Shaping our future is more and more in the hands of those who face the challenges and needs of digital media in a networked knowledge and information society: fake news detection, internet security, artificial intelligence, smart clothing. The Computer Science Department is an interdisciplinary department concerned with every aspect of information processing within the context of digital media, as well as with the conception and development of interactive digital systems. Numerous third-party-funded research projects underscore the high quality of this department and the research-focused, project-oriented course of study.
There are ten professorships and two lecturers in the Computer Science Department. They deal with a broad spectrum of topics: proper handling of information, copyright protection and security, collaboration and interaction, identity and virtualisation, software development and data science, new devices and user adaptation, as well as training and access to knowledge, to name just a few examples.
Research centre »Digital Bauhaus Lab«
The Digital Bauhaus Lab is an interdisciplinary research centre, where scholars from the field of Computing in Civil Engineering and artists face the challenges of the information society. The research facility has technologically advanced large-scale devices, such as interactive displays, a computer cluster for big data analysis and deep learning, as well as an interface development laboratory for research and prototype implementation of intelligent clothing and other materials. The Digital Bauhaus Lab strengthens the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s »Digital Engineering« research concentration.
Website of the Digital Bauhaus Lab
The »Digital Engineering« research concentration
Digital Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar stands for the application of state-of-the-art information technology (visual analytics, virtual reality, artificial intelligence) in the design-oriented simulation processes of the engineering sciences (structural mechanics, structural design, construction processes, and materials science). The Digital Engineering interdisciplinary research concentration connects the fields of computer science and civil engineering.
Many branches of engineering are now inconceivable without the computer science. The degree of innovation, technical standards and the depth of IT integration range from standard solutions to conceptually sophisticated and highly innovative products that combine information-technology expertise and engineering.
Examples include the development of simulation environments for the design and analysis of engineered load-bearing structures, process simulation of virtual construction sites, collaboration support and coordination of distributed teams of engineers, semi-automated modelling and model combination (expert critiquing), as well as intelligent mining and retrieval of simulation and sensor data. Here engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians can collaborate on research, with each contributing their specific strengths. In addition to the technical challenges, a central component of the culture of Digital Engineering at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is developing a mutual understanding of the mindset of the other disciplines.
Interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation
In an innovation-driven information society cooperation with cross-disciplinary fields is essential for practice-oriented research. The department maintains an intensive exchange, especially within the engineering sciences. In the winter semester 2017/18, the new English-language Master's programme in Digital Engineering has started in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Moreover, we put a high premium on cooperation with the artistic and design-oriented programmes of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. But successful research is also characterised by knowledge transfer to the industry. For that reason, the department maintains numerous contacts with regional and national industry partners.
Project-oriented and international coursework
The central component of coursework in the department is the project study in the Bauhaus tradition: In small groups students realise applied hardware and software projects. This is an ideal way to convey soft skills such as teamwork, problem solving and presentation skills. We support students, especially at the beginning of their studies through student tutorials, a mentoring programme and examination review courses. Intensive support and monitoring of individual development of the academic profile of our students are part of our self-image and a feature of the Weimar computer science department.
In the master’s programme, we consider it important for students to get involved early on in current research topics and publication activities. Student research projects and final projects in the master’s programme often end up as publications for national and international conferences, where students play a significant role - an important basis for subsequent doctoral work in the discipline.
In the bachelor's degree programme, we encourage students to improve their English skills to promote international internships and semester abroad programmes and help students to be internationally competitive. Two English-language master’s programmes create an international environment and multicultural diversity in Computer Science.
Student feedback
Evaluations are an integral part of our courses. For us, evaluating results in collaboration with students is an important building block for the qualitative refinement of our coursework. Even in day-to-day discussions with our students, we speak openly about the problems and potential of our courses of study, even outside of evaluations. For instance, student representatives are regularly invited to instructors’ meetings to address concerns and needs, as well as promote an open and productive relationship between teachers and students.
Study programs at the Computer Science Department
• Bachelor of Science: Informatik (Informatics)
• Master of Science: Computer Science for Digital Media (taught in English)
• Master of Science: Human-Computer Interaction (taught in English)
• Master of Science: Digital Engineering (taught in English, in cooperation with the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering)