Study plan for graduate studies in the Department of Computer Science at TU Kaiserslautern
from 22. 5. 2019
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Aims of graduate studies
3. Admission to graduate studies
4. Study Modules and Types of Impartment of Knowledge
5. Duration and scale of graduate studies
6. Organization of graduate studies
7. Study Schedule
Appendix: Study Schedule
Appendix 1: Graduate Studies course blocks
Appendix 2: Graduate studies time schedule
1. Introduction
This study plan provides information about aims, structure, duration, scale, organization, examinations, scheduled study modules and admission to the graduate studies course for “Computer Science”. It contains suggestions about a sensible order in which to take study modules.
The legal basis for the graduate studies is presented by the qualifying course of studies of the PhD Degree Regulations of the Department of Computer Science dated 5 May 2011 as well as the M.Sc. Degree Regulations of the Department of Computer Science together with the corresponding study plan. The PhD Degree Regulations describe the requirements for acceptance as a PhD student. The graduate studies defined in this study plan describe the organization of the Qualification Studies for B.Sc. degree holders in computer science.
2. Aims of graduate studies
The graduate studies program should enable excellent B.Sc. degree holders in computer science to carry out independent research in a chosen area of computer science. Upon successful completion of the graduate studies course the student is qualified to be accepted as a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science.
3. Admission to graduate studies
In order to be admitted to the graduate studies course the applicant must have an outstanding Bachelor's degree in computer science (§5 Section 3c of the PhD Degree Regulations). The Council of the Department makes decisions about admission and acceptance of the study plan based on the recommendation of PhD board.
4. Study Modules and Types of Impartment of Knowledge
Study modules (modules for short) are offered in the form of lectures, tutorials, seminars and projects. The purpose of the lectures is the interrelated presentation and communication of the basic principles, basic knowledge and the concepts of computer science. During tutorials students learn and practice the application of lecture material by independently solving tasks. The purpose of the seminars is the familiarization with a computer science topic by means of independent reading, the preparation of a written report and the comprehensible presentation of the subject. During projects students use the methods and techniques they have acquired to work in teams on more extensive computer science tasks. Guided research modules prepare for the independent research project to be carried out for the PhD after the completion of the graduate studies.
There are different kinds of lecture modules: theory and formal fundamentals modules, specialization modules, and required elective modules (supplement modules). Theory and formal fundamentals modules provide in-depth theoretical general knowledge. Specialization modules provide in-depth knowledge in the student’s subject area of interest (later PhD subject). Supplement modules broaden skills and in computer science and application areas, resp.
Each study module counts for a number of ECTS credits (cp) depending on its work load. One credit corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work. This includes attendance times, subject preparation and follow up time, time spent doing exercises, exam preparation and examination times.
5. Duration and scale of graduate studies
The regular study time for the graduate studies course is three semesters. The graduate studies course includes study modules and research projects amounting to a total of 90 cp.
6. Organization of graduate studies
The graduate studies course is made up of several blocks: computer science theory and fomal fundamentals, specialization, supplement, and guided research. The computer science theory and formal fundamentals blocks provide in-depth theoretical knowledge, establishing an important foundation for the research projects. The main focus of the graduate studies course is a specialized area which is chosen by the student and must be approved by the advisor as well as the guided research which provides a foundation for one or more research projects. The supplement courses broaden the knowledge in Computer Science and/or other subjects.
7. Study Schedule
The study schedule (see appendix) provides information about the study modules (description, semester hours per week, ECTS credits), how they are related to the blocks and the options available. It also contains recommendations for an appropriate organization of studies. The study schedule is a part of this study plan. Changes are determined by the faculty council and are published on the faculty’s website.
Appendix: Study Schedule
Appendix 1: Graduate Studies course blocks
Computer Science Theory
This compulsory block includes one or more theory modules amounting to at least 8 cp from the master’s degree course „Computer Science“.
Formal Fundamentals
This compulsory block includes one or more fundamental modules amounting to at least 8 cp from the master’s degree course „Computer Science“ or from a chosen application area.
Specialization
This required elective course consists of coordinated specialization modules amounting to at least 20 cp from a subarea of computer science. The modules are compiled individually together with the advisor. They should lead to the state of research and have to be approved by the faculty’s PhD board. One seminar module is mandatory.
Guided Research
This required elective block is made up of research projects and publication modules. The block is compiled individually and must be approved by the advisor and the faculty’s PhD board. Each guided research module (and the associated publication module) must deal with a different topic, which must be shown on the certificate.
Supplement courses
This block serves as an additional qualification in Computer Science or application areas which must be different to the chosen specialization. The modules are compiled individually together with the advisor.
| Graduate studies (summary) | |
|---|---|
| Responsible person | Chair of the PhD board. |
| Educational objectives |
Students
|
| Examination prerequisites | Excellent B.Sc. in computer science. |
| Knowledge prerequisites | Basic knowledge in the chosen area of specialization. |
| Computer science theory | Students choose one or more theory modules amounting to at least 8 cp from appendix 1 of the study plan for the master’s degree course “Computer Science”. |
| Formal fundamentals | Students choose formal fundamental modules amounting to at least 8 cp from appendix 1 of the study plan for the master’s degree course “Computer Science”. |
| Specialization | Students should attain a total of at least 20 cp (including a seminar) from a chosen area of computer science. |
| Guided research |
Students should complete one or more of the below modules amounting to at least 30 cp:
|
| Supplement | Students can choose modules from further Computer Science areas or other subjects of 8 to 24 cp. |
| Exam restriction |
40 out of the overall 90 cp have to be exam grades of lectures on Master's level.
|
Appendix 2: Graduate studies time schedule
| Semester | Computer Science Theory and Formal Fundamentals | Specialization | Guided Research | Supplement | CP |
| 1 |
One computer science theory module. |
20 cp: lectures from a chosen area of computer science |
Projects and publications. |
20 cp: lectures from other areas of computer science |
approx. 30CP |
| 2 | approx. 30CP | ||||
| 3 | approx. 30CP | ||||
| CP | 16 | 24 | 30 | 20 | 90 |