FAQ

The Bachelor’s degree course in Computational Engineering is open to admission restrictions. A university entrance qualification (such as the Abitur) is sufficient. You can find the application requirements and application deadlines here.
The Master’s degree program in Computational Engineering is admission-restricted. All information on the application procedure can be found here.

You can find all information about the Bachelor’s program on this page.
All information about the Master’s program can be found here.

You must register online for the Bachelor’s program.
For your application for the Master’s program, you will find information on this page. You can find more information here.

On the Computational Engineering (B. Sc.) degree programme, you start with physics, mathematics and computer science in the first semester. The three subject areas of engineering, computer science and applied mathematics are roughly balanced out at one third each. On the Computer Science (B. Sc.) programme, you only start with computer science and mathematics in the first two semesters. You only have the option of choosing a minor subject from the 3rd semester onwards. Information on this degree programme can be found on the Diversity of Computer Science homepage.

You can find a detailed list of the subjects and the course of study here.
A description of the content of the Technical Application Subjects (TAF) can be found here.
A list of the technical elective modules for the Bachelor’s programme can be found here.
A list of elective modules for the Master’s programme can be found here.

We can recommend the following (non-compulsory) university courses at the start of the programme:

• UNIX preliminary course (an offer of the FSI Informatik)
• Programming internship
• Mathematics revision course

We can also recommend the following (non-compulsory) literature to help you prepare for the start of your studies:

• Computer Science: Saake & Sattler: Algorithms and Data Structures: An Introduction with Java.
• Mathematics: v. Finckenstein et.al: Arbeitsbuch Mathematik fuer Ingenieure: Band I Analysis und Lineare Algebra.
• Engineering Sciences: D. Halliday, R. Resnick, J. Walker: Physics.

The basic and orientation examination is passed if modules from the first year of study (first and second semester) totalling at least 30 ECTS credits have been passed. Selectable modules from the first year of study are:

• • • Algorithms and data structures
    • Computational Engineering I (computer architectures)
    • Computational Engineering II
    • Mathematics for Engineers I A
    • Mathematics for Engineers II A
    • Experimental Physics for Scientists I
    • Experimental Physics for Scientists II

The following rules are particularly important for the modules selected for the GOP examinations:

• • • Each of these modules may only be repeated once if failed and must be passed by the end of the 3rd semester at the latest.
    • A module can consist of several courses. For example, the Algorithms and Data Structures module includes an exercise certificate and a written examination.
    • If you fail an examination, you must take the next repeat examination.

For the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, there are standard study concepts that specify which modules are attended in each semester. In the Bachelor’s programme, all CE students attend the same modules in the first two semesters (GOP). Regardless of which technical application subject (TAF) is taken from the 3rd semester onwards. The technical elective modules (from the 4th semester) are recommendations analogous to the chosen TAF. Changes to the technical elective modules are only possible after consultation with Dr. Roberto Grosso. To find the appropriate courses, times and rooms for the modules in the standard study concept, take a look at the course catalogue in Campo and put together your timetable. In the first semester, the timetable is the same for everyone and is distributed at the introductory event of the Student Council Initiative Computational Engineering (FSI CE), to which every first-year student is cordially invited.standard study concepts are also available for students on the Master’s programme, depending on the TAF selected. A distinction is made between study concepts for consecutive and non-consecutive Master’s students. In contrast to the Bachelor’s programme, Master’s students can choose modules from various compulsory elective areas. The standard study concepts and an overview of the compulsory elective modules (WP) can be found here. If you require specialist advice on the design of your course concept, please contact Dr. Harald Köstler. The courses belonging to the modules with times and rooms can be found in the Campo, where you can put together your timetable.

You can find a description of the available TAFs here.

The decision for a technical application subject should be communicated in writing to the Examination Office during the Bachelor’s degree programme towards the end of the 2nd semester. The individual TAFs are presented beforehand in the ‘Computational Engineering II’ lecture and you must then decide on a TAF. Students on the Master’s programme must already decide on a TAF in their application for a Master’s programme in Computational Engineering.

You can find a list of TAF representatives and their contact details here or here.

Please contact the responsible study advisor.

An overview of all technical elective modules available for selection can be found here.

The ‘Seminar in the Bachelor’s Programme’ is offered for all degree programmes in the Faculty of Engineering. Special seminars for Computational Engineering are listed in Campo in the course and module directory by degree programme.

The ‘Seminar in the Master’s programme’ must be included in a compulsory elective area. Special seminars for computational engineering are listed in Campo in the course and module directory by degree programme.

The modules that can be selected as key qualifications for Computational Engineering are listed in the course catalogue in Campo. The following cannot be selected as key qualifications: English, your own native language and SQ modules from the Faculty of Engineering for non-subject-related students. The choice of key qualification is made in consultation with Dr. Roberto Grosso.

An 8-week industrial placement is part of the Bachelor’s programme. This can be completed in one go or in two parts of 5 weeks each. It is important that engineering-related activities are carried out during the internship. The choice of work placement location is up to the student. The relevant internship offices have lists of addresses of suitable companies. An overview of the relevant internship offices and all guidelines for the industrial internship can be found here.

A good knowledge of English is recommended, as specialised literature is often only available in English. English language skills can be improved during the course of the Bachelor’s programme by attending courses taught in English.
International applicants must pass a German language examination (DSH) at level 2 before starting the Bachelor’s programme, and the Master’s programme can be completed entirely in English, as many modules are offered in English. When writing your Master’s thesis, you can choose between German and English.

• • • If you have registered for an exam, you can cancel your registration up to the end of the third working day before the day of the exam without giving a reason. Please contact the respective examiner.
    • If you wish to withdraw from the exam two working days before the exam or on the day of the exam, you will need a doctor’s certificate. In this case, please contact the Examination Office as soon as possible.
    • If you have already failed to take an examination, you must take the resit examination in any case. If you fail to appear for a repeat examination, you will lose your right to take the examination and will be de-registered.
    • You may repeat examinations that are not part of the basic and orientation examination twice.
    • Further information can be found in the subject examination regulations.

The topics for upcoming Bachelor’s and Master’s theses can be found on the websites and information boards of the respective chairs. A contact person is always listed to provide specific information and answer questions on individual topics. You can also submit your own topic suggestions to a chair that is active in this field of research. You can find a list of the relevant chairs here.

You can write your Bachelor’s thesis at all chairs of the Faculty of Engineering. The Bachelor’s thesis should deal with a scientific topic from the field of computational engineering. You can find an overview of the chairs that offer CE-relevant topics for Bachelor’s theses here.

The Master’s thesis should deal with a scientific topic from one of the specialisations of the CE Master’s degree programme. Supervision is provided by a full-time lecturer from the Faculty of Engineering. The topic is assigned by a full-time lecturer in the chosen compulsory elective subject.

In order to register for the Bachelor’s thesis, you must have already successfully completed modules totalling 100 ECTS credits.
To be able to register for the Master’s thesis, you must have already successfully completed modules totalling 70 ECTS credits. This regulation applies to all students who enrolled before the winter semester 2025/26. New enrolments from the winter semester 2025/26 onwards can register their Master’s thesis with 60 ECTS credits.

Bachelor’s thesis: The topic is assigned by the respective chair or supervisor. Registration takes place via the Examinations Office.
Master’s thesis: The topic is assigned by the respective university lecturer in the chosen compulsory elective subject. Registration takes place via the Examinations Office and registration via Campo is not necessary. All further information can be obtained from your advisor.

The size of the Bachelor’s thesis can differ considerably depending on the topic and approach. The Bachelor’s thesis comprises a written part of approx. 360 hours and a subsequent approx. 30-minute presentation with discussion of the Bachelor’s thesis. The Bachelor’s thesis and the associated presentation are assessed with 15 ECTS points.
The size of the Master’s thesis can vary considerably depending on the topic and approach. The Master’s thesis comprises a written part totalling approx. 810 hours and a subsequent approx. 30-minute presentation with discussion of the Master’s thesis. The Master’s thesis and the associated presentation are assessed with 30 ECTS points.

Bachelor’s thesis: The standard processing time is 5 months in accordance with §27 of the examination regulations and can be extended by one month upon request with the consent of the supervisor.
Master’s thesis: According to §52 of the Examination Regulations, the standard completion time is 6 months and can be extended by two months in exceptional cases. The start date of the completion period can be agreed individually with the advisor, but should be at the beginning of the last semester. The student must be enrolled for the entire period during which the thesis is being written. The examination regulations can be found here.

If a doctor’s certificate proves that it is not possible to complete the Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis due to illness, the completion deadline is suspended.

The form of submission should be obtained from the respective advisor and chair. Usually, two printed bound copies and one electronic copy of the entire thesis and the appendices must be submitted to the examination office by the specified submission deadline. The subsequent assessment of the Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis takes place as soon as possible, but requires a corresponding amount of time due to the scope of a thesis. An average assessment time of four weeks should be expected, but this can vary depending on the department. If the result is required earlier, for example for offices, this must be discussed with the advisor. As a rule, it is possible to obtain a certificate of completion of the thesis.

Each department has its own framework conditions for the preparation of theses. Therefore, please contact the relevant chair for information on Bachelor’s theses. The following standard applies with regard to citation, although the chairs may deviate from this.

The number of sources depends on the topic of the Bachelor’s thesis and the advicing chair. It is not possible to make a generalised statement. Experience has shown that considerably more sources are required than for seminar papers to be completed as part of the degree programme. However, it is not only the number of sources that is decisive, but that the principles of scientific work are fulfilled. This means, among other things, that external statements must be substantiated with sources.

In principle, there are a large number of different sources that can be used for a Bachelor’s thesis. These include different textbooks, collective works, publications in newspapers and journals, all types of electronic publications, legal texts and interviews. The university library and online services such as EBSCO and Google Scholar are recommended as a starting point. It is important that all sources fulfil the scientific requirements of the thesis. In addition, the specific requirements of the topic and the supervisor of the Bachelor’s thesis must be taken into account.

The assessment criteria can be obtained from the respective supervisor. In principle, the following criteria should be taken into account, depending on the focus of the Bachelor’s thesis.
Formal:

• • • Standardised and accurate layout
    • Recognisability and comprehensibility of integrated illustrations etc.
    • Meaningful and reflective use of literature
    • Objective and correct language

Content:

• • • Logical structure that fits the overall concept
    • Appropriate relationship between theory and empiricism
    • Clear, relevant and scientific definition of the problem and objective
    • Suitable, interlinked and coherently argued presentation of the theoretical foundations
    • Relationship between theory and empiricism
    • Objective presentation and interpretation of the research results
    • Summary of the work and conclusion

The Computational Engineering student representatives are committed to the interests of students and offer an extensive student network.

On the following pages you will find event calendars:
announcements of the Friedrich-Alexander-University
calendar of events of the Faculty of Engineering

You can use the following university offers:
Job exchange of the Friedrich-Alexander-University and Internships
job exchange of the Faculty of Engineering