Web and Data Science (MSc) University of Koblenz

The Master of Science in Web and Data Science teaches specialised knowledge for analysing data and for designing and developing web and data-intensive systems. Germane to such development and analysis is the understanding of web and data ecosystems as being multi-faceted, governed by technologies, economics, and social interactions of humans, interest groups, companies and governments. This Master's degree qualifies graduates of the programme for independent academic work, lays the foundations for further development of the subject area, and prepares for doctoral studies.

The objective of the curriculum is to achieve a foundational understanding of web and data-intensive systems as being derived from techno-sociological interactions. For this purpose, the programme broadens and deepens competencies in designing and developing web and data-intensive systems, and in automated analysis of data in general and web data (content, links and usage) in particular. The programme also covers the interaction of web and data-intensive systems with legal constraints (e.g. digital rights), group processes (e.g. social network analysis), economic behaviour (e.g. marketing and online consumer behaviour) and political processes on the web (e-participation). The course of studies deepens the ability to formulate problems and undertake the resulting tasks in working teams and promotes qualifications beyond the scope of studies. Furthermore, the aim is for graduates to perform duties independently and take on challenging tasks related to analysing data, generating a data narrative, developing an interactive web presence and developing a web and/or data strategy for companies and governments.

Graduates have deep knowledge about data analysis and visualisation, the development of web systems, web strategies and the development of the web and data ecosystems as a whole. They are able to apply the acquired knowledge of Data Science and Web Science to the formulation and solution of complex problems in research and development in the public sector, ICT industry or research institutions, and to critically question and further develop it. They have acquired various technical and social skills, such as the capacity to abstract, systems thinking, and the ability to communicate and work in teams. They have become familiar with academic work in fundamental research and fulfil the prerequisites for progressing to a doctorate.

The Master of Science in Web and Data Science has a strongly self-determined course of studies. The composition/construction of the course of studies allows students greater freedom of choice and the inclusion of research, which leads to greater maturity as an academic. The interdisciplinary curriculum emphasises computer science, data science and builds bridges to social sciences, economics, studies of the law, linguistics, and mathematics. The courses in the Master of Science in Web and Data Science are taught in English. The curriculum is organised into five module groups:

1. Web Science (three modules) establishes the main idea of web science, web engineering and social networking models. It provides an interdisciplinary primary view of the web and of more abstract web structures.
2. Data Science (three modules) teaches prime concepts of Data Science relevant to Big Data and Machine Learning. It enables the student to learn how to source, analyse and communicate data along with turning analysis into useful insights and use these insights for strategic business plans.
3. Mandatory elective courses in computer science or interdisciplinary subjects (36 ECTS) are further grouped into sub-groups of Mathematical Modelling, Information Management, Business Informatics, Computer Science, and other research-based subjects. This module allows students to choose interdisciplinary subjects to strengthen their web-related management, mathematical and technical concepts.
4. The topic of the Master's thesis can be freely chosen from any web and data science subjects (30 ECTS).
5. Topics for seminars and research lab can also be freely chosen from web and data science subjects. Furthermore, this module group contains a social skills and leadership training (16 ECTS).

A prerequisite is a Bachelor's degree in computer science, computational visualistics, or comparable. In this degree, the areas of practical, technical, and theoretical computer science, as well as mathematics, have to be sufficiently covered by courses. Applicants must have an overall grade equivalent to 2.5 or better according to the German grading system. For more information, please check the official website of the study programme: https://www.uni-koblenz.de/en/degree-programs/web-and-data-science-master-of-science.

Currently approx. 350 EUR per semester, covering contributions to the student services, the student union, and the local public transport ticket

We estimate that students require 992 EUR per month to cover the costs of living (including housing, bills, Internet, food, clothes, study materials, etc.). However, this depends on the individual style of living, the type of housing, etc.

To apply for a study visa, it is often mandatory to show proof of a blocked account of around 11,900 EUR.

There are a number of jobs available at the university (e.g. as student assistants). Students can also find part-time jobs outside the university, e.g. at start-up companies in the technology centre near the campus or in companies in Koblenz and the surrounding area. A basic knowledge of German is helpful when looking for a job.

Preparation of international Master's students for the German job market in the context of the university's DAAD-funded project "FIT4SukCESS", e.g. in the form of workshops on application practices and CV checks

Accommodation is available in student halls of residence or on the private housing market. A certain number of rooms in halls of residence are reserved for incoming international students. Students can contact the International Relations Office for further information on the application process or regarding the search for private housing.

E-mail: accommodation@uni-koblenz.de or international@uni-koblenz.de

The University of Koblenz is one of the youngest universities in Germany — and yet rests on a long-established scholarly tradition. Four profile areas are linked in a unique way: “Education”, “Computer Sciences”, “Culture and Mediation” and “Material and Environment”. These profile areas also provide important impulses for teacher education, which plays a pivotal part at our university. Interdisciplinary cooperation and short distances on campus characterise everyday university life and enable vivid interdisciplinarity and continuous innovation in science.

The University of Koblenz offers a broad range of high-quality study programmes to its over 9,700 students, including around 1,300 international students.

The university sees itself as a driving force in developing a vivid economic and scientific region and is internationally visible and connected at the same time. Its great emphasis on internationalisation is also reflected in the academic and professional as well as intercultural and linguistic support it offers to its international students throughout the entire duration of their studies. With its new DAAD-funded "FIT4SukCESS" project, the university provides international students with tailor-made offers in the four topic areas: "Preparation for Studies", "Study Success", "Employability" and "Labour Market Integration", in order to lead them to academic success and subsequently to a career in Germany.

The university has given itself the motto “continue discovering”. This reflects the incentive and aspiration of all members of the university to constantly question the familiar and the customary in order to arrive at new insights and findings. To this end, the university offers its members the required resources to further develop their studies, teaching and research and to break new ground in transferring ideas, knowledge and technology.

Koblenz is a city with a rich, 2,000-year history. With currently more than 113,000 inhabitants with more than 130 different nationalities, Koblenz is located in one of the most attractive regions in Germany. Its surrounding landscape, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, is honoured as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Together with the metropolitan areas of Frankfurt and Cologne, which are close by, it features many cultural attractions and recreational facilities in combination with moderate living costs, making Koblenz an ideal place to study.