What is it all about?

The Computational and Data Science degree program combines the strengths of computational science and data science and offers an interdisciplinary profile from mathematics, computer science and a natural science, engineering or economics. While data science focuses on recognizing patterns and developing models by analyzing data, computational science uses existing models to simulate data and make predictions. The combination of these approaches makes it possible to effectively combine data-driven and model-based methods and develop innovative solutions for complex problems in science, industry and business.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

The bachelor's degree program is divided into a compulsory area, which equips you with methods that you can use to classify and solve application problems from the natural sciences, engineering and economics, and a compulsory elective area.

The compulsory section includes the following subjects:

• Mathematical Foundation (32-36 LP) from the fields of analysis and linear algebra provide you with a sound and important basic mathematical knowledge.
  
• Mathematics for Computational and Data Science (33 CP) provides you with knowledge of applied mathematics, e.g. stochastics and numerics.
• Computer Science (33 CP) contains the fundamentals of computer science that are important to you, in particular algorithms, software technology and the fundamentals of artificial intelligence.
• In two one-week Hackathons (4 CP), you will immerse yourself in real issues from science and industry. Together with your fellow students, you will work in a team to develop innovative solutions to the challenges posed. The focus is not only on creativity and specialist knowledge, but also on team spirit and the ability to present results convincingly.
  
• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (6 CP) round off your qualification profile according to your wishes. Be it language courses, presentation techniques or a course on work-life balance. The KIT has a lot to offer you, you decide.
  

In the compulsory elective area, you take the subject Sciences, Engineering, Economics ("SEE subject") with a scope of 32-35 LP and a Specialization with a scope of 21-28 LP.

• In the SEE subject, you choose one of eight profiles. Each profile represents an application discipline. You will learn the basics of this discipline so that you understand the problems and issues of this subject in order to solve them quantitatively using your methodological knowledge of mathematics and computer science. The following profiles are available:
  • Business and Economics
  • Computational Chemistry
  • Computational Earth System Sciences
  • Computational Mechanics and Thermodynamics
  • Computational Physics
  • Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
  • Process Engineering
  • Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• In the Specialization, you can choose between three subject areas:
  • Specialization Mathematics for Computational and Data Science
    
  • Specialization Computer Science
    
  • Specialization Sciences, Engineering, Economics (here the modules depend on your previously selected profile in the SEE subject).
    

You can find a detailed study plan and the modules available in the elective areas in the module handbook.

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to contact the International Students Office early on.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete your bachelor's thesis, an academic paper from your chosen specialization that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It requires independent research, analysis and the composition of a written paper. The maximum processing time is six months.

The Computational and Data Science degree program opens up exciting career prospects in a data-driven world. You can work in various industries: where large amounts of data are collected and analyzed, where complex relationships with many unknown factors are modeled, where processes and products are developed and optimized - you will be in demand everywhere. Thanks to your sound mathematical training, you will also find a solution to complex problems in your day-to-day work.

Big data and artificial intelligence are conquering all industries, products and areas: from the insurance industry to autonomous vehicles or resilient power grids to climate and weather forecasts and much more. As a data scientist, data analyst, AI specialist or machine learning engineer, you analyze large amounts of data, program software and gain valuable insights from data simulations.

The demand for specialists in this field is constantly growing, offering you attractive salaries and a wide range of development opportunities. You will also have the chance to work on innovative projects that shape the future. Interdisciplinary teams value your expertise and you can actively contribute to decision-making in companies. With the right skills and a passion for modeling and big data, you are ideally equipped for a successful career in computational and data science.

Of course, you can also pursue a doctorate at KIT after your master's degree.

Characteristic features of Computational and Data Science B.Sc. at KIT

• with its combination of computational science and data acience, the bachelor's degree program is unique in the German university landscape.

• you will take many modules together with students from the bachelor's degree programs in Mathematics and Informatics or the degree program from which your chosen profile originates. This guarantees a high level of academic quality.
  

• the choice of profiles and specializations allows you to design your studies very individually and focus on mathematics, informatics or an applied subject.
  

• being based at the KIT Department of Mathematics ensures a sound mathematical education.
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Computational and Data Science, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
• Studieninformationstag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.

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