Home
Education

Study plan for MAMN-INFAG Algorithms, spring 2024

Name of qualification

Master of Science in Informatics - Algorithms

ECTS Credits

Two years of full-time study, where the normal workload for a full-time student is 60 credits for one academic year.

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Language of Instruction

English

Semester

For applicants residing in Norway: autumn and spring

Objectives and content

A Master's degree in informatics with a specialization in algorithms has a focus on the development and improvements of algorithms and computer programs, so that problems and challenges can be solved in the best and fastest way on computers. The aim is to find the best and most effective methodology, either through analysis, or through practical testing.

This Master's degree programme also includes fundamental aspects of algorithms, such as identification of problems that are hard to solve on computers. In these situations, development of alternative solutions is the main focus.

Required Learning Outcomes

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The candidate

  • Can analyze code and algorithms
  • Can implement algorithms
  • Can assess the suitability of an algorithm
  • Can develop efficient algorithms for problems that can be solved in polynomial time
  • Can use techniques to handle difficult problems

Skills:

The candidate

  • Can analyze code and algorithms to find bottlenecks, and then know how to handle them.
  • Can implement algorithms rapidly and efficiently.
  • Can decide if a given algorithm is suitable for its intended purpose.
  • Can distinguish between problems that can and those that most likely cannot be solved in polynomial time.
  • Can develop efficient algorithms for problems that can be solved in polynomial time.
  • Can use the most common techniques for handling difficult problems.

General competence:

The candidate

  • Is able to work independently and in groups with others.
  • Has a critical and analytical view of his/her own work and that of others.
  • Is able to evaluate ethical aspects of his/her own projects.

Admission Requirements

The master's programme builds on a bachelor's degree from the Department of Informatics, or a bachelor's degree and at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer science.

Bachelor's degrees from UiB that qualify:

  • Bachelor's degree from Department of Informatics, UiB (BAMN-BINF, BAMN-DSIK, BAMN-DTEK, BAMN-DVIT, BATF-IMØ, BAMN-INF)
  • Bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology (IKT) with at least 15 ECTS (at least two courses for at least 7,5 ECTS each) of elective Mathematics
  • Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science (BASV-KOGNI) with specialization in Informatics
  • Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence (BASV-AIKI) qualifies, if you have at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science. Out of these 80 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must be in Informatics/Computer science, and at least 15 ECTS must be in Mathematics. One course in Statistics can count towards Mathematics (except STAT100). MNF130 and equivalent counts as Informatics. INF-courses and INFO-courses with credit reduction towards INF-courses count as informatics.

Bachelor's degrees that qualify

  • Bachelor's degree in Computing from HVL (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)
  • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from HVL
  • Bachelor's degree in Communication Systems from HVL

Other bachelor's degrees might qualify if you have at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science. Out of these 80 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must be in Informatics/Computer science, and at least 15 ECTS (at least two courses with 7,5 ECTS each) must be in Mathematics. If both INF100 and INF109 are part of the Bachelor's degree, the applicant will only get credits for INF100. One course in Statistics can count towards Mathematics (except STAT100). MNF130 (and equivalent) counts as Informatics.

For international self-financing applicants:

The Master's programme is not available for international applicants residing outside of the Nordic countries, the European Union/EEA and Switzerland.

You also need to document:

Recommended previous knowledge

The following courses at University of Bergen, or their equivalents at other institutions:

MNF130 Discrete Structures

INF234 Algorithms

INF235 Complexity Theory

MAT121 Linear Algebra

MAT221 Discrete Mathematics

INF234 Algorithms and INF235 Complexity Theory can be taken either as part of the Master's programme or as part of the Bachelor's programme

Compulsory units

The master's programme consists of two components: Coursework of 60 credits and an individual research project (master's thesis) of 60 credits.

Courses: The courses INF234 Algorithms, INF235 Complexity Theory and INF334 Advanced Algorithmic Techniques are compulsory.

In addition, there are 30 credits of elective courses, chosen in agreement with the supervisor.

1. semester autumn: INF234, INF210/Elective course, MAT221/Elective course

2. semester spring: INF334, INF236/INF237, Thesis

3. semester autumn: INF235, Thesis/Elective course

4. semester spring: Thesis

Master's thesis: INF399 Master's thesis in informatics of 60 credits (the student may, in consultation with the supervisor choose to write a thesis of 30 credits and expanding the amount of coursework correspondingly). The master's thesis must be submitted within a deadline at the end of the fourth semester, 20 November or 1 June.

Recommended electives

MAT221 Discrete Mathematics

INF210 Modelling of Computing

INF236 Parallel Programming

INF237 Algorithms Engineering

INF339 Selected Topics in Algorithms and Complexity

Sequential Requirements, courses

The recommended sequence of the courses in the programme can be found under the heading "Compulsory units".

Study period abroad

You can plan study periods abroad in consultation with your supervisor as a part of the master agreement.

Teaching and learning methods

In preparing your master's thesis you will independently use methods and scientific working techniques from the subject field to research a relevant topic. In some cases, analyses of observation data and data from models are very important in addition to theoretical and experimental studies.

During the 1st semester the student establishes contact with a personal supervisor. Together with the supervisor a subject for the thesis is specified and a schedule is made with an outline of courses and milestones in the thesis work.

A combination of teaching methods is used in the various courses, mainly lectures and groups. You may find more information in the course description.

Assessment methods

The final step in the programme is an oral examination. The examination is held when the master's thesis is submitted, evaluated and approved.

The most common assessment methods in the courses are written and oral examination. The assessment methods for each course are described in the course description.

Grading scale

At UiB the grades are given in one of two possible grading scales: passed/failed and A to F.

The master's thesis will be graded A to F.

The grading scale for each course is given in the course description.

Diploma and Diploma supplement

The Diploma, in Norwegian, and the Diploma Supplement, in English, will be issued when the degree is completed.

Access to further studies

To be eligible for admission to the Doctoral education (PhD) the candidate must have completed a master's degree.

To qualify for the Doctoral education (PhD) at UiB the average grade for the master's thesis, the Master's degree and the bachelor's degree should be at least C.

In order to get enrolled you have to be granted a fellowship for doctoral training.

Employability

Information- and communication technology is more and more becoming a basic technology in all kinds of business activity and administration, and our candidates are strongly demanded to maintain and develop IT-systems. Many of the candidates also get employed by the IT-industry or within research and higher education.

Evaluation

The programme will be evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Programme committee

The programme committee is responsible for the academic content, the structure and the quality of the programme.

Administrative responsibility

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences by the Department of Informatics, holds the administrative responsibility for the programme.

Contact information

Please contact the academic adviser for the programme if you have any questions:

Studieveileder@ii.uib.no

Phone: + 47 55 58 42 00