Frequently Asked Questions

AI&ES IS AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL MASTER’S. WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE INVOLVED?

The Department of Electrical Engineering is the leading department. The other 6 participating departments are:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Applied Physics
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Built Environment
• Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences.

WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE AI&ES MASTER PROGRAM?

The duration of the program is two years (120 ECTS).

WHAT KIND OF DIPLOMA DO I GET WHEN I FINISH MY MASTERS’ DEGREE AI&ES?

When you finish your Masters’ degree AI&ES you are Master of Science (MSc) in Artificial Intelligence Engineering Systems with a certificate for the chosen track.

GENERAL – ALL STUDENTS
WHEN AND HOW CAN I ENROLL FOR THE NEW MASTER AI&ES?

You can enroll in the course of February 2022, in the regular way via Studielink, or if you are an international student, through the university website (https://www.tue.nl/en/education/become-a-tue-student/).

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

The deadline to enroll is May 1^st, 2022, for all students.

GENERAL – ALL STUDENTS
WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION CRITERIA?

To be admitted to the Master’s program AI&ES you will have to meet the following criteria:

• Knowledge and skills acquired from a BSc level research university degree, equal to a Dutch university BSc degree level.
• Knowledge of basic concepts of Engineering Systems (calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, design-optimization, signals, systems and applied physics)
• Knowledge of basic concepts of Algorithms and Data Structures (linear algebra, probability and statistics, data-analysis, data-mining, programming, computer-architecture, logics, databases, data-structures, data science)
• Knowledge of basics concepts of social context (ethics, cognition, social impact of technique)

Details will be specified in the AI&ES Studyguide; a first version will be available by the end of February 2022.

WITH WHICH BACHELOR-DEGREE CAN YOU BE DIRECTLY ADMITTED IN THE NEW MASTER’S PROGRAM?

The program is open to students with various bachelor’s backgrounds. Students with a TU/e bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics or Mechanical Engineering can directly be admitted to this master. For other bachelor’s programs, admission depends on the learning outcomes and the content of the Bachelor’s program that you followed. Deficiencies with respect to the AI&ES admission criteria can be resolved in an AI&ES pre-master program that will be set up, by choosing appropriate bachelor elective courses or through homologation. See the details below. Details will also be specified in the AI&ES Studyguide; a first version will be available by the end of February 2022.

STUDENTS OF OTHER UNIVERSITIES
I DIDN’T TAKE THE RIGHT ELECTIVES DURING MY BACHELOR, BUT I STILL WANT TO ENROLL IN THE MASTER AI&ES. IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Upon application, as part of the admissions procedure it will be checked if there are deficiencies and if so, what they are exactly. If the amount of deficiencies is no more than 15 ECTS, you will be admitted to the AI&ES Master’s program, and the missing subjects will replace (some of) your electives through homologation. If your deficiencies exceed  15 ECTS, you need to complete the AI&ES  pre-master’s program. See the next item.

IS THERE AN AI&ES PRE-MASTER PROGRAM? WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?

Yes, like all pre-master programs at TU/e, the AI&ES pre-master program consists of a maximum of 30 ECTS worth of courses and will take you about 6 months to a year to complete. You are eligible to be admitted to the AI&ES pre-master program at TU/e, if you have a relevant Bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education (HBO or WO in the Dutch system).  You will need to comply with the English proficiency requirements at TU/e. In addition, admission to the AI&ES pre-master program requires proof that you have mastered a sufficient level of mathematics.

The AI&ES pre-master program will be described in the Studyguide, available by the end of February 2022.

Completing the AI&ES pre-master program does not give you a Bachelor’s degree. Instead, you will receive admission to the AI&ES Master’s program. For general information on pre-master programs at TU/e, see the pre-master page.

TU/E STUDENTS

Students with a TU/e Bachelors in Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering will be admitted directly. For students with a different bachelor’s program, there will be specific additional requirements to resolve deficiencies, the form and weight of which depends on the choices that you made in your bachelor’s program.

WHAT IS THE AI&ES CURRICULUM?

During the two years of your Master program you will follow core courses (30 EC), courses that are related to the track you have chosen and elective courses (15 EC). In addition, the curriculum includes  a multidisciplinary team project (10 EC) and a final graduation project (45 EC). The program has six specialization options, called tracks, each of which prepares for a specific application area.

WHICH COURSES FORM THE CORE OF THE MASTER AI&ES? WHAT TOPICS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN THE PROGRAM?

The core courses are all scheduled in the first year of the program, thus ensuring a solid disciplinary foundation. The core courses address both Artificial Intelligence and Engineering Systems, and their context. We distinguish six relevant topics for AI&ES engineers:

For the first, second and fourth topic, students choose one out of two indicated courses; for the other core topics the indicated course is common and mandatory for all students. Choices can be made on the basis of background, interest, or intended specialization. In addition, the research groups where students graduate may impose requirements on a specific core course that needs to be followed. Non-selected core courses can also be included in the elective space.

WHY DOES THE AI&ES PROGRAM HAVE TRACKS?

A track is a path through the AI&ES-program which prepares for applying AI in a specific area of engineering systems. There are six tracks:

1. High-tech systems and robotics
2. Mobility
3. Healthcare
4. Smart cities
5. AI Foundations and science applications
6. Manufacturing systems

Each track includes four specialization courses to connect the core knowledge to the specific needs of an application area. These present state-of-the-art, specialist knowledge on expertise areas in Artificial Intelligence Engineering Systems and are closely connected to the research in our research groups. The electives may refine this connection, to prepare for a specific graduation project.

The figure shows the general format of a track. Each track consists of specialization courses (the first four blocks), electives, a team project and the graduation project.

Details will be specified in the AI&ES Studyguide; a first version will be available by the end of February 2022.

IN WHICH SUBJECTS CAN I SPECIALIZE IN THIS MASTER? WHICH SPECIALIZATIONS CAN BE CHOSEN?

You can specialize in one of the six AI&ES tracks for which the program offers a track (see above).

ARE ALL COMBINATIONS OF BACHELOR DEGREE AND TRACKS POSSIBLE?

Yes, all combinations of a bachelor entrance degree and a specialization area (track) are possible. Depending on the bachelor program that you followed, you may need more, less or no extra courses to strengthen your domain knowledge in a specific track. Specialization and elective courses offer this knowledge, and specific domain knowledge differs per track. All program proposals and selected courses need approval from the examination committee.

HOW MANY ELECTIVES ARE SCHEDULED IN THE AI&ES MASTER?

The elective space consists of three courses with a total volume of 15 EC.

HOW ABOUT ELECTIVES FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS?

You may continue studying more subjects from other expertise areas of Artificial Intelligence Engineering Systems or study subjects from other areas you find interesting. You may use your elective courses to study technical or non-technical topics of your choice to broaden your perspective including courses from other departments at TU/e, different universities in the Netherlands, or universities abroad. Advice on elective courses can be given by your mentor. Your complete program needs approval by the Examination Committee.

WHEN DO I NEED TO COMPOSE MY ELECTIVE PROGRAM?

There is no mandatory deadline to finalize your choices for your elective program. Prior to starting your graduation project, you need to have compiled a study program that satisfies all program requirements. From a practical point of view, you can begin the program with core subjects only and gradually start making choices as you learn more about each of the specialization areas. Consult your mentor for advice and options.

WHAT GUIDANCE IS OFFERED IN CHOOSING MY ELECTIVES?

Being part of the TU/e Graduate School, you will be assigned a mentor to assist you on your professional development and study choices. Further, a program guide will offer several example programs to support you in defining your study program.

HOW CAN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPONENT BE EMBEDDED IN THE PROGRAM?

Going abroad for part of the program is possible but requires careful planning. Options are:

• A quarter (half semester) or semester of courses in the elective or specialization space can be followed abroad. Core courses cannot be followed abroad. All programs that include courses from other universities need approval by the Examination Committee.
• A full or partial graduation project abroad.

A combination of the above is also possible. In that case, the graduation project can be combined with a quarter (half semester) of courses, allowing a full international year.

CAN I DO AN INTERNSHIP?

No, doing an internship is not possible as part of the program. Experience with working in a company can be gained by carrying out (a part of) the graduation project within a company or external organization.

HOW DOES THE MASTER AI&ES COMPARE TO EXISTING MASTER PROGRAMS AT TU/E OR IN THE NETHERLANDS?

The Master AI&ES combines AI methods and techniques (including advanced data analysis techniques) with engineering systems. This means that this master’s program has the distinguishing feature to use AI tools and techniques in the interdisciplinary engineering practice that focuses on the design, control, diagnosis, manufacturing, management, and optimization of complex systems as they occur in different application domains.

HOW ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A PHD OR PDENG POSITION AFTER THE AI&ES MASTER?

The new Master AI&ES enables you to continue with a PhD or PDEng.

WHAT KIND OF JOB COULD I FIND AFTER FINISHING THIS MASTER?

Graduates in Artificial Intelligence Engineering Systems will have knowledge and skills in the field of AI, such as machine learning and deep learning and have developed a scientific perspective towards problem solving in engineering. This forms an excellent basis for a successful career in positions where AI and engineering are combined. Our graduates will most likely work in either industry or academia.

CAN YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE JOB MARKET PROSPECTS?

The demand on the labor market for higher educated people in science and technology is high and still growing. This certainly applies for technicians trained in Artificial Intelligence Engineering Systems. Graduates from TU/e often have a job at the time they graduate; within three months they all find a job.

HOW ABOUT THE CURRENT TRACKS AI&ES AND MSE? WILL THEY CONTINUE TO EXIST?

These tracks will be phased out. From September 2022, students can no longer enroll in these tracks. Students already enrolled will be able to continue and complete the track within the time typically needed to complete the program. In case of very long study delays, special arrangements will be made.

HOW DOES THIS MASTER RELATE TO DATA SCIENCE AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (DS&AI), THE NEW MASTER OF DATA SCIENCE?

TU/e offers two Artificial Intelligence Master’s programs. The Master DS&AI focuses on foundations, development, and research in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The master Artificial Intelligence & Engineering Systems (AI&ES), an interfaculty master, focuses on application of AI to complex engineering systems, e.g. in the areas of high-tech systems, robotics, health or mobility. Their areas of interest are complementary: Artificial Intelligence technology will find application in Engineering Systems, while Engineering Systems problems and solutions feed Artificial Intelligence research.

HOW IS EAISI INVOLVED?

The Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI) coordinates AI-related research and education, organizes meetings and activities for all students, lecturers, and researchers in Artificial Intelligence active at TU/e to meet and exchange ideas and develop and advance the field AI together in a multi-disciplinary way. Both Master’s programs are part of these initiatives.

WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM COST?

The costs of studying the AI&ES master are comparable to the costs of other master programs TU/e offers. For more details, refer to  to this webpage.

DO YOU HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS?

Various scholarships are open to students wishing to follow a Master’s program at TU/e. A requirement of most scholarships is that you have been admitted to a Master’s program before you may apply to the scholarship. It is therefore important that you take note of the scholarships deadlines and apply well in advance to the TU/e Master’s program of your choice in time to meet the scholarship deadline.
Students from countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) may be eligible for a grant or loan from the Dutch government. Check the website of DUO  if you qualify for student finance.