Philosophy and Computer Science

From deep fakes to medical imaging, from smart environments to surveillance capitalism: modern information technologies challenge us to think carefully about their impact on society. The interdisciplinary Master’s programme in Philosophy & Computer Science (P&CS) at the University of Bayreuth trains a new generation of scientists and creative thinkers to critically and constructively navigate the social, epistemological, ethical, and institutional challenges of AI. It combines training in computational skills with deep philosophical analysis. Philosophy & Computer Science combines foundational education with cutting-edge research-related teaching. The philosophical education within the programme will cover ethical, epistemological and metaphysical questions posed by modern computer-based systems as well as the social, political and legal implications of the deployment of such systems. In the computer science modules, students will learn how modern software is created through both automated learning and algorithmic programming and work on practical applications. Graduates of Philosophy & Computer Science will thus be able to identify and respond to the key technical, social, ethical, and institutional challenges raised by new developments in information technology, including AI, machine learning, generative systems, recommendations, interaction with agents and assistants, and automated decision making.   Graduates of Philosophy & Computer Science can be awarded either an MSc or an MA depending on their individual specialisation. They are ideally equipped for leadership roles in public and private sectors.  For more information, please visit our website. You can get an impression of our teaching with our trial lectures on edX and you can also follow activities of the P&CS community in Bayreuth on Instagram. The interdisciplinary Master's programme in Philosophy & Computer Science takes four semesters (full-time) and comprises 120 ECTS credits. In each semester, 30 ECTS credits are earned. Classes in the first year are organised in four different tracks catered to the different backgrounds of the student. Within these tracks, a common foundation in both philosophy and computer science is established. In the second year, students can choose from a number of specialised classes. Their choice of specialisation as well as the topic of the Master’s thesis determine whether they receive an MA (philosophy) or MSc (computer science) degree. An overview of the programme and sample study plans can be found on our programme website. You can get an impression of our classes in our trial lectures on edX. The interdisciplinary approach of the study programme is strengthened both by the corresponding course offerings and by innovative teaching and learning methods, including diverse examination forms throughout the entire course of study. The teachers in the Philosophy & Computer Science programme are leading researchers in the field who want to share their passion and are excited to welcome you to this new programme. University of Bayreuth hosts many international experts on digital sciences research and is a leading institution at interdisciplinary work on digital technologies, data, and AI (e.g. RAIS^2). All throughout the campus, there is a growing interest in interdisciplinary questions that arise at the interface of philosophy and computer science, with numerous opportunities for research projects and several research groups contributing to foundational research on topics such as, e.g. Intelligent Systems, Ethics of New Technologies, Policy & Regulation, Data Analysis & Data Processing, Machine Learning & Computation, and Human-Computer Interaction. As a graduate of this programme, you can earn a specialisation certificate for one of these topics in addition to your degree. PDF Download