Advanced Signal Processing & Communications Engineering
Advanced Signal Processing & Communications Engineering (M.Sc.)
The Advanced Signal Processing & Communications Engineering degree program is a forward-thinking choice for technology-savvy students who want to deepen their knowledge of digital signal processing and communications technology.
- Degree
- Master of Science
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Engineering sciences
- Special ways to study
- Elite degree programs, International degree program
- Teaching language
- completely in English
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
This Master’s degree program is part of the Elite Network of Bavaria and has a duration of four semesters. It is taught in English and is aimed at holders of excellent Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Medical Engineering (Medical Image and Data Processing) or closely related disciplines.
The program focuses on interdisciplinary concepts that are fundamental for advanced technologies in the areas of artificial intelligence, signal processing and communications. Besides information theory, coding and statistical signal processing, this includes machine learning, optimization and game theory. Students deepen the broad interdisciplinary scope of these topics by choosing various areas of specialization.
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1st semester
- Kick-off Seminar
- Information Theory and Coding
- Statistical Signal Processing
- Machine Learning in Signal Processing
- Mathematical Optimisation in Communications and Signal Processing
- Non-technical elective courses
- Technical lab courses
- Technical compulsory elective modules
- Winter School
2nd semester
- Selected topics in ASC
- Applied Game Theory in Information Engineering
- Deep Learning
- Technical compulsory elective modules
- Research project (minor) – optional
- Summer School
3rd semester:
- Research project (major)
- Technical elective courses
- Technical lab courses
4th semester:
- Master’s thesis
The four-semester curriculum starts with a kick-off seminar right before the winter semester. Selected faculty members guide the students in composing their own curricula tailored to their individual interests and career goals. The degree program includes at least two or even three research projects, one of them being the six-month Master’s thesis.
A winter school complements the scientific education with general soft and targeted people management and business development skills. A summer school prepares the students for the research-based training in the second year of the program. Furthermore, students can opt to participate in various events organized by the Elite Network of Bavaria.
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- With Germany being one of the most productive industrial economies, engineers are always in high demand. Demographic developments and the ever-growing demand for young graduates familiar with the latest technologies lead to plenty of openings with attractive salaries for ASC graduates. Aside from the traditional employers in the communication industry, ASC students can expect to find numerous opportunities in industries whose competitiveness greatly depends on embedded information technology, such as medical technology, energy systems (‘smart grids’) or the automotive industry. The Nuremberg Metropolitan Region also has many major players in all of these fields.
- The cooperation partnership between FAU and the Fraunhofer IIS (‘Home of MP3’) makes Erlangen a global leader in audio and multimedia technologies. The university chairs involved within the ASC program have a wide range of cooperation partners in industry, including Alcatel-Lucent, Audi, BMW, Deutsches HörZentrum Hannover, Dolby Germany GmbH, EADS, Ericsson, Huawei, IAD, Institut für Rundfunktechnik, Intel, NTT, Sennheiser, Shure and Siemens. During their studies, students can complete research projects as part of joint research projects between FAU and industry.
- The ASC Master’s degree program builds on Bachelor’s programs in information and communication technology. It exposes students to cutting-edge research and development in the core areas of communications and multimedia technology and related interdisciplinary topics. The program structure complies with internationally recognized Master’s degree programs and meets the requirements for qualifying for subsequent doctoral studies. The four-semester curriculum starts in the winter semester and includes a thesis which is written over a six-month period. All modules are taught in English and do not require prior knowledge of the German language.
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Content-related admission requirements
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- outstanding Bachelor’s degree: at least 80% or 2.0 in German grading system
- Engineering math: linear algebra, complex analysis, linear differential equations, Fourier transform, Laplace transform, z-transform
- Signals and Systems (textbook, e.g., Oppenheim/Willsky, Signals and Systems)
- Communications (textbook, e.g., Haykin, Communication Systems)
- Stochastic Signals (textbook, e.g., Pillai/Papoulis: Probability, Random Variables, and Stochastic Processes)
- Minimum knowledge in Digital Signal Processing: A.V. Oppenheim and R. Schafer, Discrete-Time Signal Processing, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall, 2013.
- Software: MATLAB or Python
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- No DSH, English (level B2, CEFR)
- General language skills
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The required English level is “Vantage or upper intermediate” level (B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or an equivalent score in an internationally recognised test, eg. IELTS 5.5, TOEFL pbt 552. Six years of English lessons at a German Gymnasium shall also suffice as proof; applicants whose native language is English need not submit any such proof.
Proof of German proficiency is not required. However, we strongly recommend non-German speaking students to attend German language classes during the MSc studies.
- Details and notes
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The time frames for submitting your online application are:
- February 15 – March 15 (applies to international students who have to apply for a visa)
- February 15 – July 15 (for students who do not have to apply for a visa)
Do you need help or more information?
Our Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ) is the central point of contact for all questions about studying and starting a degree programme. Our Student Service Centres and subject advisors support you in planning your studies.