Artificial Intelligence (MSc)

Education Goal

The desired goal that is to be achieved by the study of Artificial Intelligence at the Technical Faculty is the education of thoroughly skilled computer scientists with a specifically formed profile. Using the methodical skills and knowledge acquired during their education, graduates should be able to solve engineering tasks independently and responsibly which are located at any of the intersections of the areas of computer science, applied mathematics, and an engineering discipline. They should also be able to develop new perspectives on their field of activity and to judge applied tools and methodologies critically.

Completion of an excellent Bachelors degree or a corresponding qualification in Computer Science, in a related scientific or technical field, or in Mathematics. Proficiency and experience in both using and programming computers. Besides familiarity with the basic concepts of computers and Computer Science, we expect that you have solid programming experience. A well-rounded education in Mathematics.

International Students

• A solid command of the English language – TOEFL score of at least 560 or equivalent qualification, e.g. confirmation of the university that the Bachelor´s programme had been taught in English.
• students should be interested in a stay in Germany for at least two years.

The programme encompasses 120 ECTS, usually split over four semesters at a rate of 30 ECTS per semester. This section will give some further detail. Please also see the sites on the official study regulations, especially the FPO, and the standard study progression. Electives [50 ECTS]: The elective courses in this master’s programme are geared towards introducing students to academic research around artificial intelligence and its methodologies as well as offering every student the opportunity to sharpen their profile specifically towards their talents and interests. The electives are centred around the three central pillars of the AI master’s programme:

• Symbolic AI
• Subsymbolic AI
• AI Systems and Applications

Students will have to take a total of 50 ECTS credits worth of elective courses, with no less than 10 of them in each of the central pillars. Which courses are available for each of these tracks is announced on a semester-by-semester basis in the module catalogue.

Projects [10 + 10 ECTS]: The two required 10 ECTS projects are intended to hone and put to the test students’ acquired technical knowledge, research merit and self-organisation skills. They will typically be completed in the context of a work group related to artificial intelligence and will require the students to independently tackle a more complex problem or question. Both projects have to be associated with one of the central pillars discussed above and cannot both be associated with the same pillar. Each project is planned at approximately 300 hours over six months.

Seminar [5 ECTS]: The seminar will allow students to connect with a topic complex of their choice and research and interact with academic information and present their findings to a relevant audience. It is intended to fill 5 ECTS credits and can be completed in a group.

Minor [15 ECTS]: For this module, student’s will chose 15 ECTS credits worth of courses that have a practical or topical connection to artificial intelligence (but are not already included in the electives discussed above). The goal is to work on connecting the gained knowledge to a broad array of subjects that interface with artificial intelligence and may form the basis for applications in future employment.

Master's Thesis [30 ECTS]: The master’s thesis can be registered at the registrar’s office as soon as the student has successfully collected 70 ECTS point credits. It has an extent of around 900 hours and has to be completed within six months after the registration. The topic of the thesis must be related to subjects studied by the student during the programme. A special thesis advisor is usually assigned to each student. The thesis may involve regular meetings with the thesis advisor and also the participation in a larger research group. It needs to be written in English. An oral presentation of the results of about 30 minutes as well as a consecutive discussion are obligatory.

Goals of the Master’s Programme

Demand Graduates of master programme have excellent job prospects. During your studies, subjects you were first introduced to during your qualifying degree can be given more breadth and depth, according to your individual goals and preferences, so that students can be introduced to current topics of academic or industrial research. A successfully completed master’s degree will be acknowledged as prerequisite for being admitted to PhD programs at German universities. Actual admission to a PhD program, however, also requires proof of high research potential, as preferably demonstrated by an outstanding master’s thesis.

International Orientation The programme complies with the internationally accepted bachelor-master structure. The majority of the courses are in English, thus making it attractive for foreign students who do not speak German. At the same time, German students in the programme benefit from working with English as an international scientific language. That way it becomes also easier for German students to work or study abroad afterwards. The possibility of studying abroad is additionally enhanced by the programme’s compatibility with the Anglo-American university system.

Flexibility The integration of many different specialised fields requires a flexible organization of the study plans. Following the Anglo-American pattern, students are encouraged to choose an individualized study plan from a wide selection of fields to suit their individual interests. The program is modular, as defined by the examination regulations (Prüfungsordnung). In order to ensure optimal support students are assisted by special academic advisors (Studienberater) for the AI programme.