Koulutustarjonta

Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Security and Cloud Computing

Studies in Security and Cloud Computing give students a broad understanding of the latest and future technologies for secure mobile and cloud computing systems. Students will gain both practical engineering knowledge and theoretical insights into secure systems engineering, distributed application development, network and service architectures, and cloud and mobile platforms. We believe in combining theoretical knowledge and security expertise with product development skills. The studies are also closely linked with research at Aalto University. The graduates are well prepared for international industrial R&D jobs, security engineering and consulting, various expert roles, and doctoral studies at Aalto University and internationally.

Aalto University / hands working on a laptop / phography Aino Huovio

Tutkinto:

Diplomi-insinööri

Hakuaika:

1.12.2021 – 3.1.2022

Opetuskieli:

englanti

Kesto:

2 vuotta, täysipäiväinen

Hakukelpoisuus:

Soveltuva alempi korkeakoulututkinto

Koulutusala:

Tekniikka

Laajuus:

120 opintopistettä

Korkeakoulu:

Perustieteiden korkeakoulu

Lukuvuosimaksut:

EU/ETA-alueen ulkopuoliset kansalaiset, €15000/v (maisteriopinnot)

Lue lisää

HAKUOHJEET

The Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Security and Cloud Computing covers fundamental concepts, methods and the latest technologies on secure systems engineering, distributed application development, ubiquitous computing, network and service architectures, ubiquitous computing, and cloud and mobile computing platforms. Special attention is paid to security and privacy issues as they are critical requirements in developing and deploying services in open networks and distributed systems. The teaching methods combine theory with hands-on exercises and software development on cloud platform and mobile devices.

The Security major aims to educate professional engineers who are able to take on the most demanding R&D tasks and drive the development of future products and services. More specifically, the graduates will:

have the theoretical understanding of information security and practical skills for designing and analyzing secure computing systems.
understand the architectural principles of distributed services and applications. They are able to design, analyze and implement distributed, cloud and mobile computing systems.
have in-depth knowledge of their chosen thesis topic and are able to apply it to solving technical and scientific problems.
have strong software development skills and other technical and professional skills that enable them to take key roles in an industrial research and development environment, and qualify them to continue to doctoral studies in academia.

Structure of studies

The Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences - Security and Cloud Computing comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

Major studies (60 ECTS)
Elective studies (30 ECTS)
Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)

The elective studies can consists of an additional major courses, possible minor, multidisciplinary courses, or studies abroad.

Specialisations

Engineers must be able to apply theoretical knowledge to real world engineering tasks. Therefore, the programme combines theoretical studies with continuous hand-on exercises and projects where the new knowledge is applied. Much of the students’ time is spent on group and individual assignments that train problem solving, secure system design, and software engineering skills. In the courses that involve classroom teaching, it takes varied forms from traditional lectures and exercise sessions to discussion of group projects and student presentations. All students participate in a seminar course where students learn to write a technical or research article and present their own work.

The major's compulsory courses are:

Information Security (5 ECTS)
Cloud Software and Systems (5 ECTS)
Seminar in Computer Science (5 ECTS)

The optional courses can be chosen, for example, from the following list:

Web Software Development (5 ECTS)
Full Stack Web Development (5 ECTS)
Big Data Platforms (5 ECTS)
Internet Protocols (5 ECTS)
Cryptography (5 ECTS)
Security Engineering (5 ECTS)
Network Security (5 ECTS)
Digital Ethics (5 ECTS)
Methods of Data Mining (5 ECTS)

>> To learn more about Security and Cloud Computing studies, see the programme curriculum (into.aalto.fi).

Internationalisation

The study environment in the programme is strongly international, and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. The School of Science offers diverse possibilities for student exchange all over the world. Exchange studies can be included in the degree e.g. as an international minor.

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.

Aalto University coordinates also an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme in Security and Cloud Computing (SECCLO) in which part of the degree is completed at another university (KTH, NTNU, DTU, University of Tartu or EURECOM). This programme has a separate admission process.

Further study opportunities

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

Career opportunities

The graduates will have strong software development skills and other technical and professional skills that enable them to take key roles in an industrial research and development environment. Thus, they are well prepared for industrial R&D jobs, security engineering and consulting, various expert roles, and doctoral studies at Aalto University and abroad.

Typical job titles of recent graduates include:

Application Developer
Front-end Engineer
GIS Software Developer
Information Security Specialist
Security Consultant
Software Developer
Software Engineer
Software Security Architect

Some examples of the companies our recently graduated alumni work for are Acelvia, Creanord, DNA, Ericsson, F-Secure, Frosmo, Futurice, Houston Inc., IBM, KONE, Likeit Solutions, MediSapiens, Nixu Corporation, Second Nature Security, Solinor, Reaktor, RELEX Solutions, Smartly.io, Vainu.io.

Research focus

The topics of the major are linked to ongoing research focus areas in the Department of Computer Science.

Co-operation with other parties

The studies include opportunities for networking with local and European companies. Many of the teachers have industry background, and our partner companies contribute to some courses and projects. The partner companies also host summer interns, and majority of the master’s thesis projects are done in industry in paid projects.

Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the University bring students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinarity environment sparks new ideas, gathers enthusiasts around them and gives birth to friendships, networks, and every so often, startups.

HAIC scholarships

Helsinki-Aalto Institute for Cybersecurity (HAIC) will select several HAIC Scholars from the top applicants admitted to the Security and Cloud Computing major. A HAIC Scholar will receive generous financial aid including living cost support in the form of living cost scholarships or honours student position (part-time research-related employment during the semesters). All applicants to the Security and Cloud Computing major are automatically considered for the HAIC scholarships.

Programme-specific admission requirements

Security and Cloud Computing applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies are evaluated according to the below Evaluation criteria. The evaluation process is described under Applicant evaluation process. In addition to the obligatory application documents, this study option asks the applicants to submit also the documents listed under Requested documents.

The applications to Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences (CCIS) - Security and Cloud Computing are evaluated based on the following criteria:

Academic performance

What is evaluated?

Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies

What we look for in an applicant?

The CCIS programme is looking for applicants with excellent study success in their previous studies. In study options where the number and quality of applications is high, this means that the applicant has achieved consistently excellent grades throughout the degree studies (very high weighted average grade or GPA).

The applicant’s study success will be evaluated based on the grade point average (GPA) and grades in key courses. The time spent on the previous studies will also be taken into account. All the applicant’s previous university studies, including incomplete degrees and non‐degree studies, will be taken into consideration when evaluating study success.

The minimum GPA for applicants from Finnish universities of applied sciences is 4.0. Meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee admission to the programme. Applicants with GPA below the limit cannot be admitted unless they have other exceptional qualifications. Programme’s courses or equivalent courses completed in the open university or as non-degree studies with excellent grades may support the application.

Method of demonstrating competence

Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)

Relevance of previous studies

What is evaluated?

Content and scope of previous studies compared to demands/contents of study option applied to

What we look for in an applicant?

Applicants are expected to have a high-quality Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, communications engineering, or electrical engineering. Excellent candidates with degrees in other fields including but not limited to information systems, engineering, natural sciences, mathematics or physics will be considered if they have sufficient studies in the required areas.

The required university-level studies, as well as subjects that are considered an advantage, for Security and Cloud Computing are defined below.

Required university-level studies:

mathematics (linear algebra, calculus, probability theory, statistics, and discrete mathematics)
good programming skills
algorithms and data structures
databases
theory of computation
computer networks
web software and online services
software engineering

Studies in at least some of the following subjects are considered an advantage:

additional knowledge of mathematical methods
operating systems
advanced algorithms
mobile applications
artificial intelligence
machine learning and data mining
verification and testing
information security and cryptography
distributed computing
embedded systems
concurrent programming
advanced computer networking
project and team work

The contents of the applicant’s previous degree(s) are evaluated based on the courses on the official transcript of records. Relevant work experience, professional certificates and online courses can also be taken into account in the evaluation, but they do not in general compensate for the absence of university-level studies covering the theoretical foundations of the knowledge areas.

Method of demonstrating competence

Transcript(s) of records, course descriptions

Recognition and quality of institution

What is evaluated?	Recognition and quality of the applicant's previous institution
What we look for in an applicant?	We expect applicants to have completed their previous degree in a high-quality university and programme. The recognition of the applicant’s home university affects also the interpretation of the grades when evaluating the academic performance.
Method of demonstrating competence	International and national rankings of higher education institutions

Suitability

What is evaluated?

Applicant’s suitability to the study option, motivation, commitment to the studies, and written communication skills

What we look for in an applicant?

The applicant should be motivated to study the chosen subject and committed to full‐time studies with a plan to complete the Master’s degree in two years. We are looking for applicants who are able to express clearly the reasons for applying to the study option and describe why they would be excellent candidates for the study option.

Studies in the Master’s programme should provide genuinely new knowledge for the applicant. If the applicant already has a Master’s degree, the motivation letter should clearly indicate why another one is necessary. In most cases, non-degree studies are recommended instead.

Method of demonstrating competence

Application as a whole including motivation letter

Other areas of competence

What is evaluated?	Work experience, other qualifications and achievements
What we look for in an applicant?	Beyond their academic record, applicants may have other experience, knowledge and qualifications that prepare them for the Master’s studies and distinguish them among their peers. We particularly value demanding work experience in the area of the planned studies, participation in scientific research leading to publications, entrepreneurship, and special achievements such as success in competitions (e.g. Junction Hackathon).
Method of demonstrating competence	Curriculum vitae (CV), recommendation letters, proofs of employment, publications, other certificates, GRE or GMAT results (if available).

During the evaluation of eligible applications, Security and Cloud Computing applications are first evaluated based on the following (critical) criteria:

Academic performance
Relevance of previous studies

Only the applications who fulfil the requirements for these criteria will be evaluated against the full set of evaluation criteria. It is not possible to compensate for these criteria with other criteria. This means, for example, that motivation for Master level studies in this subject does not compensate for low grades or that relevant work experience does not compensate for higher education studies in the required subjects.

After the evaluation of the remaining criteria below, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation of all criteria.

Recognition and quality of institution
Suitability
Other areas of competence

The programme does not have a minimum quota to be fulfilled, and not all acceptable applicants will necessarily be admitted.

In addition to obligatory application documents, the applicants to Security and Cloud Computing are requested to provide the following programme-specific documents:

Motivation letter*
- The motivation letter should be written in English. The maximum length of the motivation letter is about 4000 characters. There are no specific instructions for the content of the motivation letter except for the general advice that you should write a separate motivation letter for each study option to which you apply.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)*
At least one original recommendation letter
- The recommendation letter should preferably be from a university professor, lecturer or a thesis instructor who has supervised the applicant’s studies. There are no specific instructions for the contents of the recommendation letter. The letter should comment on the applicant’s suitability and aptitude for the programme. Recommendation letters written by work supervisors are accepted as well in case some time has passed since graduation.

*) The lack of this document will adversely affect the evaluation of the application.

In addition, these additional documents add value to your application:

Short course descriptions of courses taken in the relevant subject areas
Work certificates and certificates of other relevant achievements
Copies of any publications
Official transcript of records for other university studies which are not included in the mandatory part of the application (e.g. incomplete degrees, exchange studies, non‐degree studies)
GRE or GMAT test results, if available

Contact information

For enquiries regarding application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services at [email protected].

For enquiries regarding programme-specific admission requirements or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services at Aalto University School of Science at [email protected].

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Aalto University students enjoying coffee in the campus restaurant

Aalto-yliopisto on rohkeiden ajattelijoiden yhteisö, jossa tiede ja taide kohtaavat tekniikan ja talouden. Koulutamme muutoksentekijöitä ratkaisemaan yhteiskunnan suuria haasteita ja luomaan hyvinvointia.

Student Ekaterina Shmeleva from School of Science standing at Otaniemi campus / photo Aalto University, Matti Ahlgren

"Olen onnellinen siitä, etten päätynyt muualle" - HAIC-stipendiaatit erittäin tyytyväisiä opintoihinsa Aallossa

20.10.2020 Uutiset

Julkaistu: 7.9.2018
Päivitetty: 23.11.2021

Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences – Security and Cloud Computing

Tutkinto:

Hakuaika:

Opetuskieli:

Kesto:

Hakukelpoisuus:

Koulutusala:

Laajuus:

Korkeakoulu:

Lukuvuosimaksut:

Hakuaika on päättynyt

Structure of studies

Specialisations

Me välitämme yksityisyydestäsi.

Internationalisation

Further study opportunities

Career opportunities

Research focus

Co-operation with other parties

HAIC scholarships

Programme-specific admission requirements

Evaluation criteria

Academic performance

Relevance of previous studies

Recognition and quality of institution

Suitability

Other areas of competence

Applicant evaluation process

Requested documents

Contact information

Juttele Aallon opiskelijoiden kanssa!

Get to know us

Opiskelu Aallossa

"Olen onnellinen siitä, etten päätynyt muualle" - HAIC-stipendiaatit erittäin tyytyväisiä opintoihinsa Aallossa

Hakuaika on päättynyt