Computer science and sustainability
The degree programme "Computer Science and Sustainability" can be studied at the University of Würzburg as a single-subject Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS).
Computer Science and Sustainability (Bachelor)
Degree programme | |
| Degree/standard period of study | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in 6 semesters |
| Characteristics/ Combinability | 180-point single subject cannot be combined with other subjects |
| Start of degree programme | only possible in a winter semester |
Admission/Application | |
| Admission restriction | admission-free |
| Aptitude test | none |
Concept of the degree programme
Sustainability and environmental awareness are the social issues of the moment and will be the driving economic factors of the future. The Computer Science and Sustainability degree programme, which the University of Würzburg will be offering from the winter semester 2021, takes this into account by focusing on the relationship between people and their immediate environment. The Bachelor's degree programme teaches the most important areas of computer science and at the same time integrates socially and, in particular, economically relevant issues relating to environmental protection and sustainability into the study programme. Graduates of the degree programme will have skills that enable them to understand and evaluate the different thought and argumentation contexts of various concepts of sustainability. What does "sustainability" actually mean? How can the various ecological, economic and ethical aspects be considered together in the development of IT systems so that these systems can be considered "sustainable"? And finally: What can IT contribute from its resources in terms of innovative and problem-orientated approaches in order to come closer to the goal of a more resource-conserving, "sustainable" economy?
To date, there is no comparable degree programme in Germany that not only provides a sound education in computer science - and thus naturally opens up its diverse professional fields to graduates - but also addresses issues that are hotly debated today, whose undeniable social relevance stems from the fact that they can hardly be answered without recourse to certain fundamental value systems and at the same time have a very concrete, direct impact on the reality of our lives. Similar degree programmes usually only look at a specific focus ("IT for sustainability") such as environmental informatics, energy informatics or environmental management. The practical relevance resulting from the integration of interdisciplinary approaches can be seen as a further unique selling point of the degree programme. We are convinced that it will appeal to a new target group that wishes to combine a technical and informatics interest with the endeavour to gain new knowledge and insights in the field of sustainability through interdisciplinary research.
Aims of the programme
The Bachelor's degree programme in Computer Science and Sustainability with a Bachelor of Science degree is offered as a basic and application-oriented degree programme by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg. The programme is interdisciplinary and teaches not only subject-specific skills but also skills in application-oriented areas of sustainability for computer science from geography and biology. The programme imparts in-depth knowledge in the following areas:
- General competences
- Critical reflection and categorisation of scientific findings.
- Written and oral presentation of acquired knowledge.
- Carrying out own scientific and applied projects.
- Writing scientific texts according to professional standards.
- Project and team work.
- Ethics and professional self-image.
- Social, ecological, ethical responsibility for computer science and sustainability.
- Methodological competences
- Methods of algorithmic thinking and working.
- Analytical thinking and ability to abstract.
- Ability to understand and structure complex interrelationships.
- Sound basic knowledge, methodological skills and the development of thought structures typical of computer science.
- Up-to-date knowledge of methods for sustainable IT systems and IT for sustainability.
- Analysis, design and evaluation methods for sustainable IT systems and for IT for sustainability.
- Content-related competences
- Programming, programming methods, algorithms and data structures.
- Software design and software analysis.
- Storing, processing and analysing data in (environmental) information systems.
- Computer networks and information transfer, environmental monitoring with sensors.
- Modelling and simulation for sustainable IT and IT for sustainability.
- Sustainability concepts and evaluations.
- Resource-conscious system engineering and resource limitation of technical systems.
- Establishing interdisciplinary links to fields of application (human-environment relationships, environmental and earth observation, climate, ecosystems).
The Institute of Computer Science, which is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, consists of the following chairs and professorships:
- Algorithms and Complexity (Computer Science I)
- Complexity (Computer Science I)
- Software Engineering (Computer Science II)
- Secure Software Systems (Computer Science II)
- Communication Networks (Computer Science III)
- Computer Vision (Computer Science IV)
- Computer Engineering (Computer Science V)
- Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Systems (Computer Science VI)
- Knowledge-Based Systems (Computer Science VI)
- Robotics and Telematics (Computer Science VII)
- Telematics (Computer Science VII)
- Digital Methods in Modelling and Control of Space Propulsion Systems (Computer Science VII)
- Information Technology for Aerospace (Computer Science VIII)
- Space Technology (Computer Science VIII)
- Human-Computer Interaction (Computer Science IX)
- Media Informatics (Computer Science IX)
- Games Engineering (Computer Science IX)
- Data Science (Computer Science X)
- Machine Learning for Complex Networks (Computer Science XV)
- Didactics of Computer Science (at the Chair of Didactics of Mathematics)
The Computer Science and Sustainability degree programme familiarises students with the most important areas of computer science and teaches multidisciplinary skills in the field of sustainability. The focus is on mastering the way of thinking, working methods and methodology of computer science as well as an overview of the ways of thinking and technical languages of the fields of sustainability, especially from the perspective of biology and geography.
In addition to computer science, the core programme primarily includes mathematics and sustainability. In the specialisation programme, students can choose between two specialisations:
- Sustainable IT with topics on energy-efficient, secure, reliable systems and networks.
- IT for sustainability with topics from the areas of environment, climate and ecosystems.
Knowledge from the following areas is taught for interdisciplinary problem solving.
- Compulsory area "Computer Science and Sustainability"
- Algorithms and data structures
- Programming; software engineering
- Databases
- Computer networks and information transfer
- Modelling and simulation of the environment, ecosystems, climate
- Sustainability and IT
- Sustainability concepts
- Earth and environmental observation with sensor technology
- Storing, processing and analysing data in environmental information systems
- Energy-efficient networks and systems
- Compulsory area "Mathematics"
- Analysis
- Linear algebra
- Statistics and stochastics
- Graphs and discrete optimisation
- Compulsory elective area "Sustainable IT"
- Sustainable IT systems
- Sustainable or energy-conscious programming
- Security and privacy
- Reliability and robustness
- Resource limitation of technical systems
- Compulsory elective area "IT for sustainability"
- Climate change and its consequences, climate protection
- Human-environment relationships
- Climate modelling
- Geographical remote sensing
- Methods of remote sensing data analysis
- Resource management
- Ecosystems
- Ecology
- Possible specialisations
- Specialisation in "Geography" with a focus on climate
- Specialisation in "Geography" with a focus on remote sensing
- Specialisation in "Biology"
- Specialisation in "Sustainable IT" (for the Master's degree programmes in Computer Science, Aerospace Informatics (LuRi), eXtended Artificial Intelligence (XtAI))
On the Institute's website you will find exemplary study plans for different specialisations.
Basic and orientation examination/control examination
In the degree programme described here, a basic and orientation examination (GOP) and/or a control examination is carried out. This means that certain achievements must be completed by the end of certain semesters in order to continue the degree programme. Details can be found in the introductory event at the start of the programme or in § 5 of the subject-specific regulations.
Perspectives and competences
Within the Institute of Computer Science, we would like to train computer science students with multidisciplinary skills in order to develop sustainable IT systems (e.g. energy-efficient "green IT" systems). On the other hand, computer science can lead to problem-orientated and innovative sustainable approaches in areas such as environmental issues: IT for sustainability. The "Computer Science and Sustainability" degree programme provides students with the prerequisites for so-called "T-Shaped Future Careers" in order to work across disciplines with experts from other fields.
The Computer Science and Sustainability degree programme familiarises students with the most important areas of computer science and sustainability in one of the two specialisations. The focus is on mastering the working methods and procedures of computer science and the underlying methods and ways of thinking as well as an overview of the ways of thinking and technical languages with regard to sustainability, the environment and subjects from the compulsory elective areas. After successfully completing the Bachelor's degree programme, students have the following skills:
- the methods of algorithmic thinking and working,
- analytical thinking, abstraction skills and the ability to structure complex interrelationships,
- sound basic knowledge, methodological skills and the development of thought structures typical of computer science, and
- up-to-date knowledge of methods for sustainable IT systems and in IT for sustainability.
There is currently no Master's programme at the University of Würzburg that would specifically continue the topic of "Computer Science and Sustainability". However, graduates of the undergraduate degree programme naturally have options for further study (depending on the specialisation chosen in the Bachelor's degree) in the form of the Master's degree programmes in Computer Science, Aerospace Informatics (LuRi) and eXtended Artificial Intelligence (XtAI).
At the University of Würzburg, there are certificate programmes for students of all subjects that deal with the topics of "Global Systems and Intercultural Competence" and "Sustainability and Global Responsibility". Detailed information can be found on the website of the GSiK project.
The additional study programme Recognising and Preventing the Abuse of Power is also aimed at students from all faculties.
In addition, all JMU Bachelor students can acquire the additional qualification in cultural mediation.
Furthermore, all JMU students who wish to professionalise their museum work can take the additional qualification Understanding and Communicating Living Environments. Historical-anthropological expertise for museums.
Preliminary courses for first-year students take place before the regular start of lectures. The preliminary courses in Computer Science and Mathematics are strongly recommended for first-year students on the Bachelor's degree programme in Computer Science and Sustainability.
After completing the preliminary courses, the MINT Day takes place. On this day, you will receive important information about your degree programme from the respective subject advisors. You will also receive help with organising your timetable. A city rally and a barbecue are also organised. Registration for the preliminary course takes place online, regardless of enrolment.
You can test your skills in the areas of maths, physics and computer science in the online self-assessment.
Successful completion of the Bachelor's degree programme "Computer Science and Sustainability" qualifies students for
- the Master's programme "Computer Science" at the University of Würzburg,
- the Master's programme "Aerospace Informatics" at the University of Würzburg,
- the Master's programme "eXtended Artificial Intelligence" at the University of Würzburg and
- career entry in a company or public institution:
- Computer science and sustainability as well as the associated digitalisation are highly relevant topics in society and business (national, international).
- The professional field includes common methods from the field of computer science with a wide range of career opportunities in almost every industry.
- Computer scientists are in short supply in almost all areas of the economy.
By anchoring sustainability in the degree programme, areas of responsibility arise in particular in environmental protection, environmental management and technology, geography, geology and biology. The professional field includes, for example
- Software development (cloud, server, mobile systems),
- Development of sustainable and economical IT systems,
- Tasks in the field of environmental informatics, environmental management, geoinformatics,
- Consultancy regarding simulation software, data management, sustainability in IT systems,
- administration of networks and systems, IT management and
- IT project management, tasks of a digital officer.
