Computer Science course summary
The Computer Science programme at NHL Stenden offers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the skills needed to be a professional in the fields of artificial intelligence, digitalisation, robotics and data science. The programme also covers ethical considerations, privacy concerns and cyber security.
The programme for Computer Science
During the Computer Science programme you will learn how to program microcontrollers, for example, a small autonomous robot. The programme focuses on areas such as digitalisation, industrial automation and robotics, AI, machine learning and computer vision. You will be trained as a specialist in these areas over the course of the four-year programme. We also focus on areas such as ethics and security. In addition to the technical classes, you also learn professional skills, such as managing project-based work and agile development.
During the first year, you acquire a strong foundation in the field of Computer Science and develop an in-depth understanding of programming and how hardware works. You work on projects in small teams and gain practical experience right from the start. Throughout the entire year, you are supported by your study career coach and lecturers, who help you to further develop your professional skills.
Semester 1: Code Catalyst
The first semester will provide you with a solid basis in computer science, hardware and programming in C/C++. Gain your first experience with robotics through the BattleBots project which concludes with a Race Day with the robots competing against each other.
Semester 2: AI Odyssey
Take your first steps in the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Understand the basics of programming in Python, familiarise yourself with AI concepts and unlock the potential of machine learning. Work on creating smart solutions and develop your own project to unleash your creative and innovative ideas for a better world, whether they concern health care institutions or sustainability practices.
Subjects:
Study load: 40% theory, 60% application | 60 ECTS per year
The second year includes practical projects in which you solve real-world problems using data science and explore industrial automation & robotics, electrical and system engineering, and smart sustainable manufacturing.
Semester 1: Data Dynamics
Delve into the core principles of extracting insights from vast datasets. The semester covers essential themes such as the integration of IoT devices, processing and analysing big data, understanding computer networks, and leveraging cloud solutions. Together, these technologies offer a rich learning experience in building intelligent and responsive digital systems.
Semester 2: Robotic Renaissance
This semester covers themes such as industrial automation and robotics, electrical and system engineering and smart sustainable manufacturing. You analyse industrial systems and implement adjustments for improvement, explore future automation possibilities, integrate subsystems and tackle both regional and worldwide robotic challenges.
Subjects:
Study load: 40% theory, 60% application | 60 ECTS per year
Spend five months on an internship in a company of your choice to gain experience in a professional setting. Then return to campus to computer vision. You work in teams on complex tasks, from data acquisition to model implementation, interacting with real datasets.
Semester 1: Tech Trailblazers
The first half of your third year is dedicated to your internship. You spend five months on an internship at a company of your choice, in the Netherlands or abroad. You arrange the internship yourself, but we have an extensive network of interesting companies where you could work on an exciting internship project and learn the ropes from an industry professional. You will gain firsthand experience in a professional setting and develop skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and working independently.
If you’ve already turned your dream for your own business into a reality, you could consider doing your internship in your own start-up. The Center for Entrepreneurship at NHL Stenden can advise you on how to do this.
Semester 2: Visionary Code
Offering in-depth specialisation into image acquisition, image processing, and pattern recognition using machine learning, this semester is your chance to apply your theoretical knowledge to real-life research projects with state-of-the-art equipment, such as a mini-supercomputer and 3D cameras. The curriculum includes image segmentation, deep learning, object detection, and SCRUM project management.
Subjects:
60 ECTS per year
The fourth year revolves around you completing your studies. You get to expand your knowledge by taking a minor, and during your graduation internship, you demonstrate that you have become an industry professional.
Semester 1: Minor subject (study abroad)
During your minor you focus on a specific subject or expand your knowledge by taking an additional subject. This allows you to truly take charge of your education by ‘customising’ your course.
You can take these minors on the NHL Stenden campus in the Netherlands or at one of the NHL Stenden Grand Tour locations in South Africa, Bali or Thailand. You can also choose from minors offered by other courses and universities of applied sciences via an Exchange programme – this is all part of broadening your academic skills.
Read more about the options available and where you can take your minors in the section below on minors and specialisations.
Semester 2: Capstone Connection
For your graduation internship, you will collaborate with a business or organisation to address an unsolved problem, conducting comprehensive research. This experience will allow you to showcase your professional skills, including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work independently. By successfully completing your graduation project, you prove that you are ready to enter the professional field.
60 ECTS per year
The degree at a glance
Download the brochure to get a really useful one-page overview of the curriculum with a description of the modules and a list of subjects per year, the study load and the ECTS you can earn. Use it to compare the programme with other studies you’re interested in.
Minors and specialisations for Computer Science
In your fourth year of Computer Science, you get to specialise by taking a number of minors.
- Certified Ethical Hacking (Emmen, the Netherlands)
Learn how to help companies guard against cyber attacks with this unique minor in Certified Ethical Hacking. Learn how attackers work and the steps you need to take to protect a system. - Secure Programming (Emmen, the Netherlands)
Offering insights into the software development life cycle and how secure programming can be made part of the cycle. - Hack@Sea (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands)
Carry out research in the context of maritime cyber security looking into areas such as AIS spoofing, port systems and cyber awareness for maritime employees. - Cyber Resilience of Citizens and Organisations (Leeuwarden, the Netherlands)
Explore possibilities for human, organisational and technological measures. In this way we make citizens and organisations digitally resilient.
Video Certified Ethical Hacking
Video Hack@Sea
Practical approach of Computer Science
We aim to help you put theory into practice as quickly as possible. Through our educational concept, Design-Based Education (DBE), you work in small teams of students, teachers, researchers and industry professionals. You tackle current, real-life issues developing and adapting your visions and ideas to form a solid solution.
Student Association
Our student association Think Wireless is where fun and learning meet in our students’ lives. Along with organising activities that will help you with your studies, Think Wireless also puts on hackathons, sports activities and day trips to other places in the Netherlands. It's a collective of Information Technology and Computer Science students that help make your time as a student even more enjoyable.
International opportunities
We want to prepare you for an international, intercultural, and ever-changing environment, so that you can dive into the unknown and gain experience in an international context. It is possible with our Grand Tour, Exchange programme or one of our mobility options offered by RUN-EU. Or you can choose to do your internship abroad. You’ll be able to put together the right combination of courses and internships to develop both your professional and personal skills – and develop your own network for the future.
Is this the degree for you?
If you're confident this degree is the one for you, then why not apply online straightaway? Or pick one of the other options to help you take the next step.
