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Music, pictures, films and books: the digitalization of the media can no longer be stopped. Analog storage media such as the (video) cassette or the photo negative have long since become obsolete. The new formats are called MP3, JPEG or WMV. Libraries and museums digitize their holdings and archives and make them accessible all over the world via the Internet. And forms of multimedia teaching and e-learning are becoming increasingly important. With technical progress, new challenges always arise. The larger the amount of data, the more time-consuming it is to transmit. At the same time, the digital content must be appropriately prepared so that the user is interested in it at all.

Media IT specialists work at precisely this interface between media and IT . You deal with digital information processing in the media. For example, you are developing leaner formats to transfer data faster while maintaining the same quality. But you are also active in design, programming editorial systems, creating websites or designing animations.

The media informatics course: overview

According to liuxers.com, a course in media informatics is a variant of the computer science course and is very application-oriented . Many universities and technical colleges offer independent Bachelor and Master programs. In addition, there is the possibility of specializing in media informatics by studying Applied Computer Science or Media Studies .

Prospective students should carefully compare the offers of the universities with each other, because the focus areas are very different. At many universities, the computer science is the focus , but there are also programs that focus on media theory or on the design and design set.

Bachelor of Science Media Informatics

In general, the undergraduate courses are made up of the fields of computer science, communication sciences and design. In the first semesters, the students first deal with the basics of computer science . The students get to know different operating systems and web applications and practice programming . As a basic subject in computer science, mathematics is also on the curriculum.

In addition, the students get to know digital design techniques and programs such as Java, Avid or Photoshop. Depending on the orientation of the course, there are also design subjects such as layout or typography or introductions to communication science or business administration .

In the higher semesters, the students then specialize in a sub-area of ​​media informatics. Depending on the university, there are different focus subjects, such as mobile communication or network technology, to choose from.

Master of Science Media Informatics

Those who want to specialize even further after completing their bachelor’s degree have the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree. This not only offers the opportunity to expand specialist knowledge, but is also a prerequisite for a doctorate and subsequent academic career. Many companies also require a master’s degree for management positions. As in the bachelor’s programs, the universities set very different priorities in the master’s programs, for example on interaction design or multimedia. Some of the master’s programs are designed as part-time distance learning courses.

Personal requirements for studying media informatics

Prospective students should be aware that a course in media informatics consists of eighty percent computer science . Good knowledge of mathematics and the ability to think logically and abstractly are required in any case. At the same time, creativity is required, because after all, prospective media IT specialists must have an eye for an appealing presentation of the content. You should also have a sound knowledge of English in order to understand the mostly English-language specialist literature.

Employers and fields of activity

Both large industrial companies and companies in the service sector urgently need media IT specialists. So graduates have excellent career prospects. Possible employers are

• Multimedia companies
• Telecommunications company
• Advertising agencies
• Software company
• Broadcasters and publishers

Here they program databases or multimedia applications or set up web servers. They also work in technical support or administration or train employees in the technical area.

Masters graduates often take on managerial tasks in IT departments , public relations or in marketing and sales. Depending on the focus, media IT specialists do not only take on tasks in the IT area. You also work as a web designer and work in the field of 3D computer graphics. Master’s graduates are also able to do a doctorate and embark on an academic career.

Advantages of international experience for media IT specialists

Many companies want graduates with international experience. One or more semesters in another country signal characteristics such as independence, flexibility and commitment to future employers. But apart from possible plus points for later applications , a semester abroad has many advantages. After all, this is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a different cultural environment, to make international contacts and to improve your foreign language skills.