This research-oriented degree programme provides an exciting opportunity to study in a leading-edge research environment. It gives students the flexibility to choose between two themes: Computer Vision and Signal Processing, and Ubiquitous Computing. Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with research groups in the department that are international leaders in their fields.

Research-oriented programme with two themes

The first theme, Computer Vision and Signal Processing, provides students a solid theoretical understanding and practical skills on digital information processing and analysis.  This information can be, for example, image, video, or audio signals that are perceived from the environment and processed using various operations such as filtering, compression and classification. The students are introduced to the essentials of computer vision as well as image and signal processing methods and technologies.  

The second theme, Ubiquitous Computing, focuses on the next generation of interactive systems that place humans at the focus of the technological development. Adopting a multidisciplinary real-world approach, students have to spend a substantial amount of time working in group projects to develop a variety of systems ranging from interactive online services to games and mobile applications, with a strong focus on innovation and design. Students gain experience in conducting usability tests with human participants, conducting experiments to evaluate their systems, and applying an iterative design approach to develop and improve their systems.

The programme is provided by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which hosts multiple  world-class research groups.  The department is renowned world-wide for its expertise in computer vision, and among its key results is the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) method that has become one of the most widely used texture operators in computer vision. Signal processing is another core area where the department has carried out leading edge research, for example, on energy-efficient architectures for embedded systems in close collaboration with many companies. Finally, the department has created a unique research environment for Ubiquitous Computing including multitouch wall-sized displays, smartphone sensing middleware and sensor networks; coupled with a strong experimental approach to developing interactive systems.

Learning outcomes

After completing the studies with a focus on Computer Vision and Signal Processing, the student can:

• Utilize basic methods in digital image and video processing, statistical pattern recognition, computer vision, and computer graphics for solving various application problems,
• Apply numerical methods such as optimization algorithms in formally defining and solving problems appearing in science and technology,
• Analyse and design digital signal processing systems, and implement algorithms, for example, to modern signal processors,
• Realize applications to the Internet using a modern software architectural style.

After completing the studies with a focus on Ubiquitous Computing the student can:

• Utilize basic methods in statistical analysis, distributed systems, experimental design, and  iterative design to specify, implement and evaluate interactive technologies,
• Develop instrumentation technologies to collect in-situ data on deployed interactive technologies and how they are actually used by human users,
• Has gained experience with a variety of interactive technologies ranging from multi-touch surfaces including video walls and smartphones, to multimodal input techniques including accelerometer-based sensing,
• Work in groups to tackle substantial long-term projects, present and promote their work, effectively communicate their findings in speech, and effectively write in academic style.

Graduate Profile

The programme will provide the graduates with the competence to continue as postgraduate students aiming for a doctoral degree, or in a wide variety of positions offered by research institutes and companies mainly operating in the field of information and communications technology (ICT). The graduates are most likely to be employed in research and development related positions, but also management positions fit into the profile.

Contact information

For further information, please e-mail all questions to admissions.officer(at)oulu.fi

See programme description according to ECTS criteria.