Department of Informatics

Master program in Informatics: Artificial Intelligence

Abraham Bernstein
16.9.2024

University of Zurich Department of Informatics 29.08.2024

Contents

― About IfI/Professors
― General Information
― Structure of MSc Programs: Compulsory Module, Master’s Project, Core Elective, Thesis
― MSc Artificial Intelligence
― Hints
― Questions/Whom to contact
― Library
― Welcome event for new Master’s students with major Informatics

University of Zurich Department of Informatics 29.08.2024 2

IfI: The Department of Informatics
― Founded in 1970 (IfI = Institut für Informatik)
― Part of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics
― Focus on human-centered informatics
― 18 Professors, 130 PhD students and Post-Docs
― 500 Bachelorʼs students
― 600 Masterʼs students
― Campus Oerlikon

You!

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IfI Professors

Professors and Research Groups

Alberto Bacchelli Jürgen Bernard Abraham Bernstein Michael Böhlen Thomas Fritz

Zurich Interactive Dynamic and Data- Human

Empirical Visual Distributed Base Aspects of
Software Engineering Data Information Technology Software
Team Analysis Group Systems Group Group Engineering

Harald Gall Manuel Günther Anikó Hannák Elaine Huang Dan Olteanu

Software Artificial Social Zurich Data

Evolution and Intelligence and Computing People Systems and
Architecture Machine Group and Theory Group
Lab Learning Group Computing Lab

Renato Pajarola Giorgia Ramponi Davide Scaramuzza Gerhard Schwabe Sven Seuken

Visualization and Autonomous Sequential Robotics and Information Computation and

Multi- Learning and Perception Management Economics Research
Media Predictive Group Research Group
Lab Intelligence Lab Group

Burkhard Stiller Claudio Tessone Martin Volk

Communication Blockchain and Computational

Systems Distributed Linguistics
Group Ledger
Technologies

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General Information Online
Deanʼs Office: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies.html
Ø Study Regulations, Admission, Enrollment, Changing Programs, Course Booking, Important Dates, Petitions/Appeals, …

IfI: https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html
Ø Specific to Informatics: Fact Sheets (legally binding!),
Topics/Professors, Tutors/TAs, also these slides for
later reference

Please read the regulations and fact sheets!

The presentations held at the Facultyʼs Master Welcome Day

are available from:
https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/events/mwd.html

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Structure of the MSc Programs
All programs comprise… Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits
― a compulsory module
Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science
― a Masterʼs Project (group work!) Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

― modules from core/elective areas IS SOSY POC AI DS

Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
― a Masterʼs Thesis at the end module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS
More on these components on the next slides… Master’s project
15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective
area area area area area
18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

INF elective area

15 ECTS

WWF elective area

6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS

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Compulsory Module: Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
This course
Time: Wednesdays 8:15 -12:00h
Room: BIN 1.B.01

Grading
― Final Exam: Wednesday, 26.01.2023, 14:00-16:00 BYOD! -> Location to be announced
― Practice Exam (TBA)
― Assignments (20%)
― Active participation to the evaluation event on the 14.12. and 21.12.

Prerequisites
― General: Calculus, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, Design and Analysis of Algorithms
― You have taken an intro class on AI (roughly, AIMA 4th Ed., chapters 1-18)
― You are familiar with basic Data Mining / Machine Learning techniques

Content
― Knowledge in AI, Large-scale AI, Collective Intelligence, AI & Society

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Master’s Project
The Master’s Project…
― is a group project (= at least 2 students)
― is an intensive and demanding project worth 15 ECTS credits
― best time: During semester break
― max. 12 months to complete Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

― must be supervised by an IfI professor Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science
Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

IS SOSY POC AI DS
Ø Check the fact sheet! Compulsory Compulsory
Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

Master’s project
IfI organizes a Masterʼs Project Market each semester 15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective
Ø Some open projects are presented and you can find peers area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS

INF elective area

15 ECTS

WWF elective area

6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS

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Elective Areas
Core elective area

Specific to your Major study program (IS, SOSY, POC, AI, or DS).

INF elective area

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

All modules offered by IfI on the Masterʼs level (definition in the Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science
Study Regulations, p. 31) Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

IS SOSY POC AI DS
Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
WWF elective area 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

Master’s project

All modules offered by WWF on the Masterʼs level (definition in the 15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective

Study Regulations, p. 31) Core elective
area
Core elective
area area
Core elective
area area
18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

INF elective area

15 ECTS

WWF elective area

6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS

University of Zurich Department of Informatics 29.08.2024 9

AI Major – Core Electives and Instructors

Advanced Machine Learning Lena Jäger

Advanced Techniques of Machine Translation Rico Sennrich
Algorithmic Game Theory and Mechanism Design Sven Seuken
Combinatorial Algorithms Alexander Souza
Computer Graphics Renato Pajarola
Deep Learning Manuel Günther
Essentials in Text and Speech Processing Mathias Müller
Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing 1 Simone Clematide
Network Science Claudio Tessone
Randomized Algorithms Alexander Souza
Statistical Foundations for Finance
Marc Paolella
(Mathematical and Computational Statistics with a View Towards Finance and Risk Management)
Vision Algorithms for Mobile Robotics Davide Scaramuzza
Real Analysis I Marc Paolella
Reinforcement Learning Giorgia Ramponi

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Master’s Thesis
The Master’s Thesis…
― must be written in your Major area
― is a full-time endeavor worth 30 ECTS credits (i.e., no significant side jobs or other study activities possible)
― max. 6 months to complete
― can only be started once the Masterʼs Project has been Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits
successfully completed Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science
Systems Systems Computing Intelligence
― must be supervised by an IfI professor
IS SOSY POC AI DS
Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS
Ø Check the fact sheet! Master’s project
15 ECTS

Ø Find topics on the IfI website (check the individual group pages) Core elective
area
Core elective
area
Core elective
area
Core elective
area
Core elective
area
or contact the groups directly. 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

INF elective area

15 ECTS

WWF elective area

6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS

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Further Modules
Seminar Independent Study
― one seminar is mandatory ― Optional module
― recommended from 2nd semester
Ø Check the fact sheet!
― check the Course Catalogue early and
register for the seminar within the
seminar’s application deadline

Ø Note: this deadline is shorter than the

regular module booking deadline!

External Modules
― ETH: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/credits/external-eth.html
― Mobility within Switzerland: https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/studies/application/chmobilityout.html
― International exchange: https://www.int.uzh.ch/en/out.html
― Partner universities: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/international/engagement.html

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AI at the University of Zurich

PhF
• CL
• LIRI
UZH Digital Society Initiative
• IPZ
• IKMZ
MeF
WWF • Impl. Science
• IfI • Radiologie
• IBW • OR-X
• IVW
ThF
• Digital
RWF Religion
• ITSL
• Center for
MNF Legal Data
• ML Science
• Remote sensing
• Quant.
Biomed. VetSuisse

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Minor

Available Minor programs are listed in the Course Catalogue:

https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html

Ø Master of Science UZH in Informatics (RVO22) > Minor 30

Note: Modules in the Minor area Informatics (INF) are offered

only in the Fall semester. There are no modules in the Minor area
Informatics in the Spring semester. Take this into account when
planning your next few semesters.

You can change your Minor under certain conditions:

https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/enrollment/change.html

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Hints (1/3)
― Focus on the compulsory modules in your Major and Minor programs
― Make a study plan
Ø Check course schedule of previous years for planning. Courses often stay in the same slot. Suggested order:

3rd semester:
1st semester: 2nd semester: Remaining 4th semester:
Compulsory module and Course work, course work,
Master’s Thesis
course work Master’s Project finish Master’s
Project

― Read the fact sheets well before starting the respective module or thesis
― All legally binding information regarding modules, incl. exam dates, are in the UZH Course Catalogue.
Most modules additionally have a website or OLAT course, but the Course Catalogue is binding

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Hints (2/3)
― Check the study websites of the Faculty and the Department:
― https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies.html
― https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html
― Note that booking/cancellation deadlines may vary between faculties.
― Working at IfI: Some modules/courses seek Tutors or Teaching Assistants.
Ø Check out https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html and the individual group pages.
― Mentoring, social events, representatives: Informatics student association ICU: https://icuzh.ch

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Hints (3/3)
― Consider the policies on plagiarism and scientific integrity. You find the fact sheet on plagiarism on this website:
― https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html
― The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences issued a Code of conduct for scientific integrity:
https://akademien-schweiz.ch/en/themen/scientific-culture/scientific-integrity-1/

― UZH provides a number of advice and support services for topics such as Gender Equality and Diversity, Disability, or Psychological
Counseling:
― https://www.students.uzh.ch/en/advice.html

― Practise passive and active English without tools (in exams, no translation tools are permitted)
― UZH offers English courses: https://www.sprachenzentrum.uzh.ch/en/Sprachkurse/Englisch.html

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Questions/Whom to Contact
If you have questions, please follow these steps:

1. Read the Study Regulations: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/regulations.html

2. Read the IfI’s study information and fact sheets: https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html

3. Check information in the Course Catalogue: https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html

4. Send e-mail to the respective person:

For questions about For questions specific to a course: Contact the instructor.
– Masterʼs Project
– Independent Studies For everything else, contact the Deanʼs Office:
– Masterʼs Thesis https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/staff/team.html (Study Affairs)
– Informatics studies in general
Contact the IfIʼs Study Coordinator, And of course you can ask your fellow students, for example by joining the
Daniela Bärtschi: [email protected] student association ICU: https://icuzh.ch

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Did you know?

The Informatics Library is part of the UB Sciences

on the Irchel campus!

Books can be delivered to Oerlikon free of charge:

Simply select “UB Psychology” as pick-up location in swisscovery.

https://t.uzh.ch/1mr
or https://www.ub.uzh.ch/en

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 Department of Informatics

IfI Master Welcome Event

for incoming MSc Informatics students
Monday, 23 September 2024, 12:15 in BIN 2.A.01
No registration necessary

University of Zurich Department of Informatics 29.08.2024