FAQ
When will the prep course take place?
The maths prep course is scheduled to take place from September 18, 2023, to October 13, 2023 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What topics will be covered in the prep course?
In the prep course, we will cover the following topics:
- Formal Languages
- Logic
- Proofs
- Sets and relations
- Induction
For students of which subjects is the preparatory course intended?
We recommend that you attend the preparatory course if you are going to start or have just started your (bachelor’s) studies in one of the following courses:
- Computer Science / Informatik (including teacher studies)
- Cybersecurity / Cybersicherheit
- Wirtschaftsinformatik
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Medieninformatik
- Computerlinguistik
- Bioinformatik
- Eingebettete Systeme
- Mathematik und Informatik
Additionally, if you plan on taking any modules in Computer Science during your studies, you might also want to participate.
Do I have to take the prep course if I want to study a computer science-related subject?
No. The prep course is not part of the degree programme. The prep course is a student-led optional offering to prepare you for your studies.
My field of study is not listed above. Is there another prep course that is suitable for me?
Unfortunately, we cannot make a recommendation for this. Nevertheless, on the website of the university (in German) you can find other offers. If you are in doubt, you can ask at the Student Counselling or your department.
My subject is not listed above. However, I would still like to take this prep course. Can I do that?
Generally, yes. We have no rules prohibiting students from other majors from attending. However, you should consider whether this makes sense for you. For example, this might be the case if you plan to take computer science modules during your studies. If you are unsure, feel free to drop us a line at kontakt@vorkurs.cs.uni-saarland.de.
Please note: The prep course is an offer to help first-year students to get started in a computer science-related study. Especially for students from other majors, the following applies: If you start our preliminary course, we expect a certain commitment. The prep course is not a taster course in computer science, you should have the intention to attend the prep course seriously and completely.
In what language will the prep course be offered?
The prep course, like most courses in the computer science study programme, will be bilingual. Lectures and materials are in English. For other means, you can choose between English and German.
Do I have to be enrolled at the university to register?
No, if you are not yet enrolled at Saarland University at the time of registration, this is not a problem. However, you should plan to start your studies in the winter semester at Saarland University.
Can I take part in the preparatory course if I am not going to study or study at another university?
No, you can only take part in the preparatory course if you will be enrolled at Saarland University in the coming winter semester, or if you already are.
I am starting a master’s programme in a computer science-related subject. Can I take part in the preparatory course?
Rather no, the preparatory course is actually aimed at beginner Bachelor students. Since you are enrolling in a master’s programme in Saarbrücken, you have probably completed a bachelor’s programme in a computer science-related subject. It is up to your assessment of your knowledge of the basics described above whether you want to participate in the preparatory course or not. However, you would probably be very under-challenged, which is why we generally advise against it.
I would like to withdraw from the preparatory course.
Please send us a message at kontakt@vorkurs.cs.uni-saarland.de. If the prep course has already started, you can also let your coach know.
Will there be a fee to take part in the math prep course?
Yes, there is a fee of 20€ which is to cover the cost of our printed materials.
I transferred the cost contribution a few days ago. Why am I not seeing anything yet?
Since we get the billing information from the administration in sometimes relatively large time intervals, it may take a while, but that is not a problem. On your personal status page you can also see what our current information status is. If you have already transferred the cost contribution before the last billing, please contact us at kontakt@vorkurs.cs.uni-saarland.de.
Unfortunately, I cannot attend the preparatory course at short notice. Can I still access the materials?
Yes, all materials will be published on the website during the prep course. Please register for the course as usual. Please inform your coach - you will find out shortly before the start of the prep course who that is - that you will not attend. This way we can take it into account in our planning.
I am prevented from attending for a few days during the prep course. Is that okay?
Yes, missing a few days (e.g. due to apartment hunting in Saarbrücken) is no problem. However, the more you miss, the more difficult it will be to follow the material. We cover new material every day, i.e. material that you have missed due to absence, you have to work on independently. As later in your studies, it is easy to get lost if you do not keep up. Please let your coach - you will find out shortly before the start of the prep course who that is - know on which days you will not be attending.
How and where will the prep course take place?
The preparatory course will take place at Saarland University, Saarbrücken. It is from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Remember that you will need a room in Saarbrücken before the semester starts if you are not from around here.
When registering, I was asked for my university semester, what should I enter?
This information is collected because our course system (CMS) is designed for lectures where this information is relevant. For us, it doesn’t matter what you enter there, for example simply 0.
I have now received my matriculation number, but the CMS (course system) still has the old number. Can you change it?
We could, but it is not necessary. Since there are no credit points or similar for the preparatory course, the matriculation number is not relevant for us.
My question does not appear above.
No problem, just ask your question in the forum or send us a message to kontakt@vorkurs.cs.uni-saarland.de.