Study Programmes

Media computer science is an interdisciplinary study that addresses the various aspects of information processing in the context of Digital Media. Application-oriented computer science and mathematics form the scientific basis of this study, which is complemented by expertise from the following fields: psychology and perception, media management, media design, and media culture. All these fields are concentrated at the Media Faculty of the Bauhaus-Universität, making Weimar a unique place for education and research in media computer science in Germany. A noteworthy characteristic of our study programmes are the projects, where small groups of students, assistants, and professors work together on actual and challenging research questions.

Media systems are systems having an influence on the media. Computer-based systems have pervaded the media industry in the last years. Such systems are used in all stages of production and broadcasting, and are developed at a very fast pace. Developers of such rapidly developing systems need solid foundations in Science and Technology, and need to be able to communicate with designers, journalists and producers to understand the needs of their users.

The Media Systems Study Programme has been conceived to serve this need. It teaches scientific and technical subjects but integrates them with cultural sciences, design and economics so as to allow the understanding and dialogue with the other professions in the media. The kernel subjects taught extends from system modeling, to communication and networking, to psychology and perception, to media law and economics, to the foundations of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science. Such scientific foundations are necessary to enable technical and analytical competence for current developments in media systems. In the senior year the study programme is based on project work: students work in Labs at the current research activities of the Faculty.

Global aim of the study programme is to educate students so that they get used to autonomous thinking, and so that they are capable of working in teams at the conception and development of innovative systems. The field of work of Media Systems graduates ranges from Research and Development for the media, multimedia and telecommunication industry to work in research centers all over the world.

The study programme is organized in Modules and totals 180 credit points in the ECTS system. Modules taught encompass 134 credits and include:

• Media Systems, Physics and Electrical Engineering
• Mathematical Foundations: Analysis, Linear Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Statistics
• Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Languages
• Algorithms and Complexity
• Operating systems, Parallel processing
• Databases, Web Technologies
• Man-Machine Interaction, Perceptual Psychology, Design
• Computer Graphics, Visualization and Audio Processing
• Media Economics and Media Cultural Studies.

Following the Bauhaus-University tradition of project based teaching, starting from the fourth semester, students have to earn additional 46 credits in project modules done mostly in the Research Labs of the Faculty. This means that approximately 25% of the study programme time is spent on practical work.

The Bachelor of Science in Media Systems has been accredited at the German National Accreditation Authority ACQUIN.

Course graduates acquire a sound knowledge of the rapidly changing world of media technology. They shape the future of digital media by conducting innovative research and development based on the clear understanding of the needs of IT-users.

In detail the following subject areas are covered by eight internationally renowned professorships: information visualization, innovative display technology, human-computer interaction, virtual and augmented reality, 3D-modeling and animation, computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), ubiquitous computing, messaging systems, distributed and intelligent information systems, information retrieval and data mining, Web technologies, media security, psychology of perception, mathematics for media applications.

The modular structure of the study programme and the high proportion of project work encourage students to develop an individual study program, e.g. to pursue specialized topics or to broaden their interdisciplinary knowledge. Most courses are offered in English and it is possible to complete the Master without taking any German classes. Basic English is spoken nearly everywhere, since the historic city of Weimar attracts many visitors from all over the world. However it is useful to acquire some knowledge of the German language to simplify your daily life.

The regular study duration for Media Systems Master Studies is four semesters and the degree Master of Science is awarded. Admission requires a prior academic university qualification in a technical or scientific subject area with media relevance, e.g. media technology, media informatics, computer science, or electrical engineering. Our graduates work in the media, multimedia, and IT industries as well as in research institutes and universities. Several graduates have gone on to found innovative startup companies, which confirms the success of the study programme concept at the Faculty of Media.