Engineering of Socio-Technical Systems

Program overview

This English-taught MSc is an interdisciplinary, specialised programme that prepares students to design and evaluate safety‑critical, computer-based interactive systems with a strong emphasis on the human–technology interface. Coursework blends computing and psychological perspectives — including cognitive and perception psychology and elements of neuroscience — with engineering methods for developing interactive information and cyber‑physical systems. The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with practical skills to enable students to work on complex, human-centred technological systems.

Specialisations

• Human–Computer Interaction (HCI): Focuses on usability, psychological principles and practical methods for designing, implementing and evaluating interactive systems within complex technical environments.
• Embedded Brain–Computer Interaction (EmbeddedBCI): Covers system design, neurocognitive psychology and signal processing to apply brain–computer interfaces and integrate human and technical agents in cyber‑physical systems.
• Systems Engineering (SE): Teaches analysis, design and development of large, cooperative socio‑technical systems, emphasising how subsystem interactions shape overall system behaviour and safety.

Graduates commonly move into roles such as usability or safety engineers, human factors specialists, interaction developers, or designers of user interfaces and cooperation strategies for interactive and cooperative information and CPS. The degree opens opportunities across industries developing interactive, partially autonomous or safety‑critical systems — from mobile and web services to automotive, aerospace and medical device sectors.

Admission requirements (summary)

• Completed Bachelor’s degree in Computing Science, Psychology with a technical specialisation, or a closely related subject linked to the master’s programme
• Ability to study in English (programme is taught in English)

Helpful background (not strict requirements): prior coursework or experience in programming, systems engineering, cognitive/perception psychology, or signal processing will ease transition into the programme.

This two-year (four-semester) Master’s programme is built around interdisciplinary training in computing, cognitive/psychological sciences, and engineering practice. The curriculum begins with a tailored first semester that fills gaps in each student’s background — computer science fundamentals for graduates from psychology-related fields, and cognitive/psychological foundations for those coming from computer science. An admissions committee assigns these introductory modules individually so everyone reaches a common interdisciplinary baseline.

After the first semester students progress through compulsory foundations and a set of concentrative modules across semesters two and three, before completing a 30-credit master’s thesis and final colloquium in the last semester. The course structure supports both theoretical grounding (neuroscience, psychology, mathematical and logical foundations, core CS) and applied specialization via practical focus areas and domain-specific coursework. Practical team internships and elective modules let you deepen skills in Human–Computer Interaction, Embedded Brain–Computer Interaction, Systems Engineering, or in application domains such as automation/robotics, automotive, maritime, or medical technology.

Key components and module timing

• Fundamental Competencies in Computer Science and Psychology (18 credit points, first semester)
  • Introductory mathematical-logical and computer science principles, plus cognitive, psychological and empirical methods.
  • Content is assigned based on prior degree: psychology graduates receive CS foundation modules; CS graduates receive cognitive/psychological foundations.
• Foundations of Socio-Technical Systems Engineering (24 credit points)
  • Compulsory courses covering core topics in neuroscience, psychology and computer science.
• Accentuation Practical (24 credit points; semesters 2 and 3)
  • Choose one practical focus area and take required electives (typically four modules of 6 CP each, split as 12 CP per semester).
  • Includes team-oriented internships to apply interdisciplinary skills.
  • Current focus areas: Human–Computer Interaction; Embedded Brain–Computer Interaction; Systems Engineering.
• Accentuation Computer Science (12 credit points; semesters 2 and 3)
  • Joint in-depth computer science modules for all students, emphasizing classical core CS topics.
• Accentuation Domain (12 credit points)
  • Domain-specific coursework offering deeper insight into sector requirements and particularities (examples: automation & robotics, automotive, maritime, medical technology).
• Master’s thesis (30 credit points, final semester)
  • Research or project thesis culminating in a final colloquium (defense/presentation).

Learning outcomes (what you will be able to do)

• Integrate computational, cognitive/neuroscientific, and engineering perspectives to design and evaluate socio-technical systems.
• Apply foundational mathematical, logical and empirical methods from both computer science and psychology/neuroscience.
• Specialize in practical areas (HCI, embedded BCI, or systems engineering) and carry out collaborative, team-based projects and internships.
• Understand and address domain-specific constraints and requirements in applied sectors.
• Plan and execute an independent master’s-level research or development project and present your results in a formal colloquium.

Program credit total (sum of listed parts): 120 credit points.

Graduates are prepared for technical and human-centred roles in industry and research. Typical positions include usability and safety engineers, human factors specialists, interaction developers and user-interface designers who work on interactive and cooperative information systems and cyber-physical systems.

Employers span many sectors that develop interactive or partially autonomous systems — from mobile and web services to automotive, aerospace, maritime and medical device industries — where skills in human–technology interaction, safety engineering and system integration are in demand.