Computer Science and Engineering (300 credits)

Job opportunities and the future

Computer engineering deals with designing computing systems for all sectors of society. Graduates will often be working in a management position, perhaps within product development or as an IT manager at a company or a government agency. Students may become technical consultants in a company that helps other organisations to develop data systems. Students may also work with teaching or research or start up their own companies. There are employment opportunities in all business areas as all society’s functions are dependent on computers and data systems.

The programme

KTH is on the leading edge of research within computer engineering and students will benefit from this during their study programme. In Year 1 students will learn basic mathematics and Computer Science as well as digital design and communications. In Year 2 Computer Science and mathematics are studies in more depth and physics and organisational science are added. In year 3 students take courses in mathematical statistics and database applications and carry out their Bachelor degree project. All of Year 4 and half of Year 5 students work within the specialisation they have selected and on elective courses. In the spring term of Year 5, students carry out their major degree project.

Year 1

Year 1 in this programme sees students working primarily with basic data and mathematics courses which form the foundation on which the students will construct their entire programme. Students learn programming techniques (programming language is Java), data structures and algorithms, which are the basis of all future data and programming courses. Basic mathematics courses take up derivation and integrals of one and several variables and algebra provides a good basis for future courses, not only in mathematics. Students also read a physics course that provides a broad foundation in the mathematics-natural sciences area and an overview of modern physics and the most important characteristics of electromagnetic waves. A course in Swedish and Communications is also included. In the three first years, students study a summarised programme course that provides a theme throughout the programme.

Year 2

Courses in Year 2 primarily provide more detailed knowledge within the technical data field. Students study the different types of programming, e.g. object-oriented programming and logic programming; all in order to provide a broader perspective on programming so that they are able to assess the most suitable paradigm and program language in any given situation. Students also study database engineering and learn methods of searching in data volumes. How to solve mathematical problems with computers is explained to students in the course on numerical methods. In the course on human-computer interaction, students examine human cognition and perception and learn how such knowledge is used to make these programs efficient, usable and intuitive for users. A course in computer engineering provides knowledge on how computer components work and communicate with each other as well as insights into hardware-linked programming. Students also take a course in basic logic and another on organisational learning and knowledge-intensive working. The summarised programme course is again given.

Year 3

In Year 3 students take the remains of the compulsory courses. The mindset that characterises discrete mathematics is extremely important to a computer scientist. Consequently students study an extensive basic course in discrete mathematics and algebra. Within the computer engineering field students learn construction principles for algorithms, calculability and complexity. Students also take a course in data security. A course in software construction prepares students for a first level degree project by teaching methods for construction of large-scale programs. In the spring term students carry out a Bachelor degree project that consists of a project in groups and an individual specialisation task.

Bachelor degree

At KTH all engineering programs are given the opportunity to make a Bachelor degree of 180 credits in three years. This is of particular weight for those who want to reach out to industry, to continue their studies at another university or want to read a Masterprogramme at KTH that doesn't not give a Master degree.

Years 4-5

In Years 4 and 5 students follow the Master programme they have selected:

The Master programme in Computer Science provides a broad education in computer science with opportunities for more in-depth studies and specialisation within the area of Computer Science including methodology for construction of computer programs encompassing both theoretical bases and practise of skills in the development of products and systems containing computers and software. At the beginning of the first year, a block of compulsory courses of around 30 credits is taken. In addition to these compulsory courses, another 30 credits in more detailed courses within one area of Computer Science are necessary. These may be within a recommended track or may be selected individually by the student; however in the latter case course selection must be approved by the Programme Director. Recommended tracks: autonomous systems, data security, Internet technology, program system engineering, language technology or theoretic Computer Science. Then there are approx. 30 credits from elective courses. At least one complementary technical course must be included in the programme. The fourth term is spent by students on a degree project of 30 credits which is the concluding session of the programme. This programme begins in the autumn term of 2010.

The goal of this programme is primarily to educate Masters of Science in Engineering to operate professionally, nationally and internationally within roles such as multimodal interaction technicians, interaction designers and visualisation technicians. This programme provides a solid theoretical foundation as concerns human perception, communication and human-computer interaction in order to promote efficient, usable and intuitive interfaces. The first term consists of compulsory courses. In terms two and three students follow one of three tracks: multimodal interaction technology, interaction design or visualisation. In their fourth term students complete a degree project of 30 credits which is the concluding session of the programme.

The Master of Science programme in Machine Learning will provide theoretical insights as well as practical skills in order to be able to participate in, and lead work within, the data technical and other areas in which extraction of information from, and processing of, large volumes of data are an important element. By using relevant sources of information, the student must be able to retain and develop this ability throughout a professional career, be able to follow the discussion concerning developments in the field and be able to contribute to it. The programme contains a compulsory element of a little less than 30 credits. Students choose one of two specialisations: perception and cognition or learning for information searches. These specialisations encompass around 45 credits. In their fourth term students complete a degree project of 30 credits which is the concluding session of the programme.

In addition to the above, students may also choose one of the following Master programmes:

• Mathematics
• Computational and systems biology
• Technical calculations
• Network services and systems
• Systems, control and robotics
• Wireless systems
• Communications systems
• Software engineering of distributed systems
• System-on-chip construction
• Industrial product development
In addition there are opportunities to apply to the Erasmus Mundus Programme
(one year abroad although no place guarantee):
• Computer simulations within engineering and natural sciences
• Systems biology
 

Master programmes and the Erasmus Mundus

Degree project

The programme is concluded with a degree project of 15 credits (equivalent of approximately 10 weeks of study). Normally students carry out their degree projects in pairs. The aim is for students to use and demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies. This requires the students to be able to use good engineering practices and also to be able to report on their work in a professional manner. Students are themselves responsible for identifying suitable degree projects. The aim is that they carry out this project within business/industry or in the public sector. Students are afforded the opportunity to make valuable contacts and build up a network to use in their future professional careers. The degree project is generally experienced as fun as well as stimulating and brings many challenges and high level quality requirements from both the School and the employer. A good degree project provides the preconditions for success as an engineer.