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Study Computer Science and Informatics at Roskilde University, Denmark

Study packages for Erasmus and exchange students

Spend one half or a whole year at Denmark's most exciting university which is leading in project oriented and interdisciplinary studies as well as in-depth studies in a full range of topics, including Computer Science and Informatics.

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Study packages in computer science and informatics

The following study packages are offered for Bachelor and Master students. Notice that the "Advanced topics ..." courses and projects may be shaped individually in order to fit the students' background, interests and level of study; some packages allow also exchange of some elements. In general, students should have completed at least one or two years of study before applying. The actual course titles may change a bit from year to year. Four study packages are offered, each equivalent of 30 ECTS ≈ ½year of studies; each course is of 7.5 ECTS. Any choice of two packages can make it for a full year program (except 1a+1b). The arrangement in the boxes below indicates distribution in time over the semester.

Package 1a: Knowledge and data intensive applications

Background and level: Solid knowledge of programming in a high level language, data structures and algorithms is expected; this package may be part of the students' later Bachelor or early Master studies.

Semesters and options: Offered in autumn semesters; if the student already has solid knowledge in the topics taught in one or two of the courses in the package, they can be substituted by other 7.5 ECTS courses given in that semester. "Advanced Documentation Techniques" cover how to write a good scientific (-ally based) report in informatics/ computer science, how to select proper references, how to explain background knowledge at the right level of abstraction, language tricks, how to organize program documentation, debugging and test results, etc. The Databases course goes in depth with database theory, design of databases and implementation of DBMS, so the course is still highly in place for students with some background in SQL programming. The "Advanced topics in DB and IS" is a concentrated course that integrates solving and documenting a project-like assignment with a well-defined curriculum that goes beyond the other courses in the package.

Package 1b: Interactive systems

Background and level: Some knowledge of programming in a high-level language is expected; this package may be part of the students' later Bachelor or early Master studies.

Semesters and options: Offered in spring semesters. Options as for 1a.

Package 2: Technical applications with project work

Background and level: Some to solid knowledge in programming in a high-level language, data structures and algorithms is expected; this package may be part of the students' later Bachelor or early Master studies.

Semesters and options: Offered in autumn and spring semesters; depending on the student's level, the courses may be selected in data structures and algorithms or more in-depth topics such as human-computer interface (from 1b), databases (from 1a), internet programming, computer networks, compiling etc; different courses are offered each semester. When combined with Package 1a or 1b into a full year program, Advanced Documentation Techniques is always replaced by a technical course.

Package 3: Master's thesis

Background and level: This package must be taken at the last year of the Master studies in Computer Science, Informatics or an interdisciplinary study with substantial elements of these topics.

Semesters and options: Offered in autumn and spring semesters; the detailed topic is developed and agreed upon by the student and his/her personal supervisor depending on the student's topic of interests. Thesis works conducted at Roskilde may be loosely divided into two groups, 1. solving a practical problem using the best academic skills in technical details and documentation, and 2. projects in close relation to a research topic – and often they are somewhere in between. There is a long tradition for theses both in-depth computer science/informatics and in interdisciplinary studies combining with mathematics, computational linguistics, bioinformatics, etc. Each student is guided by a personal supervisor chosen among our researchers; students can work individually or in groups of two, exceptionally three students, but the exam is always an individual assessment of each student's contribution. The best supervision may be obtained if you choose a topic related to the research taking place the two research groups.

Programming, Logic and Intelligent Systems http://plis.ruc.dk/

User-Driven IT-innovation, find link at http://www.ruc.dk/dat/forskning/

Combine with study packages in other subjects

The study packages in Computer Science/Informatics go fine with packages in other subjects offered in English at Roskilde University.

The following subjects are recommended and are based on existing interdisciplinary collaboration between the two subjects. Be aware that the other subject may require special background.

Bioinformatics

Molecular biology offers a one-semester (30 ECTS) package in bioinformatics in spring semesters, that makes a good program together with our Package 1a. Find more information at:

http://www.ruc.dk/~olesk/Sekvens/

Business

Packages are offered in Business Studies and in Economics and Business Administration. Check out details here, and see which packages that are offered when, and whom to contact for more information. http://www.ruc.dk/vs_en/doc

Other options

Search also for other opportunities at http://www.ruc.dk as most subjects offer some courses in English, so you may possibly combine one of our packages with a semester in another department. Courses in Danish and English Language In addition to the study packages, Roskilde University offers courses that introduce to Danish Language and Culture and courses in English for Academics (limited number of participants). Find more information at

http://www.ruc.dk/lics_en/

You may need to register separately for these courses.

Why Roskilde?

Roskilde University is leading nationally and internationally in project oriented and interdisciplinary studies as well as in-depth studies in a full range of topics, including Computer Science and Informatics.

The research and education environment at Computer Science and Informatics at Roskilde has long and good experience in student exchanges, and we are very glad to host students from different countries. We make an effort in mixing Danish and international students in project groups and courses, and a substantial part of our courses are given in English.

What's so special about the city of Roskilde and its surrounding?

Roskilde is one of Denmark's central historical cities and it has marvelous views over the fjord landscape formed by the different Ice Ages; pleasant, hilly and green and perfect for excursions. You will sense the presence of medieval times in the centre of the city, and you can test your abilities as a Viking by sailing (and rowing) realistic copies of Viking ships that were found in the fjord and exhibited in the museum - in fact, one of those took the trip to Ireland and back a few years ago. Enjoy the Nordic "light nights" (in summer, and understand why Denmark has a world record in the consumption of candle lights in winter).

And not least the annual Roskilde Rock Festival

http://www.roskilde-festival.dk/uk/

Roskilde is ideal from the point of view of transportation; less than an hour from Copenhagen international airport, about the same distance by train to Sweden, Northern Germany is reached within 4 hours or so. You are also close to Copenhagen centre with all its offers of entertainment and attractions, 25 min's by train.

Computer Science and Informatics studies are offered by

Department of Communication, Business and Information Technologies
Roskilde University
P.O.Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, DENMARK

The department also host several international research meeting and conferences in Computer Science each year.

How to apply

Erasmus students should enter the selection procedure at their home university and then fill in the application forms and learning agreements available at Roskilde University's website; other exchange students must follow the agreement between their home University and Roskilde. So the first person to contact is you own, local coordinator. Students going for the Master's thesis only must also contact the international coordinator at Roskilde concerning choice of thesis topic and assignment of thesis supervisor, which ideally are in place when you arrive.

It is important to observe the application deadlines

Be aware that your own university also may have its own deadlines.

For students applying in time, the university may help finding a place to stay, and there will be time enough for possible visa application which is needed for some countries.

It is strictly required that students must be present when the semesters start in the end of August or end of February; those who wish to take Danish courses should expect to arrive around August 15 or January 15. Exact information will be included in the letter of acceptance.

Please notice

Roskilde University is not able to provide financial support; possible support must be obtained from the home university or otherwise.

Contacts

Roskilde University's webpages http://www.ruc.dk
- , Computer Science http://www.ruc.dk/dat
-, -, information page for Erasmus and exchange students, explains also how to fill learning agreement form, and other general information: http://www.ruc.dk/dat_en/studyprogrammes/ERASMUS/
-, -, International coordinator for student exchanges, email: InternationalCompSci@ruc.dk
Roskilde University's international office's webpage, where you can find application form, learning agreement form and other useful information http://www.ruc.dk/ruc_en/studying/exchange/

All information is subject to change, and no responsibility is taken for possible errors or omissions. Urgent changes may be announced in the websites mentioned above.


Last modification 13-may-2009, Henning Christiansen