Course content

Computer science is now pervasive. At each office IT serves as an essential element of the organisation, almost all electronic devices are controlled by software and computer science has made its way into the living room through the Internet. As a result, the demand for highly qualified IT specialists is soaring, even to the extent that the supply cannot keep up with the demand. Furthermore, the increasing social importance implies an increasing demand for quality, which has substantial implications for the education of computer science specialists.

PROGRAMME

The Master of Science in Computer Science focuses on the algorithmic and software side of computer science and emphasises the modern developments in this field. This is reflected in a number of hot topics covered by compulsory courses, such as artificial intelligence, computational biology, and big data, supplemented by courses on combinatorial algorithms, programming languages or information security that are fields that are since long of great importance in computer science.
Teaching at Ghent University is based on research. In addition to the topics in the compulsory courses which are all based on research experience, there is also research in algorithmic graph theory, computational chemistry, fuzziness and uncertainty modeling, machine learning, numerical algorithms, parallel computing, statistics and stochastic modeling.

Course structure

DEGREE STUDENTS

The curriculum consists of a basic package of 90 credits (general courses + master thesis), supplemented by a minor of 30 credits. The student can choose either a minor research or a minor economics and business administration.

In the first year, the core component consists of 8 courses for 42 credits. The aim is to give students a broad basic training in the field so that in the second year a reasoned choice can be made for the master thesis and the specialised elective courses. In addition,  18 credits are filled with elective courses.

In the second year the master thesis counts for 30 credits. In addition, 6 credits allow for an internship, which closely follow the master thesis. In the second year there are 12 credits for general courses and 12 credits for elective courses. Students may choose courses with a widening character rather than a deepening one.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

The exchange programme contains a preferred list of English courses taught at UGent of the Master of Science in Computer Science.

Many courses in the main programme are taught in Dutch, but most of these can be followed based on e.g. English course material and guidance. For courses taught in Dutch you should contact the departmental Erasmus coordinator to check whether it can be followed.

Career perspectives

The graduates of the Master of Computer Science can go for a job in scientific research and in many companies where research and development are a core activity. Your strengths are your problem solving mind, next to conceptualizing and modelling skills. All this of course supported by a thorough knowledge of mathematical informatics.

Admission requirements 

diploma

• For non-Flemish degrees:

the course is open to students with at least a Bachelor degree in the field of informatics or mathematics with minimum 180 credits.

• For Flemish degrees:

the list of degrees giving access to this master can be consulted in the online course catalogue.

language

Check the language requirements.

Application Procedures

DEGREE STUDENT

International students who want to obtain a diploma or degree at Ghent University apply and enroll as regular students on the basis of a diploma obtained abroad.

EXCHANGE STUDENT

International students who temporarily live in a foreign country and attend courses or are involved in other academic activities, have to follow the procedure of exchange students.