Computer Science for Technical Systems
This Bachelor’s degree course will teach you how to use and control technical systems in smart environments which in turn control autonomous devices in settings such as home automation, smart cities and post-industrial manufacturing.
Software development is at the heart of this discipline, with particular emphasis on software for cyber-physical systems and the provision and use of interfaces to hardware and infrastructure components.
In training you to meet the challenges of a digitalised and interconnected environment, the course will enable you to take an active role in shaping our society's digital future. The focal areas are programming methodologies, software engineering for embedded systems, operating systems, computer networks, and sensor technology.
Your future career
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As a graduate of this course, you’ll be in demand wherever electronic systems need to work together and interact in order to generate a smart solution. Your career challenges might be awaiting you in smart homes, networks of and in automobiles or aviation, up-to-the-minute industrial plants and systems, infotainment systems, robotics, medical technology, media systems or elsewhere.
Technical systems need software that takes account of security, effectivity and real-time operation. You might also be involved in developing hardware-oriented software solutions in fields such as sensors/actuators or computer networks. Both these areas are important in the development of interconnected smart systems.
Embedded systems occur in countless areas of technology, each one requiring its own bespoke design, construction and testing for its specific environment – as illustrated by the rising demand for cyber-physical systems.
Course content and structure
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During this degree course, you will receive a general and specific grounding in programming, software and systems engineering, sensor technology, machine learning, system-oriented programming, computer engineering, computer networks and databases. Major projects, specific lectures and required electives chosen by you help you build individually on these foundations. 25 per cent of your credits are obtained via practical experience. You conclude your six-semester course by completing your Bachelor thesis.
Your interests and skills
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You’ll need to be interested in developing software for technical systems, whether they be for industry or smart devices to help individuals navigate their day-to-day lives. You should also be passionate about the technologies underlying such systems, software development processes, programming, computer technology, networks and IT systems in general.
You don’t need to have prior knowledge of programming or measurement technology; we’ll teach you all you need to know during the course.
Interested – but not quite sure yet whether this is the right course for you? Our self-assessment test can help you make up your mind. Take it here: HAW Navigator.
Admission requirements
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Higher education entrance qualification
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:
- Fachhochschulreife
- Allgemeine Hochschulreife
- Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
- Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
- Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)
Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).
Find out more atAdmission requirements for a Bachelor's degree.
Pre-course experience
We do not require you to have completed pre-course experience for this course.
International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering).
You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.
Application process
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We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de. During the application period (for the winter semester: 1 June–15 July; for the summer semester: 1 December–15 January) you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.
You can find information about the selection process and the numerus clausus (NC) from the previous semester here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course/Selection criteria
International applicants are also required to apply during the application period.
To make the process easier for you, we have compiled a step-by-step checklist: International applicants
Questions about selecting a course, applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions
Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg (ground floor)
T +49.40.428 75-9898
studierendensekretariat (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact us with your questions about applications and admissions
The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed
In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am
For general queries about HAW Hamburg degree courses and course choice
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstraße 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact the department
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Specifically subject-related queries:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Lehmann
Berliner Tor 7, room 07.80, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-8335
and
Prof. Dr. Stefan Sarstedt
Berliner Tor 7, room 1085, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-8327
studienfachberatung.informatik (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Enquiries about the cooperative degree programme:
Coordinator for cooperative degree programmes in engineering and computer science:
Berliner Tor 7, room 1282, 20099 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-8610
dualstudium_technik(@)haw-hamburg.de
