Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Master of Science

Short description
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science are the driving forces behind the fast-paced advances in digitalisation and automatisation that will change our everyday life. This two-year Master's programme focuses on the theoretical foundations of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science and their applications to real life problems. Specialised lectures guide you the way to specific research areas, such as natural language processing, computer vision, and analysis of biological/medical data. Central to this programme are machine learning methods and their applications, with strong focus on deep learning.
Choosing from a range of elective courses you can tailor the programme to your personal interests. As a graduate of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science programme, you will have a solid understanding of the mathematical and statistical foundations of AI related research. You will also have a good overview over state of the art algorithms and an in-depth understanding of how to apply these algorithms to specific research problems. In addition, you will get the skills to carry out research in academic or R&D environments and to identify how techniques of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science can provide solutions to data-based IT problems in industry.
Entry/Admission requirements
The course has restricted admission. A prerequisite for starting studies is a first university degree, with the required necessary background education as determined in the exam regulations.
In brief, you need a Bachelor's degree in either Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related area, whose curricula include the modules Analysis I + II, Linear Algebra I, and Stochastics I that together comprise 30 ECTS and were taught at a level that corresponds to the level for computer scientists at HHU (see the FAQ for details). The examination board determines whether you fulfil the entrance requirements.
The final grade of your bachelor's degree must be between 1.0 and 2.5 with respect to the German grading system. You can convert grades to the German system by using the 'Bavarian Formula'.
For a degree course that is mainly in English, student applicants who have not obtained their academic qualification at an 'English-language institution', or not hold a Bachelor Degree/Masters Degree that was completely taught in English, or who are not English native speakers must prove sufficient fluency in English. The following language certificates are accepted:
a) Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL), Paper-based (min 500 points), Computer-based (min 200 points), or Internet-based Test (IBT, min 80 points),
b) IELTS test with a score of at least 6.0.
c) Cambridge B2 First Certificate, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE)
d) German Abitur certificate, showing that English has been constantly taken as a subject and passed with the grade of "sufficient" up to the end of the qualification level 1 (grade 11 at G8-Abitur, otherwise grade 12).
Programme content
Obligatory subjects:
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Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Data Science
Advanced Programming and Algorithms
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
Lab rotation I
Lab rotation II
Master Thesis
Elective subjects (not all of them are always available):
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Methods of Artificial Intelligence in Life Science
Generative Models and Sampling Methods
Algorithmic Game Theory
Causality
Computational Linguistics
Relational Databases and Data Analysis
Data & Knowledge Engineering
Markov Chains
Neuroimaging and Precision Medicine
Philosophy of Intelligence
Statistical Data Analysis
Statistical Learning
Introduction to Logic Programming
Master Seminar Advances in Data Science
Natural Language Processing
Numerical Methods for Data Science
Introduction to Linear Optimization
Reinforcement Learning
Spoken Dialogue Systems
Topological Data Analysis
Information Theory
Spectral Graph Theory and Graph Signal Processing
Seminar Advanced Mathematical and Numerical Methods in Data Science
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The program includes two Lab Rotations (6 weeks each) where students carry out practical work at Research Groups inside or outside HHU or in R&D environments at companies. The 6 weeks workload (10 ECTS) for a Lab Rotation need not to be taken in one block. The time a student need to be physically present at the Lab can be negotiated with the supervisor. Lab Rotations are offered by all lecturers that give courses within the Master s Program and selected groups at the Jülich Research Center (e.g. the Jülich Supercomputing Centre). Students must get in contact with Research Groups or R&D departments well ahead before the Lab Rotation starts. The supervisors of the Lab Rotation select among applicants based on their suitability for the project.
Students can apply to any research group that offers data science projects for a Master Thesis (6 Months).
Ideally, the thesis should be carried out in one of the two groups where a Lab Rotations has been completed. Students are co-supervised by a member of the chosen research group and a lecturer of the Master's Programme.
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It is recommended that students choose courses that are related with respect to their content. Possible focus areas listed below.
A specialisation at the early stage of a Master s can be of advantage when applying for jobs, Grad Schools, and PhD programs that have similar focus.
Possible focus areas:
1) Natural Language Processing
2) AI Methods
3) Life Sciences
4) Mathematics & Statistics
Programme structure
Semester 1:
- Mathematical and Statistical foundations of Data Science
- Advanced Programming and Algorithms I
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
Semester 2:
- Advanced Programming and Algorithms II
- 3 elective subjects
- Lab Rotation I
Semester 3:
- 4 elective subjects
- Lab Rotation II
Semester 4:
- Master thesis & seminar
See also Study Program
Programme objectives/Career prospects
Data Scientist, AI specialist
Winter semester
4 semesters
English
Local admission restrictions - HHU
by 15/07/2023
As stated in letter of acceptance
01/07/2023 - 15/08/2023
Student Services Center (SSC)
Building: 21.02 / SSC
Phone +49 211 81‐12345
For questions regarding the course of studies and for examination issues:
Student and Examination Administration
Contact Examination Administration