About the education

One of the most important trends in information and communication technology is the tremendous increase in the number of internet connected devices (30 billion by 2025, according to industry predictions). This booming technology area is usually referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). The rapid growth of the IoT, which is often called the fourth wave of digitalisation, is a trend of global importance that touches almost every aspect of society.

The Computer Science: Internet of Things, Master’s Programme (two-year) prepares students for careers in a rapidly growing global industry. The demand for people with IoT engineering skills is expected to increase dramatically. Future innovation in the IoT area is expected to accelerate the growth of the IoT sector. This will lead to a growing demand in society for IoT system developers who have skills in the complete IoT value chain while, at the same time, also understand IoT business aspects. This new and unique master’s programme is designed to meet the demand for IoT system developers and has therefore been shaped to address some of the main challenges that both academy and industry have highlighted in relation to the IoT. These include: security, privacy, big data management, interoperability, business models, and usability.

The Computer Science: Internet of Things, Master’s Programme (two-year) is relevant for students with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Software Engineering, Informatics, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.

Students will deepen their understanding and skills by practising methods and technologies used by industry experts at the forefront of IoT research and development. The programme is both theoretical and has practical elements. The courses focus on the main technological aspects and challenges relevant for future IoT system developers. These include connected devices with limited resources; new computing paradigms; user experience; artificial intelligence (AI) and data management; software architecture and security, innovation, and business models.

Programme course overview

Students will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills in practice, mainly by working on real IoT-cases from both industry and the public sector. Through collaborative projects with external stakeholders, the students build up a repertoire of widely sought-after skills and the ability to solve specific IoT problems.

In the course Introduction to IoT, students will gain a general overview of the IoT field. This includes the technical skills on how the IoT can be integrated into different types of services, knowledge of the various opportunities and risks associated with the technology, and how the IoT relates to the global goals for sustainable development.

The course IoT Prototyping and User Experience IoT introduces common techniques for describing and visualising concept ideas, and developing prototypes. The course also covers various approaches to user testing to validate the relevance and design of IoT systems. The goal is to give the student a good understanding of what constitutes good user experience and design of IoT systems.

The goal of the course AI and Data Management for IoT is to develop the student’s knowledge in the application of artificial intelligence, data processing methods and data storage systems related to IoT applications.

The course Software Architecture and Security for IoT covers software architecture and security of IoT-based systems. This includes both technical skills as well as a general understanding of the risks and opportunities associated with IoT systems and how they are designed and used.

The Research Methodology course prepares students for the master’s thesis project in the final semester by giving them a necessary understanding of research methodology in computer science. The course also helps students to develop their ability to select and critically reflect on different research designs in this field, including a specific problem area that the student chooses to focus on during the course.

The goal of the course Innovation and Business Models for IoT is to provide an overview of the theories, methods and processes that are relevant for innovation in computer science and particularly in the IoT field. The course also supports students to develop their business thinking skills as well as their understanding of business models in general, and the business models used in the IoT field in particular.

In the course IoT Innovation Project, students apply knowledge and skills from previous parts of the programme and use new knowledge from research to develop a business innovation project in a specific area of IoT. The project could focus on project management and data-driven research and development, artificial intelligence, interaction design, systems architecture, sensor networks or protocols and standards.

In the final semester, the master’s thesis lets students further develop their ability for critical thinking, argumentation and problem solving by carrying out independent scientific work in the field of computer science. This is done with a particular focus on the Internet of Things, including social aspects such as sustainability and equality.

After graduation, the industry or research track

Developed in cooperation with the partner companies, the master’s programme meets a demand in the labour market. Therefore, after graduation from the programme the students will be highly employable not only in industry but also in public sector organisations.

For students who wish to continue in academia as researchers, the programme’s proximity to the Internet of Things and People (IoTaP) research centre at Malmö University offers graduates good possibilities to continue on to doctoral studies.

Internet of Things and People research centre

Courses within the programme

Entry requirements and selection

Entry requirements

1. Bachelor of Science in Engineering (at least 180 credits) or a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields such as computer engineering, computer and information science, software engineering, informatics, telecommunications or electrical engineering.
2. At least 15 credits in programming, system development or equivalent.
3. Equivalent of English 6 in secondary school.

Selection

100% University credits completed

A unique programme focusing on the main technological aspects of IoT, including human factors, innovation and business models

Romina Spalazzese is an associate professor in computer science and has been involved in the development of the Computer Science: Internet of Things master’s programme.

A unique programme focusing on the main technological aspects of IoT, including human factors, innovation and business models

Romina Spalazzese is an associate professor in computer science and has been involved in the development of the Computer Science: Internet of Things master’s programme.

Who should apply to this master’s programme?

Students and practitioners who want to learn, upgrade, update or expand their competences in the field of the Internet of Things.

What makes this programme unique?

Computer Science: Internet of Things is the only master's education programme in Sweden dedicated to IoT. This programme has a unique focus on the main technological aspects relevant for IoT system developers, while also including human factors as well as innovation and business models.

This programme includes topics that are key elements of the entire IoT value chain. These include connected devices with limited resources; new computing paradigms; user experience for IoT; artificial intelligence (AI) and data management for IoT; software architecture and security for IoT; innovation; and business models.The programme includes both theoretical and practical elements through projects and theses in collaboration with industry and society at large.

In what ways do the knowledge and skills taught in the programme prepare students for the job market?

When we created this programme we gathered insights through a collaboration with companies working within the IoT sector. What we learned was that it is very difficult to identify and recruit students that have skills in the complete IoT value chain. This includes people who know how to involve the individual in the loop while at the same time are aware about business aspects and needs.

This programme will be highly useful for the Swedish industry in terms of the IoT knowledge and skills of our students. They will help companies to develop products and services and stay globally competitive. Moreover, these same companies see value in collaborating with this master's programme. Through various activities companies will develop close connections to our students, for example by giving guest lectures and hosting thesis projects.

In short, based on the input from the companies involved, we are confident that this programme meets a demand in the labour market. Our graduating students will be highly employable not only in industry but also in public organisations. The rapid development of different IoT-based Smart Cities and e-health applications will mean that our students have professional opportunities that both in the private and public sectors.

Why should students choose to study at Malmö University?

There are at least five very good reasons for why students should choose Malmö University! One is the high quality education we offer. Another is our well-equipped facilities located in the city centre. A third one is that we are located in the Öresund region, which is home to many information and communications technology companies. The region is thus a hub from an academic, industrial, and innovation point of view. A fourth reason is that Malmö University offers an international and welcoming environment rich in valuable diversity. The fifth reason is that the University is located in a bike-friendly city that is also very well connected both nationally and internationally through trains and airports. The Copenhagen airport is only around thirty minutes from the Malmö central station.

How does the programme prepare students for future doctoral studies?

This programme is very well connected to the Department of Computer Science and Media Technology research environment in general and, in particular, with the Internet of Things and People (IoTaP) Research Center. Among the alternatives for postgraduates that we currently offer at Malmö University is a PhD programme in Computer Science. These PhD student positions would be very suited for students of the programme.

In particular, through its course topics and formats, the programme constitutes a natural and great locus with the IoTaP core research areas, namely Embedded Intelligence and Interaction Technology.

This programme provides great opportunities to meet and be in close contact with both senior and junior research staff, both PhD students and postdocs, but also industry practitioners. The programme, by design, involves research and practice related activities in a number of different courses. This is particularly evident in the second year and the IoT innovation project and master thesis courses.

Contact

For more information about the education:

TSstudent@mau.se