Computer Science - Master of Science Degree Programme

The master’s programme in Computer Science at the University of Stavanger is open to Norwegian and international students. With a master’s degree in Computer Science the door is open to some of the most challenging and interesting jobs in the field. The study programme gives a broad foundation within the field of computer science. This is an international study programme, and all courses are given in English. The programme is organised under the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Programme content, structure and composition

The University of Stavanger offers a master's programme aimed at students who have completed a 3-year engineering degree in computer technology. The two-year master's degree in Computer Science comprises 120 ECTS.

The programme has practical courses that build on mathematics, statistics, and basic computer science courses from the bachelor's degree in Computer Science. The programme contains advanced algorithmic topics, security, networks, distributed systems, machine learning and data minig.

The programme offers a variety of study and learning activities, from traditional lecture series and exercises, project work, self-study and laboratory teaching to introduction and practice in the use of modern software.
Which teaching forms are used varies between different subjects and topics.

The following is described in the individual course description:

• Forms of work and teaching
• Evaluation Forms
• Syllabus
• Assessment

Using technology for a better world

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's collective action plan to eradicate poverty, combat inequality, and stop climate change by 2030. With a master's degree in computer science, you gain skills that can directly contribute to achieving these goals for a better world. ICT can be used to help with all the SDGs.

For example, ICT systems can help document, analyze, and streamline resource utilization. For instance, the sharing economy can contribute to more people using the same cars and houses, thus contributing to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Cybercrime, including fraud and identity theft, is a growing threat. With a master's degree in computer science, you learn how to design secure IT systems, contributing to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

For SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, a computer science program will teach you about the IT infrastructure behind today's and tomorrow's internet. In the master's program in computer science, you will learn about cloud technology, wireless networks, and the networks of future mobile phones like 6G.

The university aims to offer all the study programmes as planned but must make reservations about sufficient resources and / or students to complete the offer. Over time, it will be natural for the academic content and offering of courses to change due to the general developments in the field of study, the use of technology and changes in society at large.

After admission to the programme, you can apply for a part-time study programme. Alternatively, you can apply directly to a part-time study.

Learning outcomes

After having completed the master’s programme in Computer Science, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:

Knowledge

K1: Have advanced knowledge in Computer Science including Cloud computing, security, networks, distributed systems, data mining and machine learning.

K2: Have deep knowledge in the subject areas’ scientific theories and methods.

Skills

S1: Use relevant methods for research and software development in an independent manner.

S2: Analyse and relate in a critical manner to different information sources and apply these to structure and formulate professional reasoning within information technology.

S3: Perform an independent, limited research- or development project under guidance and in line with established ethical norms for research.

S4: Exploit knowledge in wireless communication, sensor networking, distributed communication systems, data mining and machine learning.

S5: Design, model, simulate, and develop advanced network-based computer systems with focus on dependability and security.

General Competence

G1: Analyse relevant professional, and research ethical problems.

G2: Apply one’s knowledge and skills to new areas to conduct complex tasks and projects.

G3: Communicate comprehensively about own work and master the subject area’s form of expression.

G4: Communicate professional problems, analyse, and draw conclusions within the subject area, both with specialists and the general public.

Career prospects

Developers and researchers in Computer Science are indispensable in almost all industries. Some examples of businesses where they find employment: consulting companies, telecommunications companies, oil-related businesses, hospitals and other public agencies. We encounter digital technology everywhere, and researchers and developers in Computer Science are crucial in making information society and digitalization a reality.

A completed master’s degree in Computer Science provides the basis for admission to the PhD programme in Information technology, mathematics and physics.

Course assessment

Schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in the Quality system for education