Syllabus Master's Programme in Computer Science
Syllabus Master's Programme in Computer Science
1(37)
Determined by
Board of Studies for Computer Science and
Media Technology
Date determined
2020-09-01
LINKÖPING UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
LINKÖPING UNIVERSITY MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN COMPUTER SCIENCE
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Purpose
The Master's Programme in Computer Science aims to educate specialists who will be
able to work at the forefront of modern software and computer systems technology in a
variety of application areas. The programme also aims at ensuring that the students are
well prepared for a career in research or continued studies towards a doctoral degree.
Computer science is one of the most dynamic and expansive fields of science. For the
individual scholar or the professional in the field this means that, as well as having a good
understanding of the theoretical and technical foundations of the field, one needs to be
able to apply the technology to new challenging problems and integrate it with other
technologies.
Aim
The Master's Programme in Computer Science offers the opportunity for advanced study
in computer science and engineering and allows for flexible planning of specialization
areas. Having covered core computer science courses, the students will be able to focus
their studies on areas such as artificial intelligence, databases and data-mining, internet
computing, embedded systems, information security, design and programming computer
games, language technology, human-computer interaction, theoretical computer science
or design and implementation of computer languages.
The following learning outcomes will serve as measurable goals towards the
implementation of the general aim of the program. These objectives are formulated in
terms of capacities competences of the students who successfully complete the program.
A Computer Science master will be able to understand and apply mathematical
concepts which are necessary for modelling various kinds of computational
problems. He/She will have an understanding of both software and hardware
issues.
A Computer Science master will be a competent programmer who is familiar with
a variety of programming languages and tools and is able to creatively apply his/her
knowledge and skills to modelling and developing software solutions which
contribute towards applications in a wide variety of application domains.
The Computer Science master will be able to work as a team member and
effectively cooperate with other specialists and contribute towards the solution of
complex technical problems.
The Computer Science master will be qualified to take a leading role in a software
design and development team, evaluate and compare solutions, and decision
making. He/She will be able to further deepen his/her knowledge and contribute to
the development of the area.
The Computer Science master will be a good communicator who will be able to
present coherent technical and scientific results both orally and in writing.
Students who successfully complete the programme will have a good
understanding of the impact of computers in society, ethical issues relevant to the
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Content
The programme is based on fundamental mathematical, theoretical, and technical
knowledge acquired by the student during his/her undergraduate education. This basic
knowledge should cover programming in various languages and paradigms, algorithms,
databases, system software, operating systems and mathematical knowledge which
should include discrete mathematics, logic and statistics.
The Master's Programme in Computer Science is both theoretical and applied. A number
of courses will provide the student with the broad view and understanding needed in order
to master the general area. At the same time, a proper selection of courses allows for
further specialisation.
Communication skills, presentation techniques (both oral and written), as well as team
work, are emphasized during the whole program.
Each year the programme board decides what courses will be given and included in the
programme. This is found in the curriculum. For each course there is a course syllabus,
describing the learning outcomes, organisation, examination and the classification of the
advancement level and to what subject area the course belongs. The course advancement
level and subject area are important in fulfilling the requirements for the Master's degree.
Education profiles
The specialisation areas are visible in the curriculum. If a specialisation
requirement is fulfilled the specialisation will be included in the Degree Certificate.
Specialisation areas in the programme include:
Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining
Visualization and Computer Graphics
Computer Networks, Distributed Systems and Security
Embedded Systems
Programming and Software Methods
In order to meet the specialization requirement, 42hp of the elective courses in the
degree must be within the specialization.
Entry requirements
A bachelor's degree with a major in computer science, information technology,
software engineering, computer engineering, alternatively, a bachelor's degree with
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Selection for the January application round is based on merit rating (grade tariff) at
three levels. If necessary, applicants within the same merit group will be selected by lot.
Group 1: High
Group 2: Good
Group 3: Low
Degree thesis
The thesis encompasses independent work corresponding to 30 ECTS credits. The
students are encouraged to carry out their thesis work in their specialisation area. The
thesis should be written and presented in English. The thesis work should be supervised
by a faculty member within computer science and engineering.
Degree requirements
The programme is designed to give the Master's Degree "Teknologie masterexamen i
datavetenskap" translated to "Master of Science (2 years) with a major in Computer
Science".
The requirements are the following:
a Bachelor's degree as specified in the entrance requirements.
course requirements for a total of 120 ECTS credits from courses from the
curriculum of the programme, or after special decision from the programme
board, and thesis work.
passed the requirements for all compulsory courses.
courses on advancement level A (advanced) 90 ECTS credits including:
at least 30 ECTS credits courses from the main field of study of Computer
Science.
a 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the main field of study of Computer
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Science.
a Master's thesis presented and passed as per Linköping Institute of Technology
degree regulations.
One of the following courses must be completed and approved:
TDDE18 Programming C++
TDDD38 Advanced C++
One of the following courses must be completed and approved:
TDDD89 Scientific Method
TNM8XXX Scientific Method
Courses overlapping each other regarding contents are not allowed to be included in
the degree. Courses used for the Bachelor's degree can never be included in the Master's
degree.
Degree in Swedish
Teknologie masterexamen i Datavetenskap, 120 hp
Degree in English
Master of Science in Computer Science, 120 credits
Specific information
Graduate Level Courses
Certain PhD courses can be taken by master students. These course selections are subject
to formal decision by the executive committee of the Programme Board.
Entrance requirements
See general rules and regulations for master programmes at LiTH.
Common rules
See the Common rules tab regarding eligibility, admission, leave, postponement, study
breaks or admission to later part of the education program.
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Curriculum
Semester 1 (Autumn 2022)
Course Course name Credits Level Timetable ECV
code module
Period 1
TDDC17 Artificial Intelligence 6 G2X 3 E
TDDD38 Advanced Programming in C++ 6* A1X 2 C/E
TDDE18 Programming C++ 6* G2X 2 C/E
TDDE32 Professionalism in Computer Science 6* G2X 4 C
TDTS06 Computer Networks 6 G2X 1 E
TDTS08 Advanced Computer Architecture 6 A1X 2 E
Period 2
TAMS11 Probability and Statistics, first course 6 G2X 4 C
TDDD07 Real Time Systems 6 A1X 4 E
TDDD37 Database Technology 6 G2X 1 E
TDDD38 Advanced Programming in C++ 6* A1X - C/E
TDDE01 Machine Learning 6 A1X 1 E
TDDE18 Programming C++ 6* G2X 1 C/E
TDDE32 Professionalism in Computer Science 6* G2X 3 C
TSEA26 Design of Embedded DSP Processor 6 A1X 2 E
TSIT02 Computer Security 6 G2X 2 E
Common rules
Degree project for Master’s Degree in
Engineering 300 credits, Master of Science (Two
years), Master of Philosophy (Two years), Master
of Science (One year), and master’s degrees
without prefix
General provisions for the degree project are given here. A specific board of studies
may have supplementary regulations that are specific for a study programme. These
are specified, where relevant, in the syllabus for the field of education and/or the
degree project. Information and links to course syllabuses, registration, reflection
documents, etc. can be found at
https://www.lith.liu.se/examensarbete/examensarbete?l=en.
General provisions
To be awarded a Master’s Degree in Engineering 300 credits, Master of Science
(Two years), Master of Philosophy (Two years), Master of Science (One year), or
master’s degree without prefix a student must carry out an approved degree project.
The components of the degree project are described in the relevant course syllabus.
Aim
The aim of the degree project is described in the relevant course syllabus,
https://www.lith.liu.se/examensarbete/examensarbete?l=en. Links to respective
course syllabus can be found under the respective headings Master's programme,
Civilingenjörsutbildning (only in Swedish), Högskoleingenjörsutbildning (only in
Swedish), Kandidatutbildning (only in Swedish).
Extent
Requirements for the extent of the degree project for each type of degree are given in
the syllabus of the study programme.
Examiners
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Supervisors
A student working on a degree project is to have access to an internal supervisor at
the department at which the degree project has been registered. The internal
supervisor is to have a degree that corresponds at least to the level of the degree
project to be supervised. The internal supervisor may, in exceptional circumstances,
be the same individual as the examiner. A decision of whether to allow this in a
particular case is to be made by the relevant board of studies before the degree
project is started.
The supervisor is to ensure that the student obtains help with:
expert support in general questions related to methods, specialist knowledge
of the subject, and writing the thesis
problem formulation, and setting the limits of the work
scheduling and planning work, and selection of appropriate methods.
If the degree project is being carried out outside of LiTH, an external supervisor from
the commissioner is to be appointed.
Planning report
During the first weeks of the degree project, the student is to draw up a planning
report that contains:
a preliminary title of the degree project
a preliminary statement of the research question, against the background of a
literature search
a preliminary description of the approach to be taken
planned literature foundation
a schedule for the execution of the degree project, including suggested dates
for the mid-way assessment and presentation.
Formulation of the research question is to be bounded, realistic and viewed from a
perspective of societal or commercial benefit. The term “societal” is to be understood
here to include universities and university colleges.
Mid-way assessment
Approximately half-way through the degree project, the student is to describe to the
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Reporting
Both oral and written reports of the degree project are to be made, in Swedish or
English. For the international Master's programmes, both the oral and written
examination should be made in English. The board of studies can allow the reporting
to be carried out in another language than Swedish or English.
The oral presentation is to take place in public, unless there are special grounds that
this should not be done. The written report is to be in the form of a professionally
produced degree project thesis. The presentation and thesis are to follow the
instructions given below.
Presentation
The oral presentation is to take place when the examiner considers that the work has
been completed and is ready to be presented. The presentation is to take place at
LiTH at a time when other students can attend. This means that the presentation can
take place on a date that the student has agreed with the examiner, normally between
the re-examination period in August and midsummer, and after the student has
attended three thesis presentations.
The oral presentation is to describe the background to the problem that has been
studied, describe the methods used, and present the results and conclusions. The
presentation is to be at a level suitable for everyone present, not just for specialists.
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After the oral presentation, the student is to counter any criticism that the opponent
may raise, and allow other participants to pose questions. The presentation and the
opposition are to be approved by the examiner. When any required adjustments of
the thesis have been made, the reflection document has been approved, and the
student has functioned as an opponent for another degree project, the degree project
is reported as a passed course and the credits can be used to satisfy the requirements
for a qualification.
Opposition
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Attendance at presentations
A student is to attend presentations of degree project theses as described in the
course syllabus. The presentations attended must be at the same level or a higher
level than the degree project of the student.
It is advantageous that one of the presentations attended is a licenciate degree
seminar or a doctoral disputation. The student is responsible for ensuring that a
certification of attendance at the presentation is obtained and passed to the
departmental administrator for registration in Ladok. Attendance at such
presentations is a component of the degree work that is subject to points-based
assessment.
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Reflection document
A document reflecting on the work that has been carried out is to be submitted to the
examiner within 10 working days of the oral presentation. Instructions for preparing a
reflection document can be reached through
https://www.lith.liu.se/examensarbete/reflektionsdokument?l=en.
Grades
The degree project is graded as either Pass or Fail. In order for a student to obtain a
pass grade for the degree project, all components must be completed and be
awarded a pass grade.
Quality assurance
The relevant board of studies has overall responsibility for the quality of study
programmes. This responsibility covers also degree projects. Quality assurance is to
be carried out as determined by the faculty board.
Exemptions
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If special circumstances apply, a board of studies may grant exemptions from the
regulations specified above. The oral opposition, for example, may be replaced by an
extensive written opposition, if the board of studies approves this
for international students for whom special circumstances apply
for other students for whom all other components of the qualification have
been satisfied, the degree project thesis has been submitted, and special
circumstances apply.
Written opposition may be carried out in one of the following ways:
The student presents a written opposition to a degree project thesis that has
been written by another student, whose examiner subsequently examines the
opposition.
The student’s examiner requests that the student prepare a written opposition
to a degree project thesis that has previously been examined by an examiner.
If written opposition is used, it is not necessary that the student prepare an
introductory statement describing the structure.
The examiner applies to the board of studies for exemption regarding written
opposition. The board of studies must approve that opposition may take place in
written form, before it is carried out.
Course syllabus
A syllabus must be established for each course. The syllabus specifies the aim and
contents of the course, and the prior knowledge that a student must have in order to
be able to benefit from the course.
Timetabling
Courses are timetabled after a decision has been made for this course concerning its
assignment to a timetable module.
Ladok. Thus, all students who do not participate in a course for which they have
registered must record the interruption, such that the registration on the course can be
removed. Deregistration from or interrupting a course is carried out using a web-
based form: https://www.lith.liu.se/for-studenter/kurskomplettering?l=en.
Forms of examination
Principles for examination
Written and oral examinations and digital and computer-based examinations are held
at least three times a year: once immediately after the end of the course, once in
August, and once (usually) in one of the re-examination periods. Examinations held at
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Grades
The grades that are preferably to be used are Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass not without
distinction (4) and Pass with distinction (5).
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Examination components
The following examination components and associated module codes are used at the
Faculty of Science and Engineering:
Grades U, 3, 4, 5 are to be awarded for written examinations (TEN) and
digital examinations (DIT).
Examination components for which the grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) may be
awarded are laboratory work (LAB), project work (PRA), preparatory
written examination (KTR), digital preparatory written examination (DIK),
oral examination (MUN), computer-based examination (DAT), home
assignment (HEM), and assignment (UPG).
Students receive grades either Fail (U) or Pass (G) for other examination
components in which the examination criteria are satisfied principally through
active attendance such as tutorial group (BAS) or examination item (MOM).
Grades Fail (U) and Pass (G) are to be used for the examination components
Opposition (OPPO) and Attendance at thesis presentation (AUSK) (i.e. part
of the degree project).
In general, the following applies:
Mandatory course components must be scored and given a module code.
Examination components that are not scored, cannot be mandatory. Hence, it
is voluntary to participate in these examinations, and the voluntariness must be
clearly stated. Additionally, if there are any associated conditions to the
examination component, these must be clearly stated as well.
For courses with more than one examination component with grades U,3,4,5,
it shall be clearly stated how the final grade is weighted.
For mandatory components, the following applies (in accordance with the LiU
Guidelines for education and examination for first-cycle and second-cycle education
at Linköping University, http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/VisaBeslut/917592):
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Plagiarism
For examinations that involve the writing of reports, in cases in which it can be
assumed that the student has had access to other sources (such as during project
work, writing essays, etc.), the material submitted must be prepared in accordance
with principles for acceptable practice when referring to sources (references or
quotations for which the source is specified) when the text, images, ideas, data, etc.
of other people are used. It is also to be made clear whether the author has reused
his or her own text, images, ideas, data, etc. from previous examinations, such as
degree projects, project reports, etc. (this is sometimes known as “self-plagiarism”).
A failure to specify such sources may be regarded as attempted deception during
examination.
Attempts to cheat
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Qualification requirements
The qualification requirements specified in the Higher Education Ordinance 2007
apply to students admitted after 1 July 2007. A student who has completed
components of a programme after 1 July 2007 has the right to be assessed with
respect to the qualification requirements specified by the Higher Education Ordinance
2007. In addition, local regulations laid down by the faculty boards and university
board apply, see
http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/Innehall/Utbildning_pa_grund-
_och_avancerad_niva/Examina.
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Interruption in studies
Notification of an interruption in studies is to be made through a web
form, https://www.lith.liu.se/for-studenter/anmalan-studieuppehall?l=en. If such a
notification is not made and if the student does not do a course registration during the
first term during which the interruption is to take place, the interruption will be
considered to be a withdrawal. An interruption in studies must cover a complete
term, and notification of interruptions can be given for a maximum of two consecutive
terms. Notification of resumption of studies is to take place at the course registration
for the term that follows the interruption.
A student who is taking an interruption in studies may during this period retake
examinations. The student is responsible that registration for courses is carried out at
the correct times in preparation for the resumption of studies.
Voluntary courses
The course specified as voluntary (labelled with “v”) in the programme syllabus are
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assessed solely as voluntary courses, and credits from these may not contribute to
the requirements for a degree.
Study planning
Students who require support in planning their continued studies can contact the
study guidance counsellor of the programme. Study planning involves the student and
the study guidance counsellor together drawing up an individual plan for studies
during the subsequent term. The individual plan may allow the student to deviate from
the general curriculum.
Completed first-cycle courses are a precondition for successful studies at more
advanced levels. For this reason, study planning is based on giving priority to courses
from earlier years of study that have not been completed. If further capacity is
available, new courses may be taken.
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