Intelligent Systems

The aim of the Master's programme Intelligent Systems is to convey knowledge and skills that enable students to analyse, design and develop complex cognitive systems. Such cognitive systems are characterised by the fact that they can perceive their environment and react accordingly in an intelligent manner. Another significant feature of these intelligent systems is their ability to learn and to thereby adapt to complex and changing environments, requirements and users. Such systems are especially relevant in the areas of robotics, virtual agents, multimedia and web information systems. Students are guided increasingly to work independently following scientific principles and methodologies. The programme is explicitly designed to convey practical skills and abilities.
Industry, service providers, and intelligent systems research create a large demand for computer science specialists with an interdisciplinary training as facilitated at Bielefeld University. Computer science specialists with a background in Intelligent Systems are needed urgently in all areas where robots, intelligent assistants, virtual agents (avatars) or intelligent information systems are being developed. Possible areas of employment are therefore e.g. in mechanical engineering, production, the automobile industry, the media as well as in the development of autonomous systems (robots, avatars, dialogue systems, intelligent assistants), the computer game industry and scientific research.

Educational organisation

• First semester
  • foundations
  • Advanced Intelligent Systems
  • Interdisciplinary and Cognitive Foundations

• Second semester
  • foundations
  • Advanced Intelligent Systems
  • Interdisciplinary and Cognitive Foundations
  • Basic Project Intelligent Systems

• Third semester
  • project
  • Advanced Intelligent Systems
  • Interdisciplinary and Cognitive Foundations
  • individual choice

• Fourth semester
  • Master's thesis

To allow for individual specialisation of the study programme, students can choose appropriate modules from the subjects "Basic Addition", "Advanced Intelligent Systems", and "Interdisciplinary and Cognition Basics". During the second semester, the module "Basic Project Intelligent Systems" should be taken. Within this module, two practical projects have to be conducted (containing 5 CP respectively) and should mainly be carried out independently by the student. At least one project is done in a team consisting of more than two students. In the project module of the third semester, students expand their practical skills necessary for the design of intelligent cognitive systems. They practice and develop the skills necessary for planning and carrying out projects on their own. The Master's thesis provides students with the opportunity to investigate a scientific problem and to develop an appropriate approach independently. They gain skills necessary for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of experiments as well as documenting results in line with scientific practice.

Forms of assessment

Written and oral exams, projects, presentations, papers

Course objectives

The aim of the Master's programme Intelligent Systems is to convey knowledge and skills that enable students to analyse, design, and develop complex cognitive systems. Students are guided to work increasingly independently following scientific principles and methodologies. The programme is explicitly designed to convey practical skills and abilities.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English is verified by a language test (TOEFL iBT) with a minimum of 87 points or TELC English with a minimum grade of B2.

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in informatics
40 ECTS in computer science foundations
30 ECTS in computer science subjects related to Intelligent Systems

Enrolment fees

Currently approx. 270 EUR per semester, including a ticket for public transport in the city of Bielefeld and the whole state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Costs of living

The following monthly costs can be expected: the rent in a student hall of residence, in private halls, rooms, or flats amounts to about 300 EUR per month; health insurance is about 80 EUR per month; and a meal in the students' canteen (Mensa) costs less than 3 EUR. According to lifestyle, about 150 EUR per month can be expected to be spent on food. So the cost of living amounts to approx. 670 EUR monthly, i.e. some 8,000 EUR per year.

Job opportunities

Basically, international students are allowed to work parallel to their studies for 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit once they have successfully completed preparations for their studies and started a course.
A limited number of jobs are available at the university; however, jobs for students can also be found in companies in and around Bielefeld.

Funding opportunities within the university

The university society "Westfälisch-Lippische Universitätsgesellschaft" awards some partial stipends for excellent international Master's students.

Arrival support

Personal mentoring programmes as well as several welcoming services are offered by the International Office. Additionally, the International Office organises introduction days for all international students and provides individual counselling.
See: http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/International/Students/brother-sister

Services and support for international students

In addition to many services and facilities available to all students, the International Office offers a wide range of special services helping you to adjust to your new surroundings and provides you with continuing support that will enhance your learning.
At the beginning of each semester, a leisure day programme with a variety of activities is published to which all international students are invited: day excursions, weekend trips, journeys taking several days and evening meetings in the international contact centre.
The PunktUm project offers interdisciplinary assistance for the acquirement of basic academic skills to international students. Project offers are composed of individual advice, workshops and courses on the following contents: academic writing, oral study achievements, and scientific language for subject-related and interdisciplinary use. Bielefeld University's Brother-Sister Programme is a personal tutoring programme for all foreign freshmen and participants of the German language courses. Students of all semesters and fields of study support students new to Bielefeld during their first semester in dealing with organisational difficulties and other new situations.
In 1985, the Society for the Support for International Students was founded with the purpose to support international students and scholars/scientists of the Bielefeld academies and encourage new contacts and relationships to the people of the region.

Accommodation

In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices.
There are 17 halls of residence run by the public "Studentenwerk" and private organisations. Additionally, single apartments as well as rooms in shared flats with other students are available. The rent for a room in Bielefeld amounts to about 180 to 300 EUR per month. The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.