Computer Engineering

Advertisement

The master'sdegree in ComputerEngineering is focused on training highly qualified professionals who are capable of coordinating and managing projects, products, processes and installations in all areas of computerengineering. The master'sdegree aims to bring students into contact with cutting edge technology in order to offer intellectual stimulus and provide a flexible professional profile, consistent with the ample spectrum of research and development opportunities within the field ofcomputer science.

From an academic viewpoint, the master'sdegree offers students from the degree in ComputerEngineering to continue onto a master's programme.

It is worth highlighting that the UAB holds a leading position in the most prestigious and influential international university rankings. In recent years, this recognition has been favoured by the growing impact of research, the constant improvement of quality in teaching and the ability to attract international talent.

Career options

The UAB includes several prestigious research centres such as: the Computer Vision Centre (CVC), the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Institute, the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (IIIA), the Barcelona Institute of Materials Science (ICMAB), the Barcelona Institute for Microelectronics - National Centre for Microelectronics (IMB-CNM). The UAB also counts with the ALBA Synchrotron facility, located in the vicinity of the campus. All these research centres represent possible career options for graduates of the master'sdegree who decide to continue onto research. In addition, themaster'sdegree diploma legally qualifies you to work professionally as a computer engineer.

Finally, many national and international reports point out the need for professionals in the field of information technologies. Therefore, the percentage of graduates who go on to enter the labour market is 100%.

The master's degree in ComputerEngineering consists of 90 ECTS and can be taken in 3 semesters, divided into two academic years. All lectures are offered in English.
In the first academic year (30 ECTS credits in each of the two semesters), the 10 compulsory 6-ECTS credit modules will be offered, include two modules all students in Spain must take (BOE): Direction and Management (12 ECTS) and Computer Technologies (48 ECTS).
In the second year (30 ECTS credits in the first semester), you will carry out your Master Thesis and take 18 optional credits.

The master's degree in ComputerEngineering' study plan is designed according to the regulations in the Resolution of 8 June 2009 from the Secretary General of Universities(BOE 4 de agosto de 2009):

* The study plan consists of 90 ECTS credits with one compulsory module in Direction and Management worth 12 ECTS (minimum number of credits indicated in the recommendation) and one compulsory module in Computer Technologies worth 48 ECTS (minimum number of credits indicated in the recommendation), your Master Thesis (12 ECTS), which meets the recommendation of 6 to 30 ECTS.
* The proposed compulsory modules were designed to allow you to acquire all (general and specific) skills mentioned in the Resolution by the General Secretary of Universities which are required to become a Computer Engineer.

You can enrol in 18 ECTS credits in optional modules. Two alternatives are offered for the optional modules:

* You may choose one of the five specialisations offered in the study plan, and this specialisation will be reflected on your master's degree diploma.
* You can choose from the different optional modules offered, as well as choose a module in Entrepreneurship (6 ECTS) or Work Placement modules (worth 12 and 6 credits).

The specialisations offered in the study plan are as follows:

* Specialisation 1: Intelligent Systems
* Specialisation 2: Information Technologies and Security
* Specialisation 3: High-performance Calculation
* Specialisation 4: Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems
* Specialisation 5: Methodology of Technological Research and Transfer

Specialisation 1: Intelligent Systems

In this specialisation, you will learn advanced techniques in computational learning applied to solving high complex ICT problems, in which developing artificial intelligence systems is the common methodological basis. The specialisation specifically focuses on delving into industrial problems with great effects on today's economy, such as the automatic analysis of images in high quality industrial processes, the analysis of large amounts of data (Big Data), and the development of advanced user-machine interactions based on natural and gestural language. In order to experiment with these algorithms you will have practical sessions in which to work on image-based problems, large amount of data and user-machine interactions. The objective is for you to acquire a solid base of intelligent systems through the implementation of small prototypes, thereby allowing you to assess the performance of these techniques.

Specialisation 2: Information Technologies and Security

The main objective of this specialisation is to offer a common methodological basis for research and delve into different aspects of the transmission and distribution of data, and of multimedia contents in particular. To reach this objective, the specialisation offers a set of specific modules for you to gain in depth knowledge on issues related to the standards of compression and transmission of images, to next-generation networks and to error coding methods.

Specialisation 3: High-performance Calculation

The objective of this specialisation is to offer you a common methodological basis for research and delve into different aspects of today's computing architecture, parallel processing and high performance computing. To achieve this objective, the specialisation offers a set of specific modules which focus vastly on themes related to parallel architectures and high performance computing.

Specialisation 4: Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems

The specialisation in Embedded and Ubiquitous Systems is formed by three modules in which you will work with the computing technology needed to develop industrial and environmental intelligence applications. In all cases, these technologies offer solutions to real applications in which mechanising, controlling and supervising the state of real systems and applications is needed. That is why special emphasis is placed on specific processing elements such as microcontrollers, DSPs, FPGAs, mobile platforms both in hardware requirements and in the development of specific software programs. The three modules cover the development of platforms for wireless sensor networks, navigation and positioning, and the development of physical multi-agent systems. Some of these applications include applications for industrial purposes (automobile, transport systems, industrial processes, etc.) and for environmental intelligence (home automation, smart-cities, biomedicine, etc.)

Specialisation 5: Methodology of Technological Research and Transfer

This specialisation aims to achieve a double objective. First, the module in Research Methodology (12 ECTS) offers you the possibility of expanding your training in research methodology and techniques, applying the most adequate methods and tools, as well as techniques to carry out the writing, presentation and dissemination of the results obtained, participating in the writing up and signing of a relevant scientific publication. In addition, the module in Technology Transfer (6 ECTS) offers you the possibility of creating a technology transfer plan which allows you to assess how society may benefit from the management and/or marketing of a prototype.

Audience

Ideal student profile

The master's degree in ComputerEngineering is addressed to students interested in advanced training in the field of ComputerEngineering in order to carry out a professional career in this sector. It is specifically addressed to graduates in ComputerEngineering or similar areas, linked to the profession of technical computer engineers, whose competences coincide with those in Section 5 of Appendix II of the Resolution of 8 June 2009 (BOE 4-agosto-2009), from the Secretary General of Universities. Therefore, the ideal profile is defined by the competences associated with a technicalcomputer engineer.

With regard to personal abilities, it is recommended that you have an interest in upgrading your skills and the ability to adapt to new situations, methods and technologies; with capacity to learn in an autonomous manner while being able to work in collaboration with others, integrating into teams and organising, planning, and taking decisions.

You should also know how to negotiate and solve problems, and be innovative, creative and able to generate new ideas. In addition to showing initiative and having an entrepreneurial spirit, you should also have leadership skills to help you manage teams and projects, and communicate well both orally and in writing.
Finally, you must have a sufficient level of English (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), given that all lectures are offered in English.

Access to this master's degree is open to holders of an official bachelor's degree from a Spanish university or from another higher education institution within or outside the European Higher Education Area, provided this gives access to postgraduate studies in the country of issue.Admission requirementsAdmittance to the master's degree is set down by Section 4.2 of Appendix I of the Resolution of 8 June 2009 by the University Council, with regards to recommendations to the university proposal of application reports of official degrees in the area of ComputerEngineering and Technical ComputerEngineering (BOE 4-agosto-2009).You will also be required to have an adequate level of English. For this, you will need to certify a level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.