Applied Computer Science

The first study year is characterized by a university-specific offering of disciplinary education that builds on and expands upon the students’ entrance qualifications. Students take introductory modules for a total of 60 CP from the Year 1 area. The Academic Advising Coordinator offers curriculum counseling to all Bachelor students independently of their major, while Academic Advisors, in their capacity as contact persons from the faculty, support students individually in deciding on their major study program.

Applied Computer Science students take the following mandatory modules in the first semester (30 CP)

• CHOICE Module: Introduction to Computer Science (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Programming in C/C++ (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Introduction to Data Science (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Distributed Development (2.5 CP)
• Methods Module: Matrix Algebra and Advanced Calculus I (5 CP)

and the following modules in the second semester (30 CP):

• CHOICE Module: Algorithms and Data Structures (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Introduction to Cyber Physical Systems (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Software Design and Prototyping (7.5 CP)
• CHOICE Module: Distributed Development (2.5 CP)
• Methods Module: Matrix Algebra and Advanced Calculus II (5 CP)

The modules Programming in C and C++ and Algorithms and Data Structures introduce students to imperative and object-oriented programming and basic algorithms and data structures. The Introduction to Computer Science module discusses abstract and concrete notions of computing machines and algorithms, and the representation of information. Students are also exposed to a pure functional programming language. The Software Design and Prototyping module deals with prototyping software, also known as mockup systems. It is complemented by the Distributed Development module that deals with practical aspects of remotely developing software in teams distributed at different physical locations. The module Introduction to Cyber Physical Systems deals with the relations and interfaces of software to computer hardware, embedded systems, sensors and actuators, and networking. Relevant mathematical content is covered in the Matrix Algebra and Advanced Calculus modules and in the Introduction to Data Science module.

In their second year, students take a total of 50 CP from a selection of in-depth, discipline-specific modules. Building on the introductory Year 1 modules and applying the methods and skills students have already acquired so far, these modules aim to expand the students’ critical understanding of the key theories, principles, and methods in their major for the current state of knowledge and best practice.

In Year 2, Applied Computer Science students acquire the following disciplinary and methods mandatory modules (50 CP in total):

• CORE Module: Databases and Web Services (7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Operating Systems (7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Data Analytics and Modeling (7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Software Engineering (7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Artificial Intelligence (7.5 CP)
• CORE Module: Machine Learning (7.5 CP)
• Methods Module: Probability and Random Processes (5 CP)

In the second year, core areas of Computer Science with a high relevance to modern software development are covered in the modules Databases and Web Services, Operating Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. Knowledge in Software Engineering is deepened in the according module. Relevant mathematical aspects are covered in the modules Probability and Random Processes and Data Analytics, where the latter – together with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – also deepens the knowledge related to Data Science. Multiple modules include practical software development aspects, namely Software Engineering, Databases and Web Services, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Machine Learning Tools and Data Analytics and Modeling.

Additionally, the students will take two mandatory “new skills” modules from the university-wide CONSTRUCTOR Track which is dedicated to multidisciplinary content dedicated to methods as well as intellectual skills (5 CP in total) (please also see 2.2.3.5):

• New Skills Module: Logic (2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation (2.5 CP)

The remaining 5 CP must be chosen from the Management Elective area, which includes Management oriented modules that provide basic business and management knowledge.

• Digital Business Models and Functions (5 CP)
• Marketing and Methods (5 CP)

An updated list of all modules in this Elective area will be available in the online course catalogue at the start of the second academic year.

During their third year, students prepare for and make decisions about their career after graduation. To explore available choices fitting individual interests, and to gain professional experience, students take a mandatory summer internship (see 2.2.3.1). The third year of studies allows Applied Computer Science students to take ACS Specialization modules, two new skills modules and two further Management Elective modules (as described in Chapter 2.2.3.3). Finally, the 6th semester is dedicated to fostering the students’ research experience by involving them in a Bachelor thesis project.

As a core element of Constructor University’s employability approach students are required to engage in a mandatory two-month internship of 15 CP that will usually be completed during the summer between the second and third years of study. This gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand practical experience in a professional environment, apply their knowledge and understanding in a professional context, reflect on the relevance of their major to employment and society, reflect on their own personal role in employment and society, and develop a professional orientation. The internship can also establish valuable contacts for the students’ bachelor’s thesis project, for the selection of a master program graduate school or further employment after graduation. This module is complemented by career advising and several career skills workshops throughout all six semesters that prepare students for the transition from student life to professional life. As an alternative to the full-time internship, students interested in setting up their own company can apply for a start-up option to focus on developing their business plans.
For further information, please contact the Student Career Support.

In the third year of their studies, students take 15 CP of advanced ACS Specialization modules to consolidate their knowledge and to be exposed to state-of-the-art research in the areas of their interest. This curricular component is offered as a portfolio of modules, from among which students can select freely during their fifth and sixth semester. The default module size is 5 CP, with smaller 2.5 CP modules being possible as justified exceptions.
Applied Computer Science students take at least 15 CP from the following abridged list of ACS Specialization Modules:

• ACS Specialization Module: Computer Graphics (5 CP)
• ACS Specialization Module: Computer Networks (5 CP)
• ACS Specialization Module: Web Application Development (5 CP)
• ACS Specialization Module: Human Computer Interaction (5 CP)

An updated list of all modules in the ACS Specialization area will be available in the online course catalogue at the start of the third academic year.

Students take 10 CP from the Management area to acquire valuable knowledge in the field of business and management. Modules in this area aim to bridge the gap from software development to marketable software products and to prepare students interested in a management-oriented career track. A broad spectrum of topics is tackled, such as product development, innovation, marketing, leadership, general business, and change management. The following management module is mandatory for all students:

• Management module: Collaboration Software Project (5 CP)

In the collaborative software project, the students deepen their knowledge and skills in one or multiple areas of the first and especially second year. They are exposed to state-of-the-art research with the goal to derive ideas and strategies to address application-oriented problems and to develop software for them. Students learn how to organize and execute an application-oriented research and development (R&D) project. Students are expected to organize themselves in group work under the guidance of the instructor.

Further 5 CP must be chosen from Management elective modules. An updated list of all modules in the Management area will be available in the online course catalogue at the start of the third academic year.

This part of the curriculum constitutes the intellectual and conceptual tool kit, and is designed to cultivate and nurture the capacity for a particular set of intellectual dispositions – curiosity, imagination, critical thought, transferability – as well as a range of individual and societal capacities – self-reflection, argumentation and communication – and to introduce students to the normative aspects of inquiry and research – including the norms governing sourcing, sharing, withholding materials and research results as well as others governing the responsibilities of expertise as well as the professional point of view.

All students are required to take the following modules in their second year as mentioned in 2.2.2:

• New Skills Module: Logic (2.5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Causation and Correlation (2.5 CP)

In the third year, students take two 5 CP modules that build upon previous modules in the track and are partially constituted by modules that are more closely linked to each student’s disciplinary field of study. The following modules are mandatory for all students in the third year:

• New Skills Module: Argumentation, Data Visualization and Communication (5 CP)
• New Skills Module: Agency, Leadership and Accountability (5 CP)

This module is a mandatory graduation requirement for all undergraduate students. The title of the thesis will appear on the students’ transcripts.

Within this module, students apply the knowledge skills, and methods they have acquired in their major discipline to become acquainted with actual research topics, ranging from the identification of suitable (short-term) research projects, preparatory literature searches, the realization of discipline-specific research, and the documentation, discussion, and interpretation of the results.
With their Bachelor Thesis students demonstrate mastery of the contents and methods of their major-specific research field. Furthermore, students show the ability to analyze and solve a well-defined problem with scientific approaches, a critical reflection of the status quo in scientific literature, and the original development of their own ideas. With the permission of a Constructor Faculty Supervisor, the Bachelor Thesis can also have an interdisciplinary nature.