Module Handbook
Computer Science Master 2025 (Master of Science (M.Sc.))
SPO 2025
Summer term 2025
Date: 16/04/2025
KIT Department of Informatics
KIT – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association www.kit.edu

Introduction

The module handbook is the official guide for students regarding their academic progress and program of study. It describes the modules and the corrsponding exams. It also explains their interdependencies, for example the need to pass one module before taking another. For each module its content and the qualification goals are provided. Furthermore, the module handbook explains the means of measuring academic success, such as the type of exam or course work (in German: "Studienleistung") the students must pass. The scope of each module is indicated by credit points (CP), which are credited after the successful completion of the module. CP = ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) = Leistungspunkte in German (LP).

The course catalog (in German: "Vorlesungsverzeichnis", https://campus.studium.kit.edu/events/catalog.php) complements the module handbook and provides up-to-date information on various event data (e.g. time and place of the course) for each semester.

Every semester the module handbook is updated. The new module handbook is available about a month before the semester begins. Prior to that students can refer to the current module handbook but should expect changes, especially with elective modules.

The most important information regarding modules is:

The purpose of this introduction is to give an overview of the study program in computer science at KIT and provide additional regulations, not specified in the Study and Examination Regulations (in German Prüfungsordnung). It provides students with a more well-rounded idea of the requirements of the modules and their field of study. It also gives information on elective modules, study minors and interdisciplinary qualifications (= soft skills), helping the students to make a more personal plan of study, taking into consideration factors like the turns of the modules.

Program and Qualification Profile

The Master of Science in Computer Science continues the education and development of the scientific competences that the students have acquired during their Bachelor program of study. The Master Program of Study provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for scientific work and research. The program stands out due to the variety and broad range of the courses. This Master Program of Study is structured to provide well-grounded and a broad based education at the same time. Students are required to take two graduate specializations. The program offers a wide variety of specializations in computer science areas including Theoretical Foundations, Algorithm Engineering, Cryptography and Security, Parallel Computing, Software Engineering and Compiler Construction, Design of Embedded Systems and Computer Architectures, Telematics, Anthropomatics and Cognitive Systems and Robotics and Automation.

The core focus of the program is the two graduate specializations. For each specialization, students have to select courses of at least 15 ECTS. For a comprehensive education the program offers a broad variety of compulsory courses. Students must also select a minor in a related interdisciplinary field (minor studies). Key competences such as social and teamwork skills are also mandatory (key competences).

Graduates of the Master of Science in Computer Science are equipped with essential skills:

Additional certficates within the Master's program

The KIT Department of Informatics offers eight different certificates within the Master's program. The Master Computer Science can be completed with or without a certificate. The regulations for completing a certificate are ment as guidelines for structuring the study plans, no additional effort should be necessary. The study and examination regulations for the Master's degree program apply unchanged, when students aim to achieve a certificate. Certificates are awarded at the end of the studies in addition to the Master's certificate in computer science, e.g. “Master of Computer Science with an IT Security profile”. An overview of the certificates and the associated guidelines and regulations can be found at: https://www.informatik.kit.edu/english/9378.php

Modularization of computer science studies

The Computer Science program has a structure based on modules. A module may consist of several courses or only one course. Modules themselves are classified into ten areas of specialization. The module hand book only contains those areas of specialization, that can be studied completly in english. For further areas of specialization, you may refer to the german module hand book of "Master of Science in Informatik". The structure of the Master Program of Study is:

Further constraints students must fulfill are: