MSc, 120 cr, 2 years
Programme aim
Everything wants to be connected. Enter the Computer Systems and Networks programme and shape the new boundaries in computing.
Today, computer science and engineering is going through a fundamental shift. It is a challenging task to understand and analyse the behaviour of existing computer systems, even for
well-trained experts.
The Computer Systems and Networks Master's Programme aims to develop a solid grasp of computer systems and networks by introducing a broad, yet rigorous, training in this important field of engineering and research. Theoretical knowledge and engineering skills are acquired in:
- Computer Systems
- Communication Networks
- Distributed Systems
- Secrurity and Dependability
Who should apply
The program trains professionals in the field of Computer Science and Engineering. We welcome applications from graduates of Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
The new Computer Systems and Networks Master’s Programme is the result of two older programmes being merged – Networks and Distributed Systems and Secure and Dependable Computer Systems. These programs attracted many domestic and international students.
The new programme is especially suitable for students who have graduated from computer science and engineering programmes and who have excelled at their studies.
Why apply
One of the programme's teaching philosophies is that a solid grasp of computer systems and networks can be developed by studying the different methodologies used to construct computer systems and networks such as system engineering, computer architecture, programming and distributed computing. Consequently, coursework requires students to solve problems from the area of system and network design that involve the abovementioned aspects and techniques.
For example, we learn how to:
- Design a system based on new and existing components (System Engineering),
- Understand the low-level hardware/software interaction (Computer Architecture)
- Develop systems and applications (Programming)
- Analyze the performance and limitations of the designed system (Distributed Computing).
The programme's holistic philosophy equips its graduates with a wide range of industry-related engineering skills. Rather than concentrating on a single aspect of computer systems and networks, the courses provide the practical and up-to-date experience required by the major IT companies that develop computer systems and networks.
Research connections
The world-class faculty behind the programme has a long-term, established track record in industrial and scientific research communities.
Career opportunities
The programme has great industrial relevance. Engineers with a deep, solid understanding of communicating systems are attractive on the job market. There are many institutions within government, administration and healthcare as well as within e-commerce, aerospace and the automotive industries that depend highly on reliable communication.
The programme gives students the opportunity to combine academic training with engineering work experience. This combination opens up a wide range of career opportunities, such as:
- Chief Technology Officer: Takes responsibility for the company's technological development plan and influences its competitiveness in the market.
- Systems Architect and Designer: Builds computer systems and designs networked applications and protocols.
- Project Manager: Takes responsibility for carrying out technology-related projects.
- Software Engineer: Creates the software that drives the hardware and makes computer systems work.
- Security and Network Specialist: Oversees company computer networks and ensures that a company's sensitive data and services are only accessible to authorized users.
- Doctoral Students/Scientists: Investigates computer systems and carries out research on computer networks to obtain a Ph.D. degree in computer science and engineering.
Programme overview
Course plan
The Advanced Introductory Courses - provide the necessary background
Computer Networks (7.5 credit units)
How does the Internet work? How are new computer networks designed? What are the methods for making sure that our networks function correctly and are efficient? How do we program applications that communicate? This course teaches fundamental issues in network technologies, builds the knowledge on the TCP/IP suite and emerging network technologies.
Dependable Computer Systems (7.5 credit units)
What is dependability? How can we guarantee reliability? When can we say that our system design is safe? This advanced level introductory course considers four major system properties: security, reliability, timeliness and functionality.
Advanced Topics in Computer Systems and Networks (7.5 credit units)
How do you find an interesting Master thesis project? What are the exciting topics in the field of Computer Systems and Networks? How can we learn from the professional literature about these topics? This course covers a broad range of topics and is intended for students planning to carry out a thesis project in the area of Computer Systems and Networks.
Operating Systems (7.5 credit units)
Operating systems exist everywhere where computer systems exist, not just in workstations but also in vehicles, phones and embedded industrial systems. The course provides an introduction to the design and implementation of operating systems. Students who have taken this course in the Bachelor studies can take an elective course instead.
The Topic-Related Course Sequences - serve as the backbone of the Master's programme. At least two sequences out of three are required
Distributed Systems (7.5+7.5 credit units)
How can we build reliable, communicating distributed systems? The overall aim of the course is to provide an understanding of the challenges you are confronted with when developing such systems as well as the benefits gained from such systems.
Security (7.5+7.5 credit units)
What is security? Can you really make computer systems and networks secure? Is it really necessary that there are so many attacks and intrusions over the Internet? And so much spam? These are a few relevant questions that are addressed in the Computer Security course. We scrutinize the reasons for such security problems and suggest methods and mechanisms for protection. We also provide some modeling, metrication and evaluation approaches that facilitate understanding of the fundamental issues in the area.
Real-Time Systems (7.5+7.5 credit units)
These course addresses the software design process for embedded systems with special non-functional requirements on reliability and timeliness. The course first describes preferable design options for software architecture, programming language, and run-time system mechanisms. The second course addresses performance aspects in the design of single- and multiprocessor systems with special requirements on reliability and timeliness.
Elective courses (30 credit units)
Broader perspective elective courses can be chosen freely. These courses could be selected from the above list of course sequences and/or theme-related elective courses, such as Fault-tolerant Computer Systems, Cryptography and Programming Language Based Security.
Thesis (30 credit units)
The thesis can be performed in an industrial context as well as in the context of a research group at Chalmers.
Some students aiming for a research oriented thesis may be given the possibility to apply for a 15 credit research project or extended their research thesis work to 60 credit units.
Detailed programme content in the Student portal, for current students
Entry requirements
General entry requirements
To be eligible an applicant must either be a holder of a Bachelor's degree in Science/Engineering/Architecture or be enrolled in his/her last year of studies leading to such a degree.
General entry requirements in detail
Specific entry requirementsBachelor´s degree (or the equivalent) with a Major in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
Prerequisites: Computer communications, Algorithms and/or Data structures, Programming (C, C++ or Java) and Mathematics (including Discrete Mathematics and Linear algebra).
English Language Proficiency
The most common and important scores that are accepted are
- IELTS (academic training), 6.5 (with no part of the test below 5.5)
- TOEFL (Internet based): 90 (with a minimum of 20 on the written part)
To read more about required minimum test results and other means of certifying fulfillment of the English language proficiency requirement, please visit:
English Language Proficiency
Application
Degree: Master of Science (MSc)
Credits: 120
Duration: 2 years
Rate of study: 100%
Instructional time: Daytime
Language of instruction: English
Teaching form: On-campus
Tuition fee: 140 000 SEK/academic year
*EU/EEA Citizens are not required to pay fees.Application Code: CTH-12009
For information about how to submit an applicationIt is mandatory to submit a number of required documentsDeadlines regarding application process*EU/EEA citizens are required to provide documentation of citizenship (External Link) Contacts
Questions regarding the application and admission process:
Chalmers’ Admissions, admissions@chalmers.se
Specific questions about the programme's content:
Elad Schiller, Director of Master's Programme, elad.schiller@chalmers.se
Other questions