Studying Computer Science at RPTU: “It’s a ton of fun”

From A for algorithms to Z for future technologies: The fact that students are very satisfied with the Computer Science program at the RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) is confirmed, among other things, by the ranking from the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE).“It’s a ton of fun,” says student Sarah Jung. “We learn how to delve into complex topics.” Surveys of graduates also show that the program provides excellent preparation for future professional life.

Sarah Jung says she already loved Computer Science back in high school. “The subject was even part of my Abitur exams.” She’s always been fascinated by technical topics. As a result, math and physics were among her advanced courses in high school. “The decision to study in Kaiserslautern was made relatively spontaneously. At first, I was interested in a dual study program.” But because of COVID-19, that didn’t work out. “Then I looked around for alternatives and decided on the bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science at RPTU. My Computer Science teacher had also studied in Kaiserslautern,” she laughs.

“We have a great atmosphere in the department”

She’s grown to like Kaiserslautern as a college town: “It’s not that big. But everything I need is there. And with the Palatinate Forest, you’re close to nature.” What does she like about RPTU? “The university in Kaiserslautern is a campus-based university. Everything is within walking distance. The Computer Science program is very well-established. There’s a strong student council. And the relationships with the professors and staff are excellent. We have a great atmosphere among ourselves.”

Christian Bogner, the academic advisor in the Computer Science department, can only confirm all of this: “At RPTU, there’s top-notch teaching and excellent study conditions. Our faculty are always available to answer questions, and everyone can develop individually—whether through exciting specialized modules or the opportunity to collaborate on projects and develop innovative solutions.”

What advice does he have for prospective students? “To get off to a good start, it’s not essential to already know how to program perfectly. It’s much more important to take responsibility for your studies early on and to engage thoroughly with the material.” In the first few semesters, exercises that accompany the lectures help students get into the subject matter, Bogner explains—“and through group work, you get to know your fellow students and form friendships that last throughout your studies.”

The RPTU’s Computer Science program scores exceptionally well in the CHE ranking

Both the bachelor’s and master’s programs in computer science receive excellent ratings in the ranking by the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE)—“especially in teaching and individual support,” the program manager specifies. “In addition, looking back, our graduates are very satisfied with the computer science education at RPTU and confirm in surveys that they were perfectly prepared for their day-to-day work.”

Working Independently to Master Complex Content

Programming, software system modeling, algorithms, and data structures, as well as

project management are just some of the topics on the curriculum for the bachelor’s degree program. “There are many practice-oriented courses and digital learning formats that make the program easier,” says Bogner.

What’s the challenge? The level of independence required, says Sarah Jung. “We set our own priorities and choose our own courses. The subject matter involved in all of this is complex. None of it is easy at first.” But you shouldn’t let that get you down: “If I don’t understand something right away, I work through it later.”

Setting Your Own Focus in Computer Science

She really likes that her degree program has an interdisciplinary focus. That’s because it offers the opportunity—through appropriate minors—to delve deeper into the field in various directions: “That could be business administration, for example.” Sarah Jung herself has decided to focus entirely on Computer Science. “Distributed and Networked Systems” was her specialization during her bachelor’s degree. “For me, this focused specifically on the area of security.”

Involvement in the department—Students Support One Another

Alongside her own studies, Sarah Jung supports other Computer Science students: She leads tutorials and has already served as a mentor to three first-year students, offering them advice and practical support. And on the Academic and Teaching Committee, she works—together with faculty members, staff, and students—to ensure the quality of courses.

She is now starting her master’s program while simultaneously working on her bachelor’s thesis. “It involves analyzing radio signals and their propagation, all with a focus on airplanes. It’s a data analysis project. We have a sensor on the university roof, which allows us to collect data from airplanes over a wide area.”

She could definitely see herself pursuing a career in research later on. This could be either at a research institution or in the private sector: “We’re learning to delve into complex topics. That’s why our future career options are so broad.”

At a technical university, the curriculum goes into great depth

Computer Science is a fantastic field, Sarah Jung sums up. But you should be aware: “Studying at a technical university goes very deep into the subject matter, which means there’s also a lot of theory.” What should prospective students bring to the table? A desire to solve complex problems. And a willingness to explore topics in depth, she says. “At first, I wasn’t sure if it was the right fit for me. But I don’t regret my decision.”