MSc in Computer Science

This program is aimed at students with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. You will learn to master the theoretical foundations in this field and apply them in practical applications.

Computer Science is one of the most dynamic and expansive fields of science. In addition to having a deep understanding of the theoretical and technical foundations, professionals in this field must be able to apply the technology to challenging problems and integrate it with other technologies. Applicants should have an adequate background in computer science and good programming skills.

Several elective courses

The first three semesters include not only core courses in theoretical computer science and programming, but also elective courses such as artificial intelligence, databases and data mining, the design and programming of computer games, information security, advanced computer graphics, and human-computer interaction. Most courses feature lectures in theory and techniques, which are applied in practical laboratory work. Some courses also feature projects and seminars.

In the final semester, you write a thesis, either on your own or with a fellow student. The work may be carried out in collaboration with a company, or as a research project with the university.

Five specializations

The program offers five specializations:

• Visualization and Computer Graphics
• Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining
• Computer Networks, Distributed Systems, and Security
• Embedded Systems
• Programming and Software Methods

It is not mandatory to follow a specialization – you may also tailor your own combination of courses, with the full freedom of choice. All specializations are offered in Linköping, except Visualisation and Computer Graphics which is given at Campus Norrköping.

The major computer science center

Linköping University is home to one of the most important centers of computer science and engineering in Northern Europe, renowned for its top-quality research and education. Science Park Mjärdevi, an incubator with 300 knowledge-intensive companies where many of our alumni are employed, is adjacent to the campus.

Syllabus

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 program 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 the capacities competencies of the students who successfully complete the program.

• A Computer Science master will be able to understand and apply mathematical concepts that are necessary for modeling 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 modeling and developing software solutions that 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 decisions 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 program will have a good understanding of the impact of computers in society, ethical issues relevant to the field, as well as the responsibilities of computer science professionals.
• Although computer science enjoys a relatively stable scientific foundation, the field is still dynamic and expansive. An important aspect of educational programs in the field is to prepare the students for lifelong learning in the field.

Research

Department of Computer and Information Science

Research at IDA covers a broad spectrum of topics from core computer science to applications. Our broad research base directly enriches our undergraduate and graduate education.

_Are you curious about what it is like to study at LiU? Join us for a chat about what it is like to live and study on our campuses in Sweden. We offer free webinars and recordings for both prospective and admitted degree students throughout the year. Visit our _ _Meet us online _ _page. _

About Linköping University

Linköping University will never rest on its laurels.

In close collaboration with the business world and society, Linköping University (LiU) conducts world-leading, boundary-crossing research in fields including materials science, IT and hearing. In the same spirit, the university offers many innovative educational programs, many of them with a clear vocational focus, leading to qualification as, for example, doctors, teachers, economists, and engineers.

The university has 32,000 students and 4,000 employees on four campuses. Together we seek answers to the complex questions facing us today. Our students are among the most desirable in the labor market and international rankings consistently place LiU as a leading global university.

LiU achieved university status in 1975 and innovation is our only tradition.

History of Linköping University

In 1975 Sweden’s sixth university was founded in Linköping. Since then Linköping University (LiU) has grown considerably, expanding to Norrköping and Stockholm.

Linköping has been an important center of learning since medieval times when Linköping Cathedral offered a school with extensive international contacts and its own student hall in Paris. In 1627 the Cathedral School became the third upper secondary school in Sweden and in 1843 a college for elementary school teachers began operations. In Norrköping, the Fröbel Institute – Sweden’s first college for training pre-school teachers – was founded in 1902.

From university college to university

What would later become Linköping University began to take shape in the mid-1960s. Higher education in Sweden was expanding and in 1965 the Swedish Parliament decided to establish a branch of Stockholm University, together with a university college of engineering and medicine, in Linköping.

In the autumn of 1967, the branch of Stockholm University moved into premises in central Linköping. There the first students could take courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Two years later the units for engineering and medicine got underway.

In 1970 education and research started moving into the recently built Campus Valla, a short distance from the town center. Buildings A and B were the first to be completed. The same year the various parts were merged to form Linköping University College, including faculties of engineering, medicine and arts, and sciences.

The new university college was the first in Sweden to offer study programs in Industrial Engineering and Management and Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering, both starting in 1969. A few years later, in 1975, Linköping University launched Sweden’s first Computer Science and Engineering program.

1975 was also the year when Linköping University College became Linköping University, the sixth university in Sweden. In line with the 1977 reform of the Swedish higher education system, teacher education was also transferred to Linköping University.

Interdisciplinary research and problem-based learning

Linköping University has always worked with innovation in education and research. In 1980 the newly formed Department of Thematic Studies adopted an approach that was new in Sweden. Research was organized in interdisciplinary themes, such as Technology and Social Change or Water and Environmental Studies. Scientists worked across boundaries to solve complex problems. LiU was also first in Sweden to introduce graduate research schools for different themes. The model later spread to other parts of the university and became a national success.

The new Faculty of Health Sciences (Hälsouniversitetet), formed in 1986, combined governmentally and regionally funded education. It introduced a radically changed methodology, being the first in Sweden to use problem-based learning, PBL. Later, LiU became the first university in the world to allow students from different health sciences programs to treat actual patients on a student-managed training ward.

Expansion to Norrköping – and Stockholm

A significant milestone in the history of the University was the opening of Campus Norrköping in 1997. Some programs had previously operated from Norrköping, but the number of students now grew drastically in line with government efforts to expand higher education. Historical factories in the former industrial district were again filled with life, as they were filled with classrooms, laboratories, cafés, a library and of course students.

Linköping University also expanded to Stockholm when the reputable Carl Malmsten School of Furniture sought a collaborative partner from the academic sector. The Malmsten furniture design and handicraft programs became part of LiU in 2000. After almost 60 years at Södermalm in central Stockholm, Malmstens moved to new premises on the island of Lidingö in the autumn of 2009. LiU got its fourth campus.

Buro Millennial / Pexels

LiU in figures

Some important figures for Linköping University.

Education

• 32,000 students (full-time equivalents 17,907)
• 21,400 on Campus Valla
• 5,500 on Campus Norrköping
• 3,900 on University Hospital Campus (US)
• 2,100 distance students and students in other locations, including Campus Lidingö

(Some students take courses on more than one campus.)

• 120 study programs, of which 27 are international programs in English
• 550 single-subject courses
• Exchange agreements with 400 universities in 50 countries
• 2,400 international students
• 2,200 first cycle degrees
• 2,700 second-cycle degrees

Research and scientific training

• 300 professors
• 1,200 PhD students
• 40 licentiate degrees
• 140 doctoral degrees

Staff

• 4,000 employees (full-time equivalents 3,156)