Programplaner og emneplaner - Student
Master's Programme in Applied Computer and Information Technology Programme description
- Programme name, Norwegian
- Master's Programme in Applied Computer and Information Technology
- Valid from
- 2024 FALL
- ECTS credits
- 120 ECTS credits
- Duration
- 4 semesters
- Schedule
- Here you can find an example schedule for first year students.
- Programme history
-
Introduction
The Master's program in Applied Computer and Information Technology (ACIT) offers an expert-level education in the design, development, use and maintenance of computer technology, electronics and software in areas that have become of great importance for modern societies. We live in a world with computing devices both surrounding us and, in some cases, even working inside us. Technology is a part of how we entertain ourselves, communicate, govern and heal. Services that span the world open up for individuals to interact across the globe.
Yet with technology comes new challenges. The application of computers and electronics in our society offers progress for many, but it may also close the doors for people with impairments. We can communicate across the globe, but our communication can be intercepted and used against us. Our data can be used to get new insight about our behavior, but the analysis is complex and requires ethical considerations of whether the search for new knowledge is indeed with the right intentions. Artificial Intelligence offers to delegate many mundane tasks to robots, but consequences are potentially wide and may trigger deep changes in our civilization.
The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design at Oslo Metropolitan University believes that solving these challenges requires a broad and multidisciplinary approach. Solutions for the public should be viewed as an artefact beyond a singular discipline, like Computer Science or Electrical Engineering. It needs to be a combination of expert knowledge and interdisciplinary thinking. Our researchers know from their own experience that in the real world, engineers sit alongside mathematicians, programmers, economists, sociologists, physicists, designers and statisticians, just to name a few, to work on self-driving cars, computer games, medical devices, solutions to combat the climate crisis.
As technologists we can become the enablers of others. We can let teachers teach in novel ways. We can let children with disabilities partake in activities previously denied to them and we can let doctors perform surgery on patients that are miles away. Moreover, we become inventors and transformers as we understand what others need and have the expertise to know what is possible, or should be possible. This makes our field incredibly meaningful and important. This program offers a range of specializations stemming from the overlap of three fields of research: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mathematical Modelling.
The uniqueness of ACIT is that it offers a closer connection between all three fields and showcase how they are part of the same technological fabric of today's digital society. Thus, ACIT recognizes that candidates will have a better foundation for solving tomorrows challenges if a broader perspective is available to them. The aim is not, however, to create generalists, but to create experts in their own field who are also able to see the broad picture of how technology impacts society. These individuals contribute not only through providing deep knowledge and expert skills from a relevant field, but at the same time are able to partake constructively as members of interdisciplinary teams. The program is designed to allow the student to select an area of specialization but also requires them to become familiar with a second area of their choice. In addition, the student will be trained specifically in the role as the expert member of a team.
Each field of specialization represents an area where the application of software, data, computers and electronics has become necessary for modern society yet challenging to do in practice. These areas are still wide enough to allow for life-long careers as technology progresses. In addition, a Master's degree in science requires each candidate to have training in scientific thinking and research, enabling our candidates to pursue careers as scholars in academia as well as industry researchers, leading the way for new discoveries and scientific progress.
ACIT Specialization areas
Our program offers several areas of specialization. Each area connects the student to an active research group at the faculty. When applying for the program, the applicant needs to select what area of specialization to join. Please note that each specialisation has a unique set of admissions requirements.
ACIT: Applied Artificial Intelligence
Recent discoveries in artificial intelligence have enabled computers and machines to perform many cognitive tasks better than humans, from self-driving cars to diagnosing diseases in seconds. The application of artificial intelligence methods is revolutionizing the way we work and live. This specialization involves learning how complex systems are designed and used to make autonomous decisions. The students will have access to different types of robotics and intelligent systems that can be used to test their work. This area involves programming, robotics and mathematics.
ACIT: Biomedical Engineering
The need for innovation in the field of biomedical engineering has never been so important as now. Neither has it ever been given so much attention from governments, organizations providing health care and the media. It is evident that to provide world class health care, the need for technology that helps efficiency and accuracy is essential. This specialization will prepare the students for a professional career in companies related to new and existing health products. The students gain an interdisciplinary background but with a focus in electrical engineering and instrumentation.
ACIT: Cloud-based Services and Operations
Today's services need to be designed for thousands; even millions of users and require infrastructures and architectural designs beyond common webservers and databases. This specialization area focuses on the practice of designing, developing and running massive-scale services and delivering software faster and with higher quality than before. We embrace the DevOps philosophy, in that developers should be better trained in automation and deployment and operations should build mechanisms for developers to thrive. It is highly relevant for anyone who wants a career as a software developer. The specialization covers both infrastructure management and agile software delivery and automated testing and deployment, creating candidates with a practical competence in the entire cloud stack from the servers and clouds and all the way to the running service.
ACIT: Cyber security
Cyber security ensures the proper and reliable function of digital systems. Its focus is the creation, maintenance and analysis of information security, data privacy data secrecy, the assessment of risks and their mitigation, and the reliable operation of digital processes. The ACIT cyber security specialization educates master students in the areas of general information security, in defensive and offensive operations for security, in technical data protection and privacy, and in the political and societal implications of cyber security, such as, for example, information warfare and cyberwar.”
ACIT: Data Science
The wealth of data produced by us and the things around us offer new knowledge that can be useful for both business and government. It can assist in public transport, health care as well as provide tailored market solutions. With all the data available to us, however, a special expertise is needed to organize and harness it so that useful knowledge can be extracted. This area offers a deep-dive into the storage and analysis of Big Data from a practical perspective. Data Science involves programming, use of advanced tools and infrastructures and statistics.
ACIT: Universal Design of ICT
With our emerging digital society, it is becoming essential that all electronic information and services should be accessible for all, regardless of devices, situations, and abilities. As progress moves us forward, no-one should be left behind. This poses a great challenge on ICT infrastructure and services in our society. Our world requires competent ICT professionals who can create universally accessible user interfaces that work for all. This specialization offers a unique opportunity to become that professional.
ACIT: Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
Application of mathematics to describe our world is a central element of many areas of our every-day life. Physics, economics and meteorology are examples of disciplines where mathematicians work side-by-side with specialists to convert real phenomena into equations. When these equations are translated into program code to be executed in potentially massive computing clusters, simulations are generated that may be used for e.g. weather or economy forecasting. This area is characterized by development of mathematical models, application of sophisticated methods for analyzing and simulating the models as well as use of tools, programming and computational infrastructures. Students of this specialization can expect to learn how their competence can be utilized in practice by the industry.
ACIT: Robotics and Control
Robotics and Intelligent Systems are steadily revolutionizing almost every aspect of our every-day life. From self-driving cars, autonomous ships, fully automated factories and drones that can deliver groceries. It is a field with tremendous expected growth and demand for skilled multidisciplinary professionals in the convergence of electrical, mechanical and software engineering. This specialization provides a hands-on approach to the analysis, design, and control of robotic and autonomous systems.
Programme objectives
This program offers a practical-minded, profession-oriented specialization, extending a bachelors in technology, computer and software engineering, electrical engineering and mathematics. Our goal is to educate and train candidates so as to make them fit to address the challenges of both professional life and scholarly enquiry within their specialization as well as being a productive member of interdisciplinary teams.
Graduates from this program will:
- understand the role of their specialization in organizations and society
- possess deep technical skills from their own specialization that can be applied in a variety of real-life scenarios
- understand how their specialization is part of a wider fabric of skills necessary to solve tomorrows challenges
- have a professional and ethical attitude towards their role in the workplace
- display creative thinking in real-life situations, leaning both on theoretical knowledge and on pragmatism
- plan and execute their work in a structured and independent manner, be it as professionals or as researchers in their field
Target group
The program offers career-defining specializations that are closely tied with the industry. Focus is on building practical skills combined with scientific craftsmanship. Graduates from this program are attractive candidates for public and private sectors as well as non-profit organizations. Our target audience are individuals with a bachelor's degree who are interested in an expert role as well as the option to pursue an academic career either directly or later.
The different specializations together provide for a wide field of recruitment and is therefore relevant for bachelor graduates from many engineering backgrounds as well as traditional natural sciences. Students from fields within IT, such as human-computer interaction, web- development or applied computer technology will also find suitable specializations here.
Please consider the admission requirements for a detailed list.
Admission requirements
Applicants will choose the desired specialization track at the point of applying for the program. Admission to the program is based on two sets of requirements. The general admission requirements, which are the same regardless of track chosen, and the specialization track requirements. Please take special note of the individual requirements of each specialization track.
For each specialization track, there is also a list of recommended prior knowledge, which can be found in the Content and Structure section, under "Specialization Track Content". That list is not a formal admission requirement, but we encourage students to review it in order know what areas they might want to spend time preparing in before starting in order to avoid steep learning curves. The topics listed can be found as part of most university bachelor programs in technology and engineering. The student can use the list to inform any decision on elective courses in their bachelor studies that might best prepare them for their targeted specialization in this program.
General admission requirements
In order to qualify for an international master's degree, the applicant must be able to document sufficient mastery of English. Please consult the current regulations at OsloMet for a complete overview: English proficiency requirements for master's - OsloMet
In addition to English proficiency, applicants must have completed a BSc or equivalent program with a grade average of C or better.
The master programme aims for a diverse group of students from many countries. To ensure even representation in each of the specializations, if a country is overrepresented in applications (with the exception of applicants from Norway), the program reserves the right to assign a maximum of three students from each country to a specialization.
Specialization track requirements
In order to be qualified for their desired track, the applicant must comply with at least ONE of the requirements for that track. Each requirement is a combination of Bachelor's degree from a specific field with possible conditions for ECTS within certain topics.
Applied Artificial Intelligence
- BSc in Computer science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
- BSc in Information technology or other equivalent qualifications, which include at least 80 ECTS within the field of computer science
- BSc in Electrical Engineering with at least 10 ECTS of programming
- BSc in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics with at least 10 ECTS of programming
Biomedical Engineering
- BSc in Electrical Engineering
- BSc in Biomedical Engineering
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering
- BSc in Chemical Engineering
- BSc in Biotechnology Engineering
- BSc in Physics
- BSc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
- BSc in StatisticsYou must also upload a motivation statement in a 3-minute video (MP4)
Cloud-based Services and Operations
- BSc in Computer science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
- BSc in Information technology or other equivalent qualifications, with at least 80 ECTS within the field of computer science
- BSc in Electrical Engineering with at least 10 ECTS of programming
Cyber security
- BSc in Computer science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
- BSc in Information technology or other equivalent qualifications, with at least 80 ECTS within the field of computer scienceYou also need a minimum of 10 ECTS in data security or a similar technical topics, such as network security, information security, mobile security, applied cryptography, privacy-enhancing technology or computer security management.
Data Science
- BSc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
- BSc in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics with at least 10 ECTS in programming
- BSc in Physics with at least 10 ECTS in programming
- BSc in Statistics with at least 10 ECTS in programming
- BSc in other engineering subjects with at least 10 ECTS in Mathematics, 10 ECTS in Statistics courses and 10 ECTS in programming
Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
- BSc in an engineering discipline with at least 30 ECTS (in total) withinMathematics, Statistics and/or Scientific Computing
- BSc in Computer Science or Informatics with at least 30 ECTS (in total) within Mathematics, Statistics and/or Scientific Computing
- BSc in Mathematics
- BSc in Statistics
- BSc in Physics
Robotics and Control
- BSc in Electrical Engineering
- BSc in Mechanical Engineering
- BSc in Chemical Engineering
- BSc in Physics
- BSc in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
- BSc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Informatics And 10 ECTS programming and 25 ECTS mathematics and / or statistics.You must also upload a motivation statement in a 3-minute video (MP4)
Universal Design of ICT
- BSc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
- BSc in Information technology or equivalent program, which at least 80 ECTS within the field of computer science.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of their Master's degree, the candidate should have the following qualifications defined in knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate:
- has thorough knowledge of the professions within applied computer and information technology and their role in businesses, organizations and society
- has a thorough knowledge of the processes and methodologies applied by professional practitioners within fields like information technology, scientific computing and electrical engineering or a combination of these traditional fields, both in public and private sector
- has an advanced understanding of how technological advances in society are alloys of multiple disciplines, such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical engineering and more
- has a fundamental understanding of a secondary field within applied computer and information technology and its role in organizations and society
- has thorough experience in interdisciplinary work and how it contributes to solving complex problems
Skills
Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate:
- can contribute to innovation processes in applied computer and information technology by harnessing knowledge and skills from a research discipline, such as computer science, electrical engineering or mathematics, and directing them towards an interdisciplinary problem
- can facilitate, nourish and cultivate interdisciplinary perspectives in projects
- can design and implement technical solutions to challenges that represent modern and real-life scenarios
- can translate abstract theoretical models or technical descriptions into working solutions and systems, relative to their area of focus
- can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in their field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems
- can use relevant methods for research, scholarly and development work within their field in an independent manner
- can carry out independent research or development project within their field under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics
- can identify and communicate common facets and challenges within their field to professionals from other fields
- can deploy, use and manage systems and technical tools that in complexity and scale represent enterprise scenarios
- can independently update their knowledge as technology progresses to new areas within society
- can apply knowledge to new areas within their academic field
- can analyze academic problems within their area of research based on its methods, tradition and role in society
General Competence
Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate:
- can appreciate why evaluating a technological challenge beyond the perspective of a single discipline is needed in the pursuit of a safe, inclusive and responsible technologically advanced society
- can analyze relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems in applied computer and information technology
- can apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments in the realm of technology
- can communicate extensive independent work and masters language and terminology of their own academic field or an interdisciplinary field
- can communicate about academic and professional issues, analyses and conclusions in their field, both with specialists and the general public
- can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes
Teaching and learning methods
The learning outcomes will be achieved by means of different learning methods adapted to each individual course. Teaching methods include lectures, assignments, seminars, project work and the use of online learning resources. Project work is carried out both in groups and individually. In some courses, lab environments are available for students to practice their skills. The labs will mimic the real world as closely as possible in order to allow for a realistic setting for the students.
The program is based on student-centred learning methods and project work that requires active participation from students. Students will receive feedback on their presentations and reports.
For seminar-based courses, it is essential for students to be prepared to follow the presentations and actively participate in projects and discussions.
Research and teaching are integrated throughout the study program. The teaching is constantly updated to encompass new knowledge, and research articles are part of the syllabus in many of the courses. Furthermore, the students will participate in research-related discussions and have the opportunity to be included in ongoing research and development through projects that are part of the study program.
The master's thesis is a piece of independent research or development work in one of the key topics of the study program. Each student will be assigned an internal supervisor, who will ensure that the project complies with research ethics principles and help students to formulate the research question and ensure quality in the collection and analysis of data. Seminars with supervisors and fellow students will develop each student's ability to critically assess and discuss their own and other students' work. The thesis shall be a written report based on research principles and methods.
Internationalisation
Spending a semester abroad is an opportunity for students to experience a different culture.
During a stay abroad, students are expected to take a full semester of courses at the external institution and incorporate them into their own ACIT education. For the ACIT program, the third semester is designed to offer an opening for internationalization. Only students who plan to do a short thesis are eligible to travel abroad for a whole semester. Long thesis students are not eligible for a full semester abroad as they already have 20 ECTS of their schedule allocated to their master’s thesis in the third semester.
During the third semester, short thesis students will take two elective courses in addition to the Alternative Specialisation course. This allows for a broader range of subjects to choose from at the exchange institution as the electives do not necessarily have to be directly linked to the specialisation track. The Alternative Specialisation course, on the other hand, must be from an adjacent technological field. The student themselves will have to find courses that will function as substitutes for both the Alternative Specialisation and elective courses. Students are advised to explore the partner institutions listed in the link below to see which courses they think fit their background and interest. This could be courses within computer and information technology, including electronics, mathematical modelling and user-centered topics.The program's International Coordinator will review and approve the substitution of courses.
In the fourth semester, short and long thesis students may apply to carry out parts of their master’s thesis abroad. In such cases, students must apply to the ACIT Program Council for approval to travel abroad no later than the end of the third semester.
Requirements:
An average grade C in previously completed courses and a complete study progression for the two previous semesters.
An exchange agreement with the desired university or college must be in place before the student can apply.
Acceptance from a receiving professor or institution to an exchange-stay with the necessary academic relevance.
Information about requirements to travel abroad for an exchange semester:
https://student.oslomet.no/en/slik-soker-du
Work requirements
A coursework requirement is a compulsory piece of work/activity that must be approved before the student may take an examination. Coursework requirements are assessed "approved" or "not approved".
Not approved coursework requirements
Legitimate absence based on, for example, a medical certificate, does not exempt students from meeting the coursework requirements. Students who due to illness or any other documented legitimate absence, who do not meet the coursework requirements within the appointed deadline, should as far as possible, be given a new attempt to meet the requirements, before the relevant examination. An agreement with the relevant lecturer must be made in each individual case.
If, due to the nature of the subject/course, it is not possible to implement a new attempt to meet the requirements, before the course exam the student must expect to submit the coursework requirements at the next possible submission deadline. This may lead to a delay in progression through the Master's programme.
If a work requirement is assessed «not approved», students have two chances to retake the work requirement. A work requirement that three times is assessed «not approved», will result in loss of the right to take the course exam.
Mandatory attendance
In courses that have required participation through stated attendance requirement, students must have participated in class minimum the required percentage to pass the course. Failure to meet this requirement results in a loss of right to take the course exam.
In cases where a student have a valid reason for absence due to illness or other legitimate reason that can be documented, the teacher is responsible for making compensatory arrangement in order for the student to catch up on what he/she has missed. This could for example be a one-on-one tutorial or written assignment.
The administration processes all applications for exemptions.
Assessment
Provisions governing examinations are laid down in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet.
Assessment methods vary between courses. They include written reports, oral presentations, portfolio assessments and oral examinations.
A portfolio assessment provides an overall assessment awarding one grade for the whole portfolio. Students may only appeal against the determination of the examination grade awarded for the whole portfolio. Any information on weighting of grades must be considered as supplementary information in connection with the final grade. If the portfolio consists of elements such as an oral presentation, practical work etc., the examination result cannot be appealed against. The right to appeal is stated in the individual course descriptions.
If the examination in a course consists of more than one part, all parts of the examination must be passed in order to pass the course.
Normally each course has two internal examiners to assess students' work. Each semester one course will be chosen to include an external examiner, thus the students' work will be assessed by one external and one internal examiner. The Master's thesis is assessed by the two external examiners. Guildeline for master's theses at the Faculty can be found here: Retningslinjer for masteroppgaver ved Fakultet for teknologi, kunst og design - Student - minside (oslomet.no)
Other information
Quality assurance
The purpose of OsloMet's quality assurance system is to strengthen students' learning outcomes and development by raising the quality at all levels. Cooperation with the students, and their participation in the quality assurance work, is decisive to the overall learning outcome. Among the overall goals for the quality assurance system is to ensure:
- that the educational activities, including practical training and the learning and study environment, maintain a high level of quality
- that the study programmes are relevant for the professional fields
- that the quality development continues to improve
For the students, this entails, among other things, student evaluations in the form of:
- course evaluations
- annual student surveys for all of OsloMet
More information about the quality assurance system is available here: https://student.oslomet.no/regelverk#etablering-studium-evaluering-kvalitetssystem
Programme supervisor scheme
The programme supervisor scheme is part of the quality assurance of each individual study programme. A programme supervisor is not an examiner, but someone who supervises the quality of the study programmes. All study programmes at OsloMet shall be subject to supervision by a programme supervisor, but there are different ways of practising the scheme. Reference is made to the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet: https://student.oslomet.no/retningslinjer-sensorer