Master's Programme in Applied Computer and Information Technology Programplan

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 whether the search for new knowledge is indeed with the right intentions. Artificial Intelligence offers to relieve 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 The 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, climate change and so on. 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 the areas have different prerequisites for acceptance. Once the student is accepted, the student will also have to become familiar with one of the other fields as part of their education. This can be chosen later and more information is found below in the program plan.

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: 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: 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 marked 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: 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: 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: 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.

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.

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

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.

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 Section 5, 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 english-speaking program, the applicant must be able to document sufficient mastery of English. Please consult the current regulations at OsloMet for a complete overview: https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2015-12-15-1681.

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. Given the limited number of places, normally no more than three students from each country will be assigned to each specialization, with the exception of students from Norway.

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.

Universal Design of ICT requirements

• 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.

Cloud-based Services and Operations requirements

• BSc in Computer science, Computer Engineering or Informatics
• BSc in Information technology or other equivalent qualifications, which at least 80 ECTS within the field of computer science
• BSc in Electrical Engineering with at least 10 ECTS of programming

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 courses, 10 ECTS in Statistics courses and 10 ECTS in programming courses

Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing requirements

• BSc in Computer Engineering with at least 35 ECTS of mathematics
• BSc in Electrical Engineering with at least 35 ECTS of mathematics
• BSc in Chemical Engineering with at least 35 ECTS of mathematics
• BSc in Mechanical Engineering with at least 35 ECTS of mathematics
• BSc in Computer Science or Informatics with at least 35 ECTS of mathematics
• BSc in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
• BSc in Physics
• BSc in Statistics

Applied Artificial Intelligence requirements

• 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

Robotics and Control requirements

• 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

Biomedical Engineering requirements

• 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 Statistics

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:

1. has thorough knowledge of the professions within applied computer and information technology and their role in businesses, organizations and society
2. 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
3. has an advanced understanding of how technological advances in society are alloys of multiple disciplines, such as Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical engineering and more
4. has a fundamental understanding of a secondary field within applied computer and information technology and its role in organizations and society
5. has thorough experience in interdisciplinary work and how it contributes to solving complex problems
6. can apply knowledge to new areas within their academic field
7. can analyze academic problems within their area of research based on its methods, tradition and role in society

Skills

Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate:

1. 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
2. can facilitate, nourish and cultivate interdisciplinary perspectives in projects
3. can design and implement technical solutions to challenges that represent modern and real-life scenarios
4. can translate abstract theoretical models or technical descriptions into working solutions and systems, relative to their area of focus
5. can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations in their field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems
6. can use relevant methods for research, scholarly and development work within their field in an independent manner
7. can carry out independent research or development project within their field under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics
8. can identify and communicate common facets and challenges within their field to professionals from other fields
9. can deploy, use and manage systems and technical tools that in complexity and scale represent enterprise scenarios
10. can independently update their knowledge as technology progresses to new areas within society

General Competence

Upon successful completion of the program, the candidate:

1. 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
2. can analyze relevant academic, professional and research ethical problems in applied computer and information technology
3. can apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments in the realm of technology
4. can communicate extensive independent work and masters language and terminology of their own academic field or an interdisciplinary field
5. can communicate about academic and professional issues, analyses and conclusions in their field, both with specialists and the general public
6. can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes

Målgruppen er studenter som ønsker seg kvalifikasjoner for arbeid med administrasjon, utredning, økonomistyring og ledelse, særlig i offentlig virksomhet. Etter endt studium arbeider mange som saksbehandlere, med personalforvaltning, arbeids- og velferdsforvaltning, økonomiforvaltning, utredning og planlegging. Studiet gir en god innføring i konteksten rundt ledelse og ledelsesfaget, og kan derfor gi muligheter for å avansere til mer ledende stillinger på sikt.

For å søke opptak til studiet kreves generell studiekompetanse. Det stilles ellers ikke krav om en spesiell fagkombinasjon fra videregående skole. Studentene må ta et kvalifiseringskurs i matematikk. Kvalifiseringskurset går parallelt med den øvrige undervisningen.

Det kan også søkes opptak til studiet på grunnlag av realkompetanse.

Kunnskap

En kandidat med fullført utdanning fra bachelorstudiet i administrasjon og ledelse i offentlig virksomhet har

• brede kunnskaper om styringsformer og organisering, spesielt i offentlig sektor
• brede kunnskaper i emner fra statsvitenskap, organisasjons- og ledelsesfag, jus og økonomi som er relevante for administrasjon og ledelse i offentlig sektor
• innblikk i relevante forsknings- og evalueringsmetoder til å gjennomføre systematisk analyse og utredningsarbeid
• kjennskap til relevante, kvalitetssikrede informasjonskilder innenfor fagområdet
• kunnskap om sentrale temaer knyttet til administrasjon og ledelse, avhengig av kandidatens fagsammensetning.

Ferdigheter

Kandidaten kan

• formulere, strukturere og analysere økonomiske, juridiske og samfunnsfaglige problemstillinger og har ervervet seg et grunnlag for å løse slike oppgaver både individuelt og i samarbeid med andre 
• finne, vurdere og bruke relevante faglige kilder i tilknytning til slikt arbeid
• anvende kunnskap innen statsvitenskap, organisasjons- og ledelsesfag, jus og økonomi som er relevante for administrasjon og ledelse i offentlig sektor
• gjennomføre utredningsarbeid innen overnevnte områder
• anvende kunnskaper og ferdigheter i innhenting og bruk av aktuelle kilder, litteratur og annen informasjon, kan henvisnings- og sitatteknikk, og kan definere hva som er plagiat og fusk

Generell kompetanse

Kandidaten

• kan arbeide selvstendig og sammen med andre om praktisk og teoretisk problemløsning
• kan systematisere og formidle kunnskap gjennom skriftlig utredning, faglig rapportering og muntlig presentasjon
• har utviklet sine forutsetninger for samhandling og samarbeid på ulike nivåer på bakgrunn av breddekunnskap og helhetsforståelse
• har forståelse for dialog som kommunikasjonsform
• har evne til analytisk tenkning og refleksjon
• kan følge kunnskapsutviklingen på fagfeltet og gjøre selvstendige og kritisk faglige vurderinger
• kan bidra til utvikling av god praksis og innovasjon innen fagområdet
• har innsikt i relevante fag- og yrkesetiske problemstillinger.

Alle emnene i 1 - 4., samt 6. semester er obligatoriske.

Studiet består av økonomiske, juridiske, samfunns- og ledelsesfaglige emner på 10 eller 15 studiepoeng (se oversikt). Alle emnene i de to første studieårene er obligatoriske. For å oppøve ferdigheter i praktisk anvendelse av teori skal studentene gjennomføre en periode med obligatorisk praksis i arbeidslivet i slutten av fjerde semester. I femte semester kan studentene velge mellom internasjonalt semester eller 30 studiepoeng fra valgemneporteføljen om sentrale temaer innen administrasjon og ledelse. Sjette semester inneholder et obligatorisk emne og skriving av bacheloroppgave.

Merk at dersom et valgemne har svært få påmeldte kan emnet avlyses.

Studieprogresjon

Oppflytting til andre studieår: Studenter som mangler mer enn 25 studiepoeng etter andre semester (inkludert ny og utsatt eksamen), kan ikke delta i arbeidskrav eller gå opp til eksamen i emner i 2.studieår før kravet til antall beståtte studiepoeng fra 1. studieår er innfridd. (Se for øvrig Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet, § 5-1, andre ledd)

Adgang til praksis: Studenter som mangler mer enn 25 studiepoeng, etter eksamen i tredje semester (inkludert ny og utsatt eksamen) kan ikke gå ut i praksis.

Oppflytting til tredje studieår: Studenter som mangler mer enn 30 studiepoeng etter fjerde semester (inkludert ny og utsatt eksamen) kan ikke delta i arbeidskrav eller gå opp til eksamen i emner i 3. studieår før kravet til antall beståtte studiepoeng er innfridd. (Se for øvrig Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet, § 5-1, andre ledd).

Studenter som ikke har gjennomført hele studiet, kan få utskrift av eksamensprotokoll for de eksamener og deler av studiet som er bestått.

Internasjonalt semester

Som student ved bachelorprogrammet i administrasjon og ledelse i offentlig virksomhet kan du gjennomføre ett semester (5. semester) eller to semestre (5. og 6. semester) i bachelorstudiet i utlandet uten tap av studietid. Et studieopphold i utlandet kan gi deg nye faglige og personlige erfaringer med verdifull innsikt, for eksempel i et arbeidsmarked der språk- og kulturkompetanse blir stadig mer etterspurt. Du kan enten reise til en av Handelshøyskolens partnerinstitusjoner i Europa eller benytte deg av OsloMets avtaler med utenomeuropeiske land. Søknadsfristen er 15. februar i andre studieår.

Studentenes ansvar for egen læring forutsetter aktiv deltakelse. I studiet blir det i tillegg til forelesninger benyttet ulike studentaktive læringsformer som skriftlige oppgaver, gruppearbeid, muntlige framføringer, seminarer etc.

Praksis er en viktig del av studiet. Gjennom praksisperioden får studentene erfaring i hvordan teorier og ferdigheter i studiet har relevans for arbeidslivet.

Emnet Praksis utgjør 10 studiepoeng og er lagt til fjerde semester (andre studieår). Praksisperioden skal være gjennomført og godkjent i overensstemmelse med gjeldende reglement. Det vises til Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet, kapittel 8 om veiledet praksis.

Studiet inneholder krav til progresjon som spesifisert ovenfor. Studenter som mangler mer enn 25 studiepoeng, etter eksamen i tredje semester (inkludert ny og utsatt eksamen) kan ikke gå ut i praksis.