Computer Engineering B.Sc.

 

How does the interaction of hardware and software work in a modern computer system? How can everyday devices be made "smart" using modern artificial intelligence and information technology processes? What processes and systems are needed to conduct a video conference with people across the globe? How do you operate a complex "system on chip" with multiple application-specific processor cores and hardware accelerators?

The development of these novel technologies increasingly calls for approaches that consider hardware, software, algorithms, and communication components simultaneously: computer engineering. Because the roots of this young engineering science lie in classical electrical engineering and it shares many topics with computer science, it imparts skills and knowledge on hardware and software that can no longer be covered in the required breadth and depth by established courses of study such as electrical engineering and computer science.

The RWTH degree program reflects the new diversity of perspectives. It offers an interdisciplinary concept that is unique in Germany in that it teaches all key aspects of modern computer systems. With the help of a solid professional "toolbox", acquired in the first semesters, students can choose their specialization from the third semester onwards. In elective modules, they pursue their personal interests and deepen their academic knowledge in the four focal areas of CE:

• Digital Hardware
• Systems Theory
• System-related software
• Algorithms

In the field of electrical engineering and information technology, the curriculum in the basic subjects largely corresponds to the curriculum of the bachelor's degree program in electrical engineering and information technology for digital hardware, components and circuits, systems theory, and communication and information technology.

In labs and practical courses, theoretical knowledge is transferred into practice, deepened and consolidated. In addition, the course teaches soft skills relevant to engineering including project management, team communication skills, presentation skills, and how to approach unfamiliar problems scientifically. An industrial internship can be completed on the student's own initiative.

 

Degree Content

The acquisition of basic competencies in the fields of mathematics and physics, electrical engineering and information technology, and computer science forms the foundation of the program. Building on this, starting in the third semester of study, students specialize in computer engineering with specific topics from hardware and software design and information technology. Elective modules give students the opportunity to set priorities according to their interests and deepen their skills in specific areas.

Curricular Structure

1st Semester	Higher Mathematics 1; Introduction to Circuit Analysis; Programming, Algorithms and Data Structures; Mathematical Methods in Electrical Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Information Technology project; Computer Science practical.
2nd Semester	Higher Mathematics 2; Physics; Modeling and Analysis of Electrical Components and Circuits; Principles of the Digital Computer; Automata, Languages, and Complexity; Programming Languages practical.
3rd Semester	Higher Mathematics 3 for Computer Engineering; Signals und Systems; Optimization, Modellierung und Parallelität; Systemsoftware und systemnahe Programmierung; Praktikum Elektrotechnik; Projektpraktikum Modeling and Parallelism; Systems Software and System-Related Programming; Electrical Engineering internship; project internship.
4th Semester	Higher Mathematics 4; Systems Theory 1; Operating Systems; VLSI Circuits and Architectures; Introduction to Machine Learning Methods; Electives; Institute project; Scientific Integrity.
5th Semester	Theoretical Information Technology 1; Systems Theory 2; Communication Technology; Communication Networks; Electives; Additional qualifications (to be chosen from RWTH offerings; Computer Engineering internship.
6th Semester	Theoretical Information Technology 2; Electives; Additional qualifications (choice from the range of courses offered by Faculty 6); Seminar or tutorial supervision; Bachelor's thesis

Further details on the curriculum can be found at B.Sc. Computer Engineering (Faculty Web page)

Study and Work Abroad

Due to globalization and the increasingly international outlook of companies, students benefit immensely from gaining experience abroad. Study or work abroad can provide students with a fresh outlook, increase their employability in the global marketplace, and help to develop their intercultural skills.

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology offers exchange and collaboration programs with outstanding European and non-European universities. Students have the opportunity to participate in ERASMUS+ programs and study abroad in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Morocco, for example.

In addition, RWTH students benefit from the university's strategic partnerships with international universities. For example, they can complete short stays at one of the IDEA League universities as part of their coursework. The UROP Abroad program, which is unique in Germany, offers students the opportunity to participate in research projects at international universities as early as the Bachelor's stage. These stays abroad are partly supported by financial aid from RWTH.

For further details on study and work abroad, please visit RWTH's International Opportunities web page. The Faculty's exchange programs are outlined in German at their Study Abroad web page.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

If you are good at math and like to code, it is highly likely that you will enjoy pursuing this course of study. You should enjoy tinkering with things and problems and show tenacity in developing solutions. Since many solutions are developed with the help of the computer, you should also be really interested in programming. Programming knowledge is not expected at the beginning of the course, but is a plus to have. To enhance your knowledge, RWTH offers various bridge courses before you will start your studies.

Enrollment Prerequisite

Proof of having completed the RWTH "Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Computer Engineering" Self Assessment must be presented at the time of enrollment. It is not required in the application process, however.

 

Career Prospects

The fields of activity and application of computer engineering are very wide-ranging.

There are career prospects for graduates in computer technology, telecommunications and media technology, medical engineering, automotive and mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, and automation technology, just to name a few important areas. They are also in high demand wherever coordinated interaction between hardware and software development is required.

Particular emphasis is placed on systems theory, information theory, and theory of automata, which deal with the modeling, analysis and optimization of complex information technology and automation systems.

In view of the growing demand for experts working at the increasingly important hardware-software interface, RWTH is addressing the requirements of the labor market to further increase the number of graduates in these fields while not only maintaining but also further enhancing quality standards.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

RWTH intends to introduce an English-taught Master's program in Computer Engineering with a focus on Digital Hardware Engineering, Data Sensing and Processing, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Systems, Digital Energy Systems, Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems, and Systems for Human-Machine Interaction.

Students acquire in-depth competencies in subjects from the field of Computer Engineering as well as relevant areas of application in related disciplines. The primary goal is to prepare students for challenging jobs in research and development, for example in the context of doctoral studies, in industry, in the public sector, or even in their own start-up company.

Students also have the opportunity to switch to other degree programs offered by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology – possibly with curricular adjustments during the higher semesters of their Bachelor's course and provided they meet possible additional requirements.

In addition, they may enroll in one of RWTH’s interdisciplinary Master’s programs, such as Biomedical Engineering or Automation Engineering, given that they fulfill possible additional requirements.

Graduates may also continue their studies – provided they meet possible additional requirements – in one of RWTH's interdisciplinary Master's courses, such as Biomedical Engineering or Automation Engineering.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Faculty

The Bachelor course of study in Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, and Computer Engineering is offered by the Faculty for Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The Faculty owes its reputation to the close link between research and teaching, a balanced mix of fundamentals and applications important to industry, and intensive research collaborations.