Master of Science Programme in Informatics

Profile - General Content

Master Programme in Informatics is a multi-and interdisciplinary programs, like the subject area Informatics in itself is multi-and interdisciplinary. Here a combination perspective that focuses on the social construction of technology in design and use of perspectives that focuses on systems development and IT design processes. Through literature studies as well as individual field studies of design practices and IT in use combines these different perspectives, as well as explored and intertwined to a broader and deeper understanding of IT as a part of everyday life and society. At the same time exploring implications of a broader technical understanding for the design of IT. Main field is Computer Science, with specialisation on Informatics.

Master Programme in Informatics has its roots in the Scandinavian tradition regarding user participation in system development. The programme has developed a pedagogical approach with work-integrated learning as focal point. Courses are project-oriented. Students are expected to conduct field studies and various types of prototyping activities in close proximity to one or more workplaces, where theories and methods can be tested in practice. The goal is to provide opportunities for experience-based knowledge that is relevant for future research and development work in an interdisciplinary context.

Master Programme in Informatics is designed to prepare student both the for an international research career, as for future work in the field of design and development of information and communication systems. That is, if done in fulltime, a two-year program gives 120 credit points. One credit point is equivalent to a point in European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Master Programme runs partly parallel to a one-year master's programme (magister) in Informatics
Over first year master's programme runs parallel to and shares three out of four courses with a one-year master's programme (magister) in Informatics. Both programmes are closely related to national and international research training and research on the subject. Both programmes are quite remote. For students that chosen to study master’s programme (magister) are the possibility to after the Master of Science (magister) do the second year in the master's programme and also have Master of Science degree.

What is the difference between the master’s programme (magister) and master's programme?
The main difference between learning outcomes of the one-year master's programme and learning outcomes of the two-year master programme in Informatics is that students who choose to study for Master’s degree in the second year is expected to develop a deeper scientific approach in their work and to develop and demonstrate knowledge within a specific field of application within Informatics, such as e-health and e-government. Other learning objectives become thereby also enhanced versus this specialisation throughout the second year.

Qualification Awarded

Education leads to a degree at second cycle, with denomination

Master of Science (120 credit points)
Main field of study: Computer Science
Specialization: Informatics

Prerequisites

Admission to the programme an academic degree at first cycle of at least 180 credit points, with at least 90 credit points within informatics, media studies, computer science, interaction design or related disciplines, or within social sciences with an explicit specialisation on information and communications technology. English B

Read about general admission requirements for second cycle.

Admission Criteria

METHOD 1 General method
GENERAL
This method is simple and possesses a high degree of legitimacy and legal security. It works well when the applicants are expected to have similar educational backgrounds.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Prior education.

SPECIFICATION OF SELECTION CRITERIA
Only the number of completed higher education credits documented by the applicant in conjunction with the application will be considered. Foreign credits will be transferred according to the guidelines established by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education.

HIGHEST TARIFF
The tariff consists of the total number of completed higher education credits and is calculated in the interval 30 - 285 higher education credits.

WORKING METHOD
The selection can, to a large degree, be carried out mechanically. If all applicants with the lowest equal tariff cannot be offered a place, lots will be drawn.

Admission Procedure

Read about the admission procedure.

Recognition of prior studies and studies abroad

Student who has been admitted to the programme and has earlier completed a course that corresponds to a course within the programme, can apply for recognition of prior studies. If possible, the student will be offered admission to an alternative course. Studies abroad within the programme can normally be partly or fully recognised. In these cases a decision is made via the Learning Agreement, prior the study period.

Read more about studying abroad.

Practical Information

Practical information is found under 'Prospective students'.

Profile - General Content

Master Programme in Informatics is a multi-and interdisciplinary programs, like the subject area Informatics in itself is multi-and interdisciplinary. Here a combination perspective that focuses on the social construction of technology in design and use of perspectives that focuses on systems development and IT design processes. Through literature studies as well as individual field studies of design practices and IT in use combines these different perspectives, as well as explored and intertwined to a broader and deeper understanding of IT as a part of everyday life and society. At the same time exploring implications of a broader technical understanding for the design of IT. Main field is Computer Science, with specialisation on Informatics.

Master Programme in Informatics has its roots in the Scandinavian tradition regarding user participation in system development. The programme has developed a pedagogical approach with work-integrated learning as focal point. Courses are project-oriented. Students are expected to conduct field studies and various types of prototyping activities in close proximity to one or more workplaces, where theories and methods can be tested in practice. The goal is to provide opportunities for experience-based knowledge that is relevant for future research and development work in an interdisciplinary context.

Master Programme in Informatics is designed to prepare student both the for an international research career, as for future work in the field of design and development of information and communication systems. That is, if done in fulltime, a two-year program gives 120 credit points. One credit point is equivalent to a point in European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

Master Programme runs partly parallel to a one-year master's programme (magister) in Informatics
Over first year master's programme runs parallel to and shares three out of four courses with a one-year master's programme (magister) in Informatics. Both programmes are closely related to national and international research training and research on the subject. Both programmes are quite remote. For students that chosen to study master’s programme (magister) are the possibility to after the Master of Science (magister) do the second year in the master's programme and also have Master of Science degree.

What is the difference between the master’s programme (magister) and master's programme?
The main difference between learning outcomes of the one-year master's programme and learning outcomes of the two-year master programme in Informatics is that students who choose to study for Master’s degree in the second year is expected to develop a deeper scientific approach in their work and to develop and demonstrate knowledge within a specific field of application within Informatics, such as e-health and e-government. Other learning objectives become thereby also enhanced versus this specialisation throughout the second year.

Learning outcomes

In addition the nationally regulated goals the following goals apply for the education.

After completion of the programme the student will:

• demonstrate deeper knowledge, understanding, competence and skills within Informatics as an academic subject
• demonstrate deeper knowledge within a specific application area within Informatics, such as for example e health and e government
• demonstrate an ability to make independent, qualified, critical assessments in fields which are key areas of Informatics
• ability to identify, articulate and in a constructive way of approach design problem within the subject area Informatics, both in theory and practice
• demonstrate an ability to keep up to date with advancement of knowledge within field of Informatics
• demonstrate an ability to assimilate, develop, present and exchange information in a scientific level within field of Informatics
• demonstrate an ability to present and communicate scientific information in Informatics in a popular scientific level without compromising the essential content of this information
• demonstrate the skills, confidence and motivation in order to take responsibility for own progress towards a reflective professional researchers / developers in Informatics
• be able to discuss and actively participate in the scientific information flow, and thereby making clear and explicit the scientific basis and the philosophical framework from which own critique and assessment was made

Mode of delivery

Students that studies at full time is expected to read two half speed courses in parallell during two semesters During the third semester the student reads three courses at half speed. During the final semester the Master thesis is produced at full speed all semester. All courses are distance learning. All courses except the Master thesis are at half speed during a full semester. This gives the opportunity to study at half speed by reading only one course per semester, but the the courses are in a different order (1,3,2,4,5, start of 7 at half speed, 6, 7 is continued and finished at half speed).

The programme consists of 8 compulsory courses. The initial four courses of the programme give each 15 ECTS-credits. During the second academic year two shorter courses gives each 7,5 ECTS-credits, another course gives 15 ECTS-credits and is completed with a course of 30 ECTS-credits. The students are expected to follow the programme structure and read the courses in the order stated in the Programme syllabus. There are no eligible courses on the programme.

If the student already has achieved corresponding credits in an equivalent course, the possibility to choose another course among the Informatics courses on master level offered by Blekinge Institute of Technology or one of the other institutions in collaboration on the described programme Master of Science in Computer Science, Informatics, after discussing this with the course responsible.

A student that already done a Master thesis in Computer Science, Informatics, 15 ECTS-credits, level A1E, could choose to write a Master thesis in Computer Science, Informatics, 15 ECTS-credits, level A2E, and read the course Communication in learning organizations, 15 ECTS-credits, level A1N, in parallel with the Master thesis during the final semester at master level. This thesis should be an extension of the already finished Master thesis and be an advanced thesis. The two Master thesis projects are together equivalent to a Master thesis of 30 ECTS-credits, level A2E.

The objectives of the program are achieved through the courses included in the exam. Assessment and grading is done at module level and details concerning assessment and grading is available in each course syllabus.

During the education each course is evaluated, and the course evaluations are the foundation for continued development.

NOTE! It is the start term of the course that is stated below. See each course to find out the actual length of the course.

Written Work

The programme concludes with a written degree project equivalent to 30 credit points.

International element

Programme is fully as distance learning and given in English. Students from many different countries around in world are applying for the programme. Many of them admitted study part-time while they are working, often as web designers, system developers or similar within IT industry. Through discussions and group work are given thereby opportunity for unique views on / insight in current IT development in different parts of the world, and the opportunity during the programme to build up an international network, regardless of where the individual student is physically in the world during their studies.

Read about study abroad

Job Profiles

Student with a degree from the programme may among other things work with design and development of information and communication systems. The programme also provides an excellent base for further career in research, as well as within research and development projects. The programme may also be of interest for teachers and other professionals who want to furthermore their education with a specialisation in IT. The programme, which taught in English but has a clear Scandinavian profile based on the Scandinavian tradition of user participation in development of IT, is especially interesting for students who in future want to work abroad.

Further Studies

Student with a degree from the programme can in general apply for further education at graduate level to the main field informatics/computer science, information systems, interaction design or equivalent. At BTH are following programme at graduate level which are open for students with a degree from this programme: computer science, interaction design, applied health engineering, development of digital game, and a number of programme, depending on the student's focus and previous specialisation .

Programme Advisory Board

Programme has a programme committee that is responsible for supporting the programme coordinator with the overall planning and coordination of education, ensuring the quality of education and progression within and between courses, and supporting and enhancing education closely connection to current research within field of education and informatics and educations usability and its relevance for the national and international labour market. Programme Council composition corresponds largely composition of teaching team who teach the programme. Most is professors in the subject Informatics and subject representatives of their respective institutions. The programme committee seek an even distribution between men and women at all represented staff levels, which we also currently maintains. The program committee meets two to three times per year, and the chair is related the hosting for the meeting, and is alternating between the participating universities. Contact persons for programme committee is the programme coordinator, Professor Sara Eriksen (BTH), and Professor Per Flensburg, University West.