Master Software Systems Engineering
This program focuses on the design and implementation of complex software systems and their integration into technical and socio-technical systems.
The new examination regulations (PO 10/2025) have been designed with the future in mind to offer students a comprehensive education that meets the demands of the ever-changing technological landscape. The program takes full advantage of the opportunities and environment offered by RWTH Aachen University as one of Europe’s leading technical universities.
Students acquire both theoretical and practical knowledge in computer science, enabling them to quickly adapt to the continuous changes in this dynamic field. In addition, interdisciplinary courses help them develop a deep understanding of the necessary expertise and skills.
This will change with the new examination regulations:
Admission Requirements
(1) A recognized first university degree
(2) Demonstrable skills in the following areas:
- Practical computer science (33 CP)
a. Programming (8 CP)
b. Data structures and algorithms (7 CP)
c. Databases and information systems (6 CP)
d. Software engineering (6 CP)
e. Elements of Machine Learning and Data Science (6 CP) - Technical computer science (22 CP):
a. Introduction to technical computer science (6 CP)
b. Operating systems and system software (6 CP)
c. Data communication (6 CP)
d. IT security (4 CP) - Theoretical Computer Science (18 CP):
a. Formal Systems (Automata and Processes (6 CP)
b. Computability and Complexity (6 CP)
c. Mathematical Logic I (6 CP) - Mathematics (26 CP):
a. Discrete Structures (6 CP)
b. Analysis for Computer Scientists (8 CP)
c. Linear Algebra (6 CP)
d. Introduction to Applied Stochastics (6 CP)
New Elective Subjects
The redesign of the elective areas gives students more flexibility and choice in their subject options.
A comparison of the old and new study regulations makes this clearer:
So far
Elective/Application Area Computer Science
72CP
Core Subject
- Theoretical Foundations of SSE
- Software Engineering
Requirements
- Second seminar
- Computer science modules up to 35 CP
Previous: 4 Elective Areas
- Applied computer science
- Communication
- Data and information management
- Software engineering
New
Elective Subjects Computer Science
68CP
5 Elective Areas
Theoretical Computer Science
Visual Computing & Interaction
Hardware/Software Systems
AI & Data
Software Development Methods and Tools
Requirements
- At least 12 CP from the field of theoretical computer science
- At least 24 CP from the field of software development methods and tools
Registration period for seminars and internships reduced to one week
5 Elective Areas
- Advanced Automata Theory
- Algorithmische Modelltheorie I
- Algorithmische Modelltheorie II
- Algorithmische Spieltheorie
- Analyse von Algorithmen
- Compilerbau
- Concurrency Theory
- Deduktive Programmverifikation
- Dynamical Processes on Networks
- ErfĂĽllbarkeitsĂĽberprĂĽfung
- Exakte Algorithmen
- Fixpoints and Induction in Logic and Computer Science
- Funktionale Programmierung
- Graphalgorithmen
- Graphzerlegungen und algorithmische Anwendungen
- Höhere Algorithmik
- Infinite Computations and Games
- Komplexitätstheorie
- Logics for Reasoning about Uncertainty
- Logik und Spiele
- Logikprogrammierung
- Mathematische Logik II
- Model Checking
- Modeling and Verification of Probabilistic Systems
- Modellierung und Analyse hybrider Systeme
- Online Algorithmen
- Parametrisierte Algorithmen
- Probabilistic Programming
- Provenance Analysis and Semiring Semantics for Logics and Games
- Quantum Computing
- Rekursionstheorie
- Semantik und Verifikation von Software
- Statische Programmanalyse
- Stochastic Games
- Termersetzungssysteme
- The Graph Isomorphism Problem
- Theoretische Grundlagen von UML
- Theory of Constraint Satisfaction Problems
- Theory of Distributed and Parallel Systems
- Theory of Distributed Systems
- Computer Vision
- Computer Vision 2
- CSCW and Groupware: Concepts and Systems for Computer Supported Cooperative Work
- Current Topics in Media Computing and HCI
- Data-Driven Methods for 3D Shape Analysis
- Designing Interactive Systems I
- Designing Interactive Systems II
- Fortgeschrittene Methoden der Virtuellen Realität
- Geometrieverarbeitung
- Grundlagen der Computergraphik
- iOS Application Development
- Learning Technologies
- Personal Digital Fabrication
- Physikalisch-Basierte Animation
- Real-time Graphics
- Research Focus Class on Learning Technologies
- Subdivision Kurven und Flächen
- Virtuelle Realität
- Advanced Internet Technology
- Algorithmische Kryptographie
- Communication Systems Engineering
- Der digitale Lebenszyklus von Fahrzeugen als Teil des Internet of Things (IoT)
- Digitalisierung
- Eingebettete Systeme
- Formale Methoden fĂĽr Steuerungssoftware
- Funktionale Sicherheit und Systemzuverlässigkeit
- Industrial Network Security
- IT-Sicherheit 1 – Kryptographische Grundlagen und Netzwerksicherheit
- IT-Sicherheit 2 – Computer Security
- Mikrocontrollerprogrammierung und Fehlersuche
- Mobile Internet Technology
- Regelung und Wahrnehmung in Vernetzten und Autonomen Fahrzeugen
- Research Focus Class on Communication Systems
- Selected Topics in Communication and Distributed Systems
- Sicherheit in der Mobilkommunikation
- Advanced Data Models
- Advanced Machine Learning
- Advanced Methods in Automatic Speech Recognition
- Advanced Process Mining
- Advanced Statistical Classification
- Algorithmic Foundations of Datascience
- Algorithmische Lerntheorie
- Automatische Spracherkennung
- Big Data in Medical Informatics
- Business Process Intelligence
- Data Driven Medicine – project-oriented, multidisciplinary introduction
- Datenstrommanagement und -analyse
- Distributed Ledger Technology
- Fundamentals of Business Process Management
- Implementation of Databases
- Introduction to Bioinformatics
- Introduction to Data Science
- KĂĽnstliche Intelligenz
- Machine Learning
- Machine Learning with Graphs: Foundations and Applications
- Privacy Enhancing Technologies for Data Science
- Reinforcement Learning and Learning-based Control
- Semantic Web
- Social Computing
- Statistische Klassifikation und Maschinelles Lernen
- Statistische Methoden zur Verarbeitung natĂĽrlicher Sprache
- The Logic of Knowledge Bases
- Uncertainty in Robotics
- Web Science
- Wissensrepräsentation
- Advanced Algorithmic Differentiation
- Combinatorial Problems in Scientific Computing
- eBusiness – Anwendungen, Architekturen und Standards
- High-Performance Computing
- Innovationen im Software Engineering
- Introduction to Algorithmic Differentiation
- Konzepte und Modelle der parallelen und datenzentrischen Programmierung
- Leistungs- und Korrektheitsanalyse paralleler Programme
- Model-based Systems Engineering
- Modellbasierte Softwareentwicklung
- Objektorientierte Softwarekonstruktion
- Prozess Management
- Prozesse und Methoden beim Testen von Software
- Software Language Engineering
- Software-Architekturen
- Software-Projektmanagement
- Software-Qualitätssicherung
- Softwaretechnik-Programmiersprache Ada 95
Recommendation of Change
If you enroll in the winter semester 2025/26 or later, you will automatically be registered under the new examination regulations. All master’s students who enrolled before then can continue to study under the old examination regulations until the summer semester 2027.
We advise students who are about to graduate or have already completed their minor (according to the old examination regulations) not to change the examination regulations.
A change of examination regulations can be requested from the Informatics Examination Commitee. All students will be informed as soon as the request form is available.