Master of Science in Intelligent Adaptive Systems (IAS) University of Hamburg

The course is entirely taught in English.

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Robotics, Human-Robot Interaction, Research Methods -- If you would like to learn about those topics and would like to have a bit of freedom for your own research topics, you should apply to the Master of Science programme in Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany.

Intelligent systems and robots are expected to become an integral part of our daily lives. In order to be accepted by and to interact efficiently and naturally with humans, they have to adapt to changing environments as well as to the users they interact with. Intelligent systems are not only expected to automatically acquire and manage knowledge through a variety of sensors, but also to learn and optimise their behaviour over time. This International Master's programme aims to provide students with the ability to create these intelligent adaptive systems and to prepare them for a future market and career in academia in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems.
The Intelligent Adaptive Systems (IAS) curriculum is focused on the intelligent adaptive behaviour of artificial systems, ranging from robots to computer systems. The selected modules provide a comprehensive overview, including technical aspects and state-of-the-art algorithms and methods. Students are introduced to current research in the corresponding fields and have the opportunity to deepen the acquired knowledge by participating in international research projects.
The Master's programme in Intelligent Adaptive Systems is a two-year, research-oriented programme, taught in English. Students, both national and international, can profit from an international environment by improving their grasp of the English language and engaging in cultural exchange. This exchange is fostered in seminars and work groups in which teamwork is promoted and extended in extracurricular discussions and activities. Thanks to the proximity of the programme to current research projects, students can avail of a smooth transition into collaborative research environments and continuing education and study.

Detailed information can be found here:
https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/

Even more information on how to apply:
https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/Info/Studium/MSc/IAS/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

If you cannot find the information you are looking for, you may contact us via ias-team.inf@uni-hamburg.de.

International applications are very welcome – we do not distinguish between international and German applications. We encourage diversity in order to broaden our horizons.

31 March for the following winter semester for all applicants.
No summer semester intake

The IAS programme comprises 120 ECTS credit points, distributed between compulsory core modules (39 CP), selectable focus (24 CP) and extending modules (15 CP) and project work (42 CP).

Semester 1:
Software Architecture (6 CP)
Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence (6 CP)
Intelligent Robotics (6 CP) Research Methods (6 CP)
+ 6 CP Focus Choice

Semester 2:
Neural Networks (6 CP)
Machine Learning (9 CP)
+ 12 CP Focus Choice + 3 CP Extension Choice

Semester 3:
Project with Integrated Seminar (12 CP) + 6 Focus Choice + 12 CP Extension Choice

Semester 4:
Master's thesis (30 CP)

Core Lectures:
Core lectures are compulsory for all students. This set of lectures conveys an in-depth understanding of different types of intelligent adaptive systems and introduces students to the most current research in the different topics.

Focus Choice:
Focus choice slots provide students with the opportunity to strengthen their background in a chosen field or deepen their knowledge in a field that complements the core modules. Focus modules will be chosen in consultation with an assigned adviser and can be selected from a list that aligns well with the overall focus of the Master's programme.
Choices for focus options (currently):

• Language Processing
• Image Processing
• Robot Technology
• Knowledge Processing
• Cognitive Vision
• User Interface Software and Technology
• Speech Signal Processing

Extension Choice:
15 credit points can be selected from a range of modules taught at the Department of Informatics or other departments as well as independent study projects or German classes. In comparison to the focus options, these modules can be used to gain knowledge in fields that go beyond the scope of this programme, but are linked to its contents, e.g. psychology or biology. The modules are again chosen in consultation with an adviser to guarantee a sensible choice in alignment with the student's background and aims.

Project and Thesis:
Having participated in lectures and seminars where the focus is usually on individual work, students take part in a group project before undertaking a research project that finally leads to the Master's thesis. The group project focuses on teamwork and the scientific exchange and defence of ideas to prepare students for a collaborative scientific environment. Students are encouraged to choose projects in preparation for the Master's thesis and to actively take part in research projects of a chosen area. Two to three students are expected to work as an independent group with a supervisor from the corresponding area. A seminar, where all groups meet, gives students the opportunity to present their work in an environment comparable to a scientific conference.
Finally, in the last semester, students work full-time on an independent research project that ends with the submission of the final Master's thesis.

Part-time study is possible but not recommended for all semesters. Reference semesters are doubled and required credit points per semester amount to half of those required in full-time study. Prerequisites for lectures must be met, with courses available only in winter or in summer to be taken at the next opportunity.

No tuition fees

There is a semester contribution of approx. 350 EUR per semester. This fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc., you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: approx. 400 to 700 EUR per month
• living expenses: approx. 500 to 700 EUR per month

• A Bachelor's degree from Universität Hamburg or another university in computer science or a related field in which 60 ECTS were acquired in the field of core computer science, comparable to the curriculum of the BSc "Informatik" (Computer Science) at Universität Hamburg. Comparability of the degree will be established by the selection committee based on the information submitted. See the IAS website, where you will find templates to fill in.
• Minimum English proficiency test score
• Complete application

Detailed information on the application process and the required documents can be found here: https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/.

All applicants must provide proof of their English language proficiency by (or comparable to):

• CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
• IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
• TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum sub-score of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
• Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

31 March for the following winter semester for all applicants.
No summer semester intake

There is no special scholarship programme for IAS. International full-time students may apply for merit scholarships or exam grants of Universität Hamburg, later in their studies. We also recommend contacting our colleagues in the Department of International Affairs for further guidance.

We also recommend applying for scholarships offered by DAAD before or while you are applying for the IAS programme. Make sure to check the dates for scholarship applications very early on in the application process.

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-university job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs for more information.

There are several job opportunities in diverse areas of Universität Hamburg. Many of these jobs are offered exclusively to students enrolled at the university. For job ads of this kind, check out departmental bulletin boards, departmental websites, www.stellenwerk.de (wanted ads for Hamburg’s universities), or ask directly in your department.

• tutors
• student assistants (in the academic area) and student employees (in the administrative area)
• library assistants
• test subjects for studies conducted in the fields of psychology or in the social sciences

Are you searching for an apartment or a room? Although affordable housing in Hamburg is rare, please do not despair. Patience and luck will help you find suitable accommodation.

Start looking for accommodation as soon as you can. For more information on how to find accommodation, please visit: Finding accommodation in Hamburg.

For more information on how to find accommodation and how to plan your first steps in Hamburg, please see: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/piasta/beratung/doc/willkommen.pdf.

The Department of International Affairs offers comprehensive international student support. In addition to professional advising and counselling during all stages of the course of study, there is close cooperation with other advisory and counselling services at Universität Hamburg. International students will thus receive the necessary support and advice at any point during their studies.

Universität Hamburg is the largest institution for research and education in northern Germany. As one of the country’s largest universities, we offer a diverse range of degree programmes and excellent research opportunities. The university boasts numerous interdisciplinary projects in a broad range of fields and an extensive partner network of leading regional, national, and international higher education and research institutions. Universität Hamburg is committed to sustainability.

All our faculties have taken great strides towards sustainability in both research and teaching.

Excellent research

As part of the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments, Universität Hamburg has been granted clusters of excellence for four core research areas: Advanced Imaging of Matter (photon and nanosciences), Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS) (climate research), Understanding Written Artefacts (manuscript research) and Quantum Universe (mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology).

An equally important core research area is Infection Research, in which researchers investigate the structure, dynamics, and mechanisms of infection processes to promote the development of new treatment methods and therapies.

Excellent University

Furthermore, alongside ten universities and one university alliance, Universität Hamburg was named a University of Excellence and was deemed a "flagship university."

Outstanding variety: 180 degree programmes

Universität Hamburg offers more than 180 degree programmes within its eight faculties:

• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Medicine
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement
• Faculty of Business Administration (Hamburg Business School).

Universität Hamburg is also home to several museums and collections, such as the Herbarium Hamburgense, the Geological-Paleontological Museum, the Loki Schmidt Garden, and the Hamburg Observatory.

History

Universität Hamburg was founded in 1919 by local citizens. Important founding figures include Senator Werner von Melle and the merchant Edmund Siemers. Nobel Prize winners such as the physicists Otto Stern, Wolfgang Pauli, and Isidor Rabi taught and researched at the university. Many other distinguished scholars, such as Ernst Cassirer, Erwin Panofsky, Aby Warburg, William Stern, Agathe Lasch, Magdalene Schoch, Emil Artin, Ralf Dahrendorf, and Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker, also worked here.

With 1.8 million citizens, Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany and is also one of Germany's 16 federal states. Due to its location on the Elbe River linked to the North Sea, it has had a long tradition as the cultural and commercial centre of northern Germany. Commercially, the Free and Hanseatic City is known as the media capital of Germany. It is a leader in the shipping and transportation industries. Culturally, the city is home to, among other things, the leading ballet company in Germany, an opera house, numerous musicals, and annual film festivals. As far as action and fun are concerned, Hamburg is the place to be. The Reeperbahn, known not only to sailors worldwide as the "Mile of Sin", has numerous bars, cafés, and clubs as well as many other interesting sites not to be seen elsewhere. The "Kiez", as the natives call it, even gave the Beatles their start in the early 1960s. Fortunately, Hamburg's many parks and green areas provide the opportunity to relax and recover from the city's active side. Moreover, the city's innumerable canals invite you to spend some time sailing, rowing or kayaking. For more information on the city, please see: https://www.hamburg-travel.com/.