Of Science (MSc) in Computer Science and Engineering

Programme content

A MASTER'S TAUGHT IN ENGLISH, A RECOGNISED TRAINING

All the courses of this master's degree are taught in English, given the importance of English in the field of IT.

This immersion provides students with an opportunity for intensive practice and consequently prepares them in an optimal manner for international careers. While the Master's thesis must be written in English, students are free to communicate in French during classes and major tests and exams.

OBJECTIVES

The Master's Degree in Computer Science Engineering offers both the rigour of an in-depth course in Computer Science and the versatility of a course in Engineering Science.

Computer Science Engineers are able to use their capacity for abstraction, their thorough reasoning abilities and their skills in IT as well as in electronics and in various fields of the engineering sciences, in order to design, develop and evaluate complex information processing systems.

The skills acquired will enable them to combine software and hardware to create top-level products and services. The solutions developed will provide users with the best means of optimising their professional activity in sectors as varied as finance, e-commerce medicine, transport, energy, telecommunications and bioinformatics.

COMBINING THEORY AND PRACTICE

Through the demanding practical projects that most of the classes entail, Computer Science Engineers strengthen their knowledge, use their expertise, solve numerous problems, work autonomously and apply their skills in written and oral communication, especially in English. They have the chance to identify the needs and constraints of the industrial world whether while working on their Master's thesis, during their internships or through the classes which enable them to make connections between the concepts taught and their industrial application. They are thus trained to adapt to various languages, methods and tools, that already exist or have yet to be developed!

THE PROGRAMME

The Master in Computer Science Engineering and the Master in Computer Science share a common curriculum combining a solid core in different aspects of computer science, specialized focuses (30 credits) in the key areas of computer systems security and intelligent systems, and a master's thesis, or even an internship, in contact with the professional world. All courses are taught in English.

The management degree opens the doors of both programs to a unique co-diploma program in Digital Business organized with the HEC School of Management of ULiège.

The specialization in computer systems security allows students to develop specialized skills in the field of networks, cryptographic mechanisms, trusted computing or software vulnerability analysis. This training allows students to face the challenges of digital information processing in relation to the objectives of confidentiality, integrity and authentication of data.

Training in intelligent systems concerns the tools and computer procedures that allow the analysis of digital data and the organization of decision-making processes using, among others, artificial intelligence methods. This specialization is therefore oriented towards expert systems and virtual assistants which are becoming more and more common in our daily private and professional lives.

The specialization in management is part of the preparation for the master in digital business.

DIGITAL BUSINESS (COLLABORATON WITH HEC LIEGE - THE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LIEGE)

Two Master's degrees in 3 years: a collaboration between HEC-Liège & the School of Engineering and Computer Science

Digital technologies have long been an essential support in business management. Today, they play a central role in the various sectors of activity that have to manage important flows between customers and companies, between companies and their suppliers. The same applies to the various stages of the management process: production planning, inventory, distribution.

Digital business goes even further by becoming the engine of a new economy with new managerial challenges and new opportunities: new products to design and develop, new services to offer, new ethical issues to study, new business models...

New fast-growing businesses are purely digital: social networks, research equipment, data storage and processing, e-commerce.

To operate in such an environment, our graduates must have strong managerial and computer skills. Management sciences and computer sciences are already among the top 5 most promising courses in Belgium.

The University of Liège is going one step further by offering a double master's degree designed to train experts with a perfect command of both fields, IT and management.

The "Digital Business" program allows students to obtain both degrees of the corresponding masters in only 3 years after obtaining their bachelor degree.

THIS TRANSDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM IS UNIQUE IN BELGIUM!

Learning outcomes

I. Understand and be able to apply sciences and concepts within the field of engineering

Engineers master and are able to apply fundamental concepts and principles of various fields of science and technology. 

I.1 Master the concepts, principles and laws of the basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, etc.).

I.2 Master the concepts and principles of the engineering sciences. In particular, a solid background in algorithms, programming, theoretical computer science, software engineering and digital electronics, and an in-depth knowledge of the software and hardware operating principles of computer systems.

II. Learn to understand

Engineers have a strong capacity for autonomous learning, which enables them to seek out and appropriate relevant information to address emerging issues and to engage in continuous learning. They may also engage in research to advance the state of understanding.

II.1 Demonstrate autonomy in learning. In particular, know how to appropriate and summarise scientific and technical information from various sources (lectures, literature, references, manuals and technical documentation, online resources, etc.).

II.2 Research, evaluate and use (through scientific literature, technical documentation, the web, interpersonal contacts, etc.) new information relevant to understanding a problem or a new issue.

II.3 Carry out fundamental or applied research work to produce original scientific and technical knowledge.

III. Analyse, model and solve complex problems

Engineers are capable of conducting structured scientific reasoning, demonstrating the capacity for abstraction, analysis and management of the constraints necessary to solve complex and/or original problems and thus to be part of an innovative process.

III.1 Formalise, model and conceptualise a scientific or technical problem related to or inspired by a complex real-life situation in rigorous language, e.g. using mathematical or computer language, to obtain results. Be capable of abstraction.

III.2 Critically analyse hypotheses and results and compare them with experimental reality, taking into account uncertainties.

III.3 Identify and manage the constraints associated with a project (technical constraints, specifications, deadlines, resources, customer requirements, etc.). 

III.4 Innovate through the design, implementation and validation of new solutions, methods, products or services.

IV. Implement the methods and techniques in the field to design and innovate while adopting an engineering approach

Engineers implement the methods and techniques specific to their field of specialisation and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop engineering projects and ensure the achievement of specific objectives in their working environment.

IV.1 Use a numerical/computational approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions. 

IV.2 Use an experimental approach to investigate a problem and test hypotheses or solutions.

IV.3 Design, develop, test and deploy software and hardware solutions for a wide range of real-world computing problems in a variety of fields.

IV.4 Within the framework of the "Computer systems security" specialisation, master the principles and tools of analysis, design and management of computer networks, and have a thorough knowledge of computer security concepts enabling them to defend the protection and security needs within an IT infrastructure, to discuss the advantages/disadvantages (in terms of security) of an IT system and to explain the problems linked to computer crime.

IV.5 Within the framework of the "Intelligent systems" specialisation, master the principles and tools of automated learning and artificial intelligence, and be able to apply them in areas such as computer vision, robotics, knowledge representation, decision making, etc.

IV.6 Within the framework of the "Management" specialisation, master the basics of business management, particularly in its economic, accounting, logistical, financial and legal aspects.

V. Develop their professional practice within the context of a company

Engineers are responsible members of society and the professional world. They integrate economic, social, legal, ethical and environmental constraints and challenges into their work. 

V.1 Integrate human, economic, social, environmental and legal aspects into their projects.

V.2 Position themselves in relation to the professions and functions of an engineer, taking into account ethical aspects and social responsibility. Adopt a reflective stance, both critical and constructive, with regard to their own way of acting, their approach and their professional choices.

V.3 Develop an entrepreneurial activity.

VI. Work alone or in groups

Engineers are able to work independently and collaborate within a group or organisation. They demonstrate responsibility, team spirit and leadership.

VI.1 Work independently.

VI.2 Work in a team. Be open to collaborative working. Make decisions together.

VI.3 Manage a team. Distribute work and manage deadlines. Manage tensions. Demonstrate leadership skills.

VI.4 Work in an environment with different hierarchical levels, different skill levels and/or different expertise.

VII. Communicate

Engineers are capable of communicating and sharing their technical and scientific approach and results in writing and orally. Their command of at least one foreign language, in particular English, enables them to work in an international context.

VII.1 Understand general and technical documents related to the professional practice of the discipline (plans, specifications, etc.).

VII.2 Write a scientific or technical report by structuring the information and applying the standards in place in the discipline.

VII.3 Present/defend scientific or technical results orally using the codes and means of communication appropriate to the audience and the communication setting.

VII.4 Understand and write general and technical documents in a foreign language.

VII.5 Understand and present a general or technical oral presentation in a foreign language.

VII.6 Communicate with customers, particularly with a view to understanding their needs, and with other business stakeholders.