Improving Study Conditions

In the Department of Computer Science, we are constantly working to optimize study conditions and our degree programmes.

Decentralized Quality Management

An important component of this is decentralized quality management (dQM), which we implement as part of our system accreditation.

Due to the similarity of their content, all degree programmes in the Computer Science teaching unit are grouped into a single cluster. This means that they are addressed collectively as part of the dQM process, particularly during the quality rounds. Of course, the individual characteristics and needs of the degree programmes are taken into account.

The “Computer Science” cluster (MaInf 1) includes the following degree programmes:

• Applied Computer Science B.Sc. and M.Sc.
• Applied Data Science B.Sc. and M.Sc.
• Computer Science B.A. (Two-subject)

In addition, the faculty’s decentralized quality management system addresses the subject-specific and pedagogical components of the teaching profession programmes (B.A. and M.Ed.) in Computer Science. The educational science components of these programmes are managed within the framework of the dQM by the Zentrale Wissenschaftliche Einrichtung für Lehrer*innenbildung (ZEWIL - Central Academic Institution for Teacher Education).

Decentralized quality management (dQM) is the implementation of the quality management system (QMS) of Georg-August University of Göttingen at the level of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science. It is strictly guided by the regulations on the quality management system for studies and teaching and the evaluation of teaching at Georg-August University of Göttingen (QMO-SL).

A central component of the dQM is the delegate model, which ensures that representatives from all member groups actively participate in the quality assurance of degree programmes. All stakeholders may participate in the quality rounds (QR) and submit topics in advance through their delegates. In addition, the individuals or groups of individuals required by the QMO-SL are included in the process.

Annual quality rounds are scheduled for each cluster and may be supplemented by extraordinary QRs as needed.

The QRs are carefully prepared using various formats, such as discussion sessions with individual stakeholder groups, as well as informational events and training sessions, particularly for students..

The QRs are structured in accordance with the QMO-SL guidelines, particularly with regard to:

• reviewing the subject-specific and content-related criteria of the Lower Saxony StudAkkVO,
• developing measures for quality improvement,
• taking into account the results of data collection,
• documentation.

In addition to the QMO-SL, each scheduled quality round (QR) includes monitoring the implementation of measures, evaluating measures from previous QRs, and reflecting on the functionality and effectiveness of the dQM.

Documentation is carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the QMO-SL and is supplemented by an annual report to the Faculty Council. For further details, please refer to the detailed description of our dQM, which has been approved by the Faculty Council.

• Description of our dQM

Four quality review rounds have been held to date for the Computer Science Cluster: in November 2020, November 2021, May 2022, November 2024, and November 2025.

Overview of past and future timelines

The results of the quality rounds are translated into specific measures.

• Current Overview of Measures
• Completed Measures

The topic of the current Quality Round (QR) will be Ausstattung (features/equipment/facilities)

The schedule is planned as follows:

• April: Delegates are appointed by the status groups. Lisa Beinborn and Roland Leißa were appointed by the professors, Tobias Brockmeyer by the research assistants, and Robin Max Giese, Sven Sören Lange, and Jonte Bastian Gerlach by the students.
• June: General Assembly of Students
• July: Small QR meeting with delegates and quality management representatives (collection of proposals from the General Assembly of Students and other stakeholders; creation of a list of resulting measures and proposed topics)
• Start of the winter semester:
  • Small QR meeting with delegates and QM representatives to draft the agenda for the (large) QR meeting and to finalize the proposed topics and measures
  • Setting and announcing the date for the main Quality Round (see below for date) and publishing the current list of measures (see “Current Overview of Measures”) as well as the schedule.
  • Feedback on the measures as well as your own proposals for measures can be submitted up to one month before the Quality Round via the respective delegates, the student representatives, or the Office of the Dean of Studies.
  • Registration for the Stud.IP event is now open at Quality Round – Computer Science/Data Science(registration is open until one week before the Quality Round)
• November: Large QR on November 25, 2026 (all day; in German) and on November 26, 2026 (half-day; in English), both in Room 0.102 of the Temporary Computer Science Building (Informatik-Provisorium)

The QMO-SL regulations include the development of measures by the Study Commission, informing participants in a quality round about the resulting measures, the preparation and publication of overviews of measures, the monitoring of measure implementation by the dQMS coordinators, and the annual provision of detailed information to the Study Commission regarding the current status of measure implementation.

These regulations are supplemented by the decentralized quality management system of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science through:

• the Study Commission’s determination of responsibility for implementation and implementation deadlines,
• the monitoring of measure implementation and the evaluation of measures from previous quality rounds in each scheduled quality round,
• annual reports from the Office of the Dean of Studies to the Faculty Council on the results and measures from the quality rounds.

The schedule for the 2025 Quality Round can be found here:

• Schedule

The General Student Assembly took place in June. The small Quality Round on 15 July 2025 gathered the proposals from the General Student Assembly and other stakeholders. The result – a list of revised measures, derived measures and proposed topics – can be found here:

• Draft version

A further meeting of the delegates took place at the start of the 2025/26 winter semester. The aim of this meeting was to draw up the agenda and finalise the proposed topics and measures.

The 2025 quality round was held in person on 26 November 2025. Registration was possible via the Stud.IP course Quality Round 2025 – Computer Science/Data Science The focus topic for this cycle was the Didaktische Konzept (didactic concept).

As a result of the quality rounds, numerous measures have been developed and are being implemented within the Computer Science Cluster. In this section, you will find examples of successfully implemented measures and the resulting improvements to study programmes and teaching in computer science.

• Modernisation of the fundamentals of mathematics: In the B.Sc. Applied Computer Science programme, the compulsory credits for fundamental mathematics training have been reduced and the content of the modules adapted to the current requirements of computer science degree programmes. Furthermore, the venue for mathematics courses has been moved from the Centre to the North Campus to make it more accessible for our students and to encourage networking amongst them as well as the formation of study groups.
• Introduction of a Bachelor’s degree module: In our two Bachelor’s degree programmes, Applied Computer Science and Applied Data Science, a new, compulsory module has been introduced to teach our students how to work with academic articles. This better prepares them for writing their final dissertation
• Improvements to study conditions: By implementing numerous smaller measures, we are continuously working to improve your study conditions, whether through revising study regulations, modules and study plans, or by expanding the range of information and student advisory services available.
• Transparent workload: A workload survey was carried out for individual modules to assess whether the perceived workloads corresponded to the specified workload, measured in credits. No discrepancies were found. Furthermore, all lecturers were encouraged to communicate the workload of their modules transparently, so that our students can better assess the workload and thus plan their studies more effectively.

➡️ Your involvement makes a difference!

Quality management thrives on your input – and as the examples show, it makes a real difference! Whether it’s feedback, ideas or criticism: your perspective helps to make studying and teaching even better. Get involved, because together we are shaping the future of computer science in Göttingen.

Wie? How? Find out more under the section ⬇️„Participation“

Our dQM thrives on the active participation of all stakeholder groups. Take the opportunity to play an active part in the further development of (y)our degree programmes and study conditions.

Do you have suggestions, ideas, or positive or negative feedback? You can share these with the quality management team in various ways:

• Get in touch with the QM representatives. QM-Responsable
• Discuss matters with representatives of your stakeholder group, e.g. members of the Study Commission or the Study Council.
• Direct your suggestions, criticisms and complaints to our designated Contact person
• The Office of Student Affairs is also always willing to listen to your issues.