Computer Science

How can anti-virus software be further developed? What is a binary tree? And how can systems be implemented in terms of hardware and software? If you find these questions interesting, you have come to the right place!

Student working on the laptop

Image: Gerd Altmann / Pixabay.com

Key facts

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Admission restriction: without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration: 6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS: 180
Teaching language: German
Tuition fee: None
Semester contribution: € 272,80
Start of studies: Winter semester
Part-time possible: Yes
Institutions: Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science; Institute of Computer Science

Application & Deadlines

Programme content

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.

Video: Birgitta König-Ries

Structure

Students in class

Image: Sebastian Reuter

The 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.

How might your degree programme shape up?

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^*(21 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.

Why study in Jena?

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)

Close cooperations: The Institute of Computer Science maintains close personnel and content-related cooperations with companies in the high-tech sector in Jena, Thuringia and Germany as well as with companies operating worldwide. Additionally, it closely cooperates with non-university, industry-affiliated research institutions in and around Jena.
Full of tradition: A short trip back in history! The logician and developer of the first formal languages Gottlob Frege taught at the University of Jena—supported by the physicist Ernst Abbe. By the way: The first computer of the former GDR, the OPREMA (from the German ‘Optik-Rechenmaschine’), a computer for optical calculations was built in Jena in 1955 by VEB Carl Zeiss Jena. Based on the above history, our University later got its own institute for computer science in the reunified Germany.
Excellent research: The main research areas of theoretical computer science in Jena are algorithms and data structures as well as logic and complexity theory. The research de in logic and complexity theory is more focused on the foundations of computer science. The area of theoretical computer science in Jena is involved in various national and international research projects.

A look behind the scenes

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Welcome!

The Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science is located in the heart of the city—directly on campus at Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2.

What can you do after your studies?

Areas of employment for graduates

software and device development at IT manufacturers
development of standard and application software at software companies and IT users
consulting in service companies
research and teaching at universities and industrial institutions (usually with a Master’s degree)
administration, service and support
web development and web programming
marketing and sales

Postgraduate master’s programmes at our University

Bioinformatics Master of Science
- Faculty of Biological Sciences
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Business Administration for Engineers and Natural Scientists Master of Science
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
Business Information Systems Master of Science
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
Computational and Data Science Master of Science
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
Computer Science Master of Science
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

All degree programmes

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

basic knowledge in computer science
a good understanding of mathematical thinking
logical thinking
interest in solving complex problems with a logically structured approach

Admission requirements

University entrance qualification

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.
Language requirements

Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international

Contacts

Academic Advisor – Dr Jörg Vogel

Room 3314
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 1-2
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Examinations Office of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science

Room 3329
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Tutor — Jonathan Schäfer

jonathan.luiz.schaefer@uni-jena.de

Student Representatives Computer Science

Room 3227
Ernst-Abbe-Platz 2
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Central Student Advisory Service

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: Zoom – Video chat Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 183 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
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

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

incoming@uni-jena.de