Bachelor's programme in Applied Computer Science

In the life sciences application subject of the bachelor's programme Applied Computer Science, specialized foundations of chemistry, physics, and biology are taught. Interdisciplinary modules build on these basics, dealing with problems including decoding the genome, developing drugs, processing genetic information, and simulating biochemical processes.

Students are given the opportunity to specialize in different areas. Corresponding model study plans are defined for these specializations. In all model study plans, these specializations are deepened in the in-depth internship and in the in-depth seminar. The in-depth internships and the presentation topics in the seminar are individually adapted to the interests and specializations of the students.

The various specializations that are continued in the master's programme and are described below in summary for the bachelor's and master's programmes are:
 

• The training focus on structural biology is justified by the research focus on structural biology in the life sciences. This training plan enables students to specialize in the study of structure-function relationships. One training focus here is the presentation of the various methods for structure elucidation by means of experimental methods as well as the evaluation of the experiments with the help of methods from computer science. Furthermore, various methods of theoretical investigation of structure-function relationships are dealt with. A later field of work in this subject area is application in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in the field of biotechnology (protein design, elucidation of disease mechanisms and their cure).
   
  
• A specialization in the field of experimental bioinformatics enables students to later pursue a career in the field of scientific instrument engineering (software development, instrument control). Here, learning experimental techniques as well as in-depth knowledge in the areas of robotics and embedded systems play a central role.
   
  
• One modern area of bioinformatics is systems biology. In this specialization field, the properties of living systems and how they function are studied in more detail. Various biological subjects play a role here, as students need to understand the function of cells. The simulation of reaction networks is dealt with in the specialization labs. The potential field of work for this orientation is biotechnology, e.g. optimizing substance yields in biofuel production.
   
  
• The specialization drug design focuses on the areas of organic and bioorganic chemistry as well as on the theoretical analysis of these compounds. This specialization should enable computer scientists to give realistic suggestions for possible drugs to synthetic chemists, as well as enable students to theoretically investigate the corresponding compounds and their possible modes of action. The intended field of work is the pharmaceutical industry.
  

In the engineering application subject of the bachelor's programme Applied Computer Science, physical foundations of mechanics and thermodynamics are taught. In addition, it includes basic introductions to various engineering disciplines (electrical engineering, control engineering, production engineering, design theory, measurement technology, process engineering) with interdisciplinary components (e.g. computer-aided design processes or computer-aided design of sensors and controllers).

Computer science applied in the field of engineering is not characterized by special methods; the computer scientist's task here is rather to use "classical" computer science concepts (data structures, algorithms, ...) efficiently to solve problems by taking into account technical aspects of the application area. The essential prerequisite for this is knowledge in the fundamental areas of engineering:
 

• Construction and production
• Energy and process engineering
• Mechatronic components and systems

These foundations are a compulsory part of the bachelor's programme. In addition, students enrolled in the bachelor's programme choose a focus in one of the three areas mentioned (amounting to about 14 credits). The model study plans provide guidelines for this choice.

The application subject business informatics in the bachelor's programme in Applied Computer Science teaches the basics of business administration and business informatics. In addition, it includes introductions to related subjects such as economics and business law. The special feature of business informatics is that computer scientists have the task here of looking at familiar methods and concepts (data structures, algorithms, ...) not only from a technical but also from an economic point of view: Can theoretical solutions also be used in practice? What requirements does a customer or user have of an IT product and how can these requirements be implemented as effectively and efficiently as possible? Do the benefits correspond to the costs?

In order to be able to answer these questions, the application subject Business Informatics offers broad training in the following areas:

• Business Informatics
  
• General Business Administration and Economics
• Commercial law
• Marketing
• Production and logistics
• Technology and innovation management

These foundations are a compulsory component of the bachelor's programme. In addition, students can earn up to 20 credits in in-depth areas. The module concept of the application subject thus presupposes some core elements on the one hand, but on the other hand leaves students a great deal of freedom. The model study plans provide a guideline.

The bachelor's degree is a professional qualification designed to enable graduates to systematically solve problems from the application subjects of biological, engineering, and environmental sciences through the use of computer science methods. To achieve this goal, the degree is divided into three phases, which may overlap in time:
 

• In phase 1 (approx. 1st to 3rd semester), the foundations of computer science, mathematics, and the chosen application subject are taught. This also includes modules that impart basic knowledge in the application subjects without direct reference to computer science.
   
  
• In phase 2 (approx. 3rd to 5th semester), interdisciplinary modules are offered in which the application subject and computer science are integrated. These modules presuppose the basic knowledge imparted in phase 1.
   
  
• In phase 3 (5th and 6th semesters), interdisciplinary work is further deepened and practically applied. The project internship and the bachelor's thesis play a key role here.

Interdisciplinary work is thus primarily carried out in phases 2 and 3. In order to provide students with motivation and orientation in phase 1, an introduction to applied computer science and its application subjects module is offered in addition to the basic modules in the first semester, which provides an overview of the interconnections between computer science and its application subjects.

Another important objective of the bachelor's programme is to provide continuous training in programming and software development throughout the entire degree programme. This training is indispensable for a professionally qualifying degree; every graduate should be able to create software systems systematically and according to plan. The continuous training in programming and software development is ensured through lectures and accompanying labs or tutorials, internships, and the bachelor's thesis.

Examples from the application subjects are presented in the computer science courses to demonstrate the application of computer science concepts. This ensures interdisciplinary education continuously throughout the degree programme.

In the bachelor's programme in Applied Computer Science, one of the three specializations Bioinformatics, Engineering Computer Science, or Environmental Computer Science must be chosen. A special feature of the bachelor's programme is its comparatively high proportion of courses in the chosen application subject. In contrast to other degree programmes, the courses in the application subject already begin in the first semester. This intensive training in the application subject is combined with a broad-based training in core computer science as well as with courses in the field of mathematics.

 
Since a broad range of subject-specific foundations must be taught, only a small proportion of elective modules are offered in the bachelor's programme. The area of mathematics consists exclusively of compulsory modules. In computer science, an elective module is offered for specialization in the 5th or 6th semester. The compulsory modules also dominate in the application subjects. However, different specializations are offered for each application subject, which are described in corresponding model study plans.

Due to the smooth transition between the final phase of the bachelor's programme, which allows students to deepen their knowledge with elective modules to a limited extent, and the initial phase of the master's degree programme, a few modules of the master's programme can already be taken in the bachelor's programme. This option is only opened for master's modules whose level is also appropriate for the final phase of the bachelor's programme. Master’s modules taken in the bachelor's programme may not be counted towards the master's degree; this is ruled out by the examination regulations of the master's programme.

The structure of the computer science curriculum is in line with the GI recommendations. The focus is on practical computer science. The foundations of theoretical computer science are also taught in an independent module. One important objective of the curriculum is to offer continuous training in programming and software development throughout the entire degree programme.

In mathematics, mathematical knowledge and skills are taught that are required in computer science or in the application subjects. This area exclusively contains compulsory modules from applied mathematics that are tailored to the needs of engineers, scientists, and computer scientists (engineering mathematics, numerical mathematics, statistics, mathematical foundations for computer scientists).

Close, interdisciplinary cooperation is a trademark of the University of Bayreuth. It is no wonder then that interdisciplinary training is offered in computer science in particular. After all, you will only be able to successfully solve complex problems, e.g. in biology, using the methods of computer science if you are also familiar with the foundations of the subject area. This means that you will learn to understand the technical language of the chosen focus so that you can then successfully design and implement your application systems.

In Bayreuth, you can choose between three subjects: Bioinformatics, Engineering Informatics, and Information Systems Management. A change within the subjects is possible up to the second semester. The programme leads you to a first professional qualification, the internationally recognized Bachelor of Science, in
six semesters.

If you study Applied Computer Science at the University of Bayreuth, you already take a major of your choice in the first semester. It is still possible to change your specialization up to the second semester.

*ECTS: Credit points according to ECTS. The awarding of credit points according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) supports the international comparability of academic coursework completed at European universities.

** You can only select one application area.

After successfully completing your bachelor's degree, exciting prospects will open up for you in industry, small and medium-sized businesses, or in public administration.

In bioinformatics, you will work in the pharmaceutical industry (drug design), in biotech companies (protein design), or in specialized software companies (e.g. in the development of automated analysis techniques). You can also develop and maintain databases, e.g. for large research institutions, in medical data analysis and in academic research.

In engineering informatics, classical engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or process engineering await you, which would be unthinkable without complex computer applications: for controlling and monitoring technical systems, for production and manufacturing planning, for computer-aided design, for modelling and simulation, etc.

Business Informatics deals with digitization, IT controlling and IT management, or project management. Here, for example, you work in digitization units, in IT departments, in technology management or advising companies and start-ups.

In addition, you can earn a Master of Science in Applied Computer Science or in Computer Science in four additional semesters at the University of Bayreuth.

No special prior knowledge is required for the bachelor's programme, as it builds on the knowledge you gained in high school. In order to close any gaps or to repeat the material, the following preparatory courses should be attended:

• Prep course: Concepts of programming for courses in computer science, mathematics and physics
• Mathematics prep course for teacher education and bachelor's degree programmes in Mathematics and Computer Science

For the contents and dates of the preparatory courses, please refer to the web pages of the Student Administration Office.

As the two preparatory courses unfortunately always overlap in time, we recommend the following:

• If only programming knowledge is missing, then the programming prep course should be attended.
• If only school mathematics knowledge is missing, then the mathematics prep course should be attended.
• If both of these skills are missing, then

- the mathematics prep course is attended in the 1st week and
- the programming prep course is attended in the 2nd week and
- the full mathematics prep course is attended in the summer semester.

Semester 1

• Timetable of the first semester in summer term 2024
  

   We would like to point out that this overview is only intended to make it easier to get started in your studies.

Semester 2

• Timetable of the second semester in summer term 2024
  

   We would like to point out that this overview is only intended to help you get started in your studies. 

Semester 3

• Individually compiled timetables

Semester 4

• Individually compiled timetables

Semester 5

• Individually compiled timetables

Semester 6

• Individually compiled timetables

Detailed information about the Certificate Program can be found here.