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Study plan for MAMN-INFSI Secure and reliable communication, fall 2024

Name of qualification

Master of Science in Informatics - secure and reliable communication

ECTS Credits

Two years of full-time study, where the normal workload for a full-time student is 60 credits for one academic year.

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

Language of Instruction

English

Semester

Autumn

Objectives and content

Objectives:

To train students to a masters level in the topics of coding theory, telecommunications, cryptographic primitives, and both network coding and network security. The associated mathematical algorithms and structures will be covered. The aim is to both prepare students for future in industrial careers in computer science or mathematics or security, and/or to prepare students for future academic careers.

Content:

The program comprises courses in the fields of coding theory, information theory, cryptography, network information theory, and network security. Each student also undertakes a masters thesis in conjunction with a supervisor on a relevant topic. The courses are each undertaken over a single semester and will be assessed by a combination of assignments and end-of-semester examinations. For more detailed descriptions of course contents please link to the relevant course details.

Required Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

  • should be aware of the state-of-the-art knowledge in the areas of coding theory, telecommunications, cryptography, and network security.
  • should be aware of imminent developments in the above areas.
  • should have mastered the underlying mathematical theory for the above areas.

Skills

The candidate

  • should be able to analyse and design systems in the context of coding theory, telecommunications, cryptology, and network security.
  • should be able to simulate systems by means of software coding.
  • by means of the masters thesis, should have some understanding as to how to research into specialist areas and be able to arrange and present such research in the form of a document (thesis).

General competence

The candidate

  • should be able to assimilate various topics in the course and understand how they interact.a

Admission Requirements

The master's programme builds on a bachelor's degree from the Department of Informatics, or a bachelor's degree and at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer science.

Bachelor's degrees from UiB that qualify:

  • Bachelor's degree from Department of Informatics, UiB (BAMN-BINF, BAMN-DSIK, BAMN-DTEK, BAMN-DVIT, BATF-IMØ, BAMN-INF)
  • Bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology (IKT) with at least 15 ECTS (at least two courses for at least 7,5 ECTS each) of elective Mathematics
  • Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science (BASV-KOGNI) with specialization in Informatics
  • Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence (BASV-AIKI) qualifies, if you have at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science. Out of these 80 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must be in Informatics/Computer science, and at least 15 ECTS must be in Mathematics. One course in Statistics can count towards Mathematics (except STAT100). MNF130 and equivalent counts as Informatics. INF-courses and INFO-courses with credit reduction towards INF-courses count as informatics.

Bachelor's degrees that qualify

  • Bachelor's degree in Computing from HVL (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)
  • Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from HVL
  • Bachelor's degree in Communication Systems from HVL

Other bachelor's degrees might qualify if you have at least 80 ECTS of Mathematics and Informatics/Computer Science. Out of these 80 ECTS, at least 40 ECTS must be in Informatics/Computer science, and at least 15 ECTS (at least two courses with 7,5 ECTS each) must be in Mathematics. If both INF100 and INF109 are part of the Bachelor's degree, the applicant will only get credits for INF100. One course in Statistics can count towards Mathematics (except STAT100). MNF130 (and equivalent) counts as Informatics.

For international self-financing applicants:

The Master's programme is not available for international applicants residing outside of the Nordic countries, the European Union/EEA and Switzerland.

You also need to document:

Recommended previous knowledge

A bachelor's degree in a relevant subject, such as computer science, mathematics, physics etc . You should have a solid grounding in mathematics and be an accomplished computer programmer. Basic knowledge of the natural sciences, specifically basic courses in mathematics and computer science, is strongly recommended.

Compulsory units

A master's programme in Secure and reliable communication consists of an individual research project (master's thesis) of 60 ECTS credits, and courses or special topics of 60 ECTS credits. Some of the courses are compulsory within the specializations. The other courses will be chosen in agreement with the academic supervisor.

Compulsory courses in the master's degree in secure and reliable communication are

INF234 Algorithms (10 ECTS)

INF240A Basic Tools of Coding theory and Cryptography (10 ECTS)

Recommended electives

Elective courses

You choose 40 ECTS elective courses. The courses should be at the 200 and 300-level. Courses and any special syllabus are chosen in collaboration with the supervisor to provide a good basis to work on the master thesis. In agreement with the supervisor, one can have up to 10 credits at the 100-level.

INF399 Master's Thesis in Informatics is weighted to 60 ECTS. The student may in agreement with the supervisor choose to write a thesis at 30 ECTS and expand the number of courses accordingly. The Master thesis must be delivered within the deadline of the 4th semester, 20 November or 1 June.

Sequential Requirements, courses

The recommended sequence of the courses in the programme can be found under the heading "Compulsory units".

Study period abroad

You can plan study periods abroad in consultation with your supervisor as a part of the master agreement.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods are course dependent but include:

Lectures

Group work and/or assignments

Online resources

The Master's thesis is an independently scientific work, under supervision of an academic supervisor.

Assessment methods

The final step in the programme is an oral examination. The examination is held when the master's thesis is submitted, evaluated and approved.

The most common assessment methods in the courses are written and oral examination. The assessment methods for each course are described in the course description.

Grading scale

At UiB the grades are given in one of two possible grading scales: passed/failed and A to F.

The master's thesis will be graded A to F.

The grading scale for each course is given in the course description.a

Diploma and Diploma supplement

The Diploma, in Norwegian, and the Diploma Supplement, in English, will be issued when the degree is completed.

Access to further studies

To be eligible for admission to the Doctoral education (PhD) the candidate must have completed a master's degree.

To qualify for the Doctoral education (PhD) at UiB the average grade for the master's thesis, the Master's degree and the bachelor's degree should be at least C.

In order to get enrolled you have to be granted a fellowship for doctoral training.

Employability

The master's programme prepares students for employment in, for example, the following areas:

  • Computer support for large companies
  • Secure computer, telecommunications, and internet system design
  • Bank security
  • Network infrastructure, with a focus on reliability, privacy, and security
  • Design and development of new cryptographic primitives
  • Countless other companies where computers, telecommunications, privacy, reliability, and security are required

Evaluation

The programme will be evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Programme committee

The programme committee is responsible for the academic content, the structure and the quality of the programme.

Administrative responsibility

The Faculty of Science and Technology by the Department of Informatics, holds the administrative responsibility for the programme.

Contact information

Please contact the academic adviser for the programme if you have any questions:

Studieveileder@ii.uib.no

Phone: + 47 55 58 42 00