Master's Programme in Computer Science

120 credits

Programme syllabus, TDV2M

A revised version of the programme syllabus is available.
Code
TDV2M
Finalised by
The Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 9 November 2017
Registration number
TEKNAT 2017/120
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Science and Technology
Responsible department
Department of Information Technology

Decisions and guidelines

According to a decision taken by the Vice Chancellor 2006-09-16, Uppsala University will offer two-year Master programmes in biology, computer science, physics, earth science, sustainable development, chemistry, mathematics, computational science and applied biotechnology, all from 2007-07-01.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

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

Also required is:

  • 90 credits in computer science, including programming, algorithms and data structures, computer architecture and operating systems; and
  • 30 credits in mathematics.

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

  • IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
  • TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
  • Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Aims

The education will give the students detailed knowledge in the main field of computer science. The emphasis is on analytical ability and knowledge that will be of long-term benefit in an area in the process of rapid development. The program thus does not focus on any particular programming languages, hardware platforms or operating systems. Those who have completed the program are able to perform critical analysis, apply their knowledge in the field of computer science and independently acquire new knowledge required. A typical example is that computer scientists can very quickly learn new programming languages.

The education prepares students for active participation in research projects, either as graduate students or in industrial research projects, as well as for advanced professional activities in a broad field.

Learning outcomes

According to the Higher Education Act, the following applies for second-cycle studies:

Second-cycle studies shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.

Second-cycle studies shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, aptitudes and accomplishments in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work. Ordinance (2006:173).

Objectives for a Degree of Master (120 credits) according to the Higher Education Ordinance, System of Qualifications.

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) students must

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both broad knowledge in the field and substantially deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field, together with deeper insight into current research and development work; and
  • demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

For the Master’s Program in Computer Science at Uppsala University, this means that the student should be able to

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of computer science terminology, theory building, models, methods, and their limitations

Skills and abilities

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) students must

  • demonstrate an ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even when limited information is available;
  • demonstrate an ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate issues and to plan and, using appropriate methods, carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits, so as to contribute to the development of knowledge and to evaluate this work;
  • demonstrate an ability to clearly present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different groups, orally and in writing, in national and international contexts; and
  • demonstrate the skill required to participate in research and development work or to work independently in other advanced contexts.

For the Master’s Program in Computer Science at Uppsala University, this means that the student should be able to

  • define, formulate and solve computer science problems independently and in groups, within a given framework
  • formulate models, problems and their solutions using algorithms, computers and software
  • apply computer science theory and methodology and use, compare and evaluate different computer science models and their applicability in areas inside and outside computer science
  • write computer programs in various development environments and programming, and quickly learn new languages and development environments, and
  • present, explain and discuss various computer science problems

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) students must

  • demonstrate an ability to make assessments in their main field of study, taking into account relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work;
  • demonstrate insight into the potential and limitations of science, its role in society and people’s responsibility for how it is used; and
  • demonstrate an ability to identify their need of further knowledge and to take responsibility for developing their knowledge.

For the Master’s Program in Computer Science at Uppsala University, this means that the student should be able to

  • make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects of the application of computer science
  • demonstrate an understanding of possibilities and limitations of computer science, its role in society and people's responsibility for how it is used
  • take initiative to broaden their field of knowledge, follow and evaluate new developments in computer science and related fields, including new research

Layout of the programme

The program offers a structured range of courses leading to the Master's degree in computer science. Great freedom of choice is offered, and the opportunity to create individually combined studies is one of the program's strengths. Study counseling is provided to ensure that the selected combination of courses fulfill the degree requirements.

The program has three specialisations:

  • Computer science (general specialisation)
  • Sino-Swedish specialization in computer science and software engineering (jointly taught with the National Taiwan Normal University, NTNU, Taiwan).
  • Concurrency and parallel programming

At the end of the program, students undertake a degree project of 30 credits, either internally in any of the department's research groups, or externally in industry.

Instruction

Education in the Masters programme builds upon upon the prior knowledge and experience of the students. Students are expected to participate actively in their education and take responsibility for personal learning outcomes as well as contributing to the learning of others. Academic staff in the programme have the primary responsibility for establishing foundations for active individual and collective learning. Continuos educational development builds on a respectful dialogue between students and staff, through which everyone is empowered to contribute to educational evolution and mutual learning.

In the program's courses, a wide variety of teaching methods are used. Theoretical teaching is interspersed with practical sessions, usually computer-based, and communication training. Teaching is in close contact with current research, providing insight into scientific method and approach. Teaching and course literature is in English.

Degree

Upon request, a student who has received a pass grade in a course is to receive a course certificate from the higher education institution. Upon request, a student who meets the requirements for a qualification is to receive a diploma from the higher education institution.

A Degree of Master is a so called general degree, which means that the student achieve the degree in its main subject according to the criteria below, regardless of the courses being part of the program or not, therefore there is a possibility also to include single subject courses in the degree.

Regulations according to Higher Education Ordinance

A Degree of Master (120 credits) is obtained after the student has completed course requirements of 120 higher education credits with a certain area of specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, including at least 60 higher education credits with in-depth studies in the main field of study. In addition, the student must hold a Degree of Bachelor, a Degree of Bachelor of Arts in…, a professional degree worth at least 180 higher education credits or an equivalent foreign qualification.

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) students must have completed an independent project (degree project) worth at least 30 higher education credits in their main field of study, within the framework of the course requirements. The independent project may comprise less than 30 higher education credits, but not less than 15 higher education credits, if the student has already completed an independent project at the second level worth at least 15 higher education credits in their main field of study, or an equivalent project in a foreign educational programme.

A Degree of Master (60 credits) is obtained after the student has completed course requirements of 60 higher education credits with a certain area of specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, including at least 30 higher education credits with in-depth studies in the main field of study. In addition, the student must hold a Degree of Bachelor, a Degree of Bachelor of Arts in…, a professional degree worth at least 180 higher education credits or an equivalent foreign qualification.

For a Degree of Master (60 credits) students must have completed an independent project (degree project) worth at least 15 higher education credits in their main field of study, within the framework of the course requirements.

Local regulations

A Degree of Master (60 credits) may, except for courses on advanced level, contain one or several courses on basic level comprising not more than 15 higher education credits. A degree of Master (120 credits) may, except for courses on advanced level, contain one or several courses on basic level comprising not more than 30 higher education credits. The course or the courses are meant to provide such additional competence as is needed for in-depth studies in the main field of study and cannot be included in the student’s basic degree.

For a Degree of Master (120 credits) students must have completed an independent project (degree project) worth at least 30 higher education credits.

Other directives

Students who, outside the programme, have acquired equivalent qualifications corresponding to at least 15 credits on advanced level in addition to the degree at Bachelor's level, may apply to be accepted to a later part of the programme. The application deadline is for the autumn term May 1 and for the spring term December 1.

Outline

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