2nd CYCLE MASTERS STUDY PROGRAMME IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 1. General Information
The2nd cycle masters study of Computer and Information Science is a two-year programme (4 semesters) with a total load of 120 ECTS credits.
The obtained professional title is: »magister inženir / magistrica inženirka računalništva in informatike« (mag. inž. rač.).
2. Main objectives of the programme and general competences acquired Main objectives of the programme
The 2nd cycle Bologna study programme is a sensiblecontinuation of 1st cycle programmes. It enables computer and information science graduates to broaden and extend their knowledge acquired at the 1st cycle study level. It is also attractive for graduates of other disciplines who wish to upgrade their knowledge with practical and theoretical skills in computer and information science. The study programme will provide future graduates with the knowledge necessary to follow technological changes and development in this penetrating and rapidly developing field and to join the developmental and scientific work.
The study programme's course syllabus covers all the basic content important for future Masters of Science. It enables students to adapt their studies according to their own wishes, motivation and inclinations, taking into consideration the different possibilities of professional specialization. After the initial common courses students choose from a selection of elective courses and thus design their studies to fit different specialized professional fields.
General competences acquired through the programme
- Development of critical, analytic and synthetic thinking.
- The ability to define, understand and creatively respond to professional challenges in the field of computer and information science.
- The ability to use the acquired knowledge for solving professional and scientific problems and to extend the acquired knowledge.
- Proficiency in research methods in the field of computer science.
- The ability for administrative management of processes related to research, industry, education and other fields.
- The ability of professional written communication in the field of computer and information science both in Slovene and English.
- The ability to transmit knowledge.
- The ability to search knowledge sources and critically evaluate information. - Compliance with security, functional, economic and environmental principles. - The ability of team work within the professional environment.
Subject-specific competences acquired through the programme
- Basic competences in the field of computer and information science, which include theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge and skills essential for work in the field of computer and information science.
- Detailed understanding of computer and information science and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to technical and other relevant professional fields (economy, organizational sciences, etc.).
- The ability to transmit knowledge to co-workers in technology and research groups. - Practical knowledge and skills of computer hardware, software and information
technology necessary for successful professional work in computer and information science.
- Graduates in the 2nd cycle of the study programme have the competence to independently tackle demanding developmental, engineering, and organisational tasks as well as moderately demanding research tasks in their fields of study.
- Competences in computer and information science granting access to further study at 3rd cycle doctoral programmes.
Information on the programme's international comparisons
Foreign related study programmes (name of programme, institution, country):
1. Master's programme (Laurea specialistica) in Computer Science, Universita degli studi di Trento, Italia, http://portale.unitn.it/
2. Master-Studium-Informatik, Fakultät Elektrotechnik und Informatik, Technische Universität Berlin,Germany, http://www.eecs.tu-berlin.de/
3. Master's Degree Programme in Software Development, Department of Computer Sciences, , University of Tampere, Finland, http://www.uta.fi/english/
For comparison we relied on three study programmes in Italy, Germany and Finland, respectively. The study programme in Trento is primarily designed for successful foreign students who wish to study in Europe. Foreign students are liable to pay study fees. Its flexibility renders it especially interesting. The study in Berlin takes place at a renowned Faculty that fosters all technological fields. It is especially interesting for its vast selection of courses that allows students considerable latitude in their study choices. The University of Tampere has an almost 85-year old tradition. We chose this Faculty for its tradition and its scope of study.
3. Admission requirements and enrolment criteria
The following candidates may enrol into the Masters Programme of Computer and Information Science:
a) graduates of 1st cycle study programmes of computer and information science or study programmes related to natural or technological sciences (mathematics, physics, electrical engineering, chemistry and chemical technology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering) b) graduates of 1st cycle study programmes from fields other than those indicated above who
completed the following courses from the 1st cycle study programme of Computer and Information Science prior to enrolment: Introduction to Programming, Discrete Structures,
Introduction to Digital Circuits, Computer Systems Architecture, Introduction to Information Systems, or who covered the subject matter of these courses in their undergraduate studies.
If a decision is issued on limited enrolment, the candidates will be selected based on their: GPA achieved at undergraduate studies (40 % points),
Results of the selection exam (60 %).
The selection exam will cover chapters in mathematics, programming, algorithms and computer systems. It will take place in the first half of September, after the submission deadline for the study programme application.
4. Criteria for recognizing knowledge and skills acquired prior to enrolment
The study programme enables the recognition of relevant knowledge acquired through formal and informal learning or experience. This knowledge can be recognised as part of the completed study requirements, up to 6 ETCS for one set (the approximate study programme for a course) of knowledge acquired outside of the university. In the recognition process certificates and other documents are taken into account. The requests for recognition of acquired knowledge will be considered by the FRI Committee for Student Affairs and at its recommendation approved by FRI's Senate.
5. Requirements for progression through the programme
The requirement to enrol in Year 2 of the Masters Study Programme is to fulfil all study requirements from Year 1. For a repeated enrolment in Year 1 students must complete at least half of the study requirements from Year 1 (i.e. 30 ECTS).
6. Requirements for completing the study programme
For all students the requirements for completing the study programme are the following: fulfilled study obligations from enrolled courses, equivalent to at least 96 ECTS; a Master's thesis prepared and submitted in accordance with the relevant rules, equivalent to 24 ECTS; a successful public defence of the Master's thesis.
7. Transferring between study programmes
Transfers from other programmes are possible after the 1st year of study. Requirements for transferring to the Masters Programme of Computer and Information Science from other Masters programmes are:
- Fulfilled requirements for enrolment in the Masters Study Programme of Computer and Information Science.
- Fulfilled requirements for enrolment in Year 2 of the study programme in which the student is currently enrolled, with the additional requirement that the student has fulfilled all requirements for obligatory courses of the study programme: Mathematics II, Programming, Algorithms, Computer Systems, or equivalent courses at other higher education institutions, in which case the equivalence of the courses is assessed by the FRI Committee for Student Affairs.
- Fulfilled additional obligations defined by the relevant Faculty body based on the comparison of the programme from which the student is transferring and the Masters Study Programme of Computer and Information Science.
Students can be given consent for parallel enrolment in another study programme on the basis of an individual application and their study performance.
8. Methods of assessment
Methods of assessment are defined in the syllabus for each individual course. General rules for assessment of knowledge are regulated by the FRI Study Rules and Regulations. For all courses, knowledge is assessed in the form of continuing and final assessment. Continuing forms of assessment may include homework, midterm exams, seminars and project work with oral defences. Final assessment is in the form of a written and/or oral exam. All assessments are graded on a scale from 1 to 10, where 6 – 10 are passing grades and 1 – 5 failing grades.
9. Structure of the study programme
The study programme is composed of 4 obligatory courses, 29 specialist elective courses, 3 general elective courses and the Master’s thesis. Elective courses from other study programmes can be selected but are not included here.
Year 1 is composed of four obligatory courses; in addition to these students choose four specialist elective courses and general elective courses with a total of at least 12 ECTS. In Year 2 students choose 6 specialists elective courses and work on their Master’s thesis, which has a load of 24 credits. The courses are selected under the supervision of a teacher (supervisor or tutor). The specialist elective courses are chosen from the list of specialist elective courses and up to 2 can be chosen from the 1st cycle, 3rd year module courses from the University Study Programme of Computer and Information Science. Students cannot choose elective courses with similar content to the ones they have already taken.
The general elective courses Extracurricular Professional Activities I and II have a work load of 3 ECTS. Their aim is to assign ECTS credits to students’ extracurricular professional but non-profit endeavours, relevant for the field of computer and information science provided they are not covered in the study programme. In addition, students are offered English in three difficulty levels, A, B and C, each one equivalent to 3 ECTS. Students cannot choose an English language elective course if they have already taken it at the 1st cycle. FRI also offers a general elective course Selected Topics in Computer and Information Science, which is lectured by visiting professors from other universities. Overview of the study programme
Semester ECTS Hours of student work
Year 1
Obligatory courses,
specialist, and general elective courses
Winter 30 900
Obligatory courses,
specialist, and general elective courses
Summer 30 900
Year 2
Specialist and general elective courses,
Master’s thesis
Winter 30 900
Specialist and general elective courses,
Master’s thesis
Summer 30 900
Semester 1
No. Course module Course convenor
Taught classes Indepen
dent student work
Hours total ECTS Lectur
es
Semi nar
Practic als
Lab work Other forms of study
1 Mathematics II Assist. Prof. Polona Oblak, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
2 Programming Prof. Zoran Bosnić, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
3 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
4 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
5 General elective 45 30 105 180 6
TOTAL 225 150 525 900 30
Semester 2
No. Course module Course convenor
Taught classes Independ
ent student work
Hours
total ECTS Lectur
es
Semin ar
Practic als
Lab work Other forms of study
1 Algorithms Prof. Marko Robnik Šikonja, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
2 Computer systems Prof. Branko Šter, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
3 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
4 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
5 General elective 45 30 105 180 6
TOTAL 225 150 525 900 30
Semester 3
No. Course module Course convenor
Taught classes Independ
ent student work
Hours
total ECTS Lectur
es
Semin ar
Practic als
Lab work Other forms of study
1 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
2 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
3 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
4 Master’s thesis 30 330 360 12
TOTAL 135 30 90 645 900 30
Semester 4
No. Course module Course convenor
Taught classes Independ
ent student work
Hours
total ECTS Lectur
es
Semin ar
Practic als
Lab work Other forms of study
1 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
2 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
4 Specialist elective 45 30 105 180 6
5 Master’s thesis 30 330 360 12
TOTAL 135 30 90 645 900 30
Specialist elective courses
No. Course Convenor
Taught classes
Indepen dent student work
Hours
total ECTS Lectur
es
Semin ar
Practi cals
Lab work Other forms of study
1. Artificial Intelligence Prof. Ivan Bratko, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
2. Wireless Sensors Networks Prof. Nikolaj Zimic, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
3. Unconventional Computing Prof. Miha Mraz, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
4. Perception in Cognitive Systems Prof. Aleš Leonardis, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
5. Biomedical Signal and Image Processing
Prof. Franc Jager, PhD
45 30 105 180 6
6. Modern Software Development
Methods Prof. Viljan Mahnič, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
7. Digital Signal Processing Prof. Dušan Kodek, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
8. Computability and Computational
Complexity Prof. Borut Robič, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
10. Machine Learning Prof. Igor Kononenko, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
11. Introduction to Bioinformatics Prof. Blaž Zupan, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
12. Information Security and Privacy Prof. Denis Trček, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
13. Numerical Mathematics Prof. Bojan Orel, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
14. Computer Based Sound Production Prof. Denis Trček, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
15. Data Mining Prof. Blaž Zupan, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
16. IT Governance Prof. Marjan Krisper, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
17. Interaction and Information Design Prof. Franc Solina, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
18. Cryptography and Computer
Security Prof. Aleksandar Jurišič, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
19. Digital Forensic Assist. Prof. Andrej Brodnik,
PhD 45 30 105 180 6
20. Contemporary Approaches and
Architectures in IS Development Prof. Marko Bajec, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
21. Discrete Mathematics Prof. Gašper Fijavž, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
22. Operations management Prof. Branko Matjaž Jurič, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
24. Computational Topology Prof. Nežka Mramor Kosta, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
25. Computer-based Process Control Prof. Uroš Lotrič, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
26. Research Seminar Vice Dean for Education 15 45 300 360 12
27. Topical research themes I Programme administrator 45 30 105 180 6
28. Topical research themes II Programme administrator 45 30 105 180 6
29. Teaching Algorithmic Thinking Prof. Janez Demšar, PhD 45 30 105 180 6
General elective courses
No. Course Convenor
Taught programme
Indepen dent student work
Hours
total ECTS Lectur
es
Semin ar
Practi cals
Lab work Other forms of study
1 Extracurricular professional activity I
Vice Dean for Education
5 40 45 90 3
2 Extracurricular professional
activity II Vice Dean for Education 5 40 45 90 3
Information Science
10. Information on elective courses and mobility
General elective courses can be chosen from the courses offered by the University of Ljubljana and other universities at the 2nd cycle education level. The Faculty of Computer and Information Science has numerous contracts with foreign universities for the Erasmus+ exchange programme. Students who partake in Erasmus student exchange programmes at another university may transfer up to 30 ECTS worth of obligations per semester completed at the foreign institution. The thesis completed at other universities cannot be recognized as a completed Master’s thesis, except when approved by the Faculty in advance.
11.Short descriptions of individual courses
Short descriptions are available at the study programme's website:
