ma-informatik-21w_enss
ma-informatik-21w_enss
Data Science
Curriculum 2024
This curriculum was approved by the Senate of the University of Graz at the meeting of 22 May 2024, and by the
Senate of Graz University of Technology at the meeting of 27 May 2024.
The Master’s Degree Programme Data Science is a jointly offered degree programme (§ 54 (7) Universities Act
2002) of the University of Graz (Uni Graz) and Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) within the framework of
“NAWI Graz”. The legal bases of this degree programme are the Universities Act 2002 (UG) and the Legal Regula-
tions for Academic Affairs in the statutes of TU Graz and Uni Graz, as amended.
Please note: the English version of this document is a courtesy translation. Only the German version is legally bind-
ing.
Table of Contents
I. GENERAL ................................................................................................................................................. 2
§1 SUBJECT MATTER OF DEGREE PROGRAMME AND QUALIFICATION PROFILE .................................................................. 2
§4 GROUP SIZES................................................................................................................................................. 6
§9 MASTER’S THESIS......................................................................................................................................... 13
Application of knowledge
Graduates
• can implement and expand on statistical and artificial intelligence algorithms using the latest
programming languages,
• are able to manage, analyse and interpret large quantities of data gathered with real-world
systems,
• can independently acquire new knowledge and conduct scientific research independently,
• can apply complex scientific methods,
• are able to work on scientific tasks independently, and
• can apply their knowledge and problem-solving abilities in new and unfamiliar situations.
(3) Need and relevance of the degree programme for science and for the labour market:
Over the last decade, data science has become increasingly established as an independent sci-
entific field worldwide. In particular, fundamental research in this area has grown exponentially.
At the same time, data science approaches to statistics, machine learning or artificial intelligence
have found their way into almost all scientific and academic disciplines, from the natural sci-
ences to the humanities. Graduates of this degree programme are able to conduct both funda-
mental and applied research in science. The master’s degree programme also provides students
with the skills required for independent scientific work within the framework of a doctoral pro-
gramme.
Rapid developments in digitalisation, as we are currently seeing them especially in industry, are
largely driven by a wider availability of data and advances in data-based technologies such as
machine learning and artificial intelligence. Data science approaches are expected to hold enor-
mous potential for future innovation, and thus there is a high demand from industry for the skills
of data scientists. Graduates meet this demand thanks to their in-depth training and are a ver-
satile asset in research, development and industrial production, driving innovation and strength-
ening and expanding industrial leadership positions in the future.
§2 Admission requirements
(1) a. The Master’s Degree Programme Data Science builds on the Bachelor’s Degree Programme
Mathematics offered at NAWI Graz and the Bachelor’s Degree Programme Computer Science
offered at TU Graz. Graduates of these bachelor’s degree programmes thus meet the admis-
sion requirements for the Master’s Degree Programme Data Science.
(3) Any degree programmes that are not mentioned in (1) and that do not meet the requirements of
(2) are not considered equivalent to a subject-related degree programme. If at least 90 ECTS credit
points have been completed in the subject areas mentioned in (2), full equivalence may be estab-
lished by requiring supplementary examinations. Additional completion of supplementary exami-
nations may be required to the extent of a maximum of 30 ECTS credit points.
(4) Any degree programmes that are not mentioned in (1) and do not meet the requirements of (2) and
(3) are not close enough in subject matter to establish full equivalency. In such cases, admission to
the Master’s Degree Programme Data Science is not possible.
(5) Proof of sufficient English language skills is a prerequisite for admission to the degree programme.
The type of proof required is specified in a regulation issued by the Rectorate.
(2) Examinations taken as part of a bachelor’s or diploma degree programme that served as a prereq-
uisite for admission to a subsequent master’s degree programme can only be recognised for this
subsequent master’s degree programme to the extent that the scope of the bachelor’s or diploma
degree programme exceeds 180 ECTS credit points.
§4 Group sizes
The following maximum numbers of participants (group sizes) have been established:
Lecture (VO)
Lecture part of lecture with integrated no restriction
exercises (VU)
Exercise (UE)
Exercise part of lecture with integrated 25
exercises (VU)
Supplementary tutorial (KO/KV)
Project (PT) 10
Seminar (SE) 10
Design exercise (KU) 25
(2) Up to 10% of the places on the course are reserved for students completing part of their studies at
a NAWI Graz university as part of a mobility programme.
3: 2 semester course hours lecture part, 1 semester course hour exercise part
4
: If a student has completed the course Computational Intelligence (VO+UE) as part of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme Information
and Computer Engineering or the Bachelor’s Degree Programme Software Engineering and Management, the scope of Module A.4
may be reduced by Machine Learning 1 (VO+UE) and, to offset this, the scope of Modules C must be increased by at least the same
amount of ECTS credit points.
5: For Bridge Modules A.1 and A.3 in semester I.
6
: 1 semester course hour lecture part, 1 semester course hour exercise part.
7
: For Bridge Modules A.1 and A.3 in semester III.
8: Course is offered in summer and winter semesters.
§7 Elective modules
As outlined in § 3 (1), 17 to 22.5 ECTS credit points must be completed from the six elective modules of
Modules C: Elective Subjects. Of these, either a) at least 4.5 ECTS credit points must be completed from
the elective modules C.1‒C.2 and at least 4.5 ECTS credit points from the elective modules C.3‒C.6, OR
b) at least 8 ECTS credit points must be completed abroad in courses that are attributable to Modules
C: Elective Subjects.
The elective modules of Modules C: Elective Subjects may be completed in their entirety at a partner
university as part of the ARQUS or Unite! cooperations. The officers responsible for study matters de-
termine the suitability for recognition of any course in agreement with the partner universities and pub-
lish their findings on the website for the degree programme. The student must apply for the necessary
stay abroad, e.g. via Erasmus+, in good time.
4: The de facto ECTS credit points are published in the online system of the respective university (TUGonline/UNIGRAZonline).
(2) For Elective Module C.2: Modelling in Data Science, courses from the following elective module
catalogue must be completed.
Elective Module C.2: Modelling in Data Science
Course SSt. Type ECTS Uni Graz1 TU Graz1
C.2.1 Time Series Analysis 3 VO 4.5 x
C.2.2 Time Series Analysis 1 UE 1.5 x
C.2.3 Mathematische Modellierung in Data Science2 4 VU3 6 x
C.2.4 Mathematical Modelling in the Natural Sciences 3 VO 4 x
C.2.5 Mathematical Modelling in the Natural Sciences 1 UE 1 x
C.2.6 Statistical Modelling 3 VO 4 x
C.2.7 Statistical Modelling 1 UE 1.5 x
C.2.8 Inverse Problems 3 VO 4.5 x
C.2.9 Inverse Problems 1 UE 1.5 x
C.2.10 Advanced Topics in Bayesian Statistics 3 VO 4.5 x
C.2.11 Advanced Topics in Bayesian Statistics 1 UE 1.5 x
C.2.12 Elective Subject Modelling in Data Science: “Subheading”4 1‒4 VO/UE/VU 1.5-6 x x
1: Assignment of the course to the participating universities. Both universities are named if the course is offered at both universities in combi-
nation, in parallel or alternately.
2: This course is offered in English as “Mathematical Modelling in Data Science”.
3: 2 semester course hours lecture part, 2 semester course hours exercise part.
4: The de facto ECTS credit points are published in the online system of the respective university (TUGonline/UNIGRAZonline).
(3) For Elective Module C.3: Advanced Machine Learning, courses from the following elective module
catalogue must be completed.
Master’s Degree Programme Data Science Version of 1 October 2024
NAWI Graz 10
Elective Module C.3: Advanced Machine Learning
Course SSt. Type ECTS Uni Graz1 TU Graz1
C.3.1 Deep Learning 2 VO 3 x
C.3.2 Deep Learning 1 KU 2 x
C.3.3 Mathematics of Deep Learning 2 VO 3 x
C.3.4 Mathematics of Deep Learning 2 UE 3 x
C.3.5 Generative Modelling 4 VU2 6 x
C.3.6 Reinforcement Learning 2 VO 3 x
C.3.7 Reinforcement Learning 1 KU 2 x
C.3.8 Physics Informed Learning 4 VU2 6 x
C.3.9 Natural Language Processing 3 VU3 5 x
C.3.10 Recommender Systems 2 VU4 3 x
C.3.11 Elective Subject Advanced Machine Learning: “Subheading”5 1‒4 VO/UE/VU 1.5-6 x x
1: Assignment of the course to the participating universities. Both universities are named if the course is offered at both universities in combi-
nation, in parallel or alternately.
2: 2 semester course hours lecture part, 2 semester course hours exercise part.
3: 1.5 semester course hours lecture part, 1.5 semester course hours exercise part.
4: 1 semester course hour lecture part, 1 semester course hour exercise part.
5
: The de facto ECTS credit points are published in the online system of the respective university (TUGonline/UNIGRAZonline).
(4) For Elective Module C.4: Visual Computing, courses from the following elective module catalogue
must be completed.
Elective Module C.4: Visual Computing
Course SSt. Type ECTS Uni Graz1 TU Graz1
C.4.1 Mathematische Signal- und Bildverarbeitung2 3 VO 4.5 x
C.4.2 Mathematische Signal- und Bildverarbeitung2 1 UE 1.5 x
C.4.3 Mathematical Principles in Visual Computing 3 VU3 5 x
C.4.4 Medical Image Analysis 2 VO 3 x
C.4.5 Medical Image Analysis 1 KU 2 x
C.4.6 Information Visualisation 3 VU3 5 x
C.4.7 Image Processing and Pattern Recognition 2 VO 3 x
C.4.8 Image Processing and Pattern Recognition 1 KU 2 x
C.4.9 Visual Analytics 3 VU3 5 x
C.4.10 Elective Subject Visual Computing: “Subheading”4 1‒4 VO/UE/VU 1.5-6 x x
1: Assignment of the course to the participating universities. Both universities are named if the course is offered at both universities in combi-
nation, in parallel or alternately.
2: This course is offered in English as “Mathematical Signal and Image Processing”.
3: 2 semester course hours lecture part, 1 semester course hour exercise part.
4: The de facto ECTS credit points are published in the online system of the respective university (TUGonline/UNIGRAZonline).
(5) For Elective Module C.5: Applied Data Analysis Methods and Computing, courses from the follow-
ing elective module catalogue must be completed.
Elective Module C.5: Applied Data Analysis Methods and
Computing
3
: 2 semester course hours lecture part, 1 semester course hour exercise part.
4: 1 semester course hour lecture part, 1 semester course hour exercise part.
5: 1 semester course hour lecture part, 2 semester course hours exercise part.
6: The de facto ECTS credit points are published in the online system of the respective university (TUGonline/UNIGRAZonline).
(6) For Elective Module C.6: Applications of Data Science, courses from the following elective module
catalogue must be completed.
Elective Module C.6: Applications of Data Science
Course SSt. Type ECTS Uni Graz1 TU Graz1
C.6.1 Selected Topics of Business Informatics 2 VO 2 x
C.6.2 Selected Topics of Business Informatics 1 UE 1 x
C.6.3 Business Modelling and Simulation 2 VO 2 x
C.6.4 Business Modelling and Simulation 2 UE 2 x
C.6.5 Selected Topics of Business Simulation 2 SE 2 x
C.6.6 Elective Subjects Applications of Data Science: “Subheading”2 1‒4 VO/UE/VU 1.5-6 x x
1: Assignment of the course to the participating universities. Both universities are named if the course is offered at both universities in combination,
in parallel or alternately.
2: The de facto ECTS credit points are published in the online system of the respective university (TUGonline/UNIGRAZonline).
§8 Free-choice subjects
(1) The courses to be completed as part of the free-choice subjects in the Master’s Degree Programme
Data Science are designed to provide individual strategic focus and further development of the
students. They may be freely selected from the courses offered by any recognised national or in-
ternational universities as well as recognised national post-secondary educational institutions.
Appendix III contains recommendations for specific free-choice courses.
(2) If no specific number of ECTS credit points is assigned to a free-choice course, ECTS credit points
are allocated by the officer responsible for study matters according to the estimated time spent on
the course.
§ 12 Assessment of modules
The overall grade for a module is the average grade of all examinations completed as part of the module,
weighted according to ECTS credit points. The grade is rounded up if the decimal place exceeds 0.5.
Otherwise, the grade is rounded down. Examinations whose assessment consists only of “successfully
completed/not completed” are not included in the calculation of the overall module assessment. Posi-
tive assessment of a module requires the positive assessment of all individual examinations to be com-
pleted within the module.
§ 13 Master’s examination
(1) The master’s examination is an oral examination before a committee and consists of
• the presentation of the master’s thesis (max. 20 minutes),
• the defence of the master’s thesis (examination interview on the subject matter of the mas-
ter’s thesis and other subject-related areas), as well as
• an examination interview on another subject area covered in the master’s degree pro-
gramme.
§ 14 Completion of studies
(1) The master’s degree programme is completed once all academic achievements pursuant to § 3
have been assessed positively.
(2) Successful completion of the degree programme is documented by issuing a certificate. The mas-
ter’s degree certificate for the Master’s Degree Programme Data Science is composed of:
a. a list of all the completed modules as set out in § 3 (along with their ECTS credit points)
and their assessment results,
b. the title and assessment of the master’s thesis,
c. the assessment of the master’s examination,
d. the total of the ECTS credit points of the free-choice subjects as defined in § 8, and
e. the overall assessment.
Module A.2 Bridge Courses for Students with a Degree in Computer Science
ECTS credit points 13.5
Contents Brushing-up and deepening of fundamental mathematical knowledge in the
areas of linear algebra, analysis, statistics and probability theory.
Expected learning outcomes Students can
• explain fundamental concepts of linear algebra and use them cor-
rectly in context.
• explain the basic concepts of multivariate calculus.
• examine functions and mappings in Euclidean space qualitatively
and quantitatively.
• describe data from different experiments or processes using sto-
chastic models.
• understand how to draw conclusions from data sets using statisti-
cal inference methods.
• use subject-specific language correctly to formulate questions pre-
cisely and present them in a structured manner.
• explain the relationship between different mathematical concepts
and applications in data science.
• apply such concepts to solve data science problems.
Recommended prerequisites Fundamental knowledge of linear algebra, statistics and probability theory,
for participation as well as prior knowledge of differential and integral calculus in one di-
mension.
Frequency in which the Every academic year.
module is provided
Module A.4 Bridge Courses for Students with a Degree in Software Engineering
and Management or Information and Computer Engineering
ECTS credit points 18
Contents Brushing-up and deepening of fundamental mathematical knowledge in the
areas of linear algebra, analysis, statistics and probability theory. Introduc-
tion to machine learning.
Expected learning outcomes Students can
• understand the fundamental concepts of linear algebra in depth.
• explain the basic concepts of multivariate calculus.
• examine functions and mappings in Euclidean space qualitatively
and quantitatively.
• describe data from different experiments or processes using sto-
chastic models.
• draw conclusions from data sets using statistical inference meth-
ods.
• use subject-specific language correctly to formulate questions pre-
cisely and present them in a structured manner.
• explain the relationship between different mathematical concepts
and applications in data science.
• apply such concepts to solve data science problems.
• explain the key concepts of machine learning and use them cor-
rectly in context.
Recommended prerequisites Fundamental knowledge of linear algebra, statistics and probability theory,
for participation as well as prior knowledge of differential and integral calculus in one di-
mension. Basic programming knowledge.
2nd semester
A.1.1 Data Management 2 VO 3 x
A.1.2 Data Management 1 KU 1 x
A.1.3 Machine Learning 1 2 VO 3 x
A.1.4 Machine Learning 1 1 UE 1.5 x
B.2.2 Introduction to IT-Law 2 VO 3 x
B.4.3 Machine Learning 2 2 VO 3 x
B.4.4 Machine Learning 2 1 KU 1.5 x
B.5.1 Optimisation for Data Science 2 VO 3 x
B.5.2 Optimisation for Data Science 2 UE 3 x
B.6.1 Project in Data Science 4 PT 6 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
2 x x
subjects
2nd semester total 30
3rd semester
B.3.2 Data Integration and Large Scale Analysis 3 VU 5 x
B.4.1 Statistical Learning 2 VO 3 x
B.4.2 Statistical Learning 1 UE 1.5 x
B.7.2 Seminar in Data Science 2 SE 4 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
15.5 x x
subjects
3rd semester total 29
4th semester
Master’s examination 1 x x
Master’s thesis 30 x x
4th semester total 31
2nd semester
B.2.2 Introduction to IT-Law 2 VO 3 x
B.4.3 Machine Learning 2 2 VO 3 x
B.4.4 Machine Learning 2 1 KU 1.5 x
B.5.1 Optimisation for Data Science 2 VO 3 x
B.5.2 Optimisation for Data Science 2 UE 3 x
B.6.1 Project in Data Science 4 PT 6 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
10.5 x x
subjects
2nd semester total 30
3rd semester
B.1.3 Bayesian Modelling 3 VU 4.5 x
B.4.1 Statistical Learning 2 VO 3 x
B.4.2 Statistical Learning 1 UE 1.5 x
B.7.2 Seminar in Data Science 2 SE 4 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
16 x x
subjects
3rd semester total 29
4th semester
Master’s examination 1 x x
Master’s thesis 30 x x
4th semester total 31
2nd semester
A.3.1 Data Management 2 VO 3 x
A.3.2 Data Management 1 KU 1 x
A.3.3 Machine Learning 1 2 VO 3 x
A.3.4 Machine Learning 1 1 UE 1.5 x
B.2.2 Introduction to IT-Law 2 VO 3 x
B.4.3 Machine Learning 2 2 VO 3 x
B.4.4 Machine Learning 2 1 KU 1.5 x
B.5.1 Optimisation for Data Science 2 VO 3 x
B.5.2 Optimisation for Data Science 2 UE 3 x
B.6.1 Project in Data Science 4 PT 6 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
2 x x
subjects
2nd semester total 30
3rd semester
B.3.2 Data Integration and Large Scale Analysis 3 VU 5 x
B.4.1 Statistical Learning 2 VO 3 x
B.4.2 Statistical Learning 1 UE 1.5 x
B.7.2 Seminar in Data Science 2 SE 4 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
15.5 x x
subjects
3rd semester total 29
4th semester
Master’s examination 1 x x
Master’s thesis 30 x x
4th semester total 31
Appendix II d: Recommended Curriculum Timeline for Students with a Degree in Software Engineering
and Management or Information and Computer Engineering
2nd semester
A.4.5 Machine Learning 1 2 VO 3 x
A.4.6 Machine Learning 1 1 UE 1.5 x
B.2.2 Introduction to IT-Law 2 VO 3 x
B.4.3 Machine Learning 2 2 VO 3 x
B.4.4 Machine Learning 2 1 KU 1.5 x
B.5.1 Optimisation for Data Science 2 VO 3 x
B.5.2 Optimisation for Data Science 2 UE 3 x
B.6.1 Project in Data Science 4 PT 6 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
6 x x
subjects
2nd semester total 30
3rd semester
B.1.3 Bayesian Modelling 3 VU 4.5 x
B.4.1 Statistical Learning 2 VO 3 x
B.4.2 Statistical Learning 1 UE 1.5 x
B.7.2 Seminar in Data Science 2 SE 4 x x
Courses from Modules C: Elective Subjects or free-choice
16 x x
subjects
3rd semester total 29
4th semester
Master’s examination 1 x x
Master’s thesis 30 x x
4th semester total 31
As free-choice subjects, students can choose courses as desired in accordance with 0 8 of this curriculum.