Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Computer Science

Degree

Mono-bachelor, Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.). See the Computer Science combined bachelor’s course and the ‘Bachelor’s and master’s courses’ FAQ as required.

Please note that all our undergraduate degree courses are taught in German!

Standard time for completing course

6 semesters

Start of study and Entry Restriction

Cf. course catalogue

Course structure

In total 180 credit points (CP*) are required

Mandatory Modules: 113 CP (including bachelor’s thesis)
Mandatory Elective Modules: 47 CP
General Elective Modules: 20 CP

*One credit point (CP) equals a workload of 25 - 30 hours for preparation, follow-up and attendance at classes.

Course objectives

The bachelor’s course in Computer Science gives students a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, enabling them to work scientifically, make scientifically valid judgements, reflect critically on subject-related findings and act responsibly. Students in the programme will have acquired the ability to independently solve problems that arise in connection with the development, deployment and use of IT systems. This applies in conjunction with a qualification for post-graduate master’s courses, as well as preparation for working in IT-related careers.

Why study Computer Science at HU?

The mono-bachelor programme in Computer Science is a six-semester course. Students learn the scientific basics of computer science and at the same time, all the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in typical computer -science-related careers. We achieve both objectives through carefully selected, modular teaching sessions:

  • The scientific foundations of Computer Science are taught in several modular courses. They start as early as the first semester, to ensure that the students get off on the right foot from the very beginning. Later, seminars enable students to develop their own, in-depth specialisation in areas of their choice. We continually highlight the relevant methodological fundamentals in the subjects with a more practical orientation - the abstraction of current trends and the concentration on conceptual aspects are two of the strengths of our programme. Our bachelor’s course is an ideal qualification for students to progress on to a postgraduate master’s course in Computer Science.
  • Our course’s professional orientation is supported by a broad range of practice-orientated events, some of which are mandatory and some of which students can choose freely. The relevant lectures are also always accompanied by closely-supervised internships and practical exercises.
  • The course finishes with a flourish: a semester project undertaken as a team, which is often organised in conjunction with Berlin-based companies, and the bachelor’s thesis, which is completed on an individual basis.
  • To promote interdisciplinarity from the outset, the students also take a subsidiary subject in addition to Computer Science. They can choose from the diverse range of programmes on offer at Humboldt-Universität. The current favourite subsidiary subjects are Psychology and Mathematics, but quite different subjects such as Philosophy or Business Administration are also possible and typical. And by the way, courses on completely different topics, such as learning a foreign language or improving confidence in public speaking, can be credited to the Computer Science course – although only to a limited extent.
  • It is not only what we teach, but the added extras that make us an attractive place to study Computer Science. For example, the fifth semester of the bachelor’s programme is deliberately designed to accommodate a period of study abroad. To make it easier for students to manage their time, we have reduced the number of exams to be taken to a minimum, and most classes do not require 100% personal attendance. Students who lack required knowledge can attend preparatory course whenever possible. Students in the first few semesters can turn to tutors for help in organising their studies and acclimatising to university life. In other words, we try and pick up where secondary school left off - you do not even need an advanced school course in Computer Science or similar qualifications to study Computer Science with us.
  • The study location is also attractive: all the buildings and lecture rooms are new, and we have an excellent library with a range of well-equipped workstations. We also offer state-of-the-art computer pools that can usually be used around the clock. All classes benefit from optimal support in the form of presentation technology. And with its lively scene of research institutes and a range of young companies, the Adlershof campus offers excellent working opportunities for all students - and Computer Science trainees are in demand.
  • The four-semester master’s course that builds on the bachelor’s provides students with the knowledge they require for taking on management positions in the IT sector or, alternatively, qualifies them for a career in academia. Students receive an in-depth view of current research topics of Computer Science, as well as the tools they need to continue on to a doctoral degree if they so wish. The master’s programme gives them a good deal of freedom in creating their own personal course plan and enables its students to acquire their first experience in project management while at university.

Course content

The best place to find information about course content is the annotated university calendar. It is online at u.hu-berlin.de/vorlesungsverzeichnis. You’ll find module descriptions, the course curriculum and other details in the course and examination regulations, available online at www.amb.hu-berlin.de, no. 13/2015, 1. revision no. 67/2016, 2. revision no. 32/2017, 3. revision no. 06/2019, 4. revision no. 03/2020.

Mono-bachelor's course computer science with 180 CP

Mandatory modules (113 CP)

Module

Description

Size

A1

Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science

9 CP

B1

Programming Fundamentals

12 CP

A2

Algorithms and Data Structures

9 CP

C2

Digital Systems

10 CP

M2

Analysis I

10 CP

A3

Logic in Computer Science

9 CP

B3

Software Engineering

8 CP

C3

Communication Systems

8 CP

SQ

Computer Science Key Qualifications

5 CP

M4

Applied Mathematics for Computer Scientists

6 CP

SP

Semester Project

12 CP

BA

Bachelor’s thesis and defence

12 CP + 3 CP


Mandatory elective modules (47 CP)

Module

Description

Size

W*1

Compiler Building

5 CP

W*2

Operating Systems 1

8 CP

W*3

Fundamentals of Database Systems

5 CP

W5-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 5-n (n= 1,2,3...)

5 CP

W6-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 6-n (n= 1,2,3...)

6 CP

W7-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 7-n (n= 1,2,3...)

7 CP

W8-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 8-n (n= 1,2,3...)

8 CP

W9-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 9-n (n= 1,2,3...)

9 CP

W10-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 10-n (n= 1,2,3...)

10 CP

W11-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 11-n (n= 1,2,3...)

11 CP

W12-n

Special Topics of Computer Science 12-n (n= 1,2,3...)

12 CP

W*S

Module (x LP) with Seminar

x+3 CP

Students are required to take modules worth 47 CP, and at least one module must include a seminar (W*S). Two of the three modules W*1, W*2 and W*3 must be taken. It is recommended however to complete the tree of them. The modules W5-n until W12-n consist of a varying combination of the following courses: lecture, exercise seminar, practice seminar, internship and project seminar. In those modules students acquire advanced skills and competences in current topics of computer science.

General elective modules (20 CP)
M1 Linear Algebra 1 10 CP

Alternatively students can choose a corresponding module from the module catalogue of the department of mathematics.

In addition to specialised study, Students acquire subject-specific, non-specialist and interdisciplinary key qualifications of 10 CP. The general elective modules can be chosen from the module catalogues of other subjects or central institutions (see: http://agnes.hu-berlin.de/).

General elective course offerings for students coming from other courses of studies

Module

Description

Size

A1

Introduction to Theoretical Computer Science

9 CP

B1

Programming Fundamentals

12 CP

C2

Digital Systems

10 CP

B3 Software Engineering 8 CP
C2 -ÜWP Digital Systems without Programming Project 8 CP

Master’s degree

You can apply for the following master’s courses at Humboldt-Universität:

  • Computer Science in Economics
  • Statistics
  • Computer Science

For further master’s courses, see the ‘Course catalogue’.

Important addresses

Department of Computer Science: Rudower Chaussee 25, 12489 Berlin, www.informatik.hu-berlin.de
Course Advisory Service: Prof. Hafner, Tel. +49 30 2093-3905, hafner@informatik.hu-berlin.de
Classification and recognition of studies and qualifications (Examinations Office): Prof. Köbler +49 30 2093-3189, koebler@informatik.hu-berlin.de
Applications: www.hu-berlin.de/studium/bewerbung, see also ‘Course catalogue’
Links to job market: careers information centre (http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/DE/BuergerinnenUndBuerger/ArbeitundBeruf/Berufswahl/Berufsinformationszentren/index.htm) , employment market reports (http://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de/Navigation/Statistik/Arbeitsmarktberichte/Akademiker/Akademiker-Nav.html), Federal Employment Office Berufenet (http://berufenet.arbeitsagentur.de/berufe/), Hochschulteam calendar of events (http://www.arbeitsagentur.de/web/content/DE/dienststellen/rdbb/berlinmitte/Agentur/BuergerinnenundBuerger/Akademiker/index.htm)

Version: April 2020
Back to Course catalogue


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