No: Most of the courses are continuous assessment courses with weekly classes, so regular attendance is mandatory.

The master’s programme CSE is not designed as a part-time degree programme. Only a small number of courses take place in the evening or in blocks. Depending on the flexibility of your schedule, it is possible to complete the degree programme successful in parallel to employment. However, it is unlikely that you will be able complete your studies within the planned 4 terms under these circumstances, but still possible.

Yes: The master’s programme CSE is a full-time degree programme that requires regular attendance.

No: The main programming languages you will need are C++ and Python. Starting your studies with a background in other programming languages is possible, but require you to increase your self-study time.

Programming skills are part of the admission requirements for the master’s programme CSE. For this reason, the curriculum does not include compulsory courses that teach basics of programming and specific programming languages. However, in some modules (specifically Programming, Parallel Computing and Scientific Computing) you will learn how to use programming languages (especially C++ and Python) to solve scientific and technical challenges.

If you do not have any knowledge in C++ or Python yet, you have to acquire it in self-study. You will find numerous freely accessible courses and other sources online on platforms like YouTube, edX, W3Schools and many others. Below you find a list of free courses:

Python:

https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-7?index=product&queryID=30d716937cebdf8dfd2106c0155c6001&position=2, opens an external URL in a new window

https://www.coursera.org/projects/introduction-to-python, opens an external URL in a new window

https://www.coursera.org/learn/python-programming-intro, opens an external URL in a new window

https://www.learnpython.org/, opens an external URL in a new window  ("Learn the Basics":all and "Data Science Tutorials":"Numpy Arrays")

C++:

https://www.coursera.org/projects/introduction-to-cpp-programming-build-a-calculator, opens an external URL in a new window

https://www.coursera.org/projects/creating-a-cpp-calculator, opens an external URL in a new window

https://www.learn-cpp.org/, opens an external URL in a new window  ("Learn the Basics":all and"Advanced":all)

If you want to refresh your skills and knowledge in this area, you can also take additional courses at the TU Wien. 

It is highly recommended to attend the lecture Introduction to Computational Science and Engineering in the first term, as it gives an overview of the key areas and will help you to make your choice.

You do not have to make a binding announcement of your choice until the end of your studies. It’s recommended though to focus preferably on no more than two key areas from the start to ensure efficient progress in your studies. However, in principle students are free to attend any course they are interested in.

As a graduate of an Engineering or scientific bachelor's programme, you are generally qualified for the master's programme CSE, provided that you have sufficient prior knowledge in computer science and mathematics (see Admission Requirements). However, depending on your previous undergraduate programme(s), the selection of certain key areas may necessitate an increased or very high learning effort.

For this reason, the curriculum contains the following recommendations for graduates of the various preliminary programme at the TU Wien, which can also be used as a guideline by graduates of external preliminary programmes:

See also: CSE webpage

"x": suitable with normal effort
"(x)": suitable with increased effort
without marking: not suitable or just doable with very high effort

In all key areas, except Computational Informatics and Computational Mathematics, the curriculum specifies compulsory courses that must be taken to complete the respective key area. These form the subject-related basis for the freely selectable elective courses, so that it is advisable to follow the recommendations on term planning, especially when it comes to these compulsory courses (see semester schedule section).

In addition to compulsory courses the key areas are also comprised of elective courses. You are free to choose and combine them as long as your selection, together with the compulsory courses, totals at least 15 ECTS. To help with the selection suggestions regarding optimal selection and sequence of elective courses are available. (see term planning key areas).

Computational Informatics

The key area Computational Informatics consists only of elective courses which are divided into the subgroups Data Management and Algorithmics. In each of the two subgroups you have to complete courses amounting to a minimum of 5 ECTS. Apart from that, you are free to choose according to your interests as long as your selection totals at least 15 ECTS for the complete key area.

Computational Mathematics

The key area Computational Mathematics consists of elective courses only. You are free in your choice of courses as long as you complete at least 15 ECTS. However, suggestions have been made as to which combinations and sequences would be particularly useful (see section term planning key areas).

In principle, you can freely choose which courses you take each term. However, there are recommendations as to which courses to take in which term. These recommendations can be found in the semester schedule section.

Note: Many courses are only available in winter OR summer term.

Of course, you are free to take more courses and complete more ECTS than required for your key areas. These additional courses (cannot) be added to the ECTS quota of another key area. They can be recognized in the module Free Electives and Transferable Skills. Please note that, however, you still have to complete at least 4,5 ECTS from the Transferable Skills Catalogue within this module.

No: Even if there is an overlap in the courses eligibility for your key areas, each course can be credited for one key area. If however, a course is compulsory in one of the two key areas, it must be taken for the respective key area and cannot be chosen as an elective course in the other key area.

If there is an overlap in the compulsory course of your key areas, the respective course has to be completed for one key area, while in the other an additional elective course with at least the same number of ECTS  has to be taken instead.

Possibly: The decisive factor is the scope of the study programme of your relevant first degree.

In case your previous study programme contained more than180 ECTS, up to 15 ECTS of equivalent courses load can be recognized. The courses are not recognized independently, but within an individual catalogue, which is determined by the dean of studies. If your previous programme comprised more than 180 ECTS, first check which courses from your previous programme could be recognized as equivalent for the compulsory subjects and key areas chosen by you. Then fill out the form Request for Recognition of Examinations, opens an external URL in a new window (only available in German) as far as possible and finally contact the dean of studies.

In case your previous study programme contained 180 ECTS, equivalent courses from your previous programme cannot be recognized. However, you do not have to take the relevant courses a second time. Instead, courses with at least the same amount of ECTS from the key areas have to be completed. These substitute courses then are recognized for those courses, which otherwise would have to be completed a second time. To determine equivalence, please contact the dean of studies.

For more information, please refer to the section "Studyability and Mobility" of the curriculum (only available in German) curriculum, opens a file in a new window.

Yes: Equivalent courses that were not taken as part of the completed previous programme, on the basis of which the admission to the master's programme CSE was granted, can be recognized.

For more information, please refer to the section "Studyability and Mobility" of the curriculum (only available in German) curriculum, opens a file in a new window.

Partially: Of the prescribed requirements, courses up to a maximum of 4.5 ECTS can be recognized in the module Free Electives and Transferable Skills.

For more information, please refer to the section „Admission to the master’s programme“ of the curriculum, opens a file in a new window (only available in German).

Yes: Equivalent courses with at least the same amount of ECTS credits can be recognized for the Master's programme CSE, whereby the decision on equivalence is made by the dean of studies. If you are planning to take equivalent courses at other universities, please clarify in advance with the course lecturer of the respective course whether recognition will be possible and contact cse-master@tuwien.ac.at.

To apply for recognition, please fill in the form Request for Recognition of Examinations, opens an external URL in a new window (only available in German) and then submit it to the course lecturer for approval first. Subsequently send both pages of the form to cse-master@tuwien.ac.at. Make sure that the form contains information on grades and dates of the completed examinations, as well as the course numbers of the TU Wien courses you wish to have recognized (including the signature of the course lecturer!)  and to attach the certificates containing the relevant information (ECTS credits, course title, grade, date of examination). You do not have to appear in person at the dean of studies during the application process. You will be notified in writing if further evidence is required. The decision on the recognition of the examination achievements will be sent to you by email after the request has been processed.

The choice of a topic and a supervisor for your thesis lies within your responsibility. Some topics are advertised in TISS, but beyond that, you must directly contact lecturers in your key areas and inquire about the possibility of supervision.

It’s strongly recommended to use the first two terms of your studies to get an overview of the lecturers in your key areas and their projects to get an idea about the potential topics.

No, a master's thesis project can be started at any point.

No. Although as a guideline six months are indicated it can take longer, which, however, doesn't represent a formal problem for finishing your studies.

The Master's programme CSE provides an in-depth, scientifically and methodologically high-quality education ensuring lasting knowledge, which prepares graduates for a scientific career. 

For more information on the doctoral programmes at TU Wien, please visit the website of the Admission Office.

Recommendation: While writing your diploma thesis, it is a good idea to already keep an eye out for interesting dissertation topics (for example at the institute of your diploma thesis).

Graduates will gain excellent scientific and professional skills, primarily in the field of numerical mathematics and computer science in combination with natural sciences and technology, which on the one hand enable employment in applied research at universities, non-university research institutions and industry.

On the other hand, these qualifications provide the basis for employment in the field of high-performance computer simulations, both in research-based development and in the improvement of computationally intensive, computer-aided simulation programs in engineering and scientific application areas of high scientific and industrial relevance, in particular (in alphabetical order) in the fields of chemistry, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, information technology, mechanical engineering, mathematics and physics.

The career prospects are thus versatile and the English-language education additionally favours an international assignment.

After completing all courses, the necessary documents must be submitted to the responsible dean's office (see the dean's office website for more information). The office responsible is always the one to which your thesis-adivsor is assigned

The diploma examination dates of the respective dean's office do NOT apply to the Master's programme Computational Science and Engineering, but are organised individually by the programme coordination. Please send an email to CSE-Master@tuwien.ac.atto schedule an examination date soon as you have submitted your documents.

The diploma examination lasts about 60 minutes and consists of a 20-minute presentation of your thesis, a 10-minute defence and a final questioning about your thesis and its scientific environment.