Master of Science in International Software Systems Science University of Bamberg

Software is the driving fabric behind many of the technological advances that enrich our everyday lives at home, at work and in public. More and more important tasks in government administration, industrial production, health care, public transport, etc., are put into the "digital hands" of mobile and networked computer systems. The underlying software must be extremely reliable and constructed according to the highest standards.

The Master's degree programme in International Software Systems Science enables you to specialise in all tasks required for analysing, designing and developing large, networked software systems with innovative methods. The programme is informed by current trends in industry and research, and relays advanced knowledge on the architecture, development and analysis of modern software by teaching state-of-the-art techniques and methods in complex software engineering for functionally predictable and secure distributed and mobile software systems.

The Master's degree programme imparts a broad variety of expert foundational knowledge and helps you gain insights into several application domains. Regarding foundations, the modules cover advanced software and data engineering methods; state-of-the-art networked, distributed and mobile software technologies, privacy and security; novel techniques for analysing and verifying complex software; operating systems engineering; and data and systems engineering. The application domains dealt with in the programme range from IT management, energy-efficient systems, smart environments, human-computer interaction, cognitive systems, and AI to computing in the cultural sciences and social networks.

We offer a large number of elective modules so that you can individualise your studies according to your interests. You can choose to specialise in one of four focal areas: distributed and mobile systems, software analysis and verification, service-oriented architecture, or communication systems and protocols. You will also have the opportunity to work on hands-on projects, either individually or in teams, and to acquire valuable subject-specific English language skills.

Student projects, an optional study abroad period and/or an optional internship in an international context broaden your perspectives, strengthen your team aptitude and help you gain valuable experience. This will equip you with all skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as a highly valued software expert in the dynamic IT industry, or as a skilled researcher in international laboratories in industry or at a university.

The language of instruction throughout the entire programme is English.

The Master's degree programme builds on a prior six-semester Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in Software Systems Science or a closely related field of study such as informatics, computer science, software engineering, or computer engineering. The programme comprises 120 ECTS and lasts at least four semesters. The ECTS credits are awarded within the following five thematic module groups:

Software Systems Science (36-54 ECTS)

You will attend advanced-level modules in foundations of computer science, communication systems and computer networks, mobile software systems, privacy and security, software technology and programming languages, operating systems engineering, AI systems engineering. This module group offers up to 18 ECTS of electives for specialisation.

Electives in Domain-Specific Software Systems Science (0-18 ECTS)

"Domain-Specific Software Systems Science" comprises optional advanced-level modules from applied fields of computer science related to software systems science, such as applied data analytics, energy efficient systems, smart environments, human-computer interaction, information visualisation and social networks, and more.

Seminar and Project (9 ECTS)

You will attend a seminar and complete a project to deepen your understanding of the topics covered by the module electives. The topics addressed in the seminar and project highlight specific issues in the areas of computer science, applied computer sciences and information systems related to software systems science. In the seminar, you will conduct independent literature research, deliver an oral presentation and write a short scientific essay. In the hands-on project you have the opportunity to practice your know-how individually or in teams.

International Experience (27 ECTS)

"International Experience" comprises an optional semester abroad and/or internship in an international company or research institute. Where the credits earned from a study abroad semester and/or an internship do not make up 27 ECTS, further modules from Software Systems Science or Domain-Specific Software Systems Science must be selected. Credits from foreign language modules may also be included.

Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

In the Master's thesis, you will conduct independent research leading to a written dissertation on an advanced topic related to software systems science. This individual work is proposed and supervised by a member of the faculty's academic staff.

Through the choice of elective modules, the seminar or project and the Master's thesis, one of the following four areas of specialisation can be formed and documented in your final degree certificate:

- Distributed and Mobile Systems
- Software Analysis and Verification
- Service-Oriented Architectures
- Communication Systems and Protocols

Students may conduct an internship of at least ten weeks, or 360 working hours, which obtains 12 ECTS credit points towards the study programme. The faculty's Career & International Centre will assist students getting in contact with suitable companies, writing internship application letters and provide mentoring during their internship period.

Admission to the Master's Programme in International Software Systems Science is granted to applicants who have completed at least the equivalent of a three-year (180 ECTS) Bachelor's degree in Software Systems Science or a closely related field at a university or equivalent academic institution of higher education. The qualifying Bachelor's degree must have been passed with a grade of 2.0 or better on the German grading scale (or equivalent).

A closely related Bachelor's degree, as a rule, must cover at least 115 ECTS credit points worth of modules in computer science and software engineering, including a Bachelor's thesis in one of these fields or in applied computer sciences. The required 115 ECTS must contain at least

• 34 ECTS in mathematical foundations and theoretical computer science (such as propositional and predicate logic, linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, automata theory and formal languages, formal software verification, cryptography)
• 33 ECTS in programming languages, algorithms and data structures, object-oriented modelling and software engineering
• 36 ECTS in the fields of database systems, computers and operating systems, information security, distributed systems, data communication, interactive systems or mobile systems
• 12 ECTS in the field of mathematics or computer science

Applicants for the International Software Systems Science Master's programme with a qualifying degree from outside the Lisbon Convention and whose final mark of the qualifying degree is less than 1.5 (German grade), require a Graduate Record of Examination (GRE) General Test (institution code 1563) or a Graduate Aptitude Test (GATE).

The grades in the GRE must be at least 153 in Verbal Reasoning, 164 in Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 in Analytical Writing. The GATE Test Score must be at least 500 points.

Students whose home institution is Bamberg must pay a regular contribution for the administrative costs at the university (123 EUR per semester at present). There are no additional tuition fees during the student's stay at the host institution. A "Semesterticket" for public transport in the city of Bamberg is included (more information here).

Bamberg is still one of the cheaper student cities. In 2021, the average rent was 410 EUR per month (source: 22nd Social Survey of the German Studierendenwerk). Since then, rents and, above all, energy and heating costs have risen sharply, so the cost of an apartment is likely to be higher.

EU students may have a job while studying at Bamberg. Non-EU students may work for a maximum of 120 days or 240 half days per year. Employment adding up to more than 120 days requires a work permit. The faculty has no facilities to guarantee students can find a job and students should not rely on getting a job when budgeting for their stay.

Qualified candidates may apply to join research groups as student tutors or student research assistants.

The Career & International Centre of the faculty acts as an information hub for students and provides first contacts with companies.

Bamberg's housing market has changed considerably in recent years. The demand for private accommodations is quite high, and rent prices continue to increase. The common trend seen in many cities, and particularly in university cities, is now quite apparent in Bamberg, too.

It is thus advisable to begin looking for a flat as early as possible and to be patient, as the process can take quite a while. It also pays to check listings in the local newspaper (Fränkischer Tag), submit an announcement that you are looking for accommodation, or explore the numerous online housing portals.

www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/living-in-bamberg/

Since the founding of the University of Bamberg in 1647, it is the people who have been its top priority. The close proximity of students and instructors provides for excellent advisory services, personal communication and interdisciplinary studies.

The University of Bamberg, with about 10,500 students, is among Germany's medium-sized universities. The university currently offers roughly 100 programmes at the Bachelor's and Master's level.

The university’s main areas of academic focus lie in the humanities, social sciences, economics, business administration and human sciences. These are rounded out by numerous programmes in application-oriented computer science. The premises of the four faculties are concentrated in three main locations that are easily reached by bicycle or via the local network of bus routes.

One of the University of Bamberg's main strengths is its commitment to a focus on international studies. The university’s International Office maintains exchange programmes with approximately 350 universities in nearly 60 countries worldwide.

There are currently about 1,950 foreign students from 100 countries enrolled at the University of Bamberg. The range of courses offered at the university reflects this focus on international studies. Degree programmes in fields like international business administration and management, European economic studies, or the joint Master’s degree in English and American Studies all require that students spend up to one year studying abroad. Furthermore, international students receive a great deal of support outside the classroom.

In order to help visiting students from around the globe become better integrated and acquainted with daily life, the International Office organises a tandem programme that brings together local and foreign students.

The university's international guests also have the opportunity to participate in an extensive programme of excursions and events meant to present a broader experience of life in Germany, even beyond the city of Bamberg. An international "Stammtisch" provides students with the opportunity to socialise and share experiences.

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https://www.uni-bamberg.de/en/studies/living-studying/

Located in Northern Bavaria, it is easy to travel to and from Bamberg using many different means of transport. For those travelling by car, the city can be reached from all directions via the A70 and A73 motorways. Bamberg's railway station is also a stop on the ICE line between Munich and Berlin, which means that both cities can be reached in about two and a half hours without changing trains. Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, is approximately 45 minutes away by train, and its international airport provides flights to destinations worldwide.

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