Annual Report 2007/2008 - Fachgruppe Informatik an der RWTH ...

favoured) while no deeper knowledge of a specific programming language or industrial
experiences are required. During the study, good english knowledge is essential.
Overall structure
The curriculum is split into two parts. Stage I (Vordiplom) covers semesters 1 to 4 while
stage II (Hauptdiplom) covers semesters 5 to 9.
Stage I (Vordiplom)
The technical and methodical basic knowledge in computer science is taught over approx.
80 semester hours in total. The pre-degree examination, which extends over five individual
exams, is passed study-attendant and comprises the topics compute science I (programming,
data structure), computer science II (computer structures, system programming), computer
science III (theoretical computer science), mathematics I and II as well as one subsidiary subject.
Practical course or practical training certificates are the precondition to an examination
allowance. Normally, the examination is done in the form of a written test.
Stage II (Hauptdiplom)
Advanced knowledge concerning computer science and the subsidiary subject is acquired
over approx. 75 semester hours. A specialization is necessary into one post-graduate study.
Together with the theoretical and the practical computer science as well as the subsidiary
subject it builds the four majors of the oral examination. In addition, four practical course or
practical training certificates are to be provided and a written diploma thesis is to be made.
Study courses
The study courses can be chosen among: business administration, biology, chemistry, electrical
engineering, production engineering, mathematics, medicine, physics and psychology.
Other study courses, if offered at the RWTH Aachen, may be chosen upon approval by the
examination committee.
Post-graduate studies
These correspond to the main research directions in the computer science department. Possible
topics are amongst others: parallel algorithms, programming languages, software techniques,
data communication and distributed systems, databases and information systems,
26