Computer Science Engineering Ghent University

Overview

Key facts

Basically the Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering study programme at Ghent University consists of two phases. The first phase is a three year programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Engineering. The second phase is a two year programme leading to the degree of Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering. The Bachelor of Science programme consists of 180 credits. Of this programme, the first year and a half offers a broad education in science and engineering. This is followed by a specialised education in the fundaments of computer science. This structure ensures that a graduate benefits from a combination of a broad technical training and a specialised computer science training. The bachelor’s degree gives access to a range of master’s programmes, including the Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering. The master’s programme is split into two parts of 60 credits each. The first part consists of compulsory courses. The second part consists of elective courses: a master’s dissertation of 24 credits, and 36 credits of coursework. This coursework can either consist of a major in Artificial Intelligence or Embedded Systems, or a minor in Industrial Engineering or Biosystems, or it can be freely picked by the student. This flexibility allows students to give expression to their personal study interests. Students are encouraged to use this flexibility to do preparatory work to kickstart their own business through Dare to Think, which is the local student-entrepreneurship project. Similarly, students can take a range of specialist courses as preparation for doctoral studies.

Learning outcomes

Rather than pursuing completeness with respect to content, the master’s studies aim at a thorough control of an incomplete but sufficiently relevant part of the field, and at the development of the ability of autonomous (lifelong) knowledge acquisition.

Usually the activities of a Master of Science in Computer Science Engineering will be situated initially in various technical positions. This initial role changes relatively fast to various executive positions. For these positions high requirements are set with respect to a high knowledge level as well as a strong leadership and the ability to control complex situations and systems.

The societal relevance of the master program is mainly determined by the high demand of academically trained and creative computer science engineers for the design and development of innovative intelligent products with a high added value. These products are essential for the further development of the knowledge society. Obviously, the general engineering training has its societal relevance too.

The programme allows a student to maximally express his/her training ambition. Only half of the programme is fixed. The remaining half is filled in according to the interest of the student through elective courses and the master dissertation.