# Course structure and curriculum

**Source**: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-computer-science-and-engineering/course-structure-and-curriculum
**Parent**: https://www.tue.nl/en/education/graduate-school/master-computer-science-and-engineering

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## Structure

The CSE course is a two-year master's program. Both years are divided into semesters that run from September to January and from February to July. There are two quarters of eight weeks in each semester in which you take courses. Knowledge will be tested in examination periods of two weeks. The degree is taught in English.

Students choose a foundational course from each focus area and follow specialization courses from the focus area of their choice. After taking free electives and following a seminar, they finalize their degree with a graduation project. There is room for an internship or an international exchange in your free elective space.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Foundational courses | 15 ECTS |
| Specialization | 15 ECTS |
| CSE electives | 30 ECTS |
| Free electives | 15 ECTS |
| Seminar | 5 ECTS |
| Graduation project (incl. a 10 EC preparation phase) | 40 ECTS |

## Curriculum

The CSE curriculum consists of a broad range of advanced courses and a very flexible structure with a wide choice of electives. This way you can pick and choose your personal program content, enabling you to shape your degree in a way that suits your ambitions. \
 \
 You can view a number of example study plans that you might end up choosing, together with reasons to choose them, relating to e.g. your intended career path or other preferences.\
 \
 ***Clink on the hyperlink of each study plan to view a proposed curriculum.***

### [ALGORITHMS](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/example-study-plan-algorithms-cluster-algo)

This study plan prepares you for roles in algorithm engineering and R&D, with opportunities in areas such as: computer graphics, geographic information systems, autonomous systems, spatial computing, algorithmic trading, and supply chain optimization. This track is also an excellent foundation for research careers in algorithmic theory, computational geometry, or applied algorithms, particularly in academia or industry labs.

### [SYSTEMS](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/example-study-plan-systems-cluster-iris)

Following this study plan, you could become a system engineer or systems developer in high-tech industry such as chip design, Cyber Physical Systems, Internet of Things, with a focus on resource-efficient and long-lasting systems with performance guarantees.

### [SYSTEMS INTELLIGENCE](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/example-study-plan-systems-intelligence-cluster-iris)

Following this study plan, you could become an autonomous system engineer or designer, or data analyst with a focus on trustworthy embedded intelligence.

### [FOUNDATIONS OF SYSTEMS](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/example-study-plan-foundations-of-systems-cluster-fsa)

You could become a system designer or architect in the high-tech industry, or use your skills in an environment that deals with mission-critical or safety-critical systems, and in which correctness of the software is of utmost importance, such as, e.g., trains or tunnels.

### [ALGORITHMS AND FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTING](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/default-title)

This study line trains your skills in mathematical, logical and critical reasoning and prepares you for industrial roles such as consultant and software architect, but also for an academic research path, in particular in the area of algorithms and formal methods, but also beyond those areas.

### [EMPIRICAL SOFTWARE ENGINEERING](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/example-study-plan-empirical-software-engineering-cluster-set)

This study plan prepares you to be a software engineer knowing their way in a multidisciplinary team and able to understand and reflect on the complex socio-technical environment their systems are operating in; or a data scientist or AI engineer capable of integrating insights from data and AI in software systems.

### [SOFTWARE ENGINEERING AND FORMAL METHODS](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/curriculum/example-study-plans-2/example-study-plan-software-engineering-and-formal-methods-clusters-set-fsa)

You might become a broadly interested software engineer with a keen eye for correctness of software, or a software verification engineer in an organization responsible for safety-critical infrastructures such as bridges or dams.

Play video

## Free electives: yours to decide

You may use your free elective options to study other technical or non-technical topics of your choice to broaden your perspective. This means that you can also choose courses from other departments at TU/e, other universities in the Netherlands, or a range of universities abroad. An internship is an option here, too.

The program ends with a research project in which you prove yourself as computer scientist. During the project, you use what you have learned and the skills you have developed to create new knowledge and designs. You will specialize in a single subject and demonstrate that you are able to organize a research project independently.

For a more in-depth breakdown of the course curriculum, click [here](https://educationguide.tue.nl/programs/graduate-school/masters-programs/computer-science-and-engineering/).

## Beyond the curriculum

Your time at CSE is about more than lectures. Join one of the many [TU/e Student Teams](https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/student-teams) to work on real-world challenges in areas like energy, mobility, or health together with industry partners. Or join one of our many [Communities](https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/community): from hockey and theater to frisbee and stitching, you will surely find your tribe. Regardless of your interest, our study association [GEWIS](https://www.tue.nl/en/our-university/community/gewis) is always there for you. These experiences help you grow personally and professionally and make your time here truly unforgettable.

## Curriculum Master CSE

- [### [pdf] CSE Master flyer.pdf

  392 KB](https://assets.w3.tue.nl/w/fileadmin/mathematics%20and%20computer%20science/M%26CS/CSE%20Master%20flyer.pdf)

## Research groups

The research of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science focuses on mathematical applications and the design of innovative software systems.

[Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

### Applied Geometric Algorithms

Geometric algorithms is the field within algorithms research that is concerned with the design and analysis of efficient algorithms and data…](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/computer-science/algorithms-geometry-and-applications/applied-geometric-algorithms)[Cluster Artificial Intelligence

### Database Group

The Database (DB) group studies core engineering and foundational challenges in scalable and effective management of Big Data.](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/data-science/data-and-artificial-intelligence/database-group)[Cluster Artificial Intelligence

### Data Mining

The chair studies data mining (DM) techniques and knowledge discovery approaches that are at the core of data science. The group is known…](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/data-science/data-and-artificial-intelligence/data-mining)[Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

### Formal System Analysis

Formal System Analysis focuses on theories, techniques and tools for modeling and analyzing the behaviors of software-controlled systems.](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/computer-science/formal-system-analysis/formal-system-analysis)[Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

### Interconnected Resource-aware Intelligent Systems

We at the Interconnected Resource-aware Intelligent Systems cluster address (distributed embedded) systems performance challenges in terms…](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/computer-science/interconnected-resource-aware-intelligent-systems)[### Security

The interconnectivity and pervasiveness of computers and embedded systems is not only determining new functionalities, but is also opening…](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/computer-science/security)[### Software Engineering and Technology

The objective of the Software Engineering and Technology group is to develop methods and tools for time- and cost-efficient evolution of…](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/computer-science/software-engineering-and-technology-1)[Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

### Artificial Intelligence

The AI-group primarily focuses on the fundamentals, techniques, and tools/frameworks for successful applications of AI. It strenghtens the…](https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/artificial-intelligence)

### Visualization

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