What is so special about the Computer Science degree programme?

In contrast to the specialized Computer Science and Media programme, the Computer Science degree programme covers the full range of topics. In addition to the usual courses on programming, software technology, computer structures, operating systems, and databases, here in Nuremberg, we also place emphasis on information security, computer communication, and software architecture.

What is so special about the Information Systems and Management degree programme?

Information Systems and Management forms the bridge between Computer Science and Business Administration and deals with operational application systems in the wider sense. In line with this, this course aims to make students competent in both the business and technological aspects of this field. Students can, to a certain extent, choose to focus more on one particular discipline. Information Systems and Management at Nuremberg Tech is very similar to the Computer Science programme in terms of its orientation. It focuses on Enterprise Resource Planning systems, for which some of the courses use SAP software for practical exercises.
In later semesters, students deepen their knowledge of Information Systems and Management.

Which is the most difficult, Computer Science, Computer Science and Media or Information Systems and Management?

The degree programmes are roughly similar in terms of difficulty. However, the difficulty experienced naturally depends on your talents and interests. Many of the practical Computer Science courses are common to all the programmes, for example, programming. In Computer Science and Media, students specialize more heavily in media, which requires a creative side as well as a large amount of computer science knowledge. The Information Systems and Management degree requires a business mindset along with the technical knowledge.

Which requirements do I have to meet?

There are both formal and personal requirements.
These degree programmes are subject to admissions restrictions (numerus clausus). The minimum GPA is determined each year depending on the pool of applicants. Prospective students need to apply to the Student Office with their university entrance qualification and will be offered a place, as the case may be. For your studies to be successful, you must, above all, be interested in the degree programme and the technical content. Furthermore, university degrees also require personal requirements, which you will find here. From experience, we know that good grades in maths, as well as German and English, are particularly good indicators for success in computer science degrees. Maths is important because developing software requires abstract and precise thinking. German and English are important because students studying Computer Science degrees usually work in teams and must communicate both verbally and in writing, and often in English. Naturally, students should also be open and communicative. An aptitude for art and design and the skillset to match are definitely a plus for the design-oriented subjects of Computer Science and Media, but not a requirement to study this degree programme.

How long do the degree programmes last?

A bachelor’s degree programme lasts 7 semesters.

Exactly what courses will I be studying?

A large number of the courses are part of the mandatory programme. Exact details of this are given in the degree programme overview. A description of the individual courses under the mandatory programme can be found in the module handbook.

In addition to the mandatory programme, students may also choose (subject-specific) required electives in the sixth and seventh semesters. These give students an opportunity to specialize and deepen their knowledge within their degree programmes. Unlike the mandatory programme, a new range of (subject-specific) required electives is set for each study year. As the Computer Science and Media degree programme only began in winter semester 2009/2010, this offer is not currently available for Computer Science and Media.

Provisions have been made to allow students to take subject-specific required electives from the Computer Science degree programmes. Therefore, it is worth taking a look at the required electives on offer there.

What language will the courses be delivered in?

The language used is German. Individual courses are delivered in English.

When can I register?

Students’ first study semester must be in the winter semester.

To apply for a study place, please contact the Student Office.

Where can I get further information?

For technical questions, please contact the Faculty’s student counselors. The Student Counseling Service can advise you on any questions about qualifications or alternatives to the Computer Science degree programmes. Finally, the Student Office is your point of contact for applying for a study place and will support you during your studies.

The University’s Information Days, which take place each year at the end of September, are a regular opportunity to gather information and ask questions.

Where can I direct any questions I may have?

What do the degree titles “Bachelor’s” and “Master’s” mean?

On completing their studies, graduates are awarded the academic title Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.).
The Bachelor’s and Master’s degree titles are commonly used, especially in English-speaking contexts. The English names for the degree programmes are: Computer Science (Informatik) and Information Systems and Management (Wirtschaftsinformatik). The diploma supplement and credit points make it easier for students to transfer to universities outside of Germany.
The 7-semester study programme is largely at the same level as our previous 8-semester Diplom degree programmes. Coursework in each module is allotted ECTS points. In this way, we are creating the best conditions for a successful transition to a career and offering the opportunity for potential higher qualification.

Is the degree programme accredited?

The degree programmes are accredited.

The accreditation for

• Information Systems and Management
• Computer Science
• Computer Science and Media

was granted by the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute ACQUIN.

Software developers for image processing in medical engineering

Background:

X-ray images are now often taken digitally and processed using computer systems. Other medical procedures, such as X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound devices generally work with computer-based processes to control the devices, and record, store, and display the medical images. 
The software systems used for this are complex and they are expensive to develop as a result. The market for medical systems will continue to develop in future and new processes will give us access to better and yet affordable investigative methods.

Task:

The majority of imaging system software components are used to load or save, transform, display or send or receive, via computer networks, image data at various processing stages. This requires an in-depth understanding of the content of this image data, the aspects of its quality, the data quantity, and data rates. For example, a radiology workstation enables a doctor to display and examine images captured using a screen and then draw up a report on the examination findings. Here, the display quality must be perfect, and it must be possible to interpret the images securely and efficiently. 
This includes, for example, incorporating any labels and graphics into the images to show the name of the patient and the location in the body where the image content was captured. Further professional advancement often leads to the systematic definition of the requirements of software systems, software and software architecture design or project management.

Qualification:

During their studies, students taking Computer Science and Media learn all the important aspects of digital images. They are taught the common methods for processing and analyzing images and the algorithms for generating text and graphics that can be used to label images in a medical setting. Advanced processes make it possible to display data volumes three-dimensionally or even stereoscopically or use time-based animation as in films. 
Computer Science and Media graduates are therefore ideally qualified for jobs as software developers for all stages of image processing. Graduates can immediately use the skills learnt in designing human-oriented graphic user interfaces to design and implement control systems for medical systems. 
Furthermore, the basic training in practical computer science guarantees that Computer Science and Media graduates can work equally well on software components that are not image based, for example managing patient data in databases.

Software developers for human-machine interfaces in vehicles

Background:
In modern vehicles, drivers have an enormous range of functions
to choose from. A whole series of additional components that primarily
provide comfort and entertainment, as well as safety for passengers,
are part of new vehicles as standard today. This includes complex
entertainment electronics, navigation systems, phones with
hands-free set up, air conditioning, and on-board computers.  More recent developments
also include lane-keeping assist systems, automatic
detection of road signs and analysis of the driver’s
attention using video footage. The range of control and
interaction options is no longer accessed in the traditional way via
switches and controllers with fixed individual functions.
Vehicle manufacturers and companies in the accessories industry are therefore making
extensive investments and efforts to work on human-machine interfaces that intuitively
provide drivers with the range of control options, but which are at the same time designed
to create as little distraction as possible when driving the vehicle. The driver’s
view should remain focused on traffic as far as possible.
They should ideally be able to have both hands on the
steering wheel when driving. Although it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, mechanical
controllers in the central console or touchscreen operation are now mainstream,
with mechanical input options often combined with
voice recognition as standard. 

Task:
To develop human-machine interfaces for vehicles,
information from various input modalities must be brought together,
assessed and implemented in the form of a suitable reaction by the system.
Developing such processes requires precise knowledge
of the recording, digitalization, and preprocessing of sensor data
(especially voice recognition, video image processing) and an overview of the
algorithms used to categorize and analyze sensor data.
Furthermore, this often requires a visual and acoustic response
to user inputs, making good knowledge of synthesizing
multimedia content necessary. In addition, ergonomic and
design factors in the development of
human-machine interfaces for vehicles are also of fundamental importance.

Qualification:
The Computer Science and Media course prepares students for the essential
aspects of developing multimodal control interfaces. One of the
core aspects of this degree programme is the knowledge that students will acquire about
analyzing and synthesizing digital media such as audio or
video data streams. Multimodal user inputs are assessed using
methods from the field of media analysis and pattern detection, while
knowledge of methods in the field of media synthesis is used
to generate a system reaction. Furthermore, the Computer Science and Media programme
also teaches a wide range of content that covers design and ergonomic aspects
of developing human-machine interfaces. As a specialized
computer science programme, this course also provides students with an
in-depth understanding of programming and software development
that is indispensable for the task described above.

Are the bachelor’s degree programmes eligible for BAföG grants?

Please contact Student Services (Studentenwerk) for information on this.

What is the easiest way to get to the Faculty of Computer Science?

On public transport, you can reach the Faculty building located at Hohfederstrasse 40 from the central train station in 7 minutes using tram line 8 (VGN).
Although the Faculty of Computer Science is easily accessible by car, parking is limited.
Many students and employees travel in by bike.

(see Contact - Location Hohfederstrasse)

What is it like to study in Nuremberg?

[Written by the Faculty of Computer Science:]

“Student life in Nuremberg is particularly noteworthy due to the many different benefits it offers. Thanks to its diversity, Nuremberg has something to add a little extra quality of life for all tastes. It is one of the greenest cities in Germany, considerably less expensive than comparable metropolitan areas and, last but not least, one of the safest cities in Europe.

Another plus is the central university campus, with each building just a few minutes’ walk away. The location of the campus is ideal: five minutes from the old town, one minute from the Stadtpark with its beer gardens, which invite you to soak up the sun during the summer months, and three minutes from the underground and tram stations.

The student halls of residence are all around the city and are rarely more than a 10-minute cycle ride away. Along with all its sporting facilities, Nuremberg is also home to the largest cinema in Germany and, come the evenings, ensures students are never bored thanks to its interesting and diverse range of pubs.
And for those who love to party, Nuremberg’s club scene and the weekly student parties are a great place to meet new people quickly, which, with over 20,000 students, is not difficult in Nuremberg.

Nuremberg is not only known as a high-tech location within Bavaria; the region’s economic infrastructure is also a very appealing prospect for budding computer scientists. Companies such as Siemens, MAN, Adidas, Puma, and many more have their roots here and are more than willing to work with students.

The city also has a lot of culture on offer. Its opera house, playhouse, and theatres all offer an appealing variety of performances. Art lovers should pay a visit to some of the numerous museums and exhibitions, including the Germanisches Nationalmuseum museum of cultural history, the Spielzeugmuseum toy museum, and Albrecht Dürer’s House.

The city has very good transport links thanks to its ICE train services, airports, and A9, A73, and A3 motorways.

Nuremberg is certainly worth a visit, and will convince you in no time at all that it is a truly liveable city.”

What is the housing market like in Nuremberg?

Small and affordable accommodation can be found near to the university. As the university is not far from the city center on foot, this makes for a doubly good location.

The Student Services (Studentenwerk) can also offer affordable accommodation and rooms nearby. Some of the halls of residence are known for their legendary parties.