Master Scientific Computing

The first year consists of courses in the three areas of this master program: Mathematics, Computer Science and a Field of Application. In the second year students prepare and conduct their research project. This phase is started with two specialization lectures and leads to a master project. To this end, students should choose a combination of courses in terms 1, 2 and 3 leading to a specialization within the master course.

Program Overview

Mathematical methods taught in this master program include:

• Numerical methods for ODE and PDE
• Statistics and data analysis
• Differential geometry and computer algebra
• Linear and non-linear optimization methods
• Computational methods in fluid dynamics

Computer Science methods list for example:

• Parallel computing
• Scientific visualization
• Mixed-integer programming
• Spatial databases
• Image processing techniques

Applications for Scientific Computing come from:

• Physics and Astronomy
• Robotics
• Weather and Climate Modelling
• Text and Data Mining
• Theoretical Chemistry
• Biology
• Scientific Visualization
• Economics
• Social Sciences
• Cultural Heritage

The program is linked with HGS MathComp, the doctoral school for mathematical and computational modeling at Heidelberg University. Top students in the first year course will get an invitation to join the doctoral school already for the second master year, opening the possibility to a direct integration into the HGS MathComp PhD program, a master course directly leading to a PhD project (research oriented master track).

Access to the Master's Program Scientific Computing at Heidelberg University is restricted. Accordingly, enrollment with the proper documentation and proofs to be fulfilled is required. Furthermore, certain admission requirements must be met. The enrollment for prospective students is carried out by different offices depending on the nationality. German students apply directly at the examination office of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. Admission for international students is a longer process since the equivalent of education and grades obtained at an international university have to be confirmed by the international branch of the admission office. Following their expertise, the admission committee for the master program at the faculty will decide on the final admission.

Admission Requirements

The exact criteria for admission to the Master program in Scientific Computing are specified in the admission regulations. The following requirements are essential:

• High-school leaving certificate qualifying for general or subject-related higher education or an equivalent university entrance qualification
• Above-average academic achievements in a successfully completed Bachelor degree program in Mathematics or Computer Science or else in a degree program with essentially the same content at a domestic or foreign university with a standard study period of at least three academic years or an equivalent degree.
• Evidence of English language proficiency at the level B2

The following criteria can also be considered:

• University graduation grade better than 2,3 (German scale)
• Subject-specific individual grades that can provide information about individual's suitability for the desired course of study
• Evidence of individual standing within the degree-granting institution during the final examination (ranking).

Required Documents

• Certified copy of school/highschool certificate granting university access
• Bachelor certificate or similar degree ceritificate
• Signed statement that the candidate did never forfeit the examination claim in a master's program on Scientific Computing or a differently named master's program with largely the same content
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in table form
• Letter of motivation (English, 1-2 pages)
• Grade list of all courses/full transcripts of records
• Further evidence for admission (letter of reference etc.) if available

This is merely a compact overview of the required documents. For further information, please refer to Section 2 Paragraph 4 of the admission regulations.

Enrollment

Upon receipt of your complete application, your file will be reviewed by our program coordinators. If you are admitted into the Master program, we will issue a certificate of admission (Zulassungsbescheid). After you have received the letter of admission, you can use it to enroll in the Master’s degree in Scientific Computing. You will find all the information required for this in the letter of admission. You can also consult the Heidelberg University enrollment procedure and documents page. The certificate of admission must be presented to the Central University Administration when you enroll.

Admission for International Students

Required Documents

• Form: Application for Admission in a Master's Program
• School/highschool certificate granting university access (originals or certified German or English translations)
• University certificates with grade lists of all courses/full transcripts (originals or certified copies AND (if necessary) certified German or English translations) plus course lists with details on course content
• Language certificate (European Language Level English B2 or equivalent or TOEFL iBT with score 90 or better out of 120 or IELTS with score 6.5 or better)
• Letter of motivation (English, 1-2 pages)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in table form
• Signed statement that the candidate did never forfeit the examination claim in a master's program on Scientific Computing or a differently named master's program with largely the same content
• Further evidence for admission (letter of reference etc.) if available

Please refer to section 4 of the application for admission document for the exact details regarding this point. All documents must be included in one envelope and sent tot the Dezernat für Internationale Beziehungen. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated.

Based on the application data, the faculty verifies individually for each candidate if he/she fulfils the application criteria. This includes a check on the topics and content of the bachelor program which the candidate has attended and the grades achieved in this education. Upon positive evaluation central admission office will issue an admission slip to the applicant which entitles him/her to enroll into the master course at the central office for enrollment of Heidelberg University. The faculty and the office of HGS MathComp will also issue letters of invitation for use in visa applications. The entire evaluation process - from the arrival of the application in the foreign admission office until the final decision by the faculty - usually takes between 6 - 8 weeks.

Application Deadlines

• For the winter term (starting October): June 15th
• For the summer term (starting April): November 15th