Intelligent Interactive Systems (IISY) Bielefeld University

The Master’s programme in Intelligent Interactive Systems (IISY) provides training of the knowledge and skills that enable students to analyse, design and develop state-of-the-art autonomous intelligent (AI) systems. Such systems are characterised by their ability to perceive a complex or open environment and to interact with it intelligently. An essential feature of such systems is their ability to learn and thus to adapt to unknown or changing environments, tasks, or users. Such systems are relevant in many areas such as robotics, autonomous agents, assistive systems, recommender systems or web information systems. Students in the programme will be increasingly enabled to work independently according to the scientific principles of machine learning and cognitive computer science. In addition to imparting knowledge, the Master’s programme explicitly focuses on providing practical, professional skills as well as abilities such as interdisciplinary research methods, critical thinking, and teamwork.

The contents of the study programme reflect the current developments towards modern intelligent systems that interact autonomously with their environment.

A double degree with a one-semester stay abroad at the University of Bologna (Italy) is possible.

The programme provides three thematic blocks in which students can specialise: Interaction Technology (INT), Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI), and Autonomous Systems Engineering (ASE).

• In the first semester, fundamental competencies can be acquired or extended in basics modules from each block.
• In the second and third semesters, specialisation takes place through advanced modules (theoretical-methodical contents) or applied modules (practical applied competencies). Both module types can be studied either as standard (5 credit points) or in-depth (10 credit points) version. Students can choose from a variety of courses offered in the respective block for the corresponding module types (basic/advanced/applied).
• In the first and second semesters, students are required to take courses from a Scientific Research Methods (SRM) module that conveys techniques of scientific work necessary for successful completion of the Master's thesis.
• In the third semester, there will be a group project (10 credit points), which is intended to involve three to five students. During this project, students will independently structure and carry out practical work. The objective is to encourage collaboration among students with diverse specialisations in the areas of INT, AI, and ASE. Assessment will consider both team performance and individual contributions separately, leading to an individual, non-graded module performance evaluation.

The prerequisite for admission is a Bachelor’s degree grade of at least 2.7 (according to the German grading system). In addition, the following knowledge is required to apply successfully:

• Knowledge and skills in foundations of computer science (e.g. algorithms, data structures, theoretical or technical computer science, computer architectures) of 30 ECTS or an equivalent total workload
• Knowledge and skills in mathematics (e.g. analysis, linear algebra, stochastics) amounting to 10 ECTS or an equivalent total workload
• Applicants are required to have knowledge and skills in basic technical methods for the development of intelligent systems (e.g. machine learning, artificial intelligence, pattern recognition, robotics, image/language processing, human-machine interaction) to the extent of 30 ECTS or an equivalent total workload. Alternatively, knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary foundations of intelligent or interactive systems (e.g. from psychology, neurobiology, linguistics, philosophy) are recognised up to 10 ECTS or a corresponding total workload.
• A further condition for admission is language competency in English at a proficiency level of B2 (CEFR) or higher. You can find the details below.

When applying, each applicant needs to provide a list of courses passed successfully during their qualifying degree (Bachelor's) in each of the three areas, along with the ECTS or the overall workload for each course.

Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees, every student only has to pay a social fee. The social fee includes the contribution to the social ticket for free public transport in Germany for the whole semester.

The current semester contribution is approximately 333 EUR.

Costs for studying in Germany are relatively high due to the living expenses.

• Rent in a room in student halls of residence or a private student hall, in a room or flat comes to approx. 290 EUR per month.
• The expected costs for student health insurance and other medical fees are about 140 EUR per month.
• Depending on your lifestyle, you might spend about 150 EUR on food each month.
• Altogether, monthly costs for food, clothes, leisure activities, social fees, travel expenses, telephone bills, and the other mentioned expenses add up to approx. 992 EUR.

There are several ways of cutting expenses in Bielefeld. For example, it is possible to rent a room in a student residence for about 250 EUR, and a meal at the student canteen (Mensa) costs only about 3 EUR.

With your residence permit (stamp in your passport), you will receive a work permit for 120 work days per year. This allows you to work 120 full days (eight hours per day) or 240 half days (up to four hours per day). This condition must be noted expressly in the passport by the authorities.

Career planning is a step-by-step development and clarification process that requires individual strategies. Based on a strengths- and resource-oriented approach, we support you in developing your own career prospects.

Depending on your needs, our Career Service at Bielefeld University will accompany you throughout the entire process or in individual steps.

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/themen/career-service

Please try to secure accommodation in Bielefeld as early as possible. In Bielefeld, a broad range of accommodation options can be found at affordable prices. Students residences are run by the public "Studierendenwerk" or private organisations, and shared flats are very common.

Offers of accommodation can be found online by following the links below:

• Studierendenwerk Bielefeld (dormitories)
• WG-gesucht.de (private shared accommodation)

The International Office supports students who are searching for accommodation.