Computer Science

General information

Name of the programme: Computer Science
Type of programme: Master's , 2nd Bologna cycle
Degree awarded: “magister inženir računalništva in informatike” equiv. to a Master’s degree in Computer Science
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
ECTS-credits:  120
Programme structure: 12 courses (72 ECTS), 3 seminars (18 ECTS), Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)
Mode of study: full-time
Language of study: Slovene

Programme coordinatortop

Assoc. Prof. Matjaž Kljun, PhD

Assist. Prof. Branko Kavšek, PhD, Deputy Coordinator

For information regarding application, enrolment and other administrative procedures please contact Student Services.

About the programmetop

Computer technology is clean and does not require major material or natural resources for infrastructure. For successful development, it requires a solid and advanced educational basis in computer science which provides a quality education for experts at all levels, close connections with industry, and a research core that both pursues new technologies and is involved in leading-edge research. Additionally, developing computer technology in a way that enables optimal use of existing technologies and the development of programming equipment, including new technologies, also requires a familiarity with other Computer Science programmes at international institutions, and a firm understanding of the basic flow of science and technology in neighbouring regions as well as worldwide.

The study programme’s focus on software covers knowledge that is deemed most appropriate for our region, i.e. the presence of computer companies involved in developing software, but the absence of major computer or manufacturing companies. The study programme places special emphasis on creative and organisational knowledge that will provide students with a basis for work in development enterprises.

Educational and professional goals  top

• Students will be trained to use modern tools and techniques in solving and demonstrating problems and concepts.
• Students will acquire a thorough understanding of Computer Science, as well as the confidence to be able to identify and employ appropriate computer knowledge and techniques in a given situation.
• Students will develop the skills in managing programme languages, techniques, development tools and methodologies intended for system development, as well as the ability to manage complex problems and the competence to develop complex ICT systems.
• Students will develop a sense for teamwork in problem-solving.

Course structure top

During their studies, students must take a total of 12 courses (4 basic and 8 electives), 3 seminars and prepare as well as defend their Master’s Thesis.

Basic courses expand and deepen a foundational knowledge in the field of Computer Science. Three of the internally elective courses fall within this professional field, enhancing specific knowledge and also enabling students to make up for any lack of general knowledge in Computer Science. Two externally elective courses may be chosen from any study programme in the fields of Social Sciences, Humanities and Natural Sciences provided by other faculties.

Seminars: Students must select at least one research- and one project-based seminar. The seminar topic may be extended into the Master’s Thesis, which is prepared in the spring semester of the 2nd year.

Short DESCRIPTIONS OF COURSES are available HERE.

No.	Course	Core	ECTS	Form of contact hour
				L	T	SE	LW	Total
1.	Selected Topics in Theoretical Computer Science	A	6	45	-	-	15	60
2.	Selected Topics in Theory of Algorithms	A	6	45	-	-	15	60
3.	Intelligent Systems	B	6	45	-	-	15	60
4.	Applied Statistics	B	6	45	-	15	-	60

Students can also choose internal elective courses from the Master's study programme Data Science and Mathematical Sciences, that are not basic or elective courses from the study programme Computer Science. 

Admission requirements  top

Admission to the 1st year shall be granted to applicants having:

• completed a first-cycle study programme in relevant professional fields and achieved at least 180 credits; or
• completed a study programme leading to a professional higher education degree or a study programme leading to a university degree in appropriate professional fields.

Undergraduate study programmes considered as appropriate professional fields for enrolment in the Master’s degree study programme are those pursuing the following study fields: Computer Science, Computer Science and Mathematics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Bioinformatics.

Applicants having completed study programmes from other professional fields equivalent in their scope and duration to the study programmes in the above paragraph must fulfil additional study obligations, the contents and scope of which depend on the previously completed undergraduate study programmes. Additional study obligations comprise courses determined from the undergraduate study programme Computer Science in the amount of from 10 to 60 ECTS-credits.

Applications shall be considered by the Study Committee of the Faculty on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must fulfil their additional study obligations prior to their enrolment in the Master’s degree study programme.

Applicants having completed a four-year (single-discipline or two-discipline) academic study programme in relevant professional fields (Computer Science, Computer Science and Mathematics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering) may directly enrol in the 2nd year of study (transfers between the programmes). The Study Committee has the authority to impose mandatory study obligations on individuals applying for transfer, based on their qualifications.

Applications shall be considered by the Study Committee on a case-by-case basis. The Committee may determine additional study obligations for the student, adding up to 60 ECTS-credits.

In the case of enrolment limitations, applicants shall be selected on the basis of the average grade obtained in their undergraduate studies.

Admission may also be gained by an applicant having completed a comparable study abroad. Prior to enrolment the applicant must apply for the recognition of completed education.

Continuation of studies according to the transfer criteriatop

Transfers between study programmes are possible on the basis of the Higher Education Act, Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes and in accordance with other regulations of this field.

The transition between study programmes is the enrolment in the higher year of the study programme, in case of leaving the education at the initial study programme and continuing the study process at another study program of the same degree. The transition takes into account the comparability of the study programmes and the completed study obligations of the candidate in the initial study program.

Access to Year 2 of the Master’s programme of Computer Science on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is granted to candidates, provided that the following conditions have been met:

• the candidate fulfils the requirements for admission to the study programme of Computer Science;
• completion of the first study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies as those envisaged by the study programme of Computer Science; and
• other conditions in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes have also been met (a comparable course structure, course requirements completed).

Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the relevant committee of UP FAMNIT. Apart from comparability between both fields of study, the committee shall also consider comparability between the study programmes, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes. The applicant may also be required to complete differential exams as defined by the relevant Faculty committee.

Enrolment on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is also open to candidates of a related study programme abroad who have been, in the process of recognition of their studies abroad, legally granted the right to continue their educational training in the study programme of Computer Science.

In the case of limited enrolment, applicants shall be selected on the basis of the average grade obtained during the study programme they are transferring from.

Advancement requirements  top

Advancement Requirements: For enrolment in the next study year it is necessary to earn at least 42 ECTS-credits from courses and exams in the current study year. The Study Committee of the Faculty may permit a student, who has not fulfilled all study obligations for the particular year, to enrol to the next year. The student is obliged to submit a formal written request to the Study Committee. The progress may be approved if a student could not fulfil the obligations for justifiable reasons. Students may repeat a year only once during their study period.  A minimum of 18 ESCT-credits in courses from the current year of study are required in order to repeat a year. 

Requirements for the Completion of Studies: Students shall be deemed to have completed their studies when they fulfil all the prescribed study requirements to a total of at least 120 ECTS-credits. 

Master’s Thesis: With the Master’s Thesis, the student demonstrates expertise and knowledge in the selected study programme, a critical understanding of theories, concepts and principles (basic as well as specific), originality and creativity in the use and application of knowledge, and the capacity to analyse a problem and form suitable solutions. The Master’s Thesis must be on the level of a review or original article, and should introduce at least a minor improvement to the scientific area; the Master’s Thesis can also be a project task of a larger scale complete with a final product, report and documentation. The student publicly presents the theme of their Master’s Thesis at a seminar (verbal presentation), normally twice, and at least once prior to a final defence of the Master’s Thesis.

A student can submit the application for the Master's thesis topic proposal after enrolment in the 2nd year of study.top

Graduates' competenciestop

General competencies

• The ability to analyze, synthesize and predict solutions and consequences of the factors related to the discipline of computer science.
• Critical assessment of the developments in the field of computer science.
• Development of communication skills.
• Skills of co-operation, team work and project work.
• The ability to autonomously seek and acquire knowledge and to integrate it with the existing knowledge.
• The ability to seek and interpret new information and to place it into the context of the discipline of computer science.
• Autonomy in professional work.

Subject-specific competencies

• The ability to describe a given situation with the correct use of mathematical and computing symbols and notations.
• The ability to interpret their own understanding of computing concepts and principles.
• The ability to solve problems with the use of modern technologies.
• The ability to systematically analyse a given problem.
• The ability to use the algorithmic approach - to develop an algorithm to solve a given problem.
• The ability to deduce new logical conclusions from the information given.
• The ability to tackle and solve a given computer problem with confidence.
• The ability to upgrade problems to more complex problems and to integrate partial solutions through engineering.

Graduate employment opportunities  top

In addition to research work in the field of software and in computer departments of major firms, graduates are trained for work in educational and research fields, as well as other related technical fields, such as mechanical engineering or construction, which have a significant need for computer scientists.