M.Sc. in Data Engineering

Today we are “drowning in data and starving for information” while acknowledging that “data is the new gold”. However, deriving value from all the data now available requires a transformation in data analysis, in how we see, maintain, share and understand data.

Data Engineering is an emerging profession concerned with the task of acquiring large collections of data and extracting insights from them. It is driving the next generation of technological innovation and scientific discovery, which is expected to be strongly data-driven.

The program is embedded in the “Mobility” focus area at Constructor University. This focus area investigates the mobility of people, goods, and information. Even though the Data Engineering program is centered in “Mobility”, it includes contributions from and supports applications in the two other research foci: Health (bioactive substances), and Diversity (in modern societies).

Four program tracks to allow specialization:

Moreover, the Data Engineering program attracts students with diverse career goals, backgrounds, and prior work experience. Therefore, the program offers four focus tracks within which the students can choose to specialize further:

• Computer Science
• Geo-Informatics
• Bio-Informatics
• Business & Supply Chain Engineering

These tracks are a preparation for the Advanced Projects within the Discovery Area and the Master Thesis.

Computer Science Track: In particular, Computer Science provides students with the skills to go beyond a mere usage of existing toolboxes and to develop innovative data analysis techniques of their own design.

Geo-Informatics Track: It gives students an introduction to Geographic Information System techniques, principles of spatial analysis, and data mining with the integration of remote sensing and GPS. It thereby provides early exposure to earth science data and its handling.

Bioinformatics Track and the analysis of biomedical data: Integration and model-based interpretation of high-throughput data are severe bottlenecks in biomedical and pharmaceutical research. Data Engineering prepares students for the novel computational challenges in these fields.

Business & Supply Chain Engineering Track: Students can also choose the specialization track in Business & Supply Chain Engineering. A vast amount of data is collected as part of business processes in particular along supply chains. In this specialization track, students will concentrate on the full data analysis cycle including pre-processing of data, data analysis, and deployment of model results within the business process.

Study program structure

Schematic study plan

The Data Engineering graduate program is composed of foundational lectures, specialized modules, industry seminars and applied project work, leading to a master thesis that can be conducted in research groups at Constructor University, at external research institutes or in close collaboration with a company. The program takes four semesters (two years). The following table shows an overview of the modular structure of the program. The program is sectioned into five areas (Core, Elective, Methods, Discovery, and Career) and the Master Thesis. All credit points are ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credit points. In order to graduate, students need to obtain 120 credit points.

Elective area

The Data Engineering program attracts students with diverse career goals, backgrounds, and prior work experience. Therefore, modules in this area can be chosen freely by students depending on their prior knowledge and interests.

Students may choose any combination of the modules listed below. Each track may be followed completely and/or complemented with other modules (as necessary in the case of the tracks with 10 credit points).

Methods area

In the Methods Area advanced concepts, methods, and technologies of data engineering are introduced with a view toward industrial applications. Students can choose freely from the modules in this area. To enhance flexibility, students may transfer modules between the Elective and the Methods Areas (except for remedial modules) after consulting their academic advisor.

Discovery area

This area features in the first semester a Project Seminar introducing the students to Current Topics and Challenges in Data Engineering, which is followed by two advanced projects in Data Engineering in semesters 2 and 3, each worth 5 CP. The projects can be done in the research groups at Constructor University or during internships in companies. The projects are supervised by Constructor University faculty.

Career area

In this area, students acquire skills preparing them for a career as data engineers in the industry.

Master thesis

In the fourth semester, students conduct research and write a master thesis guided and supported by their academic advisor.

Top 25 % Constructor University ranks among the top 25 % of universities worldwide

#1 private university in Germany

#3 young university in teaching in Germany

#13 small university worldwide

Demand for Data Engineers is massive. Typical fields of work encompass the finance sector, the automotive and health industry as well as retail and telecommunications. Companies and institutions in almost every domain need:

• Experts for data acquisition who find out how to collect the data needed;
• Experts for data management who know how to store, enhance, protect, and process large amounts of data efficiently;
• Experts for data analysis who evaluate and interpret the collected data correctly and are able to visualize the findings clearly.
• Graduates of the program work as data analysts, data managers, data architects, business consultants, software and web developers, or system administrators;
• An MSc degree in Data Engineering also allows students to move on to a Ph.D. and a career in academia and research institutions.

The employability of Data Engineering graduates is promoted by organizing contacts with industry and research institutes throughout the curriculum. In the first semester, in the Current Topics in Data Engineering seminar, companies and research groups introduce their field of interest. The advanced projects, in the second and third semester, can be combined with internships in research institutes or companies. In the second and third semesters, participation in public big data challenges is organized as an integral part of the curriculum.

Career services center

Today’s business world requires disciplinary knowledge from graduates as well as the ability to apply this knowledge. Career-related services at Constructor University provide information, counseling and training, networks, and events. Constructor University’s students participate in training on project management, business communication, job interview skills, and more. Digital job and internship portfolios help students to prepare for their careers.

Alumni association

Studying at Constructor University gives you connections – often for your whole life.

The Alumni Association E.V. was founded in 2004 by the first generation of graduates. Since then, around 4,500 students have obtained their degrees from this University.