The preparatory course offered by the Faculty of Computer Science at Ulm University of Applied Sciences is designed to help you get off to a successful start in your degree programme. The course helps you make the transition from school or work to university smoother, brush up on key fundamentals, and familiarise yourself with everyday university life at an early stage. This will enable you to begin your studies with greater confidence and a solid foundation.
It is aimed at first-year students on the Computer Science, Data Science in Medicine, Business Informatics and Information Management in Healthcare programmes.
The next preparatory course offered by the Department of Computer Science at Ulm University of Applied Sciences will take place from September 14, 2026, through September 25, 2026.
It is generally still possible to join the preparatory course once it has begun. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, please register in advance by email with the preparatory course team. They will also provide you with information on which modules you can still attend and which topics you should prepare for through self-study.
The preparatory course is held primarily on the Prittwitzstraße campus. On certain days, sessions will be offered on the Albert-Einstein-Allee campus. Therefore, please note the respective location details in the schedule:
The preliminary course for the Computer Science (CTS) degree program begins on September 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in room B312.
For the preliminary course, you will need:
Clarification of organizational matters (Where can I find my class schedule? How can I access my THU email account?)
Tour of the Prittwitzstraße Campus and the Albert-Einstein-Allee Campus
Tips & Tricks for a Successful Academic Career
Information on the math placement test (Which topics are relevant? Where can I get help?)
In the following lecture notes, you’ll find theoretical fundamentals, exercises, and sample solutions. It’s a good idea to start with the math test ( Exercise 1) after reading the preface.
Mathematics Preparatory Course Lecture Notes
Mathematics Preparatory Course
A Short Crash Course in Programming: Exercises, Python Cheatsheet, Tic-Tac-Toe Project
In what language is the course taught?
The course is offered in German and English.
How much does it cost to take the preparatory course?
The course is free for all first-year students at THU.
What materials should I bring?
Please bring the following materials with you to participate in the preparatory course:
Food and drinks are available at the cafeteria. PLEASE NOTE: You’ll also need your THU Card to pay.
What documents do I need to provide for registration and participation?
No documents or certificates are required for registration and participation in the preparatory course. Your enrollment at THU is confirmed by the possession of a valid student ID (THU-Card) and your university account. These should be available by the start of the preparatory course.
How should I prepare for the course in advance?
The preparatory course is primarily designed to help first-year students familiarize themselves with the THU’s infrastructure, bring their knowledge of mathematics and computer science up to a common level, and begin making connections with fellow students. Therefore, no prior preparation is required.
Will the course also be offered online?
No, the course is currently held exclusively on campus. Otherwise, campus tours and social interactions with fellow students would be lost.
Is there a recording of the course?
No, currently no recording of the course is available. We, as the preparatory course team, prefer in-person sessions that allow for direct interaction, as this enables us to address questions in a targeted and timely manner. Otherwise, campus tours and social interactions with fellow students would also be lost.
Is attendance required when registering for the course?
The preparatory course is designed to ease the transition into your studies at THU; there is no requirement to participate, nor is attendance mandatory—not even for individual parts of the course. Individual thematic modules build on one another, so you may have a harder time keeping up if you don’t attend all sessions. Talk to your on-site tutors on a case-by-case basis to determine which content you should review through self-study.
I can’t attend all parts of the course for personal reasons—is my participation still possible and worthwhile?
On which days would attendance be most important? The preparatory course is designed to ease the transition to studying at THU; there is no requirement to participate, not even in individual parts of the course. In principle, we believe that participating in the entire course is important and beneficial. Individual modules of a subject take place on different days. If you miss a session, you’ll miss out on building-on content, which you should then catch up on through self-study before resuming the course. Which content is more necessary or important for each participant varies greatly from person to person and depends heavily on their previous academic background. Please consult your on-site tutors on a case-by-case basis to determine which content you should catch up on through self-study.
I’m sick or unable to attend and can no longer participate in the course—what should I do?
There is no mandatory attendance requirement for the course, so you do not need to withdraw if you are sick or unable to attend.
I found out about the course too late, and it has already started. Can I still participate?
It is possible to join the course even after it has started. Individual thematic modules build on one another, so you may have a harder time keeping up if you don’t attend all sessions. Talk to your on-site tutors on a case-by-case basis to determine which topics you should catch up on through self-study.
I still have general questions about the program and course content. Who can I contact?
Please direct your questions about applications and admission to the Student Service Center (SSC). Once you are enrolled, the faculty office is responsible for questions regarding the course of study, and the respective faculty’s examination office handles the possible transfer of credits from a previous program of study. Please contact the appropriate secretariat. You can find the relevant contact information on the respective degree program page.
Where do I get my student ID and my university account?
The THU-Card (your student ID) and your university account will be mailed to you by the Student Service Center (SSC). Please activate your university account immediately by following the instructions provided, so that everything is ready for the orientation course. If you have any questions regarding the issuance of your university account and THU-Card at the start of your studies, please contact the SSC.