MASTER S PROGRAM IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Computing Electronics and Communication Systems Mathematics Program description This program covers many fields in the broad area of information technology, including both theoretical, technical and applied subjects. Their common factor is connection to the modern computer and communication technologies. The strength of the program is its versatility, enabling the students to tailor the studies according to their personal interests. Entrance qualifications An admitted student must hold a university degree at bachelor s level in a relevant field of study. The bachelor s degree must be considered by the University of Turku to be at the same level as the Finnish Bachelor of Science degree (Luonnontieteiden kandidaatti in Finnish). Depending on the chosen study track, a relevant field of study can vary from mathematics, computer science, computer technology, and electrical engineering to other closely related fields. Good command of English language is required, documented by passing an internationally recognised English language test, such as: TOEFL with minimum score 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test). Only TOEFL score reports sent to the University directly by Educational Testing Service will be accepted. The institution code number of the University of Turku is 9701. IELTS with an overall band score 6.0 and no individual score below 5.5. Only IELTS score reports received directly from the testing centre will be accepted. General program structure The unit used for measuring academic work is the credit unit (cu) or 'studyweek' (in Finnish opintoviikko, abbreviated ov). One credit is defined in principle as the equivalent of an average of 40 hours' total work by one student and it corresponds roughly to 2 ECTS points. 350
According to the national legislation the MSc degree (in Finnish filosofian maisteri) in Finland consists of 160 credit units. Since the Finnish Master's degree is cumulative, not consecutive (i.e. it incorporates the preceding bachelor's level of studies), the student's previous studies will need to be transferred into the Finnish system. International credit transfers are made wherever possible by means of the European Credit Transfer Scheme (ECTS). As a result, students admitted to the Master's program in Information Technology will need to complete 40-60 cu of studies in order to obtain the Finnish MSc degree according to the general structure of studies provided later in the text, and 100-120 cu will be transferred to the MSc degree from their earlier studies. A personal study plan will be prepared for every student in order to determine the exact extent and content of his/her studies depending on his/her previous education. COMPUTING TRACK The discipline of computing includes the analysis, design, efficiency, implementation and application of computational processes that describe and transform information. In practice, computing involves a large set of subjects, ranging from formal, theoretic issues to practical, human-oriented aspects. This study track is divided into the following three fields: Computer Science belongs to the core of information technology. It builds upon principal fields like models of computation, logic, data structures, algorithms, and programming. On the other hand, it is also a practical study field, with applications in areas like optimisation, artificial intelligence, computer networks, data analysis and management, information retrieval, bioinformatics, digital media, etc. The selection of courses in computer science is wide, and topics of project assignments often come from research or industry. The field of Information Systems gives capabilities for the specification, design, implementation and maintenance phases of information system development. The students get familiar with special features of system types, specification and design methods, management of system evolution, usability of systems, human-computer interaction, and management of data. Information system experts act as mediators between the systematic world of information technology and the continuously changing environment of human work and activities. Software Engineering concentrates on modern programming techniques, architectures, and paradigms. Its goal is to promote good programming practices and high quality in large-scale software development. Important topics are also development environments, modern application programming interfaces, user interfaces, operating systems, and distributed applications. Software engineering uses tools of computer science, such as efficient algorithms and data structures. On the other hand, software production can be seen as part of information system development. 351
Requirements for the Computing track A. Supplementary studies (0-20 cu) 1. Language studies (0-4 cu) All foreign students (whose native language is not Finnish) have to pass Finnish language courses worth at least 4 credits. Courses can be freely chosen from those available (see the Language Centre study guide, or web-site http://www.utu.fi/erill/kielikeskus/english.html. In case of native Finnish speaking students the number of possible language studies depends of their education background. 2. Supplementary studies (0-16 cu) which are meant for students whose Bachelor s studies do not fulfil the prerequisites for advanced studies in Computing. Since the subject-level courses are mainly given in Finnish, the supplementary studies are based on literature, on which an examination must be passed. The following topics must be covered, either in earlier Bachelor s studies or as supplementary studies: Object-oriented programming Principles of computer science Information systems modelling and design Data structures and algorithms Databases Depending on the student s specialisation area, also other supplementary studies may be required, but those are negotiated when preparing the personal study plan for the student. B. Advanced-level studies ( 20 cu) Advanced-level courses, exercise projects and seminars, specified in the student s personal study plan. C. Master s thesis (20 cu) The thesis work typically consists of a theoretical and a practical part. The descriptions of all advanced-level study units of computing, arranged by the IT department of the University of Turku, are presented in the context of the regular Master studies, see page 285. Note especially that the listed courses are not usually given every year, but every second year or more irregularly, as specified for each course, separately. In addition to the mentioned list, all courses of TUCS (Turku Centre for Computer Science) are available for the students. The set of courses varies from year to year. The latest information can be found from the TUCS web site http://www.tucs.fi/education/courses/index.php. ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATON SYSTEMS TRACK This study area covers issues on electronics manufacturing, circuit techniques, digital systems and communication algorithms, which are organised to two fields: microelectronics and communication systems. Microelectronics field focuses on miniaturisation methodologies in contemporary electronics. These include manufacturing technologies of integrated circuits, packaging of 352
modern very large scale integrated systems, and physical design and integration of highperformance digital and analogue systems. Communication Systems field focuses on design and implementation techniques of future digital multimedia communication and processing systems. The topics include theory and simulation of communications algorithms, different communications concepts, functional and physical design methodologies for complex digital systems, and different reconfigurable implementation techniques. Requirements for the Electronics and Communication Systems track A. Supplementary studies (0-20 cu) 1. Language studies (0-4 cu) All foreign students (whose native language is not Finnish) have to pass Finnish language courses worth at least 4 credits. Courses can be freely chosen from those available (see the Language Centre study guide, or web-site http://www.utu.fi/erill/kielikeskus/english.html. In case of native Finnish speaking students the number of possible language studies depends of their education background. 2. Supplementary studies (0-16 cu) are meant for students whose Bachelor s studies do not fulfil the prerequisites for advanced studies in Electronics and Communication Systems. Since the subject-level courses are mainly given in Finnish, the supplementary studies are based on literature, on which an examination must be passed. The following topics must be covered for each specialisation area, either in earlier Bachelor s studies or as supplementary studies: Communication systems Communication system theory Digital signal processing basics Communication protocols Digital and computer systems Hardware description languages Digital circuit design basics Computer architectures System circuits Hardware description languages Digital circuit design basics Electronics manufacturing Semiconductor physics Digital circuit design basics Depending on the student s specialisation area, also other supplementary studies may be required, but those are negotiated when preparing the personal study plan for the student. 353
B. Advanced-level studies ( 20 cu) Advanced-level courses, exercise projects and seminars, specified in the student s personal study plan. C. Master's thesis (20 cu) Master s thesis including a seminar presentation. The descriptions of all advanced-level study units of Electronics and Communication Systems, arranged by the IT department of the University of Turku, are presented in the context of the regular Master studies, see page 326. Note that the listed courses are not necessarily given every year, but as specified for each course separately. In addition to the mentioned list, all courses of TUCS (Turku Centre for Computer Science) are available for the students. The set of courses varies from year to year. The latest information can be found from the TUCS web site http://www.tucs.fi/education/courses/index.php. MATHEMATICS TRACK (no new students in 2004-2005) Mathematics is an old and broad discipline that contains a wide range of areas of specialisation within it. The mathematics department of the University of Turku provides education in the areas of mathematics that are most relevant to computer science. The study direction is divided into the following two fields: Discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science have long traditions at the University of Turku. The school was created by academician, professor emeritus Arto Salomaa more than 30 years ago. Our current research and teaching focuses in the areas of automata theory, combinatorics on words, decidability questions, alternative models of computation, coding theory and graph theory. The selection of courses is wide and it provides a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations of computing and coding of information. Mathematical modelling and methods and computing have become increasingly important in almost all branches of biology. The dynamical consequences of even quite simple ecological interactions or physiological mechanisms are impossible to understand without mathematical modelling and analysis. The biomathematics group at the department of mathematics does research and education in many diverse fields of mathematical biology including structured population dynamics, metapopulation dynamics, adaptive dynamics, optimal harvesting, modelling of physiological phenomena, analysis of biomedical signals, and bacterial taxonomy. Requirements for the Mathematics track A. Supplementary studies (0-20 cu) 1. Language studies (0-4 cu) All foreign students (whose native language is not Finnish) have to pass Finnish language courses worth at least 4 credits. Courses can be freely chosen from those available (see the Language Centre study guide, or web-site http://www.utu.fi/erill/kielikeskus/english.html. In case of native Finnish speaking 354
students the number of possible language studies depends of their education background. 2. Supplementary studies (0-16 cu) are meant for students whose Bachelor s studies do not fulfil the prerequisites for advanced studies in Mathematics. Since the subject-level courses are mainly given in Finnish, the supplementary studies are based on individually selected readings, on which an examination must be passed. Suitable earlier studies may be used for fulfilling these requirements, or a part of them. B. Advanced-level studies ( 30 cu) - Advanced-level courses and seminars, specified in the student s personal study plan. ( 27,5 cu) - Essay (2,5 cu) C. Master's thesis (10 cu) Master s thesis including a seminar presentation. Courses in English offered each academic year are listed and described in the study guide handbook (Opinto-opas in Finnish) of the Faculty published yearly, and at the TUCS website http://www.tucs.fi/education/courses/index.php. Please note that the courses are not necessarily given every year, but as specified for each course separately. In addition to the mentioned list, all courses of TUCS (Turku Centre for Computer Science) are available for the students. The set of courses varies from year to year. 355