Description and Objectives
Recent technological advances have facilitated new forms of interaction with computer and robotic systems, ranging from traditional user interfaces - which must be designed ensuring usability and accessibility - to interaction based on natural language, chatbots, augmented and virtual reality, through mobile devices, and on social networks.
The aim of the master's program is to provide advanced training in the design, construction, and evaluation of intelligent interactive systems. The master's program has a research-oriented character, aiming to train future researchers in the field, who will be able to pursue a research career in academia (through a doctoral thesis), in research centers, and in leading R&D companies.
To achieve these goals, the master's program provides training in research methodology and project management; human-computer interaction; and theory and application of machine learning techniques. Given the broad spectrum of interactive systems, this master's program offers optional courses covering advanced aspects of interactive systems, such as automated development of interactive systems; designing socially impactful accessible software; social network analysis; designing collaborative cloud applications; building adaptive systems and user modeling; advanced natural language processing techniques; virtual and augmented reality; video games; and interactive robotics. Additionally, this master's program also offers the option of completing external internships.
Student profiles
This master's program is aimed at graduates, degree holders, or engineers in science and engineering disciplines, provided that their degree includes at least 18 ECTS credits in programming, data structures, and software design. If this requirement is only partially met - by documenting at least 6 ECTS credits in programming - additional training of up to 12 ECTS credits (to reach the required 18 ECTS) will be required.
Professional Training
The master's program will prepare students to pursue a research career and undertake a doctoral thesis within one of the research groups at EPS or another institution. Additionally, given the high relevance of intelligent interactive systems today, graduates will have access to the job market to work in R&D companies and research centers in high-demand roles such as interactive systems developer, user experience designer, or technology project manager.
The growth predictions in technologies covered in the master's program, such as low-code development, conversational assistants (chatbots) and natural language technologies, and virtual/augmented reality, make the employment prospects for graduates very promising.
[1] Gartner's predictions on low-code:
https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-12-13-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-low-code-development-technologies-market-to-grow-20-percent-in-2023
[2] Gartner's predictions on chatbots:
https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-07-27-gartner-predicts-chatbots-will-become-a-primary-customer-service-channel-within-five-years
[3] PS Market Research predictions on AR/VR:
https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/augmented-reality-and-virtual-reality-market
Other general information
- Center, department or institute responsible: Higher Polytechnic School
- Character: Research-oriented
- Minimum ECTS according to registration and course: 24 ECTS (part time registration); 37 ECTS (full time registration)
- Teaching languages: Spanish