Master of Science in Computational Sciences

The programme will teach how to apply precise mathematical and computer-based methods and to develop software for solving current scientific problems. The instructors in the programme are from the disciplines of chemistry, physics, geosciences, mathematics, and computer science. The four-semester Master's programme combines theoretical and application-oriented contents. It is divided into the following four components: Synchronisation: learning fundamental methods of computational sciences and establishing an interdisciplinary profile from courses that have not been addressed in the students' Bachelor's degree programmes Scientific computing: setting a priority in numerics, statistics, or computer science Specialisation: focus on one of the three scientific fields: molecular sciences, geosciences, or atmospheric sciences Master's thesis: writing up a research project in the field chosen for specialisation The Master's programme covers fundamental and advanced terminology, structures, methods, and processes in a wide range of structured and applied areas of scientific knowledge combined with supplementary courses. It ensures that students have the opportunity to specialise in current research. It also promotes the development of independent scientific thinking with a particular focus on the use of computers to expand knowledge. Students gain and deepen their competence in combined mathematical, computer-related and applied scientific expertise. They also systematically develop their interdisciplinary skills and key qualifications. By preparing lectures and reports, students learn to present their expertise and qualifications orally or in writing in a form suitable to their audience. They learn to deal with gender and diversity issues in practicals and practice groups as well as through supervising tutorials. For example, the students learn to take cultural differences into account when working in the participating departments' research groups, which are usually international in composition. Overview A total of 120 credit points (CP) must be attained in the Master's programme. The Master's programme is structured as follows: Synchronisation area comprising 30 CP Scientific Computing area comprising 30 CP Specialisation area comprising 30 CP Master's thesis with accompanying colloquium comprising 30 CP Synchronisation The Synchronisation area provides students from different backgrounds with supplementary skills in other subjects to complete their expertise profile. Students may complete their synchronisation from the following subjects: Chemistry Geographical Sciences Geological Sciences Computer Science Mathematics Meteorology Physics In the Synchronisation area, the Computational Sciences module is obligatory. Scientific Computing In the Scientific Computing area, two modules from the following subjects must be selected: Computer Science Numerics Statistics Specialisation The Specialisation area may be selected from these three areas: Molecular Sciences: This profile is for students interested in becoming computational chemists, computational physicists or applied mathematicians engaging in biotechnology, nanotechnology or pharmaceutics. Geosciences: Students can specialise in analysing and forecasting long- and short-term geological processes, or focus on assessing climate change, ecosystem balance, and economic risks as well as on developing public awareness of these issues. Atmospheric Sciences: Students aim at understanding and predicting the short-term dynamics (weather) and long-time statistics (climate) of earth's atmosphere. Computer models of the atmosphere, and more generally of the earth system, play an absolutely central role in this specialisation. Each area includes compulsory elective courses, non-compulsory elective courses, and a scientific project. The project may be conducted in cooperation with another institution and prepares the students for their Master's theses.  Master's Thesis The Master's thesis is