Department of Informatics

Master program in Informatics:

Data Science

Prof. Dr. Dan Olteanu

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Table of contents
Department of Informatics

§ About IfI/Professors
§ General Information
§ Structure of MSc Programs: Compulsory Module, Master’s Project, Core Elective, Thesis
§ Data Science
§ Hints
§ Questions/Whom to contact
§ Library
§ Welcome event for new Master’s students with major Informatics

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IfI: The Department of Informatics
Department of Informatics

– Founded in 1970 (IfI = Institut für Informatik)

– Part of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics
– Focus on human-centered informatics
– 19 Professors, 130 PhD students and Post-Docs
– 500 Bachelorʼs students
– 520 Masterʼs students
– Campus Oerlikon

You!

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IfI Professors
Department of Informatics

Professors and Research Groups

Alberto Bacchelli Jürgen Bernard Abraham Bernstein Michael Böhlen Thomas Fritz

Zurich Interactive Dynamic and Data- Human

Empirical Visual Distributed Base Aspects of
Software Engineering Data Information Technology Software
Team Analysis Group Systems Group Group Engineering

Harald Gall Manuel Günther Anikó Hannák Lorenz Hilty Elaine Huang

Software Artificial Social Informatics and Zurich

Evolution and Intelligence and Computing Sustainability People
Architecture Machine Group Research Group and
Lab Learning Group Computing Lab

Dan Olteanu Renato Pajarola Davide Scaramuzza Ingo Scholtes Gerhard Schwabe

Data Visualization and Robotics and Data Information

Systems and Multi- Perception Analytics Management
Theory Group Media Group Group Research
Lab Group

Sven Seuken Burkhard Stiller Claudio Tessone Martin Volk

Computation and Communication Blockchain and Computational

Economics Research Systems Distributed Linguistics
Group Group Ledger
Technologies

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General Information Online
Department of Informatics

Deanʼs Office: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies.html

Ø Study Regulations, Admission, Enrollment, Changing Programs, Course Booking, Important Dates,
Petitions/Appeals, …

IfI: https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html
Ø Specific to Informatics: Fact Sheets (legally binding!),
Topics/Professors, Tutors/TAs, also these slides for later reference

Please read the regulations and fact sheets!

The presentations held at the Facultyʼs Master Welcome Day

are available from:
https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/events/mwd.html
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Structure of the MSc Programs
Department of Informatics

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science

All programs comprise… Systems Systems Computing Intelligence
– a compulsory module IS SOSY POC AI DS

– a Masterʼs Project (group work!) Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory

module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS
– modules from core/elective areas
Master’s project
– a Masterʼs Thesis at the end
15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective
area area area area area
18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

More on these components INF elective area

on the next slides… 15 ECTS

WWF elective area

6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS
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Compulsory Module
Department of Informatics

The compulsory module is specific to your study program.

For Data Science: Foundations of Data Science

– Covers introductory topics to machine learning
– Main focus on the mathematical underpinning of why and how
– Strong practical component requiring programming
– Prerequisites
– Programming: Prior exposure to any programming language is useful and necessary
– Mathematics: Linear algebra, Multivariate calculus, Probability theory

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Masterʼs Project
Department of Informatics

The Masterʼs Project…

– is a group project (= min. 2 students)
– is an intensive and demanding project worth 15 ECTS credits
– best time: During semester break
– max. 12 months to complete
– must be supervised by an IfI professor

→ Check the fact sheet!

IfI organizes a Masterʼs Project Market each semester

→ Some open projects are presented and you can find peers

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Elective Areas
Department of Informatics

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science

Core elective area Systems Systems Computing Intelligence
Specific to your Major study program IS SOSY POC AI DS
(IS, SOSY, POC, AI, or DS; see next slide). Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

INF elective area Master’s project

15 ECTS
All modules offered by IfI on the Masterʼs level
Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective
(definition in the Study Regulations, p. 31) area area area area area
18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

INF elective area

WWF elective area 15 ECTS
All modules offered by WWF on the Masterʼs level WWF elective area
(definition in the Study Regulations, p. 31) 6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS
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Core Elective Area: Data Science (1/3)
Department of Informatics

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science

Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

IS SOSY POC AI DS
Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

Master’s project

– Data Management 15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective

Core elective Core elective Core elective
area area area area area

– Systems for Data Science 18 ECTS

INF elective area

18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

15 ECTS

– Temporal and Spatial Data Management WWF elective area

6 ECTS

– XML and Databases Master’s

thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS

– Praktikum Datenbanksysteme

– Algorithms
– Combinatorial Algorithms
– Randomized Algorithms
– Efficient Algorithms for Frequently Asked Questions

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Core Elective Area: Data Science (2/3)
Department of Informatics

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science

Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

IS SOSY POC AI DS
Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

Master’s project

– Machine Learning & Statistics 15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective

Core elective Core elective Core elective
area area area area area

– Foundations of Data Science (compulsory) 18 ECTS

INF elective area

18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

15 ECTS

– Deep Learning WWF elective area

6 ECTS

Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s Master’s

thesis thesis thesis thesis thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS

– Data Visualization
– Introduction to Interactive Visual Data Analysis

– Ethics
– Artificial Intelligence: Technology and Law

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Core Elective Area: Data Science (3/3)
Department of Informatics

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science

Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

IS SOSY POC AI DS
Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

Master’s project

– Data Science Applied in Economics and Business Administration 15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective

Core elective Core elective Core elective
area area area area area

– Machine Learning for Economic and Policy Analysis 18 ECTS

INF elective area

18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS 18 ECTS

15 ECTS

– Statistical Foundations for Finance WWF elective area

6 ECTS

(Mathematical and Computational Statistics Master’s

thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS

with a View Towards Finance and Risk Management)

– Network Science
– Blockchain and Crypto Economics

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Masterʼs Thesis
Department of Informatics

Five Major MSc study programs 90 ECTS credits

Information Software People-Oriented Artificial Data Science

Systems Systems Computing Intelligence

The Masterʼs Thesis… IS SOSY POC AI DS

Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory Compulsory
module module module module module
– must be written in your Major area 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS

Master’s project

– is a full-time endeavor worth 30 ECTS credits 15 ECTS

Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective Core elective
(i.e., no significant side jobs or other study activities possible) area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS
area
18 ECTS

– max. 6 months to complete INF elective area

15 ECTS

– can only be started once the Masterʼs Project has been successfully WWF elective area
6 ECTS

completed Master’s
thesis
Master’s
thesis
Master’s
thesis
Master’s
thesis
Master’s
thesis
30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS 30 ECTS
– must be supervised by an IfI professor (any IfI professor can do this)

→ Check the fact sheet!

→ Find topics on the IfI website (check the individual group pages) or contact the groups directly.

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Further Modules
Department of Informatics

Seminar Independent Study

– one seminar is mandatory – optional module
– recommended from 2nd semester → Check the fact sheet!
– check the Course Catalogue early and register for
the seminar within the seminar’s application deadline
Note: this deadline is shorter than the regular module booking deadline!

External Modules
– ETH: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/credits/external-eth.html
– Mobility within Switzerland: https://www.uzh.ch/cmsssl/en/studies/application/chmobilityout.html
– International exchange: https://www.int.uzh.ch/en/out.html
– Partner universities: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/international/engagement.html

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Note on External Courses
Department of Informatics

A course from another university may be counted against the Data Science core elective stint only if:
– It is directly relevant to Data Science,
– It is of a good scientific standing, teaching principles as opposed to a hands-on tutorial on using Data Science
tools, and
– It does not overlap significantly with the Data Science core electives.

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Data Science
Department of Informatics

Data Science on the IfI web page:

– https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/master/it/ds.html

It is possible to change the Major under certain conditions:

https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/general/enrollment/change.html

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Minor
Department of Informatics

Available Minor programs are listed in the Course Catalogue:

https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html

Ø Master of Science UZH in Informatics (RVO22) > Minor 30

Note: Modules in the „Minor area Informatics (INF)“ are offered

only in the Fall semester. There are no modules in the „Minor area
Informatics“ in the Spring semester. Take this into account when
planning your next few semesters.

You can change your Minor under certain conditions:

https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/general/enrollment/change.html

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Hints (1/3)
Department of Informatics

– Focus on the compulsory modules in your Major and Minor programs

– Make a study plan à Check course schedule of previous years for planning. Courses often stay
in the same slot. Suggested order:
– 1st semester: Compulsory module and course work
3rd semester:
st semester: 2nd semester: 4th semester:
– 2nd1semester: Course work, Masterʼs Project (usually duringRemaining
summer break)
– Compulsory module
3rd semester: and
Remaining courseCourse
work work, course work, Master’s
course work Master’s Project finish Master’s Thesis
– 4th semester: Masterʼs Thesis Project

– Read the fact sheets well before starting the respective module or thesis

– All legally binding information regarding modules, incl. exam dates, are in the UZH Course Catalogue.
Most modules additionally have a website or OLAT course, but the Course Catalogue is binding.

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Hints (2/3)
Department of Informatics

– Check the study websites of the Faculty and the Department:

– https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies.html
– https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html

– Note that booking/cancellation deadlines may vary between faculties.

– Working at IfI: Some modules/courses seek Tutors or Teaching Assistants. Check out
https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html and the individual group pages.

– Mentoring, social events, representatives: Informatics student association ICU: https://icuzh.ch

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Hints (3/3)
Department of Informatics

– Consider the policies on plagiarism and scientific integrity. You find the fact sheet on plagiarism
on this website:
– https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html
– The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences issued a Code of conduct for scientific integrity:
https://akademien-schweiz.ch/en/themen/scientific-culture/scientific-integrity-1/

– UZH provides a number of advice and support services for topics such as Gender Equality and
Diversity, Disability, or Psychological Counseling:
– https://www.students.uzh.ch/en/advice.html

– Practise passive and active English without tools (in exams, no translation tools are permitted)
– UZH offers English courses: https://www.sprachenzentrum.uzh.ch/en/Sprachkurse/Englisch.html

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Questions/Whom to Contact
Department of Informatics

If you have questions, please follow these steps:

1. Read the Study Regulations: https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/studies/regulations.html
2. Read the IfI‘s study information and fact sheets: https://www.ifi.uzh.ch/en/studies/msc-info.html
3. Check information in the Course Catalogue: https://studentservices.uzh.ch/uzh/anonym/vvz/index.html
4. Send e-mail to the respective person:

For questions about For questions specific to a course: Contact the instructor.
– Masterʼs Project
– Independent Studies
For everything else, contact the Deanʼs Office:
– Masterʼs Thesis https://www.oec.uzh.ch/en/staff/team.html (Study Affairs)
– Informatics studies in general
Contact the IfIʼs Study And of course you can ask your fellow students, for example by
Coordinator, Daniela Bärtschi: joining the student association ICU: https://icuzh.ch
studies@ifi.uzh.ch

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Did you know?
Department of Informatics

The Informatics Library is part of the UB Sciences

on the Irchel campus!

Books can be delivered to Oerlikon free of charge:

Simply select “UB Psychology” as pick-up location in swisscovery.

https://t.uzh.ch/1mr
or https://www.ub.uzh.ch/en

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