Master in Intelligent Interactive Systems

Master in Intelligent Interactive Systems

Future emerging technologies will provide both interactivity and intelligence. The master's programme in Intelligent Interactive Systems (IIS) addresses both trends, focusing on the design, analysis and development of agents and robots able to interact intelligently with humans and other agents, that is, agents that can perceive, plan, act, learn and communicate.

The programme's lecturers are world-renowned scientists in the fields of artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, natural language interaction and web intelligence. Students will learn about the languages, models and algorithms involved in intelligent interactive systems and will be exposed to top-level research in the field.

This is a technical master's programme, and students are expected to be familiar with mathematical language and computer science.

Objectives

The master's programme aims to provide students with:

• A solid background in models and algorithms for the analysis, design and development of intelligent interactive systems.
• An entry point into high-level research in the field in which they make their contributions.

Teaching staff

The programme's lecturers include the ICREA research professors Hector Geffner, Gabor Lugosi and Leo Wanner; Ricardo Baeza-Yates, director of Yahoo! Labs Europe; and Vladimir Estivill-Castro, of the UPF and Griffith University (Australia).

Who is it for?

This is a highly technical programme, and students are expected to have prior knowledge of mathematical language and computer science. To apply to the programme, students must hold an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, physics or engineering, or have a similar background.

Structure

The programme is research-oriented and divided into three terms, over the course of which students must complete 30 credits' worth of compulsory subjects, 10 credits' worth of optional subjects, and a 20-credit research project.

Content

• Machine Learning (Gabor Lugosi; first term)
• Autonomous Systems (Hector Geffner; first term)
• Mobile Robotics (Vladimir Estivill; first term)
• Research Methodology (first term)
• Natural Language Interaction (Leo Wanner; second term)
• Web Intelligence (Ricardo Baeza; second term)
• Optional 1 (second term)
• Research project (third term)
• Optional 2 (third term)

The two optional subjects are chosen from amongst the following: Advanced Topics in Intelligent Interactive Systems, Computational Neuroscience, Human-Computer Interaction, Image and Video Processing, Games and Entertainment, Interface Design, Psychology and Cognitive Science, Pattern Recognition, and Algorithm Design. The optional subjects are offered one term a year and are subject to a minimum enrolment.

Research project and internship

Students must carry out a research project within the context of one of the Pompeu Fabra University research groups. As part of their project, students may do an internship in one of these research groups or at a company in the industry.

Knowledge, skills and competences acquired

• The ability to develop real and virtual agents, such as robots, to interact with a physical environment, humans and other agents.
• Knowledge of the models and algorithms needed to address learning, action and interaction in real or virtual environments that may include humans and other agents.
• The ability to incorporate intelligence and interactivity in a wide range of applications, such as video games, the Internet, manufacturing and robotics.

Career prospects

• The Internet: intelligent web applications.
• Video games: intelligent applications in the video game industry.
• Intelligent data processing: data-mining professionals.
• Cognitive agents for the elderly.
• Future emerging technologies and applications.
• Academia: research in intelligent agents that interact with humans and other agents.

English

Remember that in order to be successfully enrolled, the presentation of an official English certificate is an essential admission requirement. Only applicants whose mother tongue is English do not need to pre¬sent an English certificate. Official results must be sent directly by the examining institution to the school’s Admissions Department and must comply with the required minimum scores:

• TOEFL CBT: > 235
• TOEFL PBT: > 575
• TOEFL IBT: > 100
• CAE: C1
• IELTS: > 6.5

Applicants who, at the time of the application, still do not possess an official English certificate or who are in the process of obtaining it must include this information in their admission applications. Applicants who have completed their full Bachelor’s Degree at an English-speaking university must submit written evidence that the language of instruction of their studies was English.