MSc in Computer Systems Engineering

Degree / Duration / ECTS

2nd Cycle (Master) / 4 semesters / 120 ECTS

Branches

• Information Systems and Multimedia
• Mobile Computing

Coordination

Prof. Nuno Magalhães Ribeiro ([email protected])

Introduction and aims

The MSc (master) program in Computer Systems Engineering is adapted to the Bologna declaration and the ECTS credit system and has a length of two years and 120 ECTS credits, and corresponds to the 2nd cycle of studies. There are two specialization branches: Multimedia Information Systems (MIS) and Mobile Computing (MC). At the end of the first year, students are eligible to receive a Post-graduation diploma. The aim is to provide a solid education in advanced technologies related to multimedia information systems or mobile computing and wireless networks and applications and to form engineering professionals with a wider range of competencies.

Objectives and competencies

The 2nd cycle program is composed of courses related to an advanced body of knowledge divided into two specialization areas: multimedia information systems and mobile computing. It also includes an internship in an organization which may be an enterprise, an industry or an academic setting.

In what the multimedia information systems branch is concerned, the objective is to provide a specialized education, both in practical and academic terms, deepening concepts and technologies introduced in the scope of the first cycle of studies and introducing new advanced topics and themes, enabling future professionals to:

1. Reinforce their knowledge of technologies related to multimedia information systems, allowing them to fulfill roles in Multimedia Design, IT Consultancy, Human-Computer Interaction and Multimedia Interface Design and Systems Specialist, in the scope of future distributed interactive multimedia systems.
2. Develop research skills, allowing them to be prepared to develop original solutions, both in professional and academic scopes, particularly for the design, development, and management of information systems. It is also intended to provide sufficient knowledge for them to be able to defend their solutions and communicate them effectively. This is achieved by making students participate in research projects, allowing them to acquire specific experiences and skills related to multimedia information systems.
3. Develop effective multimedia information systems for organizations characterized as multidisciplinary environments which involve both technical knowledge and well as project management skills. This is achieved by making students work in groups to fulfill project requirements.
4. Develop autonomous and lifelong learning skills related to multimedia information systems.

In what the mobile computing branch is concerned, the objective is to provide a specialized education, both in practical and academic terms, deepening concepts and technologies introduced in the scope of the first cycle of studies and introducing new advanced topics and themes, enabling future professionals to:

1. Reinforce their knowledge of technologies related to multimedia information systems, allowing them to fulfill roles in areas related to Mobile Computing such as Mobile and Wireless Networks, Mobile Applications Design and Development, Mobile Applications Interface Design and developing solutions and architectures incorporating Mobile Technologies including PDAs, cell phones, context-sensitive devices and other pervasive computing devices, as well as mobile networks protocols, particularly at the network, transport and application layers.
2. Develop research skills, allowing them to be prepared to develop original solutions, both in professional and academic scopes, particularly for the design, development, and management of mobile information systems and networks. It is also intended to provide sufficient knowledge for them to be able to defend their solutions and communicate them effectively. This is achieved by making students participate in research projects, allowing them to acquire specific experiences and skills related to pervasive systems and networks.
3. Develop effective mobile information systems and applications for organizations characterized as multidisciplinary and technological rich environments which involve both technical knowledge and well as project management skills. This is achieved by making students work in groups to fulfill project requirements in the area of mobile computing.
4. Develop autonomous and lifelong learning skills related to mobile computing systems and wireless networks.

Teaching approach

Our degree program is taught combining theory and practice, mixing concepts from science and engineering, including both elements of hardware and software, and is taught by top professors.

Our curriculum includes courses from the following areas:

• Mobile computing,
• Advanced databases and information systems,
• Information security.
• Artificial Intelligence,
• Distributed systems,
• Mobile Computer Networks,
• Multimedia Design and Web Development.

There is also an internship with the duration of 208 hours in an organization or enterprise.

Study plan

Branch of Information Systems and Multimedia

1st Semester

• Advanced Databases
• Mobile Computing
• Information Systems Development
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Programming Paradigms

2nd Semester

• Knowledge Management
• Artificial Intelligence
• Web Applications Project
• Systems and Networks Project*
• Computer Security and Auditing

3rd Semester

• Internship
• Master’s Dissertation Methodology
• Multimedia and Interactive Systems
• Systems and Applications Seminar
• Computer Vision

4th Semester

• Dissertation

Branch of Mobile Computing

1st Semester

• Advanced Databases
• Mobile Computing
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mobile Applications Programming
• Mobile Networks and Services I

2nd Semester

• Mobile Networks and Services II
• Artificial Intelligence
• Web Applications Project
• Systems and Networks Project*
• Computer Security and Auditing

3rd Semester

• Internship
• Master’s Dissertation Methodology
• Mobile Applications Project
• Systems and Applications Seminar
• Computer Vision

4th Semester

• Dissertation

(*) To be defined in each year by the Faculty of Science and Technology (one curricular unit to be selected from the areas of “Computer Graphics” or “Mobile Computing”).

Admissions Conditions

• 1.1. General conditions: To have completed an undergraduate degree in a Portuguese or a foreign institution of higher education

1.2. Specific conditions:

• 1.2.2. Master in Computer Systems Engineering: undergraduate degree in Engineering, preferably in Computer Systems Engineering;