Master's Programme in Language Technology

120 credits

Programme syllabus, HSP2M

Code
HSP2M
Finalised by
The Faculty Board of Languages, 6 February 2020
Registration number
SPRÅKFAK 2020/4
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Languages
Responsible department
Department of Linguistics and Philology

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is 60 credits in language technology, computational linguistics, computer science, linguistics or a language subject.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Aims

The Master Programme in Language Technology provides advanced training in state-of-the-art language technology (computational linguistics), both as regards methods and applications. Language technology covers automatic systems which process linguistic (spoken and/or written) input and/or output with a sensitivity to linguistic structure and content. It focuses on methods of formal analysis and modelling of linguistic phenomena that can form the basis of language technology systems. The aim of the programme is to prepare the students for a career in academic research, commercial development, or other kind of expertise.

Learning outcomes

Having completed courses required for a Master of Arts (120 credits) with Language Technology as the main field of study the student shall (the points align with the general ones for Master of Arts (120 credits) in The Higher Education Ordinance):

[Knowledge and understanding]

  • demonstrate a broad knowledge in the field of language technology and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge as regards important applications and methods
  • demonstrate an insight into the state-of-the-art in language technology research and its commercial development

[Competence and skills]

  • demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically address problems in language technology where limited availability of data is a major obstacle
  • demonstrate the ability to identify and define challenging problems in language technology critically, autonomously and creatively, as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, address such problems within predetermined time frames, evaluate the outcome using empirically sound methods, and in the process contribute to the formation of new insights in language technology
  • demonstrate the ability to report and discuss various aspects of academic and professional work in language technology, both in speech and in writing, adapting the mode of presentation to different kinds of audience
  • demonstrate the skills required for participation in research, development work, or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity in the field of language technology

[Judgement and approach]

  • demonstrate the ability to assess issues in language technology informed by relevant disciplinary, social, and ethical considerations
  • demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used
  • demonstrate an ability to identify a personal need for further studies in language technology and to take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning

Layout of the programme

The first semester of the two-year programme provides a basis for further studies. It comprises an introduction to programming, a course covering important mathematical concepts, and a research-oriented overview of the field of language technology. The second and third semesters provide further depth in important language technology application areas with an emphasis on methods based on machine learning. There is some room for elective courses, allowing the students to tailor the programme to their career plans. The fourth and final semester is dedicated to work on the Master's thesis.

Instruction

The Master's Programme in Language Technology makes use of a wide range of teaching and assessment methods typical of university education. Practical work with large datasets and computational models is an important part of the students' efforts. Students in the programme are encouraged to take an independent and experimental approach to different methods and to different kinds of data. Several courses consequently involve larger assignments.

Degree

The programme leads to a Degree of Master of Arts (Two Years), with Language Technology as the main field of study.

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