MSc. in Computer Science, professional focus in computer systems security

Programme content

THE DESIGNER PAR EXCELLENCE

The university-trained computer scientist is first and foremost a designer. Their training enables them to find the optimal solution to IT problems encountered across many different domains.

Often, the result of their mental efforts will be the deployment of complex equipment which combines information processing hardware and programmes. The system designed will thus provide a group of users with the means to optimally accomplish their professional activities in a variety of economic sectors including finance, e-commerce, medicine, transport, telecommunications and bioinformatics.

To contribute to design activities in such varied fields, university-trained computer scientists must have acquired rigorous reasoning abilities (in order to design these complex systems accurately), the capacity to understand the problems associated with a specific activity and the ability to explain the proposed solutions clearly and unambiguously.

The Master's in Computer Sciences were designed to allow you to acquire this training.

A TRAINING IN ENGLISH

All Master's classes are taught in English, given the importance of English in the IT domain. This immersion provides students with an opportunity for intensive practice and consequently gives them optimal preparation for these international careers.

The Master's thesis must be written in English. However, students are free to communicate in French during classes and major tests and exams.

120 CREDITS

The Master's in Computer Science is structured around:

• a common core (data structures and algorithms, programming languages, theoretical concepts of computer science, software development, IT systems and networks),
• an integrated project to be completed as part of a team,
• classes specific to the option chosen,
• elective classes or an internship,
• a Master's thesis.

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.

COMBINING THEORY AND PRACTICE

Through the demanding practical projects that most of the classes entail, The university-trained computer scientists 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!

Finally, it should be noted that the Master's degree in Computer Science is organized within the School of Engineering, which allows students to get acquainted with the more technical aspects of computer science, such as robotics, networks, image processing, microelectronics...

Learning outcomes

Profile

At the end of their Master's programme, computer scientists from ULiège will be able to leverage their sense of abstraction, their thorough reasoning abilities and their IT skills to design, develop and evaluate complex information systems.

They will be able to implement complex products or services which combine information processing hardware and programmes. The system designed will thus provide a group of users with the means to optimally accomplish their professional activities in a variety of sectors including finance, e-commerce, medicine, transport, energy, networks and telecommunications and bioinformatics.

Learning outcomes

The Master in Computer Science (120 credits) has acquired highly specialized and integrated knowledge, as well as broad skills in various fields of computer science, complementing those acquired during his bachelor of computer science, namely in algorithmic science, programming and computer systems (operating systems, data bases, networks).

He has strengthened his knowledge in discrete optimisation and in various theoretical bases of computer science (state machines, automata, grammars, theory of computation, logic, formal reasoning, compiling principles).

He has acquired a strong specialization in computer systems and networks (computer security, networks and multimedia, network management and security, network measurements and monitoring, embedded systems, programming on mobile devices, ...) or in intelligent systems (machine learning, computer vision, robotics, knowledge representation, constraint programming, ...). Depending on his other optional courses, he has also acquired specialized skills in bioinformatics, high-performance scientific computing, computer graphics, ...

He is able to apply and leverage his consolidated knowledge and skills to contribute, on his own or in a team, to plan, lead and carry out a large-scale software project while controlling its complexity and taking into account the objectives, allocated resources and specific constraints.

He has acquired the highest degree of technical qualification allowing him to organize and carry out a research, development or innovation work to understand a novel problem in his domain. His solid grounding allows him to join a research and development team or start doctoral studies.

He has often become aware of the needs and constraints of the industrial reality, either by means of his master thesis or a company internship, or thanks to courses that establish links between the concepts learned and their industrial applications.

He is able to communicate his conclusions, original propositions, and the underlying knowledge and principles, in a clear, structured and reasoned way, adapting to the audience, both orally and in writing, particularly in English.

He has developed and integrated a significant degree of autonomy, allowing him to acquire new knowledge, continue his training and develop new skills to be able to evolve in other contexts. He is well prepared to adapt to processes, techniques, languages, tools, ... that are yet to be invented.

He has the capability to think critically about the societal impact of his projects and of computer science in general.

He shows rigour, autonomy, creativity, and ethical sense.