Computational Science and Engineering (CSE)

Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) is a rapidly developing field that brings together applied mathematics (especially numerical analysis), computer science, and scientific or engineering applications. CSE focuses on developing problem-solving methodologies and robust tools for numerical simulation. To understand phenomena and processes from science and engineering, we no longer need to depend only on theory and experiment, but can also use computations. Numerical simulations supplement experiments and can even allow the examination of systems and problems that would be too time-consuming, expensive, or dangerous (if possible at all) to study by experiment alone.

The high level of detail and realism in these simulations requires advanced skills in mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, efficient algorithms, computer architecture, software design and implementation, validation, and visualization of results. This program equips engineering, science, or mathematics graduates with the skills required for a successful professional or academic career in CSE.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Computational Science and Engineering (PDF, German) 

The Master’s in Computational Science and Engineering is a multidisciplinary program taught in English over four semesters. The first three semesters involve lectures, tutorials, and seminars, while the fourth semester is reserved for your master's thesis.

The program covers a wide range of subjects and research areas, including numerical analysis, computer science, scientific computing and diverse applications like computational physics, computational fluid dynamics, visualization, and many more. In order to ensure a broad spectrum of topics as well as excellent expertise in each field, the CSE program is offered in cooperation with seven TUM departments.

All of the program's mandatory modules are taught in English, but some modules offered within the application areas may be bilingual (German lectures and English course material, or vice versa) or conducted in German, thus giving a broader choice of application fields.

• Overview degree program structure
• Program structure: Overview of modules

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is English.

Upon graduating with a M.Sc. in Computational Science and Engineering, you possess a great portfolio of skills in the areas of Computer Science, Numerical Analysis, Scientific Computing as well as their relevant Applications, Methods and Techniques.

Computer Science focuses on Advanced Programming, Computer Architecture and Networks, Fundamental Algorithms, Parallel Programming, Scientific Visualization, the Programming of Supercomputers and Patterns in Software Engineering.

In the area of Numerical Analysis, the core subjects offered are Numerical Programming and Parallel Numerics.

You have also gained theoretical as well as practical skills in scientific computing, and are capable of applying your theoretical knowledge in your individual focus area to questions of current research.

Graduates of the Master's in Computational Science and Engineering can look forward to an inspiring career in this important and dynamic field. Computational Science and Engineering is an emerging discipline that extends into all of the fields from which it evolved – applied mathematics, engineering and science applications, high performance computing, and many more. In the same way, the job opportunities and career paths on offer to graduates of the program are diverse, constantly exploring new fields of application, and usually characterized by a high level of interdisciplinarity.

Thanks to their computational abilities, advanced programming skills, and understanding of sophisticated models and algorithms, computational science and engineering graduates are in demand to solve large-scale problems that were once thought to be unmanageable.

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more  
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Bachelor-Zeugnis und Bachelor-Urkunde oder Fächer- und Notentranskript
• Sprachnachweis Englisch
• Motivationsschreiben
• Curricularanalyse
• Lückenloser und aktueller Lebenslauf
• Empfehlungsschreiben von zwei Professoren
• Personalausweis oder Reisepass
• Vorprüfungsdokumentation (VPD) bei Bewerbung mit Masterzugangsberechtigung aus Nicht-EU/EWG

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Antrag auf Einschreibung (unterschrieben)
• Bachelor-Zeugnis und Bachelor-Urkunde (beglaubigte Kopie)
• Aktuelles Passbild
• Nachweis über eine studentische Krankenversicherung

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for winter semester: 01.01. – 31.05. 

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Eignungsverfahren für Masterstudiengänge
• Information on the Aptitude Assessment (German) (PDF 356 KB)

The online application process takes place through our application portal TUMonline.  

This degree program does not encompass a compulsory internship nor is an internship a requirement for admission. However, it is recommendable, as a rule, to gain practical experience as soon as possible.