Teaching method

 Fostering interdisciplinarity:

The master program in computer science engineering is inherently interdisciplinary.

Indeed, in addition to the mandatory course in electronics, the student who wishes can, on one hand, direct himself toward the option "Networks and Telecommunication" which is at the frontier between computing and electricity. On the other hand, the student has the opportunity to choose the option "Computing and Applied mathematics" at the frontier between computing and applied mathematics or the option "Biomedical engineering and bioinformatics" applying computing to life sciences.

In addition, a student who has a coherent personal learning project has the possibility to open up his formation to non-technical disciplines through elective courses.

Finally, like any engineer, the computer science engineer will have to manage projects during his career, lead a team and focus on the complex socio-economic context in which computing fits. The master program in computer science engineering therefore offers options in management and SME creation (CPME).

 Variety of learning strategies:

The pedagogical approach used in the master program is in continuity with that of the Bachelor of Engineering program: active learning, a balanced mix of teamwork and individual work, attention given to the development of non-technical skills.

In particular, the approach puts forward project activities (including a large-scale project putting the students in a semi-professional situation). This type of formation develops in the students a critical mind capable of designing, of modelling, of implementing and validating complex computing systems.

The graduation project represents half of the workload of the last year; it offers the possibility to cover a given subject in depth and constitutes, by its size and the context in which it takes place, a true introduction to the professional life of an engineer or a researcher.

 Diversity of learning situations:

The student will be confronted to various pedagogic devices adapted to the different disciplines: lectures, projects, exercise sessions, problem-based learning sessions, case studies, experimental laboratories, industrial or research internships, group and individual assignments, seminars. In certain subjects, e-learning allows the students to learn by following their own pace and perform virtual experiments.

This variety of situations helps the student to shape his knowledge in an iterative and progressive way, while developing his autonomy, his organisational skills, his control of time, his ability to communicate in different modes, etc. State-of-the-art computer facilities (hardware, software, networks) are at the disposal of the students for their work.

 Use of foreign languages:

Globalisation impose on any society to open towards foreign markets. Moreover, the most common language of computer science is English. The use of English for the whole curriculum allows students to develop their mastery of the English language, which will ease their integration in foreign universities and companies. All course material and supervision are in English but the student can always ask questions or answer his exams in French if desired.

Moreover, the program allows for attending language courses at the university's Institute of Languages (ILV) and for taking part in foreign exchange programs.

The learning activities are assessed according to the rules of the University (see exam regulations), that is through written and oral exams, personal or group assignments, public presentation of projects and defence of the graduation thesis.
For the courses given in English, questions will be expressed in English by the teacher, but the student may choose to answer in French.
For the courses given in French, the questions will be expressed in French by the teacher, but the student may ask for help in translation and choose to answer in English.