Proseminar IT-Security (Proseminar IT-Sicherheit) (Seminar)

The proseminars in computer science are designed to prepare students scientifically for their upcoming bachelor's thesis. Against this background, the primary learning objectives of each proseminar include scientific research, writing, and presenting.

In computer science, various departments offer proseminars on different topics, allowing students to choose a broad area of interest by selecting a specific proseminar. However, as mentioned earlier, the content aspects of the proseminar are less central than the techniques to be learned in the context of scientific work.

The IT Security proseminar offers – as the name suggests – a cross-section of various topics in IT security, similar to those covered in the lecture on the Fundamentals of IT Security. Prior attendance at this lecture is not mandatory, as the IT Security proseminar includes both introductory topics that require little prior knowledge and more advanced topics that require the relevant knowledge from the fundamental lecture.

Procedure

Initially, two to three introductory meetings are held to clarify the organizational framework, distribute specific topics, and provide an introduction to scientific work. Then begins a longer phase without regular meetings. During this time, students are expected to conduct research on their respective topics independently and prepare the results of this research in the form of a presentation and a written paper. In the final third of the lecture period, some in-person sessions take place, during which students present their topics to each other. After each presentation, a brief group discussion follows.

Topics

In the summer semester of 2025, topics from the following areas will be covered:

• Overview of IT Security
• Cryptography
• Software Security
• Internet (Security)

Grading

The exact criteria for grading will be announced at the first session of the proseminar. Generally, the assessment is divided into the following components, with the weightings being the same for all proseminars in computer science:

• Presentation on the chosen topic (50%)
• Written paper (30%)
• Active participation in discussions and feedback (20%)

Additional Notes

• With the aim of preparing for writing a bachelor's thesis, the proseminar is intended for students in the 4th or 5th semester of the bachelor's programs in computer science or technical computer science.
• Since students can choose between different proseminars from various departments, there is a binding registration period in Stud.IP. At the end of this registration period, the proseminar spots are allocated according to a pre-declared preference. This registration period typically ends during the previous semester. The registration period for the summer semester of 2025 runs from March 10 to March 23, 2025.
• According to the examination regulations, the proseminar is considered a course-related examination. You can find the relevant period for official exam registration here.
• Attendance is mandatory at all sessions of the proseminar. Details on the possibility of excused absences will be announced at the first session of the proseminar.