of studies for independent further education as per the state of research in the selected specialization area. Moreover, they will acquire the necessary skills for independent scientific work.
3. Study Modules and Types of Impartment of Knowledge
Study modules (short: modules) will be offered in the form of courses, recitations, seminars and projects. Courses cover the coherent presentation and impartment of fundamentals, core knowledge, specialized knowledge and concepts of computer science. In recitations, the application of the lecture contents will be taught and trained on the basis of tasks to be solved independently. The aim of a seminar is the handling of a topic of computer science by independent literature studies, the preparation of a final paper, as well as the comprehensible presentation of the topic. In projects, more extensive assignments of computer science will be handled in team work by using the taught methods and techniques.
Course modules get differentiated into theory modules, specialization modules and minor subject modules. Theory modules impart deepening theoretical knowledge of general significance and thus must be attended by all students. Specialization modules impart deepening knowledge of a specific area of computer science. Minor subject modules render the acquisition of extended knowledge in an application area of computer science.
The study modules have a significance according to ECTS credit points, which corresponds to their expenditure in time. One credit point, abbreviated CP, is equivalent to about 30 working hours. Included therein are times to be present as well as times for preparation and after-preparation of the material to be studied, for the solution of exercises, for examination preparation, and for the rendering of examination performances.
4. Duration and Scope of the Course of Studies
The regular study time until the Master's examination amounts to four semesters. The Master's studies comprise modules and the Master’s thesis within an entire scope of 120 ECTS credit points.
5. Organization of the Course of Studies
The Master's studies are divided into several blocks (cf. Fig. 1). The block computer science theory imparts deepening theoretical knowledge and thus creates important prerequisites for scientific work. In the focus of the master's studies is the specialization block to be chosen by the student from the existing offer, which imparts extensive deepening knowledge in a larger partial area of computer science. Components of the specialization block are the computer science specialization modules, one project module, and one seminar module. The supplement block includes further computer science modules from other deepening fields and guarantees a certain spectrum in computer science education of the master's course of studies. Finally, a minor subject has to be chosen which should fit to the chosen specialization.
Fig. 1: Conception of the Master’s Course of Studies „Computer Science“
6. Master's Examination
The Master's exam is composed of the study-accompanying module exams and the Master's thesis. A module examination basically consists of one exam extending to the study material of the module. It may assume the rendering of study performances. For every module of the Master's course of studies, within one year two examination dates will be offered. Seminars are being assessed on the basis of the final paper, the oral presentation and the participation in the discussion, projects due to prepared solutions and on attestations. The Master's thesis includes the result, the preparation and the final colloquium.
7. Study Schedule
The study schedule (cf. Appendix) gives information on the study modules (name, hours per semester, ECTS credit points), their allocation to the blocks (cf. 5) and the selection options. Moreover, it comprises recommendations for a proper organization of the course of studies. The schedule is part of this study plan. Alterations are decided by the department council and must be published via the web-pages of the department.
Appendix: Study Schedule
Appendix 1. Blocks of the Master’s Course of Studies
Computer Science Theory
This mandatory block includes a theoretical module in the scope of 8 ECTS-CP from following list:
- INF-51-51-V-7 "Formal Specification and Verification Techniques" (4C+2R; 8CP; de,en)
- INF-62-52-V-7 "Verification of Reactive Systems" (4C+2R; 8CP; en)
- INF-32-52-V-7 "Specification and Verification with Higher Order Logic" (3C+3R; 8CP; de,en)
- INF-54-54-V-7 "Advanced Algorithmics" (4C+2R; 8CP; de,en)
- INF-56-51-V-6 "Concurrency Theory" (4C+2R; 8CP; en)
- INF-56-52-V-6 "Applied Automata Theory" (4C+2R; 8CP; en)
Specialization
This compulsory optional block consists of specialization modules adjusted to one another from the field of computer science, minor subject modules, one project module and one seminar module. The department of computer science offers the following specialization blocks described in Appendix 3:
- Algorithmics
- Computer Graphics and Visualization
- Development of Embedded Systems
- Information and Communication Systems
- Intelligent Systems
- Robotics
- Software Engineering
- Verification
Supplement
This compulsory optional block includes optional modules for supplementing the knowledge in computer science as well as in the area of general fundamentals (20 ECTS-CP in total). As optional modules, specialization modules from those areas of computer science that are different from the chosen specialization block as well as modules from the area of general fundamentals (max. 8 ECTS-CP) can be considered. General fundamentals can be any courses of the university, however, the mentor has to accept the courses as meaningful extensions of the study program.
Appendix 2. Chronological Organization of the Master’s Course of Studies
| Semester | Computer Science Theory | Specialization | Supplement | ECTS-CP |
|
One theory module from attachment 1. |
1 of 5-10 specialization blocks (approx. 34 CP computer science, 8 CP project, approx. 16 CP minor subject, 4 CP seminar) |
Compulsory optional modules in overall scope of 20 CP. |
approx. 30CP | |
| approx. 30CP | ||||
| approx. 30CP | ||||
| INF-81-11-L-7 "Master's Thesis" (15P; 30CP; de,en) | 30CP | |||
| ECTS-CP | 8 | 92 | 20 | 120 |
Appendix 3. Specialization Blocks
The specialization block imparts extensive deepening knowledge in a larger partial area of computer science. The department of computer science offers several specialization blocks of which one has to be chosen. Components of this deepening block are computer science specialization modules (ca. 34 ECTS-CP), one project module (8 ECTS-CP), one seminar module (4 ECTS-CP) as well as minor modules (ca. 16 ECTS-CP), adjusted to the chosen specialization field. The following specialization block descriptions regulate the teaching offer and selection options.
The specialization modules are separated into the clusters mandatory, elective, and optional, although not all three clusters have to be present. Each of the three clusters is further divided into subjects (for the cluster optional this subdivision might be omitted). From the cluster mandatory all subjects have to be selected. From the cluster elective n out of the m given subjects have to be selected (the minimum n is given). From the cluster optional all (or a given maximum number of) subjects can be selected. Each subject contains a list of courses from which the student can select. If a lecture is marked as mandatory, it has to be selected if the subject itself has been chosen. Subjects may also have restrictions regarding minimum and/or maximum number of ECTS credit points of modules selected from the subject.
| Algorithmics | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Markus Nebel |
| Educational objectives |
In algorithmics one tries to find efficient algorithmic solutions to problems from all areas of
computer science. Therefore, knowledge from this specialization can be applied to a wide range of topics.
Besides designing smart algorithms or data structures one aims to prove their efficiency and correctness
and investigates the structural complexity of the problems considered. |
| Examination prerequisites |
|
| Knowledge prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules from the following list with a total of 34 ECTS-CP have to be completed: MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional
|
| Minor subject modules |
Minor subject modules with a total of generally at least 16 ECTS-CP have to be completed. The minor subject can be individually chosen among the list of minor subjects (appendix 4) whereby the listed requirements have to be considered. Following minor subjects are recommended:
The choice of minor subject modules has always to be arranged with the mentor. |
| Project modules | Choice of:
|
| Seminar modules | Choice of:
|
| Computer Graphics and Visualization | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Hans Hagen |
| Educational objectives |
The specialization block “Computer Graphics and Visualization” gives students the opportunity to learn and work with
problems and state of the art techniques of computer graphics, visualization and geometric modeling.
This is supported by a wide variety of minor subject modules. These should be coordinated with the chosen specialization
modules. The minor subjects give possible applications computer graphics techniques and the related fields and knowledge from
the minor subjects shall support the students' knowledge in computer science. The specialization modules contain:
|
| Examination prerequisites | None |
| Prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules from the following list with a total of 34 ECTS-CP have to be completed, where one of the subsequent specialization subjects has to be chosen. MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional (maximal 1 subject(s).)
|
| Minor subject modules | Students can choose a minor subject (generally 16 ECTS credit points in total). We recommend one of the minor subjects biology, "Raum- und Umweltplanung", mathematics as well as mechanical engineering. |
| Project modules | Choice of (to be coordinated with minor subject modules):
|
| Seminar modules | Choice of (to be coordinated with minor subject modules):
|
| Development of Embedded Systems | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Dr. habil. Bernd Schürmann |
| Educational objectives |
Embedded systems are information processing hardware and software systems which are integral part of complex technical systems. There, they realize all central control functions and/or they process continuous data streams in real-time. They are used in almost all industrial products and determine increasingly the characteristics of those products. Due to the integration of many subsystems they often become very complex. Beyond that, many embedded systems are part of safety-critical installations. Embedded systems are needed in different applications and many variants so that they do not allow uniform solutions. In this specialization, students will learn the systematic development of embedded systems. Depending on the choice from the offered lectures the focus can be shifted toward software engineering for embedded systems, toward developing the hardware platform of embedded systems, or toward developing individual applications (in our case robotics). Knowledge of the behavior of the enclosing technical system is obtained by the courses of the minor subject. These are essential for understanding the behavior of embedded systems and with that for their development, too. |
| Examination prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules from the following list with a total of 34 ECTS-CP have to be completed. MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional
|
| Minor subject modules | Students can choose a minor subject (generally 16 ECTS credit points in total). We recommend one of the minor subjects electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or physics. |
| Project modules | Choice of:
|
| Seminar modules | Choice of:
|
| Information- and Communication Systems | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Stefan Deßloch |
| Educational objectives |
This specialization block gives students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of information and communication systems, and obtain specialized skills in these areas. At the beginning of their specialization block studies, students need to choose one of the following focus areas:
|
| Examination prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules with a total of 34 ECTS-CP have to be completed. Depending on the focus area, different combinations of the modules listed subsequently are recommended and need to be individually approved by the mentor of by the specialization coordinator at the begin of the MSc study. MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional
|
| Minor subject modules |
Minor subject modules with a total of generally at least 16 ECTS-CP have to be completed. The minor subject can be individually chosen among the list of minor subjects (appendix 4) whereby the listed requirements have to be considered. Following minor subjects are recommended:
The choice of the minor subject has to be approved by the mentor. |
| Project modules |
Focus area “Information Systems” (Choice of):
Focus area “Communication Systems” (Choice of):
|
| Seminar modules |
Focus area “Information Systems”:
Focus area “Communication Systems” (Choice of):
|
| Intelligent Systems | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Thomas Breuel |
| Educational objectives |
Intelligent Systems (IS) is an area of computer science that deals with making computers behave "intelligently": computers that understand images, speech, and texts, software that reasons, plans, and makes autonomous decisions; systems that interpret sensor data and user behavior and communicate and collaborate with users. IS furnishes the technologies underlying many of the fastest-growing application areas, like Internet search, computer gaming, social computing, e-commerce, electronic trading, smart homes, data mining, digital libraries, and intelligent user interfaces. The Intelligent Systems specialization prepares students for advanced development and academic research in areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, pattern recognition, and computer vision. The course of study combines rigorous theoretical foundations with practical applications. Students have ample opportunities for research in several large and active research groups within the intelligent systems area and at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). Students interested in specializing in Intelligent Systems should have a good working knowledge of algorithms, complexity theory, and software development, and an interest in discrete mathematics, analysis, and stochastics. |
| Knowledge prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules in computer science corresponding to 34 ECTS-CP must be completed. MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional
|
| Minor subject modules | Students can choose a minor subject (generally 16 ECTS credit points in total). We recommend one of the minor subjects mathematics, electrical engineering or economics. |
| Project modules | Choice of:
|
| Seminar modules | Choice of:
|
|
|
| Robotics | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Karsten Berns |
| Educational objectives | This specialization aims at the acquisition of profound and special knowledge and abilities in the field of robotics, especially autonomous mobile robotics. In specialization present research results for the development of complex robotic systems as well as computer science methods for the solution of sub problems will be taught. Especially methods from computer graphics, communication systems, software systems and artificial intelligence will be in the centre of this specialization. |
| Examination prerequisites | Prerequisite of this specialization is Bachelor in Computer Science. For the specialization
Robotics, the following core modules of the Bachelor study are required:
|
| Knowledge prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules with a total of 34 ECTS-CP have to be completed. MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional
|
| Minor subject modules | Minor subject modules with a total of generally 16 ECTS-CP have to be selected. Recommended minor subjects are electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. |
| Project module |
|
| Seminar modules |
|
| Software Engineering | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Peter Liggesmeyer |
| Educational objectives |
In order to actively manage software development projects in a responsible role, e.g., as a project manager or quality manager, additional competencies are required. Furthermore, it is particularly important today to optimize an organization's software development across various projects. The specialization block is not oriented towards software products, but rather towards software development processes and entire organizations. The students will acquire skills that prepare them to later grow into leadership positions – typically, as system architects, project managers, or quality managers. Therefore, the processes of development, distribution, and usage of software systems play an important role. In addition to increased technical knowledge in the area of software engineering, further key competencies are taught that are particularly important when it comes to successfully managing large software projects. One special focus is on teaching processes that serve to strategically improve an organization as such. Instead of an individual project, the organization as a whole is the center of attention (learning organization). Therefore, advanced processes, techniques, and methods for the systematic development of large, complex software systems as well as organization-wide measures and processes for improving the organization itself are one of the foci of the contents of the studies. In detail, high-performance formalization aspects of software development (especially specification and transformation) as well as suitable techniques for project management, modeling, and specification of software systems are the subject of the specialization block. In addition, there will be extensive discussion of software development processes. This will be done especially with regard to the following questions: How can systems be developed securely and with the necessary quality and correctness? Which possible improvement processes exist for processes and products? |
| Examination prerequisites |
|
| Specialization modules | Altogether, specialization modules amounting to 34 ECTS credits have to be taken. MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
Optional (maximal 1 subject(s).)
|
| Minor subject modules | Students can choose an arbitrary minor subject (generally 16 ECTS credit points in total). We recommend mathematics, economics, electrical engineering as well as mechanical engineeringas minor subject. |
| Project modules |
|
| Seminar modules |
|
| Verification | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Prof. Klaus Schneider |
| Educational objectives |
Since the complexity of modern hardware and software systems has been dramatically increased in the past, their functional correctness can no longer be guaranteed by means of testing and simulation alone: Modern microprocessors consist of hundreds of millions of transistors and make use of difficult computer architectures to exploit instruction-level parallelism; and in software engineering, the failure of many large projects already demonstrated the limits of actual design processes. In the future, these problems will be further increased due to shorter design cycles and new safety-critical applications. Malfunctioning systems in these applications may cause enormous damages up to loss of human lives. New development processes to ensure the functional correctness of modern hardware and software systems must therefore make use of formal verification in addition to simulation and testing. In particular, when concurrency and nondeterminism come into play, the number of possible behaviors becomes too large to be dealt with simulation alone. For this reason, formal verification is more and more often used to find design errors. To this end, different aspects of the system like its functional behavior with abstract data types, its real-time behavior, or its possible concurrent behaviors have to be considered at an appropriate level of detail. In practice, it turned out that a single technique is not able to handle all these aspects in an adequate manner. Hence, our students learn to use different formal and semi-formal methods that are used for different verification purposes. In particular, we consider the following:
Having completed the studies of this specialization, our students should be prepared for the research in verification of the groups at our department and its related institutes. |
| Knowledge prerequisites | The specialization requires basic knowledge of algorithms, data structures, automata theory, and propositional logic. For example, you should know what it means for a formula to be satisfiable, how to determinize a finite automaton, what is depth first search, and what P and NP means at the level of a Bachelor student. |
| Specialization modules |
Specialization modules from the following list with a total of 34 ECTS-CP have to be completed: MANDATORY (all subjects have to be selected.)
SELECTIVE (minimal 2 subject(s).)
|
| Minor subject modules | Students can choose an arbitrary minor subject (generally 16 ECTS credit points in total). We recommend mathematics as minor subject. |
| Project modules |
|
| Seminar modules |
|
Minor subject modules of 16 ECTS-CP in total have to be chosen in the context of the selected specialization. If the module "Guided Research (Project)" has been chosen together with a regular project module of the specialization area, the minor subject block can be reduced to ≥ 8 CP with the approval of the mentor. The size of the specialization block will increase, accordingly.
In the following the offered minor subjects are listed. Usually, one of the minor subjects can be chosen. The specialization blocks (appendix 3) can restrict this offer or they can define additional minor subjects.
Due to department resolution (May 2006) the following relationship between presence time
(SWS - hours per week during one semester) and ECTS-CP (credit points) applies to modules. Exceptions
are individually shown and explained.
Each SWS of lecture is multiplied by factor 1.5.
Each SWS of exercise is multiplied by the factor 1.
Each SWS of seminar or project is multiplied by the factor 2.
The result is rounded up to ECTS integer values.
Transitional Arrangement: Students who already started a minor subject exam have to complete the minor subject under the former regulations. For all, who are already enrolled at the time of commencement of this study plan and who have not already started exams in the minor subject can choose between the former and this regulation considering the minor subject. The choice has to be stated when subscribed to the first minor subject examination.
| Biology | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Markus Nebel |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject biology during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
Optional (maximal 1 subject(s).)
|
| Remarks |
Botany and Zoology will be accepted if they have not been chosen within the BSc program. The practical courses of the "Grundmodulen" will be accepted with the corresponding credit point if the students gets a place in the practical course. Students do not have a right for the practical courses. Examination policy is determined by the examination regulations of the department of Biology. |
| Chemistry | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Markus Nebel |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject chemistry during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules | The required ECTS-CP can be collected by any modules of the area of theoretical chemistry.
We recommend the following module
|
| Restrictions | None. |
| Remarks |
No English modules. The choice of minor subject modules has to be approved by the mentor. |
| Electrical Engineering | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Dr. habil. Bernd Schürmann |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject electrical engineering with the focus subject during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
Optional (maximal 1 subject(s).)
|
| Remarks |
The choice of minor subject modules has to be approved by the mentor. Examination policy is determined by the examination regulations of the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. |
| Mechanical Engineering | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Karsten Berns |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject mechanical Engineering during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
MANDATORY
Optional
|
| Remarks |
The choice of minor subject modules has to be approved by the mentor. Examination policy is determined by the examination regulations of the department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. |
| Mathematics | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Klaus Madlener |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject mathematics during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
Optional (maximal 1 subject(s).)
|
| Remarks |
The choice of minor subject modules has to be approved by the mentor. Examination policy is determined by the examination regulations of the department of Mathematics. |
| Physics | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Dr. habil. Bernd Schürmann |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject physics during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
Optional (maximal 1 subject(s).)
|
| Remarks |
No English modules. These two subjects are recommendations, only. Other lecture combinations can be accepted by the mentor or by the responsible person for the minor subject. The modules “Mathematische Ergänzungen” are elective modules which are not part of the minor subject examination. Examination policy is determined by the examination regulations of the department of Physics. |
| Psychology | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Andreas Dengel |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject psychology during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
Optional
|
| Remarks |
|
| Regional and Environmental Planning | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | apl. Prof. Achim Ebert |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject mathematics during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
MANDATORY
Optional
|
| Remarks |
No English modules. The choice of minor subject modules has to be approved by the mentor. |
| Social Sciences | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Andreas Dengel |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject social sciences during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
SELECTIVE (minimal 2 subject(s).)
|
| Remarks |
|
| Economics | |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Prof. Stefan Deßloch |
| Prerequisites | Minor subject economics during BSc program. |
| Minor subject modules |
Optional
SELECTIVE (maximal 3 subject(s).)
|
| Restrictions | WIW-WIN-CIN-V-7 "Computational Intelligence" (2C+2R; 5CP; en) cannot be combined with INF-12-31-V-6 "Methods and Models of Artificial Intelligence" (2C+1R; 4CP; en) |
| Remarks |
|
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