Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
More information about
TU/e, admission and enrollment
Education and Student Service Center tel. +31 (0)40 247 4747
e-mail: [email protected]
www.tue.nl/graduateprograms
Designer’s program
Software Technology
Following your Master’s graduation, you can continue on to the Software Technology (ST) Designer’s program within the Computer Science graduate program.
High-tech industry needs experienced designers able to design complex new products and processes. A Master’s degree can give you the requisite theoretical knowledge but it does not provide a lot of practical experience. A Designer’s program gives you that practical experience, which boosts your market value for industry. You graduate with a Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) degree.
The Software Technology program begins with a 15-month series of short courses and workshops and short industrial design projects. This is followed by a major in-company design assignment of nine months.
The development of software for advanced systems covers a wide range of different aspects. The Software Technology program devotes a lot of attention to the project-based design and development of software for resource-constrained, software-intensive systems such as real-time embedded systems.
- Study possibilities: Full-time
- Degree: Professional Doctorate in Engineering - Language: English
- Times of entry: Once a year (around October 1) - Duration: 2 years
- www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/cs
The Technological Designer’s programs are coordinated in the 3TU.School for Technological Design, Stan Ackermans Institute. The institute represents the three universities of technology in the Netherlands and was established in mid-2006.
PhD programs
A PhD study at TU/e typically takes four years. During this period you receive scientific training and, most importantly, you perform research under the guidance of and in collaboration with your supervisor(s). The research areas covered by the sub-department are Algorithms and Visualization, Information Systems, Model-Driven Software Engineering, and Security and Embedded Networked Systems. In each of these areas we have internationally recognized research groups. In the Netherlands, PhD students are (fixed-term) university employees. This means you get a salary, and benefit from all the facilities offered by the department. Successful completion of the PhD program results in a PhD degree, which provides a solid basis for a career in academia or in an industrial research lab.
- Study possibilities: Full-time - Degree: PhD
- Language: English
- Times of entry: All year round - Duration: 4 years
- www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/cs
About TU/e:
- Best Dutch university in Times World University Rankings 2010 - 8500 students, PhD’s and PDEng’s
- Open and friendly atmosphere
- Personal contact with lecturers and staff - More than 70 nationalities present
- English spoken everywhere in the Netherlands
- Brainport Eindhoven: the world’s most intelligent community 2011 - TU/e students in high demand among employers
More information about the graduate program
Prof.dr. Mark de Berg tel. +31 (0)40 247 2150 e-mail: [email protected] www.tue.nl/graduateprograms/cs
Where innovation starts
Computer Science and Engineering
Bachelor Program
Computer Science and Engineering
Bachelor Program
Program Guide 2012–2013
Major Software Science Major Web Science
Editor: dr. M.L.P. van Lierop Version 2012-09-20
Contents
I
General information
7
1 General information 9
2 General course and program information 11
2.1 Program structure . . . 11
2.2 Objectives . . . 12
2.3 Educational approaches . . . 12
2.3.1 Design-Based Learning . . . 13
2.4 Program credits and student workload . . . 14
2.4.1 Studying part-time . . . 14
2.5 Annual schedule: coursework and examination periods . . . 14
2.6 Study planning and enrollment for program modules . . . 15
2.7 Cost of textbooks and materials . . . 15
2.8 The Student counselor . . . 15
2.9 Student’s feedback . . . 16 2.9.1 Fast feedback . . . 16 2.9.2 Periodic evaluations . . . 16 2.10 Examinations . . . 17 2.10.1 Exemptions . . . 17 2.10.2 Registration . . . 17 2.10.3 Right of review . . . 17 2.10.4 Legal rights . . . 18 2.10.5 Examination frequency . . . 18
2.11 Changes to the curriculum . . . 18
2.12 After graduation . . . 19
2.12.1 Teacher training in Computer Science . . . 19
II
Bachelor College
21
3 Program intake 2012 23 3.1 Bachelor College. . . 233.2 Purpose of the first year . . . 23
3.3 Objectives and qualifications . . . 24
3.3.1 Qualifications . . . 24
3.4 Language. . . 25
3.5 Program for 2012 intake . . . 25
3.5.1 Ongoing streams . . . 26
3.5.2 Software Science, 1st year . . . 29
3.5.3 Web Science, 1st year . . . 29
3.5.4 Combined program in Software Science and Web Science . . . 30
3.5.5 Dual program in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and Engineering . . . 30
3.5.6 Transferring from one major to another . . . 31
3.5.7 Joint first semester: Fontys ICT and TU/e Software Science . . . . 32
3.6 Electives . . . 33
3.7 Professional skills . . . 33
3.8 The ‘binding study recommendation’ . . . 34
3.9 Registration = participation = examination . . . 35
3.10 First-year examination and compensation arrangements . . . 36
3.11 Student guidance in the first year . . . 36
3.11.1 Faculty coach . . . 36
3.11.2 Student mentor . . . 36
3.11.3 Student counselor . . . 37
3.11.4 The quarterly kick-off meetings . . . 37
3.11.5 Orientation on professional career . . . 37
3.11.6 CANS prevention . . . 37
III
Bachelor program 2011 and before
39
4 Program intake 2011 41 4.1 ’B Phase’ . . . 41 4.1.1 Admission . . . 42 4.2 Program revision . . . 42 4.3 Objectives . . . 43 4.3.1 Qualifications . . . 434.4 Program for 2011 intake . . . 44
4.4.1 Overview . . . 44
4.4.2 Knowledge domains in Year 2 . . . 44
4.4.3 Software Science, 2nd year . . . 46
4.4.4 Web Science, 2nd year . . . 46
4.4.5 Combining Web Science and Software Science tracks . . . 47
4.4.6 Dual degree program in Applied mathematics and Computer Sci-ence and Engineering, intake 2011 . . . 47
Contents 5
4.5.1 Students with a study contract . . . 50
4.6 Electives . . . 50
4.7 Honors Star program . . . 50
4.8 The minors program . . . 51
4.9 International experience . . . 52
4.10 Student assistant jobs . . . 52
5 Program intake 2010 and before 53 5.1 Program for 2010 intake . . . 53
5.1.1 Overview . . . 53
5.1.2 Knowledge domains in Year 3 . . . 54
5.1.3 Third-year program . . . 54
5.1.4 Electives . . . 55
5.1.5 Dual degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and Engineering (2010 intake and earlier) . . . 55
5.2 Transitional arrangements . . . 58
5.3 Software Engineering Project . . . 58
5.4 The minors program . . . 58
5.5 Honors Star program . . . 59
5.6 International experience . . . 59
5.7 Student assistant jobs . . . 60
5.8 Progression to a Master’s program . . . 60
5.8.1 Information meeting . . . 60
5.8.2 ”Harde knip” . . . 60
IV
Organization and regulations
63
6 Academic administration 65 6.1 Academic administration of the department. . . 656.1.1 Department Board of Mathematics and Computer Science . . . 65
6.1.2 Study-program Manager . . . 66
6.1.3 Study-program Committee . . . 66
6.1.4 Examinations Committee . . . 67
6.1.5 Department Council . . . 67
6.1.6 CS Subdepartment and professors . . . 67
6.1.7 Department Office . . . 68
6.1.8 Student Council. . . 69
6.2 Facilities . . . 69
6.2.1 Buildings . . . 69
6.2.2 Lecture rooms, halls and other instruction facilities . . . 70
6.2.3 Library services . . . 70
6.2.5 Computer Services Office . . . 70
6.2.6 Conditions for computer use . . . 71
6.3 Study association GEWIS . . . 71
A Education and Examination Regulations (OER) 73 A.1 Bachelor Program Computer Science and Engineering (incl. majors SfS
Part I
General information
1
General information
The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers two undergraduate pro-grams which lead to the award of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree: Computer Science and Engineering (including the majors Software Science and Web Science) and Applied Mathematics. Each has its own program guide. This is the program guide for Computer Science and Engineering. It has been compiled to provide students with clear, current and complete information about their program.Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) provides information to its students through various channels:
Thewww.tue.nl/en/website, with: general information about TU/e
information about the facilities, the guidance available, extracurricular activ-ities, sports facilactiv-ities, etc.
The department’s website at
www.tue.nl/en/university/departments/mathematics-and-computer-science/
The department’s education pages atw3.win.tue.nl/en/education/.
The Bachelor College website at w3.tue.nl/en/education/tue bachelor college/, presenting among others information on the newly introduced program structure and electives.
The online learning environment OASE, which can be accessed using any internet-enabled computer at www.education.tue.nl. This site includes up-to-date infor-mation about program modules and timetables (including any last-minute changes). A Program Guide for each program, which includes a description of its structure
and the various facilities which are available to students. All Program Guides are available online.
The Education and Examination Regulations (OER) and the Examination Regula-tions, which can be found inAppendix 6.3.
The Student Statute, to be found atw3.tue.nl/en/services/stu/regulations/, lay-ing down the rights and obligations of the University towards the Student and vice versa.
The Student Guide, provided free of charge by the Executive Board and sent to all first-year students.
The university magazineCursor, which is distributed biweekly on paper, free of charge, throughout the university.
Current information about (changes to) the curriculum, the lecture timetable, the practical sessions, examinations and other important program-related matters can be obtained from:
The Student counselor for Software Science and ’Technische Informatica’, Dr. C.J. Bloo, Room MF 3.067, tel. (040) 247 4496, e-mail [email protected]. Also see sec-tion 2.8for more information on the role of Student counselor.
The Student counselor for Web Science, Dr. N. Stash, Room MF 7.118, tel. (040) 247 2322, [email protected]. Also seesection 2.8.
The Study Program Director of the Computer Science and Engineering bache-lor program, Dr. M.L.P. van Lierop, Room MF 3.070 tel. (040) 247 3022, e-mail
The Departmental Student Administration Office, Room MF 3.068 (front desk), tel. (040) 247 2379. This is your first point of contact for information and advice about study requirements, regulations, timetables and study results. The front desk is open Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00. E-mail:[email protected].
The Education and Student Service Center (STU), Room MF 1.214, tel. (040) 247 8015, for information and advice about student grants, studying while working, general financial matters, enrolment, the student card, and registration for or with-drawal from examinations.
GEWIS Study Association, Room MF 3.155, tel. (040) 247 2815.
The information in this Program Guide is subject to alteration. The latest information can be found online atw3.win.tue.nl/en/education/.
2
General course and program information
This section presents information about the structure of the program, the tuition and guidance you may expect to receive, and what is expected from you.2.1 Program structure
The Bachelor’s program in Computer Science and Engineering has been organized in accordance with the European Bachelor-Master structure (BaMa). It is a three-year pro-gram, the first year of which is a foundation course.
In academic year 2012-2013 subsequent years of three different curricula will be of-fered:
intake 2012 enters the Bachelor College where they enrolled for the major Software Science (SfS) or/and Web Science (WbS); seeChapter 3.
intake 2011 is offered the second year of their ”in-between” program where the tracks Software Science and Web Science were introduced and the tuition language was adopted to English; seeChapter 4.
intake 2010 is offered the third year of the old program ”Technische Informatica”; seeChapter 5.
For students that face a delay in study progress transition arrangements have been made. These can be found in Sections 4.5 (for intake 2011) and 5.2 (for intake 2010 and before) respectively.
2.2 Objectives
The overall objective of the Computer Science and Engineering Bachelor program is to train and educate young professionals who are able to progress into a Master’s pro-gram in computer science or related disciplines, and/or are prepared to embark upon a professional career in the field.
Students who complete the program are awarded a BSc degree, which is evidence of the following qualities:
being qualified to degree level within the domain of ’science, engineering & tech-nology’,
being competent in the relevant domain-specific discipline(s) to the level of a Bach-elor of Science, namely in computer science and engineering,
being able to conduct research and design under supervision,
being aware of the significance of other disciplines (interdisciplinary work), taking a scientific approach to non-complex problems and ideas, based on existing
knowledge,
possessing intellectual skills that enable them to reflect critically, reason and form opinions under supervision,
being good at communicating the results of their learning, thinking and decision-making processes,
being able to plan activities and implement them,
being aware of the temporal and social contexts of science and technology (com-prehension and analysis),
in addition to a recognizable domain-specific profile, possessing a sufficiently broad basis to be able to work in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary con-text. Here, multidisciplinary means being focused on other relevant disciplines needed to solve the design or research problem in question.
2.3 Educational approaches
The program relies on various tuition methods, including:
Lectures: the lecturer presents the program material, explaining its relevance and importance. To derive full benefit from a lecture, students must undertake both preparation and a subsequent careful review of the material.
Tutorials, where the problems and solutions are presented by the tutor. To assess the value of the strategy adopted and the proposed solutions, and hence to be able to arrive at similar solutions in future, students are expected to undertake the necessary preparation.
General course and program information 13
Small-group instruction, in which students work on coursework assignments. Al-though they are under the direct guidance of the tutor, it is the students themselves who must arrive at appropriate solutions.
Tuition sessions which combine the lecture and small-group instruction approaches. Groups are small and a significant degree of independent study is expected in preparation for each meeting.
Practicals which focus on ‘hands on’ technical skills.
Regardless of the tuition method, active study is essential if you are to achieve good results. Most tuition sessions (except practicals and professional skill training sessions) have no mandatory attendance requirement. The number of formal contact hours grad-ually decreases in Years 2 and 3.
2.3.1 Design-Based Learning
Design-Based Learning (DBL) is an educational approach which is particularly appro-priate to technical and scientific subjects. It calls for students to work on design assign-ments as part of a team.
At TU/e, Design-Based Learning achieves a number of aims:
Professionalization: the content of the projects is in keeping with the requirements of the student’s later professional career.
Motivation: students are encouraged and challenged to take an active role in the design projects.
Cooperation: students learn to work together as a team.
Creativity: the focus is on the design and development of a product according to the students’ own vision and ideas.
Integration: theoretical knowledge is applied within practical hands-on projects. All these aspects can be seen in the DBL projects undertaken as part of the Computer Science and Engineering program. Under the guidance of a tutor, groups work on the design and implementation of a (software) product, based on a description (often quite vague) of the requirements it must meet. The project will involve various disciplines within the general domain of computer science and IT, and will draw upon the knowl-edge gained in earlier program modules. A systematic project approach is applied: a work plan must be produced and maintained, interim products must be completed to set deadlines, a project report must be produced on completion, and a presentation given. There is regular consultation between the group members themselves, and be-tween the group representatives and the DBL-coordinator in charge. All DBL projects are subject to formal assessment.
The DBL approach is used throughout the first four semesters of the program. Stu-dents who began the program in 2010 could earn 15 program credits from the DBL projects. For intake 2011 , this figure increases to 24 (SfS track) or 21 (WbS track). In 2012 and beyond, two DBL projects, 5 credits each, are mandatory, and additional DBL projects can be taken as electives.
Greater structure has been incorporated into the DBL component by various means: successive design projects are of increasing complexity;
the number and diversity of required skills increases over time;
students are given an increasing degree of autonomy and opportunities for self-management.
Each DBL project devotes attention to various professional skills, which may be the sub-ject of additional tuition or training. The two most important types of skill are: those relating to working within the team (group skills) and those which relate to commu-nication with ‘the outside world’ (commucommu-nication skills). In each successive project, students also learn how to assess their own and each others performance.
2.4 Program credits and student workload
Students are expected to devote 1680 hours to study each year, whereby the required sixty program credits (ECTS) available are spread as evenly as possible over the 42 weeks of the academic year. One credit represents 28 hours of study. Maintaining a regular study tempo throughout the program will therefore require approximately forty hours study a week, including attendance at lectures and private study. In other words, studying is a full-time job! Of course, the number of credits available for each module is based on an estimate of the input required: some students may require more time than others to complete the module successfully.
2.4.1 Studying part-time
A student wishing to take the full program on a part-time basis must devise an individ-ual program in consultation with the Student counselor. There are no separate lectures or project sessions, and no special arrangements for part-time students. Furthermore, one should bear in mind the new regulations on increased tuition fee for students who take too long to complete their studies (the so-called ”langstudeermaatregel”).
2.5 Annual schedule: coursework and examination
peri-ods
The academic year is split into two semesters: September to January and February to July. Each semester is divided into two eight-week ‘quartiles’, in which tuition is given,
General course and program information 15
separated by a two-week examination period. For details, see the agenda/calendar entry within the Activities section ofhttp://www.education.tue.nl.
2.6 Study planning and enrollment for program modules
Many program modules have a separate guide (available in OASE at http://www. education.tue.nl), setting out their form, structure and the educational approach applied.Students must enroll in advance (using OASE) for the program modules they wish to take. If you are not registered for a module, you will not be allowed to take interim and final tests, nor will you receive information about last-minute changes to the timetable, lecture locations, project deadlines, etc.
2.7 Cost of textbooks and materials
Every effort has been made to ensure that the costs associated with taking the Computer Science and Engineering program remain within the standard guidelines. In calculating the costs, we have taken into account the purchase of a laptop or notebook computer, for which a special arrangement exists. The GEWIS Study Association is able to supply some required textbooks at reduced prices. SeeSection 6.3.
2.8 The Student counselor
The Student counselors form an important link between the student body and the de-partment. They coordinate the guidance provided to students throughout the program. They know all coaches and mentors and advise the Examinations Committee about any amendments to the Education and Examination Regulations required to meet the special needs of individual students. Students should contact the Student counselor to discuss any program-related problems, e.g. planning difficulties if you are required to re-take a program module. The Student counselors also monitor student progress and can advise on ways to ensure that you complete the program within the allotted period. You are encouraged to make use of his knowledge and expertise when necessary.
Software Science, ”Technische Informatica” (intake 2010 and before) Student counselor: Dr. C.J. (Roel) Bloo
Office: MF 3.067
Phone: (040) 247 4496
E-mail: [email protected]
: appointments via Ms. Gerola v.d. Linden, phone (040-2474501, [email protected]
Web Science
Student counselor: Dr. N. (Natasha) Stash
Office: MF 7.118
Phone: (040) 247 2322
E-mail: [email protected]
Availability: without appointment on Wednesdays from 13:30 to 15:00 hrs Availability: appointments by emailing Ms. Stash
2.9 Student’s feedback
The quality of the program is monitored by the Program manager and the Study-program Committee (see Section 6.1.3). This forum brings together staff, students, the Student counselors and the Study-program Manager to discuss all aspects of the educational program. Individual students are called upon to contribute to the quality of the pro-gram by providing feedback as described in the following subsections.
2.9.1 Fast feedback
In case you have suggestions for improving aspects of a study component you can ad-dress the lecturer by email or in person. If you prefer not to confront the lecturer per-sonally, you have the following options:
address the education commissionary of Study association GEWIS, Rien de B ¨ock, seeSection 6.3
address one of the student members of the Study-program Committee, see
Sec-tion 6.1.3. They are also involved in the organization of periodic group discussions with representatives of the various years;
address one of the members of the Student Council, [email protected]; see
Sec-tion 6.1.8.
2.9.2 Periodic evaluations
To ensure the ongoing quality of the program, a full evaluation is conducted at the end of each semester. It looks at the program as a whole (pass rates, average time re-quirement). Next to that students are requested to complete an online survey about the program modules held during the previous quartile. The results are discussed by the Study-Program Committee. Students’ experiences and comments are of immense value in improving the program wherever possible.
General course and program information 17
2.10 Examinations
In addition to the examinations held between quartiles, the program includes two full, formal assessments: one upon completion of the first year, the soc-called P-exam, and the final examination which, if passed, confers the Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Ceremonies for handing over the certificates in question are organized twice a year, in October and March. Note that you have to register for the formal assessments (in OASE).
The requirements for all examinations are listed in the Education and Examination Regulations (OER), seeAppendix 6.3.
2.10.1 Exemptions
Full information about possible exemptions from (components of) an examination is given in Article 1.4.1 of the Education and Examination Regulations.
2.10.2 Registration
Students wishing to enter for an examination should first read the conditions and pre-requirements listed in the OER (seeAppendix 6.3). The registration deadlines for writ-ten examinations are shown in the 2012-2013 agenda at http://www.education. tue.nl. Students who fail to register in time may sit the examination, but their
pa-pers will not be graded and no credits will be awarded. To register for an exam-ination (or withdraw a prior registration) you must use the OASE system (see also
http://www.education.tue.nl). You are permitted to register for the examination
in each program module up to three times. A fourth registration requires permission from the Student counselor, who may impose additional conditions or requirements. In most cases, he will ask you to produce a realistic study schedule for the subject con-cerned.
Within the Bachelor College model, the final grade for a study component is deter-mined on the basis of an examination, consisting of at least two interim tests, and a final test. SeeSection 3.9for more details.
2.10.3 Right of review
Students may review their graded examination papers at any time within twenty days of the date of the examination. You should make an appointment to do so with the tutor who is to grade the paper. It is advisable to do so as soon as possible after the examination.
2.10.4 Legal rights
A student can appeal against any decision relating to an examination. In the first in-stance, you should try to reach an amicable agreement with the tutor concerned or the Examinations Committee of your own department. The Secretary of the Examinations Committee for the Computer Science Department is J.M.L.G. Sanders, room MF 3.068, e-mail [email protected]. If no mutually satisfactory outcome can be reached, an appeal may be submitted in writing to the Examinations Appeals Board.
Decisions taken by the Examinations Committee with which you may not agree in-clude:
refusal to grant an exemption the result or grade awarded
the number of credits awarded (which is of particular importance if it will affect your grant entitlement).
Further information about the appeals procedure is included in the Student Statute:
http://w3.tue.nl/en/services/stu/regulations/.
2.10.5 Examination frequency
The program modules which are graded by means of a written final test usually have two examination sessions per year: the regular examination and the re-sit. The regular examination is held during the examination period immediately following the quartile in which the program module was given. The re-sit is held in the subsequent exami-nation period, or in the case of the program modules given during the fourth quartile, during the interim period. See Appendix 1 of the Education and Examination Regula-tions. Even where a program module is discontinued, there will generally be an oppor-tunity to re-sit the examination during the next academic year. For further details, see the individual module guides (athttp://www.education.tue.nl).
2.11 Changes to the curriculum
The curriculum (study program) is subject to ongoing improvement and updating. This may involve the replacement of a particular program module, a group of modules, or a more drastic revision of the entire curriculum such as those being implemented in 2011 and 2012. Where such changes are likely to impact a large number of students, a ‘transition arrangement’ is put in place. Where the changes affect only a few individual students, suitable arrangements are made by the Student counselor, acting on behalf of the Examinations Committee.
There can be minor changes to the program at any time of year. For example, it may be necessary to alter the timetable because of staff absence. The latest information can always be found athttp://www.education.tue.nl/.
General course and program information 19
2.12 After graduation
The department offers three Master’s programs, all given in English, which follow on from the Bachelor’s program in Computer Science and Engineering. They are:
Business Information Systems (BIS)
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), incorporating the specialist Informa-tion Security Technology (IST) track, and the internaInforma-tional track Service Design and Engineering (EIT-SDE).
Embedded Systems (ES), incorporating the international track Embedded Systems (EIT-ES).
2.12.1 Teacher training in Computer Science
Students who have successfully completed the Bachelor’s program and who wish to enter the teaching profession may apply for the specialist Computer Science track of the two-year Master’s program in Science Education and Communication (SEC) at the Eindhoven School of Education (see www.tue.nl/universiteit/kolom-2/eindhoven-school-of-education/), thus obtaining a full (i.e. grade-one) teaching qualification in computer science. Note that the SEC-program is given entirely in Dutch.
Alternative routes include a combination of the BIS, ES or CSE program with the SEC program to form a ‘dual degree program’. This requires students to gain a total of 150 credits but, as the name suggests, confers two degrees including a recognized teaching qualification. If you wish to take the SEC program having first completed one of the three Master’s programs listed in the previous paragraph, you will already have earned 60 credits whereupon the SEC program can be completed in only one year.
It is also possible to obtain a grade-two teaching qualification in computer science and in mathematics (allowing you to teach first classes in secondary school) within your Bachelor program by choosing the educational minor offered by the Eindhoven School of Education (Dutch only!).
Part II
Bachelor College
3
Program intake 2012
3.1 Bachelor College
The TU/e introduces a new curriculum for all bachelor programs in the 2012-2013 aca-demic year. Information on the Bachelor College principles can be found athttp://
www.tue.nl/en/education/tue-bachelor-college/. The general structure of
the programs is described athttp://w3.tue.nl/en/education/tue_bachelor_
college/.
For the BSc program Computer Science and Engineering two majors have been de-fined, Software Science and Web Science. Both majors provide a thorough introduction to the basics of computer science. Where Software Science addresses technical domains in depth, Web Science incorporates fields like sociology and psychology in order to un-derstand and contribute to the development of internet applications.
3.2 Purpose of the first year
The first year of the Bachelor’s program is in the nature of a foundation course (known in Dutch as the propedeuse). Students are of course expected to gain considerable spe-cialist knowledge in the field of computer science itself, but the first year has three ad-ditional purposes:
Introduction and orientation: what does computer science actually entail, and what are the differences between the majors Software Science and Web Science? Selection: only students who receive a positive recommendation at the end of the
first year are allowed to progress to the second year (seeSection 3.8); Direction: which major/bachelor program is most appropriate?
Students are expected to take a full and active part in the coursework and projects in or-der to ascertain as soon as possible whether computer science is indeed the right choice of discipline, and whether the chosen major is most appropriate.
3.3 Objectives and qualifications
The overall objective of the bachelor program is to train and educate young profession-als who are able to progress into an appropriate Master’s program and/or are prepared to embark upon a professional career in the field of software science or web science. Students are therefore expected to:
1. acquire cognitive skills relating to computer science and engineering;
2. acquire practical capabilities and skills relating to software design (the Web Sci-ence major focuses on complex internet-based applications, while the Software Science track is more concerned with technical applications);
3. acquire professional and generic academic skills.
3.3.1 Qualifications
Students who complete the program are awarded a BSc degree, which is evidence of the following skills and competencies:
Basic knowledge and skills in computer science and engineering:
familiarity with basic concepts related to Software Science/ Web Science, and a subset of other computer science domains;
a thorough technical and scientific understanding of software and software sys-tems;
the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in delving to the essence of such sys-tems, understanding precisely how they work and being able to assess them on their merits.
Software design:
the ability to develop programs or software systems in an effective and structured manner, whereby those systems will perform the tasks expected of them accu-rately and efficiently;
the ability to analyze any software system in terms of its behavioral aspects, in-cluding performance;
further to this analysis, the ability to adapt and improve the system where neces-sary;
Program intake 2012 25 General academic skills:
the ability to acquire further knowledge in the field of computer science and to do so independently;
an awareness of the position and importance of computer science within society, an awareness of the rapid changes, both positive and negative, which information technology can bring about, and the ability to reflect on such changes;
the ability to work effectively within a team;
the ability to impart information, ideas and solutions to either fellow specialists or a lay public;
the ability to plan and organize ones own work as well as a software development project.
3.4 Language
From 2011-2012 on, the language of the program is English. Coursework, essays, re-ports, etc. must be in English. This does not hold for those elective courses that are offered in Dutch only.
Each quartile, short refresher courses in English will be available to those who feel they need to brush up their language skills. One has to register through the OASE sys-tem (in quartile 1: 9ST17 Remedial English for first year bachelor students; in Quartile 2,3,4:9ST12 English skills 1). Also, a follow-up course can be taken in quartiles 2 (9ST18, Remedial English for first-year bachelor students, advanced) and in quartiles 3 and 4 (9ST13 English skills 2).
For international students, Dutch courses are offered every quartile. The first course for beginners is9ST40 Dutch for beginners, students, and the follow-up course isSTA42 Dutch intermediate (employees and students).
In case you are interested to take one of these course please inform the study advisor in order to get permission for registration. Please note that these language courses do not form part of the regular study program although credits are granted for passing the examination.
3.5 Program for 2012 intake
An outline structure of the program is as follows.
Study component Credits
Basic components 30
Major components (SfS or WbS) 90
USE package 15
Electives 45
An overview of the program is presented below. Note that as of yet, only the study components of the first year have been assigned subject codes.
BTI-program generation 2012
Legend
= Basic module = Software Science specific
E-U = Elective or USE-module = Web Science specific
*<name> = module <name> addresses professional skills = both SfS & WbS DBL = Design Based Learning project
Note:
- single unit slots represent 5 ects subjects; double height slots represent 10 ects subjects
quarter A.1 A.2 B.3 B.4
YEAR 1 2012/13 YEAR 2 2013/14 YEAR 3 2014/15
2WAB0 Calculus 3NAB0 Appl.
Physical Sciences
0LAB0 Intr. to
Modelling 0SAB0 USE
* 2IP90 Programming elective 2IL50 Data structures elective
SfS 2IT60 Logic & set
theory
2IC30 Computer systems
* 2IO70 DBL Embedded systems
2IT70 Automata & process theory
WbS 0HV10 Intr. Psych. &
Techn.
2IT60 Logic & set theory
* 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia
* 2ID40 Human-technology interaction
Design Datamodelling &
databases
Programming methods
* Comp. networks & security
Discrete structures E-U E-U Probability theory &
statistics
SfS * DBL Algorithms * Softw.spec. & testing
E-U E-U
WbS Web technology * DBL App
development Business inform.
systems
Software eng. &
architecture elective
E-U E-U elective
elective
SfS * Operating
systems Algorithms * SEP/WEP
(Software/Web engineering project) elective
WbS HTI in social context * Web analytics
3.5.1 Ongoing streams
The subjects in the curriculum of the majors have been grouped into a number of ”on-going streams”: a coherent set of courses that address a subdomain of computer science
Program intake 2012 27
and engineering. Software Science and Web Science differ in the extent the various sub-domains are addressed. A brief description of each subdomain is given below.
Theory and algorithms Here theory necessary for specifying (software)systems and for reasoning about behavioral aspects like correctness and efficiency are discussed. Also elementary data structures and algorithms and criteria for classifying algorithms are treated.
Contact persons: dr. H.J. Haverkort and dr. E.P. de Vink.
Software development In this subdomain, students first learn how to write computer programs in a standard programming language, and to do so in a manner which takes aspects such as ease of maintenance, robustness, usability, efficiency and accuracy into account. The programming language used is JAVA. On top of that, the process of devel-oping large software systems is addressed, elaborating on various methods and tools for managing such processes.
Contact person: prof.dr. M.G.J. v.d. Brand.
Information systems In this subdomain, students learn how large-scale information systems are built and modified. Special attention is devoted to business information systems.
Contact person: prof.dr.ir. W.M.P. v.d. Aalst.
System architecture and networks Addresses the questions which components are necessary for setting up software and computer systems, and how to organize the com-munication between these components in a secure way.
Contact person: dr. T. Ozcelebi.
Web technology In this subdomain students learn technical aspects of the internet, like hypermedia, dedicated communication protocols and data formats. Special atten-tion is paid to the Semantic Web, where you can reason about data in order to find information and to do business. You also learn how to analyze and mine data from information systems on the Web to optimize information services and navigation struc-tures.
Contact person: dr. G.H.L. Fletcher
ICT in context Information technology is used in a wide variety of settings, each re-quiring specific interaction modes. How can one design a usable interface? Next to technical methodologies one needs to have a basic understanding of psychology, and more specific of psychological aspects of interaction and cognitive processes while us-ing information technology. Also, to understand how people interact with each other
on the Web and how people and companies do business on the Web, we need to under-stand sociology and economy in an on-line setting.
Contact person: prof.dr. P.M.E. De Bra.
In the table below an overview of the ongoing streams, including the specific study components, is presented for the majors Software Science (SfS) and Web Science (WbS) respectively.
Code* Study component name SfS WbS
Yr.qrt Yr.qrt
Theory and algorithms
2IT60 Logic and set theory 1.1 1.2
2IL50 Data structures 1.3 1.3
2IT70 Automata and process theory 1.4
Discrete structures 2.1 2.1 DBL Algorithms 2.2 Algorithms 3.2 Software development 2IP90 Programming 1.1 1.1 Programming methods 2.3 2.3
Software specification and testing 2.3
Software engineering and architecture 3.2 3.2 Software/Web engineering project 3.4 3.4
Information systems
Data modeling and databases 2.2 2.2 Business information systems 3.1 3.1
System architecture and networks
2IC30 Computer systems 1.2
2IO70 DBL Embedded systems 1.3
Computer networks and security 2.4 2.4
Operating systems 3.1 Web technology 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 1.3 Web technology 2.2 DBL App development 2.3 Web analytics 3.2 ICT in context
0HV10 Introduction to psychology & technology 1.1 2ID40 Human technology interaction 1.4
HTI in social context 3.1
Program intake 2012 29
3.5.2 Software Science, 1st year
A detailed program of the first year of the Software Science program is given in the following table:
Quartile Code Study Component Credits
Major 30
1 2IP90 Programming 5
1 2IT60 Logic and set theory 5
2 2IC30 Computer systems 5
3 2IL50 Data structures 5
3 2IO70 DBL Embedded systems 5
4 2IT70 Automata and process theory 5
Basic components 20
1 2WAB0 Calculus variant A 5
2 3NAB0 Physics for technology conceptual 5
3 0LAB0 Introduction to modeling 5
4 0SAB0 USE: Ethics and history of technology 5
Electives 10
2 5
4 5
3.5.3 Web Science, 1st year
A detailed program of the first year of the Web Science program is given in the following table:
Quartile Code Study Component Credits
Major 30
1 0HV10 Introduction Psychology and technology 5
1 2IP90 Programming 5
2 2IT60 Logic and set theory 5
3 2IL50 Data structures 5
3 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 5
4 2ID40 Human-technology interaction 5
Basic components 20
1 2WAB0 Calculus variant A 5
2 3NAB0 Physics for technology conceptual 5
3 0LAB0 Introduction to modeling 5
4 0SAB0 USE: Ethics and history of technology 5
Electives 10
2 5
3.5.4 Combined program in Software Science and Web Science
It is also possible to follow a study program which combines both majors. You will then be required to complete all study components from both majors. Provided you have passed all study components of both majors by the time you sit the final examination, both majors will be shown on your degree certificate.
Since the majors overlap to a large extent, the required additional components fit into the elective part. Hence, the requested amount of credits does not exceed 180. Nevertheless, for scheduling reasons one sometimes has to take four components in one quartile, and the first year of the combined program contains 65 credits. The program for the combination of Software Science and Web Science in the first year is presented below.
Quartile Code Study Component Credits
Major 45
1 0HV10 Introduction Psychology and technology 5
1 2IP90 Programming 5
1 2IT60 Logic and set theory 5
2 2IC30 Computer systems 5
3 2IL50 Data structures 5
3 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 5
4 2ID40 Human-technology interaction 5
4 2IO70 DBL Embedded systems 5
4 2IT70 Automata and process theory 5
Basic component 20
1 2WAB0 Calculus variant A 5
2 3NAB0 Physics for technology conceptual 5
3 0LAB0 Introduction to modeling 5
4 0SAB0 USE: Ethics and history of technology 5
3.5.5 Dual program in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science
and Engineering
During the first year students can opt to follow a study program which, if successfully completed, will entitle you to both the first-year (foundation course) diploma in Ap-plied Mathematics and that in Computer Science and Engineering with major Software Science or Web Science. To do so, you enroll as a student on both the major Applied Mathematics and on either the major Software Science or Web Science (this does not entail any additional fees). The dual program has a heavier workload than a regular first-year foundation course in either subject when taken separately: you are required to earn 75 credits rather than the regular 60 credits.
Having successfully completed the dual first-year program program, in Years 2 and 3 you can opt to take Applied Mathematics or Computer Science and Engineering, i.e., the
Program intake 2012 31
major Software Science or Web Science, or the complete dual degree program leading to two Bachelor of Science diploma’s.
Note that all mathematics study components are taught entirely in Dutch. More information on the Applied Mathematics program can be found in its Program Guide
(in Dutch).
In the table below, for each study component in the dual program of the first year, the quartile in which it should be taken is given for both Software Science and Web Science.
Code Study component name SfS WbS
qrt qrt
Major
0HV10 Introduction Psychology and technology 1
2IP90 Programming 1 1
2WF40 Verzamelingenleer en algebra 1 1
2WF20 Linear Algebra 1 1 2
2IC30 Computer systems 2
2WA30 Analyse 1 2 2
2IL50 Data structures 3 3
2WA40 Analyse 2 3 3
2WF30 Lineaire algebra 2 3 3
2ID40 Human-technology interaction 4
2IO70 DBL Embedded systems 4
2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 4
2IT70 Automata and process theory 4
Basic component
2WBB0 Calculus variant B 1 1
3NBB0 Physics for technology formal 2 2 0LAB0 Introduction to modeling 3 3 0SAB0 USE: Ethics and history of technology 4 4
In case you want to continue the dual program after the first year in order to gradu-ate both in Applied Mathematics and in Computer Science and Engineering, you have to take all study components of both majors, and end up with at least 225 credits.
This dual program is coordinated by Dr. J.C. van der Meer of the Mathematics Sub-department, room MF 5.072, tel. (040) 247 4451 and by Dr. Roel Bloo of the Computer Science Subdepartment, room MF 3.067, tel. (040) 247 4496. You can contact them for more information and for advice on a realistic planning of your individual course se-quence.
3.5.6 Transferring from one major to another
Students who are not yet sure which major they wish to follow are advised to use the elective part in the first year to take study components of the other major(s) they are
interested in. Having made your final choice, it will be possible to catch up on any components you have missed by taking them during the second or third year. Note that completed study components of the original major that are not part of the new major can be used as electives in the new major.
Students who have chosen their major at the beginning of the program but who later decide they would prefer to study the other can generally transfer at any time during the first two quartiles without affecting their study progress. It will be possible to catch up with the modules you have missed during the second year. Note that with a negative binding study recommendation for the major Software Science you cannot take the Web Science major in the second year anymore, and vice versa. See the details inSection 3.8.
3.5.7 Joint first semester: Fontys ICT and TU/e Software Science
International students who are not yet certain whether they are better suited to a scien-tific/academic program or a more practice-oriented course such as that in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offered by Fontys, can opt for a first-semester program which includes study components at both TU/e and Fontys. To do so, you must enroll with both institutes (one will be your ‘main’ enrollment and the other a ‘subsidiary’ enrollment). Having completed one or two quartiles, you can then decide which program you wish to continue.
The program of this joint first semester is:
Quartile 1 ECTS Quartile 2 ECTS
TU/e 2WAB0 Calculus variant A 5 2IC30 Computer systems 5 2IT60 Logic and set theory 5 workshop JAVA 0 Fontys PRO1 Programming in C++ 1 4 PRO2 Programming in C++ 2 4
EDB1 Databases 1 3 EDB2 Databases 2 3
IDE Integrated development env. 3
If you decide to continue your studies at TU/e you will be granted an exemption for module 2IP90 Programming provided you achieved a mark of 7 or more for both Fontys programming modules. You must nevertheless take a short ‘hands-on’ course in JAVA programming before beginning the second semester, and must complete the first-year module 3NAB0 Physics for technology at some point during Year 2, as well as an additional elective module. It is also possible to transfer to the Web Science track if you so wish.
More information on Fontys University of Applied Science and the ICT program it offers can be found at this site: http://fontys.edu/bachelor.information.
Program intake 2012 33
3.6 Electives
The Bachelor College offers you a lot of scope to fill in your study program in your own way. During your study and student time you will experience an important process of personal and professional development. The program is therefore designed so that you can ensure that your study is closely related to your own ambitions and interests. That means that you can decide the direction of your development yourself.
You can choose from a wide range of subjects and packages. In the first year you can choose any course from a different major or from one of the elective packages as long as you satisfy the prerequisites, and provided it does not overlap with the contents of your major components and it fits within your schedule. The predefined elective packages offer you the following options:
deepening your knowledge of your own discipline; learning more about a different discipline;
combining with one of the TU/e’s strategic areas of research: Energy, Health and Smart Mobility.
. In the end your grand total of electives needs to have some coherence. The Examina-tions Committee has to approve of each student’s elective package. The student must submit in the second year a written proposal for the grand elective package to the Ex-aminations Committee. Students must also justify their choice with regard to their plans and ambitions and with an eye to the engineer’s field of professional practice. The Fac-ulty coach can assist you in this regard. More on the regulations can be found in the Education and Examinations Regulations (Appendix 6.3), art. 1.4.2.
In the first year, students that take either Software Science or Web Science are sup-posed to take two elective study components, in quartile 2 and 4. In order to get permis-sion for enrollment of these electives, you need to send a request to the Student coun-selor by filling in an electronic form. This form is available athttp://w3.win.tue.
nl/en/education/organization/forms/. Suggestions for suitable electives for
Software Science students and Web Science students are available athttp://w3.win.
tue.nl/en/programs/majors_generation_2012/electives_ss/, andhttp:
//w3.win.tue.nl/en/programs/majors_generation_2012/electives_ws/,
respectively. An overview of all electives offered can be found at the Bachelor College site onelectives.
Students that combine two majors choose major components from the second major as electives.
3.7 Professional skills
In addition to professional knowledge and engineering skills graduates need skills to exercise his/her profession. This includes skills on communication, reflection, planning
and organization. Therefor each major includes the professional skills basic module, which is worth five credits. The skill lines are:
presentation, writing, cooperation, reflection,
planning and organization,
looking up and processing (scientific) information.
These skill lines are embedded in the study components of the major, as are the five cred-its associated with it. The total number of hours per skill line is spread over the three years of the degree program, giving individual students three assessment opportunities per skill line. You have to pass the skill assessment in order to complete the study com-ponent in which it is embedded. The lecturer uses an assessment form to evaluate and assess specific skills. This form is then entered into your digital file. You successfully complete the professional skills basic module once all skill assessments (and thus all skill lines) have been completed with a passing grade.
In the table below for each skill line the embedding study component in the first year is listed, as is the percentage of time it consumes within that study component.
Skill Embedded in study component Frac. Software Science Web Science
2PS11 Collaborating 1 2IO70 DBL ES 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 10% 2PS21 Presenting 1 2IO70 DBL ES 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 4%
2PS31 Writing 1 2IO70 DBL ES 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 9%
2PS41 Reflecting 1 2IO70 DBL ES 2ID40 Human-techn. interact. 2% 2PS51 Planning and organizing 1 2IO70 DBL ES 2IO80 DBL Hypermedia 6% 2PS11 Information handling 1 2IP90 Programming 2IP90 Programming 3%
* with respect to 5 ects (=140 hours study load)
3.8 The ‘binding study recommendation’
At the end of each semester, students are given a recommendation with regard to the further direction of their studies, known as the ‘study advice’. The first is purely for your information and guidance. The second, however, is binding: if it seems that you are unlikely to complete the entire program successfully, you will not be permitted to progress to the second year. There are four main types of study advice:
A positive recommendation (40 credits or more, of which 15 or more are derived from major study components). The Examinations Committee will permit stu-dents with a positive study recommendation to take all study components in the
Program intake 2012 35
second-year’s program. However, they must complete any remaining first-year study components at the earliest opportunity otherwise permission will be with-drawn.
A positive recommendation with study contract (between 30 and 40 credits, of which 15 or more have been derived from major study components). The study contract stipulates the program study components that the student is permitted to take during the second year, alongside those first-year study components which have yet to be completed. In most cases, students will not be permitted to take part in second-year DBL projects. A student who fails to complete the remain-ing first-year components at the earliest opportunity will not be permitted to take any second-year components until the remaining first-year components have been completed.
A negative binding study recommendation (fewer than 30 credits). Students given a negative study recommendation are not permitted to continue the Computer Science and Engineering program and may not re-apply to do so for a period of three years. Note that a negative binding study recommendation is issued for the BSc program (not per major), hence excluding both majors for continuation. A deferred study advice: a student may be granted a deferred study advice if he or
she has failed to make the necessary progress due to exceptional personal circum-stances, such as illness, disability, unforeseen family commitments or pregnancy. In most cases, the student will be required to make up half of the shortfall in first-year credits during the second first-year. The Student counselor should be informed of any exceptional personal circumstances as soon as possible.
Detailed information about the study advice will be given during the kick-off meetings at the start of each quartile. The terms and conditions attaching to the binding study advice and the study contract are stated in the Education and Examination Regulations (seeAppendix 6.3). For further information you have to contact the Student counselor (seeSection 2.8).
3.9 Registration = participation = examination
The philosophy of the Bachelor College is that when you participate actively during the tuition period of a study component, you should be able to complete it with a sufficient grade. Registrations for study components result in automatic registrations for the rel-evant interim tests and the first subsequent final test. Interim tests are mandatory. If you are not able to participate in an interim test or do not hand in any work, then the grade will be marked as 0. If you do not participate in a final test, then you may not register for the retake of that final test in the same academic year. When you register for a component, you are expected to participate actively, and consequently you are au-tomatically registered for the interim tests and for the final test. Also, when failing the examination, you are automatically registered for the retake!
Since you are allowed to take examinations at most three times per component, and because a no-show counts for one attempt, you should withdraw for a component as soon as you decide not to participate anymore and/or not to take the next final test. You may withdraw no later than five working days before the final test or retake is to take place.
The final grade for a study component is determined on the basis of an examination, consisting of at least two interim tests and a final test. A maximum of 70
3.10 First-year examination and compensation arrangements
Year 1 culminates in a formal examination and associated first-year (called foundation course or Propedeuse) certificate in Computer Science and Engineering. To pass the examination, you must have completed all program components with at least a ‘pass’ mark of 6 (out of 10). An exception to this rule will be made in the following circum-stances: first-year students who fail to achieve a pass mark by only one point, scoring a 5 for no more than one study component, will be deemed to have passed the first-year examination.Note: students must register (through OASE at www.education.tue.nl) to take the first-year examination. There is no automatic assessment as you might have been used to at school!
3.11 Student guidance in the first year
From the time you enroll, there are various people you can turn to for assistance, such as the Student counselor, a Faculty coach and a Student mentor.
3.11.1 Faculty coach
Before the start of the first semester, students are divided into small groups and assigned a faculty member as their coach throughout the bachelor program. There will be several meetings devoted to help you make certain choices, to decide which options suit you best. Where appropriate, the coach will refer you to the Student counselor for further advice.
3.11.2 Student mentor
During the first semester of the first year every student will be assigned a student men-tor. He or she is a senior student who can help you with the practical matters that you have to deal with relating to your study. In particular, the skills you’ll need for studying successfully will be explained by the student mentor.
Program intake 2012 37
3.11.3 Student counselor
The student counselors coordinate the guidance provided to students throughout the program. They know the formal regulations concerning program amendments in case of delay or transfers, and advise the Examinations Committee on alternations of indi-vidual programs. SeeSection 2.8for more information.
3.11.4 The quarterly kick-off meetings
Every quartile a kick-off meeting is organized by the Student counselor for first-year students to provide information about the organization and regulations of the program. These gatherings are scheduled under code 2IC00 P-colloquium; relevant documents will be published in the course web page of 2IC00 athttp://www.education.tue. nl.
3.11.5 Orientation on professional career
In order to orient yourself on the profession of a software science engineer and/or web science engineer, some mandatory company visits are organized in the first semester. The dates and companies will be posted in due time under code 2IC00 as well.
Also, on a voluntarily basis, one can attend company lectures and visits organized by the study association GEWIS (seeSection 6.3).
3.11.6 CANS prevention
The law on working and studying conditions obligates the University to offer all stu-dents a workshop on RSI=Repetitive Strain Injury (or CANS as it is called nowadays, Complaints Arm, Neck, Shoulder) and computer screen work. The department of-fers this workshop in the third quartile of the first year. Participation is obligatory and will therefore be registered. The workshop will be scheduled under code 2IC00 P-colloquium in due time. The workshop will last 1 hour and is especially meant for employees and students who work regularly and/or for extended periods behind a computer screen. During the workshop considerable attention will be paid to the de-velopment of CANS, its causes and especially how it can be prevented. Besides the the-oretical approach extensive attention will be paid to the practical issues. As workshop-participant you actively take part in the programme and you will learn to be aware of your own posture.
Part III
Bachelor program 2011 and before
4
Program intake 2011
4.1 ’B Phase’
Having successfully completed the first or ‘foundation’ year, students progress to the Bachelor’s phase proper – also known as the ‘B Phase’ – in Years 2 and 3. The entire B phase is designed to provide students with a solid, broad basis on which to pursue their professional career. In Years 2 and 3, you are required to earn 78 credits from the compulsory modules, 30 credits from a ‘minor’, and 12 credits from electives. In most cases, you will take the minor in the first semester of Year 3. The minor offers a chance to prepare for a Master’s program, to gain international experience at a partner university in another country, or to explore a discipline outside the realm of computer science itself.
Many students do not earn the required 60 credits per year, whereupon they will take longer than the allotted three years to graduate unless they take action to catch up. This will often entail taking a combination of first and second year modules, or second and third year modules, in one and the same semester. This can cause timetabling clashes. Priority must always be given to the ‘earlier’ module, i.e. that which should have been completed first. The Student counselors can offer advice if necessary. They can also inform you on the new regulations on Bachelor’s-before-Master’s (”harde knip”) and on increased tuition fee for students who take too long to complete their studies (the so-called langstudeermaatregel).
Note that the information in this chapter applies only to those students who com-menced their first year in 2011.
4.1.1 Admission
To derive the full benefit of the program and its various modules, it is essential that stu-dents have the necessary prior education and/or knowledge. The curriculum assumes that students have already acquired certain skills and are familiar with certain basic concepts. One purpose of the admission regulations is to ensure that students are able to make the expected progress.
Students who pass the first-year examination are automatically admitted to the B phase. In principle, students are not permitted to take any second-year modules until all first-year modules have been passed (see the Education and Examination Regulations inAppendix 6.3).
Students who have been given a positive study advice without a study contract re-quirement are entitled to begin any of the second-year modules during the first semester of Year 2. Students who are subject to a study contract have a more restricted choice, and must obtain the Student Counselor’s permission to commence any second-year module. First of all it must be decided if the student can continue in the old program, or should switch to the new Bachelor College program. In most cases, switching to the Bachelor College can be implemented without loss of credits and will be the preferred option. For students subject to a study contract that remain in the old program, 2IO23 DBL Specification and game will most probably not be permitted. (The ’study contract’ and its implications are described in further detail in Appendix 4 of the B-part of the Education and Examination Regulations: see Appendix 6.3).
In either case, permission to begin the second-year modules before completing all required first-year modules applies only during the first semester of Year 2. Students who have not yet completed all first-year modules must do so before being allowed to sit the examinations for any second year modules of the second semester and for third year modules.
4.2 Program revision
A new curriculum has been introduced in the 2011-2012 academic year. The most sig-nificant changes were:
the introduction of specialist ‘tracks’, viz. Software Science (SfS) and Web Science (WbS);
the adoption of English as the main tuition language;
the transition from a semester-based schedule to one of ‘quartiles’. In 2012-2013 the second year of that program is offered.
Due to the university-wide introduction of the Bachelor College, another revision of the curriculum was necessary starting 2012-2013. This might cause difficulties for stu-dents that did not complete all modules of the first year. SeeSection 4.5on transitional arrangements for more information on this subject.
Program intake 2011 43
4.3 Objectives
The overall objective of the program is to train and educate young professionals who are able to progress into a Master’s program in Computer Science and/or are prepared to embark upon a professional career in the field. Students are therefore expected to:
1. acquire a strong theoretical frame of reference, including a knowledge of the basic concepts of computer science and their interdependency;
2. be able to develop, analyze, realize, implement, maintain and/or adapt software products, and to do so in a scientifically responsible manner (the Web Science track focuses on complex web-based applications, while the Software Science track is more concerned with technical applications);
3. show a level of performance commensurate with an education at Bachelor degree level.
4.3.1 Qualifications
Students who complete the program are awarded a BSc degree, which is evidence of the following skills and competences:
In computer science and engineering:
familiarity with all basic concepts;
a thorough technical and scientific understanding of software and software sys-tems;
the ability to apply the knowledge acquired in delving to the essence of such sys-tems, understanding precisely how they work and being able to assess them on their merits.
In software design:
the ability to develop programs or software systems in an effective and structured manner, whereby those systems will perform the tasks expected of them accu-rately and efficiently;
the ability to analyze any software system in terms of its behavioral aspects, in-cluding performance;
further to this analysis, the ability to adapt and improve the system where neces-sary;
the ability to document all findings and activities for future reference.
the ability to acquire further knowledge in the field of computer science and to do so independently;
an awareness of the position and importance of computer science within society, an awareness of the rapid changes, both positive and negative, which information technology can bring about, and the ability to reflect on such changes;
the ability to work effectively within a team;
the ability to impart information, ideas and solutions to either fellow specialists or a lay public.
4.4 Program for 2011 intake
4.4.1 Overview
An outline structure of the program is as follows.
Study component Credits
Core subjects (common to SfS and WbS) 72
Specialist subjects (SfS or WbS) 30 (SfS) / 33 (WbS) DBL + graduation project 36 (SfS) / 33 (WbS)
Electives 12
Minor 30
Total 180
An overview of the program is presented inFig. 4.1.
4.4.2 Knowledge domains in Year 2
The second year addresses the following knowledge domains and associated topics: Mathematics: statistics
Theoretical computer science: discrete structures Programming: programming methods
Information systems: datamodelling, databases, business information systems Advanced tools and techniques: computer graphics, security.
In addition, in theSoftware Sciencetrack the following domains are addressed: CASP (Computer architecture and system programming): operating systems Software modelling: software specification and modelling
and in theWeb Sciencetrack:
Program intake 2011 45
CASP (Computer architecture and system programming): computer networks The knowledge and skills learned in the various modules will be applied in an inte-grated way in two seperate DBL projects, the first one on designing and implementing a computer game, the second one on developing a complicated information system. The DBL projects in Year 2 are more complex a
