Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences - Communications Engineering

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Watch recording of the programme webinar held on December 19th 2019.

Objectives of studies

The world comprises networks that connect people and devices that are a prerequisite for all other technologies to work successfully. As new technologies need better networks, building, maintaining and developing them is crucial for our future. The Communications Engineering study option prepares students to answer the needs of this rapidly evolving field. Communications Engineering graduates have:

• Excellent knowledge of technology fundamentals. Graduates are experts in the fields of internet technologies, wireless communications and communications ecosystems.
   
• Solid understanding of behavioural economics and sciences. Graduates know what makes communications technology usable and economically feasible.
   
• Solid understanding of business dynamics. Graduates know the laws of business and can navigate accordingly.
   
• In-depth programming skills. Graduates have exceptional skills in programming, including readiness for demanding fields like machine learning and network protocols.
   
• Practical experience in the field. Graduates have worked closely within the industry already during the studies and have good connections to leading companies.
   
• World-shaping power in their hands. Graduates possess the knowledge and tools to have great impact on technological advancements and the future.

Upon graduation from the Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Communications Engineering programme, graduates possess excellent knowledge and skills in the field of communications technology as well as a lot of relevant hands-on experience from the industry.

Career opportunities

The Nordics are the focal point of communications engineering. Two of the top three industry-leaders, Nokia and Ericsson, have grown here and are proof of the Nordics being the world’s leading telecom cluster. Other major equipment manufacturers (e.g. Huawei, Airbus Defence and Space) are present in Finland, making the ICT industry even stronger.

Aalto University and the Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Communications Engineering work closely with the described industry, guaranteeing excellent employment opportunities. Besides the telecom sector, other industrial sectors and governmental organisations are looking to hire Communications Engineering graduates. Usually, the career path starts already during studies – for example in the form of an internship, project work or a thesis carried out for a company.

Students can undertake internships in the industry already during their studies. The most successful students are offered the possibility to work in a research group along their studies - read more about the Honours programme in Communications and Networking.

Leader in industry collaboration

Aalto University is among the top-ranked universities in the world related to industry collaboration. As a graduate, you can leverage on our connections. Aalto Industrial Internet Campus offers you the possibility to network with students from other engineering disciplines and prestigious industrial partners.

Appreciated PhDs for universities and industry

Some of our graduates continue their education towards a doctoral degree either in Finland or abroad. Our PhD alumni are appreciated in top universities around the globe, as well as in the industry seeking senior R&D personnel.

Communications engineering students with excellent study progress are able to tailor their study plan towards a research career during their master studies by applying to the doctoral track. The selection is based on excellent study progress and shown potential in the form of a special assignment done in a department research group. Applying to the doctoral track takes place on an on-going basis. More information about the doctoral track can be found on the department web page.

Build the startup of your dreams?

Aalto University supports entrepreneurship and startups in various ways. Our new business incubators, hubs, courses and communities have already helped over 500 startups grow their wings. If you wish to become an entrepreneur, Aalto is the place for you.

Qualification

Graduates of the programme will graduate with a Master of Science (Technology) degree (diplomi-insinööri in Finnish).

Post-graduate studies

The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is primarily English, and the programme can be completed entirely in English. Some courses can be taken in Finnish or Swedish. More information is available in the General information about studies page (aalto.fi).

Tuition fees

The tuition fee is €15 000 per year for non-EU/EEA students. More information on Scholarships and Tuition Fees page (aalto.fi).

Content of studies

Studying in the Communications Engineering study option consists of lectures, individual assignments, collaborative projects and hands-on experiments. Students enjoy strong peer support and face-to-face help from professors as the group of Communications Engineering students is relatively small.

The Communications Engineering study option has a technological core that is supported by more human-centred behavioural economics and sciences. It focuses on communications and networking technology, networking business, and human-centric communications. Students can follow their interests and choose their specification area out of the following options:

Advanced networking & cloud technologies for mobile systems

Students learn to design data networks, cloud systems, and services for the use of large enterprises and operators (fixed and mobile) taking into account efficiency, scalability, security and reliability. They also learn how networks can be virtualized and run on cloud systems for lowering operational expenses and easing remote management.

Our courses give an excellent basis to understand and develop advanced networking technologies and cloud technologies for beyond 5G networks, data centers, and e-commerce; impacting both  private and public sectors. The main objective of our courses is to educate youth and instill in them the capacity to empower the society with innovative mobile services, and help Finland retain the competitive edge in the field of mobile communication systems. 

Communications Ecosystems

Students learn about network economics, to conduct techno-economic analyses of communications systems and services, to design value networks, and to understand the end-user needs and behaviour.

Human-centric communications

Students interested in human aspects of communications can take courses on user research, human factors engineering, user interfaces, and AI-based methods for interaction.

Mobile computing and ambient intelligence

Students learn the key information technologies and operation strategies needed for humans to access data ubiquitously while being mobile as well as how various sensor technologies and artificial intelligence techniques can be utilized to make the everyday environment sensitive to the user needs. Our courses give an excellent basis to understand and develop new services and applications in the 5G era.

Wireless Communications

Students learn about  the modern wireless communication system architectures, fundamentals of the underlaying communications theory and signal processing methods, resource control methods and the related spectrum management issues. Our courses give an excellent basis to understand and develop new technologies for beyond 5G radio access networks.

The topics covered in the courses depend strongly on the chosen specification area. In any case, the variety of courses provided is diverse and large. Here are some examples of courses provided in the study option:

• Algorithmic Methods of Data Mining (5 ECTS)
• Big Data Platforms
• Communications theory (5 ECTS)
• Cybersecurity (5 ECTS)
• Human-Computer Interaction (5 ECTS)
• Internet Protocols (5 ECTS)
• Internet Traffic Measurements and Analysis (5 ECTS)
• Machine Learning for Mobile and Pervasive Systems (5 ECTS)
• Routing and SDN (5 ECTS)
• Signal Processing for Communications (5 ECTS)
• Value Network Design for Internet Services (5 ECTS)
• Wireless Systems (5 ECTS)

See the programme curriculum in the study portal Into

Structure of the studies

The Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Communications Engineering is organised by the School of Electrical Engineering and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

• Major studies (60 ECTS)
• Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
• Elective studies (30 ECTS)

Communications Engineering is one of the eight study options in the Master's Programme in Computer, Communications and Information Sciences. New students are admitted directly to this study option and there is no additional process for choosing a study option after the admission.

At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (PSP) together with an academic advisor. The primary purpose of PSP is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order.

Thesis

Students are required to complete a Master's thesis, which is a research assignment with a workload corresponding to 30 ECTS credits. The topic of the thesis is agreed upon by the student and the supervising professor. Master's theses are typically written for one of the research projects of the department(s) in question or related industry.

Internationalisation

The study environment in the programme is strongly international, and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. The School of Electrical Engineering offers diverse possibilities for student exchange all over the world. Exchange studies can be easily included in the degree e.g. as an international minor. Communications Engineering students have also the opportunity to take the second-year studies at EURECOM in Sophia Antipolis, France, and complete a double degree graduating from both Aalto University and EURECOM.

Other possibilities for developing one’s global competence are e.g. conducting practical training abroad, taking a summer course abroad or acting as a tutor for first-year students.

Co-operation with other parties

The Department of Communications and Networking operates closely with the national and international companies and research institutes of the field. In addition, the department has academic co-operation with high quality international universities and organisations.

Research focus

The topics of the programme are linked to the research focus areas in the Department of Communications and Networking  and Department of Signal Processing and Acoustics at the School of Electrical engineering.

Contact information

Admissions

For enquiries regarding the application process, application documents and language tests, please contact [email protected].

School of Electrical Engineering

For enquiries regarding the content of programme, the studies at the School of Electrical Engineering and the study option specific documents please contact [email protected].