The prerequisites for each of the research part modules are stated in the respective module descriptions at the bottom of this page, along with more detailed guidelines for each module.

For each of the preparation modules, the Literature Seminar and Project Work, you will need to request a corresponding form at the examination office. Please make sure you receive this form before your seminar presentation for each module, as the form must be filled out and signed by your supervisors after completion of the module examination. Please hand the signed form back to the examination office.

When you start with the 3rd module, the Master Thesis, you need to sign up at the examination office. Please note: the thesis must be completed and submitted within a maximum of 6 months after you have signed up for this 3rd module. The oral colloquium is held within 12 weeks after thesis submission. (See § 21 Module Master Thesis of the Examination Regulations for more details.)

The Literature Seminar is the first step of the research part of your master studies. Following that, you continue with the Project Work and finally your Master Thesis. Carefully plan ahead (also together with your mentor), when you best start with the Literature Seminar, so that you can focus on your research towards the end of your studies.

If you wish to take part in the Literature Seminar, make sure you first

1. Find a field of interest within your Area of Specialisation,
2. Find a suitable supervisor (and possibly advisors who help you further).

You may have a look at topics from previous Literature Seminar presentations by other students to find a suitable research topic for you, or contact your mentor to ask for guidance or lecturers of courses that have peaked your interest during your studies.

In an initial Advisory Meeting, you and your supervisor/s discuss and document a study plan for your research phase. For this

1. Download the Advisory Meeting form,
2. Fill the form during the advisory meeting (the form must be signed by you and your supervisor/s!)

Once you know what the topic for your research part is and who is going to supervise you, please send a copy of the signed form to

• the study program coordinator: info-compscieuni-koeln.de 

AND

• the examination office: geo-pruefungsamtuni-koeln.de

After the Advisory Meeting and sending the form, a presentation date for your seminar talk will be scheduled. Please make sure that your supervisor is present during your talk and that you have requested the corresponding examination form issued by the examination office prior to your presentation.

It is possible to conduct the research part for the Computational Sciences master at an institution outside of the University of Cologne (for example at a Max Planck Institute or in the industry).

For this, your prosposed research project needs to meet certain criteria:

1. You have at least one examiner from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science of the University of Cologne, who is eligible to examine the content of your Master Thesis and able to co-supervise you during the conduction of your research
2. There is at least one person at the external institution who is eligible to examine your Master Thesis (usually that means, this person must hold a doctorate degree in the field of your research topic and is teaching at a University)
3. The results of your research must be available for publication (and not withheld from the public as private property by the external institution)
4. Your proposed research project at the external institution must be approved by the examination board

If you would like to propose a research project at an external institution, please send your request to geo-pruefungsamtuni-koeln.de and state how your proposal meets criteria 1-3. The examination board will then inform you whether your research project is eligible for the Computational Sciences master program.

In case of questions or problems please contact:
info-compscieuni-koeln.de

Credit Points: 6

Term: 3rd semester

Prerequisites: Having passed the compulsory modules Simulation and Modelling 1 and 2 and achieved at least 12 CP in the chosen area of specialization.

Module Content: Students receive a topic from their area of specialization. In a (graded) seminar talk the students present the recent state of research in their topic. The necessary literature research is conducted independently by the student. The seminar content is also elaborated as a written report.

Module description

Guidelines:

1) Literature Research

For the literature research, you should receive first suggestions of relevant papers from your respective supervisors. As you work through these papers, you will independently expand your research to further literature. Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature of your research topic.

2) Seminar Talk

• Duration: 20 minutes + 10 minutes questions
• First 5 minutes: introduce the research topic (should be comprehensible to students from all specialisation areas!)
• Explain the basics of the computational sciences methods to be applied in your research project, and if possible relate to contents from Simulation and Modeling 1/2 (should be comprehensible to students from all specialisation areas!)
• Present in more detail the state of research on your topic (for peers that are familiar with the field)
• Add a list of the most important publications at the end of your talk

Date and time of your presentation will be arranged during the first session of the Literature Seminar each semester. Make sure your supervisor is present during your talk!

3) Written Report

• Length: about 10 pages
• Content: introduction to your research topic, current state of the literature, basics of methods and summary (should be comprehensible to students from all specialisation areas!)
• Format: 11-12pt, single-spacing, citations as is best practice in your Specialisation Area (ask your supervisors for guidance)

Send your report 6 weeks after your seminar talk to geo-pruefungsamtuni-koeln.de and to your supervisor.

Credit Points: 12

Term: 3rd semester

Prerequisites: At least 48 Credit Points from the Master course have to be achieved.

Module Content: The project serves as the preparation for the master thesis and is supposed to build a thematic union with it. Together with the master thesis, the project deals with a lengthy research theme of the chosen area of specialization.

Students take part in a seminar within their research group (2 SWS) and give a seminar talk (45min, graded) to complete the Project Work.

Module description

Credit Points: 30

Term: 4th semester

Prerequisites: Acquisition of at least 84 credit points of the modules of the master course. The examination board can allow exceptions in well-justified cases.

Module Content: The master thesis deals with a limited topic of the chosen specialization, worked on independently, that is documented in an elaboration.

Module description

Examination Regulation (see § 21 Module Master Thesis)