The future is digital! Technology has developed rapidly in the last few decades alone. The processing of complex information in particular plays an enormous role in today's knowledge society. Would you like to help shape digital transformation? Overseeing complex IT systems and developing new software sounds like an exciting task for you? If so, the Bachelor's programme in ‘Computer Science’ is perfect for you.
Through various hardware and software, computer science manages to transmit data in a matter of seconds and to effortlessly connect people all over the world. Also, you can now easily order a wide variety of goods through countless online shops, for example. During your studies, you will not only learn the basics of information processing and different programming languages; the focus is also on logical thinking and understanding basic information technology and mathematical problems. This is why mathematics should not have been one of your problem subjects at school because it is used in every computer science discipline.
Prior knowledge of programming is beneficial, but not absolutely necessary. Many students without computer science lessons at school have already successfully completed their degree with us. The reason: The modules of the first year of study serve on the one hand to orientate you and on the other hand to compensate for previous knowledge, to train programming skills and to acquire basic knowledge and skills in the subjects of computer science and mathematics. You will then delve deeper into these subjects in order to set your own focus towards the end of the Bachelor's programme according to your interests—for example, in the areas of theoretical computer science/algorithmics, information and software systems, intelligent information-processing systems and parallel computing. Thanks to the technical expertise imparted, you will be well prepared to develop the systems and trends of tomorrow after graduation.
By the way: In the seven-semester and more practice-oriented bachelor’s programme “Applied Computer Science”, the application-oriented subjects are addressed in more depth.
Students in class
Image: Sebastian ReuterThe bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. lectures, exercises or internships) are offered for the individual modules.
If you take a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Computer Science’, your field of study will comprise 180 credit points (CP for short; 1 CP = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations)
The study programme comprises modules of the subject computer science, mathematical and scientific-technical basics and interdisciplinary contents.
| 1st semester | 2nd semester | 3rd semester | 4th semester | 5th semester | 6th semester |
| Foundations of Computational Problem Solving (9 CP) |
Object-oriented Programming (5 CP) |
Automata and Computability (9 CP) |
Declarative Programming (4 CP) |
Required elective area* (21 CP) |
Bachelor thesis (12 CP) |
| Linear Algebra (6 CP) |
Algorithms and Data Structures (9 CP) |
System Software (3 CP) |
Experimental Hardware Projects (3 CP) |
Required elective area* (15 CP) |
|
| Discrete Structures I (6 CP) |
Computer Architecture (6 CP) |
Advanced Labs for Computer Science (3 CP) |
Numerical Analysis (6 CP) |
||
| Principles of Computer Hardware (6 CP) |
Basic Calculus (6 CP) |
Introduction to Probability Theory (6 CP) |
Required elective area* (6 CP) |
||
| Minor subject and/or interdisciplinary contents1 (3 CP) |
Discrete Structures II (6 CP) |
Minor subject and/or interdisciplinary contents1 (30 CP) |
|||
Abbreviations: CP = credit points
1 In the area of required elective modules, you can take modules from the fields of algorithms, information and software systems, intelligent information processing systems, and parallel and embedded systems.
2 Minor subjects include Medical Data Science, Geography, Linguistics with a focus on Computational Linguistics / Speech Technology, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, and Economics.
More detailed information can be found in the module catalogue for the study programme [in German]External link.
Thanks to its wide range of lectures and seminars, the University of Jena has prepared me well for professional life. I also got insights into the different areas of computer science. In addition, Jena has numerous medium-sized companies for internships, student traineeships or final theses, which allows you to have direct contact with industry.
Johannes Sengbusch, graduate
Commemorative plaque to the OPREMA computer for optical calculations built by Zeiss
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science is located in the heart of the city—directly on campus at Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2.
Areas of employment for graduates
A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.
More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international
Room 1211
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Room 3329
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Room 3227
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.
Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).
Video chat: To the video chat – Zoom Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb
University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Opening hours:
Information Desk (UHG; Room E0.65)
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)
You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.
Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)
Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena
University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link