Master Computer Science International (CSI M.Sc.)

Please note that the German version of the SPSO is the legally binding document. The unofficial English reading version is intended for better understanding for English-speaking students. 

To access the SPSO and the English language reading version, please visit the German language website and then open the menu item "Studienordnung".

• module list with all modules of this course of study and links to the long descriptions of the modules in the current version (Uni-Web examination portal, language: most in German)
• CSI MSc Module Handbook 2019 - unofficial translation in English for better understanding. Please note: The German version is the legal binding official document.

• Framework Examination Regulations (Rahmenprüfungsordnung) for the  Bachelor and Master courses of study of the University of Rostock (RPO-Ba/Ma)

• other legal bases

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Gero Mühl
Albert-Einstein-Straße 22 (Konrad-Zuse-Building / Konrad-Zuse-Haus), 18059 Rostock, GERMANY
fon: +49 (0)381 - 498 7630
gero.muehl(at)uni-rostock.de

Anita Björk-Pagel
Albert-Einstein-Straße 26, 18059 Rostock, GERMANY
Room / Raum 005 und 006
Tel.: +49 (0)381 - 498 7004
csi.ief(at)uni-rostock.de

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Gero Mühl
Albert-Einstein-Straße 22 (Konrad-Zuse-Building / Konrad-Zuse-Haus), 18059 Rostock, GERMANY
fon: +49 (0)381 - 498 7630
gero.muehl(at)uni-rostock.de

Student Council Computer Science / Fachschaftsrat Informatik
room of the Student Council / Fachschaftsraum: Konrad-Zuse-Building / Konrad-Zuse-Haus, room / Raum 139 (1^st floor upstairs / 1. OG), Albert-Einstein-Straße 22, 18059 Rostock, GERMANY
fachschaft.informatik(at)uni-rostock.de

Info service in the SSC: Central contact point for prospective students and students
The Student Service Center brings together all the important information and advice offered by various institutions for prospective students and students. Those seeking advice should first contact the info service. If necessary, referrals are made here or an individual consultation appointment is arranged.
Parkstraße 6, 18057 Rostock, GERMANY, room / Raum 024
fon: +49 (0)381 - 498 1230
studium(at)uni-rostock.de
contact and office gours: Student Service Center (SSC) of the University of Rostock – Homepage
On the SSC homepage you will find information on which institution is represented at which times in the SSC.

General Student Advisory Service of the University of Rostock / Allgemeine Studienberatung der Universität Rostock
Brief advice on choice of course, reorientation and course of study
Parkstraße 6, 18057 Rostock, GERMANY, room / Raum 024
fon: +49 (0)381 - 498 1234 and +49 (0)381 - 498 1230
studium(at)uni-rostock.de
contact and office hours: General Student Advisory Service

Student's Office of the University of Rostock / Studierendensekretariat der Universität Rostock
Contact point for questions about admission, registration and re-registration
Parkstraße 6, 18057 Rostock, GERMANY, room / Raum 024
fon: +49 (0)381 - 498 1230
studierendensekretariat(at)uni-rostock.de
contact and office hours: Student-Service-Center

Rostock International House (RIH) of the University of Rostock
Point of contact for questions about study visits abroad (outgoing), studying in Rostock for international students (incoming) and prospective refugees (refugees)
Kröpeliner Straße 29, 18055 Rostock, GERMANY
fon: office: +49 (0)381 - 498 1209 and +49 (0)381 - 498 1700
info.rih(at)uni-rostock.de
contact and office hours: Rostock International House (RIH) – Contact and opening times

The master's program in Computer Science International comprises four semesters. The first three semesters expand the theoretical basics and allow you to deepen your choice of specializations. The Master's thesis is written in the fourth semester.

The master's degree in computer science is divided into mandatory, selectable mandatory and elective modules.

• Module list with all modules of this course as well as links to the long versions of the module descriptions in the current version (Uni-Web examination portal)
• CSI MSc Module Handbook 2019 - unofficial translation in English for better understanding. Please note: The German version is the legal binding official document.

In the mandatory area there are four modules with a total of 54 credit points, in the selectable mandatory area there are modules with a total of 54 credit points and in the elective area there are modules with a total of 12 credit points. In the mandatory modules, 30 credit points are awarded for the final examination. A total of at least 120 credit points must be earned for passing the master's examination.

The elective area "Information Systems" and "Complex Systems" serve to acquire in-depth and interconnected skills in the respective specialization. By studying modules totaling 24 credit points in the selected specialization, students gain comprehensive insight into the selected specialization and are enabled to transfer knowledge, methods, and skills between related subjects within the specialization. By studying modules totaling 12 credit points in the non-selected specialization, students acquire the necessary skills to classify and evaluate developments in the entire field of computer science. In addition to the elective modules listed in the SPSO, modules from the elective module Visual Computing of the Visual Computing degree program at the University of Rostock can also be chosen in the non-selected specialization, provided the participation requirements are met.

The elective area "Individual Specialization" serves to acquire additional skills that prepare students for a specific career in computer science, as well as for specialized positions in the public sector. Students may take all elective modules of this program and the Master's program in Computer Science not already selected for one of the two specializations, as well as modules related to computer science from the Master's programs in Business Information Systems and Visual Computing at the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Rostock, provided they can demonstrate that they meet the language and other prerequisites for the module.

The non-technical elective area, comprising 12 credit points, primarily serves to acquire or improve students' language skills in German and English, and secondarily to acquire soft skills. The modules taken are intended to improve students' linguistic, extracurricular, and social skills, as well as their self-competence. Possible topics include, for example, starting a business, time management, mentoring, leadership tasks, presentation techniques, the social impact of computer science, or computer science didactics. By acquiring or improving their German language skills, students are prepared for future careers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's predominantly small and medium-sized enterprises and, moreover, are better able to navigate everyday life. Therefore, after a placement test at the Language Center of the University of Rostock, students must primarily take German courses comprising 12 credit points. Students who can prove that they have not received a place on a German course at the Language Center may instead take suitable English courses or one of the other modules from the non-technical elective area at the Language Center. Students who can already demonstrate German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​may, instead of the elective modules expressly offered for this degree program, take into account the qualification objectives of the elective area and in consultation with the academic advisor and the relevant module coordinator, also choose other modules from the Language Center, modules from the non-technical offerings of the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, or modules from the module offerings of other degree programs at the University of Rostock or other universities and have these recognized. The examination board decides on recognition on a case-by-case basis. The examination board's decision should be made upon application by the student before the start of the semester in which the module to be recognized is to be taken. Attendance of such modules at the University of Rostock requires that they are not modules of a degree program with restricted admission, unless a corresponding teaching export is stipulated by capacity law and sufficient study places are available. The admission requirements, examination requirements, examination periods and provisions regarding the form, duration and scope of the module examination provided for in the examination regulations of the relevant degree programme apply.

The master's program in Computer Science International can be studied in one of the two following specializations

• Information Systems or
• Complex Systems

The study office must be informed in writing of the decision for one of the majors when registering for the master's thesis. It is only possible to change an earlier advertisement up to this point.

In the Information Systems specialization, the focus is on the design of software, algorithms and data structures for information systems, techniques for the efficient analysis of large amounts of data and related topics. The specialization includes topics from the area of ​​databases such as the administration, retrieval and analysis of large amounts of data, as well as modern big data processes and data mining, which combine complex models and large databases and analyze them together. Furthermore, the traceability of processes and results as well as the protection of privacy are discussed. This specialization also includes topics in software engineering, such as user-oriented design, human computer interfaces and software development methods, as well as the basics of machine learning (or more generally artificial intelligence), interactive visual analysis and the development and use of simulation models. Students learn to use relevant techniques, methods and procedures appropriately, to analyze, to develop and to assess their impact on society.

The Complex Systems specialization deals with architectures, models, methods, algorithms and tools for IT systems, which due to their size and complexity require a systematic approach to design, implementation and operation, as well as related topics. The complexity of these systems results from the distribution and the multitude of interacting components as well as from their heterogeneity and their diverse interdependencies. The specialization includes topics from the areas of modeling, analysis and simulation techniques for the design and evaluation of complex systems as well as verification techniques for the proof of important system properties (such as correctness). To ensure that the respective systems work efficiently, securely and reliably, the specialization also deals with methods of self-organization, security and fault tolerance mechanisms, cryptographic and distributed algorithms as well as technologies in the areas of middleware and the World Wide Web. Students learn to use relevant techniques, methods and procedures appropriately, to analyze, to further develop them and to assess their effects on society.

The assignment of the courses to the modules and which courses are offered in which semester can be found on the website of the Institutes of Computer Science at courses.

Each semester, compulsory elective modules amounting to at least 18 credit points are offered for each elective area. In addition to the compulsory elective modules listed, additional and new modules can be offered for the elective areas. These will be announced in good time before the start of the semester by the office of the computer science institutes.

If there are fewer than three enrollments in a compulsory elective module in the respective semester, the lecturer can decide not to offer the compulsory elective module. In this case, students who have chosen such a compulsory elective module must alternatively choose another elective module with sufficient attendance. Admission to individual modules in the compulsory elective area can also be restricted by the examination board for capacitive reasons. If individual students are not admitted to the elective module in this case, the students have to choose another elective module with sufficient capacity.

Participation in individual modules of this course depends on proof of certain previous knowledge or skills. Details can be found in the respective module descriptions.

Please note that the courses on offer below are usually only once per academic year - i.e. in the winter semester or in the summer semester. You can obtain information on this from the SPSO or the student office. The division according to SPSO is shown below.

Instead of the elective modules expressly offered for this degree program, additional modules from the module offerings of other degree programs at the University of Rostock or other universities can be selected and recognized, taking into account the qualification objectives of the respective elective area and in consultation with the academic advisor and the relevant module coordinator. The examination board decides on recognition on a case-by-case basis. The examination board's decision should be made upon application by the student before the start of the semester in which the module to be recognized is to be taken. Attendance of such modules at the University of Rostock requires that they are not modules of a degree program with restricted admission, unless a corresponding teaching export is stipulated by capacity law and sufficient study places are available. The admission requirements, examination requirements, examination periods, and provisions regarding the form, duration, and scope of the module examination stipulated in the examination regulations of the corresponding degree program apply.

The compulsory modules have to be studied according to the SPSO.

The compulsory module applicable to the chosen specialization must be studied.

Depending on the chosen specialization, modules from this catalog must be studied in the specified scope.

Depending on the chosen specialization, modules from this catalog must be studied in the specified scope.

In compliance with Section 4, Paragraph 6, modules totaling 12 credit points from the elective modules catalogues "Information Systems" and "Complex Systems" that have not yet been selected must be taken.

All elective modules of this degree program and the Master's program in Computer Science that have not already been selected for one of the two specializations, as well as modules related to computer science from the Master's programs in Business Information Systems and Visual Computing at the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the University of Rostock, may be taken, provided that the required language skills and other participation requirements for the module can be demonstrated.

In compliance with Section 4, Paragraph 7, modules totaling 12 credit points from the following catalog must be taken. These are not taken into account when calculating the overall grade.

The non-technical elective area, totaling 12 credit points, primarily serves to acquire or improve students' language skills in German and English, and secondarily to acquire soft skills. The modules taken are intended to improve students' linguistic, extracurricular, and social skills or self-competence. Possible subject areas include, for example, business founding, time management, mentoring, leadership tasks, presentation techniques, the social impact of computer science, or computer science didactics.

By acquiring or improving their German language skills, students should be prepared for future careers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's predominantly small and medium-sized companies and, in addition, better navigate everyday life. Therefore, after a placement test at the Language Center of the University of Rostock, students must primarily take German courses totaling 12 credit points.

Students who can demonstrate that they have not been offered a place on a German course at the Language Center may instead take suitable English courses or one of the other modules from the non-technical elective area at the Language Center.

Students who can demonstrate German language skills at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​may, instead of the elective modules expressly offered for this degree program, choose other modules from the Language Center, modules from the non-technical offerings of the Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, or modules from the module offerings of other degree programs at the University of Rostock or other universities and have them recognized. The Examination Board decides on recognition on a case-by-case basis. The Examination Board's decision should be made upon request by the student before the start of the semester in which the module to be recognized is to be taken. Attending such modules at the University of Rostock requires that they are not modules of a degree program with restricted admission, unless a corresponding teaching export is stipulated by capacity law and sufficient study places are available. The admission requirements, examination requirements, examination periods, and provisions regarding the form, duration, and scope of the module examination stipulated in the examination regulations of the respective degree program apply.

An appropriate and, in particular, compliance with the standard period of study enables the modules to be distributed over the individual semesters in the examination and study plan enclosed as Appendix 1 of the SPSO.

The examination and study plan forms the basis for the respective semester study plans, which are usually made available to the students.
The chronological sequence and the content of the courses ensure that the students can achieve the respective study objectives. There are sufficient opportunities for individual study design.

At the beginning of each semester, an overview of the dates for the entire semester will be posted. It includes: the lecture times, the examination periods, the lecture-free times and the beginning of the next semester.

On the basis of the examination and study plan, the study office develops a semester study plan for each matriculation and for each semester in coordination with the module managers. It contains information on the subjects, the teachers, the number of hours, broken down by the different types of courses and the timing of the courses. The specific semester study plan is made available to students electronically via the central course catalog.

At the beginning of each semester, students are informed about the planned courses in the elective modules of the current and the following semester. Detailed module descriptions are published locally.

The content of the course is taught in different courses.
The types of courses are characterized by the use of different types of teaching and learning.
As a rule, the courses are only offered once a year.

The following types of courses are offered:

• Excursion: Excursions are courses that take place in a different environment than the university. This includes, for example, study trips or internships that are carried out for practical reasons in practical environments or at external study-relevant locations.
• Consultation (to supervise academic work): Consultations are individual consultations between students and teachers. The students prepare long-term academic or final theses. The teacher informs himself at certain intervals about the status of the work and gives suggestions.
• Internship: An internship event is an internship at the university, which, in contrast to non-university internships, is carried out as a supervised course. It is an exercise to apply acquired theoretical knowledge to specific practical questions, to practice scientific methods and working techniques through practical application and to deepen the module contents and to train one's own work organization.
• Practical School Exercise: In a practical school exercise, students teach individual lessons at a school facility under supervision.
• Seminar: In a seminar, students have the opportunity to present independently developed findings, to discuss them and to present them in writing. Seminars can be held as face-to-face or online events.
• Tutorial: A tutorial is a course that is carried out by academic or student assistants to supplement a course in accordance with the study regulations. The responsibility for the professional and didactic support lies with the institution or the scientific or artistic staff to whom the assistant is assigned.
• Exercise: In an exercise, students usually work on predefined tasks. They acquire or deepen knowledge as well as subject-specific skills and abilities and apply them. An exercise offers the opportunity to ask questions, discuss solutions to problems and use means to self-control the level of knowledge achieved.
• Lecture, Repetitorium: In a lecture or a repetitorium, the course material is presented to the students primarily as a lecture by the teacher with the support of the media (boards, slides, scripts). Lectures or repetitions can be held as a face-to-face or online event.
• Integrated course: An integrated course combines the lecture form with more active forms (e.g. seminar or exercise), in the course of which the student works on the given topics themselves based on literature and in the group of participants represent and discuss the event.

In addition to participating in the courses mentioned, accompanying self-study is required to achieve the study objectives.

A mentoring program may be offered for the degree program. Mentoring programs are structured measures, particularly at the beginning of the program, with the goal of identifying and alleviating academic and organizational problems early on. Mentoring programs are organized by the professors of the Computer Science program. Staff and students in advanced semesters may be involved in the implementation to an appropriate extent.