Degree: Master of Science
Degree requirements
Degree requirements have changed. The new ones are valid from 1.8.2014. This page explains the new requirements on general level. More detailed explanation is available (in Finnish from study guide opinto-opas). Students starting their studies in Fall 2014 follow these requirements, other students are allowed to switch to these new ones from the former requirements.
The University of Helsinki has a two-cycle degree system. The first-cycle degree of the Faculty of Science is a Bachelor of Science degree. The Bachelor's degree must be completed before a Master of Science degree. The Master's degree in computer science can be completed in one of four sub-programmesor or in one study profile:
- Algorithmic Bioinformatics,
- Algorithms, Data Analytics and Machine Learning,
- Networking and Services,
- Software Systems, and
- Data Science Study Profile.
The teaching in the first three of these sub-programmes and in the Data Science Study Profile is given fully in English. The main teaching language of Software Systems is Finnish, but even they offer some courses in English.
The requirements for a Master’s degree are set according to sub-programme, but they follow a general pattern as described below.
Degree Structure
| Master of Science degree (minimum size 120 credits unit) | |
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Advanced studies in computer science (minimum 80 cr) - courses, minimum 34 cr (see specialization line specific requirements) - seminars 6 cr - Master's thesis 40 cr |
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Other studies in computer science (min 0 cr) - intermediate/subject level studies optional or obligatory |
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Minor studies (min 0 op) - Master's degree can containa full module of minor studies - Notice the minor requirements of Algorithms and machine learning |
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Other studies (min 6 op) - Personal study plan, scientific writing, internship or work-oriented studies, language studies, ... |
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Degree requirements (120 credits)
1. Major subject studies
| 50043 | INTERMEDIATE STUDIES | |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate courses that can be taken as part of the Bachelor’s degree or in addition to the advanced module in the Master’s programme are required in the sub-programme Networking and Services. |
| ADVANCED STUDIES | (80 cr) | |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses for sub-programme | 8-10 cr | |
| Optional advanced courses appropriate for the sub-programme (other than seminars) | 24-26 cr | |
| Seminars | 6 cr | |
| 50131 | Master’s thesis | 40 cr |
| Maturity test in MSc | ||
2. Minor subject studies
The sub-programme Algorithms, Data Analytics and Machine Learning strongly recommends a total of 60 credits of modules in mathematics, statistics or method sciences for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
The sub-programme Algorithmic Bioinformatics recommends minor studies both in mathematics and molecular biology.
3. Other studies
| 582510 | Personal study plan | 1 cr | |
| 582519 | Scientific Writing for MSc in Computer Science, if the student begins his or her studies at the department directly at Master's level and will complete the degree in English. | 3 cr | |
| 581324 | Computing Tools for CS Studies, if the student begins his or her studies at the department directly at Master's level | 1 cr | |
| English language studies as specified in the approved personal study plan | 0–4 cr | ||
| 584403 | Advanced Internship or Vocational Orientation Studies (= one of the following) | at least 2 cr | |
| 582511 | Advanced professional IT working or | 2–6 cr | |
| 581387 | Software Factory Work Experience or | 5–7 cr | |
| 582515 | Information Technology as a Profession | 2 cr | |
| or other appropriate course | |||
Optional courses so that the extent of the degree, 120 credits, is fulfilled. These may include major or minor subject courses or courses in other subjects.
Degree: Master of Science
Degree: Master of Science