BSc in Computer Science

Where would we be without computers? If you immediately think about how much you use your laptop or your smartphone, you’re right: personal computers play a massive role in our lives. However, there are plenty of other examples. If you checked the weather forecast, hopped on a train, watched tv, or read about a research breakthrough – a computer was involved somewhere.

Most of us rely on computers, but computers themselves rely on computer scientists. After all, someone needs to write the instructions that tell computers what to do. These step-by-step instructions are contained within the software: the collection of applications, programs, and scripts that run on a computer.

The bachelor’s program in Computer Science teaches you the ins and outs of the software. Whether it’s a supercomputer used for scientific research, computers in everyday objects like cars, watches, and fridges, or your gaming console: you will learn how to make it run as smoothly as possible.

There are many different ways to achieve this. Should the software run more efficiently? Does it need to be more secure, more accessible, or easier to use? You can find the tools to answer these questions in the many different fields of Computer Science. Our curriculum is designed to let you gradually discover your interests within this broad field and develop your employability skills.

Fast facts

• Learn how to make computer programs run faster, better, and safer
• Available from September 2023 onwards
• The 3-year program resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree
• Taught in English
• Additional mathematics entry requirements apply
• No numerous fixes: if you meet the entry requirements, you are allowed to start the program

Year 1

Semester 1

• Introduction to Computer Science
• Procedural Programming
• Discrete Mathematics
• Objects in Programming
• Logic
• Calculus
• Project

Semester 2

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Linear Algebra
• Object-Oriented Modelling
• Database Architectures
• Statistics
• Algorithmic Design
• Project

Year 2

Semester 3

• Computer Networks
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Intelligent User Interfaces
• Software Engineering and Architectures
• Principles of Programming Languages
• Image & Video Processing(Intelligent Interaction module)
• Machine Learning(AI & ML module)
• Module Project

Semester 4

• Embedded Programming
• Computer Security
• Parallel Programming
• IT Management & Privacy
• Numerical Methods
• High-Performance Computing
• Information Security(Cybersecurity & IoT module)
• Ubiquitous Computing & IoT(Cybersecurity & IoT module)
• Module Project

Year 3

Semester 5

Elective Semester

Choice between:

• 6 elective courses with Brightlands Campus Project

Elective Computer Science courses

• Computer Simulations
• Real-time Programming
• Computer Graphics
• Real-time Programming
• Quantum Computing
• Robotics
• Bio-informatics
• IT startups
• Digital Society
• Cloud Computing

Related elective courses from other UM Science and Engineering programs (For instance: in physics)

Maastricht University Minor

Semester abroad at a European partner university

Semester 6

• Operating Systems
• Ethics and Philosophy for Computer Science
• Theoretical Computer Science
• Bachelor's Thesis

You can find people with an academic Computer Science background working as:

• Software Developer
• Security specialist
• Software engineer
• App Developer
• Software architect
• Ethical hacker
• Software project manager

Graduates work on applications for a wide range of fields: from healthcare to finance, from scientific research to retail, from logistics to business, and of course in the IT sector itself.