Master in Intelligent Adaptive Systems

We offer an international Computer Science Master's degree in Intelligent Adaptive Systems at Hamburg Universität, Germany.
The IAS Team is looking for students from various backgrounds who like the mix of neural networks and robotics and their application areas. Students who would like to contribute to a global world and who additionally have a bit of relevant work experience and international experience are invited to apply. At least one year of full-time computer science courses and very good English language skills are a minimum requirement.

Contact for the Intelligent Adaptive Systems:

Please check the Intelligent Adaptive Systems Website for all information:

https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/ (up-to-date around January each year)

and for detailed information:

https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/Info/Studium/MSc/IAS/wiki/index.php/Main_Page for detailed information

We, the IAS-Team, are happy to answer all questions that the wiki or website did not answer. Within the application period, lengthy consulting is not possible. Please contact us only via our email (see website).

Intelligent Adaptive Systems program

Intelligent systems and robots are expected to become an integral part of our daily lives. In order to be accepted by, and interact efficiently and naturally with, humans, they have to adapt to changing environments and the users they interact with. Intelligent systems are expected to automatically acquire and manage knowledge through various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master's program aims to provide students with the ability to create these intelligent adaptive systems and to prepare them for a future market, where intelligent and adaptive behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems.

As one of the few computer science programs in Germany that are taught completely in English, the Master course „Intelligent Adaptive Systems (IAS)“ prepares students for international research and professional work. Following a balanced approach, it is placed in between programs with a purely technical focus and programs that offer a general computer science curriculum.

Its curriculum is focused on the area of smart technology and intelligent adaptive systems and provides in-depth training in this area. The selected modules provide a comprehensive overview, including technical aspects and state-of-the-art algorithms and methods. Students are introduced to current research in the corresponding fields and have the opportunity to deepen the acquired knowledge by participating in international research projects.

The Master of Science in Intelligent Adaptive Systems is a 2-year research-oriented program that is taught in English. Students, both national and international, can profit from an international environment and improve their grasp of the English language and knowledge of cultural differences. The inter-student exchange is fostered in seminars and workgroups and extended in extra-curricular discussions and activities. Through the proximity to current research projects, students can smoothly transition into collaborative research environments and continue education and study.

Curriculum

Core Lectures

Core lectures are compulsory for all students. This set of lectures conveys an in-depth understanding of different types of intelligent adaptive systems and introduces students to the most current research in different areas. All core modules consist of a combination of lecture and seminar/tutorial to foster student participation and constant application of learned concepts.

• Software Architectures
• Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence
• Intelligent Robotics
• Neural Networks
• Machine Learning
• Research Methods

Focus Choice

Focus choice slots provide students with the opportunity to strengthen their background in a chosen field or deepen their knowledge in a field that complements the core modules. Focus modules will be chosen in consultation with an assigned advisor and can be selected from a list that was put together to align well with the overall focus of the master. This list will contain single modules that supplement core lectures and suggested sets of lectures that together form a coherent focus area. It will be reviewed regularly to reflect current research and include newly emerged and complementary teaching areas.

Example areas these modules are selected from may include:

• Language and image processing
• Robot technology
• Security and communication in mobile systems and networks
• Software engineering
• Complex Systems
• Databases

Extension Choice

15 credit points can be selected from a range of lectures taught at the Department of Informatics or other departments. In comparison to the focus options, these modules can be used to gain knowledge in fields that go beyond the scope of this program but are linked to its contents, e.g. Psychology or Biology. The lectures are again chosen in consultation with an advisor to guarantee a meaningful choice in alignment with the student's background and aims. German lectures will also be accepted.

Project and Thesis

After lectures and seminars, where the focus is usually on individual work, the student has to participate in a group project before undertaking a research project that finally leads to the Master’s thesis. In the group project, the focus is on teamwork and scientific exchange and defence of ideas to prepare students for a collaborative scientific environment. Students are encouraged to choose projects in preparation for their research project and to actively take part in research projects of a chosen area. Two to three students are expected to work as an independent group with a supervisor from the corresponding area. A seminar, where all groups meet, gives students the opportunity to present their work in an environment comparable to a scientific conference. In the last term, students work full time on an independent research project that ends with the submission of the final Master's thesis.

Full-time

The program is designed for full-time and for in-class students - however, if you are very flexible with working hours - you are allowed to apply for part-time during your studies. We recommend part-time studies within your 1.-2. semester only if possible.

The application period is 15 February - 31 March each year for the winter semester. All documents have to be submitted before the deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted.