Embedded Systems

Program overview

This English-language Master of Science prepares you to design and implement embedded systems by bringing together microsystems technologies, information and communication technologies, and software development. The degree focuses on creating intelligent systems solutions, equipping students with both hardware and software perspectives needed for real-world embedded applications.

The curriculum builds a solid technical foundation through a set of compulsory modules that cover digital architectures, real-time and software design, signal and image processing, sensor systems and hardware/software co-design. Practical experience is emphasised via a dedicated project lab and hands-on coursework. After completing the core modules, you can specialise in areas that match your interests and career goals.

Specialisation options include System Design, Automotive Systems, Signal Processing and Embedded Systems, alongside opportunities to take additional non-technical subjects to broaden your profile. Depending on availability, students may also undertake a university research project or a research internship to deepen their research experience or gain industry exposure.

Key facts and requirements

• Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.), field: Electrical Engineering
• Language of instruction: English
• Central aim: Development of intelligent systems solutions by combining microsystems technologies, ICT and software development
• Compulsory modules:
  • Digital Components and Architectures for Data Processing
  • Digital Signal Processing 1
  • Computer Vision 1
  • Smart Sensor Systems
  • Project Lab Embedded Systems
  • Design of Software for Embedded Systems
  • Real Time Systems
  • Design of Digital Systems
  • Hardware/Software Co-design 1
• Specialisation areas: System Design, Automotive Systems, Signal Processing, Embedded Systems; option to take additional non-technical subjects
• Research opportunity: possibility to complete a research project at the university or a research internship (subject to availability)

This Master's curriculum combines a solid core of embedded-systems engineering with a broad elective catalogue to let you specialise in areas such as systems design, automotive electronics, signal processing, communications or deeper embedded topics. The taught core (47 CP) focuses on digital architectures, signal and image processing, sensors, hardware/software co‑design and real‑time/embedded software development, reinforced by laboratory work and a project lab. These compulsory courses are designed to give you hands‑on experience building and validating embedded systems and the theoretical foundations to analyse and optimise them.

Electives (43 CP) let you tailor your profile. Options are grouped into thematic fields—Systems Design, Automotive Systems, Signal Processing, Next‑Generation Communications and Embedded Systems—covering modules like verification and heterogeneous systems, automotive sensor platforms, multisensor fusion, localisation, image/video processing and advanced mobile networks. There are also non‑technical electives to develop management, economic and communication skills. For practical research experience you can choose either a smaller research project at the university or a longer research internship in industry/partner labs (you may select at most one of these). The programme culminates in a compulsory master’s thesis in the final semester (30 CP).

Key learning outcomes

• Ability to design and implement hardware/software co‑designed embedded systems, including real‑time constraints and digital architectures.
• Proficiency in signal and image processing methods applied to sensors, localisation and computer vision.
• Competence in verification, testing and validation of digital and mixed‑signal circuits and systems.
• Practical laboratory and project experience in sensor systems, embedded software design and system integration, plus optional exposure to automotive platforms, communications and economic/leadership skills.

Requirements (concise)

• Compulsory subjects — 47 CP:

  • Digital Components and Architectures for Data Processing (Sem 1, seminar)
  • Digital Signal Processing 1 (Sem 1, lecture/seminar)
  • Computer Vision 1 (Sem 1, lecture/seminar)
  • Smart Sensor Systems (Sem 1, lecture/seminar/lab)
  • Design of Digital Systems (Sem 1, lecture/seminar/lab)
  • Hardware/Software Co‑design 1 (Sem 1, lecture/seminar)
  • Project Lab Embedded Systems (Sem 2, seminar)
  • Design of Software for Embedded Systems (Sem 2, lecture/seminar)
  • Real Time Systems (Sem 2, lecture/seminar)

• Elective subjects (choose from catalogue to total 43 CP). Examples by field:

  • Field of Systems Design:
    • Verification of Digital Systems (Sem 2, seminar/lab) — 5 CP
    • Design of Heterogeneous Systems (Sem 2, lecture/seminar/lab) — 5 CP
    • Test of Digital and Mixed‑Signal Circuits (Sem 1, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
    • Applied Circuit Design (Sem 3, seminar/lab) — 8 CP
  • Field of Automotive Systems:
    • Automotive Sensor Systems (Sem 2, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
    • Advanced Platforms for Automotive Systems (Sem 3, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
  • Field of Signal Processing:
    • Multisensorial Systems (Sem 1 & 2, lecture/lab) — 5 CP
    • Mobile Localisation and Navigation (Sem 3, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
    • Image Processing and Pattern Recognition (Sem 2 & 3, lecture/lab) — 5 CP
    • Digital Signal Processing 2 (Sem 2, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
    • Computer Vision 2 (Sem 2, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
    • Video Signal Processing (Sem 2, lecture/seminar) — 3 CP
    • Programming and Data Analysis (Sem 2, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
    • Antenna Engineering (Sem 2, lecture/seminar/lab) — 5 CP
  • Communications / Networks:
    • Next Generation Internet (Sem 1 & 2, lecture) — 5 CP
    • Advanced Mobile Networks (Sem 1 & 2, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
  • Field of Embedded Systems:
    • Advanced Embedded Systems (Sem 1, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP

• Further elective (non‑technical) subjects:

  • Optimisation for Non‑Mathematicians (Sem 3, lecture/seminar) — 6 CP
  • Resource Efficiency from an Economic Perspective (Sem 3, lecture/seminar) — 5 CP
  • Communication and Leadership (Sem 1, 2 or 3, seminar) — 5 CP

• Elective modules in research and internship (choose at most one):

  • Research project (at the university) — 10 CP
  • Research internship — 30 CP

• Master’s thesis (compulsory, final semester) — 30 CP

This structure provides a balanced mix of theory, lab work and project/research experience so you graduate ready to develop, test and integrate complex embedded systems in industry or research.

Graduates are prepared for technical and development roles in embedded systems, such as embedded systems engineer, hardware/software co-design engineer, real-time systems developer, signal processing or computer vision engineer, and automotive systems specialist. The programme’s mix of microsystems, ICT and software training, together with lab-based projects, equips students for positions in industries like automotive, telecommunications, consumer electronics, medical devices, automation and IoT companies.

The research project and internship options also create pathways into R&D roles and academia, and the strong technical foundation supports progression to PhD studies or specialised engineering and product development careers within high-tech and research-driven organisations.